© Carolina Reinertz
In the second edition of Caro tries, she goes to Peppermint in Bonnevoie to try their Vietnamese and Malaysian cuisine.
Peppermint has been around since 2018 (seven years now) but before that, it actually started out in Diekirch under the name Bonzai. It's run by a family originally from Vietnam, though the chef himself is Malaysian, which makes the menu a unique mix of both Vietnamese and Malaysian dishes.
The clientele is a mix of everyone. And yes, even Vietnamese guests eat here, which is always a very good sign when it comes to authenticity! Peppermint also has a "sister" restaurant in Kirchberg, which leans more towards a purely Vietnamese menu, whereas the Bonnevoie location offers a balance of Vietnamese and Malaysian dishes.
What struck me most was their focus on giving people an authentic experience. The waiters often recommend dishes, especially when new items are introduced. The team is about 6–8 people strong, mostly from Vietnam but also from Hong Kong and China, so it feels like a real mix of cultures working together in one kitchen.
I also spoke with Chin, who is Malaysian-born, and she warmly insisted that I should come back so she could prepare some Malaysian specialties for us personally! They're also happy to adapt dishes based on what clients ask for, whether that's leaving something out or adjusting flavours, which adds a really personal touch to the service. The whole service felt super personal, and the staff kept checking in on us without overdoing it, which made the experience really warm and welcoming.
And here's a tip: ask, and you can get treated to a special Malaysian dish that's not on the menu!
The food
I went for the Pho soup, which I had been told was very authentic, and paired it with a chrysanthemum tea. The portion was generous, with plenty of condiments on the side to customise the flavours to your liking. The menu overall is quite large, with good vegetarian options: tofu curry with seasonal veggies, vegetarian "chicken" in Vietnamese curry with coconut milk, or udon noodles with vegetables, just to name a few.
- Pho (21,90€)
The extras
The restaurant is spacious, with enough room for strollers if you're coming as a family, and they have high chairs for babies. The only downside is that there's no setup for changing younger babies, so keep that in mind.
Food quality – 3,5/5
Family-friendly – 4/5
Budget friendly – 3/5
Date-friendly – 3,5/5
Veggie-friendly – 4/5
Carolina Reinertz, former RTL Today editor turned contributor, is testing every hotspot in Luxembourg with honest reviews on whether a place is date-friendly, budget-friendly, or worth the hype – so you can spend your money wisely.
