Chum Chay in Köln

Chum Chay is located in a small courtyard and offers seating both indoors and in a small "summer garden." Even in winter, you can sit comfortably in a heated tent. There's a good selection of vegetarian dishes. The summer rolls and the fried spring rolls definitely deserve special mention. Both were outstanding. For my main course, I had pho, which was also delicious. Another plus is definitely the drinks – a wide selection, and all very tasty. The only downside, in my opinion, is that they don't accept card payments. We weren't informed of this beforehand. We had to go to the bank after our meal (in the rain), which was really inconvenient. Otherwise – absolutely fantastic!

The food was amazing!! Really, really delicious and finally something different. The service was quick, but could have been a bit friendlier.

The food was delicious, but the service was incredibly unfriendly. A friend ordered a drink that was clearly less than half full and completely flat. When we asked if it had perhaps been mixed up and could be topped up, we were met with extreme rudeness. They simply stated that the drink was always like that and that there was nothing wrong. That's a questionable way to treat customers. We won't be coming back.

Please note that only cash is accepted. Otherwise, we were very satisfied.

Really delicious. There are about ten dishes on the menu and the place is nicely decorated. The food was quite tasty. Cash only, no reservations, and you should expect a short wait in the evenings.

I had lunch at Chum Chay today – for the second time – and I can highly recommend it. The food is delicious, the portions are generous, and the prices are fair. It's a vegan restaurant, so there's no meat, and everything tastes fresh and well-balanced. Three minor criticisms: 1️⃣ They only accept cash, which is a bit inconvenient these days. 2️⃣ If you sit inside, your clothes often smell of food afterward – the ventilation could be better. 3️⃣ The restroom could be a bit cleaner. Nevertheless, the quality of the food and the relaxed atmosphere definitely outweigh these minor issues.

Vietnamese restaurant with a great atmosphere. The staff is very friendly and the food is delicious, but it could use a bit more spice.

The green curry had nothing to do with a green curry. The Diet Coke was bland and didn't taste like Coca-Cola. Of course, no card payments either. The seating inside was extremely cramped. A truly terrible experience, never again.

It's a great place to eat – when we got out, there was already a line waiting. For me, though, there's too much tofu on offer and too little just delicious vegetables. The service is OK, but the backyard isn't my cup of tea.

The food is really fresh and delicious. I definitely recommend it. The spritzers are also really great. Thanks, I'll be back.

Very tasty, high-quality, and reasonably priced food. I highly recommend the red curry and the breaded tofu. It's definitely worth a visit.

We really enjoy eating here. The food is always delicious and fresh. The service is very friendly and professional. Highly recommended.

Despite the wait, we were seated quickly. The service was friendly and quick, and the food was delicious, fresh, and well-seasoned. Overall, a great restaurant. Please note, however, that only cash payments are accepted.

The food is amazing, highly recommended

Very, very tasty food & a small but fine selection. Really excellent value for money, highly recommended. Unfortunately, it's often very busy, but if you wait a few minutes, it's not a problem. Unfortunately, no card payments are accepted! I find that a bit of a shame in 2025.

A very nice place to eat. A quiet courtyard. An ideal spot to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The food itself was excellent, as was the service. Nothing to complain about, fresh ingredients. The price-quality ratio is excellent. Highly recommended.

Such a delicious surprise! And very cozy both inside and out. Absolutely recommended!

The food is truly delicious. The service is also excellent, although you'll get a table quicker as a couple than as a group. The value for money is also excellent!

Really simply good, delicious food. I've never had such a creamy, yet not so sweet, coconut sauce.

I can't put into words how delicious the green curry tastes 💚 Fantastic food, cozy atmosphere, and very friendly staff.

Very tasty and beautiful courtyard

We always go for the vegan options, and since this is a fully vegan restaurant – the very first in Köln, as I was told – the choice was easy. It was a real joy. The food was very tasty and left us full in a pleasant, satisfying way. We sat inside because all the tables outside were already taken. I’d recommend reserving a table before you go – we were just lucky to get one.

My favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Cologne and beyond. Best Bun Cha Gio, best Chanh Da, best everything!

Never disappointed, definitely one of my most expensive restaurants. Service is fast, the courtyard is nice, and it's always busy. Glad to have Chum Chay in Cologne.

Chum Chay offered fresh and delicious Vietnamese vegetarian food, and it was cozy too. We visited Chum Chay spontaneously after a joint event nearby last year and were delighted by the original ambiance, the vegetarian selection, and the interesting flavors that also cater to a more European palate.

Incredibly delicious, friendly staff.

A tranquil oasis not far from the lively Ehrenstrasse shopping street. Extremely delicious Vietnamese vegetarian food. Attentive, professional service. Take-out orders are also available. Cash only.

A super nice restaurant with vegan and vegetarian options, and the staff are also extremely friendly. The food came quickly and tasted very good. However, one dish was a bit too lightly seasoned for our taste :)

Good option for vegetarians. But you will find Tofu in most of the dishes

It was very tasty. It's a great place to eat.

Friendly and quick service, delicious food, great prices :) +Nice courtyard for seating We were lucky and managed to snag a seat at 6:30 PM on a Friday without having to wait. Later on, things were different, but despite the quick service, there was no rush. You could stay as long as you wanted. We'd be happy to go back :)

I was skeptical at first, but the food was so impressive! Two people full and satisfied for €50. A (very good) bargain!

But unfortunately only cash payment

Awesome! The food was delicious and the staff super friendly :)

Great food and drinks. Attentive service. For outside seating, you'll need to plan on waiting and be sure to bring cash.

Super clean food. Very healthy. Except for two dishes, the menu consists entirely of tofu. It's very popular and very full. If you like rice noodles with lime juice as a sauce, this is the place for you. I don't like it.

Nice shop, beautifully located in the courtyard with friendly staff and good vegetarian food.

There were two of us there. The food was good. Unfortunately, it wasn't a place to linger. The food came very quickly—under 10 minutes. The ingredients were fresh, but the preparation time wasn't.

Delicious, classic PHO. The carrot soup base is rich and flavorful, probably because of the pepper.

This small Vietnamese restaurant, with a lovely courtyard and dining room, serves good Vietnamese cuisine, albeit only vegetarian. I'm an omnivore and not a fan of tofu, but I have to say I enjoyed the tofu dishes there, and the banana blossom salad and spring rolls were also good. The service is courteous and quick. Two minor drawbacks: They only accept cash (why?) and they don't take reservations.

Delicious, cozy, good portions, and not too expensive. Bring cash and arrive before 6 p.m. if you want to avoid the line.

A super cute Vietnamese restaurant, quiet and somewhat hidden away. A friend and I thought the food was truly incredible. 😋🥰 The best spring rolls I've ever had! And the incredibly fluffy bhan bao were perfect, you could have used them as a pillow. The curry was also great, huge portions. My stomach hurts now, but it was worth it! 😍 Cash only, though, so you have to remember that these days. 😉

Pleasant service, pleasant outdoor ambiance in the courtyard. The food was tasty, but lacked that final kick of spice. The curry advertised as spicy was, unfortunately, not spicy at all. The sauce-to-rice ratio wasn't quite right; in the end, it was pretty much a soup.

My god, what a great place! Really fair prices and incredibly delicious food. I'm still thinking about it.

Only takes cash! Drinks were great, as was the atmosphere. Food was a little disappointing, a little bland but with a lot of coriander (that I personally don’t enjoy, and always ask for people not to include, but it wasn’t mentioned as an ingredient on the menu, so I didn’t.)

Seems to be very popular, with such a long line. The food was great, and the staff was really nice! Only the restrooms and the restaurant itself weren't so nice on that rainy day.

Please, every day, forever. A little oasis. The food is simply delicious from top to bottom. I've already read the menu from top to bottom and now I feel like I can pronounce it correctly 😂 Healthy, delicious, and all vegetarian. Simply superb. The team is always so friendly and relaxed, even though some days the place almost bursts.

Incredibly delicious food at a fair price! Great vegan options!

The food was truly delicious, and the service was very quick. Unfortunately, you're seated at a table with strangers, and the benches are extremely uncomfortable and have no backrests. Everything is designed to make you leave quickly. The prices are very fair, and the portions are generous.

The food was OK. I won't be back because I didn't like it as much. The service was very friendly, the food was high quality, but not my thing.

A restaurant located in a small courtyard. I give it five stars for its ambiance. The service was attentive and very friendly. The food was very well seasoned. If you like something a little exotic, you should stop by here. Definitely not the usual run-of-the-mill food you'd find in other restaurants. The value for money is definitely good. I highly recommend this restaurant.

"I came here looking for Asian food, and it turned out to be more delicious than any Vietnamese food I've had anywhere else! Just a heads-up — I didn't know they didn't accept card payments, so I had to go withdraw some cash. If you're planning to visit, make sure to bring cash with you!" Let me know if you want a more formal or casual version!

If I lived in Cologne, they'd see me every day. Food made with love, top value for money 10/10

For our visit to Cologne, I had researched a restaurant in advance that had a cozy outdoor terrace and vegan/vegetarian food. I came across Chum Chay, and let me say, we weren't disappointed. A cozy atmosphere, top-notch service, incredibly friendly, and the food simply unbelievably delicious. We'll definitely be back!!! A quick tip: The homemade passion fruit cold drink is incredibly delicious and very refreshing!

Always happy to come back! Great food and very fast. Perfect for lunch!

Incredibly delicious food and drinks. Authentic and honest. The best Vietnamese in Cologne. You can't make reservations, but it's worth queuing!

Tasty food, good portion, for vegetarian many options - all for a reasonable price (only cash!). Very well located and no reservation possible - come and wait a moment to enjoy it.

I've been there several times over the last years and they don't disappoint. Food is yummy with fresh ingredients and the portions are big. Prices are fair, which makes me happy, since the cost of life is so expensive. Here you can treat yourself with a home made drink for 5.5€ and a good meal for 12-14€. The staff is patient and friendly. I recommend you to arrive there early to grab a table without waiting (we met with my friend at 17:30) and we were eating by 18 hrs. The food is anyway worth waiting for. We had the green curry (with udon noodles) and I had the yellow curry. Will definitely come back again!

I’ve been to this restaurant several times now, and it never disappoints. The food is consistently fresh, and you can really taste the quality of the ingredients in every dish. It’s clear they care about what they serve and where it comes from. From the first bite to the last, everything feels thoughtfully prepared. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a place that values freshness and flavor!

A hidden Vietnamese gem, tucked away in a small inner courtyard, this place offers only vegan and vegetarian stuff. They have phos, they have curries, they have buns. The waiters are super nice, the prices ok, 55 euros for 3 people, drinks included.

We had a variety of starters and a super fresh cocktail. Everything was truly delicious, and the service was fast and friendly. Absolutely top-notch!

Nothing to complain about. Portions are always too large for me, the food is delicious, and the service is top-notch.

Very tasty, very friendly service. No card payments!

Somewhat tucked away in a courtyard, I came here with a friend for dinner. My table was quickly assigned to other guests. Food: A small appetizer was served without sauce due to my gluten intolerance. It's a shame there wasn't an alternative, even though we specifically asked for one. We found it rather unimaginative. The main course was a sort of bowl with pickled tofu, which tasted fresh and delicious. The second course was a soup that was a bit spicy, but also tasty. So, the food was generally good and appealing. The prices are reasonable. Ambience: The ambience was initially okay. We sat outside in the courtyard because the weather was nice. When the guests opened and filled the large trash cans, I was speechless. It was disgusting—unprofessional—and could have been done at the end of the working day, no, should have been. Conclusion: Unfortunately, there was a lack of creativity and selection when it came to gluten-free dishes. A vegetarian restaurant should simply be able to do that! But you can definitely eat delicious and authentic food here.

Disturbed by homeless people during dinner! I usually love trying new restaurants—especially Asian ones. Unfortunately, my visit to Chum Chay was beyond disappointing. The food was not tasty at all, but what was even more unpleasant: several homeless people were wandering around the courtyard, approaching guests directly at their tables to beg for money. We were approached twice by different people—and both times the waitress just watched without taking any action. One customer even offered one of the homeless people her leftovers, which he refused, insisting on money instead. This all detracted from the atmosphere and completely ruined the entire restaurant experience for me.

Super delicious and friendly. The only, but major, drawback: cash only...

Very tasty vegan/vegetarian dishes. The decor is very simple, which was fine for us.

Without a doubt, this is the best Vietnamese place in town and therefore the go-to place amongst my family and friends! Their curries and bowls are packed with flavor and love. Absolutely worth the waiting in line. My recommendation is to get some bubble tea or so while waiting in line to keep you and your group busy. Also, their menu consists of vegetarian and vegan foods only, which is great for those who don't eat meat.

A little oasis in the middle of Friesenstraße. Delicious food, fast service, and fair prices in a cozy atmosphere. Even if you're a meat eater, you should give this place a try. I'll definitely be back.

I recently discovered this cozy Vietnamese place. The food is good, service is very nice, quick and friendly. The prices are very reasonable and the atmosphere is nice - it’s hidden in one of the backyard away from the main buzz of the busy city. I loved my food, it was very salty but I love that. The place also offers a variety of vegan dishes which is really nice. Go!

Super delicious food and delicious lemonades. If you like vegetarian and Asian food, this is the place for you.

One of my best experiences with Thai and vegetarian dishes! I absolutely loved it!! Begging with appetizers, having the main course, drinks, and finally the heavenly dessert. A truly delicious journey! Tofu in all dishes was so soft and flavoured. Some options are a bit spicy so be careful if you are sensitive to spicy food.

As always, super tasty and great service

Super nice restaurant. We sat inside because it was very busy, but that was certainly no problem. Nice atmosphere! The food was also super good, fresh and very tasty. The lemon/lime lemonade was very popular! Recommended for anyone who wants to eat vegan, fresh and delicious!!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Authentic, delicious & super friendly staff! I loved this Vietnamese restaurant in Cologne. The food is incredibly tasty and freshly prepared. I was particularly impressed by the diverse selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes - perfect for anyone who eats plant-based, there are great options. The staff is warm and attentive, you immediately feel at home. Absolutely recommended, I would love to come back! Spring roll, baked vegetables & spring roll on glass noodles – delicious 🥢🥘✨

Really good food and friendly service for years! ❤️ It's always nice to go there.

To be honest, I completely overlooked the fact that it was a vegan/vegetarian restaurant, but the food still tasted great. The service was nice and there were quite a few options on the menu so I would like to try everything.

Chum Chay in Cologne offers a unique Vietnamese experience that is both culinary and atmospheric. The restaurant impresses with a balanced mix of traditional Vietnamese cuisine and modern accents. Particularly recommended are the freshly prepared Pho soups, which impress with their aromatic broths and variety of fresh herbs and ingredients. The summer rolls are also a true delicacy – light, refreshing and full of flavor. The ambience is stylish yet relaxed, ideal for a leisurely dinner or a relaxed lunch. The service is friendly and attentive, which rounds off the entire experience pleasantly. Chum Chay is the perfect place for anyone wanting to enjoy authentic Vietnamese cuisine in a modern setting. A clear insider tip for lovers of Asian cuisine in Cologne!

This place never disappoints with the food they serve. Nice little restaurant with outdoor seating in the patio. Hope they will get rid of the tent for summer again to have more of the outdoor feeling.

You have to queue to get a seat. It's a good idea to get a drink from the kiosk while you're waiting in line. I was sitting outside with a friend. It rained a bit, but that didn't bother us because we stayed dry. I had the bowl with the fried rolls, which was really great! The friend made something with tofu, which unfortunately I didn't like at all. My friend also liked my dish better. Drinks were delicious and a Vietnamese coffee for dessert - it was great!! All in all a good experience.

Very pleasant and testy vegi viet food, unique dishes, casual atmospher .

We both had the green curry and a banh bao as starters. I can absolutely recommend both, both in terms of taste and portion size! We would never have thought that the curry would contain so many noodles and be so filling. Leaky.

Richtig leckeres asiatisches Essen! Jedes Gericht hat seinen eigenen besonderen Geschmack. Einfach ein super Ort zum Genießen!

Servicio muy amable y rápido. Te llevarán a tu casa. Solo comida vegetariana. Comida fresca y muy sabrosa. Si usted está en el centro de Colonia ir allí! Te gustará.

Very, very good vegetarian/vegan food - even tofu tastes good here! The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere, the service is very nice and the food is served quite quickly. The ingredients are fresh and so far everything has tasted really good

Everything was delicious, but the only thing that was very unpleasant was the massive smell of grease throughout the store, which also permeated the clothes.

Simply super delicious! Very friendly vibe 😊

Very nice restaurant. Very very tasty tofu vegetarian food. If I could cook like that, I would give up meat.

Highly recommended, especially when it's warmer, as the restaurant is in a small courtyard where you can eat nicely. The food is delicious. I learned to love tofu in this restaurant. The dishes are beautifully fresh and aromatic and very affordable. However, at peak times you may have to wait a bit for a seat...but it's worth the wait.

One of the tastiest Asian restaurants in Cologne.

Good food with really good taste. Long waiting lines though.

Very tasty food at fair prices! As a personal experience, the best tofu ever was eaten in one dish at Chum Chay! Therefore a big recommendation of the tofu dishes!

Tastiest Asian food in Cologne, always delicious.

The food was so delicious! The dishes are totally special and so well prepared. I also recommend the passion fruit juice! The entire menu is vegan/vegetarian

Staff is nice, food came quickly. But the curries were unfortunately way too sweet

Very tasty food. And interesting drinks. Nice service. Just finding a good seat is difficult. You can't make a reservation and have to queue. The two of us were seated at a table between other people. So we sat outside in the cold. There were blankets and we were heated, but it was still very cold. But we preferred the cold even more than the noise inside. Toilet was very small!!

No card payment possible. Food was OK

Delicious vegetarian dishes, reasonably priced and portion size okay. The spring rolls in particular were very tasty, unfortunately only 3 of them were included in the starter.

All dishes chosen were a 100% hit. The tea, the soup and the rice noodle dish. The dessert originally reminded me of Vietnam. If I lived in Cologne, I would probably be here more often.

My absolute favorite restaurant! The Vietnamese cuisine here is simply outstanding – the food is always fresh, tasty and of high quality. The service is quick and friendly, which rounds off the entire visit perfectly. Totally recommended for anyone who wants to enjoy authentic, delicious Vietnamese food!