Vietnam Cafe Adds International Flavor To West 39th Street

For Dino Lam and his brother, the Vietnam Cafe is more than a restaurant. It’s a family legacy passed down from their father.

“He learned us from the heart,” Lam said, “so now we have to do the same things.”

Some diners mistake the cafe for a Chinese restaurant, Lam said. But if they stay, they often become regulars.

One of the house specialties is Vietnamese coffee, where drip coffee is poured on top of condensed milk. Wait staff bring it to tables so customers can make it themselves.

Lam said 39th Street is a great place to be, particularly given the variety of people drawn to the area by the University of Kansas medical school and hospital right across the street from the cafe.

“The Block” takes viewers on a journey through Kansas City’s streets to get a sense of the people and cuisine – the fabric of KC’s neighborhoods. But this isn’t just a food show. There’s history, culture and unknown facts about Kansas City. You’ll go inside kitchens, see how food and drinks are made, and peek into the lives of everyday Kansas Citians working in the service industry.

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