Rattan-lit Vietnamese restaurant near Ajou Univ, Suwon: Madam Hao

Why the writer headed to Madam Hao near Ajou University in Suwon

Madam Hao is a Vietnamese restaurant near Ajou University in Suwon. Lately I keep thinking about the food I ate on a trip to Nha Trang last year. The pho I bought every morning from a street stall in front of my hotel and the pad thai I had at the night market — I really can't forget those flavors.

Even after coming back to Korea I still crave that taste sometimes. I kept passing by a place near Ajou University that caught my eye every time — Madam Hao, a Vietnamese restaurant. Thinking back to those Nha Trang memories, I finally made up my mind to visit this time.

Madam Hao's sign and entrance

The sign at Madam Hao stood out right away. Underneath it, a

neon sign of a woman in a traditional Vietnamese hat glowed (◕‿◕) On the wooden A-frame sign out front it said, "The essence of northern cuisine, the soul of Vietnam in its original flavor" — "Madam Hao."

It also said the hours were 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM. Staying open that late, it seemed like a good late-night food option too. There was a bench, potted plants, and a wooden table set up by the entrance, giving it a slightly café-like feel. It was even nice enough as a photo spot to stop and snap a picture while passing by.

Inside Madam Hao: rattan lighting and bamboo blinds

The moment I opened the door and stepped in, I let out a "wow" without meaning to.

Bamboo blinds and rattan decorations, plus flower-shaped rattan lamps hanging in clusters from the ceiling — the warm-toned lighting made the atmosphere genuinely great.

Round rattan ornaments filled the walls, so there was fun in looking at each little detail of the interior haha. Wide wooden tables and wooden chairs lined up throughout, making it easy for groups to sit comfortably too.

The window seats had great natural light, so I imagine photos would come out beautifully if you visit during the day. It felt slightly similar to the atmosphere from my Nha Trang trip, which made me oddly happy.

Ordering on the table tablet at Madam Hao

At Madam Hao, each table has a small tablet set up, so you can order and pay right there.

The menu photos on screen looked appetizing, so there was fun in choosing, and the menu selection was more varied than I expected — it made me want to try other dishes next time.

Thinking back to what I ate in Nha Trang, I ordered pad thai and beef brisket pho.

How does the beef brisket pho (pho nam) taste?

The pho nam came out first.

A milky broth piled high with thinly sliced brisket, topped generously with chopped green onion and garlic.

Lifting the noodles with my chopsticks, I could feel that chewy-yet-soft texture that's so distinctly pho. The broth was rich but not greasy, and pretty clean overall — it was satisfying enough to make me wonder if this was really what the broth in Vietnam tasted like. The pho I had in Nha Trang seemed to have a stronger spice aroma, but here it felt toned down for Korean palates, so it was easy to eat without any hesitation.

The shrimp chips that came as a default side were crispy, nice to nibble on between bites. The taste was similar to the shrimp chips I had at the Nha Trang night market, which was a happy surprise all over again.

How does the pad thai taste?

The pad thai that came next was fun just to look at. It was plated beautifully in a round bowl, with herb leaves on top for decoration, and chili powder and sugar on the side so you could season it to taste. It was also generously topped with crushed peanuts, so every bite carried a burst of nuttiness.

The sauce was well soaked into the noodles, giving it that salty-sweet flavor that keeps coming back to mind. There was no holding back on the bean sprouts and chives either, so the texture was rich with every bite. It was a touch sweeter than the pad thai I had while traveling, but that version was delicious in its own way too.

Is Madam Hao in Suwon worth a visit?

I was genuinely surprised a place like this existed near Ajou University — satisfying from the interior to the food. In particular, Madam Hao's atmosphere really did feel like being in Vietnam itself, and just sitting there brought back memories of my Nha Trang trip one after another.

It's been a while since that trip, but there are still moments when the food I ate back then suddenly comes to mind. Finding a place like this to relive those memories feels like its own small pleasure. If you love pho or pad thai, or if you've been missing the memories of a past trip, or if you just want to eat in an exotic atmosphere, I strongly recommend Madam Hao (◕‿◕)