Jack Vo, Owner, Bambu Baltimore

Walk into Bambu Baltimore  on any given day and you’ll probably find owner, Jack Vo, buzzing around the restaurant, perfecting every detail with a huge smile on his face. Smack dab in the middle of Fells Point sits the perfect place for a quick break, a sweet treat, and a leisurely stroll through one of downtown Baltimore’s most eye-catching neighborhoods.

Bambu Baltimore opened its door last February and its customizable, unique dessert drinks and treats have become a hit in Fells Point. On an especially sunny day, a steady stream of customers can be seen flowing through the doors to enjoy these authentic Vietnamese drinks. The cafe serves up fresh Asian inspired smoothies, coffees, teas, juices, and yogurts made to order from fresh ingredients "just the way their customers like it.”

Jack Vo and his family immigrated from Vietnam to the U.S. in the late ‘90s. With the “American Dream” in mind, Mr. Vo set to work building a life for himself, eventually attending and graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University. From there, Vo went on to work for the Department of Defense (DoD) as a systems engineer and data analyst, where he developed a deep passion for numbers. Mr. Vo used his numerical passions to dip his toes into the real-estate industry, working his way through Richmond, VA and eventually on to Baltimore, where he started making plans to bring a taste of Vietnamese culture to the city.

“When I first moved to Baltimore, I noticed that there was a lack of authentic Vietnamese dessert places in the city. I wanted to share my passion and love of Vietnamese culture with the people of Baltimore and introduce them to a new and exciting way of enjoying dessert,” said Mr. Vo. “This made the city seem like the logical next step, Bambu is a very popular Vietnamese franchise and Fells Point was the perfect place for the chain to make an introduction.”

Bambu Baltimore is the franchise’s first and only Maryland location and has capitalized on the dessert beverage and bubble tea craze that has recently swept through the nation. The franchise was originally founded in 2008 in California, and the business quickly expanded worldwide. The store offers traditional homemade beverages, dessert drinks, and puddings - or “chè”- the Vietnamese word for these traditional homemade treats. Bambu Baltimore’s chè is made to order using fresh cut and drained coconut water, plus house-prepared coconut milk combined with a unique selection of delicious ingredients. The business has even nailed the popular taro, or purple sweet potato, flavor that can be an extremely difficult recipe to master.

Just a taste of the dessert selection offered at Bambu Baltimore

“What sets us apart from the competition is our ‘made from scratch’ policy. Each flavor and dessert is handcrafted with fresh ingredients, highlighting its unique taste. Bambu is more than just a dessert place, it's a place where people can come together and enjoy a delicious and satisfying experience,” said Mr. Vo. “I hope that Bambu will become a part of the Baltimore community and culture, and that everyone who visits will love chè as much as I do.”

The business has quickly become a staple in the Fells Point neighborhood and hopes to eventually expand upon its “chèlicous” flavors across Maryland. Whatever your taste, Bambu Baltimore has you covered. For fast service, be sure to place an order online !