The door opens and you are greeted with «Okaerinasaimase, Master!», exactly as in a maid café in Japan. For two weekend evenings the dollbox maid café from Fukuoka's Nakasu district rebuilds its room on the eighth floor of a cocktail bar in Thanh Xuân, the brand's first appearance in Hanoi.

The maids fly in from Fukuoka and serve by the rules of the original: omurice decorated with sauce drawings at your table, «shaka-shaka» drinks shaken together with the guest, cheki instant photos with a maid and a limited pop-up keychain. dollbox belongs to Hexa Group and keeps its two-night format: Saturday from 7 pm and Sunday from 6 pm, both until 1 am.

At a glance:
— each visit lasts one hour and each time slot takes only 10 guests, so booking ahead is close to mandatory
— booking is free through the form on the café's page, with confirmation via Zalo
— combos run from 220,000 VND (a drink or ice cream plus one cheki photo) to 500,000 VND for the full set; à la carte there is a cheese pizza drawn on by a maid for 250,000 VND, a cheki for 150,000 VND, a gachapon turn for 50,000 VND and a maid-costume photo experience for 300,000 VND, offered to female guests only
— prices exclude 8% VAT (10% on alcohol), and the bar's own menu is available too

The pop-up is for fans of otaku culture, anime and cosplay, for anyone curious about maid cafés who has not made it to Japan yet, and for groups of friends after an unusual night out. Because it takes place in a bar, the time slots for guests under 18 are announced separately by the organisers.

According to the café's booking page there is no entry fee; the earlier Facebook announcement mentioned a 200,000 VND entry fee with a keychain, so check the conditions when you book.

Pick a slot, book it and arrive on time so you do not miss your hour.

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