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MAM Restaurant Saigon

MAM Restaurant Saigon

November 2022 · 4 min read · Hanoi

Hello and welcome back my Hive travelers. Today we are going again into the cradle of cuisine - Vietnam. One might be overwhelmed by the abundant food presented in Ho Chi Minh City. After all delicious food is ready to be enjoyed at every corner. While eating outside can be a turbulent affair, you are spoiled for the choice of restaurant dining. In this MAM Restaurant Saigon Review, we will take you through the MAM Restaurant, which is a great example that caters to all senses in the light of Southern Vietnamese cuisine.

We loved every part of Hoi An inspired entrance.
We loved every part of Hoi An inspired entrance.

What About MAM? 

Let’s start with the name of the restaurant MAM, or MÂM to be exact, which means a serving tray. Throughout Vietnamese history food trays brought families together for a shared meal. In many homes, food is still enjoyed in the same manner and MAM restaurant is celebrating this tradition refinedly. The previously mentioned simple three-letter word has a few extra meanings. One is a playful way of saying eat and the other is fermented fish.

Wine is the perfect companion for a delicious meal.
Wine is the perfect companion for a delicious meal.

MAM Restaurant Review

Ambiance

It is not only food that is refined here at MAM restaurant. The ambiance itself can be described that way as well. Wooden large format, Mahagonny parquet and yellow walls are a perfect match. If you add shiny black furniture and lighting in the right spot, you get a lovely ambiance. Perfect for every romantic dinner or simple meal.

Rattan chairs look gorgeous and are a joy to sit in.
Rattan chairs look gorgeous and are a joy to sit in.

Appetizers

Food came out as it is in the name – on the mam (tray). We started our Saigon feast with vegetarian spring rolls made of sweet pumpkins and aromatic herbs. In sync with tradition, we got a lip-smacking peanut dipping sauce on the side. Next on the appetizer list was the nutritious Malabar spinach and shrimp soup. Its wholesome taste was based on the rich stock, later spiced with freshly ground black pepper.

Vegetarian spring rolls made with sweet pumpkins and aromatic herbs.
Vegetarian spring rolls made with sweet pumpkins and aromatic herbs.
Malabar spinach and shrimp soup
Malabar spinach and shrimp soup

Mains

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The kind waitress delivered us the mam with all four dishes that formed our main meal. As the tradition instructs, we shared all four with great pleasure. Stir-fried pumpkin blossoms with crisp fried garlic were particularly desirable with their snappy texture. One can say that they rivaled the succulent BBQ Mekong shrimps. However, the garlic-seasoned rice vermicelli with shrimp, mushrooms, and vegetables were gone all too soon. However, the crispy rice noodles with steamed Panga fillet were a true delight. Both were spot on with the intense spicy sauce and refreshing salad.

Mam means serving tray and is proudly used in the restaurant after which it was named.
Mam means serving tray and is proudly used in the restaurant after which it was named.
Stir-fried pumpkin blossoms with crispy fried garlic
Stir-fried pumpkin blossoms with crispy fried garlic
Crispy rice noodles with Panga fillet
Crispy rice noodles with Panga fillet
Rice vermicelli with shrimp, mushroom, and vegetables
Rice vermicelli with shrimp, mushroom, and vegetables

Desserts

We went bananas to satisfy our sweet tooth. First, we focused on the frozen whole banana slices with coconut ice cream. No wonder this simple treat is people’s favorite! So creamy and sweet and good for you, especially on a steaming hot day. As it turned out the frozen bananas go perfectly with caramelized ones. We put the combination to the test with our second dessert – the banana cake. On one hand, we had a lovely sticky mouthful of banana bits and a firm refreshing banana on the other. Simply delicious. 

Traditional Vietnamese banana cake
Traditional Vietnamese banana cake
Frozen banana slices with coconut ice cream
Frozen banana slices with coconut ice cream

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MAM Restaurant Saigon Review Card

Final Thought

From the beginning to the end, we were in good hands. Capable hands that respect tradition and present it in a very tasty manner. Of course, it is easy to enjoy simplicity when core ingredients are at their prime state and treated with great care. Something so common in the past is slowly getting out of reach in the present. Hopefully, not all is lost and people share our enthusiasm for real food with a lengthy record. That is why we warmly advise you to embrace simplicity and enjoy every mouthful. 

For this rice wine-based digestif we saw essential oils in citrus peel catch fire.
For this rice wine-based digestif we saw essential oils in citrus peel catch fire.

Travel Resources for your trip to Vietnam

Recommended by TravelFeed

Flights: We recommend checking Kiwi.com to find the best and cheapest flights to Vietnam.

Accomodation: Explore the best places to stay in Vietnam on Booking.com, Agoda and Hostelworld.

Travel Insurance: Medical emergencies abroad can be pricey, but travel health insurance is not. We always use SafetyWing for affordable and reliable coverage.

Transportation: Use 12go and Omio to find detailed bus and train schedules, making travel planning easier.

Car Rental: For hassle-free car hiring, DiscoverCars is our trusted choice with a wide selection of vehicles.

Internet: Got an eSIM compatible phone? Airalo is perfect for reliable internet access during your trip. Just install it before you go, and you're set!

Day Trips & Tours: We recommend GetYourGuide for a variety of well-organized and enjoyable activities.

Tickets: Save on entrance fees in Vietnam with Klook and Tiquets.

Travel Planner: Need a hand planning? Our free travel planner chatbot is your personal guide to Vietnam. Chat now.

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