It’s stinky, yet addicting và it is the soul of Hanoi signature cuisine. Regarded as one of the most extreme Vietnamese food, it can be quite a challenge for international visitors to enjoy the dish, mainly because of the somewhat overpowering smell. However, there’s no way you can have a more authentic culinary experience in Hanoi without trying some bun dau mam tom.
What Is Bun Dau Mam Tom
First & foremost, let’s break down the name: bún stands for rice vermicelli, đậu is tofu, và mắm tôm is fermented shrimp paste. This is the basic và most common combination of the dish, which means there is a host of other side dishes for you to choose from ranging from boiled pork khổng lồ fried intestines, và chả cốm - a type of fried patty. Và in the true Vietnamese style, there would always be fresh veggies like Vietnamese balm và fish mint, và some slices of cucumbers adding to lớn the taste.
Bun dau mam tom can never be completed without some vegetables
The rice vermicelli is compacted to form bigger pieces in a flat shape và the tofu is fried to lớn perfection right before it is served to lớn the customers. Tofu is usually homemade and is well deep fried till it turns to a brownish và golden color which gives the crunchy texture outside while retaining the softness and moisture inside. Finally, the condiment that wovens everything together - shrimp paste - is the secret to lớn a good bun dau mam tom. It should not be either too thick or too salty, & usually, each vendor will have their secret recipe lớn a perfectly balanced shrimp paste.
How to lớn Eat Bun Dau Mam Tom
Frankly speaking, all you will need is courage và undying love for food. The second step is to mix the shrimp paste so that it suits your taste: some kumquat juice, a bit of sugar và some slices of fresh chilies.
However, if the pungent smell of the shrimp paste still puts you off, then you can ask for other alternatives such as fish sauce or soy sauce to lớn enjoy bun dau mam tom.
See more of the Vietnamese dipping sauces
Where to Eat Authentic Bun Dau Mam Tom
Bun dau mam tom originates in Northern Vietnam & has been the locals" favorite ever since. One serving costs around VND 25,000 - 40,000. Here are our suggestions on where to lớn try bun dau mam tom in Hanoi.
Bun Dau Mam Tom 5
Address: 6 Ma May Street, Hoan Kiem District
Opening hour: 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Bun Dau Goc Da
Address: 4 Ngo Gach, Hang Buom, Hoan Kiem District
Opening hour: 7:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Bun Dau Mam Tom Ngo Tram
Address: 1B Ngo Tram, Hoan Kiem District
Opening hour: 8:30 AM - 3 PM
Bun Dau Thuy Khue
Address: 235B Thuy Khue, Tay Ho District
Opening hour: 9 AM - 9:30 PM
Besides that, bun dau mam tom holds a special place in the Saigonese hearts. Here are the places lớn try bun dau mam tom in Ho chi Minh City:
Bun Dau Homemade
Addresses: 01 Nguyen Van Trang, District 1 6 Truong Dinh (52 Le Lai), District 1 104 Hoang Dieu, District 4
Opening hour: 10 AM - 10 PMPrice range: VND 35,000 - VND 70,000
Bun Dau teo Khan
Address: 26 Cong Quynh, District 1Opening time: 10 AM - 10 PMPrice range: VND 60,000
Bun Dau Cau Go
Addresses: 200 Nguyen Trai, District 1 442 - 444 Phan Xich Long, Phu Nhuan DistrictOpening time: 8 AM - 11 PMPrice range: VND 55,000
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Conclusion on Hanoi’s All-Time Favorite - Bun Dau Mam Tom
It may sound (and smell) intimidating at first, but once you get over the not-so-nice first impression, the taste of bun dau mam tom is such a rewarding sensation. We all have heard và known about the craze over pho & bun bo, this time try something more quality from the Vietnamese cuisine for a change.
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