Bun Dau Mam Tom: Must-Try Vietnamese dish

If you wander around Vietnam or especially Hanoi, there is one thing you really should not miss trying: Bun Dau Mam Tom. A well-traveled Vietnamese dish composed of rice vermicelli, tofu, and fermented shrimp paste—this is the best moment to participate in this food adventure.

What is Bun Dau Mam Tom?

Bun Dau Mam Tom is a well-known Vietnamese dish made from different elements, namely:

• Bun: rice vermicelli noodles, soft and often pressed into bundled cubes, then labeled bun la.

• Dau: fresh tofu, deep-fried until crispy golden brown.

• Mam Tom: smelly fermented shrimp paste, wherein you dip everything in it when eating and gives this dish a pretty bold and pungent flavor profile.

Other things that may come with it are boiled pork belly, cha com (the green rice pork sausage), fish cakes, and many other fresh herbs, including perilla leaves, mint leaves, and cucumber slices.

A Personal Encounter with Bun Dau Mam Tom

While doing a self guided walking tour through the streets of Hanoi, I came upon one busy street stall and could not resist the alluring scent of whatever they were cooking. Immediately drawn to it, I plunked myself down onto one of those little plastic stools, the ones you're sure will make you feel like a giant, and ordered a plate of Bun Dau Mam Tom.

First, she brought out a platter with its vibrant, delicious bits. One mouthful and I was hooked. Something new—the crunch of fried tofu with the pungency of shrimp paste. Its crispy and soft elements, apart from flavors, allied, kept me begging for more.

I actually found out about this dish while searching reddit threads for must try dishes in Vietnam and as one redditor mentioned there for Bun Dau Mam Tom - “The smell from the paste may first make a bad impression but please give it a try, it tastes way better than it looks/smells” which I 100% agree on.

You have to try it at least once!

Where to Try Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm

Although originating in Hanoi, Bun Dau Mam Tom has become popular throughout the country. Below are some recommended places where you can try this dish:

• Hanoi: The Old Quarter is complete with street stalls and small restaurants selling this dish. Probably the best place for it would be "Bun Dau Viet," which is well known for serving large portions using fresh ingredients.
  

• Ho Chi Minh City: Districts like Phu Nhuan (link for google maps) and Binh Thanh house restaurants that have adopted this northern delicacy and created their own twist.

First-Timer's Tips

• Be Open to the Smell: Mam Tom is really pungent-smelling, which may seem weird to first-time eaters. The smell, however, speaks to the taste. Just give it a shot—you will be surprised!

• Adjust the Sauce: Many places will serve lime, sugar, and chili besides this shrimp paste to be mixed in. Play around with these to suit your taste buds.

• Watch Out for Seating: Be ready to sit on low stools, especially at street vendors. It is a whole different dining experience!

Price and Portion

Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm is affordable bliss. Prices usually range between 30,000 to 60,000 VND ($1.20 to $2.4 USD) per head, depending upon the place and with what combination it is being served. Portion size is generous, making this a great, full meal for solo travelers and groups.

When to Enjoy

It is a dish for any time of day. At the same time, it is very famous for lunch. Normally, street vendors do business from late morning to early afternoon, so make sure to go at the right time.

Getting Around Different Food Places

For a food tour, Hanoi's Old Quarter is a very compact area wherein different restaurants, from each other, are very accessible by foot. Traveling from one spot to another takes 5-10 minutes by foot, meaning you can taste more dishes without wasting too much time.

Final Words

Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm is not just a dish but a cultural insight into the culinary tradition of the Vietnamese people. As such, because of its unique flavor and texture, it is a dish that is definitely worth trying on a dining experience. So if you ever find yourself in Vietnam, take a leap of faith and try their most famous delicacy; surely, you would never be disappointed!