If your travel bucket list includes trying worldly cuisine, there should be room in it for bun dau mam tom – Vietnamese fermented shrimp paste noodle. Sure, pho, bun cha, banh mi, banh xeo may be among the most popular in Vietnam, but if you would like to try something a little more unique, then bun dau mam tom should be in that list. We know it sounds a little unappetizing when we say fermented shrimp paste noodle, but hopefully this article will be able to convince you as to why you should try it at least once.
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What is Vietnamese fermented shrimp paste noodle?
I bet you thought durian was probably the smelliest food you could find in Vietnam. Wrong! Bun dau mam tom gives it a good run for its money. Like durian, people get addicted to it very easily and the fact is that it’s one of the local’s favorite dishes – especially those from the North. It is so true when people say that Vietnamese cuisine doesn’t win any points for complexity. If it is too complicated, it can’t be classified as a street food. This is also the key to success in the street food business.
Bun dau mam tom has three main ingredients: vermicelli noodle, fried tofu, and shrimp paste. So, if you easily have access to these three main ingredients, you can become a vendor owner or even start your own F&B business in Vietnam. However, there is one kind of veggie called Vietnamese balm, accompanying other kinds of vegetables on the plate like perilla leaf, fish mint, or cucumber, that play a really important role in making the delicious flavor in your mouth.
It is so true when people say that Vietnamese cuisine doesn’t win any points for complexity. If it is too complicated, it can’t be classified as a street food. This is also the key to success in the street food business.
You can tell a good bun dau mam tom by the fried tofu and the shrimp paste they serve. The tofu should be deep fried until it turns yellow on the outside but still retains moisture, softness, and the original taste on the inside. The shrimp paste shouldn’t be too salty or too thick, but it definitely needs to have a specific sour taste from the lemon or kumquat served and the spice from the chili.
Squeeze kumquat in the shrimp paste to enhance its flavor and make the smell less strongThe restaurant/stall version of bun dau mam tom will have steamed pork, green rice pork nuggets, small pig intestine, large pig intestine that is stuffed with veggies and grilled, and fried spring rolls as extra options for you to choose from. Order as you wish.
Where to find fermented shrimp paste noodle in Vietnam
AB is a popular dish in Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. Almost every Hanoian loves this dish. It is such a simple dish and moreover, it is cheap. Just spend 15,000 VND (less than 1 USD) and you will have a full belly afterward. Lucky for you, because of the fan club trailing this dish, it has spread throughout the country. You can now find bun dau mam tom in Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Saigon, etc, but you will have to do some research on where you can find it in these cities.
Generally, in Vietnam you’ll see many a street food vendor carrying a bamboo pole that supports two magical baskets, one at each end. If she also carries a pan, a mini gas stove, a bag of veggies, a plastic box of shrimp paste, and many tofu pieces, then you’ve hit the jackpot! These women know how to serve the dish best but you can also find it in restaurants.
If you ever visit Hanoi, you should try bun dau mam tom in a small alleyway located off Hang Khay street, right opposite Hoan Kiem lake. This tiny alley is numbered 31 and has two different spots that serve bun dau mam tom. Both vendors serve the dish beautifully and both are equally delicious. Many foodies make detours here. The average price for a flat winnowing basket of bun dau mam tom with accompanying sides is about 40,000 VND (almost 2 USD).
Where to find the best bun dau mam tom in Saigon
1. Bun dau Homemade, 1 Nguyen Van Trang, D.1
Located on the corner of Nguyen Van Trang and Le Lai streets, Bun dau Homemade stands out due to its nice yellow decoration. With a large space and quite comfy tables, this place is a favorite lunch spot for office staff working in the area nearby. Here is a tip for you – if your time is flexible, try to avoid lunch time. For 65,000 VND (almost 3 USD), you will have a full plate of bun dau with all the side options. A bonus is that, to meet their customers’ needs (ie: variety in what they want for lunch) this place also offers other special dishes from Hanoi.
2. Bun dau Cau Go, 202 Nguyen Trai, D.1
Bun dau Cau Go is another popular spot for the Saigonese or tourists to find good bun dau. This place is also decorated in yellow, so it is easy to notice from a distance. Their only items on their menu are fermented shrimp paste noodle with fried tofu, pork, green rice pork nuggets, and squid nuggets and drinks like tea or Pepsi, so you won’t be overwhelmed by choices. This is probably why they are able to meet their customers’ demands pretty fast. Just five minutes after you place your order, you will be served.
Opening time: 8 AM – 11 PM
3. Bun dau Co Khan, 102/26 Cong Quynh, D.1
Bun dau Co Khan is probably one of the very first spots in Saigon that sells fermented shrimp paste noodle. Run by Trang Khan, a famous model and actress in Vietnam, this place easily became famous. The crusty fried tofu and the funky fried intestine served here bring in a lot of customers. Beside bun dau, this place also has other kinds of noodle cooked with shrimp paste that you should try.
Opening time: 10 AM – 9 PM
4. Bun dau A Vung, 55 Luong Huu Khanh, D.1
Spacious, with fast service and an air-conditioned second floor are definitely in the top five reasons as to why people visit this place often. But of course, the number one reason is the taste. There are many choices for you here to order: original shrimp paste with tofu and pork, intestine, and stuffed snails. The price is also pretty cheap – it varies from 30,000 VND to 70,000 VND for one person (1 to 3 USD) depending on what you order.
Opening time: 9 AM – 10 PM
5. Bun dau Tien Hai, 409 Nguyen Tri Phuong, D.10
This place is a little bit far from the city center, but it is located on a pretty busy street so it’s is always packed. Since it is a popular hang-out spot, you’ll have to wait a bit for your order to arrive.
Opening time: 10 AM – 10:30 PM
How to eat bun dau mam tom
The simplicity of this dish might make you think that it is quite easy to eat. But nope, this is not the case.
- First, a warning – the fried tofu will be extremely hot. Make sure you don’t burn your mouth.
- Add kumquat/lime to your shrimp paste and mix with your chopsticks. The shrimp paste should be mixed well enough until you see a frothy surface.
- Every bite you take should include a Vietnamese palm leaf. You will be surprised by the interesting taste it creates.
- If you can’t handle the shrimp paste, fish sauce or soy sauce can replace it. But then what’s the point?
- This dish is not a breakfast friendly dish. It is fermented shrimp paste and those who have a sensitive stomach might feel a little bit unpleasant after having it, especially in the morning.
- If possible, you should shave before a bun dau mam tom feast. The smell will remain until you wash your beard properly! Just kidding! Actually, you will get gum or a mint candy after your meal. No need to worry about the smell.
Now you’ve got the tips. Let’s make it happen. Tell us about your fermented shrimp paste noodle adventures. Was it a mouthful just like the name?
GENERAL INFORMATION
Here is the information of the restaurant featured.
Name of dish: Bun dau mam tom
Price: ~35,000 – 100,000 VND per person
Opening hours: From 10 AM to 11 PM
Address: 1 Nguyen Van Trang, D.1, HCMC
Bun dau mam tom is great, but there are other hundreds of tasty Vietnamese dishes waiting for you to try in Hanoi! So join the Hanoi Food Tour; get on a motorbike, and our local guide will take you to the best munching spots in this capital! Beyond that, you’d better prepare for some awesome sightseeing experiences such as viewing beautiful lakes, catching sunsets, crossing bridges, and snaking through the beautiful Hanoi Old Quarter. Okay, now let’s go!
Enjoy eating Vietnamese food and wanna know some more fun info on certain dishes such as com tam, banh trang nuong, bot chien, and bun do? Find these and more at 4U Trip Blog!
