Apart from pho, bun dau mam tom is an extremely addictive street food that everyone who has ever visited or lived in Hanoi has fallen in love with. Below, QP.vn will share with you the best addresses to enjoy this unique Hanoi delicacy!
1/ Bun Dau Trung Huong – Phat Loc Alley
Phat Loc Alley is renowned for its bun dau mam tom, and Bun Dau Trung Huong is a must-visit for fans of this dish. The bun dau here is fragrant, with crispy fried tofu and soft, flavorful interior. However, what sets it apart is the mam tom sauce. The special mam tom sauce, imported from Thanh Hoa, has a unique aroma and flavor that’s hard to beat.
The choice of ingredients is carefully made to ensure the freshest quality: the noodles are the perfect size for easy consumption, the fried tofu is fragrant and crispy on the outside while tender on the inside, and additional side dishes like boiled meat with shrimp paste, cha com (green rice cake), coagulated blood, or other unique items are also available.
2/ Bun Dau Mam Tom Ma May
This bun dau restaurant has been famous since it was located in Dong Thai Alley and has maintained its popularity even after moving to Ma May Street. Although the price for a meal here is not cheap, around 50,000 VND (~2USD), the quality and taste make it worth every dong. The most highly praised side dishes here are cha com (green rice cake) and boiled tongue. Be prepared for a crowded atmosphere during lunch hours.
3/ Bun Dau Mam Tom Co Tuyen – Hang Khay
When it comes to the best bun dau mam tom in Hanoi, you can’t miss Bun Dau Co Tuyen in Hang Khay. This alley has three bun dau restaurants, but Bun Dau Co Tuyen is the oldest and attracts the largest number of customers. The best part of their bun dau is the perfectly fried and golden tofu, which is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Additionally, they offer other side dishes like coagulated blood, cha com, and deliciously prepared pork leg.
A meal at Bun Dau Co Tuyen costs around 45,000 VND (~2USD). The restaurant usually operates from 10 AM to 2 PM, so it’s best to visit during the early hours.
4/ Bun Dau Mam Tom Giang – Trung Tu
In Trung Tu, there are many bun dau restaurants, but Giang is one of the most famous. Despite being just a summer street vendor in the communal playground, it still manages to impress its patrons. What sets Bun Dau Giang apart is the tasty and well-prepared pig intestine, which is clean and perfectly seasoned. The moment you taste it, you’ll notice the delightful aroma. The quality of the ingredients is excellent, with tofu that’s crispy and golden on the outside and cha com that’s fresh and tasty. A meal here typically costs around 35,000 – 40,000 VND (~2USD), and it’s worth the wait, even if the lunch crowd is large.
5/ Bun Dau Mam Tom Cay Bang
It’s not clear when Cay Bang started serving bun dau mam tom, but every lunchtime, you’ll see a long line of people queuing up along Dai La Street to enjoy this delicacy. The presentation of the dishes is attractive, and they’re designed for quick service: the tofu is pre-fried, cha is layered, and the mam tom is neatly stacked. If you’re looking for the best bun dau mam tom in Hanoi, this is a must-visit spot.
The key to its deliciousness is the Moc beans used for the tofu, ensuring a rich, soft, and non-dry texture. What makes this place unique is the mam tom sauce, which, even though milder than elsewhere, has a distinctive flavor. The menu also includes other delicious side dishes.
Expect to wait for a while, sometimes up to 15-20 minutes, during lunch hours. Despite the wait, the price of 30,000 VND (~1USD) for a full meal and the delicious taste are well worth it.
6/ Bun Dau Mam Tom Nghia Tan
Nghia Tan is often referred to as a “food paradise” in the Cau Giay area due to the high concentration of delicious eateries, catering to students and office workers alike. Among them, bun dau mam tom is a standout. The restaurants here also use locally sourced, long-lasting Moc beans for their tofu, ensuring a delectable, crispy, and soft texture. Although the mam tom here is lighter than in other places, it still maintains its unique flavor. The cha com is fresh and appetizing. The prices here are moderate, ranging from 30,000 – 35,000 VND(~1 – 2 USD) per serving, with free Wi-Fi and air conditioning.
7/ Bun Dau Mam Tom Lung Nuong – Hoang Cau Area
This restaurant, located in the alley at 16 Hoang Cau, offers a variety of bun dishes for customers to choose from, including bun cha, gia cay (fried tofu with tomato sauce), and grilled pork intestine. However, the most popular dish is bun dau, often served with grilled pork intestine. The mam tom here is known for its rich and fragrant taste. The tofu is cut into small pieces and then fried until crispy and delicious. The pork intestine is grilled to perfection, and everything is prepared with skill and a delightful taste.
The prices are not cheap, with a plate of fried tofu costing around 20,000 VND and a plate of grilled pork intestine costing around 60,000 VND (~2USD). However, the deliciousness of the dishes, the skillful preparation, and the comfortable seating area make it a popular choice for many customers.
8/ Bun Dau Mam Tom at Ngo Gach
This summer street vendor opens at around 10 AM. Although it’s just a street-side eatery, it’s the place to be for a delicious bun dau meal. The restaurant is clean, and the service is swift and efficient. When you visit, the owner will ask how you want your tofu – crispy or soft. They’ll also serve bun and other side dishes according to your preferences. The cha com here is soft and retains the original rice grain texture. The meat is lean and fragrant.
Moreover, the mam tom sauce is fragrant and well-balanced, not overly salty or overly pungent. The prices are moderate, with each serving costing around 50,000 VND (~2USD), including bun dau, cha com, and boiled meat. They also offer grilled nem (spring rolls), which are highly regarded as delicious and substantial.
These are some of the best places to enjoy bun dau mam tom in Hanoi, each offering a unique experience and flavors that will delight your taste buds. Don’t miss the opportunity to try this iconic Hanoi street food!
