Authentic Vietnamese street food w/ unique communal seating & seasonal dishes. BYOB, budget-friendly.
Sonal Shah praises Mắm for its incredible Vietnamese food, unique seating, and flavorful dishes, calling it a restaurant for all seasons.
Experience the vibrant and authentic flavors of Vietnam at this buzzy Lower East Side eatery. Known for its unique, communal dining atmosphere and a menu that changes with the seasons, this spot offers a true taste of Vietnamese street food. From expertly prepared small plates to flavorful noodle dishes, it's a must-try for adventurous eaters seeking something beyond the usual.
This Vietnamese restaurant offers authentic small plates and street food, with a rotating menu that changes seasonally. Dishes are praised for their unique flavors, fresh herbs, and potent sauces, particularly the mắm tôm (shrimp paste). Standouts include the Bún Đậu Đặc Biệt platter, Nấm Cuốn mushroom rolls, stuffed snails, raw surf clam salad, and various noodle soups like Bún Hến. While most feedback is positive, some find certain dishes, like the Bún Đậu Đặc Biệt with fermented shrimp paste, to be an acquired taste.
"Customers rave about the authentic Vietnamese dishes, with specific recommendations including the Bún Đậu Đặc Biệt platter, Nấm Cuốn mushroom rolls, stuffed snails with lemongrass and pork, raw surf clam salad, and various pho and noodle soups."
Customers generally have a very positive sentiment towards the restaurant, praising its authentic and delicious Vietnamese cuisine, unique dining experience, and affordability. Some express mild skepticism about its high placement on 'best of' lists but still recommend it.
Important Note
While generally highly praised, one commenter noted that the unique seating (plastic chairs in a basement setting) could be seen as making the pricing feel high for some. Additionally, the signature mắm tôm (fermented shrimp paste) can be a polarizing flavor.
"M a m donated a percentage of its earnings."
Positive"The commenter expresses support for restaurants participating in the day's events and states they will patronize these establishments when possible."
Positive"Mam is donating."
Positive"Mam is a Vietnamese restaurant recommended for a fun dining experience. The commenter notes it is trendy and can be busy on weekends."
Positive"Mam is identified as the best pho the commenter has had outside of Vietnam, with Hanoi House and Nom Nam also being liked."
Positive"This commenter stated that Mam has the best beef pho they have ever tried and recommended searching for a specific user's annual Vietnamese food ranking."
Positive"The original poster stated that the commenter's experience at Mam made them realize they don't prefer "authentic" Vietnamese food, preferring basic pho and banh mi instead."
Neutral"The original poster mentioned that Mam's pho was included in their pho list, though they find it hard to recommend non-staple menu items."
Neutral"The commenter noted that Mam's specialty, mắm tôm (fermented shrimp paste), is a North Vietnamese specialty and can be polarizing, with their Southern Vietnamese parents disliking it."
Neutral"The commenter noted that one of the chefs from Di an Di left to open Mam, implying a connection or potential quality difference between the two."
Neutral"The commenter agrees with the ranking of Mam and noted that authentic Vietnamese food is hard to come by in NYC."
Positive"The commenter stated that their experience at Mam made them realize they don't prefer "authentic" Vietnamese food, preferring basic pho and banh mi instead."
Negative"The commenter stated that Mam is their personal favorite, highlighting its incredible signature dish and possibly even better pho."
Positive"The user recalls seeing surf clams served at Mam, a Vietnamese restaurant on Forsyth St., though they typically see the clams in markets rather than on restaurant menus. They are seeking information on where to find surf clam noodles."
Neutral"Mam is listed as one of the few good Vietnamese restaurants in NYC, but the price point is considered high compared to other hubs."
Positive"Mam is listed as a good Vietnamese option in NYC."
Positive"User listed Mam as a recommended restaurant in the Lower East Side."
Neutral"Mam was mentioned as a place that currently has pho on its rotating menu for the fall and winter, potentially offering wider noodles."
Positive"Mam was listed as one of several Asian cuisine options available in the area."
Neutral"This user is Vietnamese and lists Mam as one of their top Vietnamese restaurants in NYC."
Positive
