Authentic Vietnamese street food w/ unique communal seating. Flavorful dishes, rotating menu keeps it interesting. Must-try: Bún Đậu Đặc Biệt platter.
Sonal Shah praises Mắm for its incredible Vietnamese food, unique seating, and flavorful dishes, calling it a restaurant for all seasons.
This Vietnamese restaurant offers a unique dining experience with its communal seating and emphasis on authentic street food. While the menu changes frequently, dishes like the Bún Đậu Đặc Biệt platter, mushroom rolls, and stuffed snails are highlights. The use of fresh herbs and flavorful dipping sauces, including a potent shrimp paste, elevates the experience, making it a destination for those seeking genuine Vietnamese flavors.
This Vietnamese restaurant offers authentic street food with a focus on regional specialties and a frequently changing menu. Standout dishes include the Bún Đậu Đặc Biệt, praised for its variety of pork preparations and fresh herbs, and Nấm Cuốn (mushroom rolls) with a creamy fermented tofu sauce. While some diners find the potent mắm tôm (shrimp paste) polarizing, it's celebrated for enhancing dishes. Some reviewers noted pho is only available seasonally and expressed a preference for other Vietnamese hubs for certain dishes.
"The Bún Đậu Đặc Biệt platter, with its variety of pork preparations and fresh herbs, is highly recommended. The Nấm Cuốn (mushroom rolls) and Ốc Bươu Nhồi Thịt (pork-stuffed snails) are also praised for their unique flavors."
Overall positive, with many praising the authentic and flavorful Vietnamese cuisine. Some find the seating less comfortable, but the food quality is consistently highlighted.
Important Note
Some diners find the plastic stool seating uncomfortable, and the potent fermented shrimp paste (mắm tôm) might not be to everyone's taste. Pho may not always be on the menu, being a seasonal offering.
"Responding to the 'hole in the wall cosplay' comment, the original poster expressed disbelief that the intentionally rustic setting would be considered 'bougie and nice inside' and questioned why other Vietnamese restaurants don't adopt similar aesthetics to charge more."
Negative"This commenter was highly critical of Mam, stating it's not just overrated but 'half inedible' and a product of hype and marketing from food publications."
Negative"The author explained that mentioning Korean blood sausage was to show they enjoy other types, and the quotes around 'authenticity' were due to the term's loaded nature. They maintained that disliking a dish is not disrespectful to a culture."
Neutral"This user further pressed the original poster on their 'authenticity' comment and their apparent dislike for authentic Vietnamese flavors, suggesting it was disrespectful."
Negative"In a reply, the author clarified their 'authenticity' comment, stating it was not a criticism of the food being inauthentic, but rather that the restaurant kept dishes true to their nature, even if those flavors were not to their personal taste. They reiterated their criticism of the food's taste, hype, and value."
Neutral"This commenter humorously suggested that someone from the West Coast might find Vietnamese food in Flushing to be average, implying subjective taste preferences apply universally."
Neutral"Identifying as Northern Vietnamese, this commenter agreed that Mam is overrated and not great, attributing its popularity to its photogenic qualities and adventurous offerings rather than inherent quality."
Negative"This commenter noted that pho was not available on the menu during their visit, being listed only as a 'winter menu item'."
Neutral"The original poster responded to the 'elevated' Vietnamese food comment, questioning what makes it elevated beyond media hype and hipster presentation. They also noted that pho was not on the menu during their visit, only available as a 'winter menu item'."
Negative"This user agreed that Bánh Anh Em offers a good mix of regional Vietnamese dishes."
Positive"This second-generation Vietnamese commenter felt Mam was 'thoroughly whelmed' and suggested its positive perception is amplified by New Yorkers enjoying the experience of 'cosplaying' as locals."
Negative"Acknowledging the previous point, this commenter agreed that their assessment of the number of Vietnamese restaurants might have been too dismissive."
Neutral"This commenter agreed with the previous point about the diversity of Vietnamese restaurants in Manhattan's Chinatown."
Neutral"In response to a query about favorite spots, this commenter recommended Bánh Anh Em, noting their parents enjoyed the banh mi bread, rice rolls, and Cha Ca La Vong, suggesting well-executed dishes are universally appreciated by Vietnamese people."
Positive"This commenter felt that Mam's intentionally rustic 'hole in the wall' aesthetic felt like 'cosplay' and was surprising given the assumption of a nicer interior, especially for a place serving a $40 bowl of pho."
Negative"Responding to the original poster's comment about authenticity, this user questioned the poster's comparison of Vietnamese blood sausage to Korean style and the use of the term 'authenticity'."
Neutral"This user inquired about the original commenter's parents' favorite Vietnamese spots in the city, noting Mam's food leans Northern Vietnamese."
Neutral"This commenter stated that Mam's classic Vietnamese dishes are superior, even if the unique items weren't to everyone's taste."
Positive"This commenter defended Mam, suggesting that personal taste preferences shouldn't dictate a restaurant's authenticity or quality. They argued that Mam offers elevated Vietnamese food, which can be a valid option, and that it's incorrect to assume Flushing or Brooklyn's Chinatown are the only places for authentic Vietnamese food."
Positive"This commenter strongly agreed with the take that Mam is overrated."
Negative
