Authentic Vietnamese street food w/ a rotating menu & unique dishes. Casual vibes & seriously flavorful.
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 dynamic and authentic street food experience, with a frequently changing menu that keeps things exciting. While the seating may be on plastic stools, the food is the undeniable star, featuring unique dishes rarely found elsewhere in the US. From flavorful small plates to hearty noodle soups, this spot is a must-try for adventurous eaters.
The cuisine is primarily Vietnamese, with a focus on authentic street food and regional specialties. The menu changes frequently, offering a dynamic selection of dishes. While many dishes are highly recommended, particularly those featuring unique ingredients like fermented shrimp paste, some diners have found certain items to be not to their taste or overpriced.
"Standout dishes include the Bún Đậu Đặc Biệt, Nấm Cuốn (mushroom rolls), Ốc Bươu Nhồi Thịt (stuffed snails), Gỏi Ngheu (raw surf clam), and Bún Hến (noodle soup with clams). Pho is also frequently recommended when available."
Customers generally praise the authentic and flavorful Vietnamese cuisine, with many highlighting unique dishes. However, some find the dining setup, particularly the plastic stools, to be uncomfortable.
Important Note
The seating consists of plastic stools and benches, which some find uncomfortable for extended dining. The restaurant's signature fermented shrimp paste (mắm tôm) can be polarizing for those not accustomed to its strong flavor. Pho may only be available seasonally as a 'winter menu item'.
"This commenter agreed with the suggestion of Mam in Chinatown, stating that they and their son frequently eat there and enjoy the appetizers."
Positive"Replying to a comment about Mam, this user, who is Vietnamese, confirmed the restaurant's funky offerings. They specifically mentioned the 'bún đậu', which includes Vietnamese blood sausage, intestines, and an offal and pigs blood congee as a special."
Positive"The commenter suggested Mam in Chinatown, highlighting their fermented shrimp paste as one of the funkiest items they've ever eaten."
Positive"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
