[Independent Review] *Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnamese Contemporary Cuisine
Concept
Upscale Vietnamese Cuisine in Thảo Điền
Address
10 Đ. Trần Ngọc Diện, Thảo Điền, HCMC
Initially, the proposal of an upscale Vietnamese restaurant with an extensive menu located in Thao Dien, the expatriate hub of Ho Chi Minh City, did not appeal to us.
We’ve encountered too many establishments in the area serving lackluster Vietnamese cuisine at inflated prices, justifying the cost with amenities like air conditioning and non-plastic chairs.
A few indicators suggested that Madame Lam might be different:
- The restaurant was ‘selected’ by the 2023 Guide Michelin and received accolades from several other food publications.
- It had garnered positive feedback from well-respected members of local foodie groups.
We decided to give it a try and weren’t disappointed.
Setting, Service, and Menu
If your restaurant is situated in Thao Dien, one of the most competitive districts in Ho Chi Minh City, particularly within the upscale segment, offering a compelling overall experience is crucial.
Madame Lam meets its promises in several key areas:
- The service stands out for being both attentive and efficient.
- Its stylish Vietnamese decor enhances the restaurant’s upscale feel without crossing into excessive or overly kitschy territory.
This combination of features renders Madame Lam an excellent venue for various occasions, whether it’s a romantic dinner, a business meeting, or a gathering of a larger group.
A quick research showed us that Madame Lam is a collaborative effort between Chef Nguyen Nhu Cuong and the F&B Group Mama Mia. This partnership is designed to assist chefs in launching and growing their restaurants, in exchange for (a considerable) share in their projects.
Food
Just a foreword before jumping into the core of this review: the food.
Madame Lam is branding itself “Modern Vietnamese Cuisine”. A broad term that allows them to encapsulate a fairly extensive menu.
You’ll find for example plenty of “foreigner-pleasing classics” on the Menu such as Phở, Cơm tấm, Bò lúc lắc.
We did not go in this direction as we wanted to try something a bit out of our comfort zone and focused our choices on what we thought could be interesting.
Our impressions cover only the few dishes that we had the chance to try. It’s not an overall judgment of the restaurant that you should blindly follow.
Appetizers
We started with Madame Lam’s selection of appetizers, which included 6 – 7 different items. Not every bite was memorable, which is common for mixed plates, but we really enjoyed the beef in betel leaves and the grilled baby clam cakes.
Jellyfish salad (gỏi sứa)
Next, we tried the jellyfish salad. I don’t usually eat jellyfish. Its texture can be quite unique, and not everyone might like it, especially foreigners. But after a few bites, I was fully convinced. The chewiness of the jellyfish was nicely offset by crispy fried taros, and the herbs and raw vegetables added a freshness typical of many great Vietnamese salads.
Grilled Eel Sausage (Dồi lươn)
For our third choice, we opted for Eel sausages, again, an uncommon choice for me. The sausage itself was enjoyable but could have benefited from a touch more seasoning (perhaps pepper?).
This minor shortfall was easily overlooked, thanks to the flavorful dipping sauce served alongside.
Desserts
We could have finished there but the desserts were very appealing.
I went for the traditional banana ice cream (kem chuối nước cốt dừa) which I did not regret: well presented and the crushed peanuts on top of it were a good addition.
Huong tried the Vietnamese cassava cake served in coconut sauce (bánh khoai mì) which was good as well but could have benefited from a bit more sauce.
Cocktails
Madame Lam offers a selection of cocktails with “local inspiration”. While we skipped the “Pho” cocktail, we decided to try the Canh Chua Sài Gòn (Saigon Sour Soup) cocktail.
Choosing it turned out to be a good decision. The mild sourness of this well-balanced cocktail complemented the flavors of the dishes we had ordered perfectly.
Practical information
📍 Address: 10 Đ. Trần Ngọc Diện, Thảo Điền, thành phố Thủ Đức, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
⏰ Opening Hours: 7 am – 10 pm
💵 Price: ~500K per person
🌐 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadameLamRestaurant
🗺 Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/KmRBmoFceYz1645Y8
All the places reviewed on this website have been personally tested by us and we paid for our meals. We are committed to informing readers clearly if there is any form of sponsored content.
