Comments on: How to Pronounce Bun Bo Hue and Hu Tieu Nam Vang

By: MarkSpizer

MarkSpizer — Mon, 03 May 2010 07:52:29 +0000

great post as usual!

By: Cuong Huynh

Cuong Huynh — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:02:02 +0000

So which do you think you like better: mì quảng or bún mắm? I’d be interested in your take on them, from a “virgin” viewpoint with no preconceived notion about either dish. Regardless, though, I’d question their “goodness” or authenticity. Because there’s no competition, thus volume sale, restaurateurs are not necessarily pressured (or able) to keep up their quality. You know how restaurants are: many cut corners every chance they get.

By: Inthewater

Inthewater — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:43:20 +0000

Tried another today that was new to me. Mi quang, I think? It had wide noodles, sauteed shrimp, pork roast, some thick cut bacon, all sorts of veggies, shrimp / rice crackers on top with peanuts and a broth similar to bun bo hue. Very good stuff. Closer to a bun type dish (one of the cold noodles with sauce that goes over the top…whatever they are called, probably butchering it) but very much soup like, as well.

By: Cuong Huynh

Cuong Huynh — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:03:07 +0000

That’s right. That server knew exactly why you shouldn’t order that dish, and go slow instead. I’ve seen various pastes mentioned in bun mam recipes (including various fish and shrimp paste) including what you described as served with bun bo Hue, which is called mắm ruốc (shrimp.) Anyway, the whole thing is too fishy for me;)

By: Inthewater

Inthewater — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:48:00 +0000

http://www.noodlepie.com/blog/bun_mam/index.html

Sounds like he thought it had a strong odor, as well, but that the tastiness was worth it. It could also be much different in Saigon than in Des Moines, Iowa.

I’ll let you know if I decide to brave a bowl.

By: Inthewater

Inthewater — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:44:10 +0000

Ahh, well the server tried to explain to me that it had a strong smell. maybe that was what they were getting at. I opted for regular pho, and figured I’d do some research. Probably worth a try sometime, as I am not easily offended.

Also, is the paste similar to the fermented shrimp paste that comes with either bun bo hue or bun rieu? (Can’t remember which it came with, but it was a very strongly flavored little dallop of stuff)

Anyway, if I giveit a go, I will let you know what my thoughts are. Thanks again for the insight into this interesting food culture.

By: Cuong Huynh

Cuong Huynh — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:12:28 +0000

Thanks for the request and comment, Inthewater. You can find pronunciation for Bún mắm as #18 on the Pronunciation of Pho and Other Vietnamese Words and Phrases page.

I can’t give you an advice on this as I’m not an expert in bún mắm, and have never really finished a bowl myself (came close though I tried one time.)

Bún mắm, and its cousin bún nước lèo, have never been my thing. These are popular noodle dishes from the Delta, and because of this they have too much freshwater fish and taste for this city boy (Saigon that is.) Normally I can eat fish of any kind just fine. But add to this the mắm part which is a very pungent paste of fermented fish and other water living things, and the whole thing becomes overwhelmingly fishy to me. Even some of the herbs and other greens are quite strong (some with fishy smell and taste as well.) There may be many Viet who love this dish (obviously those from the region,) but there are many many more who don’t.

I guess there’s a reason why only pho and a few other noodle dishes attract foreign eaters. It is because they are delicious to the average taste, and therefore are very popular, widespread among Viet people – and we are proud to introduce them to foreign friends. But on the flip side, there are many indigenous foods that we’d rather not “offend” anyone with, Viet or foreign. With all due respect to noodlepie, rating bun mam as “best” may be an overreaction. You may have to try it once yourself, and maybe give us your own take on it.

By: Inthewater

Inthewater — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:02:13 +0000

Here’s one, bun mam. How do you say it, and is it good? It is listed on the “dac biet” specials menu at my favorite noodle place, and I wanted to try it but didn’t. This small menu holds what looks like the “real” Viet food at this restaurant.

Anyway, this soup doesn’t appear to be as prolific as pho or hu tieu, or even bun bo hue, but the few online articles I can find “noodlepie rated it the best soup on his blog a few years back” rave about it.

Any advice?