NAM — Restaurant in City of Edinburgh

NAM Vietnamese Restaurant, a charming eatery nestled just a stone’s throw away from Haymarket Railway Station, is leading the charge. With its unassuming facade and intimate seating (around 35-40 people), NAM transports diners to the heart of Vietnam. Here, authenticity reigns supreme.

At NAM, the kitchen doesn’t compromise on authenticity. The chefs draw inspiration from family recipes passed down through generations, very dish reflects the essence of its origin. The cosy interior of NAM invites you to linger. Although narrow, the use of the large wall mirror makes the space feel brighter and larger.

The Gio Cuon spring rolls, filled with chicken and prawn, offer a delicate balance of tastes. The tender chicken brings a savoury note, while the sweet and briny prawns add a seafood freshness. Crisp vegetables and fragrant herbs complete the ensemble, creating a refreshing blend of textures. The light rice paper wrapper provides a satisfying chewiness, perfectly complementing the filling. Dip them in the tangy, slightly sweet sauce for a harmonious experience.

The Cha Gio fried spring rolls with minced pork are equally enticing. Each bite reveals umami richness from the pork, expertly balanced with hints of garlic, mushroom, and the saltiness of dried shrimp. The crispy exterior yields to a savoury filling, leaving you craving more. It’s a symphony of flavours—deeply satisfying and slightly salty.

At £9.90, Banh Mi is a substantial meal in itself. No need to order anything else—the generous portions will leave you fully satisfied. As you take your first bite, the sweet and savoury notes of the BBQ pork (or chicken) dance on your palate. But that’s just the beginning.

The freshness of shredded lettuce and fragrant coriander provides a delightful contrast to the rich meat. Each bite balances the hearty flavours, creating a harmonious blend. A touch of sriracha sauce adds a slow, fiery heat that ignites the back of your palate. It’s the perfect complement to the succulent meat and fresh greens. Cooling things down, the creamy mayo sauce balances the overall flavour profile. Creaminess meets spice, creating a well-rounded experience.

Beef Pho is more than a soup—it’s an umami-rich experience that warms your soul. Whether you’re savouring Banh Mi or slurping up Beef Pho, Vietnamese cuisine offers layers of textures and aromas that leave a lasting impression.

Thit Kho Tau (£14.90) is a Vietnamese culinary gem that deserves a spotlight. Imagine tender chunks of pork belly, slowly braised in a caramel sauce infused with spices, and served alongside red onion and rice.

Thit Kho Tau is all about patience. The pork belly undergoes a slow cooking process, allowing it to absorb the rich flavours of its surroundings.

The restaurant exudes a laid-back, student-friendly vibe. Couples, friends, and families all find their place here. Dishes arrive promptly, and the service is friendly. However, my only quibble? The wooden chopsticks. While cleaned diligently, I’d prefer disposable ones for hygiene.

Vietnamese cuisine weaves together sweet, salty, sour, and spicy elements. All these dishes embody this delightful fusion, leaving a lasting impression on anyone fortunate enough to indulge.

Next time you’re at a Vietnamese eatery, don’t miss out on any of these dishes - it’s a journey worth taking!

For more reviews on places to eat and drink in Edinburgh and Scotland visit...

Our last night in Edinburgh ended on a high note, thanks to the scrumptious dinner we had at Nam, a small Vietnamese restaurant about a 20-minute walk from the University. Nam boasts an aesthetic ambience that’s perfect for dating—that’s the first impression I had and shared with my wife and daughter-in-law (pity that our son couldn’t join us because of work). As we are quite familiar with Asian cuisines, Vietnamese and Japanese, in particular, we were then not looking for exotic flavours. The dishes we were served—tofu pho, chicken pho and aromatic beef stew (with rice), however, simply exceeded our expectations and compared favourably to the meals we had had in some well-known restaurants so far on this trip, such as First Coast, The Ship and The Palmerston. The beef stew in particular is worth special mention. Apart from the generous portion of tender and tasty meat, the aromatic sauce represents a perfect blend of flavours, making it one of the best stews we have ever tried. The two bowls of pho were served in different soup. The tofu one was in a delightful tomato-flavoured soup and the chicken one was in a light beef broth whose flavour was enhanced with the various herbs added. A refined dining experience is not just about food. That the chef came out to serve our food dish by dish and asked about how we found the food itself was an important complement, not to mention the nice ambience mentioned. Last but not least it was exceptionally good value for money as it just cost us slightly over £60 for a meal comprised of three main courses, a big pot of green tea and an iced coffee. Definitely we will be back the next time we come visit Edinburgh....

Absolutely amazing fried pork spring rolls, some of the best I've had! I don't know what was done to the skin but woo lala, just delightful~ The beef & beef balls pho was so good I downed the whole massive bowl of soup which I never do normally. For decades, I've always had pho noodles with hoisin sauce but that was not necessary here because the broth was just so flavorful. Beautiful! Not to exaggerate but I felt genuinely happy to be alive as I was enjoying all the food we ordered. This place is even better than SEN which I frequent. Out of the 6 Vietnamese restaurants I've tried in Edinburgh, this is the clear winner 🏆 I like Vietnamese food so eat it around the world almost everywhere I go and this place has got me wanting to come back for more...

Been back since plus ordered on UberEATS. Lotus wrap sticky rice was amazing. Pork belly also fantastic. Bun with barbecue pork - just wow!! Loved the pork in the bánh mì but the bread was too hard for me. Might seem pricey for Vietnamese food but big portions and great food every time which really is the most important thing! The red velvet cake on Valentine's Day was so sooo good! There are a lot of restaurants in Edinburgh with average or below food, forcing me to cook at home most days, but this restaurant has restored my faith lol... This might be my...