Mặn Mòi – Thảo Điền — Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City

If there’s one thing that defines Vietnam’s culinary heart, it’s its love affair with the sea. At Mặn Mòi, the name itself—translating to "salty and flavorful"—hints at the sensory journey that awaits. Tucked in a bustling corner of Ho Chi Minh City, this restaurant feels like a love letter to Vietnam’s coastal heritage, presented with a modern, yet soulful, twist.

Atmosphere

From the moment you step in, the ambiance envelops you like a sea breeze on a sultry summer evening. Think warm wood accents, nautical-inspired decor, and subtle nods to Vietnam’s fishing culture. There’s a comforting balance of upscale charm and unpretentious warmth that sets the perfect stage for what’s to come.

The Menu: A Symphony of the Sea

At Mặn Mòi, the menu reads like a greatest hits compilation of Vietnam’s maritime bounty. Every dish feels deeply rooted in tradition but elevated by innovative techniques.

Start with the cua lột rang muối tiêu—crispy soft-shell crab dusted with salt and pepper. It's a delicate crunch that gives way to the sweet, briny taste of the sea. Pair it with their house-made tamarind dipping sauce, and you’re transported straight to Vietnam’s sandy shores.

The star of the show? The lẩu cá bớp chua cay, a hot pot brimming with chunks of fresh cobia, tangy tamarind broth, and fragrant herbs. It’s a dish that captures the boldness of southern Vietnamese flavors: fiery, sour, and undeniably addictive.

For something truly memorable, their tôm hùm nướng phô mai (grilled lobster with cheese) is a must-try. It’s indulgence at its finest—succulent, buttery lobster kissed with just the right amount of smoky char and creamy cheese.

Drinks and Desserts

The beverage list offers a thoughtful mix of local and international wines, alongside craft cocktails inspired by Vietnam’s tropical fruits. The coconut lychee martini is a standout—light, fragrant, and refreshingly indulgent.

Don’t skip dessert. The bánh flan nước cốt dừa (caramel custard with coconut milk) is a nod to classic Vietnamese street sweets but with a luxurious twist. It’s silky, sweet, and the perfect note to end the meal.

Service

Attentive without being intrusive, the staff at Mặn Mòi exude a genuine passion for Vietnamese cuisine. They’re eager to guide you through the menu, making thoughtful recommendations tailored to your tastes.

The Verdict

Mặn Mòi is more than a restaurant—it’s an experience that celebrates Vietnam’s deep connection to the sea. Whether you’re a local rediscovering old flavors or a traveler seeking the essence of Vietnam on a plate, this is where you’ll find it.

Do yourself a favor: come hungry, bring friends, and prepare to linger over every bite. At Mặn Mòi, the sea speaks, and it has a lot to say.

Rating: 9.5/10 Best for: Seafood lovers, intimate dinners, and anyone craving a taste of Vietnam's...

To be honest, I love this place at first. When I was here for lunch with friends couple days ago, the food was good and the service was great. But when I took my family here last night for dinner, we didn’t have a good experience. The service was ok, but I understand that it was busy, still not like what I expected. It wasn’t as good as when I first came. Now, talking about the food. The reason I gave 2 star overall review because of the food. We ordered Black Carp with pickled veggies (Ca Tram Den voi Cai Chua), on the menu, it doesn’t say that they would put bacon pork in there nor the server who took order said anything about that. When it came out, the fish was very little, the most was the pork. The thing is I don’t eat pork and my brother doesn’t. Not just the pork part, I understand that some dishes in Vietnam, the chef decides to put pork, but just little bit to make it taste fatty. The dish last night was unusual a lot of pork. I talked to the manager about that, he just said sorry and said because the owner is Vietnamese and they put pork in there to make it fatty. I said a lot of pork, not a little bit. I know because the fish is expensive, and the price they charge for that dish isn’t cheap, they do that to trick you. I don’t care the owner is Vietnamese or what, the way they do like this is not how an international qualified restaurant does. Very frustrated. I hope they...

It was my first time dining at a Michelin star restaurant, and I would say it was no joke.

To start off, the menu was thoroughly made, which could be seen through the quality of the paper and the cover pages, which gave really creative insights to the restaurant and the Vietnamese eating etiquette as far as I could remember. There were even poems. Throughout the menu, there were some paragraphs of text in both Vietnamese and English, which described the history of the food category and how it was eaten.

The food itself was really amazing. The taste of each dish was rich. Some dishes originated from different parts of Vietnam and with different ingredients. The restaurant claimed that the food would feel like it was made by your loved ones, and I could say it was extremely close to that.

The atmosphere was visually and aesthetically pleasant. The space felt both modern-luxurious and retro-homey at the same time.

The staff always spoke so politely and professionally. No complaints at all!

Overall, in my opinion, the dining experience here was definitely worth it. They took Vietnamese cuisines to the next level. Perfect for foreigners seeking to explore more about the...