The restaurant's name, Saigon Mama, reflects the heartwarming, comforting, and authentic beef pho that they serve at the restaurant. Taking a gulp of the deep and rich beef broth immerses you into the restaurant's cozy atmosphere, taking you to a street food stall in Saigon with the patter of raindrops slowly disappearing from your range of hearing.
The architecture and interior of the restaurant fuses together a contemporary design of white tiles, polished-stone table tops, and mirrors, with the lively and efflorescent lighting of Vietnam's streets with neon signs.
Before continuing, its important to note that "Vietnamese food" doesn't have one unified version. Southern Pho may be different from Northern Pho in its sweetness, for example. Saigon Mama, as the name implies, serves dishes that are closer to the Southern rendition of Vietnamese cuisine, which differs in its heavy usage of garlic and herbs as well as sugar.
Homemade Cuttlefish Cakes - 48rmb
A crispy crust on the exterior of the fish dough filling provides the perfect surface to dip into the spicy, sweet chili sauce. It is the perfect combination of mild fishiness, dill flavors incorporated in the fish cakes, and the punchiness of aromatic chili sauce.
Fresh Shrimp and Vegetable rolls - 46rmb
Chewy rice paper with a leaf of lettuce hold everything together to form the burrito-like roll. Inside it is wonderfully fresh, thinly julienned vegetables with
vermicelli. The shrimp adds a meaty texture to the roll and the dish is completed with a side of airy shrimp crackers.
Chicken Papaya Salad - 58rmb
An overpowering sourness is usually offset by chili in a classic papaya salad. However, Saigon Mama's was a mix of sweet and sour which was not to my personal liking. The chicken placed on top of the salad provided a fattiness to the salad that allowed the papaya to shine through in cutting it down.
Noodle Salad - 58rmb
The Pho:
Raw Beef Pho - 68rmb
Beef Combo Pho - 69rmb
Saigon Mama serves a variety of Pho. The two pho types mentioned above are just the tip of the iceberg. They serve spicy and sour pho, cuttlefish and tomato pho, mild chicken pho, seafood pho, etc... The classic beef pho is my recommendation, and don't be afraid to put in all the condiments(lime, cilantro, chili, spring onions) as it will enhance the flavor of the broth by adding a aromatic sour and spicy note to it. If you're more of a picky eater and want to stick with classic beef slices, go with the raw beef pho. If you want to try out tripe, meatballs, and tendons, order the combo.
Sticky Rice with Mango and Coconut Cream - 38rmb
Any great meal ends with a satisfying finish. The only desert that Saigon Mama offers, truly delivers. Ice-cold sweet mango, paired with steaming sticky rice and coconut cream, is a must-try.
Location: LCM mall, 1st floor
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