TasteAtlas controversially ranks Hanoi’s iconic bun dau mam tom among the worst Vietnamese dishes, sparking local backlash and debate over its pungent shrimp paste.
Hanoi's beloved street dish, bun dau mam tom (rice vermicelli with fried tofu and shrimp paste), has been ranked among the worst dishes in Vietnam by international food platform TasteAtlas. The dish received a modest three-star rating, landing it fifth on a list of 45 poorly rated Vietnamese foods, compiled from over 4,400 user reviews.
TasteAtlas, known for its global food ratings, stated that its rankings are based on legitimate user feedback, excluding patriotic or bot-generated votes. Out of 4,427 ratings, 3,037 were deemed authentic by the platform's system. Despite this, the listing has sparked controversy, as bun dau mam tom remains a cherished dish in Hanoi and across northern Vietnam.
Traditionally, bun dau mam tom consists of fried tofu, rice vermicelli, and a pungent shrimp paste called mam tom, accompanied by fresh herbs. Over time, diners have expanded the dish to include a variety of toppings such as cha com (young green rice and pork cake), boiled pork, and pig tripe. While the strong aroma of fermented shrimp paste can be off-putting for some, many food enthusiasts and adventurous tourists appreciate its unique flavor, often calling it an unforgettable culinary experience.
The criticism from TasteAtlas surprised many, especially since Vietnamese cuisine has earned widespread praise globally from renowned food critics like the late Anthony Bourdain and Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Jonathan Gold. Some foreign tourists have even expressed admiration for the dish, finding the shrimp paste to be one of the most distinct flavors they encountered in Vietnam.
The TasteAtlas ranking also named other Vietnamese dishes in its "worst rated" list, including banh dau xanh (mung bean cake) from Hai Duong, which topped the list with a 2.8-star rating, followed by tiet canh (raw blood pudding), banh troi (floating glutinous rice dumplings), and thit dong (Vietnamese pork jelly). These rankings were met with shock and disapproval from Vietnamese food lovers and international connoisseurs.
Many locals and online influencers voiced their disagreement with the rankings. One reader commented, "They have almost listed the entire Vietnamese cuisine. No matter how foreigners score, to me, these are always delicious dishes."
Despite the ratings, bun dau mam tom remains an iconic part of Hanoi’s culinary landscape, celebrated for its bold flavors and deep-rooted tradition.
