Lẩu Mắm Phong Lan - Quận 9: A Culinary Revelation!
Prepare to be Amazed: A Taste of Heaven!
Words and photos simply can't capture the magic of this place, partly because it's so charmingly rustic and bursting with greenery! But trust me, this is THE best Lẩu Mắm (fermented fish hotpot) you'll ever taste. Period.
More Than Just a Meal, It's an Experience
The atmosphere is pure countryside bliss. Apparently, they used to be located near the Saigon Bridge (anyone remember them from 14 years ago?). The owner is clearly passionate about food and dedicated to giving diners an unforgettable experience.
From the moment you arrive, you're treated like royalty. They tailor the hotpot to your group size and even adjust the flavors to suit different regional preferences. The service is beyond exceptional. The owner actually spends about an hour guiding you through the entire Lẩu Mắm experience! Forget just eating – you're embarking on a culinary journey!
A Symphony of Flavors: Ingredients Galore!
This Lẩu Mắm is an explosion of about 30 ingredients, from succulent meats to vibrant vegetables. The hotpot is overflowing with goodness: catfish, crispy roasted pork, river prawns, squid, beef balls, fish balls, basa fish stomach, bitter melon, mushrooms, sweet potato, eggplant... at least 13 delights simmering in that incredibly flavorful broth. The broth alone is worth the trip – seriously, it's unlike any other Lẩu Mắm broth I've ever had!
And the greens! Oh, the greens! We're talking around 20 different varieties: Chọi shoots (where are these from again? My mind's blank!), Sesbania sesban flower, Sesbania grandiflora flower, water hyacinth flower, pumpkin flower, water lily flower, bitter herb, tai tượng, pennywort, water spinach, water mimosa, bồn bồn... the list goes on and on!
Get Ready to Dive In!
Let the feast begin! The owner will even teach you the proper way to peel a river prawn without making a mess. Seriously, I learned something new! He shows you how to stand the prawn upright, remove the head, and then carefully remove any…uh… unwanted bits. The way you are going to eat this hotpot, is indeed going to be great!
He'll also guide you on how to best enjoy each type of vegetable:
- Chọi shoots: Dip for 15-20 seconds – they'll be delightfully crunchy. Pure bliss!
- Water hyacinth flower: Simply pluck and dip quickly. Amazing! Never thought I'd be so excited about something we used to feed pigs!
- Sesbania sesban flower: Pluck and add to your bowl, then ladle the hot broth over them.
- Water lily stems: He'll squeeze them (he says they have tiny holes that can trap hot broth and burn you!), then peel the outer layer and dip briefly until they change color. The care put into preparing these ingredients is truly a testament to how good this hotpot is!
- Bitter herb, pennywort, water spinach: Eat these last to round out the hotpot flavor. Just a quick dip for the bitter herb – perfection!
After you're about 70% full, the owner prepares a palate cleanser (I forgot what it's called!). It's a small bowl of Sesbania sesban flower and other chopped veggies with chili, hot broth, and a squeeze of lime. Absolutely refreshing!
Finally, you're treated to a cup of traditional tea and a few pieces of candied ginger to complete the meal.
The owner even gifted me a glass of pomelo wine! I wish he had offered me the whole bottle! I loved the hospitality of this restaurant, and I would recommend it to anyone!
Thank you to the friend who recommended this place! It was worth it. Thank you to the owner and Lẩu Mắm Phong Lan for a meal I'll never forget – a true celebration of Vietnamese cuisine!
Visit Them!
Lẩu Mắm Phong Lan: 26 Long Thuan, Truong Thanh Ward, District 9
Highly recommend going for lunch! The kitchen closes at 8 PM for dinner service.
I had to share my experience. This Lẩu Mắm is a must-try for anyone who loves Vietnamese food, and for anyone visiting Saigon! This city has a great appreciation for gastronomy.
I feel incredibly lucky to live in Saigon and experience the world's best cuisine.
Love ❤️
📍 Lẩu Mắm Phong Lan
• 26 Long Thuận, P.Trường Thạnh , Q9
• Open: 9 AM to 9 PM
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