This restaurant is known for being owned by the sister of a famous Vietnamese comedian, Tran Thanh. We visited for lunch, arriving at 11 am, and found the place to be fairly empty. We decided to order the same dishes that Tran Thanh had eaten and recommended in his videos to see if they lived up to his praise.
Check out our detailed review of A Ma Kitchen in this video:
1 Ambience and Decor
The restaurant has three floors and is beautifully decorated in a Chinese style with steaming pots adhered to the walls and old Chinese newspapers featuring famous artists plastered alongside them.
As you enter, you’re greeted by melodic Chinese music, creating an atmosphere that transports you from Vietnam to China.
After being seated, we browsed the menu, which featured unique dishes. The staff were friendly and helpful in explaining the options. With their assistance, we placed our order, selecting over ten dishes to try.
Unfortunately, two of the dishes that Tran Thanh had recommended—the dry noodles with burnt pork and the salad—were no longer available.
2 The Food
Our food arrived within 15 minutes of ordering, which was impressive considering the number of dishes we had chosen. The speed may also have been due to the fact that it was a quiet time when we arrived. With the food laid out before us, we eagerly began our feast.
First up was the siomai dumplings. These were delicious, with a thin wrapper enclosing tender, flavorful meat. I’d rate them a 9 out of 10, as they were the best siomai I’ve had at any Dimsum restaurant.
One downside to the restaurant was the lack of dipping sauces. For the siomai and the ha cao, we had to mix our own sauce using soy sauce, chili sauce, and vinegar.
Next, we tried the ha cao dumplings. These were also good, with a large piece of shrimp inside, although the wrapper could have been chewier. I’d give them a 6 out of 10.
For reference: 2 steamed shrimp and pork ha cao are simple to make at home.
We then moved on to the scallop ha cao, which Tran Thanh had recommended. Topped with salmon roe and filled with a scallop, these dumplings were incredibly flavorful, with a strong seafood taste. I’d give them a 7 out of 10. Again, I felt the lack of a proper dipping sauce was a letdown.
For a healthier option, we tried the broccoli with abalone sauce. The broccoli was crisp and green, but I found the sauce a bit too oily and bland.
Next up was the chicken rice, which the staff had recommended. The rice was cooked in chicken broth, giving it a wonderful aroma and a sticky, sweet texture, almost like sticky rice. The chicken itself was melt-in-your-mouth tender and flavorful, especially when dipped in the rich sauce.
The A Ma Tam Bao was a combination of roast pork, char siu, and duck. The roast pork had a crispy skin that melted in your mouth, and the meat was perfectly tender and sweet. The highlight of this dish was the delicious dipping sauce, which elevated it to a perfect 10 out of 10. The char siu was also excellent, with well-marinated meat that included a nice balance of fat and lean. The duck, too, was superb, with skin that dissolved on the tongue and tender meat.
I then sampled the beef noodle soup, which, despite its name, was not a long-simmered dish. The broth had a slight medicinal taste, but the noodles were good, and the beef was very tender. It’s a suitable choice for a quick lunch.
The Mango Shrimp was an interesting dish, with a fruity sauce and a garnish of strawberries. The shrimp absorbed the sweet and tangy flavor of the mango, and the overall combination was delightful. I’d recommend trying this dish when you visit.
Our final dish was the A Ma Tofu, served with crispy rice and a unique sauce that reminded me of Chinese cuisine. It was on the blander side, which I didn’t particularly enjoy as I prefer stronger flavors.
I’d also like to mention the drinks we tried. The restaurant offered some unique options, and we chose the 1980s milk tea, which I assume is a nod to the owner’s birth year. It had a nice balance of bitterness from the tea, sweetness, and creaminess from the milk. We also tried the Kieu Mach milk tea, which had an unknown ingredient that gave it a creamy texture and a sweet, milky flavor without being overly sweet. I quite enjoyed this one.
3 Conclusion
Our total bill for five people came to 1,688,400 VND. I was impressed by the restaurant’s commitment to environmental friendliness, as they used paper straws.
Overall, the food was delicious, and I’d specifically recommend the following dishes:
– A Ma Chicken Rice
– Mango Shrimp
– A Ma Tam Bao
– Siomai
By 12:30 pm, the restaurant had filled up, and all the seats were taken. The spacious and brightly lit ambiance, coupled with the stunning Hong Kong-inspired decor, earned the restaurant an 8 out of 10 from us. I hope this review helps you discover a new dining gem, and I encourage you to bring your friends and family to enjoy it together.
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