Mama's Style Ho Chi Minh: Best Banh Xeo & Fried Noodles

If you're looking for the absolute best Banh Xeo in Ho Chi Minh City, look no further! Mama's Style is a fantastic Vietnamese restaurant where you can savor authentic home-cooked flavors, and it's quickly become one of my favorite spots.

In fact, it's so good that when friends visit from abroad, Mama's Style is always at the top of my list. This was already my second time back, and it certainly won't be the last!

Mama's Style Menu Highlights

The star of the show, the Crispy Vietnamese Pancake, is none other than Banh Xeo! It's priced at 149,000 VND (approximately ~$6 USD).

My friend is a huge fan of fried noodles, so we also ordered the Shrimp Fried Noodles (Mì Xào Tôm) for 139,000 VND (around ~$6 USD).

And of course, no visit to Mama's Style is complete without ordering the Garlic Morning Glory, a staple side dish. It's an additional 79,000 VND (about ~$3 USD).

Curiosity got the best of us, so we also tried two of their unique juices. The Dracontomelon juice turned out to be a sweet plum juice, while the Apricot juice was a delightful sweet and sour blend that I absolutely loved!

If you're a fan of refreshing, tangy drinks, these are definitely worth trying!

The interior of Mama's Style is charming, adorned with traditional Vietnamese conical hats and photos of iconic Vietnamese landmarks, creating a truly immersive experience.

Even the lighting fixtures exude that distinctive Vietnamese style.

I ventured upstairs to use the restroom and discovered that the second floor is quite spacious with plenty of tables, making it an excellent choice for larger groups or families.

Our Order at Mama's Style

No Vietnamese meal is complete without this essential side dish: Garlic Morning Glory!

Normally, I tend to order Bun Cha and fresh spring rolls (rice paper rolls) at Mama's Style. But thanks to my friend's love for fried noodles, this was my first time trying the Shrimp Fried Noodles here.

They served it with spicy chili and soy sauce, but honestly, the noodles were perfectly seasoned on their own, so I didn't even need the soy sauce. Being a chili enthusiast, I did ask for an extra serving of chili peppers. Just ask for "chili pepper" or "chili" in Vietnam, and they'll understand!

On the left is the plum juice, and on the right, the apricot juice. Personally, I found the sweet and sour apricot juice absolutely delicious! You can usually find these juices at most Vietnamese restaurants. I really wish they sold them back home!

The Shrimp Fried Noodles were packed with plump shrimp and fresh vegetables. The soy-based sauce and ramen-like noodles made it incredibly flavorful, even on its own.

And finally, the moment we'd been waiting for: the Banh Xeo!

My friend, who had been feeling a bit tired of Vietnamese food after days of pho, had her eyes light up at the first bite of Banh Xeo!

This crispy, savory pancake is somewhat similar to a Korean buchimgae (savory pancake), but made with a special Banh Xeo flour blend.

It's filled with succulent shrimp, bean sprouts, and pork. The best way to enjoy it is to wrap a piece of Banh Xeo with various fresh vegetables in a rice paper sheet. The combination of flavors and textures is just incredible!

I usually take photos of the perfect wrap, dipped in sauce, but I was so engrossed in eating that I completely forgot to snap a picture!

My friend was so impressed by the rice paper, which you use without soaking, that she even stopped by a local market before heading home to buy some to take back with her!

When you visit Vietnam, Banh Xeo is an absolute must-try! It's truly one of the country's iconic dishes.

Mama's Style consistently delivers clean and delicious Vietnamese home cooking. Every dish we ordered on this visit was a success. Next time, I'll definitely be trying Banh Xeo with another exciting new dish!