Mặn Mòi – Thảo Điền - Vietnamese restaurant in Thao Dien, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City

We were thoroughly surprised when we came through the restaurant entrance. The place just exploded in beauty. The food and service was excellent, exquisite and professionally done. You were given a choice of two restaurants when you arrived. On one side there was a vegetarian restaurant and the other a Vietnamese restaurant, all owned and ran by the same staff. They also had a beautiful authentic tea store. We ate and we bought tea. All good.

I love everything I got here (especially the lemongrass pork belly!!!) except for the fried rice and fried spring rolls (not cause it’s not nice but it was really just average). They also had a nice selection of drinks ranging from beer to local drinks that came in a variety of styles (teas, ice blended, iced etc) Beyond the food, I was most impressed by the warm service and the unexpected souvenir shop hidden within the premises. They also offered us a complimentary gift from the souvenir shop (not sure if it’s also cause we hit a certain spend, but nonetheless, a really nice touch).

In A Nutshell: -Man Moi is a gem. -I loved their small shrimp & banh hoi dishes. -They will fill you up for a delicious light lunch. -The ambience is very cave-like which makes it feel authentic. -Outside air flows through the restaurant so it does get a little hot. Overall, the service was outstanding & the food is excellent!

Recently visited Man Moi with a group of 8, and overall it was a solid dining experience—though a bit on the pricey side. The total bill came out to around 5.5 million VND, which is definitely on the higher end. That said, the food itself was delicious across the board. Flavors were well-balanced, and you can tell there’s real attention to quality and presentation. One thing to keep in mind is portion size. Most dishes are really suited for 2 people, maybe 3 at most, so for larger groups you’ll need to order quite a bit to feel satisfied. It’s not the kind of place where a few shared plates will be enough for a big table. If you’re planning to go, try to arrive earlier in the evening. Since it has a bit of a dinner party vibe, popular items—especially desserts—tend to sell out. By the time we were ready for dessert, many of the best options were already gone, which was a bit disappointing. Overall, I’d give it about 3.5 stars. Great food and atmosphere, but the pricing and portion sizes make it better suited for smaller groups or those willing to spend a bit more for the experience.

Man Moi is an absolute hidden gem in Ho Chi Minh City! This MICHELIN-recommended restaurant (together with their sister resto, Hum) delivers an incredible dining experience that’s both cultural and modern. The ambiance feels homey yet beautifully designed — the perfect balance of traditional Vietnamese elements with a clean, contemporary vibe. From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional. We were welcomed with a refreshing drink and cold towel, and our server Thien Nguyen took such great care of us throughout the meal. The team was warm, attentive, and genuinely friendly. They even gifted us a 300k VND voucher, which we happily used in their shop after dining. The food was outstanding — authentic flavors, clean, neatly presented, and thoughtfully elevated with a modern twist. For 5 people, our bill was around 3,000,000 VND, and it was absolutely worth it. We ordered: • Fresh coconut & sugarcane pandan tea • Flower salad with shrimp • Deep-fried spring rolls • Stir-fried malabar spinach with shallots • Fried squid with Phu Quoc fish sauce • Grilled pork jowl with clausena leaves • Salt-baked Man Hill pork platter with herbs & rice paper • Sticky rice with Tao Ky chicken & mushroom • Green jelly with coconut milk & palm sugar • Toddy palm sweet soup (cold) Everything was delicious, balanced, and beautifully prepared. Highly recommend Man Moi if you want authentic Vietnamese dishes with a refined touch. Amazing food, amazing service, amazing vibe. Definitely a must-visit in HCMC!