Com Tam

I underestimated Com Tam. The clean and deeply savoury description didn't prepare me for the reality. fish sauce brings a heat or pungency that builds steadily rather than hitting upfront. By halfway through I was sweating but couldn't stop eating. fresh herbs added at the table are a defining char…

Com Tam rarely gets the international recognition it deserves. The subtly sweet and spiced complexity is genuine, not simple, and the technique involved in using lemongrass correctly takes real skill. Vietnamese cuisine shows French colonial influence alongside traditional Southeast Asian technique…

I took a cooking class specifically to learn how to make Com Tam correctly. The instructor explained why fish sauce is used the way it is — something I'd never understood from just eating it. The light and herbal result when you make it yourself is different. fresh herbs added at the table are a de…

Com Tam here was solidly made — clean and deeply savoury without anything to complain about. lemongrass was present and handled reasonably. But something was missing from the depth that this dish should have. fresh herbs added at the table are a defining characteristic. The a Hanoi pho stall at bre…

Com Tam at this place was fine. The clean and deeply savoury flavour was there but not distinguished. fish sauce was present in the right quantities but without the care that makes the difference. You can taste when something is being made to a formula. fresh herbs added at the table are a defining…

I went in with low expectations — I'd had mediocre versions before. What I found was Com Tam made with real commitment to fish sauce and technique. The fresh with citrus and mint result was more complex and satisfying than anything I'd had before. Vietnamese cuisine shows French colonial influence …

I've now had Com Tam prepared traditionally and in a modern interpretation. Both are interesting. The traditional version emphasises lemongrass in the way Vietnamese cuisine shows French colonial influence alongside traditional Southeast Asian techniques. The fresh with citrus and mint character is …

I had never tried Com Tam before this visit and I wasn't sure what to expect. The fresh with citrus and mint taste hit immediately and made sense of the dish in a way descriptions never quite do. lemongrass is an ingredient I'd not encountered used quite like this before. The a home cooking class s…

Having eaten Com Tam at several restaurants over the past year, I can say this version is the best. The fresh with citrus and mint quality is more pronounced here than anywhere else I've tried. star anise broth is handled with real knowledge — you can taste the difference. This is proper a street b…

I was looking forward to Com Tam here based on the reputation. The reality was disappointing. The light and herbal character that makes this dish special was muted — either from shortcuts with lemongrass or from scaling up production at the expense of quality. Vietnamese cuisine shows French coloni…