Vietnamese cuisine is composed of many different kinds of dishes, all unique and sumptuous. Bun is one such kind, rice vermicelli of which bun bo (spicy beef rice vermicelli) in Hue is the most popular one among both locals and foreigners alike. But although less known, bun moc has its own share of fame.

Bun moc is made up of only two ingredients, pork and pork paste. Yet, it is cooked in such beauty and exquisite taste that would make one appreciate Vietnamese cuisine even more.

The name of the dish itself, bun moc, perhaps added to its interest because of the “mystery” of its origin. For one, moc, one of the five pork pastes, is used in all of the pastes, thus the supposed name of the dish. Another story tells of the name of the dish to come from where it originated itself, Moc Village, presently at Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi.

The broth is made of stewed pig bones cooked for a particular period of time until it becomes sweet and almost transparent. The toppings is composed of stewed pork ribs and five kinds of pork paste: cha lua; cha que; cha chien; cha la; and moc.

Cha lua is otherwise known as Vietnamese pork roll or Vietnamese ham. The pork paste is wrapped in banana leaves to form a cylindrical shape and then boiled. Cha que is almost the same as cha lua, with the addition of cinnamon powder. It is also fried instead of boiled. Cha chien is deep-fried pork paste balls. Cha la is steamed pork paste balls wrapped in banana leaves. Moc is pork paste balls with shredded spring onion and shiitake mushroom and pepper powder, all cooked in the broth.

Ho Chi Minh City is known to be liberated when it comes to food and drinks and bun moc has definitely found its home here, being sold everywhere either as street food in even small alleys to fancy food in pricey restaurants, with varying tastes and toppings.

Thanh Mai Restaurant offers one of the best bun mocs in the city, serving the dish in its original toppings. From the time it opens early in the morning until the time it closes early in the afternoon, the diner is always filled with either first-time or returning customers. It is located at the crossroad of Truong Dinh and Nguyen An Ninh streets near the Ben Thanh Market.

Whether one prefers the original recipe or with other accompaniments, bun moc is a highly special and savory dish that it's no wonder it has become a favorite among local residents and foreigners alike.