A new Vietnamese restaurant opens in Rome's Trionfale Market
Vietnamese cuisine in Rome has a new address inside the Mercato Trionfale: Vietnom is doubling its reach with a second location (after the one at the Mercato Nomentano) offering pho, banh mi, and traditional street food.
In recent years, local markets have long since ceased to be simply places to shop. They've increasingly become spaces where you can stop for a bite to eat, offering offerings that go far beyond the traditional food stall and, in many cases, have managed to build a clientele independently, independent of the market itself. This is also the case with Vietnom, a format dedicated to Vietnamese street food, which, after the positive response of its first location at the Mercato Nomentano, is now opening a second location at the Mercato Trionfale.
Vietnamese cuisine arrives in Rome at the Mercato Trionfale.
The project founded by Gabriele Raimondi continues its growth, focusing on a formula that, at least until now, is not so common in Rome. Vietnamese cuisine remains less widespread than other Asian traditions, and precisely for this reason, Vietnom has managed to carve out a rather distinct niche for itself in recent years, building a recognizable offering with a strong focus on authenticity. "We decided to open a second location to meet customer demand and bring authentic Vietnamese street food to Rome, with quality and immediacy. The new location allows us to expand the menu, offer seating, and recreate the atmosphere of Vietnamese markets with a contemporary twist," explains Raimondi.
The new opening at Mercato Trionfale (May 20) also represents a natural evolution of the format. While the Nomentano location was primarily intended as a quick and easy place to grab a bite, here the space is larger and allows for a more relaxed lingering experience. The two adjoining stalls house both the workshop and a small seating area with approximately 14-18 seats, as well as a corner selling Vietnamese products and beverages. The aesthetic echoes that of the first location, featuring wood, bamboo, hand-painted lanterns, and warm colors reminiscent of Hanoi's markets.
What to eat at Rome's new Vietnamese cuisine restaurant
The food, of course, remains at the heart of the menu. The menu revolves around some of the most iconic dishes of Vietnamese street food, starting with Banh Mi (€7.50-€8.50), baguettes stuffed with meat, fish, sweet and sour vegetables, and sauces; Pho, the traditional soup with rice noodles (€10.50-€11.50); Goi Cuon (€3.50-€4.50), fresh egg rolls; Còm Chien (€10-€12), stir-fried rice with tamarind sauce; and Gà Cà Ri, Vietnamese chicken curry with coconut milk and lemongrass.
The new space also brings some dishes that have previously appeared more sporadically and are now more regularly available. These include Banh Xeo, a crispy rice flour crepe filled with shrimp and pork, served with lettuce and herbs; Bun, cold rice noodles with marinated vegetables and protein; and Banh Cuon, steamed rice paper dumplings filled with pork and mushrooms. The menu also maintains several vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
Behind the project, in addition to Raimondi, is Vietnamese chef Huong Dao Thi Thu, who focuses on the cuisine of northern Vietnam, between Hanoi and Nam Dinh. This dedication is reflected in a menu that focuses on freshness, balance, and immediacy, without overly adapting flavors to Western tastes.
On the beverage front, we find Vietnamese beers, as well as kombucha, fresh coconut milk, and Rebels Beer craft beers inspired by Southeast Asia.
Vietnam. Mercato Trionfale, Rome. Tel. 3349133356. Instagram. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch (10:00 am - 3:00 pm); also for dinner on Fridays.
