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Shami – Vietnamese cuisine in Schwabing I've already eaten twice at Shami, a restaurant that opened just over a month ago. I mentioned it once as a daily tip on Facebook, and you could also read a bit about it in my food column for the tz and the Münchner Merkur. Now I've been back for a more extensive meal, tried many more dishes, chatted with the owners, and would like to give you a more detailed report about this Vietnamese restaurant.

Shami. Yes…what does that actually mean? Shami is the first name of the owner, who, together with her husband, Hai Pham, a renowned and very experienced chef, runs the cozy and already always busy restaurant at Münchner Freiheit. On my second visit, I was greeted by a friendly waiter at the entrance and was invited to relax at the cozy bar with a homemade pineapple-mint lemonade (€3.90) while waiting for my table. When my table in the back of the restaurant, designed for approximately 55 people but with about 18 tables, was ready, my companion arrived, and nothing stood in the way of our wonderful evening at Shami.

The ambience and furnishings at Shami

I already touched on the decor and ambiance in my short post and tz column. However, even on this visit, I was struck again by the skillful attention to detail that went into the interior design. Jean Paul Gaultier tablecloths, Asian characters on the walls inviting you to drink, expressing pride, and wishing you bon appétit. Skillfully placed murals and samurai swords in the back give Shami a distinctive touch. The subdued lighting and the more than 50 lanterns hanging from the ceiling create a unique atmosphere. It's easy to feel comfortable here. The whole experience is topped off with friendly service. We were asked about our preferences immediately after being seated and opted for two delicious appetizers and main courses. To finish, we shared a typical Vietnamese dessert.

The selection of dishes

As a starter, my companion and I enjoyed a delicious aperitif, a Crémant with hibiscus (7.90 each). Very refreshing and a fruity, fresh starter. If you're there, definitely try the homemade lemonades – there are four different varieties – and order one of the fine aperitifs (between 5.90 and 7.90 euros) to go with them. We ordered the appetizers along with our main courses. Since I had already ordered my beloved edamame on my first visit, we deliberately didn't choose anything from the "Appetizer to Share" category this time, but went straight to the starters. We tried three different appetizers. Among them was one of the five different types of dumplings, with pork, shrimp, garlic, and onions ("Ha Cau & Shao Mai" – dumplings for 5.90 euros). The dumplings have an unusual texture, but taste absolutely delicious. You can clearly taste the meat, the shrimp, and the spices. So, if you've never tried traditional Vietnamese dumplings and are looking for a new taste experience, you should definitely give them a go – as mentioned, the fillings are customizable. Alongside them, there was "Chili Sepia" for €6.90. This is fresh cuttlefish (sepia) coated in chili sambal with a ginger-wasabi dip. Sambal is a very spicy and quite thick sauce, traditionally served in small bowls as a side dish. The appetizer is very flavorful and intentionally quite hot. So, if you like things a bit fiery, this is a great choice. For our third appetizer, the "Spring Scallops" for €10.90 caught our eye. This consists of three grilled scallops with shimeji mushrooms, spring onions, pepperwort, and peanuts in a wonton crust. This was also my absolute favorite among the appetizers tested, simply because I really like scallops and I also really liked the presentation at Shami with the peanuts.

When it came time to choose our main courses, I didn't have to think twice. The grilled sea bass "La Zui" (€18.90) in a banana leaf with fried rice, chili, ginger, onions, and herbs immediately appealed to me. The fish was incredibly tender, easily flakeped with a fork, and harmonized perfectly with the herbs, the ginger sauce, and the fried rice served in a separate bowl. My companion was recommended the "Shaking Beef." A Hereford entrecôte (€18.90) stir-fried in a wok with garlic sweet potato and mango-papaya salad. So delicious! Of course, I couldn't resist trying everything and was thrilled. The meat was tender and cooked to perfection, the sweet potatoes had a subtle hint of garlic yet retained their own rich potato flavor. All in all, all five dishes on the menu—just like on our first visit—were absolutely top-notch. I could also briefly shake hands with the friendly chef and owner and have a little chat.

The concept of Shami

At Shami, it's not just the food that plays a major role; the concept behind it is also designed to be understandable to every guest. Only authentic Vietnamese cuisine, presented in a young and innovative gourmet style, graces the plates. Fine dining at fair prices means dishes that even those on a budget can afford. In my opinion, Shami successfully puts this concept into practice. The friendly team prioritizes making guests feel well cared for, just as they prioritize perfect cuisine and ensuring satisfied faces as they leave.

My personal conclusion

My suggestion for you: To get to know Shami a little better, I recommend visiting at lunchtime before a more extensive evening meal. On weekdays, they offer a fantastic business lunch at fair prices. Appetizers are up to €3.90, and chicken, duck, or beef dishes, each served with rice, are available for a maximum of €8.90. I can highly recommend a visit, having been here twice now and sampled numerous starters, appetizers, and main courses. My dessert was just as delicious – Vietnamese mochi filled with yellow beans. So good! Do yourself a favor and head to Shami for lunch and/or dinner next time you're hungry. I'm eager to hear about your visit. By public transport, simply take the U3/U6 subway line and walk a few meters from Münchner Freiheit station to Marktstraße – and you're all set for a taste of Vietnamese cuisine.

Place visited: Shami
Address: Marktstraße 6, 80802
Website

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