Canh khoai mon — Vietnamese taro soup — is a home-style dish rarely seen on restaurant menus. It is a simple, comforting soup of taro root simmered in pork broth, often with pork ribs or spare ribs. In Austin, you will not find restaurants specializing in this, but a few of the more traditional Vietnamese kitchens serve it as a daily special or on their weekend menu.
Tan My top-pick
Tan My's extensive Vietnamese menu occasionally features canh khoai mon, particularly on weekends when the kitchen expands its offerings. The version here is homestyle — chunks of taro that are meltingly tender but still hold their shape, in a clear pork broth with spare ribs. The taro flavor is earthy and naturally sweet, exactly as it should be.
Bodhi Viet Veggie Cuisine best-value
Bodhi's vegetarian kitchen makes a plant-based canh khoai mon that is surprisingly satisfying, using mushrooms for depth instead of pork broth. The taro here is the star — properly cooked and well-seasoned, with the earthy sweetness that defines the dish. It is a rare restaurant version of this home-style soup, and at a vegetarian restaurant no less.
Bep Co Tham - KN Kitchen hidden-gem
Bep Co Tham occasionally serves canh khoai mon as part of their rotating daily specials, and the quality is consistent with their broader Hue-centric menu. The taro is properly tender, the broth is clean and savory, and the pork ribs add depth without overpowering the taro's delicate flavor. Check for availability before making a special trip.nnFor canh khoai mon in Austin, Tan My offers the most reliable version of this comforting home-style taro soup.