{"id":4936,"date":"2020-11-11T13:35:52","date_gmt":"2020-11-11T05:35:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/?p=4936"},"modified":"2020-11-17T17:40:38","modified_gmt":"2020-11-17T09:40:38","slug":"indian-restaurants-saigon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/vietnam\/indian-restaurants-saigon\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Indian & South Asian Restaurants In Ho Chi Minh City To Get Your Chutney & Curry Fix"},"content":{"rendered":"

Indian & South Asian restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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From the irresistible smell of <\/span>aromatic spices<\/b> to <\/span>yogurt-filled spicy stew<\/b>, Indian and South Asian restaurants’ cuisine is synonymous with <\/span>intense flavour, vibrant colors, <\/b>and<\/span> unique cooking recipes.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

With numerous Indian and South Asian restaurants popping up across the city, foodies in Ho Chi Minh City can now freely explore these dishes’ dynamic food heritage. From mouth-watering goat curry to a sumptuous <\/span>thali<\/span><\/i> feast, here\u2019s our low-down on some of the most popula<\/span>r Indian and South Asian restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. Ganesh Indian Restaurant – newbie-friendly thali <\/em>trays with vegetarian options<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"Ganesh
\nThali dish<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/span>Ganesh Indian Restaurant<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re new to Indian food, <\/span>Ganesh Indian Restaurant <\/b>might be a good place to start. Order a <\/span>thali<\/em> tray (VND189,000, ~USD8.15)<\/b>, so you can sample different flavors of various dishes in one set to find out what you like.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A <\/span>thali<\/span><\/em> tray offers 6 different dishes such as steamed rice, <\/span>naan <\/span><\/i>or leavened bread made with milk and butter, crisp and round flatbread (<\/span>papadum<\/span><\/em>), yogurt mixed with cooked vegetables (<\/span>raita<\/span><\/em>), completed with tasty Gulab Jamun – a popular Indian dessert made from thickened milk and dried nuts.<\/span><\/p>\n

These dishes are packed with different yet complementary flavors of sweetness, saltiness, bitterness, sourness, and spiciness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Vegetarians can still savour this sumptuous treat minus the guilt by ordering the <\/span>vegetarian version (VND180,000, ~USD7.77)<\/b>. A non-meat <\/span>thali<\/em> <\/span>tray comes with vegetables fried in batter and spices (<\/span>onion <\/span>bhaji<\/span><\/em>), fried spice curry (<\/span>tarka dal<\/span><\/em>), steamed rice, leavened bread, flatbread, yogurt mixed with cooked vegetables, and dessert. <\/span>All of the chefs are from India, cooking traditional dishes with authentic recipes, so you can be assured that they\u2019re familiar with vegetarian cuisine. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ganesh
\nImage credit: Ganesh Indian Restaurant<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The restaurant\u2019s small, but tastefully designed for comfort. It can be crowded after 6PM so it\u2019s better to make reservations if you dine in groups.<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/span> <\/b>38 Hai Ba Trung, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
\n<\/span>Opening hours:<\/b><\/span> 11AM-2.30PM I 5.30PM-10.30PM, Daily
\n<\/span>Telephone: <\/b><\/span>028 3823 4785
\n<\/span>Website<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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2. Ashoka – serving up Indian, Tibetan, and Manchurian dishes<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"Ashoka
\nImage credit: C\u00e0 ri \u1ea4n Ashoka<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Ashoka <\/b>is one of the very few Indian restaurants in town that dish out traditional East Asian dishes such as Tibetan, Manchurian, <\/b>and Hakka dishes<\/b> alongside its offerings of Indian cuisine.<\/p>\n

This means that diners can savour different culinary traditions across the vast continent of Asia in one place.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ashoka
\nImage credit: C\u00e0 ri \u1ea4n Ashoka<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

For a flavorful appetizer, order Mutton Shami Kebab (VND129,000,~USD5.57),<\/b> which is composed of moist minced mutton flavored with gram powder, ginger, garlic, deep fried and served with fresh herbs.<\/p>\n

Moving on to your main course, chow down the savoury <\/span>Hakka Noodles (VND70,000~USD3.02)<\/b> – boiled noodles that are then stir-fried with sauces, vegetables, and chicken or prawns or both.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The<\/span> Prawn Manchurian (VND130,000,~USD5.62)<\/b> is also worth a try. This Mongolian dish is made of battered and deep-fried prawns and cauliflower cooked with a variety of spices such as ginger, soy sauce, and vinegar.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ashoka
\nImage credit: C\u00e0 ri \u1ea4n Ashoka<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Besides a good selection of dishes to choose from, Ashoka boasts a spacious and sophisticated dining space with ample seating.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Address<\/b><\/span>:<\/span> 17\/10 Le Thanh Ton, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
\nOpening hours:<\/span> <\/b>10.30AM-11PM, Daily
\n<\/span>Telephone:<\/b><\/span> 0906 906 124
\n<\/span>Website<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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3. Namaste Indian Restaurant – large menu and affordable prices<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"Namaste
\nImage credit: <\/span>Namaste India Restaurant<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Featuring over 100 dishes ranging from curry to Dosa<\/em>, <\/span>Namaste India Restaurant<\/b> wins big points for both<\/span> delicious food<\/b> and <\/span>affordable prices.<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Namaste
\nChicken Biryani<\/em>
\nImage credit: <\/span>TripAdvisor<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re overwhelmed with the wide array of choices, go for the classic <\/span>Chicken Biryani (VND120,000,~USD5.18)<\/b>, an aromatic long-grain rice dish served with juicy and peppery chicken.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Vegans will not be disappointed with the savory and healthy <\/span>Aloo Palak<\/b> (VND75,000,~USD3.24)<\/b>, a vegan Indian dish where spinach and potatoes are thrown together with spices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Namaste
\nImage credit: Namaste India Restaurant<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Namaste is situated in Bui Vien<\/a>, Saigon\u2019s biggest leisure destination. After a fulfilling meal here, you can walk around to explore the local nightlife scene and check in to a street beer bar for some tasty tipples.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Address:<\/span> <\/b>189 Bui Vien, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
\n<\/span>Opening hours:<\/b><\/span> 11AM-11PM, Daily
\n<\/span>Telephone:<\/span> <\/b>0902 301 843
\n<\/span>Website<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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4. Shanti Indian Cuisine – good value for your money & helpful staff<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"Shanti
\nImage credit: Shanti Indian Cuisine<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Featuring wood-panelled walls, ample lighting, and plush furnishings, Shanti Indian Cuisine <\/b>has a luminous <\/b>and elegant atmosphere.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

While at Shanti Indian Cuisine, diners will be treated to a myriad of Indian dishes, from tangy curry to creamy raita.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Must-tries include the sumptuous M<\/strong><\/span>utton Biryani (VND190,000, ~USD8.20),<\/b> a hot and tangy rice dish mixed with Indian spices, caramelized onions, eggs, and flavorful mutton.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Shanti
\nImage credit: TripAdvisor\/Rishabh<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Another authentic Indian dish that\u2019s also worth a try is the succulent <\/span>Tandoori Chicken (VND180,000, ~USD7.77 for half a chicken). <\/b>After being marinated in Greek yogurt and lemon juice for tender texture, it\u2019s grilled with paprika, ginger, and other spices for earthy flavors.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pizza lovers might want to try <\/span>Masala Papad (VND50,000,~USD2.16)<\/b>, a crispy and thin lentil pancake topped with a spicy mixture of opinions, tomatoes, and cucumbers for a mouthful, crunchy bite.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Wash them all down with the slightly sour and tasty<\/span> buttermilk (VND40,000, ~USD1.73)<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Address:<\/span> <\/b>371C Pham Ngu Lao, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
\n<\/span>Opening hours:<\/b><\/span> 10AM-11PM, Daily
\n<\/span>Telephone:<\/span> <\/b>028 3836 5199
\n<\/span>Website<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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5. Musa C\u00e0 Ri D\u00ea \u1ea4n \u0110\u1ed9 – top-notch goat curry dishes<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"Musa
\nImage adapted from: John Yeung<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t be taken aback by this eatery\u2019s nondescript <\/b>appearance compared to other Indian & South Asian restaurants – this tiny eatery sees a long row of motorbikes owned by die-hard regulars queuing up along the entire alley on a regular basis.<\/p>\n

\"Musa
\nImage credit: @ozanoz1486<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Even though the head chef is a Vietnamese-Chinese resident<\/b>, his goat curry specialties<\/b> carry authentic Indian flavors.<\/p>\n

\"Musa
\nImage credit: Ph\u01b0\u01a1ng Lee<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The boneless goat meat is lean and tender<\/b>, while the buttery gravy is aromatic with hints of fresh milk <\/b>and coconut water<\/b>. The dish is served with soft banh mi<\/em> to balance the strong taste.<\/p>\n

You can also choose to have the dish with a bowl of <\/span>rice<\/b> cooked with coconut water (VND30,000,~USD1.29)<\/strong> to lend the curry extra flavor.<\/span><\/p>\n

A small goat curry dish is priced at <\/span>VND130,000 (~USD5.61)<\/b>, while the bigger portion is at <\/span>VND150,000, (~USD6.47).\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Address:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n