Best Indian Cusine in Vietnam: Authentic Flavors & Restaurants
Explore authentic Indian cuisine in Vietnam with Deluxe Group Tours. Indian cuisine is a feast for the senses, offering a variety of flavors, textures, and aromas. From the famous curries to traditional dishes like thali and chicken tikka, Indian cuisine is renowned worldwide for its freshness and balance of flavors. Experiencing Indian cuisine in Vietnam is sure to create a novel sensation.
1. Top Indian Restaurant Cities in Vietnam
When it comes to Indian cuisine in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, the bustling metropolises with modern flair and a diverse array of entertainment options, are two must-visit destinations.
From the bustling scenes of street food markets to the upscale ambiance of luxurious restaurants in these two cities, Indian cuisine dishes are omnipresent. The culinary culture of India always has a distinct flavor that is hard to find elsewhere. However, Indian cuisine dishes in Vietnam, especially in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, will leave you feeling both surprised and delighted.
A defining characteristic of Indian culinary culture is its use of spices, because India is often called the paradise of spices. As a result, Indian dishes are known for their rich flavors, created by combining several essential spices such as chili, fennel, garam masala, cardamom powder, cinnamon leaves, cloves, mint leaves, turmeric, curry leaves, and more. The way spices are blended in each Indian dish not only enhances its flavor but also provides health benefits and therapeutic effects.
Indian culinary culture carries a unique and distinct beauty that leaves a lasting impression once experienced. If you are looking for an opportunity to explore the rich culinary world of this country in Vietnam or to reminisce about flavors you have previously enjoyed, don’t miss the following restaurants.
2. Finding the Perfect Indian Cuisine Restaurant
2.1. Baba’s Kitchen – Indian Cuisine Restaurant in Saigon
Baba’s Kitchen is a must-visit destination if you want to explore unique Indian cuisine right in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. With a diverse menu, the restaurant offers creative dishes that blend traditional Indian flavors with distinctive Eastern infusions, ensuring a delightful dining experience.
The restaurant’s menus are covered with street food and highlights of traditional Indian culinary culture. Notable items on Baba’s Kitchen’s menu include delicious Naan bread and richly sauced curries. These dishes have become indispensable highlights of Baba’s kitchen.
The ambiance of Baba’s Kitchen is distinctly Indian, featuring a spacious and elegant design. While not overly elaborate, it exudes a unique charm, providing a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout your meal.
- Address: 274 Bui Vien, District 1, HCM City
- Opening hours: 11:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Price range: 55,000 – 110,000 VND
2.2. Benaras – Indian Cuisine Restaurant in Saigon
Benaras Restaurant is named after the iconic city of Benaras in northern India, also known as Varanasi. What makes Benaras a sought-after destination for those seeking authentic Indian cuisine, without alterations, is its use of authentic ingredients imported from India.
The restaurant specializes in Indian dishes selected from a variety of foods from north Indian cuisine, south Indian cuisine, and east and west Indian cuisine, featuring vibrant colors, aromatic spices, and rich flavors. With a menu of over 100 Indian dishes, including Kali Mirch Paneer Tikka, Dahi Ke Kababs, Zafrani Fish, Chicken Tikka, Paneer Kali Mirch, and Chicken Butter Masala, it showcases the distinctive flavors of traditional Indian cuisine.
In particular, the restaurants have adopted a modern and sophisticated design style with traditional Indian elements, characteristic warmth, and Eastern charm. Additionally, they create a perfect space for you to enjoy a cocktail and appetizers amidst the beautiful scenery of Vietnamese cities.
- Address:
- The Indian House – 2nd Floor, 42/22 Nguyen Hue, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
- Benaras Heights – 21st Floor, Rooftop Renaisance Hotel, 15 Ton Duc Thang, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
- Benaras Indian Bistro – 21B Ton Duc Thang, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
- Opening hours: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Price range: 50,000 – 250,000 VND
2.3. Mustard The Indian – Indian Cuisine Restaurant in Saigon
Mustard The Indian is the ideal destination for you to indulge in the Indian cuisine menu, blending tradition with innovation in every dish. The restaurant uses fresh ingredients and characteristic Indian spices to offer you unique and unforgettable flavors.
The menu at Mustard The Indian is diverse and enticing, featuring classic dishes like Chicken Tikka Masala and Lamb Rogan Josh alongside innovative creations such as Paneer Tikka Pizza and Quinoa Biryani, along with plenty of appealing options for you, whether you are a vegetarian.
Especially with its warm ambiance and elegant and modern design, the restaurant is the perfect venue for hosting gatherings, celebrating special occasions, or enjoying intimate meals with family and friends.
- Address: 18 Bis/ Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Da Kao, District 1
- Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 02:30 p.m. and 05:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Price range: 50,000 – 290,000 VND
2.4. Dalcheeni Hano
Stepping into Dalcheeni restaurant, you feel like entering a world of incredibly tantalizing spices. Besides the strong allure of authentic flavors from ingredients imported directly from India, you’ll also be amazed by the diversity and richness of the presentation, with vibrant dominant color schemes.
The highlight of Dalcheeni Hanoi’s menu is not only the regional Indian cuisine but also the storytelling reflected through the menu. The menu book serves not just to order food but also narrates a story, taking you on a culinary journey to explore the food culture of each region of India.
The restaurant boasts a modern, luxurious architectural style while still preserving the traditional beauty of India, offering you an emotionally rich dining experience. Additionally, the walls here are adorned with numerous Indian paintings and patterns, further enhancing the traditional beauty of the architecture. Especially at Dalcheeni restaurant, you can also relax with fine wines and favorite cocktails in the bar area.
- Address: 100 Xuan Dieu, Tu Lien Ward, Tay Ho District, Hanoi
- Opening hours: 18:00 – 22:30
- Price range: 50,000 VND – 300,000 VND
2.5. Little India Halal Hanoi
Little India Halal Restaurant is one of the famous Indian cuisine restaurants in Hanoi that primarily focuses on dishes from Northern Indian cuisine, with notable dishes like Tandoori salmon. In addition, the restaurant’s menu offers a variety of dishes for you to choose from, including vegetarian and meat options seasoned with spices suitable for various tastes.
Fragrant spices are the essence of Indian cuisine, and those spices are also a top priority at Little India restaurant. Here, dishes are prepared using special spices such as coriander, mint, curry leaves, asafoetida, etc., bringing out the distinctive flavors of Indian cuisine.
You’ll be impressed by the cozy and comfortable two-story space in Little India. Set apart from the hustle and bustle outside, it provides a tranquil and pleasant atmosphere. The interior is elegantly designed in an Indian style, not overly intricate, with warm hues and delicate patterns, creating a harmonious and sophisticated overall ambiance.
- Address: 32 Hang Tre, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Opening hours: 11:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Price range: 100,000 – 300,000 VND
3. Tips for Choosing the Best Indian Cuisine Restaurant in Vietnam
In addition to the restaurants suggested above, Vietnam also boasts numerous other famous Indian cuisine restaurants. To choose a quality restaurant that suits your taste, consider the following helpful tips:
- Indian cuisine is diverse, with many different regions and religions. Therefore, you need to know about various types of Indian cuisine, such as North Indian, South Indian, Punjab, Gujarat, etc., to choose a restaurant that suits your preferences.
- Refer to reputable restaurant review websites in Vietnam, such as TripAdvisor, Foody, Lozi, etc., to read customer reviews about the restaurants. Pay attention to criteria such as food quality, prices, service, etc. Additionally, you can also ask for opinions from friends or relatives who have experienced Indian cuisine restaurants in Vietnam to obtain genuine and objective reviews.
- Review the restaurant’s menu to ensure that they offer dishes you are interested in and that are within your budget.
- The service and attitude of the staff also greatly affect your experience. Therefore, to ensure that you receive good care and support from the restaurant, you should refer to reviews regarding the service and attitude of the restaurant.
The cuisine is an exciting journey of discovery, where each dish carries the distinctive flavors of its region and culture. Therefore, don’t limit yourself to the notion of traditional flavors when experiencing Indian cuisine in Vietnam. Embrace unique variations, where tradition blends with creativity, to offer you new and surprising culinary experiences. With my culinary experiences shared above in Vietnam, I hope you’ll discover countless unique and impressive Indian flavors in this land of the letter “S.”