Saigon — nestled in the South of Vietnam, Saigon is not necessarily the first place you would think of to find a wonderful Indian restaurant. However, in between the pho and noodles cafes, there are multiple Indian restaurants in Saigon — it is simply a case of knowing where to look.

So where are the Indian restaurants? As it tends to be ex-pats rather than Vietnamese who frequent the Indian restaurants in Saigon, they tend to be clustered around the areas where ex-pats either hang out or live. District 2 is home to the largest group of ex-pats and similarly is home to the majority of Indian restaurants. Although a little out of the centre ( about 20 minutes drive on a motorbike or simple bus journey ) it is worth making the effort as in addition you will also see a variety of unique boutiques in district 2.
A little further away is district 7 that is also home to many ex-pats; however, it is quite spread out so check on the exact address prior to leaving to avoid roaming the streets aimlessly for hours on end.

A central alternative for Indian restaurants can be found in district 1 — the centre of the city. The Indian restaurants here are geared for both locals and tourists and are often run by Indians, so authenticity is guaranteed.
As takeaways are a huge business in Vietnam, then all of the Indian restaurants in Saigon offer a delivery service. The charges for delivery are minimal and restaurants can either be contacted directly or through a delivery app such as “grab “or “now food. ”

Once you have found your Indian restaurant in Saigon the next area of focus is what to choose to eat. In general, there are menus for breakfast, snacks, salads and soups, main courses as well as drinks and desserts. Perhaps the main consideration is whether to eat Northern or Southern Indian food — although both are spicy, the food in the South is stronger so be warned! Food in the North tends to have a focus on more meat and dairy — so chicken or goat etc. and a yoghurt base that makes sauces of thicker consistency. In comparison, the South focuses on vegetables and seafood and is more rice-based. For those who are not sure what to order then a thali is the best bet — this is an option that offers small portions of a selection of various dishes.

Overall, take your time to investigate these hidden Indian restaurant gems and soon you will be transported from the world of motorbikes and noodles to a paradise of tuk-tuks and delicious Indian food.

Overall, take your time to investigate these hidden Indian restaurant gems and soon you will be transported from the world of motorbikes and noodles to a paradise of tuk-tuks and delicious Indian food.