Although Benaras lies neatly in a quieter street in town, the restaurant is almost always packed with such a diverse array of customers in the peak hours of the night. Benaras offers a wide range of Northern Indian dishes with an emphasis on homeliness, health, and authenticity.

Playing with your food isn’t a crime

What instantly stood out amongst the vast sea of dishes on the menu was the street food section. My favorite was Gol Gappe (or Panipuri). It was not so much a dish but more like an exciting ride in the amusement park. Each crunchy mouthful was a unique experience, from the earthy minty goodness to the sweet cooling chutney, you could taste it all.  A close second would be Puri bhaji which was on a slightly heartier side. Despite the distinctness of each dish, both featured similar staples such as potatoes, in which case, trying one out at a time might enhance your experience.

Tasting fireworks

Since all meals are made fresh to order, they take a good 20 minutes to make. While waiting, I got to enjoy what sounded like Hindi pop intertwined with good ol’ Rock, the likes of One Last Breath and The Final Countdown. It was surprising at first but I quickly eased to the vibrant beats. The rather intriguing song selection actually amplified the experience for me when I found myself fervently nodding to the Cranberries’s Zombies while relishing a perfect bite of curry-wrapped naan. Each bite was an explosion of flavors, meshing and melting into one another. As a garlic lover, I might be biased, but the Garlic naan was an absolute treat– it was garlicky, stretchy, yet somehow still had a bite to it. The Mutton was cooked till tender and filled with flavors, while the curry itself was creamy and hot with spices, as soothing as a hug on rainy days. 

Fresh for the best

Accustomed to the myriad sauces on the Indian dining table, I admit to having had a fleeting moment of disappointment when they offered me only two kinds: tamarind and mint. Upon dipping my gooey cheese naan into the sauces, I began to savor them both and figured I might not miss the variety after all. The two iconic chutneys were enough to satisfy my taste buds due to their unbelievable freshness. Benaras’s mint sauce was the best I had ever tasted. It was jam-packed with flavors and felt fresh like a morning breeze. The tamarind sauce was nothing less – fresh with a tinge of luxury.

Paneer (Indian cottage cheese) and Dahi (Indian yogurt) are made in the Benaras kitchen every morning, and it clearly pays off. I had Lassi, an Indian yogurt drink, and was again surprised by its freshness and how refreshing it was for a dairy-based beverage. It also complimented the taste of my spicy Prawn Masala. Overall, highly recommended. Many chicken dishes at Benaras also have the chicken marinated in yogurt, which gives it a subtle creamy element and a beautiful coat with seared marks that contain all the desirable zest. I had several kinds and enjoyed every one of them in many different ways. 

Delicious roots and the story behind it all

Ms. Nidi, the owner, shared that Benaras was opened with a mission: changing the perception of Indian food, which has started currying favor (pun intended) with Vietnamese people only recently. Contrary to popular misconception, Indian food is exceptionally healthful. It contains loads of vegetables, spices laden with benefits, retains more nutrition due to slow-cook method, and has little saturated fat compared to most dishes elsewhere. She takes a step further to making sure that Benaras delivers non-oily food from fresh quality ingredients as detailed above. I truly felt no guilt treating myself to a steamy hot earnest bowl of curry in days wanting comfort. 

Towards the end of our conversation, Ms. Nidi shared that her husband and daughter were her greatest critics. They would come infrequently and taste test, so rest assured, you truly are getting family-endorsed delights at Benaras. 

Bits & Pieces

• Location: 
  • 5A, Nguyen Sieu Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City 
  • 28, Tran Ngoc Dien, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
• Hours: 10 am – 12 am
• The cherry: 
  • District 1 branch offers “Royal Cuisine” that lets you dine how the Indian Royals would with customs, extravagant cutlery, and all.
  • District 2 branch has a garden and a rooftop bar. 
  • They are committed to being green and sustainable

*Photos by Nhi Luong & f.ahntasy

The post The exquisite world of Indian cuisine in Saigon appeared first on Maze Vietnam.

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Tandoor

Situated in the center of all Saigon activities (a 30-second walk to Nguyen Hue walking street), you can tell Tandoor is as pricey as it is fancy. In return, you can expect top-notch food, friendly service, beautiful space, and a satisfying experience. Upon entering, we were greeted with possibly the nicest doorman in existence, smile always plastered across his face complimenting an overall cheery attitude that pumped me up before the exciting meal. The place is medium-sized and just compact enough that we could smell all the herbs and spices before even settling in my seat. At night, the restaurant is candle-lit, and candles romanticize everything ten folds. The food range is respectable, and the food itself is remarkable. Even the iced tea was premium, adorned with some mint leaves. A meal for two would fall around 500,000vnd, which is relatively expensive (but totally worth it), so consider Tandoor for some special occasion or maybe a date with whom you want to impress.

Add: 39 Ngo Duc Ke Street, Dist 1
Tel:+84 8 3930 4839
Web: http://tandoorvietnam.com
Working hours: 10:30–14:30, 17:00–23:00

Baba’s Kitchen

It is not absurd to state that food at Baba’s Kitchen is as authentic as it can get, especially when chefs and staffs here are all Indians (they are also friendly and likable). The place is small but clean and well-kept. However, it’s almost always packed, hence a little crowded at times. A good spin on this is that the food must be worth all the trouble, and it is! Butter Chicken is a must try and has put Baba’s Kitchen on many people’s favorite list, so drop by Baba’s, the unofficial ambassador of Indian food and see if it will make an appearance on your favorite list too.

Add: 164 Bùi Viện, District 1
Tel: 028 3838 6661
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Babas-Kitchen-168661249876554/
Working hours: 11:00 - 22h30

Ashoka

Ashoka is a multinational franchise as its owner has long set his heart on promoting and establishing a stand for Indian cuisine among others. For what it is worth, Ashoka is not far from completing its mission if not already. Dishes here are a nice introduction to Indian food that will keep people intrigued and coming as the flavor, although still retains the essence of Indian food, is nicely reduced and adjusted to fit the majority’s taste.

Add: 17/10 Le Thanh Ton Ben Nghe, District 1
Tel: 028 3823 1372
Web: http://ashokavietnam.com/story.htm
Working hours: 11:00–14:00, 17:00–22:30

Ganesh

Ganesh Restaurants have sprawled across not only HCMC but also other cities of Vietnam like Nha Trang, Hue, Hoi An, etc. so it is safe to say Ganesh food is tested and approved. The franchise is named after Lord Ganesha who, according to Hindu tradition, is a God of wisdom, success and good luck.

Add: 38 Hai Ba Trung, District 1.
Tel: 08 38234785 - 0966 478 767
Web: http://www.ganesh.vn
Working hours: 11:00 AM – 02:30 PM / 17:30 PM – 10:30 PM

Mumtaz

Yet another charming little diner located in the long famous backpacker street Bui Vien, Mumtaz is known for offering authentic Indian food at a bargain price. With 100,000vnd more or less, you will get access to an extensive menu of no fewer than 150 dishes. We suggest you eat chicken samosa.

Add: 226 Bui Vien, District 1
Tel: +84 8 3837 1767
Working hours: 10:00–23:00

Namaste

Not quite known in the business but for those who do, Namaste is easily a favorite for its outstanding flavors. Many Indian businessmen I know have praised Namaste’s dishes for their striking and very much appreciated resemblance to those of their hometown.

Add: 189 Bui Vien Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1
Tel: 028 6684 9786
Web: http://namasteindia.vn
Working hours: 10:30-23:00

Spice India

Spice India is a particular restaurant set right at the heart of Bui Vien so it is always activities-packed and fun. The diner is cozy and pleasingly decorated. Staffs are all Indians so rest assured that you are getting a real taste of Indian cuisine, creamy and spicy. A value for money!

Add: 1B Bui Vien, District 1
Tel: 028 6676 3784
Web: http://spiceindia.com.vn
Working hours: 10:00-23:00

READ MORE FOOD TRAVEL GUIDE IN SAIGON HERE

(Ranging from Vietnamese cuisine to International one)

The post 7 Indian Restaurants in Saigon to Spice Things Up appeared first on Maze Vietnam.