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A vast majority of the Vietnamese population lives in poverty, so optimizing available resources and ingredients is essential. War, political uncertainty, colonial rule, and subsequent cultural changes have led to an inexpensive cuisine that's simple in appearance but rich in flavor. Cow meat and vegetable replanting are a few examples of ingredient optimization. Once the cow is slaughtered, no part of it is wasted; even the intestines are used for culinary purposes. In vegetables, the leafy part is used for food while the stalk and roots are replanted. South Vietnamese food is greener and has more fruits and vegetables, along with some fish. Central Vietnam, with its harsher climate, has fewer fresh ingredients but an abundance of fish. As noodles are a staple of the daily diet in North Vietnam, Chinese cuisine has a significant influence on the country's cuisine. However, North Vietnamese noodles are not as bold or spicy as those in Central or South Vietnam.
While not as popular as Korean or Japanese cuisines in India, Vietnamese food is steadily gaining on the other Southeast Asian cuisines due to the lack of dairy or oil use in cooking. The following are ten of the most popular restaurants in India that serve Vietnamese food.
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Nho Saigon
One of the newest Vietnamese restaurants in India, most meals here are steamed or braised with either no oil or just a teaspoon of oil. Traditional beverages like mead (made by fermenting honey with water, fruits, grains, and spices) and dishes like Traditional Grilled Chicken and Bánh Mî (a Vietnamese sandwich) are great. Do try their Egg Bánh Trang (Vietnamese pizza with a rice paper base) and Chao Tom (charred pork and shrimp on sugarcane skewers).
Address: Unit 1B, Plot No. C68, Jet Airways-Godrej BKC, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai
Timings: 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Price for two: INR 2,000
Viet:Nom
With traditional decor and ambience, their White Rose Dim Sums and Seafood Salads set the mood. Must-try dishes include chicken mango curry and roasted eggplant. Their cocktails and sangria are fun as well. Don't forget to finish your meal with the Avocado Surprise, a dessert.
Address: DLF Cyberhub, DLF Phase 2, Sector 24, Gurugram
Timings: 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.,
Price for two: INR 1,800
Little Saigon
Image Credits: Daniel Food Diary
Address: E-16, Market Lane, Hauz Khas market, Block D, Hauz Khas, New Delhi
Timings: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Price for two: INR 1,400 for two people.
Va Pho Asian Canteen
The food here is a blend of spicy and colorful Oriental cuisine and unmistakable Indian spices. With an interior that's quirky and artsy, the baos (steamed buns with filling of our choice) are a must-have here. The banana blossom salad and Vietnamese pineapple fried rice are also delicious.
Address: 73, Cathedral Road, Kanakasri Nagar, Gopalapuram, Chennai
Timings: 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., all seven days of the week.
Price for two: INR 400
By The Mekong
This award-winning restaurant is perched high on the 37th floor of the hotel and gives us a breathtaking view of Mumbai. The Vietnamese barbecued wings with tamarind and ginger glaze and Vietnamese fried rice with lotus leaf are unforgettable. Do try the Vietnamese rice noodle soup with vegetable dumplings.
Address: The Penthouse Level 37 at the St. Regis, 462, Senapati Bapat Marg, next to Phoenix Palladium, Lower Parel, Mumbai
Timings: 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Price for two: INR 5,500 (without alcohol)
Chô Vietnamese Kitchen and Bar
With dim sum like chicken chili gyoza and Vietnamese shrimp rose, this place, which is a three-minute walk from Qutub Minar, makes a lasting impression. Roasted mushrooms and tenderloin in betel leaf are must-try dishes. With impressive portions and sizes, this place is bound to satisfy any foodie.
Address: First floor, H5/1, Ambawatta One, Kalkaska Marg, Mehrauli, New Delhi
Timings: 12:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Price for two: INR 3,500
Phobidden Fruit Vietnamese Kitchen
With tables that seem ideal for couples, the Chili Pork and Kho Pork are great with appetizers like vegetarian summer rolls that are served in rice paper rolls with a surprisingly well-balanced peanut sauce.
Address: 965, 12th Main Road, HAL 2nd Stage, Doopanahalli, Indiranagar, Bangalore
Timings: 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Price for two: INR 1,300
Hanoi Vietnamese Kitchen
Their turmeric fried rice with tamarind curry and coconut sticky rice with Vietnamese curry are simply superb. In-house dishes like papaya and mango salads with rice paper rolls are great as appetizers.
Address: #607, First Floor, Trifecta, 12th Main Road, 7th Cross, HAL Second Stage, Indiranagar, Bangalore
Timings: 12:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Price for two: INR 2,000
Vietnamese Embassy Canteen
With very few dishes on their menu, this place is open to the regular public every Friday between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Their starters are limited to vegetable summer rolls, with only three main dishes, namely pho, buncha, and Com Rang Thap Cam. Main dishes are served with a broth made of fish sauce diluted with sweetened vinegar, water, and lime. In the summer, chilled beer is served as an accompaniment.
Address: EP-7A, Chandragupta Marg, New Delhi
Timings: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, for embassy staff. 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Fridays for non-embassy personnel
Cost for two people: INR 500
Friends of Pho
One of the best places for Asian food in general and Vietnamese food in particular, this is dim sum heaven in Kolkata. The dim sum dumplings here are not only tasty but also a treat for the eyes. Some must-haves here are crystal vegetable dim sum, lamb confit bao, pork bamboo shoot sui mai, and chicken bao.
Address: 2nd floor, Rajarhat Main Road, beside United Bank of India, Chinar Park, Kolkata
Timings: 12:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Price for two: INR 2,000
With so many options available to an average foodie to sample Vietnamese cuisine, there are absolutely no excuses to skip it. Give Vietnamese food a try and a fair chance. In all probability, you won't be disappointed. A word to the wise: don't expect food to be spicy.
