Vietnamese is a fresh and flavourful cuisine, with lots of noodle soups, rolls with refreshing vegetable and seafood fillings, and salads. Some of it is spicy and some of it is mild. Overall, it is considered one of the healthiest cuisines in the world. Be it fragrant broths with noodles and meat or other dishes packed with flavour, Delhi has seen some great Vietnamese food over the years. We recommend where to eat in the capital if you’re craving the cuisine:
The canteen at the Vietnamese Embassy
The canteen at the Vietnamese Embassy in Chanakyapuri is open to those who don’t work at the Embassy between 12 and 2.30pm on Fridays. The food is light and healthy, and includes chicken and buffalo noodle soups, bun cha (grilled pork and vermicelli), pork and chicken dumplings, fried rice and papaya salad. Wash your meal down with some cold beer. There’s both indoor and al fresco seating, but tables fill up fast so make sure to arrive in time to grab one.
Location: 20, Kautilya Marg, Block C, Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.
Timings: Fridays, noon-2.30pm.
Cost for two: ₹600
Little Saigon
A gem in Hauz Khas Market, Little Saigon is run by Hana Ho, who was earlier a chef at Taj Palace’s Vietnamese restaurant Blue Ginger. Hana dashes around her little restaurant managing orders and bills. The menu is lengthy and includes banh mi, pho, fresh summer rolls, raw mango salad and a few curries. Don’t miss the items on the specials menu, which often features prawns cooked with lemongrass (a bestseller). Ever since the place opened, it has been a favourite with the Delhi crowd that loves Vietnamese food.
Location: E-16, Market Lane, Hauz Khas Market, Block D, Hauz Khas, New Delhi.
Timings: Noon-3pm; 7-10pm.
Cost for two: ₹1,200
Viet:Nom
A refreshing addition to the cacophony of DLF Cyber Hub, Viet:nom serves seriously good cocktails and Vietnamese fare. The menu even has a map of Vietnam, which indicates the regions that different dishes belong to. Summer rolls here are worth trying, as are the salads. The spicy mushrooms with pickle are especially good. These go well with other small plates like the lemongrass chilli chicken. For those who like a more filling meal, there’s bowls of pho and also hot pot with different broths.
Location: DLF CyberHub, DLF Phase 2, Sector 24, Gurugram, Haryana.
Timings: Noon-midnight.
Cost for two: ₹1,500
Cho
A relatively newer addition to Delhi’s dining scene, Cho is set in Mehrauli with a beautiful view of the Qutub Minar. The menu features comforting bowls of pho (mushroom, chicken, tenderloin and pork), dumplings, rice paper rolls, and unusual dishes like tenderloin in betel leaves, water fern cakes and steamed bitter melon with shrimp. Regular desserts have been given Vietnamese twists, like caramel flan with Vietnamese coffee drops and tres leches with Vietnamese cold coffee mousse.
Location: 1st Floor, H5/1, Ambawatta One, Kalkadas Marg, Mehrauli, New Delhi.
Timings: Noon-midnight.
Cost for two: ₹3,000