Baba's Kitchen Indian Restaurant - Thao Dien logo
The Story

About This Place

Baba's Kitchen occupies a genuinely large courtyard space on Lê Văn Miến, one of Thao Dien's quieter residential streets, at a scale uncommon in a neighborhood where most dining rooms work inside narrow shophouse footprints. The kitchen is staffed by Indian chefs, and that fact shows up in the food: the spice calibration, the layering in the curries, and the textural contrast in the lamb samosas have drawn unprompted praise from diners who've eaten Indian food across multiple continents.

The menu moves across regional lines that most Indian restaurants abroad ignore. North and South Indian dishes coexist, and the South Indian thali — available with Kerala paratha as a substitution for standard roti, offered complimentary on at least one documented occasion — draws a steady crowd of Indian expats looking for something close to home cooking. Thai dishes sit in the appetizer section too, with Tom Yum Goong reliable enough to function as a bridge dish for mixed groups where not everyone is committed to subcontinental flavors.

Service is a consistent theme across hundreds of reviews: staff speak English, Vietnamese, and Hindi, move quickly without rushing the table, and will walk guests through the full menu by description when a diner can recall a dish by taste but not name. The restaurant stayed open through Tet when most of the neighborhood closed, which has built particular loyalty among long-term expats.

At 4.8 stars across 2,242 Google reviews, it is one of the most-reviewed restaurants in Thao Dien. The price point stays accessible relative to Indian restaurants in District 1 with similar ambitions — courtyard setting, trained kitchen, attentive floor staff — making it a practical anchor for large group dinners and halal dining that is otherwise thin on the ground in this part of the city.

lamb samosaskerala parathasouth indian thalisalted lassitom yum goong
spaciouscourtyardunhurriedwelcomingclean
Menu Highlights

What to order at Baba's Kitchen Indian Restaurant - Thao Dien

  • Chicken tandoor with bone (full) at Baba's Kitchen Indian Restaurant - Thao Dien

    Chicken tandoor with bone (full)

    420k VND

    Included 10% VAT

  • Mutton Korma at Baba's Kitchen Indian Restaurant - Thao Dien

    Mutton Korma

    215k VND

    Included 10% VAT

  • Mutton Vindaloo at Baba's Kitchen Indian Restaurant - Thao Dien

    Mutton Vindaloo

    215k VND

    Included 10% VAT

  • Mutton Jalfrazi at Baba's Kitchen Indian Restaurant - Thao Dien

    Mutton Jalfrazi

    215k VND

    Included 10% VAT

  • Mutton Dopiaza at Baba's Kitchen Indian Restaurant - Thao Dien

    Mutton Dopiaza

    215k VND

    Included 10% VAT

Full menu below · prices in VND.

Reviews

4.8(2841)
Emilie Slater
Emilie Slater
2w ago

We’ve been coming to Baba’s for 7 years while living in Vietnam. Always 10/10 for food, service and the D2 Villa location is such a peaceful atmosphere. Today we tried the set lunch for the first time, fabulous set of dishes. Great effort team!

SP Kolli
SP Kolli
4mo ago

After not visiting Baba's Kitchen Thao Dien for quite some time, I recently decided to give it another try—and I’m genuinely glad I did. It feels like the place has taken a noticeable step forward compared to how I remember it before. First off, the food itself was very tasty. That’s the simplest way to put it, but it’s also the most important. The flavors felt more balanced and refined than before—rich without being overwhelming, and clearly made with more attention to detail. Whether it was the curries, the spices, or the overall execution, everything came together well. You can tell there’s been an improvement either in the kitchen or consistency, or both. One thing that stood out was how satisfying the meal felt overall. Sometimes Indian food can be hit or miss depending on the restaurant, but here it felt like they’ve dialed things in better. The dishes tasted fresher, cleaner, and more intentional than what I remember from previous visits. It’s also worth mentioning that when a place improves over time, it says something. Many restaurants plateau or decline—but this felt like the opposite. Coming back after a long gap and noticing improvement is a strong positive signal. Overall, this try of then changed my perception of Baba’s Kitchen in Thao Dien. It’s no longer just “another option” in the area—it’s now somewhere I’d actually consider returning to regularly when I’m in the mood for Indian food. Simple takeaway: much better than before, and very tasty. That’s a solid combination.

Willis Gordon
Willis Gordon
5mo ago

While visiting Vietnam, we had the opportunity to eat at Babas Kitchen, and it was an excellent experience from start to finish. The food was very good—fresh, flavorful, and served hot. Everything we ordered was well-prepared and came out quickly, even though we had a fairly large group of 11 people. What stood out just as much as the food was the service. The staff was incredibly attentive and made sure we were well taken care of the entire time. They handled our large party with ease and professionalism, which made the meal even more enjoyable. I would highly recommend Babas Kitchen to anyone looking for great food and outstanding service. We’ll definitely be back next time we’re in Vietnam.

Tom Yum
Tom Yum
5mo ago

Properly authentic Indian cuisine (and a healthy variety of dishes from South Asia and Thailand) in a clean and spacious courtyard. You won't get better Indian foods with more affordable price anywhere else in Ho Chi Minh City. The lamb samosas were phenomenal even for people who aren't used to the gainy flavour of mutton. As someone who had the opportunity to sample Indian dishes across the different continents, I can say with confidence that I will come back here often whenever I want properly seasoned Vindaloo chicken curry.

Pop Curry
Pop Curry
6mo ago

Checked in at Babas after a long time. I thought that they would be closed during the TET holidays, but I was surprised when I called to confirm their opening hours. It’s been two months since I had curry, I finally savor a soul-filling South Indian thali. The waitress was polite, and I made a special request for Kerala paratha instead of their regular roti bread. To my surprise, they not only provided me with both but also offered the Kerala paratha complimentary. Babas has been here in Vietnam for quite some time now, and their South Indian thali was authentic and delicious. As always, Babas remains my top choice for Indian cuisine in Vietnam. Kudos to whoever own this place. 🫡💯

Visit Tips

Visiting Baba's Kitchen Indian Restaurant - Thao Dien

  • Menu starts from: 29k VND, based on 100 priced items on the public menu.

  • Reservations: Call +84 28 3744 6897 to book — recommended for weekend dining.

  • Best for: group dinners, halal dining, family meals, expat dining.

  • Delivery: Listed on GrabFood.

gallery

Photos

36

Food

Curry

Curry

Chicken Curry

Chicken Curry

Mutton Pepper Fry

Mutton Pepper Fry

Samosa

Samosa

South Asian Meal Platter

South Asian Meal Platter

Drinks

Milkshake

Milkshake

Vibe

The image depicts an interior space of a venue in Thao Dien, Saigon. It features a dining area with several wooden tables and woven chairs. There are

The image depicts an interior space of a venue in Thao Dien, Saigon. It features a dining area with several wooden tables and woven chairs. There are

A bustling outdoor dining area at an evening venue in Thao Dien, Saigon, featuring numerous tables with seated guests, large ceramic jars as decor, mu

A bustling outdoor dining area at an evening venue in Thao Dien, Saigon, featuring numerous tables with seated guests, large ceramic jars as decor, mu

A bustling outdoor dining area at night in Thao Dien, Saigon, featuring numerous people seated at tables and socializing. The venue has a covered sect

A bustling outdoor dining area at night in Thao Dien, Saigon, featuring numerous people seated at tables and socializing. The venue has a covered sect

Other

Baba's Kitchen Indian Restaurant - Thao Dien photo 1 in Thao Dien
Baba's Kitchen Indian Restaurant - Thao Dien photo 2 in Thao Dien
Baba's Kitchen Indian Restaurant - Thao Dien photo 3 in Thao Dien
Baba's Kitchen Indian Restaurant - Thao Dien photo 4 in Thao Dien
Baba's Kitchen Indian Restaurant - Thao Dien photo 5 in Thao Dien
Baba's Kitchen Indian Restaurant - Thao Dien photo 6 in Thao Dien
Baba's Kitchen Indian Restaurant - Thao Dien photo 7 in Thao Dien
Baba's Kitchen Indian Restaurant - Thao Dien photo 8 in Thao Dien
Common Questions

Frequently Asked

Does Baba's Kitchen Indian Restaurant - Thao Dien have outdoor seating?
Yes. Baba's Kitchen occupies a large courtyard on Lê Văn Miến, described by reviewers as "extremely spacious" and "clean and peaceful" — uncommon in a neighborhood dominated by narrow shophouse dining rooms.
Is Baba's Kitchen Indian Restaurant - Thao Dien halal?
Yes. Baba's Kitchen is listed as a Halal restaurant, and the kitchen is staffed by Indian chefs. It is noted as one of the few halal dining options in the Thao Dien area.
What's the best dish at Baba's Kitchen Indian Restaurant - Thao Dien?
Reviewers most frequently praise the lamb samosas — "phenomenal even for people who aren't used to the gainy flavour of mutton" — and the South Indian thali, which can be served with Kerala paratha instead of roti.
Is Baba's Kitchen Indian Restaurant - Thao Dien good for groups?
Multiple reviews confirm large-group visits, including one party of 11 served quickly. The courtyard setting provides space uncommon in Thao Dien, and staff are noted for menu guidance and multilingual service (English, Vietnamese, Hindi).
Does Baba's Kitchen Indian Restaurant - Thao Dien have vegetarian options?
Yes. The menu includes several vegetarian dishes: Aloo Chana Chat, Aloo Tikki, Gobi Manchurian, Paneer Chili, Vegetable Samosa, and Roasted Masala Papadam, alongside South Indian thali options.
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