My Indian friend invited me here. She and her husband have tried at least six different Indian restaurants in the city, and they said they come back to this place most frequently. My friend explained that although the waitstaff are Vietnamese, the chef is from India. They have upgraded their menu; it is a book of more than 60 pages. They feature North Indian, South Indian, Malaysian and Chinese cuisine, with veg or non-veg options. It appears to be quite small, but the second floor they have at least one other room with more seating available. The decor is quite simple; pleasant instrumental music is played softly. Because Indian food is meant to be eaten with your fingers rather than utensils (although they do provide eating utensils), they have two handwashing basins tucked into the corner (one on the ground floor just outside the kitchen and one on the second floor outside the toilet). Very limited motorbike parking. There were quite a number of delivery orders, but few customers who dined in; the Vietnamese waitstaff had private phone calls which they put on speakerphone or video calls with their friends in Vietnamese, which was rather noisy and distracting. 😕 I give it four stars based on the recommendation of my Indian friends.


Banana Leaf Thao Dien - Indian restaurant in Thao Dien, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
About This Place
Banana Leaf sits on Nguyễn Đăng Giai with one of the more expansive menus in Thao Dien's Indian dining scene — a 60-plus-page book spanning North and South Indian classics, Malaysian dishes, and Chinese options. The kitchen is run by an Indian chef, which regulars single out as a meaningful distinction from other spots in the neighborhood.
South Indian breakfast plates are the morning draw: masala dosa, ghee dosa, rava dosa, medu vadai, idly, and rava uppma are available daily from 7am, making it one of the few places in the area to serve proper South Indian tiffin at any hour. Lunch and dinner lean into curries — palak paneer, paneer butter masala, dhall makhani, mutton rogan josh, and prawn pepper masala cover the familiar range — while the biryani earns specific praise in reviews. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian tracks run parallel across nearly every section, a practical advantage for mixed groups with differing dietary preferences.
The room is modest and clean with a second floor that handles larger parties. Service is a recurring positive in the feedback — attentive and willing to adjust dishes to preference. Fresh preparation is the other note diners return to: the kitchen cooks to order rather than reheating.
For the expat and Indian community in the district, Banana Leaf functions as a dependable regular stop rather than a special-occasion destination. Pricing sits slightly above casual, in line with the Thao Dien address, but portions are described as generous. The 7am opening and seven-day schedule make it one of the more accessible all-day options on the Indian-food circuit in the neighborhood, including for Sunday family brunch.
What to order at Banana Leaf Thao Dien

Fish Finger
300k VND
Fish Finger

Mutton Chukka
285k VND
Mutton Chukka

Mutton Rogan Josh
260k VND
Mutton Rogan Josh

Mushroom Pepper Fry
250k VND
Mushroom Pepper Fry

Prawn Pepper Masala
215k VND
Prawn Pepper Masala
Full menu below · prices in VND.
Reviews
Quite Boring and basic indian food in a venue that also feels Boring and basic. Nothing wrong with the food just nothing special. Veggies felt fresh and it seemed clean. Lots of vegetarian options.
The naans were a little dry. In overall, everything is great
I randomly picked this place for my lunch, didn’t expect much because I’m really into Indian food but it turned out I pretty much like this place. The first surprise is that it serves not only Indian food but Malaysian, Chinese and others (can’t recall when writing this review). So, it kinda suits for a group of friends looking for something new in Thao Dien. It always provides with 2 options: vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Food: I ordered a set in the picture (never had it before). The bread and the sources worked really well with each other and I enjoyed the set. This set would be for two adults but the waiter told me it is for one 🤪, so quite a lot left over. The price was very reasonable in the area and compare the quality of the food they served
Had an amazing dining experience at Banana Leaf! The food quality and quantity were both excellent — every dish was flavorful and satisfying. What truly stood out was the exceptional service. A special thanks to Ms. Asisah, whose warmth, attentiveness, and customer-centric approach made the visit even more memorable. She truly went above and beyond to ensure we had a great time. Highly recommend this place for anyone looking for delicious food paired with top-notch hospitality!
Visiting Banana Leaf Thao Dien
- ✓
Breakfast available: Opens by 7 AM — a viable breakfast stop in Thao Dien.
- ✓
Menu starts from: 30k VND, based on 100 priced items on the public menu.
- ✓
Reservations: Call +84 935 817 310 to book — recommended for weekend dining.
- ✓
Best for: family brunch, group dinner, vegetarian-friendly meals, weekday lunch.
- ✓
Delivery: Listed on GrabFood.
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Food
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Frequently Asked
- Is Banana Leaf Thao Dien open for breakfast?
- Yes. South Indian tiffin — masala dosa, medu vadai, rava dosa, idly, and rava uppma — is served from 7am daily, making it one of the few spots in Thao Dien offering proper South Indian breakfast at opening.
- Does Banana Leaf Thao Dien have vegetarian options?
- Vegetarian and non-vegetarian tracks run parallel across nearly every section of the menu. Reviewers mention veg thali, palak paneer, and paneer butter masala among the options.
- What's the best dish at Banana Leaf Thao Dien?
- The biryani earns specific praise in reviews. South Indian breakfast plates — masala dosa, medu vadai — and curries like dhall makhani and mutton rogan josh are also frequently mentioned.
- Is Banana Leaf Thao Dien good for groups?
- The restaurant has a second floor that handles larger parties. The broad menu spanning North Indian, South Indian, Malaysian, and Chinese dishes suits mixed groups with differing preferences.
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