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The Story

About This Place

OKRA FoodBar occupies a corner on Lê Văn Miến in Thảo Điền, operating exclusively for dinner and earning a Michelin Selected listing in 2025. The kitchen builds around Vietnamese flavor logic applied to broader technique—the phở bò tartare is the clearest example, distilling the spice architecture of the soup (cinnamon, star anise, cardamom) into raw minced beef served on crisp cassava chips. It is a precise, conversation-starting plate.

The menu rewards sharing across categories. Halong Pacific Oysters run as a two-hour all-you-can-eat promotion on Thursdays (360k per person), and the seafood thread continues with a tuna crudo built around tomato-dashi vinaigrette, tobiko, and allium oil, and an octopus risotto that draws consistent praise from regulars. The Thai grilled okra—the dish the name references—pairs tom yum with cashew-coconut pesto and dried shrimp. A street corn finished with brown bourbon butter and pork floss illustrates the kitchen's tendency to press familiar dishes one register further than expected.

The bar earns its own attention. The cocktail program draws specific mentions from first-time visitors, with staff noted for technical fluency and willingness to explain what's in the glass. Sake is available alongside the cocktail list.

The space is visually deliberate—high-contrast, photographed frequently—and the format suits celebrations: birthday groups appear regularly in reviews, and the sharing-plate structure keeps the table engaged across a full evening. The overall register sits above Thảo Điền's casual restaurant strip without requiring the formality of a tasting-menu room. Closed Tuesdays; Friday and Saturday service runs to 11 PM.

phở bò tartare on crispy cassava chipsall-you-can-eat halong pacific oysters on thursdaysoctopus risottopotato pavébartender-driven cocktails
photogenicintimatelivelybar-forwardcelebratory

Reviews

4.8(309)
Liên Hương Trần
Liên Hương Trần
4mo ago

✨A fusion casual dining restaurant with a focus on seafood, vegetables and grill. We came here to celebrate a birthday and ordered the sharing set menu. Everything was insanely gooddd— especially the beetroot carpaccio and the risotto 🤌🏻 The drinks were great as well, we had sake and cocktail. Highly recommended this 🙌🏼🙌🏼

JN
JN
5mo ago

Came here due to all the great reviews, but felt the meal was average at best. - Great oysters happy hour deal, but it was served bare bones. There was no vinaigrette or anything to eat it with, besides lime. - Duck + Gnocchi: everything was cooked well, but the flavors didn’t really blow me away. - Egg pasta: this was tasty, but the overall price of everything I was just expecting more. Overall, food was cooked well. The flavors just didn’t blow me away. Also, service could have been better. So many workers there, yet they were not attentive at all.

Sacha Blossom
Sacha Blossom
6mo ago

First time in Vietnam, me and my boyfriend came here to celebrate my 20th birthday. Couldn’t have asked for a more special and memorable experience. The food was incredible, I would highly recommend the potato dish and the okra (my boyfriend never liked okra until he tried the dish here!). We sat at the bar and had some of the most unusual and delicious drinks we have ever had by the bartender named Kyuong! He was so passionate and knowledgeable which really made all the difference. This place is in the Michelin Guide for a reason, would highly highly recommend!! 🤭

Meta
Meta
7mo ago

OKRA in Thảo Điền is impressive - the dishes are creatively crafted, with flavors that perfectly balance Vietnamese and Western palates. The space is beautifully designed and photogenic, making it great for both dining and photos. Staff are attentive and friendly. Definitely a place worth coming back to.

A P
A P
7mo ago

very good food! came here for restaurant week dinner for their 5-course menu. super great value from the restaurant week promo. my favorite dishes were the octopus risotto and potato pave. very delicious. would def come back to try their normal menu. not a fan of their braised barramundi at all, though.

Visit Tips

Visiting OKRA FoodBar

  • Open late: Doors stay open past 5 AM on at least one day — handy for after-work dinners.

  • Breakfast available: Opens by 5 AM — a viable breakfast stop in Thao Dien.

  • Reservations: Call +84 902 604 209 to book — recommended for weekend dining.

  • Best for: date night, birthday dinner, special occasion, group dinner.

gallery

Photos

32

Food

Oyster with garnish

Oyster with garnish

Seafood and Vegetable Stew

Seafood and Vegetable Stew

Seafood Soup

Seafood Soup

A plated dish featuring a sausage garnished with pink sauce and accompanied by mustard, pickles, and what appears to be fried chicken on the side.

A plated dish featuring a sausage garnished with pink sauce and accompanied by mustard, pickles, and what appears to be fried chicken on the side.

Pasta with Mushrooms and Greens

Pasta with Mushrooms and Greens

Vibe

The image depicts an interior view of a bar or restaurant setting featuring a bartender in the background with shelves filled with various bottles and

The image depicts an interior view of a bar or restaurant setting featuring a bartender in the background with shelves filled with various bottles and

The image depicts an interior view of a bar or restaurant in Thao Dien, Saigon. The setting is dimly lit with warm ambient lighting that highlights th

The image depicts an interior view of a bar or restaurant in Thao Dien, Saigon. The setting is dimly lit with warm ambient lighting that highlights th

The image shows a busy restaurant interior where patrons are seated at the bar and being served by staff.

The image shows a busy restaurant interior where patrons are seated at the bar and being served by staff.

Other

OKRA FoodBar photo 1 in Thao Dien
OKRA FoodBar photo 2 in Thao Dien
OKRA FoodBar photo 3 in Thao Dien
OKRA FoodBar photo 4 in Thao Dien
OKRA FoodBar photo 5 in Thao Dien
OKRA FoodBar photo 6 in Thao Dien
OKRA FoodBar photo 7 in Thao Dien
OKRA FoodBar photo 8 in Thao Dien
Common Questions

Frequently Asked

What is the must-try dish at OKRA FoodBar?
The phở bò tartare is the standout — raw minced beef seasoned with cinnamon, star anise, and cardamom, served on cassava chips. Multiple reviews single it out as a dish worth ordering on any visit.
Does OKRA FoodBar have a good cocktail and drinks program?
First-time visitors specifically note the cocktail program, with staff described as having 'technical fluency and willingness to explain what's in the glass.' Sake is also available alongside cocktails.
Is OKRA FoodBar good for birthdays and group dining?
Birthday groups appear regularly in reviews. The sharing-plate format and visually deliberate space suit celebrations, with reviewers noting the experience as 'special and memorable.'
Does OKRA FoodBar have an oyster promotion?
Halong Pacific Oysters are available all-you-can-eat on Thursdays for 360,000 VND per person, with a two-hour window. One reviewer notes they were served simply with lime only.
Is OKRA FoodBar open for lunch?
OKRA FoodBar operates exclusively for dinner and is closed on Tuesdays. Friday and Saturday service runs until 11 PM.
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