AAHAR INDIAN RESTAURANT — Restaurant in Hà Nội

It is one of the very few halal restaurants that are open until 1130pm - with last order at 1115. That was why we decided to eat there.

One waiter providing service to multiple tables. He tried his best.

Looks like a nice ambience when we first stepped in. But soon noticed that it is a little run down. Didn’t help that I noticed a certain pest in the restaurant that killed my appetite. Food likely prepared hygienically and kitchen is probably well-maintained, as chicken tasted fresh, even at 11pm at night.

Food standards were meh. Many other restaurants in Hà Nội do Indian food much much better. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were learning how to make each dish from YouTube as they receive the orders. Cooks are Indian though.

Ordered aloo paratha: 4/5- best in what we ordered, but was not authentic taste

plain naan: 3/5 - ok. Small as compared to other restaurants. My 10yo was able to finish 1 naan

lacha paratha: 2/5- was just a normal paratha. Came in very late after everyone has eaten and were getting ready to leave.

butter chicken: 1/5 - nope. Chunky chicken pieces. Gravy tastes like out of the box + add chili powder.

chicken soup: 0/5- I don’t know what that was. Minced chicken with strands of stirred in egg, in a maggi (curry flavoured) soup

malai tikka: 2.5/5: same chunky chicken as the butter chicken. Can’t taste the authentic flavours. Only tasted a whole load of cardamom.

Total price for. All these...

If you are looking for a slight departure from the street food scene in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Aahar is your spot. Located a stone’s-throw from the central hub and Ho Hoan Kiem Lake, Aahar (which means “nourishment” in Sanskrit), is somewhat easy to miss—what with the scooters and the street wares being hawked and general hubbub of bustling nightlife in the area. BUT, once you step inside and they close the glass sliding doors, you are transported to a quiet, delicious experience.

I’m American, so it’s no surprise I ordered a couple plates all for myself—but trust me, it’s not because I’m a glutton, it’s just the menu looked So. Damn. Tasty. There’s a variety of warm drinks, fresh fruit and vegi juices (and even some alcoholic options to get you started) and just about everything for anyone that has a soft-spot for Indian/Eastern Cuisine. I ordered a salad, the chicken Tikka Boti, a Masalah Tea and the Aahar Biryani with beef, and if I didn’t have a bus to catch, might have doubled up on the Biryani. The food is made with care, (the fancy presentation not merely just something they do for online pictures), the staff is polite and the atmosphere is cozy. I will certainly be coming back...

Was our worst exprience in Hanoi. In the old quarter area there are 20+ Indian restaurants. We tried 4 of them and all were good in terms of food quality, staff, price, everything. But this was a big let down. Pathetic service and quality of food. They make food very much home style (which is also ok) but only the quality was so avg. Worst is theservice . The front staff took order and then later did not whose order to give whom. They completely messed up. Also have the dishes did not come. The front staff kept saying the kitchen staff were not co-operating. They were shouting and messing up the orders. Other people in the restro also experienced the same and left very angry. When the bill came we had to get many items removed becuase it was completely wrong. And at the end they did not even adjust the bill and discount to make up the pathetic service. Frankly it's just bad and pl. Avoid. There are many many good Indian restaurant at walking distance with splendid exprience and taste. Just avoid this one...