Baba's Kitchen Indian Restaurant - Thao Dien — Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City

baba's kitchen is serving pure comfort

THE CURRY THAT SLAPS their butter chicken is an absolute revelation. tender chicken swimming in a rich, spiced tomato gravy that hits all the right notes. the cauliflower curry is next level too, soaking up all those incredible spices.

THE BREAD GAME the garlic naan and prata are pure fire. perfectly blistered and ideal for scooping up every last bit of that delicious curry. the prata in particular is flaky, buttery, and an absolute serve.

THE MENU SURPRISE they also serve thai food alongside their indian classics. found it odd at first but tried the pad thai and it's convenient when the craving hits - though keeping it a buck, it's just okay (we all know where to find the real pad thai around here).

THE VEGGIE SITUATION even the vegetable dishes bring major flavor. the palak paneer with its creamy spinach and fresh cheese cubes is a total game-changer for plant-based eats.

THE THAO DIEN VIBES the cozy interior with its warm lighting and subtle indian touches creates the perfect laid-back escape from the district 2 heat. it's the kind of spot that feels like an instant favorite.

THE WARM WELCOME the staff stays genuinely friendly and attentive, making sure your meal hits right without any pretension. they're happy to guide you through the menu if you're new to indian flavors.

THE FINAL CALL if you're craving authentic indian flavors that actually deliver, this place is a total yes. perfect for when you need that spice fix or a comforting meal that feels like a hug.

don't...

An extremely spacious, well-decorated Indian restaurant with a very large array of dishes.

They feature East Indian cuisine which is not as spicy as the south Indian cuisine. I had the privilege of being invited there by a south Indian couple who are very familiar with Indian dishes; they did all the ordering, and we ate Indian-style: with our fingers, including the biryani rice.

Everything was really quite tasty. I had salted lassie. My host ordered first fried onions, then damosas; barbecued chicken; biryani chicken rice, and some kind of another chicken dish that you eat with their flatbread, which has a very thin coating of sweet potato. The condiment which came with the biryani rice (yogurt with diced cucumbers and carrots) was very refreshing.

We had barely entered the restaurant when we were swarmed by staff in pink shirts: setting up a table for us, taking our orders, giving us water. They will give you a basket to put your bag or other personal items in.

It’s obviously quite popular with internationals, but also a number of Indians go there. My hosts informed me that the owner of the restaurant also owns a cricket club, which has several trophies displayed at the restaurant, and he is also well known for helping disabled children.

Spacious motorbike parking and extremely attentive...

Located right in the center of Thao Dien, District 2 in Ho Chi Minh City, BabaKitchen is a must-visit spot for Indian food lovers. This spacious Indian restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, making it perfect for all kinds of dining occasions – whether you're going for a casual lunch or a relaxed dinner with friends. While the decor isn’t purely traditional Indian, the atmosphere is vibrant and full of character.

The menu focuses on authentic Indian cuisine, featuring a wide variety of flavorful curries, naan breads, grilled meats, and Indian-style small bites. The food truly captures the richness of Indian flavors.

*Each curry is priced around 150,000–200,000 VND, which is quite reasonable considering the portion size. In fact, one curry can easily be shared between two people – or, if you’re really hungry like I was, it’ll leave you absolutely stuffed!

*Naan breads range from 50,000–100,000 VND, and pair perfectly with any of the curries.

Important tip: Pay close attention to the spice level indicators on the menu. The dishes marked spicy are seriously spicy, so make sure you’re ready for the heat...