iSTEAKS Vietnam — Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City

3 stars total. Service is fantastic. Food? Here’s the breakdown. If it wasn’t for the service it would absolutely be a 1.5/5 in my book.

Appetizers Garlic bread and shrimp - 3/5 needs seasoning. Bland. You only taste oil and garlic.

Sides French fries - 5/5 double fried so has the perfect texture. And wow it’s seasoned! You’ll see why moving down the list.

Apple & walnut salad - 4/5 had a light dressing that paired well with the salad. Apple slices were all stuck together so minus 1 point for knife work.

Mac & cheese - 1/5 bland! *Macaroni is al dente so +1 point. Flavor was 0.

Garlic eggplant - 2/5 needs seasoning. Too much oil made it mushy

Baked potato - 2/5 once again needed seasoning. At least use salted butter…

Baked olive rice - 5/5 fantastic. Seasoned nicely and texture was perfect.

Ribeye steak 250g pasture-raised - 3/5 needs seasoning… literally came with ZERO seasoning. And it wasn’t cooked medium rare. Medium, but I didn’t complain because I do not believe in food waste. *steak quality was thin but decent complex flavors for the cheaper of the group. *cook was seared on one side so the Maillard was tossed in a salamander oven. Menu says 250g is the minimum weight for the CHAR. Sigh.

Black pepper sauce that accompanied the steak - 2/5 Once again, SEASON it! It tasted like nothing with a hint of peppercorn.

Time between appetizers - 1/5 It took way too long for the sides to come out. There were 3 stages of sides and spread about 15-20 min apart. Way too long… to the point where this place does not deserve 4.9 stars.

Oh and don’t order the sea bass or dory. Why? Because they don’t have it! Half of my group came and ordered fish, and ended up with sides and appetizers.

If you only stock 1-2 orders of fish for the day, then just take it out completely off the menu.

Final take. FOOD - 3/5 and that’s being extra nice about it. SERVICE - 5/5 ATMOSPHERE- 3/5 (they tried to go upscale but lighting and decor but ended up like a TGI Friday)

I would come back for the rice & fries. ...

I ordered the Charcoal Wagyu Steak with smashed potato and mac & cheese on the side. The steak came out with a perfect sear and that amazing smoky aroma from the charcoal grill. I asked for medium rare, and they nailed it, warm pink in the center, juicy but not messy.

What I really liked was how balanced the wagyu was. Some places serve wagyu so fatty it feels like you’re just eating butter. But here, it was tender and rich without being too much, just enough marbling to melt in your mouth while still letting you actually taste the beef.

The sides were great too. The smashed potato was creamy and well-seasoned, and the mac & cheese had that smooth, comforting vibe without being too heavy.

And I have to say the Molten Chocolate Cake totally stole the show. Warm, soft, gooey in the middle, and served with vanilla ice cream… its honestly the best version of this dessert I've had in Vietnam. Haven’t found a place that does it better.

Overall, iSTEAK delivered a really satisfying experience. Nothing over-the-top, just good food done right. I would...

I recently visited iSTEAKS Vietnam, located in the heart of Saigon Garden, and had a satisfying dining experience. The restaurant lives up to its name, offering a great variety of steaks, each cooked to perfection. The ambiance is cozy and refined, making it a great spot for a night out or special occasions. The staff were attentive and well-trained, ensuring that every need was met without being intrusive. The standout dish for me was the ribeye steak—juicy, flavorful, and served with an array of sides that complemented it well. The seafood offerings were also quite fresh, adding a nice variety to the menu. Prices are on the higher end, but considering the quality and the overall experience, I found it worth it. Highly recommended for anyone looking to enjoy a premium steak meal in the...