Spice Temple — Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City

After the second visit to Spice Temple, I’ve totally fallen in love with their authentic Thai cuisines.

My first try was early 2019 to their Dist 2 branch. Because I was having a gathering meal that time, I tasted several of their dishes and definitely they grabbed my attention (hoping for a re-visit).

Then this year when I learnt that their Dist 1 store ceased operation... I felt sad. But thankfully they opened a new restaurant in The Crescent Mall (Dist 7). Upon knowing this news, I went back and fulfilled my longtime wish.

Although their entry level of spiciness is already a bit challenging, yet I know they don’t alter the flavors to comply with local tastes. Therefore, even I haven’t had a chance to visit Thailand yet, I get to taste the genuine Thai in Saigon.

What’s beautifully captured on their menu, they can surely present the exact same food with enchanting flavors. A feast to the eyes & stomach, without a doubt. I highly recommend Spice Temple :)

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Service speed is average. Not really quick but not exactly slow for the standard of a Thai place or Indian place. Food wise is average really.

The Tomyum is really good, the yellow curry is nice and hot. But the green curry is a bit too creamy (from the milk probably) and not exactly "green".

The bbq dishes and steak salad is pretty average. Tasty but not exactly something to write home about.

The pad Thai and pineapple fried rice is below average. Perhaps it is because I have expectations for such dishes for being in a Thai restaurant. The pineapple fried rice is the biggest disappointment: it's fried rice on a hollowed out pineapple basically. I want a real pineapple fried rice with plenty of pineapple and the fried rice actually tastes like they are infused with the sweetness and tanginess of pineapple.

It's a Thai "inspired" restaurant. So do take it with lower expectations to yield higher...

Scallop salad with truffle oil. The dish was created by a Michelin star chef for a restaurant in Thailand. That sums up one of the reasons we decided to stop for a bite to eat at this trendy Thai restaurant inside Crescent Mall's newest wing. Light piano jazz music is a WELCOME RELIEF to the pop music that dominates so many of the newer restaurants in Saigon. The thin slices of scallop are decadent. The tomatoes give the dish a solid and sweet bite. The sauce is divine, layers of lemongrass... truffle, fish sauce, sour with a hint of chili. The frisee with its bitter crunch reminded me why its my mom's favorite green.

We also ordered the lemongrass prawns and pad thai. Crunchy panko and springy chewy noodles in a delicious coating of sauce. I'll definitely be back and update the review with...