Thai food, from affordable to high-end, in Ho Chi Minh City.

ZNews•04/05/2023

Delicious Cuisine

Format-Lifestyle

Tuesday, March 28, 2023 08:12 (GMT+7)
08:12 March 28, 2023

You can explore the flavors of many delicious dishes and check in at authentic Thai-style spots in numerous restaurants and eateries in Ho Chi Minh City.

Many places bring you closer to Thailand through their delicious food. Photo: Tastingtable .

Thailand has long been a favorite destination for Vietnamese people due to its proximity, convenient transportation, and relatively familiar culture. Many people say that a trip to Thailand is no different from a trip from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.

Along with tourism, Thai cuisine is also widely known throughout the world . In Ho Chi Minh City, many establishments are designed with inspiration from Thailand and serve a range of famous dishes such as som tum, tom yum, pad Thai… or Thai milk tea.

Affordable Thai food shop

A corner of the eatery with a street food vibe. Photo: Gothainoodle .

If you want to experience Thai food in a simple setting at a reasonable price, Gõ Thái Noodles (District 1) is the first suggestion.

The eatery attracts young people with its youthful blue and pink color scheme. It's tucked away in an alley but quite easy to find.

The space has plenty of tables and chairs, but it's not very large. During peak hours, the atmosphere can get a bit chaotic.

The downstairs is cozy, while the upstairs is brighter thanks to the windows that let in plenty of light. The highlight is the stylish mirrors, creating unique photo opportunities.

Customers scan the QR code to view the menu. Highlights include mango salad with dried anchovies, grilled pork skewers, tom yum soup, boat noodles, and Pad Thai with chicken or shrimp...

Thai cuisine is a harmonious blend of salty, sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. Photo: Gothainoodle .

Speaking from personal experience, Vy Khánh commented that the corn salad with salted egg was unique and quite spicy. The Pad Thai wasn't anything special. The grilled pork and sticky rice were worth trying. The Thai milk tea was delicious but a bit expensive.

Having visited during peak hours, customer Boi Nhi noted that the restaurant was quite crowded and the staff's service wasn't very good. However, the food was delicious, flavorful, and relatively inexpensive compared to other Thai restaurants.

A Thai dining space with a predominantly black and white color scheme. Photo: Coffee.saigon.

Another equally interesting place to enjoy Thai food is Soi Thai Premium (Thu Duc City). Unlike the bright colors of other branches, this establishment has a completely different concept, most evident in its design style: a mysterious black color scheme and minimalist space.

The place has only one floor and limited space, but the cafe still arranges tables suitable for individuals, couples, or large groups.

Besides Thai street food, the shop also serves coffee, yogurt, fresh milk, soda, sweet soups, ice cream, tea, and pastries.

Thai food at a fancy restaurant.

The space, with its Thai-inspired ambiance, offers diners a delightful dining experience. Photo: KohYamThai.SG.

If you want to enjoy a diverse range of Thai dishes in a more upscale setting, you can visit Koh Yam Thai Kitchen (District 1). The restaurant stands out with its neon lights and two-story space featuring a dominant mint green and pastel pink color scheme. The brick walls and skylight area are repurposed and decorated with Thai characters and a rusty effect.

A Thai-style meal in a beautiful setting. Photo: Leminhtra2509 .

You can enjoy noodles, pho, rice, tom yum soup, salads, and other appetizers. Sun-dried pork jowl and Thai-style fried seafood mushrooms are great choices for appetizers. Main courses include grilled seafood with Bangkok tamarind fish sauce, sea bass fillet wrapped in five-spice powder, grilled braised pork, Fuji beef grilled in Thai sauce, sesame-coated pork belly with tamarind fish sauce, spicy stir-fried ribs, or Thai hot pot. Prices range from 68,000 to 580,000 VND per dish.

Customers in Nga Chu are quite satisfied with the diverse menu, the restaurant's location near the pedestrian street, and the reasonable prices.

The restaurant has limited space, so it's recommended to make reservations in advance as it gets quite crowded during peak hours and on weekends. The Pad Thai here hasn't received many positive reviews.

Thai Market has branches in District 3, Thu Duc City, and Binh Tan District. The District 3 branch features a white and blue color scheme, creating a bright and clean atmosphere. The Thu Duc and Binh Tan branches have a gentle, tranquil brown tone. Traditional carved patterns are combined with unique paintings, giving diners the feeling of exploring Thailand.

Enjoy Thai food in a cozy atmosphere. Photo: ThaiMarketSaigon .

With prices ranging from 45,000 to 429,000 VND per dish, diners have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of dishes such as raw shrimp salad with seafood sauce, Isan grilled pork neck, stir-fried tom yum soup, papaya salad, taro root salad, fresh Chiang Mai sausage, fried fish with spicy tamarind sauce, fried rice with shrimp paste, and more.

Most diners rated the food quality as average, but noted a lack of professionalism from the service staff in some situations.

Another restaurant in the same segment that you might consider is Som Thai. The space has a strong tropical vibe, with each branch having its own unique characteristics.

Thai food is famous for its many unique and diverse flavors. Photo: Phuong Lam.

When talking about Thai cuisine, we're referring to the cuisine of four distinct regions: North, Northeast, Central, and South. Here, you'll get to enjoy signature dishes from each region. However, most diners feel that the portions are quite small compared to the price. Serving times can also be a bit slow.

The Travel & Food section presents readers with "must-read" books for cooking enthusiasts. Whether it's street food or fine dining, each dish and cooking style has its own story and secrets that not everyone knows.