Little Saigon

When you step into Hana Hoi’s hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Hauz Khas Market, the first thing that strikes you is just how homely it feels. With only a couple of tables and minimal decor, the open kitchen at the back is where the sole chef works her magic.

Hana says she has only two goals with Little Saigon – to bring the authentic taste of her home country, Vietnam, to Delhi, and to feed people well. Most of her customers are people who’ve visited Vietnam and come to her seeking the same flavours. 

The bánh mì is fresh and crunchy, filled with tender meat and balanced with delicate, vibrant flavours. The summer rolls are simple, but stuffed with herbs that elevate each bite unexpectedly – probably because they haven’t been Indianised like most other restaurants would’ve. 

The pho, too, is everything you’d hope for in a good bowl: a hearty, slow-cooked chicken broth, deeply flavourful and comforting without being weighed down by unnecessary spices. The chicken is cooked well and garnished with fresh Vietnamese herbs that Hana sources daily.

An ex-five-star hotel chef, Hana clearly knows her way around a kitchen and is confident enough to run the entire operation on her own, without sous chefs. Little Saigon doesn’t serve chowmein, momos, or other generic, vaguely East Asian dishes you’d typically find at a ‘pan-Asian’ restaurant in Delhi. What it does offer is authentic Vietnamese cuisine, and it absolutely nails it.

Skip dessert and opt for the Vietnamese coffee instead. It’s unlike anything you’ll find at your typical Delhi café. Hana sources the coffee directly from Vietnam and adjusts it to your taste. It’s served with glass jelly, which adds a unique texture and subtle flavour.

If you’re looking for an upscale dining experience and Instagram-worthy photo-ops, Little Saigon may disappoint you, but if you’re craving Vietnamese food on a budget, this little joint is your best bet. And if you’re a dog lover, you can spend some time playing with her adorable rescue dog, Munna.