Get your Thai fusion on at these six Saigon joints
Boasting signature Thai cuisine, these six Saigon eateries serve up a fusion of traditional and modern flavors.
Greyhound Cafe on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, District 1 offers a combination of traditional and modern Thai tastes.
While Greyhound's interior mimics the many modern and cozy coffee shops found across the city, its menu includes typical and diverse Thai mainstays like tom yum hot pot, Thai fried chicken and red Thai milk tea. Prices for a meal are in the range of VND80,000-500,000 (US$3-21).
TukTuk Thai Bistro pairs Thai cuisine with the ambiance of a contemporary bistro. Its traditional Thai taste boasts a modern twist, rich in spice and flavor, complemented by the stylish black-and-white surroundings.
TukTuk operates on Le Thanh Ton and Ly Tu Trong streets in District 1, Ngo Thoi Nhiem Street (District 3), and Hoa Mai Street (Phu Nhuan District). Prices for dishes range from VND100,000 to VND300,000.
Somtum Der on Pasteur Street, District 1 is themed on Northeast Thailand or Isan, a region of 20 provinces, underscored by contemporary design. Its warm colors and patterns reflect the traditional clothing of Isan natives. Each dish is prepared on sight in an open kitchen.
Among the most popular dishes here are tum thai kai khem (papaya salad with salted egg), moo ping kati sod (grilled pork with coconut milk), and larb pla duek (spicy fish salad). Dishes are priced at VND30,000-200,000.
Chickita is technically a chicken restaurant, with poultry reportedly raised in gardens in a Thai style. The joint is particularly famed for its eight Asian delicious sauces. The space here is cozy, colorful and modern.
Chickita has four addresses: one in Nguyen Van Huong Street (District 2), one in Ho Tung Mau Street and one in Vincom Dong Khoi on Le Thanh Ton Street (District 1), and another in Cresent Mall on Ton Dat Tien Street (District 7). Prices of dishes range from VND100,000-400,000.
Pad Thai. The menu here is quite diverse with over 70 Thai dishes, from appetizers to desserts. This is one of the few Thai restaurants in Saigon that also serve vegetarian food.
Pad Thai has two addresses, on Xo Viet Nghe Tinh Street (Binh Thanh District) and Gigamall on Pham Van Dong Street (Thu Duc District). Dishes are priced at VND60,000-100,000.
Con Voi Vang (Golden Elephant). The interior represents Thailand's Chiang Mai City, Bangkok, Bothong District in Chonburi Province and Pattaya City, with a capacity of 120 diners. You can find classic Thai dishes here which include traditional hot pots, soups and rice. Buffets are served each weekend.
The restaurant has two addresses, one on Hai Ba Trung Street (District 1) and another on Tran Quoc Hoan Street (Tan Binh District). The average price here is VND150,000 per dish.
