Indian cuisine is a captivating world of flavours, renowned for its rich spices and an array of ingredients that awaken the senses. Is that enough to make you fascinated? Fortunately, it is not too difficult to find delicious and authentic Indian dishes in Saigon, and the best restaurant is Tandoor - a place that will bring you an unforgettable Indian culinary experience. Wow. Let's join Tandoor Saigon to find out the top 5 most popular dishes.

Lamb Curry (Marinated in Kashiri Pepper)

This is a curry dish that is always highly appreciated by diners. Originating from the Kashmiri valley, lamb curry has a bright red color and a spicy flavor thanks to Kashmiri chili peppers. Unlike many Southeast Asian chili peppers, Kashmiri chili peppers have a milder heat than Cayenne peppers – the typical chili pepper used in most South Asian cuisine. Other spices used in lamb curry include bay leaves, cinnamon, and cloves, which contribute to the delicate flavor of this excellent dish.

Tandoori Chicken (Tandoori Masala)

We're sure you're familiar with this classic North Indian dish, but what makes Tandoori chicken so widely loved?

A secret used specifically for many poultry dishes that only Indians know: marinate chicken in yogurt and a special tandoori masala spice mixture. Unlike regular garam masala, onion is added to enhance the natural sweetness, while ginger powder helps release the aroma. Next, grill the chicken at high temperature in a Tandoor oven.

Normally, the temperature of a Tandoor-style clay oven can reach 500 degrees Celsius, ensuring the chicken skewers are perfectly cooked on the inside and fragrant on the outside, but still retain the full sweetness and softness of each piece of chicken. So, don't forget to try Tandoori chicken when you come to Tandoor Saigon next time.

Medu Vada (Doughnuts Made with Black Lentils)

In most Indian cuisine, the spices and main ingredients of the dish blend to create a unique flavor that satisfies the user's taste buds beyond expectations. Sometimes, flavorings also serve as core ingredients due to their uniqueness. Such is the case with Medhu Vada, a traditional-shaped cake originating from South India and Tamil.

This irresistible deep-fried treat is made from Urad Dal flour or black lentils, a legume known as a superfood due to its high content of protein, B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, and potassium. Its rich earthy flavor with a crispy outer texture and slightly chewy core makes it unique in the culinary world. This is also a great recommendation for those looking for the best vegetarian and vegan Indian food in Saigon.

In fact, in Vietnam in general as well as in Saigon in particular, South Indian dishes are quite rare. That's why Tandoor's willingness to serve authentic Medu Vada, as well as some other classic South Indian dishes like Masala Dosa and Idli, makes a difference. Isn't this a great reason for you to visit Tandoor restaurant located right in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City again?!

Lamb Samosa (and Peas)

The lamb samosa at Tandoor follows a traditional Indian Muslim recipe. The cake was delicious and somewhat different from the typical potato samosa, as the chef added green beans to add sweetness to the minced lamb that was already marinated with masala and chilli powder flavours.

You can use another type of bean with high nutritional content such as black lentils instead. Its delicate flavour also helps highlight the deliciousness of the lamb. The filling also includes peas, which are rich in antioxidants and protein, so it's not only delicious but also very good for your health.

At Tandoor, the samosas are fried to a crispy perfection and served with mint tamarind sauce. Besides lamb samosas, Tandoor is also one of the interesting places for Muslim tourists with the widest variety of Halal food in Ho Chi Minh City.

Biryani Mixed Rice (Cooked from Basmati Rice)

As a traditional rice dish popular among Indian Muslims, there are many recipes for Biryani, but there is only one type of rice that provides a special taste no matter what recipe is used. In any case, it is basmati rice with an elongated and slender grain shape, a type of rice that is especially favored by Indians because after cooking, it still retains its grain shape and al-dente texture. Tandoor Saigon always uses authentic basmati rice to cook biryani, hoping to bring extremely soft, fragrant rice.

The aroma of basmati rice is due to a natural compound called 2-Acetyl-1-pyrroline. Basmati rice and Jasmine rice both contain this compound and are much more concentrated than regular white rice. This compound is also found in pandan leaves, also known as pandan leaves in Vietnamese, which are used to flavor many Asian cakes and desserts.

From a scientific perspective, basmati rice contains higher amounts of amylose starch, which forms a longer carbohydrate chain than its shorter-chain cousin, amylopectin (which itself is more abundant in short-grain rice). This makes basmati rice suitable for diabetics because sugar is released at a slower rate after digestion, meaning the risk of blood sugar spikes is lower.

When looking for the best Indian food in Ho Chi Minh City, head straight to Tandoor Saigon, where diners can enjoy a variety of delicious dishes such as delicious Biryani rice mixed with lamb, chicken, shrimp, or vegetables.

* Please note that these images are illustrative and may not always represent the exact presentation of dishes at Tandoor Restaurant, as they are designed specifically for this article.