The short answer
Baba's Kitchen, Thao Dien: what visitors should know first
A sensible choice for an Indian family staying in or near Thao Dien who wants familiar vegetable curries. It is across the river from the old centre, so go by taxi and confirm hours before you set out.
Diet
What we checked
- Indian. An Indian restaurant outside India. Checked November 2026 · Source
Menus and kitchens change. If you follow a strict diet or have an allergy, confirm with the restaurant before you order.
Useful facts
Baba's Kitchen, Thao Dien facts at a glance
- Location
- 242 Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien, District 2
- Dining style
- Indian restaurant with vegetarian and vegan dishes
- Price signal
- Mid-range; confirm current prices
- Signature order
- Try: gobi tandoori or navratan korma
- Good for
- Indian families in Thao Dien wanting a familiar meal
Why it matters
Why Baba's Kitchen, Thao Dien is worth your time
Finding a dal, a korma or a dosa after several days of rice and noodle soup matters more to many Indian travellers than guidebooks admit, especially older relatives who tire of unfamiliar flavours. Baba's Kitchen is one of the few Indian places the vegan and vegetarian guides name outside the central Pham Ngu Lao cluster.
It also gives families staying in Thao Dien, a district many longer-stay visitors choose, an Indian option within the neighbourhood instead of a cross-town taxi. Ask what the kitchen can adjust, whether that is spice level or fewer oils, since the sources do not describe the menu in full.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Gobi tandoori
Cauliflower from the tandoor, named by The Smart Local.
- 02
Navratan korma
A mixed-vegetable curry that suits milder palates.
- 03
Vegan dosa and curry
Spinach Guide mentions vegan dosa and curry on the menu.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
The Smart Local lists Baba's Kitchen among vegan and vegetarian options in Ho Chi Minh City and names two dishes from the menu: gobi tandoori, which is cauliflower cooked in the tandoor style, and navratan korma, a mild curry of mixed vegetables. Spinach Guide, which rates restaurants for plant-based diners, also places it in its Indian cuisine list and mentions vegan dosa and curry.
Because both pages describe vegetarian and vegan dishes rather than a vegetarian-only kitchen, treat this as an Indian restaurant with good plant-based choices, not a Pure Veg one. If egg, onion or garlic matters to you, say so when you order and ask how the dish is made; do not assume.
Thao Dien lies on the river side of District 2, so build the meal around a day there or a late-afternoon drive from District 1 and plan the return trip before you sit down.
Plan with confidence
Small checks that make a better meal.
- Confirm opening hours before you go
- Ask how each dish is made if you avoid egg, onion or garlic
- Book a return ride before the meal
- Share dishes so older relatives can choose milder ones
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- 242 Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien ward, District 2
- Time needed
- About 1 to 1.5 hours
- Best time
- Lunch or an early dinner
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Seating, steps and noise levels are not described in our sources. District 2 is residential rather than a tourist strip, so a car or ride-hailing trip to the door is easier than walking.
- Tickets and access
- No booking policy is stated in the pages we read. Ring or message ahead for a group, and please confirm opening hours, which we could not verify.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Baba's Kitchen, Thao Dien
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices are live on the partner site.
Travelling with parents?
Seating, steps and noise levels are not described in our sources. District 2 is residential rather than a tourist strip, so a car or ride-hailing trip to the door is easier than walking.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is Baba's Kitchen fully vegetarian?
Our sources describe vegetarian and vegan Indian dishes but do not say the whole menu is vegetarian, so we have not applied a Pure Veg label.
Is it near the main sights?
No. It is in Thao Dien, District 2, a ride away from District 1 and the main museums.
Does it serve Jain food?
We found no evidence of this. Ask the staff and treat any answer as unconfirmed until you see it prepared.
Sources and further reading
- The Smart Local: vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City
- Spinach Guide: Ho Chi Minh City
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
