Grab your passports, and get ready for a delicious tour of some of the best non-Korean restaurants District 7 Saigon has to offer! It might be best known for having some of the best Korean BBQ this side of Seoul, but don’t be fooled by inter-district stereotyping. From Japanese to Pizza and everything in between, D7 is home to a wide variety of excellent international cuisine. Here are just a few of our favorite picks, all of which have been tried and tested by our team.
Like Japanese Food? Check out our other food guide for Tokyo Town:
Authentic Japanese Food in Saigon – A Short Guide to Little Japan
And yes, passport jokes aside, we’re aware the some of you might consider D7 to be “far”. But if we’re being honest here, going from D1 to Phu My Hung is only about as far as going to Thao Dien both in terms of time, and in Grab fees. And for people living in Thao Dien, there’s the new bridge, or just use the fun one, Phu My bridge.
Jimmy’s Pizza
It might not be New York, but it’s damn close. One of the best things about Jimmy’s (aside from the size of the large pizza) is their outdoor seating. Great place to just sit and enjoy a large pizza. They also do lunch specials, so you don’t have to finish a whole large pizza. And, waste not want note, you can also dip the chewy crust edge in their blue cheese sauce (or marinara, if you prefer). Why are we focusing on the large pizzas? Because they’re large, and not shy on toppings. So whether you’re a fan of the classics like pepperoni or sausage, or you want to try something new, like their BBQ chicken pizza, you’re sure to find something to enjoy at Jimmy’s. Dog friendly restaurant in D7!
Sindbad Kebabs
What else can we say? We love this place. It’s our go to spot for late night kebabs and shawarma. Sindbad wraps are about the size of a child’s arm, and with more meat. The garlic sauce here is also very good, and is one of the reasons we keep on coming back. But aside from the kebabs, they also serve a good range of salads and other appetizers. The service is always good, and the place has a very relaxed vibe. It can get quite busy during peak hours, but it’s just a reflection of how good the food is. Some outdoor seating, but only recommended for the evening, as there’s no real shade from the mid-day heat. They also do delivery (have to message them directly as they’re not on Grab).
Eden Coffee House
Eden Coffee House is a great place for breakfast or brunch (or lunch, or dinner), with both Western and Vietnamese options available. The large menu will be able to meet the dietary requirements of most people. They have all of the classics like eggs benedict and pancakes, as well as some more unique items like the “Cowboy” (which is basically a large serving of potatoes, sausages, and avocadoes). Trust me, it tastes better than it sounds. The portions are large, so come here when you’re really hungry. And if you’re not in the mood for breakfast foods, they also have some great sandwiches and burgers. Outdoor seating, great for day drinking.
My Thai Kitchen
Despite the name, My Thai Kitchen is NOT a Thai restaurant. Which is confusing, but the food is not disappointing. Expect a very eclectic mix of dishes, both Western and pan-Asian – with a heavy helping of Korean, and Japanese options, as well as Vietnamese mainstays like bun thit nuong. Very wide drinks selection as well, with various teas and juices. Not necessarily fine dining, but it seems to be family run, and the food is tasty and reasonably priced. The place can get pretty busy during peak hours, but it’s usually not too bad. Outdoor seating available (and recommended actually, as the indoor seats have next to zero ventilation). At any rate, it’s a very good option for a quick, casual lunch or a relaxed, late dinner.
Vegan Garden
Tucked in the back of a local neighborhood well away from Phu My Hung, Vegan Garden was quite a surprise find. Why is this place not better known? Why don’t the owners expand into a larger location with more outdoor seating? Or for that matter, why don’t they just open another branch? Some things we’ll never know, but what we do know is that the food is fantastic, and very well priced. The menu offers a wide variety of both vegan options, in various forms of Western and Asian dishes. All of which are tasty and filling. We’re quite partial to the kebabs, and the miso soup. Try the “chicken” Caesar Salad as well. It’s nothing like what you’d expect, but still damn tasty. And, perhaps the best vote of confidence – it’s vegan, but as an avid meat eater, I still choose to eat there.
Kadohachi Japanese Grill
Kadohachi is a great option for both lunch and dinner, with various set meals available at lunchtime. The menu isn’t exhaustive, so you know they only focus on what they do well. The grilled meats are all very good, as are the sides. The gyoza here is particularly noteworthy. The service is good, and the place has a very relaxed vibe. Perfect for a casual lunch or dinner. Perhaps, my biggest gripe is that they don’t serve the dishes offered on their lunch specials as part of their dinner menu. But then, as mentioned, they only do a few things, but they do it well. Parking might be a problem, can get smokey inside, but otherwise a great dining option in Phu My Hung.
Fujiro Katsu and Curry
We’ve written about this place before. We’re big fans. Fujiro pretty much the only place in Phu My Hung where you can get a good Japanese Katsu bento, or Katsu Curry. The set meals are all very reasonably priced, and is perfect for a quick business lunch. Service is always good, and the place is always clean. The only problem is that it can get pretty busy during peak hours, but they do turn things around quite quickly. As with the other Japanese resto listed here, the menu is quite limited. But they do what they do very well, so we’re not complaining. Highly recommend this place if you’re looking for something big, fried, and tasty.
Dahi Handi Indian Restaurant
It’s not the cheapest Indian restaurant in District 7, but for my money, Dahi Handi offers the best value. The servings are large, and the food is tasty. The menu offers all the usual Indian staples, as well as a well represented drinks menu. The service is good (the waiter even told us that we might have “perhaps” already over ordered), and the place has a very cozy vibe. It’s perfect for a romantic dinner, but wouldn’t write it off either for family or group dining. And of course, it’s always good to have another option for dinner delivery in D7.
Kusinero – Filipino Kitchen
I’m not a big fan of Filipino food. It’s generally too oily, with not enough veggies, and tends to be bland with just salty and sour being the main flavor profiles. Kusinero, however, is different. It’s still quite oily (what do you expect with Filipino food?), but the dishes here have a lot more depth of flavor compared with other Filipino places I’ve tried in Saigon. The sinigang (a sour soup) is particularly noteworthy. It’s actually quite refreshing, with a nice tamarind base, and a good amount of heat. The lechon kawali (fried pork belly) is also very good. Not too greasy, and with a crisp skin. The kare kare (oxtail stew) is also very tasty. It’s not the cheapest place around, but it’s worth it for a change of pace. Highly recommend this place for group dining. Big servings, plus the cholesterol and calories are best shared.
Back’s Burger
Korean owned, but not Korean food. Back’s Burger serves American style burgers, and they do it very well (perhaps, gasp!, even better than actual Americans). The patties are thick and juicy, and the buns are buttery, soft and fluffy. The fries are also quite good. The place is big but weirdly shaped so might be difficult to get seating in big groups. But it’s perfect for couples or solo dining. They’ve got a limited menu, but the first time I visited them, I “accidentally” ordered two burgers. Perhaps the serving sizes are small… Perhaps I was very hungry… Perhaps the burgers are really just very well made. I should stop making excuses, and just give this place my full recommendations. The burgers are delicious.
The Fig Cafe
Classy place for brunch, lunch or coffee. Fig Cafe has got a great range of Vietnamese classics, which are vegetarian friendly. The coffee is very good, as are the smoothies. With dark wood furnishings, cozy armchairs and a range of drinks, this place has a very inviting vibe. The perfect place to go to catch up with a friend, or perhaps even work remotely. The service is attentive without being overbearing. Prices are on the higher end, but not unreasonably so. They have a nice, garden-y outdoor area, but limited parking space.
Conclusion
So there you have it, a few of our favorite non-Korean restaurants in district 7. There’s a lot more great places to eat in this area, but these are just a few of our personal favorites. So next time you find yourself on the dark side of the moon (aka Phu Mu Hung), actively want to explore another district, or just want to try something new, be sure to check out one of these places. You won’t be disappointed.
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For a much cheaper and very delicious option for Curry Katsu-don I recommend Takoika… https://goo.gl/maps/R2nmhK18DZL89Dc86
[…] They have multiple locations in the country (Saigon alone has 3 different branches: D1, D2, and the darkside, D7). Can be a bit pricey, but you definitely get what you pay for in terms of peace of mind, and […]
[…] written about them before. We’re big fans. If you’re in District 7 and looking for vegetarian-vegan food, the […]
[…] A Short Guide to non-Korean Restaurants in District 7 Saigon […]