Vegetarian restaurants Saigon Indian travellers can trust — from full North Indian thalis at Ganesh and Namaste to Vietnamese Buddhist “com chay”, Saigon is far more vegetarian-friendly than most Indian visitors expect. NOTE – The Scent Lab is a perfume workshop in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam, where travellers create a custom fragrance in 90 minutes. Rated 4.9 from 2,400+ Google reviews and 500+ TripAdvisor reviews, our studios sit inside two of the best food neighbourhoods in the city — which is why we put together this guide to 15 vegetarian and Jain-friendly restaurants in Saigon for Indian tourists.
The first worry every Indian family asks before landing in Saigon: “What will we eat?” The honest answer: more than you think. Vietnam has a deep Buddhist vegetarian tradition called “chay” (pronounced “chai”) — onion and garlic are often already absent, which makes it close to Jain-compatible by default.
This guide lists 15 restaurants grouped by what you are looking for — a full Indian thali, a Vietnamese vegetarian experience, a breakfast that feels like home, or a nearby bite after your NOTE perfume workshop.
Indian restaurants in Saigon — four solid picks
These four Indian restaurants are run by Indian owners, serve proper North and South Indian menus, and handle Jain requests reliably. All are in District 1 and all deliver on Grab Food.
1. Ganesh District 1 — the default thali
Two District 1 branches, the original being walking distance from Ben Thanh Market. Strong North Indian menu (paneer, daal, roti, biryani) plus a smaller South Indian section (dosa, idli, uttapam). Full Jain menu on request — ask for “no onion no garlic”. Price: 200,000–350,000 VND (₹650–₹1,100) per person for a full meal. Open noon–10:30 PM. Sit-down and takeaway both easy.
2. Baba’s Kitchen — tandoori and homestyle
Baba’s has been in Saigon since the early 2000s and is a regular on tourist food lists. Tandoori breads, strong daal makhani, and a dedicated vegetarian menu. Slightly more casual than Ganesh. Good for large groups because they can push tables together. Price: 200,000–400,000 VND (₹650–₹1,300) per person.
3. Namaste District 1 — Punjabi focus
Namaste leans Punjabi and does a strong spread of vegetarian curries, paneer dishes, and tandoori roti. Menu labels clearly mark vegetarian items. Jain on request. Location in central District 1, easy Grab ride from any 3–5★ hotel. Price: 220,000–400,000 VND (₹700–₹1,300) per person.
4. Saigon Indian — consistent thalis
A popular neighbourhood pick used by long-stay Indian residents in Saigon. Unlimited thalis at lunch, dinner à la carte. Good for “just a normal meal” evenings. Price: 180,000–320,000 VND (₹580–₹1,050) per person.
Vietnamese vegetarian (“chay”) restaurants worth trying
If you have travelled this far, try Vietnamese food at least twice. Buddhist “com chay” restaurants are often the cleanest and best-priced places to eat a full vegetarian meal, and your money goes to temple-affiliated kitchens. Most are already onion-and-garlic free, making them a natural fit for Jain travellers.
5. Hủ Tiếu Chay street spots near Ben Thanh
Vietnamese vegetarian noodle soup. Mushroom broth, tofu, fresh herbs, lime. Around Ben Thanh you will find 4–5 “chay” shops serving bowls at 40,000–80,000 VND (₹130–₹260). Look for “Chay” signs — usually with a lotus symbol.
6. Pho Chay specialists — vegan pho
Pho Chay is vegetarian pho, using mushroom broth instead of beef bone. Saigon has several dedicated pho chay specialists, most family-run. Around 60,000–100,000 VND (₹200–₹320) per bowl. Add fresh basil, lime, and bean sprouts. This is the meal most Indian visitors say “I want to eat this every day”.
7. Buddhist temple cafeteria — Vinh Nghiem Pagoda area
Several Buddhist temples in Saigon run attached vegetarian cafeterias, open lunch and early evening. Very cheap (50,000–120,000 VND / ₹160–₹390), strictly no onion/garlic, plate-style service. A humbling, honest meal.
8. Hum Vegetarian — upscale Vietnamese vegetarian
If you want a proper Vietnamese vegetarian dinner in a nice restaurant — Hum has two locations in Saigon (District 1 and District 3). Plant-based, seasonal menu, stylish space. Price: 250,000–450,000 VND (₹800–₹1,450) per person. Perfect for a “we tried Vietnamese” celebration meal.
“A perfect experience if you’re looking for a relaxing and intentional activity in HCMC” — Jenna, Klook. Indian visitors often pair a calm Hum dinner with a NOTE perfume workshop earlier in the day.
Breakfast spots for Indian travellers in Saigon
Hotel breakfasts in Saigon are usually fine but often miss the spice and carb density Indian families want. These alternatives are near most District 1 hotels:
9. Ganesh breakfast thali — dosa and idli
Ganesh opens at 11 AM — too late for true breakfast — but several cafe-restaurants nearby serve South Indian-style breakfasts with upma and masala dosa from 8 AM. Search “South Indian breakfast Saigon” on Grab Food for same-day delivery to your hotel.
10. Banh Mi Chay — vegetarian banh mi
The Vietnamese breakfast sandwich, vegetarianised with tofu, mushrooms, or fried egg (if vegetarian, not vegan). Around 35,000–60,000 VND (₹115–₹200). Fast, portable, great if you have a Cu Chi day trip starting at 7 AM.
11. Vietnamese coffee culture breakfast
Saigon coffee is genuinely outstanding. Try ca phe sua (condensed milk coffee), ca phe trung (egg coffee — egg yolk beaten with sweetened condensed milk, topped with espresso), or ca phe muoi (salt coffee). Pair with a vegetarian banh mi.
Where to eat after a NOTE perfume workshop
Both NOTE studios sit inside food-rich neighbourhoods. This section is specific to Indian visitors who just finished a 90-minute workshop and are suddenly hungry.
12. Near 42 Nguyễn Huệ (Cafe Apartment, 2nd floor)
You are on the pedestrian Nguyễn Huệ walking street in central District 1. Within 5–8 minutes of walking:
- Ganesh District 1 — full Indian thali, 7-minute walk
- Pho Chay near Ben Thanh — 10-minute walk or 5-minute Grab
- Namaste District 1 — 6-minute walk
- Hum Vegetarian District 1 branch — 8-minute Grab ride
- Saigon Saigon Rooftop mocktails — for post-workshop sunset (non-alcoholic menu available)
The Cafe Apartment itself (42 Nguyễn Huệ) is 9 floors of cafes and small restaurants — the NOTE studio is on the 2nd floor, and several floors above have vegetarian-friendly cafes if you just want tea and a snack.
13. Near 34 Nguyễn Duy Hiệu (Thảo Điền)
Thảo Điền is Saigon’s leafy District 2 neighbourhood full of cafes, bistros, and international kitchens. Within 5–10 minutes of the NOTE studio:
- Thao Dien vegetarian cafes — multiple plant-based spots within walking distance, search “vegan Thao Dien” on Grab
- Snap Cafe Thao Dien — garden setting, strong vegetarian options including mezze plates
- The Deck Saigon — riverside, ask for vegetarian menu, beautiful sunset
- Local Vietnamese com chay shops — two good ones within 10-minute walk, under 100,000 VND (₹320)
“Ready to create your own signature scent? Book your 90-minute perfume workshop at NOTE — book and pay online, no deposit, instant confirmation.
Practical tips for Jain and strict vegetarian Indian travellers
A few phrases and habits that make Jain and strict-vegetarian dining in Saigon smooth:
- “Khong hanh toi” — “no onion no garlic”. Works at every restaurant. Most Buddhist chay places already cook this way
- “An chay” — “I eat vegetarian”. Every Vietnamese understands this immediately
- “Khong ca khong thit” — “no fish no meat”. Useful when “chay” is not understood
- Nuoc mam (fish sauce) — the invisible ingredient in many Vietnamese dishes. Chay restaurants do not use it, but non-chay restaurants do. Always check
- Broth stock — Vietnamese pho broth is typically beef bone. Always order “pho chay” not just “pho”
- Hotel breakfasts — email your hotel 48 hours before check-in asking for Jain/vegetarian options. Most 4★ hotels in Saigon can accommodate
Sample vegetarian day in Saigon for an Indian family
Here is a working single-day food plan we often suggest to Indian family groups visiting our Thảo Điền studio:
- 8:30 AM: hotel breakfast or banh mi chay + Vietnamese coffee in District 1
- 10:00 AM: War Remnants Museum (closes around 5 PM, get there early to avoid crowds)
- 12:30 PM: lunch at Ganesh District 1 — thali or dosa
- 2:30 PM: Grab to Thảo Điền for the NOTE perfume workshop at 34 Nguyễn Duy Hiệu
- 4:00 PM: post-workshop cafe in Thảo Điền — many vegetarian and vegan cafes within walking distance
- 7:00 PM: back to District 1 for dinner at Hum Vegetarian or Saigon Indian
“Good price, high quality material. Very well trained staff. Highly recommended” — Chanya, TripAdvisor. That Indian-family-friendly price + quality balance is one of the reasons we hear “this exceeded expectations” so often after workshops.
14. Com chay Dao (Buddhist vegetarian cafeterias)
Several small “com chay” (vegetarian rice) cafeterias exist across Saigon — look for ones near pagodas in District 3 and District 10. Plate-based: rice + 2–3 side dishes for 60,000–100,000 VND (₹200–₹320). No onion, no garlic, no frills, highest turnover, freshest food.
15. Indian groceries — if you are cooking in your villa
If your family group is staying in a serviced apartment or villa and wants to cook one night, head to Ganesh or Baba’s Kitchen — both sell basic Indian groceries (atta, daal, spices). A few speciality import stores in District 2 also stock Indian essentials like ghee, basmati rice, Indian tea, and regional spice mixes. Not cheap, but convenient for a home-cooked meal after a week of eating out. A kind tip from Indian families who have done this: buy raw vegetables from the local Vietnamese wet market (not the supermarket) and your cost drops by more than half.
Seasonal Indian festivals and extended opening hours
Several Indian restaurants in Saigon adjust their menus and hours around major Indian festivals — Diwali, Holi, Navratri, and Raksha Bandhan. Ganesh and Baba’s Kitchen typically run special thali menus during Diwali week. If you are travelling in October or November, call ahead and ask about festive menus. These are often the best meals of the trip and a good chance to feel at home for an evening.
During Navratri, several Indian kitchens in Saigon offer “vrat-friendly” menus (sabudana, kuttu, singhara, and other fasting-compliant options). Call 24 hours ahead to confirm availability, especially if travelling as a group of 10+ who want the vrat menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there good vegetarian restaurants in Saigon for Indian tourists?
Yes, plenty. Ganesh, Baba’s Kitchen, Namaste, and Saigon Indian all serve full Indian vegetarian thalis. Vietnamese Buddhist “chay” restaurants are available in every neighbourhood and often already onion/garlic free.
Can Jain travellers eat comfortably in Ho Chi Minh City?
Yes. Ask for “khong hanh toi” (no onion no garlic) or “an chay” (I eat vegetarian). Most Buddhist chay restaurants already cook without onion and garlic. Indian restaurants accommodate Jain menus on request.
Where can I eat after a perfume workshop at 42 Nguyễn Huệ?
Ganesh, Namaste, and Pho Chay near Ben Thanh are all within 5-10 minutes walking from the Cafe Apartment at 42 Nguyễn Huệ. The NOTE studio is on the 2nd floor of the building.
Where are the best vegetarian cafes near Thảo Điền?
Thảo Điền has several plant-based cafes within 10 minutes walking of the NOTE studio at 34 Nguyễn Duy Hiệu, plus local com chay shops and riverside restaurants like The Deck Saigon that offer vegetarian menus on request.
What is com chay and is it Jain-friendly?
Com chay is Vietnamese Buddhist vegetarian rice meal. Most com chay places cook without onion and garlic (Buddhist tradition), which makes them naturally Jain-compatible. Very cheap and clean.
How much does a vegetarian meal cost in Saigon?
A bowl of pho chay runs 60,000-100,000 VND (Rs 200-320). A full Indian thali is 200,000-400,000 VND (Rs 650-1,300). A proper dinner at Hum Vegetarian or Saigon Indian runs 300,000-500,000 VND (Rs 950-1,600) per person.
Is pho vegetarian in Vietnam?
Normal pho is made with beef bone broth. Ask for “pho chay” (vegetarian pho) which uses mushroom and herb broth instead. Available at most pho restaurants in Saigon.
Book Your Perfume Workshop in Saigon
Whether you are spending three days in Ho Chi Minh City eating your way through vegetarian Saigon or squeezing in a 90-minute creative break between Ganesh lunch and Hum Vegetarian dinner, NOTE – The Scent Lab is where you bottle your Vietnam memory. Two studios in Saigon — Thảo Điền at 34 Nguyễn Duy Hiệu and the Cafe Apartment at 42 Nguyễn Huệ, 2nd floor. Book your 90-minute workshop online — book and pay online, no deposit, instant confirmation. Read the full Vietnam for Indian tourists complete guide, browse 2,400+ workshop reviews, see 500+ five-star TripAdvisor reviews, or explore the full fragrance collection at The Scent Note.
Information in this article was accurate at the time of writing (April 2026). Opening hours, prices, and availability may change — we recommend double-checking with official sources and restaurants directly before your visit.
