{Saigon Snacks} Saigon's best indian food

We've had a few weeks break from Friday Date Night, either due to work or travel, so we decided to make an effort tonight. (Although I must admit after a big week at work the thought of slobbing around the house with a $2 dvd and a bottle of wine was tempting!)

After work we met for drinks at Shri (a regular haunt as it's in the building where Rob works and has the best views in town) followed by dinner in the backpackers district on Bui Vien Street.

Tonight we ate at Mumtaz on Bui Vien, a halal Indian restaurant with a huge expat and tourist following. Despite its grungy appearance this place serves up the tastiest Indian food I've had in a long while.

We made the mistake of ordering our dinner "spicy", but even though we immediately corrected ourselves and said "but not too spicy" it was certainly hot! But delicious all the same.

The Mumtaz waiters are particularly attentive. One guy seemed quite concerned that we were struggling with the chilli, despite continually telling him the food was fantastic, so he kept coming over to top up our mugs with ice water the second they were emptied and bought us a little cup of plain youghurt to finish off the meal and stop the tastebuds from burning!

The masala papadums were divine, especially the array of condiments they came with, and the chicken tikka was the best I've had.

And best of all, most likely due to its location in the "grunge" district, this place is ridiculously cheap with most mains priced at around 80,000VND (about US$4!). Highly recommended.

Mumtaz - 226 Bui Vien Street, District 3