Vegetarian, Thai ~ I wanted it to be excellent

CLOSED as of January 2015

Usually, I go to try go to sample some new street food or a new eatery with a completely open mind.  That’s my job – to be objective when sharing my experience about a Saigon restaurant or street food eating adventure.

But, I must confess, last week I went to  Hương Thiền Thai with a pre-cast “wish” that it would be wonderful.

After all, it was a beautiful balmy night in Saigon.  It was the first full moon of the first lunar month of the new year – Year of the Dragon.  A very special night for sure in the Buddhist calendar.  A day to give thanks and make wishes for the future at the pagoda (as we did earlier in the day). A night to enjoy only vegetarian food.

Hai and I chose to dine in our neighborhood, at a comfortable, relatively new vegetarian restaurant near our house, sitting on the edge of Le Thi Rieng Park and across the street from a long row of sinh tố vendors serving excellent fresh fruit shakes!  Of course, I wanted it to be excellent!

Sadly it wasn’t 🙁

The first cause for concern came as the menu was placed in front of us.  How many Saigon restaurants serving excellent authentic dishes offer “picture-book” menus? None that I’ve found.

 

But, I was willing to overlook this red-flag. Perhaps a visual aid was in fact helpful to the local Vietnamese folk unfamiliar with Thai cuisine.

Our first disappointment came as we were refused our request to sit on the top floor at the small table overlooking the park.  Seems that floor was now closed – it was getting late. Mmn? Too bad for us.  We were instead seated in the very brightly lighted 3rd floor. Looking around, the place was bright and clean – spotless. It felt new, actually a bit sterile.  Strangely, the room felt more like a cold museum display of Thai artifacts and less like a warm Thai dining room. But, OK, let’s eat some great Thai food.

Hai ordered four dishes.  First, gỏi cà tím  ̣(eggplant salad). Thank you Hai – he knows cà tím is always one of my favor dishes.

It was delicious! Excellent! A fresh flavor burst of well-cooked eggplant in each bite accented with the sweet and limy sauce with a small spark of  chili to catch your attention! Major yummy.

Sadly that was the one and only positive memory of the night.  The three remaining dishes, mien with mushrooms and tofu, stir-fried lily buds, and tom yum goong were all “mild” (semi-tasteless) and underwhelming. The mien noodles were cooked well, but all else was forgettable.

We were about  three-quarters through our meal when we hit bottom on the single bowl of steamed rice.  We called the waiter for one more bowl. We were informed that the kitchen was now closed and no more rice was available for us . What?!

We finished up our entrees – rice less. And asked for the check.  No napkins had been provided to us and we didn’t bother “bothering” the waiter again.

As we left the restaurant, Hai spoke to the manager, offering him so helpful hints about “closing the kitchen” to patrons mid-meal without first advising them. It’s not clear whether he agreed that was an issue for concern???

BUT, the eggplant salad did catch my attention.  So, I might consider returning in six months or so to see whether the manager and staff have learned anything more about service and/or fine-tuned any of their vegetarian recipes. After all, it’s so close to my house and besides the park.  Hope lives eternal!

Sadly, Hương Thiền Thai was a Ho Hum for us.

 

Hương Thiền Thai

10 Khu B

Truong Son

Bac Hai

P. 15, District 10

HCMC

39705471

www.huongthien.net

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