Remember when everyone and their uncle were holidaying in Vietnam? If your holiday leaves didn’t get approved, you can still experience Vietnamese cuisine at Mumbai’s #NewInTown VietNom.
Mumbai is spoilt for choice with Japanese, Korean, desi Chinese, Thai dining options, but there’s a gap in market for Vietnamese cuisine (Nho Saigon is a personal favourite). VietNom’s launch in Bandra, Mumbai is the fifth outlet to the overall franchise and holds potential to bring this cuisine to the forefront.
After Bawri, restaurateur Sahil Sambhi gets his second restaurant to the Maximum City and shares, “Bringing VietNom to Mumbai is a milestone moment for us. The goal was always to introduce authentic Vietnamese flavours to India, and this expansion underscores our dedication to that vision.” The first outlet of VietNom was launched in 2019 at Cyber Hub in Gurugram, followed by Worldmark in Gurugram, House of Commons in Saket, and Assagao in Goa. “Mumbai is a city that never sleeps, a city that thrives on diversity and dynamism” explaining the foray into Mumbai.
Spread across 1,464 sq ft, this 60-seater restaurant has two floors – the ground with limited seating, outdoor tables, bar, and a spiral stairway leading up to the first floor. Designed by Vivek Guha of Orphic Design Studio, the interior features soft, monotone fabrics paired with natural materials like rope, jute, and cane in shades of beige, ivory, and light grey. Warm, minimalist, rustic….okay, now let’s eat!
From summer rolls, Bánh Mì, pho, rice noodles, Vietnamese coffee, the menu is a slice of Vietnam in the heart of Mumbai. Chef Phankri Bey and Chef Bhim B Tamang are the forces behind these flavours. Chef Bey comes from experience working in the kitchens of JW Marriott Sahar and The Oberoi in New Delhi, among others. We’re told that the menu in Mumbai offers more vegetarian options to cater to the local dining audience.
The Pomelo Papaya Salad (₹560) is a refreshing start to our meal. Unlike the Thai raw papaya salad, this isn’t heavy on the spice scale, and the mint leaves and pomelo added bursts of freshness.
It is not a Vietnamese meal if there is no pho. The Pho with Vegetables (₹660) is a bowl of comfort right for a rainy day. Home-made rice noodles, tofu, and a medley of carrot, mushroom, and sprouts bathed in an aromatic broth is what I see myself ordering again.
The Mushroom Bánh Mì (₹529) did not disappoint. Soft, crusty baguette generously stuffed with mushroom, lettuce, carrots, coriander, and a slightly sweet and savoury chutney of sorts – what’s not to love?
I love cocktails inspired by dishes and VietNom’s Thai Curry In My Glass (₹695) was just that! This gin-based cocktail is bold and bright with local heroes like kaffir lime, coconut, lemongrass, and a tinge of ginger.
Mango desserts never seem appealing to me but the Pomelo Mint Mango Sago (₹440) was as light as a cloud and the best part? Unlike most mango desserts, it wasn’t overpoweringly sweet.
I am a fan of lotus stem – the texture, shape, and how well it goes with any sauce. The Vietnamese Lotus Stem (₹690) with sweet and spicy Vietnamese sauce with sesame seeds. The sweet and spicy taste had us going for a second bite but it would have been better if a tad crispier.
The Avocado Summer Roll (₹529) and the Charcoal Asparagus (₹490) had the right amount of freshness to them, extra points for the accompanying sauces.
The Mushroom Gyoza (₹450) had a generous filling of seven varieties of mushrooms. This dish didn’t fare high on our list, but we would be the first ones to buy the accompanying lemongrass sauce.
The Basque Cheesecake with cherry compote (₹440) offered the right amount of sweet and creamy, and the cheery compote presented the necessary tartness to it. However, did it feel new and disruptive? Maybe not.
The Crispy Tofu (₹620) missed to hit the spot. We’d rather opt for more authentic Vietnamese options over this dish. The Crunchy Vegetables with Peanut and Dry Chilli (₹480) with mushroom, bamboo shoot, water chestnut, and baby corn lacked the spice we anticipated. Perhaps a sauce pairing would enhance this dish.
The Vietnamese Crispy Lotus Stem Salad (₹529) caught our eye, mainly because of its pickled carrots and tamarind chilli dressing. However, it didn’t manage to pack a punch and given an option, we would rather try the Vietnamese Lotus Stem instead of this.
Where: A Wing, Ganga Jamna Sangam, Ground Floor, 14th & 24th Road, Khar West, Mumbai
When: Noon to 11.30 pm
Reservations: +91 70212 17355
