Vietnamese in Indy?

[pikawicca]

Does anyone know if there are any Vietnamese restaurants in or around Indianapolis?

[Candy]

Yes I know. There are ways around it especially with Indy. I have chatted with my Viet frinds about it and entrapeneurs they are, are not interested in opening a restaurant. If you are interested in joining a group of like minded souls and a multifaceted dining group here e-mail me directly [e-mail]

[Candy]

Saraga is still up and running in Bloomngton, in the same spot in the strip center just south of the Kroger at Jackson Creek. Good Vietnamese friends have also recommended Co Do or King Wok. For other good Asian shopping in Bloomington check out Obo in Eastland Plaza (where Borders is) and 10th St. market for somethings that are unavailable elesewhere in Bloomington and around the area.

[pikawicca]

Thanks, Candy. I shop at Saraga and Obo regularly. What I'm really looking for is some well-prepared Vietnamese food, and we have none of that here in Bloomington (sadly).

[Matt986]

There are several. Here's a listing

http://www.nuvo.net/cuisine/browsecb....

I've had very good Pho at King Wok at 41st and Lafayette. Our absolute favorite, though, is Saigon around 31st and Lafayette. Everything that we've had there (and we eat there quite often, with yesterday's lunch being the most recent meal) has been outstanding. It's in a little strip mall on Lafayette that's not much to look at from the outside, but don't let that deter you. The restaurant is excedingly clean and bright and quite obviously a family run affair. There's a Vietnamese grocery, right next door (same family, I think) but it's currently closed for a few weeks for remodeling.

[pikawicca]

Thank you so much, Matt! We've been in severe Vietnamese food craving down here in Bloomington. We're currently planning a little road trip based on your recommendations.

[Matt986]

Great! If you do go to Saigon you'll see why Lafayette Road is my wife's and my favorite dining corridor. Many people in Indy would lable the area one of the "bad" parts of town. It's their loss though, and they probably wouldn't appreciate the diversity that's springing up all over from about 23rd St up to where I-65 crosses over (a span of about 4 or 5 miles), anyway. If you drive up and down that corridor you'll see some of the best eating in the city. From soul food, barbecue, chili, middle eastern, Egyptian, Vietnamese, Indian, Chinese and more. There are also several ethnic grocery stores along that corridor. You may want to do a loop through Saraga ( http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060125/BUSINESS/601250381/1003 ) while your in that part of town. If you travel a few blocks north of Saigon on Lafayette you'll see it on the east side of the road. It's an ethnic gocery superstore opened in an old K-Mart superstore by Korean brothers Jong and Bong Jae Sung, who used to run a grocery store down in Bloomington so you may be familiar with them. It's really fun just to wander up and down the aisles. There's also 3 or 4 restaurants (mainly Asian) right up at the front of the store.

Edited to add more links about Saraga:

http://www.shopsaraga.com/whatsIn.htm

http://feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com/200...

[pikawicca]

Thanks for all the great info! My husband and I love ethnic food of all kinds and are really looking forward to exploring this (to us) unknown part of Indy.

[pikawicca]

Thanks, Matt!

We had some great pho at Saigon last night. We also stopped by Saraga and were mightily impressed by their fresh fish selection. Next time we'll take a cooler and ice. What an interesting part of town!