New Orleans

Tân Định

Vietnamese
Casual
Classic
Takeout

Venture out to the Westbank of New Orleans for the city’s most prized traditional Vietnamese food. Light-filled and big, Tân Định is the kind of place Westbankers (affectionately known as “Wankers”) visit weekly and East Bankers make a point to cross the Crescent City Connection for regularly. That’s because you’d never have to have the same meal twice (though you might want to), given the vast appetizers menu and endless create-your-own phở, bún, bánh hỏi, and cơm dĩa variations. The specials section offers a deep dive into non-noodle or rice dishes like fried chicken, marinated quail, roasted duck, and frog legs, all tremendous. Tân Định has been around for years and remains largely unchanged, a refreshing dedication to its old-guard status.

We have such great Vietnamese restaurants in New Orleans, but Tân Định might just be the best.

A smiling woman with long hair in a casual outfit standing against a colorful wall

Sue Zemanick

Sue's Perfect Order

A plate of marinated quail with Vietnamese spices along with a side of vegetables and a dipping sauce with chopsticks

Rush Jagoe

Marinated Quail with Sweet Chili (Chim Cút Quay)

Marinated in Vietnamese spices and aromatics and pan-roasted, this house favorite is sticky and salty.

Korean Beef Short Ribs (Bò Nuớng Triều Tiên)

This longtime charbroiled staple — succulent and juicy and served with a huge portion of tart kimchi — is a Korean-style departure from Tân Định’s Vietnamese specialties.

Tofu Shaken in Spicy Lemongrass Sauce (Đậu Hũ Xả Ớt)

Tân Định has some of the city’s best tofu, like this entrée of fried tofu in spicy lemongrass sauce. Get it with sticky rice cakes or vermicelli salad.

Chicken Wings (Cánh Gà Chiên Bơ)

One of the area’s top wing destinations, Tân Định serves heaping plates of garlic butter, lemongrass, or tamarind wings. The lemongrass is powerful, best for fans of the earthy herb.