Top 10+ Best Asian Restaurants in NYC in 2024

Craving some mouthwatering Asian cuisine in the Big Apple? You’re in luck! New York City is a melting pot of cultures, and its food scene reflects that diversity.

The best Asian restaurants in NYC offer a culinary journey across the continent, right in the heart of the city.

From sizzling street food to elegant fine dining, NYC’s Asian eateries cater to every taste and budget.

Whether you’re in the mood for steaming bowls of ramen, crispy dumplings, spicy curries, or fresh sushi, you’ll find it all here.

These restaurants bring authentic flavors from China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, and beyond to your plate.

Best Asian Restaurants in NYC

In this guide, we’ll take you on a tour of the top Asian dining spots in New York. We’ve scoured the city to find the most delicious, innovative, and memorable Asian restaurants.

Some are hidden gems, while others are well-known hotspots. But they all have one thing in common: fantastic food that will transport your taste buds across Asia.

Get ready to discover cozy noodle shops, trendy fusion spots, and upscale dining rooms. Let’s dive into the vibrant world of Asian cuisine in NYC!

Top 11 Best Asian Restaurants in NYC

So let’s dig in and discover the top Asian restaurants that will satisfy your cravings and transport your taste buds across Asia – all without leaving New York!

1. Buddakan

Location: 75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Hours:

• Monday to Thursday: 5 pm to 10:30 pm
• Friday: 5 pm to 11 pm
• Saturday: 4 pm to 10 pm
• Sunday: 4 pm to 10:30 pm

Buddakan is not your average Asian restaurant. It’s like stepping into a fancy French palace but with Asian food! The place is big and beautiful, with sparkly chandeliers and dim, cozy lighting.

What’s cool about Buddakan:

• The decor is amazing – it feels very fancy and special
• They serve food from all over Asia
• There’s a huge dining table that’s great for big groups
• You can also find quiet corners for a more private meal

Some yummy things to try:

• Carrot dumplings
• Lobster egg rolls
• Tea smoked spare ribs
• Mongolian lamb chops
• Whole Peking duck

If you like drinks, Buddakan has lots of options:

• Fun cocktails like the Tranquility (made with vodka, tea, and lemon)
• Sake
• Wine by the glass
• All sorts of other spirits

Buddakan is perfect for a special night out. The food is tasty and the setting is really impressive. It’s a bit pricey, but worth it for a treat.

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2. Obao Noodle & BBQ

Locations:

• Midtown East: 222 E 53rd St, New York, NY 10022
• Hell’s Kitchen: 647 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036

Hours: 11:30 am to 10 pm daily

Obao Noodle & BBQ brings the flavors of Southeast Asian street food to NYC. They focus on Vietnamese and Thai dishes but with a special twist.

What’s great about Obao:

• Lots of flavor-packed dishes
• Good variety of options
• They have two locations, so it’s easy to find one near you
• Casual, relaxed vibe

Some must-try dishes:

• Green chicken curry
• Lobster pad thai
• Crispy spring rolls
• Mushroom dumplings
• Crab fried rice
• Spiced calamari
• Roasted duck noodles
• Pork belly with broccoli
• Pho Bo (beef noodle soup)

Cool cocktails to sip:

• Obao (their signature drink)
• Fig-A-Tini
• Sipping Emotions
• Thai Sabai
• Bruiseberry Mojito
• Flunk Flink

Obao is great for when you want tasty Asian food in a laid-back setting. It’s not super fancy, but the food is really good. Perfect for lunch or a casual dinner with friends.

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3. Hortus

Location: 271 5th Ave, New York, NY 10016

Hours:

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday to Sunday: 11:30 am to 3:30 pm, 5:30 pm to 11 pm

Hortus is a fancy Asian restaurant with a Michelin star. That means the food is good! They mix flavors from Korea, China, and Thailand in new and exciting ways.

What makes Hortus special:

• Michelin-starred restaurant (that’s a big deal in the food world)
• Creative fusion of different Asian cuisines
• Modern, elegant atmosphere
• Unique dishes you won’t find anywhere else

Delicious dishes to try:

• Yellowfin Tuna Crudo
• Yuzu Bacon Rose Pasta
• Lobster Claws with Caviar
• Truffle Donabe (a kind of rice dish)
• Rice Pudding
• Monaka Ice-Cream

Hortus also offers some special options:

• A “royal platter” with lots of different tastes
• Raw food selection for those who like uncooked dishes

This place is perfect for a special occasion or when you want to try something unique. The food looks as beautiful as it tastes. It’s on the expensive side, but the quality matches the price.

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4. Pig & Khao

Location: 68 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002

Hours:

• Monday to Tuesday: Closed
• Wednesday to Thursday: 5 pm to 11 pm
• Friday: 5 pm to 12 am
• Saturday: 11 am to 3:15 pm, 5 pm to 12 am
• Sunday: 11 am to 3:15 pm, 5 pm to 10 pm

Pig & Khao brings the bold flavors of Southeast Asian street food to the Lower East Side. Chef Leah Cohen uses her skills to create tasty dishes inspired by countries like Thailand and the Philippines.

Cool things about Pig & Khao:

• Lively, fun atmosphere
• A creative take on Southeast Asian cuisine
• Good for groups or date nights
• They do a great weekend brunch too

Yummy dishes to order:

• Green papaya salad
• Whole fried fish with coconut rice
• Ricotta donuts (for dessert)

Don’t miss their drinks:

• Spicy Pakwan cocktail (made with thai chili tequila and watermelon)
• They have lots of other fun cocktails too

Pig & Khao is great when you want bold flavors and a fun night out. The food is flavorful and the vibe is energetic. It’s a bit more adventurous than your typical Asian restaurant, which makes it exciting.

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5. Wagamama

Locations:

• Midtown Manhattan: 100 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019
• Flatiron Building: 210 5th Avenue at W 26th St, New York, NY 10010
• Murray Hill: 605 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10158

Hours for Midtown Manhattan location:

• Sunday to Thursday: 11 am to 10 pm
• Friday to Saturday: 11 am to 11 pm

Wagamama is a popular chain that serves up tasty Asian-inspired bowls and dishes. It’s great for when you want something quick, healthy, and satisfying.

What’s great about Wagamama:

• Lots of healthy options
• Good for vegetarians and vegans
• Casual, relaxed atmosphere
• Multiple locations around the city

Some popular dishes:

• Avant Gard’n (plant-based)
• Chicken Vietnamese Glass Noodle Salad
• Nama Spicy Tuna
• Shu’s Shiok Chicken
• Various ramen bowls

Drinks to try:

• Thai Chili Margarita
• Southside Tokyo
• Blossom
• Japanese Highball

Sake options:

• Suigei junmai
• Kunizakari nigori
• Mio sparkling sake

Wagamama is perfect for a quick lunch or casual dinner. The food is tasty and filling, and there’s something for everyone. It’s not super fancy, but it’s reliable and satisfying.

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6. Tao

Location: 92 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Hours:

• Sunday to Thursday: 5 pm to 12 am
• Friday to Saturday: 5 pm to 1 am

Tao is like an Asian restaurant mixed with a cool nightclub. It’s big, flashy, and lots of fun. The place looks amazing inside, with art and decorations that make you feel like you’re somewhere really special.

What makes Tao unique:

• Stunning decor with Chinese-inspired art
• Huge space with different areas to explore
• Great for big groups or special occasions
• Lively atmosphere, especially later at night

Tasty dishes to try:

• Lobster wontons
• Chicken wing lollipops
• Crispy bao buns
• Rock shrimp lettuce cups
• Triple pork fried rice
• Various sushi and specialty rolls

Fun cocktails:

• Bubbles & Berries
• Ruby Red Dragon
• Mango Chili Martini
• Cucumber Saketini

Tao is more than just a restaurant – it’s an experience. The food is good, but people really come for the atmosphere and to have a fun night out. It can get pretty busy and loud, especially on weekends. Dress up a bit if you go here!

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7. Kensho

Location: 1001 6th Ave, New York, NY 10018

Hours: 11 am to 8 pm daily

Kensho puts a modern spin on Asian bowls. The cool thing here is that you can make your bowl exactly how you like it!

What’s special about Kensho:

• Build Your Bowl option
• Quick and casual
• Good for a healthy lunch or dinner
• Lots of fresh ingredients

How to build your bowl:

1. Choose your base (like rice or noodles)
2. Pick a protein (hot or cold options)
3. Add toppings
4. Choose a sauce
5. Add some crunchy bits

If you don’t want to build your own, try these:

• Hot Mama Tuna bowl
• Truffle Salmon bowl

Kensho is great when you want something quick, healthy, and customized just for you. It’s not a fancy sit-down place, but perfect for grabbing a satisfying meal on the go.

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8. The Tyger

Location: 1 Howard St, New York, NY 10013

Hours:

• Monday to Friday: 5 pm to 12 am
• Saturday to Sunday: 12 pm to 12 am

The Tyger brings together flavors from all over Asia in a bright, fun setting. Chef Paul Donnelly creates dishes inspired by places like Malaysia, Australia, and Thailand.

Cool things about The Tyger:

• Vibrant, lively atmosphere
• Creative mix of Asian cuisines
• Good for groups (they have a special group menu)
• Fun cocktail options

Tasty dishes to try:

• Steak tartare
• Charred octopus
• Shaken beef skewers
• Baby gem salad
• Australian Tyger Prawns
• Crispy whole red snapper

Interesting cocktails:

• Thai Tyger House Blend
• Poison of the Honeybee
• Little Wanderer
• Earth’s Answer (good for lunch – made with vodka, tomatillo, soy, celery, and horseradish)

The Tyger is great for a fun night out with friends. The food is exciting and different, and the atmosphere is energetic. It’s a bit more upscale than casual, so it’s good for a special dinner or celebration.

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9. Sachi Asian Bistro

Location: 713 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10016

Hours: 11:30 am to 10 pm daily

Sachi Asian Bistro takes inspiration from all over Asia to create a menu full of variety. You can find dishes from Japan, Korea, China, Thailand, and more all in one place.

What’s great about Sachi:

• Wide variety of Asian cuisines
• Good mix of traditional and fusion dishes
• Casual but still nice atmosphere
• Great for trying lots of different flavors

Some standout menu items:

• House made dim sum
• Sashimi and sushi platters
• Various soups and salads
• Bento boxes
• Pad See Ew
• Spicy Tuna Pancake
• Mango Lobster Roll
• Milk Chocolate Sesame Bar (for dessert)

Don’t miss the sake:

• They have different types like nigori, junmai, and ginjo

Sachi is perfect when you can’t decide what kind of Asian food you want – because they have it all! It’s good for groups with different tastes or for when you want to try a bit of everything.

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10. Buddha Bar

Location: 62 Thomas St, New York, NY 10013

Hours:

• Sunday to Thursday: 5 pm to 11:30 pm
• Friday to Saturday: 5 pm to 12 am

Buddha Bar is like stepping into another world. It’s big, beautiful, and has a huge Buddha statue inside! They serve food from all over Asia and are known for their cool music too.

What makes Buddha Bar special:

• Amazing decor with a 16-foot Buddha statue
• Great music and atmosphere
• Mix of restaurant and lounge vibes
• Pan-Asian menu with lots of choices

Yummy things to eat:

• Sushi and sashimi
• Various raw dishes
• Skewers
• Small plates to share
• Lots of salad options
• BBNY Tiramisu for dessert (made with Thai tea, vanilla wafer, chai granola, and mascarpone)

Cool drinks to try:

• Red Sunset cocktail (made with Chipotle Infused Tequila, watermelon, and agave)
• They also have fancy cognacs and brandies

Buddha Bar is perfect for a special night out. It’s more than just dinner – it’s a whole experience. The food is good, but people come for the atmosphere and to feel fancy for a night.

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11. Hutong

Location: 731 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022

Hours:

• Monday: 5 pm to 10 pm
• Tuesday to Thursday: 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, 5 pm to 10 pm
• Friday: 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, 5 pm to 11 pm
• Saturday: 12 pm to 9 pm
• Sunday: 11 am to 9 pm

Hutong brings a touch of glamour to Asian dining in Midtown Manhattan. It’s a popular spot for both dinner and late-night bites, with a beautiful art deco interior.

What’s special about Hutong:

• Stunning decor with marble and fancy furnishings
• Great for a night out – dinner and drinks
• Different menus for different times of day
• Upscale atmosphere

Tasty dishes to try:

• Vegetarian spring roll
• Caviar crab shumai
• Black truffle margow
• Hutong Prawn Roll
• Calamari flowers
• Sichuan shredded beef
• Kou Sui Chicken

Interesting cocktail:

• Lucky Dragon (made with scotch, sherry, and some unique ingredients)

Good to know:

• They have a dress code: “elegant casual and uptown chic”
• It can be a bit pricey, but good for a special occasion

Hutong is perfect when you want to feel fancy and have a special night out. The food is delicious and the setting is very impressive. It’s a great place to celebrate something special or just treat yourself to a luxurious meal.