Menu: We included Asian restaurants that offer a wide range of dishes. We also considered those that can accommodate different dietary restrictions.
Ingredients: We verified that the ingredients used are fresh. We also checked if these restaurants use traditional flavors to keep the authenticity.
Ambiance: We checked that the overall atmosphere of these Asian restaurants is welcoming. We also checked if the seats are comfortable so customers can enjoy a good dining experience.
Availability: We checked if the restaurants can accommodate walk-ins. We also considered their extensive operating hours, ensuring they serve more customers.
Whenever we want comfort food, Asian cuisine always hits the spot. So instead of booking multiple plane tickets just to eat our hearts out around Asia (and well, we don’t even have the luxury of leaving work), we decided to try a few restaurants around Vancouver.
Luckily, this city is home to Asian restaurants that serve authentic dishes that will easily transport you to China, Japan, and Thailand, without hopping on a plane.
So if you find yourself craving a bowl of ramen or a steaming dim sum, here’s a list of the best restaurants that will make your taste buds transport you to different spots in Asia.
Plato Filipino brings authentic Asian flavors with a focus on traditional Filipino dishes. Each plate is prepared with fresh ingredients and rich, bold flavors.
The restaurant has a warm, modern atmosphere that blends Asian cultural elements with a casual dining vibe. It’s ideal for family meals or casual gatherings with friends.
Service is friendly and attentive, with staff happy to explain dishes and suggest popular choices. Orders are usually served promptly, even during busier times.
Signature dishes like adobo, sinigang, and lechon-inspired specialties showcase the depth of Filipino cuisine. Portions are generous, offering good value for both small and large groups.
Plato Filipino also accommodates dietary preferences, offering vegetarian-friendly and customizable options. This makes it suitable for a wide range of diners.
The restaurant maintains a clean, well-kept environment with comfortable seating. Peak hours can be busy, so booking ahead is a smart choice.
Overall, Plato Filipino successfully combines authentic Filipino flavors with the broader appeal of Asian cuisine. It’s a dependable spot for a flavorful and satisfying meal.
Pros
Authentic Filipino flavors
Generous portions
Vegetarian-friendly options
Comfortable seating
Cons
Busy during peak hours
Very warm & friendly service
“Feels like home! Yummy homestyle Filipino dishes! We got the 2-dish promo and tried the kare-kare & pork steak. We bought biko for takeout too. Generous food servings. Pleasant, clean & tidy restaurant. Very warm & friendly service from Karen & Ricks. We’ll try the other dishes next time!”
“Plato Filipino will always get 5 stars from me. I am fortunate to have this location only a few minutes walk from my house. I’ve also visited their other location in New Westminster. The food is always delicious, and no matter what I order, be it a combo meal or one from their à la carte, I am always satisfied! Servers are also excellent, and they are always efficient, happy, and polite. I can’t wait to go back and would recommend it to anyone looking for a Filipino Restau to eat in. Truly a taste of home away from home 🇵🇭❤️”
Operating Hours: Monday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Wednesday, Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Thursday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Consumer Rating: B+
Google review
4.4/5
Total review score
5/5
Score consistency
5/5
Our Rating: B+
Menu
4.5/5
Wide range of menu
5/5
Accommodates dietary restrictions
4/5
Ingredients
4.6/5
Ambiance
4.8/5
Comfortable seats
4.8/5
Welcoming atmosphere
4.8/5
Availability
4.7/5
Who wants pho and bánh mì? Whenever we do, Anh and Chi come to the rescue. This place is actually awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand from 2022 to 2024, which says a lot about their culinary expertise.
As soon as you walk in, you’ll immediately appreciate its modern atmosphere. We actually love its tropical decoration, which instantly transports us to Saigon.
If it’s your first time eating Vietnamese food, you’ll love how the waiters will gladly go through the menu and even help you with your food choices.
Of course, don’t skip on the spring rolls (whether that’s the fresh or the fried ones), and pair them with a beef noodle soup. And oh, their pho comes with a big serving, so two people can comfortably share a bowl.
However, we tried their Vietnamese coffee, but we didn’t really enjoy it as it didn’t taste like the authentic one. And while you’re here, be sure to try their fruit sorbet before you leave.
We just have our reservation about their serving time. We almost waited for an hour just to get all our food—and we didn’t even order more than five dishes.
Also, if you haven’t reserved a table, be prepared to wait on a waitlist for at least an hour.
Pros
Michelin Bib Gourmand, 2022 to 2024
Accommodating staff
Fresh food
Modern atmosphere
Cons
Vietnamese coffee isn’t too authentic
Long waitlist
Generous portions
“Absolutely loved our experience at Anh and Chi! The food was outstanding — every dish was full of flavor and beautifully presented. The portions were generous, and we left feeling more than satisfied. The appetizers were fantastic and set the tone for a great meal. Their drinks were also amazing — creative, refreshing, and perfectly balanced. On top of all that, the service was warm, attentive, and professional. Highly recommended and definitely a place I’d love to come back to!”
“Bustling little place out of down town offering a streamlined menu of classics with elevated twists. still, pretty traditional dishes with what feel like nicer ingredients and good plating. these good folks got me in and out on a busy Sunday afternoon with plenty of time to catch my flight out of the country. Bonus!”
Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Friday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Consumer Rating: B+
Google review
4.4/5
Total review score
5/5
Score consistency
5/5
Our Rating: B+
Menu
4.5/5
Wide range of menu
4/5
Accommodates dietary restrictions
5/5
Ingredients
4.6/5
Ambiance
4.8/5
Comfortable seats
4.8/5
Welcoming atmosphere
4.8/5
Availability
4.8/5
If you want Japanese food, but just want to get your ramen fix, then we highly suggest that you try JINYA Ramen Bar instead. And what we like about this ramen bar is that the broths are simmered for over 20 hours, which gives you a deep, umami flavor.
One of the crowd favorites here is the tonkotsu black. If you prefer pork broth with a tinge of garlic, then you should try this too.
But it might be too spicy for you. So, if you don’t like spice, you can simply ask the waiter to skip the spicy sauce on your bowl.
For vegan lovers out there, you’ll love that they offer plant-based dishes here at JINYA. In fact, they have a vegan miso broth, so you can still satisfy your ramen craving by replacing the pork with their ‘Impossible meat’, which is a meat made from plants.
Another favorite of ours here at JINYA is their gyoza, so make sure to try it too. Moreover, their portion sizes are generous, so even their small plates are filling enough to share among friends.
The best part is that you don’t even have to reserve a table. For sudden cravings, you’ll love that you can just walk in and still be seated even during peak hours. However, some find this restaurant a bit pricey.
Pros
Generous servings
Good option for vegan lovers
Accommodates walk-ins
Cons
A bit pricey for the quantity
Accommodates walk-ins
“We were walk-ins around 5 pm, and got a table at the bar-style seating. Ordered vegan friendly menu, and it was a delightful meal! Portion sizes are filling and generous. spicy Creamy Vegan Ramen is a MUST TRY!!”
“The ramen was authentic, and the gyoza was absolutely delicious made I wanted to order 10 more plates! The service was also excellent. I was really impressed and definitely want to come back again. Great location, beautifully decorated restaurant, and the staff were enthusiastic and attentive.”
For Thai cuisine lovers, Maenam should be at the top of your list when you’re around 4th Avenue.
What excited us the most about this Asian restaurant is that Chef Angus An curates the menu every season. This allows them to utilize local ingredients in every meal, providing a more unique dining experience.
Some of the favorite dishes that we tried are their pork cheek, Wagyu salad, and sable fish. Their portions are good for regular eaters, but if you’re a little hungry, we suggest ordering at least two dishes.
We also noticed that some of the food lacked the bold, authentic Thai spices, likely due to the menu being carefully curated. Still, you can find classic favorites here, such as tom yum and pad thai.
Our favorite part about this Asian restaurant is that you can purchase their cookbook. So if you’re curious about the other Thai offerings that you can try at home, then you may consider getting a copy too.
It’s worth noting, though, that they can be very busy, so we really suggest calling them ahead to reserve a table, especially for big groups. It’s also on the pricier side, so maybe save it for a special night out.
Pros
Uses local ingredients
Has a rotating menu
Offers a cookbook for authentic Thai dishes
Cons
Limited food choices
Premium rates
Offers a tasting menu
“My partner and I ordered the tasting menu for $88/PP and we are not Thai experts but the food tasted fantastic. Our server was also excellent and assisted me through a near death situation when I ate the chili pepper in the Tom Yum soup by tossing me some Thai teas. Our only complaint was that the tables by the front door felt the draft so cold wind was blowing on our face whenever the door opened. I would recommend this place for a nice dinner on special occasions.”
“We drove from Seattle to Vancouver just to have dinner at Maenam, and we are so very glad we did. The food was excellent, perhaps the best Thai food I’ve ever had. We had the chef’s menu, which gave us the perfect amount of food, and also the biggest variety of bites. Cocktails were beautiful, well balanced and delicious. Kudos to everyone Maenam! We are so very lucky to have you as our neighbors to our north.”
After a very busy week, we would always find ourselves craving authentic Chinese cuisine, and Bao Bei is always ready to satisfy that. What’s great about this Asian restaurant is that it serves authentic Chinese flavors, but with a European twist.
From the outside, you wouldn’t guess what’s on the menu. But once you’re inside, you’ll immediately feel the welcoming vibe, like a modern farmhouse that serves fresh and modern Chinese.
We love being surrounded by parasols on the ceiling, complete with the soft industrial lights that really set a warm tone.
Here, their servings are pretty large, so you’ll end up sharing a meal with someone. With that, make sure to check your orders so you won’t end up having too much takeout food (unless you want to!).
Some of our top favorites here were their crispy tofu, crushed cucumbers, Sichuan pepper chicken, and, of course, you’ll never go wrong with their dumplings.
For spicy lovers out there, we also suggest that you try their garlic mala oil over your favorite Chinese dishes. They also serve good cocktails and wine, which pair perfectly with every dish.
And if there’s one downside, though, it’s that the place can feel a bit pricey.
Pros
Authentic Chinese food
Warm ambiance
Generous serving
Also serves cocktails and wine
Cons
A bit pricey
Authentic Chinese flavors with European influence
“A unique take on Chinese cuisine that blends authentic flavors with European influences. The dishes were bold and distinctive. Service was average, but the creative food made it worth a visit.”
“Everything, from the unique and delicious food to the excellent service, made for a delightful evening in Vancouver for my 82-year-old parents, middle-aged me, and teenage son. Thank you so much for the loveliest meal we had the whole week!”
What are the Asian cuisines available around Vancouver?
In Vancouver, you can find a variety of Asian cuisines, including Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and even fusion options.
Should I reserve a table before visiting these Asian restaurants?
Most of these Asian restaurants don’t require reservations. However, they may be busy on weekends, so we highly recommend calling ahead to reserve a spot.
Do these Asian restaurants offer dietary restrictions?
Not all Asian restaurants offer gluten-free options or accommodate dietary restrictions. We highly recommend calling them ahead to confirm.
Are tasting menus also offered in Asian restaurants?
Yes, some Asian restaurants in Vancouver offer tasting menus, especially some upscale Japanese fusion and Chinese fusion restaurants.
Kelly Rainier
