9 Asian Restaurants In Asheville For Best Noodles, Curries, Dumplings, & More
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Who makes delicious Indian street snacks, Pad Thai, Pho, Ube Suman, and sushi? For the best Asian food in Asheville, NC, we love China Wok, Master BBQ, Wild Ginger, Red Ginger Dimsum & Tapas, and Neng Jr.’s.
Lovingly nicknamed “Foodtopia,” it’s no secret that the Asheville restaurants are incredible. Locals since 2019 and casual foodies, Tom and I eat out frequently in Western North Carolina. For Asian cuisine, I crave soup dumplings, Pad See Ew, ramen, Pork Lo Mein, sushi rolls with mango, and fried okra. These are the spots we visit with reviews, and what we order.
9 Best Asian Restaurants In Asheville We Frequent
While there are endless places to find Asian food in Asheville, start here and see why.
Wild Ginger Noodle Bar – Fight Those Pho Cravings
Wild Ginger Noodle Bar is one of the best Asian restaurants in Asheville – and one of the first we ever ate at, even before living here. In that time, this once-hidden gem has exploded into the number one place to go for noodles and Pho in Asheville. I especially enjoy their meatball or brisket Pho.
However, you cannot go wrong with Wild Ginger’s spring rolls, vermicelli, or pork chops with rice (Tom’s favorite). Find anything from wings and salmon to beef satay, Bánh Mì, calamari, and egg rolls. Expect huge portions, and order a boba tea. We appreciate that they label their menu for allergens, vegan, and gluten-free diners.
Wild Ginger Noodle Bar | 1950 Hendersonville Rd. Suite 12, Asheville NC 28803
Red Ginger Dimsum and Tapas – When You Need Dumplings
A delicious Downtown Asheville restaurant, if Chinese dim sum and Asian tapas are your jam, Red Ginger won’t disappoint. This is my go-to if I am craving pork or shrimp with chive dumplings – with the only rivals being Asheville Mall’s Mr. Tea and Shanghai Dumpling House.
Everything at Red Ginger is delicious: sushi rolls, fried rice, soups, Shu Mai, marinated meats, and any noodle, rice, and seafood dishes. I like to order their chicken lettuce wraps, pork short ribs, and Gua Bao.
I recommend ordering 2 to 3 dishes to share with two people. We also enjoy Red Ginger takeout/delivery. Just know they won’t seat you until your full party arrives.
Red Ginger Dim Sum & Tapas | 82 Patton Ave Suite 100, Asheville, NC 28801
Neng Jr.’s – For All Other Food, Ever, To Taste Just OK (Filipinx!)
For unforgettable Asian food in West Asheville, Neng Jr.’s has made quite the splash as a James Beard finalist. I want to cry tears of joy every time I eat here. Enter through the back alley for delectable Filipinx cuisine with a Southern twist. Staff will explain the menu with seasonal sharables and larger entrees.
So far, I’ve most coveted their salty oysters with quail eggs, duck with gravy, fish in coconut sauce, and veggies covered in peanut butter sauce. Our dairy-eating friends loved their unique cheesy ice cream.
Their wine list is pretty cool, and the cocktails are wickedly on brand. For date night Asheville restaurants, this is a terrific, cozy option.
Neng Jr.’s | 701 Haywood Rd Ste 102, Asheville, NC 28806
Mizu Noodle & Asian Cuisine – For A Taste Of Everything
I enjoy Mizo for dine-in and takeout/delivery, especially for casual Asian restaurants in Asheville serving a little of everything done exceptionally well. If you dine in, know that it’s friendly and efficient counter service.
I’ve ordered anything from sushi and dumplings to pho and build-your-own ramen. Tom likes Mizu’s Massaman Curry, and you’ll find fried rice, dinner Hibachi, and rice bowls. Next door, head over to the YZ Asian Market.
Mizu | 22 New Leicester Hwy Suite D, Asheville, NC 28806
Master BBQ Food Truck – A Lumpia, Ube Suman, & Skewer Must
Asheville is known for its great food truck scene, and Master BBQ is one of my favorites. Talk about delicious and authentic Filipino comfort food. Originally located at Zillicoah, Helene devastated both my favorite brewery and food truck.
Master BBQ is back, usually at RAD Brewing Company and Highland Brewing (follow them on social media), serving delicious lumpia, meat and tofu skewers with rice, and what I live for: the ube suman dessert. Tell them hi for me!
Master BBQ | Rotating food truck
Chai Pani & Botiwalla By Chai Pani – Award-Winning Indian Cuisine You Won’t Soon Forget
Chai Pani makes the most famous Indian food in Asheville with loads of James Beard Award recognition for both Chef Meherwan Irani and the restaurant itself. Their newer Banks Ave. space is gorgeously and unforgettably decorated, serving up some of my favorite Indian street snacks.
I crave Chai Pani’s okra fries (refer to the terrible lighting photo of me eating them before even getting home at Botiwalla – West AVL), Bhel Puri, and Corn Bhel. I’m hoping they bring the Chicken Pakoras back. Plus, imagine drinking a cardamon Old Fashioned and lavender iced tea with a splash of gin.
I had to mention Botiwalla, with spaces inspired by Irani cafes (tea and kabab houses). Masala smashed potatoes, rice bowls, and, um, gin slushies… Both West and Downtown Asheville’s Botiwalla make for great to-go spots.
Chai Pani | 32 Banks Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 & Botiwalla | 697 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806 and 22 Battery Park Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801
China Wok – For Your Basic B* Chinese Food Takeout
Nothing beats takeout Chinese food. I love China Wok, a North Asheville restaurant, especially for its Pork Lo Mein. Select from items like fried rice, boneless spare ribs, egg rolls, chicken wings, Chop Suey, Mei Fun, and beef or seafood with rice. Notably, China Wok has a “health food” section, which Tom orders from for a protein with rice and no sauce. We order delivery on DoorDash.
On the southern side of town, Pacific Pagoda also makes my favorite Pork Lo Mein, and their sushi rolls are huge.
China Wok | 707 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804
Thai Pearl – When You Need To Warm Up On A Chilly Day With Thai Food
It is hard to pick just one or two of the many great Thai food restaurants in Asheville. We appreciate West Asheville’s Thai Pearl for its stylish decor and plentiful portions. The service and food are an exceptional experience.
Select from curries, rice, stir-fry dishes, soups, and Thai salads. Be sure to order the Thai onion rings, a green papaya salad, and noodles (Pad Thai for Tom and Pad See Ew for me). Their ginger soup is perfect on a chilly day. Plus, did you know that Chef May trained and cooked for The Royal Palace in Bangkok, Thailand?
One of my other favorites for the best Asian food in Asheville, Bee Thai Kitchen, has stellar noodles and great lunch specials.
Thai Pearl | 747 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
Murasaki & Maguro – Fight That Sushi Craving With The Best
Just like Thai food restaurants, there are multiple sushi restaurants in Asheville that we crave. Along with Zen Sushi – our neighborhood go-to with great tempura Bento boxes and sashimi – Murasaki is a local favorite for South Asheville residents.
They also own Downtown Asheville’s newer Maguro with similar menus boasting anything from fresh and delicious sushi to endless Asian tapas, and my favorite, Black Garlic Ramen. Tom’s go-to is any salmon sushi lunch special with a side of spicy mayo. Both Asheville Asian restaurants are large, atmospheric spaces with plentiful booth, bar, and table seating.
Murasaki | 200 Julian Ln Unit 210, Arden, NC 28704 & Maguro | 14 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
More Of The Best Asian Food In Asheville
Along with our list above, enjoy even more great Asian restaurants in Asheville:
- Shanghai Dumpling House
- Mehfil
- Siam Thai
- Mela
- Pad Thai Asheville
- Bee Thai Kitchen
- Zen Sushi
- Heiwa Shokudo
- Green Tea Japanese Restaurant
- Stonebowl Korean Restaurant
- The Noodle Shop
- Gan Shan West
- Miyako House
- PhoReal (new as of spring 2025)
Our Top 5 Asheville Asian Restaurants Recap
If you are looking to start with just a few Asian restaurants on this post, we’d go here first:
Happy eating, and be sure to let us know your favorites in the comments.
Pacific Pagoda , So. Asheville , Hendersonville Rd. Delicious Pacific Rim delicacies. Fresh Sushi & Sashimi.
Andy , Amy and Lisa never cease to satify.
Onee of my favorites, Spicey Singapore Pasta , delicious.
Thanks so much for the suggestion, Gary! We will have to go ASAP to check it out. We appreciate it!