Moving to Dublin, I found that the foods I missed most were Asian and Mexican cuisines. So over the years, I’ve tried various restaurants and dishes, only to settle for mediocre (just being brutally honest here). But sometimes all you need is a taste of what you’re craving. And so I remained satiated, relying on my cravings to truly be satisfied when I returned home to California. However, I never gave up my search; I knew Dublin had to offer more. Some of you may think, “Well, that’s your opinion Rachel, but I’ve found loads of great tasting Asian in Dublin”. First, takeaways don’t count (and neither does Mao, sorry). Second, yes this is technically my opinion…but, I’d say I have the experience and taste to be a proper judge of this. I am half Chinese after all, and grew up eating all sorts of weird yet delicious Asian foods. On top of that, I’ve travelled to Japan, China & Thailand and have spent a decent amount of time in each country. Now, this certainly doesn’t make me an expert, but I felt the need to justify my reasoning and choices. Anyways, nearly four years later and the list has been established, just in time for the Lunar New Year 🙂

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In no particular order, here are my favorite Asian restaurants in Dublin, along with some of my favorite dishes. They serve the most authentic Asian around the city and what’s even better is that they don’t break the bank!

Takara – Best Sushi

Located by the Jervis luas stop (red line), this Japanese restaurant hides in the shadows off of busy O’Connell Street. Although this sushi spot is smaller than most, the service is still fast and if you must, waiting for a table is definitely worth it! Their menu gives you the option of picking individual sashimi pieces, sushi rolls, bento boxes, and even chef’s specials. The rolls and flavors are kept closely to the traditional Japanese standard. The fish they use is so fresh, you can taste the difference. What makes Takara even better is that you can enjoy a lot of sushi and leave full for only fifteen quid!

Ramen Bar – Best Ramen

This fun spot is hidden below the Kokoro Sushi restaurant on South William Street (same ownership). It’s quite small, which is perfect for couples or groups up to four. The atmosphere is dark, intimate and modernly styled to reflect actual ramen bars you’d find in Japan. They even serve their plates using traditional Japanese dishware and drinkware! Though this place is not necessarily cheap, it’s truly worth it. Their ramen is packed full of flavor and stays true to Japanese recipe.

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Ka Shing – Best Dim Sum

The owners are Cantonese, so what more can I say? But really, this place has legit dim sum. From the outside of this Wicklow Street restaurant, it may not look like much, with photos of their dishes and Chinese characters in the windows. But this is the classic style of any Chinese restaurant found in a big city Chinatown. As you walk inside, you find a large space with tables for small and large groups. Their menu is extensive with a variety of true Chinese dishes. Though it is a perfect spot for lunch and dinner, you can’t dine here without trying the dim sum. It is by far the best and most affordable in all of Dublin! My only critique of Ka Shing is that they aren’t open before noon because I get so hungry by then 😛

Xi’an Street Food – Best Chinese Street Food

A gem on a Anne street off of Dawson that is becoming increasingly popular. It started as a food truck and its expansion as a restaurant into more than one city only makes sense. This is pretty legit Xi’an style street food, if I do say so myself. Though their Roujiamo (a Chinese style ‘burger’) wouldn’t be as authentic as I prefer, it is still absolutely mouth-watering. Their hand pulled and glass noodles are what their known for, all of which are absolutely delicious! They flavor the broth so perfectly and you can taste the homemade texture of the noodles. The soups and dumplings here are also pretty dang good. A more Irish addition to their menu (that is not authentically Chinese), is their “spicy chips” – mimicking a spice bag, they have amazing flavor and are cooked to the perfect crispiness. Plus, the portion sizes here is plenty and may even be enough for two!

Duck – Best Hong Kong Style

Nestled on Fade Street next to the Market Bar, this charming little place offers a small yet solid menu. As the name suggests, this ‘deli’ cooks the most mouth-watering duck, but also serves other incredible Hong Kong-style roasted meats. They use a bullet oven to roast their meat, which give the meat a distinct succulent flavor. You can order the meat on its own & take it home, or eat there & enjoy with their signature noodles or fried rice plates. Whatever you order at Duck, I guarantee that you’ll bound to experience flavors unlike anything you’ve tasted before!

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Lee’s Charming Noodle – Best Chinese

The quiet and comfortable environment of this restaurant is an ideal place for friends, business meetings and even parties. It is a northside find, off of Parnell Street. It’s interior reminds me of a nicer Chinese restaurant you would find in San Francisco. The food is all made to order and you can tell the ingredients they cook their food with are from the best sources, and even handmade! They serve traditional Mandarin, Cantonese, and Shanghai style dishes, amongst some others. The food is served classically as family style, so order any dish which sticks out to you and share with the table! The prices at Lee’s can’t be beat, either.

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Koh – Best Thai

This restaurant located on the northside of the Liffey has a very hidden door. But, upon walking into the entrance you will be pleasantly surprised. It is very classy and though pricier than most of the asian restaurants I’ve listed, the cost is totally worth it. This thai is by far the most authentic and delicious compared to what I’ve actually eaten in Thailand. Dishes are a decent portion. Plus, they have a lovely wine and cocktail selection. So if you’re looking to celebrate an occasion, or even craving some thai food, Koh is the place to go!

Honorable Mentions:

These restaurants are definitely on the list of my favorite Asian restaurants in Dublin. However, when it comes to a list which is focused on authenticity, these would have to be considered more westernized or on the pricier side. Still, these are not to be looked over and deserve to be added to this list.

Siam Thai in Dundrum, and Saba on Clarendon Street (also have delivery restaurants, Saba-To-Go) offer delicious Asian fusion and even some incredible cocktails.

I also have to recommend Lucky Tortoise Co. off of Camden Street for delicious handmade fresh dumplings. (I’ve only had one of their dishes at EatYard, but will be going there this weekend so I’ll be sure to update y’all then 😉)

Looking for cheap all-you-can-eat asian food? Check out Globe in Dundrum. They have a great asian buffet which offers dim sum, sushi, curries, stir fry dishes, etc. Plus they offer student discounts. Though this restaurant may not necessarily offer the most authentic Asian food, the meal will beat any asian takeaway. It’s definitely one of my go-tos when I’m hangry and craving Asian!

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If you’re looking for great asian ingredients, two of the best Asian markets are by the Jervis Luas & in Chinatown area (Parnell Street) of Dublin. These markets have nearly everything from bao and roti, to exotic Asian vegetables and snacks. Not to mention the ingredients tend to be cheaper than those you find in the chain supermarkets like Tesco and Aldi (ie. a large block of tofu for under five quid!). So definitely check out those spots if you’re looking to cook your own asian inspired meals!

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Although I’m still on the hunt for the best authentic Mexican food in Dublin, I’m glad I’ve found these epic Asian restaurants. They truly are the most authentic asian cuisines you can get across Dublin. I promise that every one of these meals will take you on a journey that ignites flavors unlike anything your taste buds have experienced before!

Gung Hay Fat Choy! (Happy Chinese New Year!)