15 Spots for Asian Restaurants Month in Greater Houston

Savor the rich flavors of Curry Laksa at Malaysian hot spot, Phat Eatery | Courtesy of Phat Eatery

Celebrate Asian Restaurants Month with your stomach at 15 of our picks for globally-inspired Asian Restaurants in Greater Houston.

This May marks a national celebration with Asian American & Pacific Islander Month, offering a chance to recognize vital members of our local communities and share in their cultures and cuisines.

It also ushers in Asian Restaurants Month, and we’ve scoured the Greater Houston area to offer you 15 spots that will take you around the world right from the plate in front of you.

15 Spots for Asian Restaurants Month in Greater Houston

Phat Eatery in Katy Asian Town | Malaysian

The Sizzling Beef Black Pepper dish at Phat Eatery | Courtesy of Phat Eatery

Founder and Chef Alex Au-Yeung was recently named a 2022 James Beard Awards Semifinalist—and for several good reasons that you can taste at the Malaysian eatery in Katy.

Stop by for scratch-made Malaysian street foods and interpretations on regional Southeast Asian specialties, including the award-winning beef rendang, curry laksa, house dim sum, sizzling tofu and more menu offerings at one of the city’s consistently must-eat restaurants.

Tobiuo Sushi & Bar in Cinco Ranch | Japanese Sushi

A lineup of sushi offerings available at Tobiuo Sushi & Bar | Courtesy of Tobiuo

The Katy sushi restaurant has been helmed by owner Sherman Yeung since 2019, and is known for their stunning presentation of fresh sushi, Japanese small plates and craft cocktails.

Take a tour of Tobiuo’s signature dishes with the nine-course omakase tasting menu, which delivers a collection of chef-chosen items from the sushi and dessert offerings with optional wine pairings.

Be More Pacific in the Heights | Filipino

Be More Pacific’s Kamayan dinner spread | Courtesy of Be More Pacific

On Yale Street, this traditional Filipino spot blends the cultures and cuisines of Spain, Malaysia, China, Japan, India and America for an all-out flavor explosion that includes wings, fresh fish platters, Filipino barbecue, fried rice specialties and Filipino noodles.

For a traditional Filipino experience, grab some friends for the Kamayan dinner, which offers a chef’s choice spread on banana leaves, meant to be enjoyed with your hands.

Keep the party going by booking a room at one of the on-site karaoke rooms.

Korea Garden in Spring Branch | Korean BBQ

Courtesy of Korea Garden

On Long Point Road, this longtime Korean restaurant offers traditional a la carte eats for you to grill at your table along with a slate of soul-warming stews and a variety of kimchi.

The family-owned spot is known for their friendly atmosphere, can’t-miss bulgogi and generously sized combos which, if you’d rather focus on eating, they’ll happily cook it for you in the back.

Seaside Poke in EaDo | Hawaiian

A poke bowl stuffed with dozens of fresh ingredients on offer | Courtesy of Seaside Poke

Tai Nguyen of Uchi and Vuthy “Tee” Srey of MF Sushi combined to open this elevated poke offering east of Downtown that offers sustainably caught fish and produce from nearby Texas farms with uncommon toppings like gochujang sauce, fried shallots and puff rice for texture, and truffle to add depth of flavor.

Crawfish Cafe in Heights & Asia Town | Viet-Cajun

Some of the sauced and smothered seafood at Crawfish Cafe | Courtesy of Crawfish Cafe

For nearly a decade, Crawfish Cafe has been serving up signature-spiced Viet-Cajun crawdads and a wide selection of seafood, including Gulf blue crabs, clams, mussels, snow crab legs, lobster, shrimp and more at both of its Houston locations.

Pick your seafood, pick one of their ten flavorful sauces, then feast on finger-licking delights.

Hadramout Restaurant in Westside | Yemeni

Grub on traditional Yemeni fare at Hadramout Restaurant | Courtesy of Hadramout Restaurant

Dine on traditional dishes of Yemen at this South Gessner outpost serving up staple foods like Mandi rice, chicken and lamb marinated in Hanith sauce, and Saltah, a hearty stew with shredded lamb that’s also known as the national dish of Yemen.

Nirmanz Food Boutique in Sugar Land | Indian

The signature Raj Kachori at Nirmanz Food Boutique | Courtesy of Nirmanz Food Boutique

Executive Chef Nirman Shah brings traditional flavors of foods found in the streets of India to this Bollywood-themed spot near Sugar Land Town Square.

Swing by to dine on vibrant dishes, like their renown raj kachori—a spicy chaat bowl stuffed with potato and sprout served with curd, chutney, and sev for a crunchy bite.

Tiger Den in Asia Town | Ramen

Load up on rich, flavorful broths at the popular Tiger Den in Asia Town | Courtesy of Tiger Den

In Dun Huang Plaza, this ramen house is consistently serving up some of Houston’s best bowls of flavorful, creamy broths out of its cozy but stylish digs.

People flock from all over the city to dine on its tonkatsu offerings and yakitori skewers, but the quick service ensures crowded nights don’t mean long wait times.

Mala Sichuan at Multiple Locations | Sichuan

The Chengdu-Style Pot-Roasted Prawns at Mala Sichuan | Courtesy of Mala Sichuan

With locations in Montrose, Sugar Land, Heights, Asia Town, and Katy Asian Town, you’re never too far from the sizzling hot flavors of traditional Sichuan dishes like mala-seasoned crispy chicken, dan dan noodles, cumin-rubbed lamb and a whole slate of other fare that’ll have your mouth—and eyes—watering.

FuFu Restaurant & Cafe in Asia Town | Chinese

Spicy and flavorful mussels on offer from FuFu Restaurant | Courtesy of FuFu Restaurant

FuFu in Dun Huang Plaza is actually two locations on either side of the parking lot; FuFu Café is renown for their soup dumplings and steamed buns, whereas FuFu Restaurant serves up traditional Chinese classics and Cantonese specials.

Either way you go, you can’t go wrong with the massive menu offerings and hearty portions tucked away in cozy Asia Town digs.

Tea Top in Katy Asian Town & Asia Town | Boba

Dig into a deep menu of boba favorites at either Tea Top location in Houston | Courtesy of Tea Top

With outposts in Asia Town and Katy Asian Town, boba fanatics can get their fixes by choosing from a deep menu of hot and cold drinks plus slushes, topped with more than a dozen options like mung bean, tapioca, sweetened pearls, coconut jelly and more.

Sao Lao Thai Cafe in Heights | Thai

Thai Chicken Fried Rice from the food truck-turned-restaurant, Sao Lao Thai Cafe | Courtesy of Sao Lao Thai Cafe

Deep in Independence Heights, this recent addition to the scene features a menu of passed-down Thai and Lao dishes, including spicy papaya salads, beef jerky with sticky rice, rad na, and flavorful bowls of savory boat noodle soup with beef meatballs, and Lao chicken noodle soup.

Sweet Memes in Asia Town | Desserts & Treats

An assortment of goodies on offer at the highly ‘Grammable Sweet Memes in Asia Town | Courtesy of Sweet Memes

Next to other Asia Town staples like Night Market, Ishin Udon and Cantonese offerings from Mein, this desserts shop makes for a great way to cap off a delicious meal with milk teas, tasty coffees, fluffy souffle pancakes in flavors like matcha, strawberry and mango, plus crepes, shibuya toast and more.

Moon Rabbit in Heights | Vietnamese

The Shelbi Nicole–splashed dining room of Moon Rabbit | Photo: Justin Jerkins/365 Houston

A relative newcomer, this low-key 19th Street spot offers Vietnamese classics with Southern twists from Chefs Tam Nguyen and Rudy Vasquez.

Early faves include coconut crema–kissed bánh xèo tostada with shrimp and pork belly, miso marinated claypot fish, and the beloved shaken beef with filet mignon that’s been sauteed with onion, garlic and jalapenos.

Pair up your meal with an offering from their robust cocktail and wine menus.

Want to dig deeper for Houston’s best Asian restaurants in May? Check out the Asian Restaurant Month guide.

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Justin Jerkins
A longtime Houstonian, Justin Jerkins always keeps an eye out for what's ahead on Houston's horizon while serving as Editor-in-Chief of 365 Things to Do in Houston. When he's not passing along the latest events, destinations and hidden treasures in H-Town, he loves diving into the city's food scene, shopping local and learning about Houston's rich history.