Khmer Kitchen in South Philly is a great pick for those looking to sample some Cambodian fare. When you see it, you may not realize it's a restaurant, it seats just a small number. Yet if you're one of those few lucky ones, you're in for a meal you'll savor for days to come. The eatery features reasonably priced Cambodian fare, and it is family run. They serve amply-sized dishes, including a much-lauded chicken curry stew and a traditional pickled papaya salad. This Kitchen is BYOB, just another reason you'll want to stay a while as your taste buds tour Cambodia.
Recommended for Asian because: Cambodian food in Philadelphia? This is where you find it, and where they make you never want to forget it.
Sharon's expert tip: This restaurant is cash only, so remember our greenbacks when you come to dine.
South Philadelphia's Vietnamese delicacy, Nam Phuong specializes in delicious food using quality ingredients, combined with exceptional service. The restaurant itself is wide open and feels spacious. There are a variety of menu items to select from, ranging from soups to salads to noodle dishes, rice dishes, pho, stir fry, vegetarian choices and seafood. Order in English or Vietnamese and choose family-style dinners as well for groups ranging in size from 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10. Portions are large, and options are many so that everyone in your group can be easily pleased. You won't go hungry when ordering from this eatery.
Recommended for Asian because: Vietnamese cuisine done well in Philadelphia is a treat and Nam Phuong knows how to do just that.
Sharon's expert tip: Don't forget dessert. The fried bananas with ice cream is a fantastic treat. They also have imported Asian beers that are worth a sip.
Izumi is arguably Philly's premiere restaurant for sushi lovers. An elegant dining room and world-class presentation, makes Izumi a top destination for lovers of fresh seafood and Japanese cuisine. Eater Philadelphia named Izumi one of Philly's 38 essential restaurants, and Chef Corey Baver (previously of Morimoto and Buddakan) and his team work tirelessly to make sure your sushi, maki and sashimi are unforgettable. Located in trendy and up-and-coming Passyunk, this eatery gets crowded on weekends, as sushi-lovers flock here to get their fix. Try a Philly roll, spicy salmon roll, dragon roll or spider roll. They also have non-seafood options if someone in your party isn't a fan, so everyone wins.
Recommended for Asian because: Philadelphia is not really known for its sushi, but if you love this kind of food, come to Izumi.
Sharon's expert tip: Izumi is BYOB, so remember to bring your favorite bottle and enjoy a seat outside.
A redesign and rethinking of the former Pod restaurant, this venue brings all things Korean into one experience. Clean and contemporary with warm earthy tones, KPod offers diners cuisine that's billed as "kinda korean" with other accents brought in by chef Peter Serpico. Indulge in single or sharable menu items such as Korean fried cauliflower, spicy pork mandu, sea urchin hand roll, or pickled pepper ramyun. In addition, a family-style Ssam is available for advance booking that's not to be missed. The pods here (semi private rooms) remain in the restaurant as before, but with a lighting update, and an immense raw bar has been added. With both a nod to the past as well as one to the future, KPod brings both together with delicious results. Currently, the restaurant is only serving dinner, but plans are in the works to add lunch in the near future.
Recommended for Asian because: Not your typical old-school city restaurant, this venue offers something new to awaken your senses.
Sharon's expert tip: Make reservations to enjoy the raw bar for a different dining experience.
Enter into this restaurant's space and feel like you've walked into parts of Korea itself. The design has intentions of transporting you both visually as well as through your palate to this distant destination. Satisfy your appetite here with noodle dishes, rice dishes, chef's plates, appetizers, various sides, hot pots, soups, jim, or Korean bbq selections. The Korean influence delivers an incredible flavor sampling that's sure to entice you to come back. Portions are generous and there are a variety of choices here, including fresh sushi. Set in a casual space, this venue is a wonderful option for Korean and Asian cuisine outside of the typical Center City options. It's also a BYOB.
Recommended for Asian because: A restaurant offering terrific and flavorful Korean options combined with Japanese influences is always a welcome addition to the Philadelphia restaurant scene.
Sharon's expert tip: Be sure to sample the bibimbap, or if that's not your style, then the Korean BBQ is worth sampling.
Morimoto is a wonderful Japanese cuisine experience. The eatery features neon colored booths lit from within, wavy bamboo walls and ceilings, and funky little tables in the lounge that give the place a super stylish, modern atmosphere. You may recognize chef Morimoto from his Iron Chef days, or even from Nobu in NYC. The menu includes a number of entrees, including several dishes from Nobu, but for a truly unique Morimoto experience, you must order the Omakase. Be sure to make weekend reservations well in advance, and expect to make an evening of it � this is a dining experience, after all, and well worth it at that.
Recommended for Asian because: When it comes to great Japanese restaurant experiences, Morimoto is one not to miss.
Sharon's expert tip: Never been here before? Try the tasting menu for a good overview of their offerings.
CNN named Philly's Han Dynasty one of the top 50 Chinese restaurants in America, and a trip to this Old City restaurant will have you nodding your head in agreement. Make sure to order a few extra glasses of water for your table; their dishes range in spiciness, but most land on the hot end of the scale. In fact, many say it the Go-To place for heat in Philadelphia. That's because the owner, Han Chiang, dishes up some seriously scrumptious Sichuan cuisine. The place is open for lunch and dinner and is a treat for lovers of spicy food options.
Recommended for Asian because: This eatery delivers with great Asian food that satisfies, along with a kick of heat.
Sharon's expert tip: Sample the dan-dan noodles, as they are rumored to be fantastic.
Chef Michael Schulson presents contemporary Asian-inspired small plates at Center City's Sampan. Sit back and enjoy a cup of sake in the dramatic dining room or head to Graffiti Bar, decorated by three Philly artists, located in Sampan's back patio for happy hour cocktails and snacks. Sampan is a great pick for vegetarians or those looking to a flavorful gluten-free meal. Diners here won't get a limp meal with boring flavors, either. The place slam dunks with quality choices that pack on flavor and look as delicious as they taste. They also offer house wine, sake and specialty cocktails to round out your experience.
Recommended for Asian because: Sampan chef Michael Schulson specializes in turning dishes on their head and delivering up something truly unique and delicious.
Sharon's expert tip: Order the edamame dumplings for a taste like you've never had before.
This eatery is excellent, but it can easily be missed on first glance. With fresh produce hanging in the front window, you might mistake it for something else, yet inside owners serve up tasty dishes meant to keep you satisfied and coming back for more. Delicious won ton soup as well traditional Chinese specialties, such as crisp duck and golden scallion pancakes are served with a smile. Whether you select chicken, beef, pork, or seafood, you can't go wrong, and staff have been cooking and serving these great dishes for 30 years. Customers know Sang Kee's Peking Duck is the place to go for truly delicious Chinese, and now you know, too.
Recommended for Asian because: True Philadelphians in the area know San Kee, and the fresh meat and produce having in the windows is part of the charm.
Sharon's expert tip: If you've never tried the Peking Duck, put it at the top of your list, as it was voted Best in Philadelphia.
Upon entering Buddakan, diners catch on quickly that this will be an experience, not just a meal. From the Zen-like entrance complete with its wall of flowing waters to the Buddha statue that begs you rub his belly on the way out, the place is a visual treat. Duck and shiitake postickers, lobster fried rice, sesame crusted tuna, make for a memorable meal. After your meal, try the chocolate Bento box for two, a sampler of five unique little desserts. The bar gets packed and stays packed, but don't let the noise deter your mission to enjoy a wonderful meal. Advance reservations are recommended, especially for weekends.
Recommended for Asian because: Eating at Buddakan is a celebration. The food, the decor, the lighting all add up to so much more than just an entree!
Sharon's expert tip: Dim sum donuts for dessert? Yes. please!