Restaurants in Asia
-
Fū
This friendly, low-key, family-run coffeeshop makes a different simple lunch daily and serves it until supplies run out. Phone (in Japanese) or email to enquire or reserve, and do not flake (bad karma). Or just enjoy coffee and cake. There's occasional live music.
reviewed
-
A
French Bakery
With its wood-panelled design, laid-back atmosphere, good coffee (Y15) and Western dishes (mains from Y30), this is an unusual find in Chángchūn. Try the huge, filling breakfast omelettes (from Y25) to start your day.
reviewed
-
B
Foo Yau Yuan
An unpretentious vegetarian restaurant recommended by readers. It's hidden in the Xìngfǔ Xīncūn (幸福新村) residential quarter.
reviewed
-
Food Streets
A little over 1km south of the main train station is Dàguān Gardens, a popular area with modern eateries marked by a large archway. The alley next to it, Wei Er Lu (纬二路), is a messy strip of food carts offering up fried noodles, skewers of grilled meats and seafood, lamb soup and pancakes. Y2 for a beer? Who's complaining?
For lamb kebabs and fresh noodles, head to smoky Yinhuchi Jie (饮虎池街) in the Muslim Hui minority district east of the mosque. Hawkers toss loads of satay-style skewers on charcoal grills which run for metres along the street.
In the east of town, along the main shopping strip of Quancheng Lu, is Furong Jie (芙蓉街), a pedestrian street…
reviewed
-
Food Street
Lively enclosed two-storey emporium of restaurants and outfits flogging noodles, dumplings, tea, seafood plus a panoply of stalls selling dates from Iraq, giant lollipops, squid balls, stinky tofu, ginger sweets, cream puffs and xìng- rénchá (杏仁茶) – a tasty, warm and super-sweet glutinous paste – ice cream, speciality meats and Tiānjīn delicacies. Food Street is located around 600m west of Beian Bridge.
reviewed
-
Food Republic
Perfect for on-the-spot dining, this huge food court has point-and-serve Chinese and other Asian dining options packed under one roof. Purchase a card at the kiosk at the entrance, load up with credits (Y30 to Y500; Y10 deposit) and browse among the canteen-style outlets for whatever grabs your fancy, from Old Běijīng to Hong Kong, Taiwan and beyond.
reviewed
-
C
Food Republic
King of the food courts, Food Republic offers Asian cuisines in abundance for busy diners, with handy branches around town – this one overlooks the nonstop action on People's Sq. Prepay, grab a card (Y10 deposit) and head to the stall of your choice for on-the-spot service.
reviewed
-
Food Hall, World Trade Centre
Head up to the 5th floor for this brash, bright and lively food hall crammed with Asian flavours from Hong Kong to Korea and beyond, and sit down with a clay pot (Y15), lamb kebabs (Y2.50) or whatever takes your fancy. Pay with charge cards (Y10 to Y200), available at the kiosk. You can return cards when you leave. Located next to the long-distance bus station.
reviewed
-
Food Centre
An unceremonious gathering of hot tin food stalls, Food Centre – as it's come to be known – lures lunching locals with veritable smoke signals rising up from the concrete parking lot abutting Mae Hat's petrol station. You'll find some of the island's best papaya salad here.
reviewed
-
Folk Jar Restaurant
You'll expect prices to be much higher when you see the classy grey brick interior of this excellent Hunan restaurant. But the fiery dishes are quite reasonably priced and there's even a picture menu to help you choose. The restaurant is just west of Yu Sha Lu on busy Jinlong Lu, a hub of sorts for ethnic restaurants in Hǎikǒu.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
D
Fish Man
Fish Man's decor is all post-industrial minimalism with lacquered plywood and big windows, the better to show off the deft, unconventional presentations of seafood fresh from the Nagahama market across town: kaidan-zushi (sushi served on a wooden spiral staircase), tsubotai no misoyaki (miso-grilled snapper) or a maguro hamburger served on a steel plate.
Afterwards, stop for dessert at Fish Man's adorable affiliated cake shop Henry & Cowell, just down the street.
reviewed
-
E
First Noodle Under the Sun
The speciality at this busy place is biáng biáng miàn, a giant, 3.8m strip of noodle that comes folded up in a big bowl with two soup side dishes (Y10). But all sorts of excellent noodle, meat and vegie dishes are available here.
reviewed
-
F
First Choice
The closest thing Khon Kaen has to a backpacker hostel, First Choice serves the standard guest-house menu of local and fa·ràng dishes, the only difference is that the Thai food isn't bad. The no-frills rooms upstairs (150B to 200B) are cheap for good reason.
reviewed
-
Fern Forest Cafe
Indeed it is set among ferns, and plenty of other greenery too. Add to that the quiet soi location, the sound of running water, cushioned seating and yummy desserts, and you're onto a winner. Delectable Western-style desserts (try the carrot cake) or sandwiches are available, and you can also loll about in the beautiful garden setting over a fruit drink or coffee. The cool of the garden makes it the perfect place to wait out the heat of the afternoons too. From the top of Th Singharat in the old city, head south and before you reach Th Ratwithi you will see this place signposted down a soi on your left.
reviewed
-
G
Falafel Garden
About midway along the Konishi shopping arcade, this felafel specialist is a great place for vegetarians and anyone in need of a break from noodles and rice.
reviewed
-
Everest Cafe
Popular spot for breakfast (Y20), lunch or a late-night beer; attached to the Overseas Tibetan Hotel.
reviewed
-
H
Evening Food Vendors
During the dry months these vendors sell sticky rice, green papaya salad, grilled chicken, dried squid and other fun foods for people to eat while sitting on mats along the riverbank in front of Chiang Saen Guest House – a very pleasant way to spend an evening. Local specialities include fish or chicken barbecued inside thick joints of bamboo, eaten with sticky rice and sôm·đam (green papaya salad).
reviewed
-
I
Escada
Occupying a former town house, Escada has a few balcony tables that make for a romantic dinner. The signature African chicken (MOP$128) is excellent, but steer clear of the steaks. Book ahead.
reviewed
-
J
Emma's Kitchen
Sōngpān's main travellers' hang-out is this laid-back cafe that serves fresh coffee, pizza and other Western fare, along with some Chinese dishes. Emma is exceedingly helpful and can sort out almost anything from laundry to travel information. Also has internet (per hour Y6) and CD burning (per disk Y15).
A couple of doors along, Song in the Mountain, run by the helpful Sarah Yang, has a similar menu (minus the fresh coffee) with similar prices.
reviewed
-
K
Eifuku Shokudō
This hole in the wall is plastered with write-ups from old editions of Lonely Planet. It's also a shrine to 1950s actor Akagi 'Tony' Kei-ichirō. Tony Soba, as it's known, is one of the cheapest places on the island for yaeyama-soba (thin noodles in broth; ¥300), though we recommend the stinky (but tasty) yagi-soba (goat soba; ¥500).
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Dr Frogs
Perched atop a rocky overlook, Dr Frogs combines incredible ocean vistas with delicious international flavours (namely Italian and Thai favourites). Delectable steaks and crab cakes, and friendly owners, put this spot near the top of our dining list.
reviewed
-
L
Dream Café
A meal at Dream Café is like dining in a museum or an antique shop. Eclectic but tasteful furnishings and knick-knackery abound, staff are equal parts competent and friendly, and most importantly of all, the food is good. The helpful menu lays down the basics of Thai food, explaining what to order and how to eat it. Try one of the well-executed yam (Thai-style 'salads'), or one of the dishes that feature freshwater fish, a local speciality.
reviewed
-
Downtown Cafe
A local landmark that sits aside the main traffic light in downtown Hirafu, this New York City–inspired cafe has the obligatory cup of joe and toasted bagel with a smear of cream cheese. Sweet tooths can find comfort in all manners of danishes and pastries, not to mention pizza, sandwiches and tap beer for the lunch and dinner crowds.
reviewed
-
M
Doutor
- Nara, Japan
- Restaurants › Cafe
If you just need a quick cuppa or an eat-in or takeaway sandwich, there is a branch of the coffee shop chain in the Konishi Arcade (a five-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara).
reviewed
-
Dō-rai
In the centre of Sonai is this delightful little Okinawan izakaya that serves local specialities like ishigakigyū-sutēki (Ishigaki-style steak; ¥1300) and rafutē (gingered, stewed pork; ¥700). It's about 100m southeast of the post office in Sonai. Look for the blue and white sign on the brick wall.
reviewed