AsiaTown Favorites
Our friend, Jenika Gonzales (@Jenikaeatsmeat + @jenikagonzales), coming at you with an AMAZING guide to AsiaTown’s best. Read on to learn where your next visit should start.
Li Wah – Asia Plaza, 2999 Payne Ave. Suite 102
Li Wah is my kind of Brunch. Simple, Point, then eat. Come hungry and prepare to try new things. From 10 am-3 pm, you can enjoy a variety of small bites of delicious goods in dim sum carts pushed around the restaurants by the nicest ladies. I especially love coming to Li Wah with a group of family/friends on a Sunday morning and ordering pretty much everything that we see. My personal favorites are the bean curd rolls (tofu skin), spareribs, pork shumai, crispy fried shrimp balls, and chicken feet! You can also order anything from the kitchen like a fresh batch of steamed xiao long bao or roasted crispy duck to enjoy with the group. The perfect ambiance paired with a delicious assortment of food!
Ball Ball Waffle – 2999 Payne Ave. Suite 126
Once you have stuffed your belly with delicious dim sum, prepare to enjoy a tasty treat! Just next-door Li Wah, you'll find Ball Ball Waffle. A Hong Kongese street food is offering Bubble
Waffles in fun and different concoctions. From sweet to savory, they have one for everybody. My personal favorite is the Matcha Red Bean and the cheese waffles! But don't stop on the waffles, they also have milk tea, coffee and make sure to check out their freshly made egg tarts, make sure to order ahead of time as it takes 15-20 minutes to cook. They are one of the best I've had in Cleveland!
Park To Shop – 1580 East 30th St.
In the same building as Li Wah and Ball Ball Waffle, is one of my go-to groceries. Park to Shop offers a variety of Asian staples from frozen dumplings, all the instant ramen, condiments, produce, fresh seafood, to cookware. They have anything and everything you need to stock up on your pantry!
Galaxy Karaoke – 1593 East 30th St.
Just across the parking lot from Park to Shop is Galaxy KTV! One of the first, if not only KTV, I know of in Cleveland. It's a fun way to spend an evening with friends and family by singing your heart out! They have a lounge area by the bar or a private reserved area.
Superior Pho – 3030 Superior Ave #105
If you don't already know, now you know. Best Pho in Cleveland.
But if you feel like enjoying other favorites on the menu, I always love their banh mi and rice dishes. My personal favorite is their grilled marinated pork and shredded pork with rice!
Ha Ahn Korean – 3030 Superior Ave.
Just down the hall from Superior Pho is Ha Ahn. It's a charming little restaurant that offers delicious Korean food and sushi. I particularly enjoy their lunch specials. My go-to is usually
their soft tofu soup, available with your choice of seafood, pork, or vegetarian. They also have one of the best Doenjang Jjigae (Korean soybean paste stew)
LJ Shanghai – 3142 Superior Ave.
LJ is a Shanghainese restaurant that specializes in Xiao Long Bao – their menu is small and perfect. Besides the soup dumplings, I love their spicy beef noodle soup, cucumber with garlic,
pig ear salad, and smoked fish. You can't go wrong with whatever you get here - great food and the best staff!
Wonton Gourmet – 311 Payne Ave.
If you are craving an authentic Chinese food experience, Wonton Gourmet, is it. Generous servings and offers a wide variety of options! I especially love their Wonton Noodle Soups and Fried pork chops!
Szechuan Gourmet – 1735 East 36th Street
If you are looking for more of the comfort Chinese food, Szechuan Gourmet is your spot. Make sure to try their dry pot menu. It's all the Chinese flavors and ingredients that you usually find in
a hot pot, buts it's cooked dry with spices than with broth: generous servings and excellent food to share with a group. I love their Mapo Tofu and green beans!
KOKO Bakery – 3710 Payne Ave.
My go-to for milk teas, fresh pastries, and bread! I always come for their Pork Floss buns, but did you know that they also have a lunch menu? They have delicious rice bowls with Teriyaki
and Katsu!
Map of Thailand – 3710 Payne Ave.
In the same plaza as Koko - Map of Thailand is one of my top Thai go-to places. I love their roti pancakes and drunken noodles!
Dagu Rice Noodle – 3710 Payne Ave.
Dagu is a famous restaurant chain known for its noodles and hearty noodle soups, next door to KoKo Bakery, and Map of Thailand. It is essentially a hot pot-style concept without the table
burners. Their broths are excellent and delicious! You have an option from ordering from Section A or B – A would be a composed bowl of the soup. At the same time, B (Crossing the Bridge) offers a unique experience where your soup is deconstructed and separated in containers. Don't miss out on the free noodle refill that you can enjoy for your leftovers to take home.
My favorite is the A4 – Rice Noodle Soup with Braised Bone-In Beef and their Signature Noodle Soup with Braised Bone-in pork is also a must-try. Make sure also to try their Tea drinks, I
sometimes even go out of my way to grab a Taro Milk whenever I can. A great addition to AsiaTown!
Rising Grill Korean BBQ – 3709 Payne Ave.
Rising Grill used to be Seoul Hot Pot is one of my favorite Korean BBQ restaurants. It's a Mom and Pop shop that offers an authentic Korean eating experience paired with K Pop in the background. I usually prefer coming on a weekday as their weekend waits can be very long. A classic Korean BBQ experience with fresh banchan offerings!
Korea House – 3700 Superior Ave.
I am obsessed with Korean BBQ – So it's hard to pick a favorite. But Korea House offers a more extensive menu compared to Rising Grill – They also have affordable lunch options during the day. Korea House is the spot to expand your Korean food palette. Explore all the other delicious entrees they have like their Black Sausage, Bibim Nangmyun, and Tangsuyuk are just some of my favorites apart from the BBQ meat options.
Pho Lee's – 1531 East 38th Street
Coming to a close second for me from Superior Pho is a new Pho spot on Superior, located in the Asia Plaza. Their broth is so delicious that I catch myself even holding back on adding hoisin or anything else in it. The owner is very friendly, and the service is super-fast! Their Bun Bo Hue is probably one of the best I've had in Cleveland.
Asia Food Company - 1579 East 38th Street
Asia Food Co. is one of the OG groceries in AsiaTown - but besides their vast array of goods - they also have an eatery in the back with fresh bread and pastries. Make sure to order the
Hong Kong Roast Pork and Hong Kong BBQ pork: aka Char siu. They serve their rice dishes with rice and a pickled vegetable side. It is probably one of the tastiest and cheapest meals you'll have in the area.
Kim's Oriental Food – 3700 Superior Avenue
Last but definitely not least, Kim's is a Korean grocery store that will cater to all your Korean food staples. I come here specifically to grab my Korean favorites like jars of Kimchi, Perilla leaves, and pre-made banchan in the coolers. They also have a wide array of snacks, condiments, and all the soju! The owners are one of the kindest people who also own a Korean Restaurant in Parma called Seoul Garden, Probably my favorite Korean Restaurant.
