Rebecca DavisCraving a steaming bowl of hand-drawn noodles or crispy dumplings that melt in your mouth?
If you’re looking for the best Asian restaurants in Philadelphia, it can feel like a delicious treasure hunt, given the city’s vibrant and diverse culinary scene. Tracking down regional dishes or hunting for crowd-pleasing takeout is easier here!
The sheer variety of flavors is astonishing, ranging from upscale fusion spots in Center City to cozy hidden gems tucked away in local plazas.
I reviewed the best spots below so you’re ready for your next flavorful food trip!
How much does dining in an Asian restaurant cost in Philadelphia?
Dining at a typical Asian restaurant in Philadelphia costs between $15 and $60 per person, depending heavily on whether you choose a budget-friendly takeout joint or a premium dining experience.
| Dining Style | Average Cost Per Person |
| Casual & Takeout | $10 – $20 |
| Fast Casual & Noodle Bars | $15 – $35 |
| Upscale & Fine Dining | $40 – $80+ |
1. Sampan
Website: sampanphilly.com
Address: 124 S 13th St
Contact: 215-732-3501
Hours: Monday to Tuesday, Sunday 4:00PM–10:00PM | Wednesday to Thursday 4:00PM–11:00PM | Friday to Saturday 4:00PM–12:00AM
Finding a vibrant spot right in the heart of a trendy neighborhood makes dining out so much more exciting. Sampan perfectly captures that bustling energy, offering diners an open kitchen view where you can actually watch your meal being meticulously prepped.
The energetic atmosphere is contagious, especially if you grab a seat during their highly acclaimed daily happy hour block that locals absolutely rave about.
I recently squeezed into their tucked-away Graffiti Bar patio out back, and the fully enclosed, heated space felt like an exclusive escape from the busy streets.
While the late-night bar access is a huge plus, organizing a dinner for a larger family requires navigating an extra booking form instead of a simple online reservation.
Also, reaching their phone support early in the day can be hit or miss, depending on what you need, making quick modifications a bit frustrating.
Customer Reviews
Consistently Great Asian Fusion Meal
I’ve come here many times over the years, either solo or with a group. It’s consistently a great meal and easily my favorite Asian fusion restaurant in Philadelphia. No matter how busy they seem to get, the service is always kind and helpful, with delicious food and cocktails too. Highly recommended, and the ice cream sushi is an absolute must-try. I hope Sampan remains in for a long, long time.
- Jim Horan | Google Reviews
THE PLACE for a nightcap in Philly <3
Perfect Dim-Lit Spot for a Nightcap
Conveniently located near the bar street , it’s the perfectly dim lit restaurant to visit when you’re slightly buzzed and want to eat lip smacking freshly prepared Pan Asian Food.
Very impressed by the vegetarian menu (even though it’s 1 pager ;)). I’d the lo mein which’d all the good stuff !
Will keep comin’ back 🙂
- DelAware | Google Reviews
2. Grandma’s Philly
Website: grandmasphilly.com
Address: 1304 Walnut St
Contact: 215-600-4840 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday 11:30AM–9:30PM | Tuesday to Thursday 11:30AM–11:00PM | Friday to Saturday 12:00PM–11:30PM | Sunday 12:00PM–11:00PM
There’s something deeply comforting about gathering around a table for a communal, family-style meal. Grandma’s Philly takes this concept and elevates it.
This place is led by a veteran global chef who seamlessly weaves worldwide culinary inspiration into traditional formats. I love how both its menu and intimate dining room have been designed to help guests create lasting memories over shared plates.
They even offer a structured loyalty program that allows regular diners to easily rack up perks and monetary discounts, which is a fantastic bonus.
However, if you’re eager to customize your orders, you should be aware that swapping in premium meats or seafood significantly bumps up their final bill.
You’ll also need to meet a strict minimum order before they authorize delivery if you plan to enjoy their food from the comfort of your couch.
Customer Reviews
Trendy Spot with Super Tasty Food
We were visiting Philadelphia and since we live in an area with minimal Asian food we decided to give this place a try. I wasn’t sure what to expect but was surprised that it was a trendy and happening spot. On a Saturday afternoon the restaurant was pretty busy but we were able to get some seats at the bar . The service was good, and the food was super tasty – my wife and I shared some chicken skewers, spring rolls, and an order of pad thai – all delicious and washed them down with cold Tiger beers.
- Sean C | Google Reviews
Favorite Thai Hidden Gem in Philly
Hands down, my favorite Thai restaurant in Philly! My partner and I were going for a stroll in Center City and decided to look for a new restaurant to try. This restaurant caught my attention for some reason. I love finding hidden gems in the city and this one is definitely one of them.
I love the Thai tapas concept because in Asian culture, family style is common but it’s difficult to do when it’s just you or one other person so the idea of being able to share small plates is amazing.
- Sarah H | Google Reviews
3. Buddakan
Website: buddakan.com
Address: 325 Chestnut Street
Contact: 215-574-9440
Hours: Monday to Thursday 5:00PM–10:00PM | Friday to Saturday 5:00PM–11:00PM | Sunday 4:00PM–10:00PM
Stepping into a dining room with soaring architecture instantly transforms an ordinary evening into a grand adventure. Buddakan delivers exactly that, taking guests on a worldly culinary journey.
The mood is further elevated with their modern craft cocktail selection and an incredibly striking atmosphere. A must-order is their signature whole duck, which is meant to symbolize prosperity, and it serves as a stunning centerpiece for any special occasion.
As someone who has dined at many distinct restaurants in Philadelphia, I was genuinely captivated by their playful dessert twists, especially the unique doughnut platter served with ginger cream cheese.
Yet, achieving this level of prosperity on your plate comes at a steep price, as ordering that famous duck will easily set you back over $60.
The premium seafood options are similarly costly, with their lobster dish among the highest-priced single entrees on the menu.
Customer Reviews
Iconic Philly Favorite with Tall Ceilings
Iconic Asian restaurant. Service ia nice, professional and tall ceilings which make it feel nice. Giant Buddha a nice touch and a favorite for the photo loving crowd. Which there tends to flashing lights from people attempting to make their best Instagram post. Menu has lots of options, not much sushi, go to Morimoto for that. Would dine here again and understand why its still a Philly favorite.
- Naum T. | Google Reviews
Delicious Food and Impeccable Intimate Ambience
The food at Buddakan was delicious and very filling. For some reason, i thought that it was a small plate restaurant, but i was completely wrong. The ambience was impeccable, and the decor was ornamental. It’s a dim and intimate restaurant, with candlelights to complement the modern Asian theme. Also, the waitress was very attentive and knew the menu very well, to the extent of recommending certain items on the food items. I will be returning here.
- Q Larrieux | Google Reviews
4. Sky Cafe
Website: skycafephilly.com
Address: 1122 Washington Avenue Unit C
Contact: 215-271-1983 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Wednesday, Friday to Sunday 11:00AM–8:00PM
Unearthing a hidden culinary gem in a bustling shopping plaza always feels like a rewarding victory for adventurous eaters.
Sky Cafe focuses on an authentic Indonesian experience, capturing the archipelago’s rich history through carefully crafted dishes and a vast selection of rice-based dishes.
I love how the warm lighting and cultural artifacts decorating the dining room create an educational, welcoming ambiance for those eager to explore diverse regional flavors.
Another plus is that they’re open most of the week, making them a reliable choice for lunch and dinner.
While the main dishes are celebrated for their complexity, the menu suffers from a noticeably limited selection of side dishes. Additionally, night owls might find their schedule a bit restrictive, as they firmly shut their doors at 8:00 PM.
Customer Reviews
Quick Service and Unique Appetizers
We didn’t have much time in between an International flight and after flying all day through turbulence we just wanted to relax with decent food and a drink. I advised the bar tender that we only had 30min and she assured me the service would be quick. It was very quick. We had time for a few glasses of very good wine and an unusual for an Asian restaurant appetizer of Philly Cheese steak dumplings. These were friendly with the cheese lightly squirted overtop and the thinly slices ribeye inside.
- Wendy Baker | Google Reviews
5. Mari Mari
Website: marimariphilly.com
Address: 105 S 13th St,
Contact: (267) 639-2698
Hours: Daily 11:00AM–9:00PM
Reimagining classic dishes into accessible, modern formats is a fantastic way to introduce hesitant diners to new flavor profiles.
Taking heavy inspiration from Korean kimbap, Mari Mari has reinvented the traditional sushi experience into a fully Americanized concept using mostly cooked ingredients.
Every single component is made from scratch in-house, ensuring a high level of quality control that a typical Philadelphia sushi restaurant might overlook.
They also run a generous value pricing model, allowing guests to bundle three special rolls for the cost of one standard order.
However, their kitchen policies are incredibly rigid, meaning they won’t accept any order modifications or cancellations once a ticket is submitted.
For example, if you simply forget to add an extra side to your cart, you’re forced to go through the frustrating process of placing a completely separate second order.
Customer Reviews
Perfect Quick-Serve Asian Fusion After Travel
This year our D&D trip took us to Philadelphia. After a long day of traveling and navigating Center City we made it to our hotel and I had but one need. FOOD!!! A quick Google search and I found Mari Mari. This quick serve Asian Fusion was the perfect place. Great food and casual atmosphere. Sat and tried to watch the Saturday night “soap opera” events going on on the streets outside, but kept being distracted by the fantastic food we were eating. Hopefully they open one in Florida close to me so I can get some more.
- Andrew Yarbrough | Google Reviews
