Whenever I travel to a new place, one of my favorite things to do is trying out the best dishes in town where the locals go.  I also love authentic food and it’s something that Columbus is lacking of.  There are too many chain restaurants here and it’s missing out the ethnicity of our society that are getting more and more diverse each day.  Since I’m an Asian, I would start with the best authentic Asian restaurants along with what Asian people typically order.  Come on now…  there are more in Chinese food other than General Tso’s or Sweet and Sour Chicken.

Best Chinese Restaurant

Ming Flower/Sun Flower.  As I mentioned in previous post, these two restaurants used to be sisters until the partnership broke just a few years ago.  Thus, you will find the similarities on the menus if not the same.  The only difference is Sun Flower offers traditional dim sum, which is a Chinese traditional breakfast in which the waiters push the cart filled with the food and people can pick and choose what they want.  I have to say, though, this is not the most authentic Chinese restaurant since they adjust the menu to meet Americans’ taste bud.  However, overall quality of dishes and service are pretty outstanding.  Price is moderate, $8 - $14.

Favorite dish:

• Deep Fried Stuffed Tofu (fried tofu with shrimp stuffed on the top, covered with sweet and sour sauce and sit on a bed of lettuce).
• Fried Smelt.  Smelt is basically tiny fish.  Understand some people have problem eating a whole fish, but if you’re adventurous enough you gotta try this.
• Black Pepper Scallop.  Scalloped lightly fried smeared with sweet and sour sauce (similar to the one they use on the Stuffed Tofu).

Best Thai Cuisine

Bangkok.  Despite its location, which is down in Refugee Rd (South of Columbus), it is without a doubt the best Thai Cuisine in town.   Price is cheap (considering its portion), $8 - $12.

Favorite dish:

• Combination appetizer (you get a little bit of everything, fish cake, egg roll, fried squid, and fried shrimp)
• Tom Yum Goong/Gai (Thai famous hot sweet and sour soup)
• Phad Thai
• Thai Fried Rice
• Phad See Ew (Stir fried noddle using wide rice noddle)

Best Japanese Restaurant

Akai Hana (http://www.akaihanaohio.com).  This restaurant is perfect for all sushi lovers.  It is pretty pricey ($12 to $25) but typical for sushi.  If you don’t really like sushi and want to try a little bit of everything, they have lunch box menu from Monday to Thursday for just $9.95.  Typically this lunch box comes with your choice of main dish (chicken teriyaki, tempura or salmon teriyaki) and a several small portion of side dishes.  If you are a sushi lovers, they also offers sushi lunch box for $12.95.   

Best Korean Restaurant

Min-Ga.  Located in a tiny strip mall on Bethel Rd, right across from Micro Center, this tiny restaurant offers a variety of traditional Korean dish.  You can just tell by the majority of visitors are Koreans.  Price are moderate, around $12 - $15, but the main dish comes with several plates of appetizers.  Just like Akai Hana, Min-Ga also offers lunch menu only during the weekdays. 

Favorite dish:

• Bi Bim Bap, a mix of rice in a hot plate with a variety of meats and vegetables.  My favorite is the raw egg that they put over the rice.  When you mix them together, the egg becomes cooked because of the hot plate.
• Bulgogi, thinly sliced beef or pork with special Korean sauce.
• Sun Du Bu Jigae, a bowl of hot and spicy soup with tofu, vegetable and seafood.
• Chap Jae.  Stir fry rice noddle with chopped vegetables.

Best Vietnamese Restaurant

China Jade.  Although the name sounds like a Chinese restaurant, this place is specialize in Vietnamese dish.  After being shutdown for violation from the health department, this place re-opened with a much cleaner look.  The service is up and down depending the owner’s mood, but tastiness is unbeatable.  Price is cheap (around $8).

Favorite dish:

• Vietnamese egg roll (appetizer).  Minced pork and carrot wrapped in rice paper skin, deep fried.
• Spring roll (appetizer).  Shrimp, basil, bean sprout and slices of pork wrapped in rice paper skin.
• Combination Pho.  Famous Vietnamese noddle soup with variety of meatballs and sliced beef and pork.
• Pork chop, served with rice, fish cake and thin slices pork.

Lac Viet.  This is another Vietnamese restaurant that we go if we happen to be in the area.  The place is located inside North Market and it’s always pack.  Super friendly owner, super delicious food and super cheap price, can’t get any better than this! 

Favorite dish:

• The famous Vietnamese egg roll and spring rolls
• Grilled chicken with broken rice.  A bowl of rice with grilled chicken, shredded lettuce, bean sprout, fried onion and mix with Vietnamese fish sauce.  I’m not sure how to describe broken rice as I don’t know how to make it, but it’s basically steamed rice but in much smaller pieces; Steamed rice meets orzo.  Super Yummy!

If you happen to live in Columbus, OH and think that I’m missing out any restaurants, feel free to drop some comments for recommendation.

Tags: asian restaurant in Columbus OH, best asian restaurant, columbus asian dish, columbus asian restaurant

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