The thought of Kentucky may not immediately scream “great options for authentic Asian food,” but you’d be surprised! It’s no secret that Kentucky has an outstanding culinary scene, and that includes Asian restaurants. The following 11 places serve delicious, authentic meals. No frills, no trying to make anything fancy, just good food that is truly the real deal.
1. Vietnam Kitchen, Louisville
Vietnam Kitchen's exterior may not look like much, but sometimes those hole-in-the-wall places are the best. Even though it's located in a strip mall in south Louisville, many people say this is the best place to get authentic Asian food in Louisville. It's nearly always packed, so they might be right. Vietnam Kitchen is located in the Iroquois Manor Shopping Center at 5330 Mitscher Avenue, Louisville, KY 40214.
2. Kung Food Chu's AmerAsia, Covington
The interior of this place is decorated with kung fu posters, and they have a great craft beer selection to go with your Taiwanese meal. They give you pretty generous portions, and have a spice scale of 1-10, so you can customize your dish to make it mild or diabolically hot. Kung Food Chu's AmerAsia is located at 521 Madison Avenue Suite B, Covington, KY 41011.
3. J2C Asian Bistro, Lexington
J2C Asian Bistro has only been open since November of 2016, but it has already been a huge hit in Lexington. They serve you authentic Cantonese dishes that you won't find anywhere else in the area, like clay pots and crispy roasted duck. J2C Asian Bistro is located at 561 S. Broadway, Lexington, KY 40508.
4. Oishii Sushi, Louisville
It's really hard to compare sushi places in Louisville because there are so many that are to die for. Oishii is definitely up there with the best of them. If the concept of sushi freaks you out a bit, don't worry. Oishii, like many other sushi places, offers cooked rolls to ease you into the idea. They even have ones that are deep fried and so delicious. Oishii Sushi is located at 2810 Taylorsville Road, Louisville, KY 40205.
5. Mandarin Cafe and Sushi Bar, Lexington
If you're feeling indecisive about what kind of Asian cuisine you want, then head to Mandarin Cafe. They've got classic Chinese dishes, sushi, and interesting fusion options. Mandarin Cafe is located in the Zandale Shopping Center at 2220 Nicholasville Road #102, Lexington, KY 40503.
6. Spicy Ginger, Paducah
This just might be the best Asian food in western Kentucky. The atmosphere is relaxed but hip, and the dishes are creative, but still taste authentic. They serve a variety of dishes, from Pad Thai to Asian lobster. Be sure to get the banana spring roll with ice cream for dessert. Spicy Ginger is located at 4793 Village Square Drive, Paducah, KY 42001.
7. Siam Orchid, Bellevue
This is another place that may not look like much from the outside, but on the inside is a cozy atmosphere serving delicious Thai food. Along with traditional Thai dishes, they also serve curries and sushi. Siam Orchid is located at 511 Fairfield Avenue, Bellevue, KY 41073.
8. Ginza, Frankfort
Enjoy a hibachi show and watch your food get made in the most creative ways. However, if you prefer a quieter dining experience, they have tables away from the grills where you can order sushi and other menu items. Ginza is located at 111 Westridge Drive, Suite D, Frankfort, KY 40601.
9. Wasabi Express, Owensboro
This is a casual but modern Japanese eatery that offers hibachi, sushi, and other meals that come in pretty generous portions, making them great for sharing. Wasabi Express is located at 4911 Frederica Street, Owensboro, KY 42303.
10. Hunan Restaurant, Bardstown
Hunan has been in Bardstown for a long time. It doesn't look like anything fancy, but the food is fresh and authentic. What more could you ask for? Hunan Restaurant is located at 708 Bloomfield Road, Bardstown, KY 40004.
11. Summer Hokkaido, Danville
Summer Hokkaido is a Japanese steakhouse and sushi restaurant where you can get all your favorite Japanese classic dishes. Order a few rolls of sushi, or splurge and get a strip steak. Either way, you'll leave happy. Summer Hokkaido is located at 2900 S. Danville Bypass, Danville, KY 40422.
Who’s hungry now? Has anyone ever been to these places or know of other awesome Asian restaurants in Kentucky?
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