Five Local Asian American and Pacific Islander-Owned Restaurants

Written By: Creator of @NatChowsFood

As a Chinese foodie who grew up in the DMV area, I’ve been spoiled with amazing Asian food all my life. When I moved to the Charlottesville area, I found myself on a mission: to eat my way through the city and county and show all the sublime food our beautiful town has to offer.

One might be surprised to hear that we have some of the best Asian food in Virginia, but my stomach and I can confirm this is the truth! I document many of these amazing meals on my food Instagram: @natchowsfood. In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, these are some of my favorite AAPI-owned restaurants in Charlottesville and Albemarle County that are worth a visit.

Thai Cuisine & Noodle House

Located off Route 29, Thai Cuisine & Noodle House earns my spot for some of the best Thai food I have EVER had, and this is coming from someone who visited Thailand for three weeks!

LEARN MORE

I cannot resist their Drunken Noodles, Fried Tofu Pad Thai, Calamari Salad, Green Curry, Kua Gai, and Soft Shell Crab with Roasted Chili Paste, which are all packed with flavor. Their staff is accommodating and efficient, and often exceptionally quick when it comes to turnaround times for takeout. They offer lots of authentic Thai dishes on their menu and are happy to give suggestions to those looking to branch out beyond the typical Thai classics!

Kanak

Found in 5th Street Station, Kanak is my go-to spot for Indian food. The spices in their food are well bloomed, and some of my favorite curry dishes include the Patia as well as the Crab Baghara, which are perfect toppers for their toasty Garlic Naan (a MUST get item). Pro tip: they have impeccable lunch specials with a diverse selection of main dishes, choice of soup or salad, naan bread, and basmati rice for just $12-16! An absolute bargain and the perfect mid-day pick-me-up.

LEARN MORE

Peter Chang’s China Grill

I am no stranger to Peter Chang’s restaurants as he has several establishments in the DMV, but I can’t stop going back to his Route 29 location for the Grandmother’s Noodle, a dish of Chinese-style fettucine noodles with fresh garlic, scallions, vinegar, chili peanut oil, soy sauce, and crushed red pepper. The addicting hot and numbing flavor will leave your lips feeling a little tingly, and the al dente noodles have the perfect bite to them! You can’t go wrong with any of their items, especially their hot pot combinations.

LEARN MORE

Seoul Korean BBQ and Hot Pot

As a girl who can eat her weight in KBBQ, I nearly lost it when I found out we were getting an All You Can Eat KBBQ and Hot Pot experience through Seoul Korean BBQ. The quality of the meat and hot pot items are akin to what you would get in Northern Virginia where KBBQ is king, and for $33.99, it is a stellar deal for those who can eat to their heart’s content. The customizability of hot pot will cater to any tastebud and it’s such a fun dining adventure if you’re someone who enjoys taking part in the cooking experience!

LEARN MORE

Q Noodles

Found near the Corner, Q Noodles is a newer spot featuring a la carte dim sum items, soup dumplings, and noodle dishes that exude authenticity. The tender soup dumplings are delightfully plump and full of juicy broth, and they are truly the star of the show. I highly recommend the red bean filled sesame balls for a sweet treat!

LEARN MORE

Although this list just skims the surface of AAPI-owned restaurants in the Charlottesville area, it shows that our city is diverse and accepting of all, with an Asian American presence that is here to stay. In Asian culture, food is the ultimate love language and one of the ways we show that we love someone is by cooking them a meal and making sure they don’t go hungry. While these kitchens show us their love through their cooking, they deserve our love too, as supporting AAPI kitchens is more important now than ever.

Search for a comprehensive list of Asian cuisine on the Food & Drink page – and while you’re at it, check out different hotels and accommodations you can stay at during your next food tour.


Happy eating!

Food & Drink With an incredible array of restaurants per capita, the Charlottesville food scene boasts big city dining rooted in small town charm. Learn More
Places to Stay Charlottesville and Albemarle County offer visitors a wide variety of places to stay, including resorts, hotels, inns, bed and breakfasts, cabins, and vacation rentals. Learn More
Author

@NatChowsFood

Follow Nat’s Instagram below for more food recommendations in Charlottesville and Albemarle County, the DMV, and beyond!

Related Content: