Best Asian Food in Vancouver: Korean, Japanese, Thai & Vietnamese
Vancouver’s Asian food scene is routinely overshadowed by San Francisco and New York in international coverage, which is frankly ridiculous. The city has better Korean barbecue than most of Seoul’s tourist traps, Japanese ramen that doesn’t rely on Instagram aesthetics, and Vietnamese pho made by families who’ve been doing this for thirty years. The difference is that Vancouver’s best spots aren’t scattered across the city—they’re clustered in neighborhoods where you can actually spend an afternoon eating seriously.
Richmond: Where Japanese and Chinese Restaurants Compete for Perfection
Richmond has become Canada’s most underrated Japanese food destination, largely because it’s a suburb that doesn’t photograph well on social media. But this is where the serious eating happens. Kitsho serves tsukiji-style sushi that relies on impeccable sourcing rather than theatrical presentation—their uni tastes like the ocean because it actually tastes like the ocean, not like a concept. For ramen, Marutama Ramen’s tonkotsu broth simmers for 18 hours with pork bones and kombu, creating a creamy, complex base that makes most North American ramen shops look like they’re still learning. The noodles have actual texture, not that limp, overcooked quality you get elsewhere. If you’re there for dinner, order the chashu—it’s pork belly braised until it falls apart, and they’ll sear it at your table.
Chinatown and Strathcona: Korean Barbecue Worth the Wait
Korean barbecue in Vancouver operates on a different level than most North American cities because the Korean community here actually expects quality. Goro Ramen + Izakaya sits on the edge of Chinatown and serves yakitori—grilled chicken skewers—that shouldn’t work as well as they do. The chicken hearts (hatsu) have a slight chew and mineral quality that cuts through the tare glaze perfectly. For proper Korean barbecue, head to Kkakdugi in Strathcona, where they grill marinated short ribs (galbi) and beef brisket (bulgogi) at your table. The marinade has pear juice, soy, and sesame oil in proportions that actually balance rather than overwhelm. Order the banchan—the side dishes—because they’re not an afterthought here. The kimchi is properly funky, the seasoned spinach has actual garlic backbone, and the doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) tastes like someone’s grandmother is cooking in the kitchen.
Broadway and Main: Thai and Vietnamese Done Right
This neighborhood has become Vancouver’s Southeast Asian corridor, and unlike many North American cities, the restaurants here aren’t watering down heat or sweetness for Western palates. Maenam on Broadway serves Northern Thai food that actually uses the ingredients correctly—their larb has enough fish sauce to make your nose twitch slightly, the minced meat has proper texture, and the lime juice isn’t an afterthought. Order the khao soi, the Burmese-influenced curry noodle dish that most Thai restaurants skip. For Vietnamese, Pho Hoa Noodle on Main makes pho broth the traditional way, simmering beef bones for 12+ hours with charred onions and ginger. The difference is noticeable immediately—the broth has depth and body instead of tasting like hot salt water. Their bun bo Hue (spicy beef noodle soup) gets the fermented shrimp paste element right, which most restaurants omit entirely because they assume Western customers will reject it.
Skip the downtown tourist restaurants and spend an afternoon in one of these neighborhoods instead. You’ll eat better, spend less money, and actually understand why Vancouver’s Asian food reputation is quietly becoming formidable. Start with Richmond for Japanese, move to Strathcona for Korean, and finish on Broadway for Southeast Asian food. Three neighborhoods, completely different cuisines, all worth your time.
Tom Watanabe covers Japanese cuisine for WokFeed. A Tokyo-born food writer with 15 years of ramen-eating experience, he has visited over 800 ramen shops across Japan. His writing bridges traditional washoku and Japan's evolving street food scene for an international audience.
