Top Asian Restaurant in Santa Monica
BIBIBOP Asian Grill
1401 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
I had the pleasure of dining at BIBIBOP Asian Grill restaurant, and it exceeded all my expectations. The service was exceptional; the staff was friendly and attentive, making us feel like cherished guests. The food was a true revelation - each dish was a masterpiece of taste and texture. The ambiance was elegant and sophisticated, making it the ideal spot for a special occasion. I can confidently say this is one of the best dining experiences Ive had in a long time.
Lotus Asian Cuisine and Bar
326 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
Yesterday I had the pleasure of indulging in the ultimate feast at Lotus Dim Sum Dumpling House in Santa Monica. The menu was extensive and I didn't know where to start… however I didn't need to worry because EVERYTHING was delicious ? It had traditional flavors with a modern twist. I tried the chicken, pork, and shrimp dumplings, plus their bao buns which were magnifíque ?? Their orange chicken was real chicken and not “nuggets” with a lil kick at the end ? I started off with the hot & sour soup because it's an easy test for how good the restaurant is & theirs did not disappoint. Here are a few other notable dishes/notes:Cucumber Salad ?: Great pairing with all the dishes, yet yummy on its own. It's crunchy, fresh, and comes in generous sizes of cucumber. Sauce wasn't overpowering. Love the sweet red bell peppers - adds an additional crunch but sweet.Hot & sour soup ? some restaurants are stingy with the soup content (tofu), but not here. You get nice chunks of tofu, plus it was the perfect combo of hot & sour.Dumpling ?: Loved the rice paper on these! The shrimp and scallop combo was a nice texture moment.Overall, I was happy with the dishes, service, and perfect people-watching positioning (it's right on Wilshire Blvd. - you can't miss it)! I would highly recommend going during lunch so you can walk off everything you are; you'll definitely be full ?
Ts Thai Restaurant
1215 4th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
TS Thai is a small little eatery in Santa Monica. Parking is on the street or in the huge lot right across the street. It is easy to miss so look for the red curtain. Inside is nothing special, but it is very clean and the service is so great, you are happy you walked in.This is a family run business that really got hit by Covid, so they can use more walk ins. It looks like they have a ton of delivery, but we were seated right away at a very nice clean table and waited on like Kings since there was not that many people actually inside. The owner is just wonderful and the food is outstanding.Try their garlic noodles and Pad Thai. Both are great. We also had a wonderful fried rice with chicken and beef and it was so good. They give you a lot of food, and we were able to take some home.The bathrooms are spotless. The prices are really fair. We love it. Give them a try.
Cassia
1314 7th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
I had very high hopes for Cassia, unfortunately I was let down across the board:Food: overpriced even for family style portions (which is an exceedingly generous description! Dont be fooled these are typical app/entree portions). The menu attempts to cater to all tastes yet seems to excel at none. Their asian dishes were predictable and uninspired, their curry dishes were jarringly spicy. Protein seems to be in short supply at Cassia as well. A $37 beef dish (family portions**?!) had one 6oz max chunk of beef. The menu lacks continuity and seems to attempt to please all yet fails to offer anything particularly intriguing or unique.Service: our server was clearly going through the motions. I get it, Tuesday night is a slow night for a restaurant, but she clearly didnt want to be there..and it showed. The timing of the dishes was awkward; the highly recommended pigs tail arrived while the previous dish was barely half finished. Cold pigs tail is not particularly pleasant. The pigs tail was actually our most disappointing dish..Atmosphere: the dining hall can get prohibitively loud. Outdoors is slightly more pleasant but be prepared to constantly bump into adjacent diners or passersby-youre packed like sardines.Nearly $200 later my companion and I left still hungry, and lacking any memorable dishes or even a relatively pleasant service experience.Final note: they tack on an automatic 3% for an employee health fee. Great concept, I support it, but at $17 for an appetizer salad it starts to feel a bit egregious. Too many other truly amazing restaurants in Santa Monica to bother returning to Cassia, frankly.
JINYA Ramen Bar - Santa Monica
2400 Main St Suite D, Santa Monica, CA 90405, United States
I was looking for good Ramen, and noticed this pace on Main Street in Santa Monica. I decided to try it, since it had great curb appeal. Theres a large outdoor dining area, and at night it looks very inviting with the big flame heaters.I thought parking was going to be an issue, until I drove around the block and saw the huge metered parking lot behind the buildings. Plenty of parking for $1 an hour, however I dont understand why the self-serve parking machines have no lighting at night.As I approached the restaurant I saw there were people waiting out front, so this place must be good! I added my name to the list and waited about 15 minutes until we were called. I would have preferred to sit inside, but there is very limited indoor seating. The hostess pointed us to a table in the back of the patio, right next to an ugly open door that leads to the alley.The table was slightly slanted, due to the slope of the patio (just something to keep in mind when the bowl of piping hot ramen comes). Actually, once youre sitting in the patio seating, it doesnt look nearly as nice as when youre driving by. In fact, they have the most uncomfortable chairs Ive ever sat in.We waited a good 10 minutes before a waitress finally brought over menus. Luckily I had my iPhone, since the only lighting on the patio are those big flame heaters. Once we ordered, the food came out pretty quick. We started with the Shrimp Toast, which was nothing more than a piece of shrimp between two pieces of toasted white bread, served with some kind of mayo dipping sauce. Nothing special. We also had an order of the Sauteed Shishito Peppers, which were a bit overcooked. Again, nothing special.I was looking forward to the Wonton Chicken Ramen that I ordered. It was OK. Not bad. But Ive had much better at other ramen places. The broth just tasted like it was missing something, and the noodles were a bit overcooked. The wontons were OK, but the meat inside tasted like pork (which I hope it wasnt, since this is a chicken ramen).Once we were finished, the plates were cleared quickly, but then we sat waiting for another 15 minutes for the check to arrive. I finally asked the busboy to bring it. Once it came, I didnt bother waiting for the waitress to come back, so I just walked it up the register myself. After all, my parking meter was almost up.Overall, this was not a great experience. Poor service, average meal, uncomfortable chairs, and no lighting. I wont be coming back.
Noma Sushi
2031 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403, United States
A Culinary Delight - 5 Stars for Noma Sushi in Santa Monica!Rating: ★★★★★Review:My recent dining experience at Noma Sushi in Santa Monica was nothing short of exceptional, and I'm delighted to leave a glowing 5-star review for this outstanding restaurant!From the moment I stepped inside, I was met with warm and attentive service. The staff went above and beyond to ensure a delightful dining experience, making me feel truly welcomed and valued as a guest.The sushi at Noma is simply divine! The veggie roll was a delightful medley of fresh, flavorful vegetables, perfectly crafted into a work of art. The bento box with chicken teriyaki was equally outstanding, with tender, succulent chicken cooked to perfection. Each dish was a delectable journey for the taste buds, leaving me craving for more.The ambiance of the restaurant added to the overall charm of the experience. The soothing atmosphere allowed me to relax and enjoy my meal thoroughly. It's the perfect spot for a delightful meal with friends or a romantic dinner with a loved one.The miso soup and salad were delightful appetizers, setting the tone for the culinary journey that followed. The hot tea was a lovely complement to the meal, adding a touch of warmth and comfort.I genuinely appreciate the attentive service provided by the staff, making my dining experience all the more enjoyable. Their dedication to ensuring the comfort of their guests did not go unnoticed, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to the entire team.In conclusion, Noma Sushi in Santa Monica is a culinary gem that deserves every bit of praise. Whether you're a sushi lover or simply appreciate delicious Japanese cuisine, this restaurant will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression.I am already looking forward to my return visit to Noma Sushi, eager to explore more of their delightful menu offerings. Thank you, Noma Sushi, for the delightful culinary journey and exceptional service! Bravo to the entire team for creating a truly unforgettable dining experience.
Yoshinoya Santa Monica & Vine
6238 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038, United States
I like the food here, its simple and low cost Asian fast food. The employees seem to be cleaning the restaurant every time that I eat there...
Tandoor India
2622 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405, United States
First time I tried to eat here it was super hot and stuffy inside so I left cause I wouldn't be able to enjoy my meal in that uncomfortable environment (not a single customer in the store). Second time I came I wasn't greeted by a server or host again, and I seated myself. Cook comes out and doesn't really say anything so I ask if they are open… he says yes and then a server comes out. He doesn't really say anything either … so I say, “one menu please” since the server doesn't even bring a menu or water… He then asks me to move to a different table on the other side of the room - and mind you this is me being in the restaurant at noon with ZERO customers in the restaurant, and you're going to ask me to move to another table ?? Yeah… really struggling to have enough tables for all your customers so make sure you ask your one and only customer to move ???? why would I come back a 3rd time?I went to a local competitor after this and when I entered I was greeted, there were customers seated, and yet they still let me sit where I wanted to. If I can't sit where I want have a sign that says, “please wait to be seated”. Otherwise why ask your customer to move when your restaurant is completely dead Lmaoo
Bangkok West Thai
606 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
5 stars what it is. And what is that?Without question, the most beautiful, elegant Thai restaurant in L.A. Whoever designed it should get some kind of award.The food? Very good. I focus on a few dishes which have always drawn me to Thai restaurants. My favorite dish is Tom Kha Gai soup. And there is amongst the best Ive had - creamy, lush, decadent, and big, big flavor. I have no had better - not in Thai town, not at Jitlada. Theres is the best Ive tried (I havent tried every Thai restaurant in L.A., but certainly the well regarded ones including Talesai, Night + Market, Jitlada, Emporium Thai (which has a very charming room). This dish alone will keep me coming back. The Yum Gai soup is also very good (a great weight-watcher meal). The satays are great, cooked correctly with good quality ingredients. Duck, chili/cashew nut chicken,curries, calamari. Also find things on the menu that deviate from the usual. Which is always a good idea. Everything has always been very good. Glad I dont have to drive far for this place.
Tsukiji Sushi Sen
2915 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405, United States
Came here with a friend after hiking in the Pacific Palisades at around 7pm on a Monday. There were a couple of other patrons but it was mostly empty. The staff didn't greet us in Japanese although they did for other newcomers but they sat us quickly. The decor of the restaurant is upscale and pretty nice, although from the outside the restaurant is nondescript. There's some outdoor seating, tables/booths inside, and seats at the sushi bar. We got edamame to share (5.99) and it was hot and sprinkled with salt, but nothing noteworthy. My friend got the bento box ($20.99)it's pricier after 3pm and you can get 1 or 2 items as the primary entree (differing prices of course). She upgraded the avocado roll (a side item) to be her entree for an additional cost and also had a salad, some edamame, miso soup, and rice on the side. Our server seemed confused by the fact she wanted to upgrade her side entree to the main entree but checked in twice to make sure he got her order correct. I got the Hero roll, which was a baked sushi that was warm and slightly crunchy (13.99). There are non-sushi items for those who don't like fish such as chicken teriyaki bowls and tempura udon. The specials are written on the chalk board behind the sushi bar. They provide a generous serving of wasabi and ginger, and the soy sauces are on the tables for you to utilize. I like that they use sustainable seafood. Parking on a weekday shouldn't be too bad as there metered parking on the street and free parking in the neighborhoods behind. Service was alright, and they don't check in on you but were prompt with getting the check. Overall the restaurant was fine, but if you're craving some Japanese food in Santa Monica, I think Kazu Nori would make for a tastier experience, or you could go to Kimuya for more reasonable prices.