Food and Drink

16 global flavors: Explore Charlotte’s top Asian eats and markets

Stories by Charlotte Observer journalists, with AI summarization

This collection of stories explores Charlotte's diverse Asian culinary scene, uncovering restaurants, markets, and food experiences across the city.

You will find places like Sen Mee Noodle House, an Southeast Asian spot offering Thai red curry and Vietnamese pho, and Blasian Asian Way, a Korean-American barbecue restaurant with bulgogi rice bowls and wings.

Other stories highlight street food and hidden gems, such as Maroon Market at Monarch Market where you can get bao buns and noodle bowls, and Van Loi Chinese Barbecue with classic roast pork and duck.

Several articles explore Charlotte’s international grocery options, from Pepero, a Korean market with a small restaurant, to Super G Mart, which has Filipino dishes at Alley 51. You can also read about DŌZO Japanese American Kitchen and its inventive bento boxes, and Taste of Asia Halal, open late with halal-certified Asian menus.

For a broader global outlook, Flame Bistro & Bar brings fusion flavors inspired by Beijing, Singapore, and Hong Kong, and community voices recommend favorites like KaUdon, Menya Daruma, and Tropical Bakery Cafe.

Read the stories below.

Taste of Asia Halal offers a variety of Asian cuisine from 5 p.m.-5 a.m. By Tonya Russ Price

NO. 1: ‘I THOUGHT IT WAS A MISTAKE ON GOOGLE!’ HIDDEN RESTAURANT OPENS OVERNIGHT IN CHARLOTTE

Peek inside Taste of Halal, which has an extensive menu of stir fry, spring rolls, Chicken 65, samosas and other Indian cuisine. | Published June 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mari Pressley

Johnny Burrito owner Johnny Bitter works the cash register at his beloved burrito joint of over 25 years.

NO. 2: ‘I’M JUST A GIRL WHO LIKES TO EAT’: MY 10 FAVORITE AUTHENTIC RESTAURANTS IN CHARLOTTE

You may not know about these under-the-radar Charlotte restaurants: Here’s where to find them and what to order. | Published July 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Samantha Husted

Le Kebab Grill offers a variety of halal dishes, including kebabs, hummus and more.

NO. 3: 16 BEST RESTAURANTS IN CHARLOTTE FOR HALAL FOOD — AND SOME ARE OPEN ‘TIL 4 A.M. OR LATER

Halal food includes kebabs over rice, gyro combos, Asian, Indian and even fried chicken. Here’s what to know about the cuisine and where to find it. | Published July 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Alexandra Maloney

Sosu was located at 3718 Central Ave., Suite B. By Google Street View

NO. 4: CHECK OUT THIS ASIAN RESTAURANT WITH A GRAB-AND-GO MENU IN EAST CHARLOTTE

It's known for Thai food, pho and other Southeast Asian cuisine. | Published July 31, 2024 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

Blasian Asian Way is opening at Camp North End on Sept. 4.

NO. 5: KOREAN BARBECUE SPOT WITH AWARD-WINNING BULGOGI NOW OPEN AT CAMP NORTH END

A popular ramen space has closed, and in its place is a local food stall, serving Korean-inspired dishes with a twist of American influence. | Published July 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mari Pressley

Van Loi Chinese Barbecue, an Asian restaurant with traditional Chinese and Vietnamese foods such as whole roasted ducks, has reopened after closing for renovations. Shown here is a to-go plate of carbecue pork paired with noodles. By Mari Pressley

NO. 6: VAN LOI SERVES ROASTED PORK, BARBECUE AND CHINESE MEATS FOR TAKEOUT IN CHARLOTTE

The restaurant took a hiatus to remodel, but now is back with its authentic Chinese menu items. | Published September 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mari Pressley

Maroon Market offers authentic Asian cuisine, including noodle and rice dishes, small bites and more. By Courtesy of Maroon Market

NO. 7: NEW ASIAN SPOT OFFERING A ‘GLOBAL STREET FOOD EXPERIENCE’ NOW OPEN IN UPTOWN CHARLOTTE

Here’s what to expect at the newest food and drink tenant at Monarch Market in uptown Charlotte | Published September 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

Sesame broccoli at DŌZO Japanese American Kitchen. By Jenny Hartley

NO. 8: DŌZO JAPANESE AMERICAN KITCHEN: FROM KATSU KART TO UPSCALE CHARLOTTE RESTAURANT

The 12-seat spot boasts lunchtime bento boxes, small plates and more. | Published February 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenny Hartley

Coming fall 2025: Sharigato will open at the Joinery apartment complex in Charlotte’s Optimist Park neighborhood.

NO. 9: WHY CHARLOTTE’S SHARIGATO WILL BE THE SUSHI EXPERIENCE YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED

The 24-seat restaurant isn’t like any other restaurant you’ll find in the Charlotte area. | Published March 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

At Lanzhou Hand-Pulled Noodles in Matthews, you can watch the chef work on your dinner. By Tonya Russ Price

NO. 10: CHINESE RESTAURANT IN MATTHEWS PUTS THE ART OF NOODLE-MAKING ON DISPLAY

The Charlotte-area restaurant serves authentic, hand-pulled Lanzhou noodles — and allows you to watch while they’re made. | Published April 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

Aguinaldo Santos and Rui Oliveira at Tropical Bakery in Matthews, owned by Rui. By Alex Cason

NO. 11: NEW OR HOMESICK? WHERE CHARLOTTE’S IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY GOES FOR FAMILIAR FLAVORS

It’s hard to beat a home-cooked meal, but these Charlotte restaurants, food trucks and markets can help hit the spot. | Published May 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Rothaus Bertrand

Customers shop and chat inside Agora Greek Market. By Alex Cason

NO. 12: CHARLOTTE’S 20 TOP INTERNATIONAL MARKETS, INCLUDING SOME WITH CAFES AND FOOD COURTS

At Charlotte’s international markets, you can find flavors from Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, right in your own backyard. | Published May 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Rothaus Bertrand

Tokyo Kitchen is now open in South Charlotte.

NO. 13: THIS NEW SOUTH CHARLOTTE RESTAURANT BRINGS HIBACHI FLAVORS ON THE GO

Craving Japanese food? This restaurant is built to get you in and out quickly. | Published June 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

Flame Bistro & Bar’s eight-seat bar. By Kyle Marcus

NO. 14: THE ASIAN FUSION TASTES YOU CAN’T FIND ANYWHERE ELSE IN CHARLOTTE JUST LANDED

Golden Crab & Brie Wontons, Garlic Butter Sand Wings + more await you on the menu. | Published May 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

A popular longtime Thai restaurant just south of downtown Mooresville is set to reopen with new, women LGBTQ+ owners. By JOE MARUSAK

NO. 15: ‘SHARING OUR RICH TRADITION’: POPULAR MOORESVILLE THAI RESTAURANT SET TO REOPEN

“Get your taste buds ready, Mooresville,” the new owners said on social media. | Published June 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.