Where To Find the Best Asian Food in Atlanta

Atlanta’s Asian food scene is one of the most interesting in the Southeast. Whether you live here or are just in town for a few days, you can find everything from late-night dumplings to refined omakase, from hotpots in Duluth to mom-and-pop pho spots on Buford Highway.

This guide focuses on where to find the best Asian food in Atlanta, what each area is known for, and how to plan your meals so you can eat really well without wasting time or money.

How Atlanta’s Asian Food Scene Is Organized

To find the best Asian food in Atlanta, it helps to understand how the city is laid out for dining:

• In-town neighborhoods (Midtown, Eastside, Westside)
  Convenient, often trendier, with Korean, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, and fusion spots.

• Buford Highway corridor
  A long stretch known for some of the most diverse and authentic Asian restaurants in the metro area.

• Suburban hubs (Doraville, Duluth, Johns Creek, Suwanee)
  Strong Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Indian communities with many destination spots.

If you’re short on time, you can stay in-town. If you’re serious about exploring, plan at least one trip to Buford Highway or Duluth.

Quick-Glance Guide to Top Areas for Asian Food

Buford Highway: Atlanta’s Classic Asian Food Destination

Buford Highway runs through Brookhaven, Chamblee, and Doraville and is widely recognized as one of Atlanta’s most diverse food corridors. If you only have time for one deep dive into Asian food, this is where to go.

What You’ll Find on Buford Highway

You’ll see shopping centers with multiple Asian restaurants, bakeries, and groceries in one stop, including:

• Chinese: hand-pulled noodles, dumplings, Szechuan-style dishes
• Vietnamese: pho, bánh mì, rice plates
• Korean: BBQ, tofu stews, fried chicken
• Pan-Asian food courts: stalls offering everything from bubble tea to hot pot

Common clusters are near Chamblee-Tucker Rd, Clairmont Rd, and the Doraville area along Buford Highway.

Tips for Eating on Buford Highway

• 🚗 Plan to drive: This is not very walkable end-to-end; you’ll hop between plazas by car.
• 🕐 Check hours: Some spots are open late; others close mid-afternoon or early.
• 💵 Bring backup payment options: A few smaller places may prefer certain payment methods.
• 🧭 Use landmarks: Many people navigate by plazas and grocery stores (for example, “near the big H Mart” or “near the Buford Highway Farmers Market”).

Doraville: Korean BBQ, Chinese, and Specialty Groceries

Doraville, just northeast of Atlanta off I-285 and Buford Highway, is a hub for Korean and Chinese food and large Asian markets.

Why Doraville Is Worth the Trip

• Many tabletop Korean BBQ restaurants where you grill meats at your table.
• Chinese restaurants with family-style menus, hot pot, or regional specialties.
• Asian supermarkets, such as large-format markets, with fresh seafood, produce, and imported snacks.

Practical Notes

• Transit access: The Doraville MARTA Station (6000 New Peachtree Rd, Doraville, GA 30340) is within a short ride of many restaurants; rideshare from the station is common.
• Large plazas typically have shared parking, but weekends can be busy—build in extra time.

Duluth and Johns Creek: Late-Night Eats and Café Culture

If you’re willing to go farther from central Atlanta, Duluth and Johns Creek in Gwinnett and Fulton counties have some of the highest concentrations of Asian restaurants in the metro area.

What Stands Out in Duluth / Johns Creek

• Korean food: BBQ, jjigae (stews), street food–style snacks, fried chicken
• Chinese: hot pot, dim sum, noodle houses
• Dessert cafés: Bingsu (shaved ice), bubble tea, pastries, and dessert lounges
• Longer hours: Many spots cater to late-night diners, especially on weekends.

Key roads to explore include Pleasant Hill Road in Duluth and parts of State Bridge Rd / Medlock Bridge Rd in Johns Creek.

When To Go

• Evenings and weekends are busiest and most lively.
• If you prefer shorter waits, try early dinners on weeknights.

In-Town Asian Food: Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park & Westside

You don’t have to leave central Atlanta to find excellent Asian food, especially if you want a mix of casual and upscale options.

Midtown & Old Fourth Ward

These neighborhoods are good for:

• Sushi and omakase
• Ramen and Japanese comfort dishes
• Modern Thai and Vietnamese restaurants
• Asian-inspired cocktails and small plates

Streets like Peachtree St NE, Ponce de Leon Ave NE, and the BeltLine Eastside Trail area (near Old Fourth Ward and Inman Park) are common clusters.

West Midtown / Howell Mill Area

West Midtown has:

• Modern Japanese and fusion restaurants
• Ramen shops and izakaya-inspired menus
• Spots where you can have dinner and then walk to bars or dessert shops

Parking can be a mix of decks, lots, and limited street parking, so check signage when you arrive.

Decatur and the Eastside: Neighborhood Asian Spots

If you’re staying or living east of downtown, areas like Decatur, Edgewood, and Kirkwood offer:

• Casual noodle shops
• Pan-Asian menus (dishes inspired by multiple regions)
• Takeout-friendly stir-fries, curries, and rice bowls

These are often smaller, neighborhood-focused restaurants, good for weeknight dinners or quick lunches rather than big, destination-style outings.

Types of Asian Food You Can Find in Atlanta

Atlanta covers a wide range of Asian cuisines. Knowing what’s common here can help you choose where to go.

Chinese Food in Atlanta

You’ll find:

• Szechuan-style dishes with bold spices and chili oil
• Cantonese-inspired options, including roasted meats and some dim sum
• Hand-pulled noodles and dumpling-focused menus
• Hot pot restaurants, especially in Duluth and on Buford Highway

For Chinese food, Buford Highway, Doraville, Duluth, and Johns Creek have particularly dense options.

Korean Food and BBQ

The Korean food scene is especially strong in:

• Doraville
• Duluth
• Parts of Johns Creek and Suwanee

Common options include:

• Korean BBQ (beef, pork, and marinated meats grilled at the table)
• Soondubu jjigae (tofu stews) and other bubbling hotpots
• Korean fried chicken
• Cafés with Korean-style pastries and drinks

Korean BBQ restaurants often work best for groups and may have all-you-can-eat formats or set combination platters.

Vietnamese Food

Vietnamese restaurants are especially common along:

• Buford Highway
• Parts of Duluth and Norcross

Look for:

• Pho (rice noodle soup with beef or chicken)
• Bánh mì sandwiches
• Rice plates with grilled meats, pickled vegetables, and fish sauce
• Iced coffee and fresh rolls

Many Vietnamese spots are casual and ideal for lunch or quick dinners.

Japanese: Sushi, Ramen, and Beyond

Across the Atlanta area, you can find:

• Sushi bars and omakase-focused spots
• Ramen with rich, long-simmered broths
• Izakaya-style menus featuring skewers and shareable plates

Concentrations are in Midtown, Buckhead, West Midtown, and parts of Doraville and Duluth.

Thai, Malaysian, and Other Southeast Asian Cuisines

Thai restaurants are spread fairly evenly across the metro area, including:

• Midtown and In-town neighborhoods
• Decatur/Eastside
• Some options on Buford Highway

Dishes often include:

• Curries (red, green, panang)
• Stir-fries and noodle dishes like pad thai and drunken noodles
• Salads with fresh herbs and citrusy dressings

You may also find a smaller number of Malaysian, Indonesian, or Singaporean-inspired spots, particularly in diverse food courts or fusion menus.

Indian and South Asian Food

While not always grouped under “Asian food” in every search, Indian and South Asian cuisines are a significant part of Atlanta’s Asian dining scene.

Common areas include:

• Decatur / Clarkston
• Johns Creek / Alpharetta
• Parts of Tucker and Norcross

You’ll see:

• North Indian curries, breads, and tandoori dishes
• South Indian dosa, idli, and vegetarian plates
• Vegetarian-friendly menus and buffet options in some restaurants

How to Choose the Best Asian Food for Your Situation

Because Atlanta is so spread out, “best” often depends on where you are, how far you’re willing to drive, and what kind of experience you want.

If You’re Staying Downtown or Midtown Without a Car

Prioritize:

• Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park: Reachable by MARTA, rideshare, or even walking from many hotels.
• BeltLine Eastside Trail: You can find a small but growing number of Asian options along or near the trail.

You’ll get:

• More modern and polished interiors
• Strong sushi, ramen, and fusion choices
• Higher average prices than some suburban spots, but more convenience

If You Have a Car and Half a Day to Explore

Consider:

• Buford Highway for variety in one trip.
• Doraville for Korean BBQ plus a stop at an Asian supermarket.
• Duluth if you want a full evening of dinner and dessert café-hopping.

A simple plan:

1. Late afternoon arrival: Walk through an Asian grocery store to snack and get a sense of ingredients.
2. Dinner: Choose one “destination” meal (BBQ, hot pot, or a well-regarded noodle house).
3. Dessert / drinks: End with bubble tea or a dessert café.

If You Live in Atlanta and Want Reliable Go-To Spots

You might:

• Pick one or two Buford Highway spots for weekend outings.
• Keep a neighborhood Thai, Vietnamese, or sushi place on your weeknight rotation.
• Visit Duluth/Johns Creek occasionally for special nights out or to stock up on groceries and snacks at larger markets.

Navigating Practical Details: Parking, Transit, and Timing

Parking

• Buford Highway / Doraville / Duluth:
  Most places are in plazas with free surface lots. On busy nights, you may need to circle a bit.

• Midtown / West Midtown / In-town neighborhoods:
  Expect a mix of paid decks, limited street parking, and shared lots. Check for validation policies at garages connected to mixed-use developments.

Public Transit

If you prefer MARTA:

• Use Doraville Station (6000 New Peachtree Rd, Doraville, GA 30340) as a starting point to reach nearby Asian restaurants via a short rideshare or local bus.
• In-town options near Midtown Station, North Avenue Station, or Inman Park/Reynoldstown Station put you within reach of multiple restaurants.

Best Times to Go

• Weeknights: Typically easier parking and shorter waits.
• Friday and Saturday nights: Most lively but also busiest—expect possible waits, especially at popular Korean BBQ, hot pot, and sushi spots.
• Lunch: Many places offer more affordable lunch combos and quieter dining rooms.

Grocery Stores and Food Courts for DIY Food Lovers

If you’d rather cook or sample multiple small dishes in one stop, Atlanta has several Asian supermarkets and food court–style setups, especially along:

• Buford Highway (Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville)
• Pleasant Hill Rd in Duluth
• Parts of Tucker and Norcross

Inside or near these stores, you often find:

• Prepared foods counters (roast duck, sushi, bento, dumplings)
• Bakery sections with buns and pastries
• Small stall-style eateries offering noodles, rice dishes, or snacks

These are useful if you’re staying in an Airbnb or extended-stay hotel and want to cook or assemble simple meals yourself.

How to Get the Most Out of Atlanta’s Asian Food Scene

To find the best Asian food in Atlanta for you:

• Decide your priority: convenience (in-town), variety (Buford Highway), or depth in one cuisine (Duluth, Doraville, Johns Creek).
• Be open to plazas and food courts: Many top meals are in simple spaces in multi-tenant shopping centers.
• Ask about specialties: Staff can usually point you to the dishes they’re known for, whether it’s a specific stew, noodle, or dessert.
• Consider timing and transit: Busiest spots can have waits on weekends; public transit plus a short rideshare can simplify parking.

Whether you’re craving hot pot, pho, Korean BBQ, sushi, or something more casual, Atlanta offers enough options that you can build your visit—or your weekly routine—around consistently excellent Asian meals.