Asian Food in Atlanta: Where to Find the Best Flavors Around the City

Atlanta’s food scene has exploded over the past decade, and Asian food in Atlanta is one of the biggest reasons why. Whether you want a quick bowl of pho on Buford Highway, dim sum with friends near Doraville, or creative Asian-fusion in Midtown, there’s a huge range of options spread across the metro area.

This guide walks you through the major neighborhoods, popular cuisines, and practical tips for exploring Asian food in Atlanta, with a strong focus on what’s actually useful if you live here or are visiting.

Key Areas for Asian Food in Atlanta

While you can find Asian restaurants all over the city, a few corridors stand out.

Buford Highway: The Heart of Asian Food in Atlanta

If you ask locals where to start, Buford Highway is almost always the first answer. This multi-mile stretch running through Brookhaven, Chamblee, and Doraville is packed with Asian restaurants, bakeries, and markets.

You’ll find:

• Chinese: Cantonese, Sichuan, Hunan, Taiwanese, and regional noodle and dumpling spots
• Korean: BBQ, fried chicken, tofu stews, late-night bars
• Vietnamese: Pho, banh mi, bun bowls, family-style restaurants
• Thai & Laotian: Curries, noodle dishes, papaya salad, and more
• Japanese: Ramen, sushi, izakaya-style pubs
• Filipino, Malaysian, Indonesian, and fusion scattered through the corridor

Landmarks along Buford Highway commonly associated with Asian food:

• The stretch roughly from N Druid Hills Rd NE up through Pleasant Hill Rd in Doraville
• Shopping centers near Doraville MARTA Station (6000 New Peachtree Rd, Doraville, GA 30340)
• Large markets near the Chamblee and Doraville borders

If you’re visiting and have a car, dedicating an afternoon or evening to Buford Highway is one of the most efficient ways to sample multiple Asian cuisines in a single outing.

Doraville & Chamblee: Markets and Family-Style Dining

Doraville and Chamblee sit at the core of metro Atlanta’s Asian dining landscape.

You’ll find:

• Korean BBQ strips with charcoal grills at the table
• Hot pot and Korean-style stew restaurants
• Chinese banquet-style spots where you can order whole fish, Peking duck, and large shared plates
• Vietnamese plazas with pho shops next to bakeries and bubble tea
• Several Asian supermarkets with food courts or small counters serving prepared meals

Some key intersections and areas locals look to for Asian food:

• Near the junction of Buford Hwy NE & Clairmont Rd (Chamblee area)
• Around Jimmy Carter Blvd and I-85 (technically Norcross/Lilburn area, but often part of the same food conversation)

These areas are especially good if you’re planning a group meal and want dishes designed for sharing.

Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, and Downtown: Trendy & Fusion

Inside the city itself, especially around Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, and Downtown, you’ll find:

• Modern Asian-fusion restaurants putting a creative spin on traditional dishes
• Ramen bars and sushi counters with a more upscale or date-night feel
• Casual poke spots and bubble tea shops near offices, tech hubs, and colleges
• Food stalls in mixed-use developments and food halls

This part of Atlanta is ideal if you:

• Don’t want to drive far from a hotel or office
• Prefer a cocktail + small plates style evening
• Want vegetarian-friendly or clearly labeled menus

Suburban Hotspots: Duluth, Suwanee, and Johns Creek

North of Atlanta, especially in Gwinnett County, there’s a dense collection of Asian restaurants favored by many local families and long-time residents.

Expect to find:

• Large Korean plazas with BBQ, bakeries, dessert cafés, and karaoke
• Chinese and Taiwanese cafes, noodle houses, and bubble tea chains
• Japanese yakiniku, izakaya, and sushi
• More specialized regional spots (for example, Sichuan-only or Lanzhou-style noodle shops)

If you live north of the Perimeter or don’t mind a drive, these suburbs can rival or even surpass city options in variety and depth.

Popular Types of Asian Food in Atlanta (and Where They Cluster)

The table below summarizes where Atlanta residents typically go for different Asian cuisines:

How to Choose an Asian Restaurant in Atlanta

With so many options, it helps to use a few practical filters.

1. Decide How Far You Want to Drive

Traffic in Atlanta can change your plans quickly. Consider:

• Inside the Perimeter (ITP): Midtown, Downtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, West Midtown, and some parts of Buckhead are good if you want to stay central.
• North of the Perimeter (OTP): Buford Highway, Doraville, Chamblee, Duluth, and Johns Creek are worth the trip if you’re prioritizing variety and authenticity over convenience.

If you’re staying downtown without a car, you can:

• Take MARTA to Doraville Station to reach the Buford Highway area, then use rideshare or short local drives.
• Or focus on Midtown and Old Fourth Ward for walkable or short-ride options.

2. Think About Dining Style

Different parts of the metro are better for different kinds of meals:

• Quick lunch or solo meal

  • Pho shops, ramen counters, sushi lunch specials, food-court stalls inside Asian supermarkets.
  • These are common on Buford Highway, in Midtown, and near office districts.

• Group dining and celebrations

  • Korean BBQ, Chinese hot pot, and large dim sum restaurants along Buford Hwy, Doraville, Duluth, and Johns Creek.
  • Great if you have 4–10 people and want to share multiple dishes.

• Date night or special evening

  • Intown Midtown/Buckhead/Old Fourth Ward restaurants with a more polished feel, creative cocktails, and elevated takes on classic dishes.

• Late-night food

  • Certain Korean, Chinese, and noodle shops along Buford Hwy and in Duluth keep extended hours, especially on weekends.
  • Always check individual hours; closing times can vary by season and day.

3. Consider Dietary Needs

Most Asian cuisines in Atlanta offer options for different dietary preferences, but it’s helpful to know where to look:

• Vegetarian or vegan

  • Many Thai, Indian, and certain Chinese or Vietnamese spots have multiple vegetable-based dishes.
  • Intown fusion restaurants often label vegan and gluten-free items clearly.

• Gluten-conscious

  • Rice-based dishes (pho, many curries, rice plates) can be easier to adapt.
  • Soy sauce often contains gluten; some higher-end or health-focused places may use or offer gluten-free alternatives.

• Spice levels

  • Thai, Sichuan, and some Korean dishes can be very spicy.
  • In most Atlanta restaurants, you can request mild, medium, or hot; just let your server know clearly.

Asian Supermarkets and Food Courts

If you like to cook at home or want to sample a variety of dishes in one place, Atlanta’s Asian supermarkets are a key part of the scene.

What You’ll Typically Find

• Full grocery selection: produce, fresh herbs, sauces, noodles, rice, frozen dumplings, seafood, and specialty meats
• Prepared food counters: roasted meats, sushi, hot bar items
• In-store food courts: small restaurants or kiosks serving noodles, BBQ, rice plates, bubble tea, and snacks

These markets are usually clustered:

• Along Buford Highway (Brookhaven → Doraville)
• In Duluth, Norcross, Suwanee, and Johns Creek near major intersections with I-85 and Peachtree Industrial Blvd

Visiting a large Asian supermarket is a good way to:

• Try street-food-style dishes without committing to a full sit-down restaurant
• Pick up snacks, drinks, and desserts to sample at home or in a hotel
• Explore ingredients if you’re learning to cook Asian recipes

Tips for Exploring Asian Food in Atlanta

Here are some simple, locally relevant strategies to get more out of the city’s Asian food options.

Start With a Focused Food Crawl

Instead of trying to cover the whole metro at once, pick one area:

• Buford Highway evening crawl

  • Stop 1: Bubble tea or a bakery snack
  • Stop 2: Shared appetizers (dumplings, skewers, or small plates)
  • Stop 3: Main meal (BBQ, hot pot, pho, ramen, or Thai)
  • Optional Stop 4: Dessert café (shaved ice, rolled ice cream, or Asian-inspired pastries)

• Midtown / Old Fourth Ward lunch and dinner

  • Lunch: Ramen, sushi, or poke
  • Afternoon: Coffee or tea from an Asian-inspired café
  • Dinner: A more upscale or fusion restaurant nearby

This approach lets you try multiple places without long drives between each one.

Use Time of Day Strategically

⏱ Timing tips:

• Weekend brunch and lunch: Good for dim sum and popular pho shops, but arrive early to avoid long waits.
• Weeknights: Easier to get tables at busy Korean BBQ or hot pot spots along Buford Hwy and in Duluth.
• Late evening: Some Asian dessert cafés and Korean eateries stay lively, especially on Fridays and Saturdays.

Parking and Transit Considerations

• Many Buford Highway-area restaurants are in large strip centers with plenty of free parking, but lots can be busy during peak mealtimes.
• Intown neighborhoods like Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, and Inman Park may have:
  • Paid decks
  • Limited street parking
  • Restaurant validation in shared garages

If you don’t want to drive:

• MARTA can bring you close to some hubs:
  • Doraville Station (Gold Line): Access point to the Buford Highway and Doraville restaurant area. Taxis or rideshare can cover the last mile.
  • Midtown, North Avenue, Civic Center, and Peachtree Center Stations: Useful for central-city Asian options.

How Locals Often Navigate the Scene

People who live in Atlanta commonly:

• Treat Buford Highway as a go-to for “serious eating” days when they want to explore or show guests around.
• Use Midtown and Old Fourth Ward when they want atmosphere plus Asian-inspired cuisine in a walkable area.
• Head to Duluth, Suwanee, and Johns Creek for weekend family gatherings, especially for Korean and Chinese restaurants with big dining rooms.
• Shop at Asian supermarkets to stretch their budget by cooking at home while still enjoying authentic flavors.

If you’re new to Atlanta or just visiting, following those same patterns can help you quickly find reliable, high-quality options.

Practical Next Steps If You’re in Atlanta

To get started with Asian food in Atlanta:

1. Choose your focus area

   • Short on time? Stay intown (Midtown/Old Fourth Ward).
   • Want maximum variety? Plan a half-day around Buford Highway or Duluth.

2. Pick a style of meal

   • Quick solo bowl of noodles
   • Group BBQ or hot pot
   • Dim sum brunch
   • Fusion date night
   • Supermarket food-court exploration

3. Plan transportation

   • Consider traffic, parking, or MARTA access.
   • For Buford Hwy and Duluth, having a car or using rideshare makes things easier.

By focusing on where you are, how you want to eat, and how far you’re willing to travel, you can quickly tap into some of the best Asian food Atlanta has to offer, from casual noodle shops to elaborate shared feasts.