Eat Your Way Through Asia in Rome

 

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The people of Italy are proud of a lot of things, especially their local culinary tradition. Italian food is considered one of the best cuisines in the world and people from all parts of the globe come to the region to try authentic Italian dishes. In the capital city of Rome, most of the best-known restaurants and dining spots serve authentic local staples (think pasta, pizzas and gelatos) that are enjoyed by Italians and foreigners alike.

But if you’ve been in the city for a while, you might find the local food to be a bit too carb-heavy and, dare we say, repetitive. If you’re already “Italian-ed out”, looking for variety, or simply craving a completely different flavor profile on your plate, there are plenty of Asian restaurants in the city of Rome that are worth trying.

There are restaurants in the Italian capital that serve Asian cuisine – from Japanese and Chinese to Thai and Vietnamese. We’ve put together some of the best Asian dining spots in Rome to help you narrow down your options. Before you dine in, don’t forget to stow your luggage at a Rome storage facility for convenience.

1. Hamasei (Japanese)

For the best and most authentic Japanese food in Rome, your best bet is to visit Hamasei. Located a few steps from the Trevi Fountain and the Piazza di Spagna, Hamasei was founded in 1974 and is the first-ever Japanese restaurant in the city. 

At present, it is considered an institution in Rome and has become the go-to spot for Japanese staples such as sushi, sashimi, noodles, tempura, and more. They also have a take-away menu for clients who want food on the go. Some of the must-try dishes served here are the hiyashi cia soba and the tempura morikomi.

2. Green T (Chinese)

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Although there are a number of Chinese restaurants found all over Rome, only a handful of them can give a truly authentic Chinese dining experience such as the Green T. This restaurant-tea room hybrid is one, if not the most popular Chinese place in the Italian capital (it’s even included in the Michelin guide). 

The specialties at Green T include the Peking duck, tuna with Sechuan pepper, and the dumplings. To complete your dining experience, make sure to try the “Tao of tea” tasting menu to cleanse your palate.

3. Galbi (Korean)

Opened in 2015, Galbi is a contemporary Korean restaurant that specializes in Korean barbecue. It is one of the few places in Rome where you can get an extensive selection of authentic Korean dishes, all of which are prepared using techniques that date back over 2,000 years. 

Galbi provides high-quality meats and seafood that are marinated and the customers get to cook their own meats in the grill, a common practice in Korea. Aside from the Korean BBQ, you can also avail of their rice dishes and other Korean favorites, such as the kimchi (fermented vegetables), pajeon (green onion pancake), and the japchae (sweet starch potato noodles).

4. Mekong Restaurant (Vietnamese)

Located in the S. Giovanni area of Rome, Mekong Restaurant is an authentic and affordable Vietnamese dining spot named after the famous Mekong Delta River in Southeast Asia. 

The traditional Vietnamese dishes served here can satisfy all five tastes – salty, spicy, sour, sweet and bitter. The menu consists of meat and seafood dishes as well as extensive vegetarian options. Must-try is of course the traditional Vietnamese noodle soup known as pho as well as their rice rolls.

5. Krishna 13 (Indian)

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Piazza Vittorio Emanuel and its surrounding areas are known for being multicultural, so it comes as no surprise that one of the most popular Indian restaurants in Rome can be found here. From the appearance alone, you are instantly transported to India with its array of bronze statues and other colorful artifacts.

Their menu is Indian cuisine at its finest: made of creamy and buttery sauces, freshly-made bread, and some really flavorful spices. Expect the food here to have a spicy kick like authentic Indian food but you can request a milder flavor if you can’t handle the spice. They also have a dedicated vegetarian menu for clients who are avoiding meat. Must-try dishes at Krishna 13 include the samosas, tandoori chicken, gulab jamun, and their famous mango lassi.

6. Sukhothai (Thai)

For a party in your taste buds, head over to Monteverde and try the delicious dishes served in Sukhothai. This authentic Thai restaurant is well-beloved due to its selection of Thai favorites that are rich in herbs and spices and made from the finest ingredients imported from Thailand! 

Some of Sukhothai’s bestsellers include the pad thai (stir-fried rice noodles), tom kha gai (chicken coconut soup), fried shrimp, and the Panang beef curry. 

7. Hasekura (Japanese)

Situated in the Monti neighborhood, not too far from the Colosseum, is the small but reputable restaurant known as Hasekura. Founded by an Italian-Japanese couple, the restaurant has garnered a following of Japanese expats and affluent Italians due to their selection of authentic Japanese dishes created by head chef Ito Kimiji, who hails from northern Japan. 

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True to its Japanese roots, Hasekura has a minimalist-style interior. The food, however, can be described as a “pleasure for the senses”; the sashimi moriawase is made out of fresh fish and their soba noodle soup is to die for. They also have delicious desserts and a decent sake selection.

8. Court Delicati (Malaysian)

Malaysian cuisine can be described as a fusion of Chinese and Indian flavors with minor influences from nearby nations’ local cuisine. To get a taste of Malay food in Rome, visit Court Delicati, located near the Circus Maximus area. 

Established in 1987, the restaurant boasts a range of authentic Malay specialties, a lot of which aren’t that common in the Italian capital. Must-try dishes at Court Delicati are chicken curry and beef with tom yum sauce. 

9. Dim Sum Fine Asian Cuisine (Chinese)

Located near the famous shopping district of Prati, Dim Sum Fine Asian Cuisine is a hole-in-the-wall dining spot that offers some of the best Chinese food you’ll ever try in Rome. 

As its name suggests, the restaurant’s specialty is dim sum – from steamed and fried dim sum to savory and filled dumplings. This no-frills Chinese restaurant is also affordable, which means you can stuff your tummy with an endless supply of dumplings without going bankrupt.

10. Bombay (Indian)

The last restaurant on this list is Bombay, another Indian restaurant that offers an authentic Indian dining experience. Customers rave about nearly all the dishes they offer – from the freshly-made naan bread and jasmine rice to the flavorful curry and tandoori. Don’t miss the opportunity to try their special lamb masala, which is guaranteed spicy and delicious.

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https://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/Restaurants-g187791-c3-Rome_Lazio.html