In the mood for some Asian food? You’ll do well to be in Dubai. From Al Nahda to Jebel Ali and Jumeirah to Al Qudra, there’s not a community in Dubai that’s devoid of the ubiquitous Chinese food restaurant. And not just Chinese, Dubai is a hub for cuisines from all over Asia – Japanese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Korean, Malay, Thai, Indonesian… you crave it, and Dubai will serve it.

Hot Palayok

In Wasl Hub in Karama, Hot Palayok prepares Pan-Asian and Filipino dishes right before your eyes. It has a street-food-style section where you can choose any food item to be grilled. You will also be spoilt for choice for mains, sushi and sweets. The restaurant’s authentic Filipino and Pan-Asian recipes will tingle your taste buds. The charm of Filipino cuisine comes with the combination of salt, sour, sweet and spice. A perfect combination of rice, vegetables, fish and various other types of meat with a wide array of specific species serves mouth-watering dishes.

Dagat Dagatan

Location: Al Jazira Street, Al Rigga, Deira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Get Directions
+971 4 274 0910
dagatdagatan.com
Hours: 12pm – 10:30pm

At Dagat Dagatan in Al Riqqa, experience authentic seafood cuisine prepared by Filipino chefs, including the traditional Filipino Isaw, chicken intestine. Also try Biko, a sticky rice cake and go to the karaoke room to belt out a song or two. Dagat-Dagatan in Dubai is ‘home away from home’ for the Filipinos. It’s the place that will kindle and warm your appetite for family home-cooked Philippine native dishes. It’s the place to meet new friends and build a strong bond among their fellow Filipinos or ‘kababayans.’

Jollibee

Location: Level 2, Food Court, Dubai Mall, Financial Center Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Get Directions
+971 600 587000
jollibeeuae.com
Hours: 8am – 12am

Jollibee, the KFC equivalent in the Philippines, is known for crispy chicken in spicy forms. The Filipino chain is well-known for its Chickenjoy which comes in original and spicy variants. Jolly Spaghetti is loved for its sweet-style sauce topped with ground beef, diced ham and hotdog slices. Chocolate lovers must try their chocolate sundae. Jollibee is the largest fast-food chain brand in the Philippines, operating a Philippine network of more than a thousand stores. Popular with OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers), the chain has more than 180 international stores in the US, Canada, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

Max’s Restaurant

Location: Spinney’s Building, Ground Floor, 11B Street, Near Burjuman, Al Karama, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Get Directions
+971 4 351 1269
maxsrestaurantme.com
Hours: 11am – 10pm

At Max’s Restaurant in Karama (and Al Riqqa), enjoy delicious, tender, juicy and crispy fried chicken. Try Max’s Tapa, slices of marinated beef served with rice and a sunny side up egg, and Bulalo, a clear soup with cabbage, potato and green beans. Max’s Restaurant began operations in the Philippines in 1945,  just after World War II. Maximo Gimenez, a Stanford-educated teacher befriended the American troops who would regularly visit his home for a drink or two. The troops then insisted that they pay for their drinks, which inspired Max to open a café. His niece, Ruby, created a special recipe for chicken that became an instant favourite with the GIs. Max’s Restaurant was born. In the Middle East, Max’s operates nine restaurants, six of which are in the UAE, two in Qatar and one in Kuwait.

Zeta Seventy Seven

Location: Level 77, Address Beach Resort, The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Get Directions
+971 4 879 8899
Web: zeta-seventy-seven
Hours: 10am – 6pm

Guests at Zeta Seventy Seven enjoy masterfully crafted modern Asian fusion fare. As its moniker suggests, Zeta occupies the 77th floor of Address Beach Resort, soaring 310 metres above sea level. An a la carte menu includes perfectly plated sushi, iced oyster, Wagyu sirloin and miso lobster. The outdoor oasis offers a culinary treat with its Asian fusion menu and picturesque views extending across the Arabian Gulf and Palm Jumeirah. Adjacent to the world’s tallest outdoor infinity pool, Zeta Seventy Seven welcomes guests (21 and above) around its spectacular open-air terrace as well as inside the private indoor air-conditioned cabanas equipped with TVs, music controllers, coffee machines and other amenities.

3Fils

Location: Shop 02, Jumeirah Fishing Harbour, 1 Al Urouba Street, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Get Directions
+971 4 333 4003
3fils.com
Hours: 12pm – 12am

3Fils at Jumeirah Fish Harbour offers a funky Asian-fusion menu including sushi with beach-shack vibes. Founded in November 2016, 3Fils is piloted by a team who live by a diehard daringness to be different, to offer a story akin to the ‘2 cents worth’ opinion of dining in Dubai’ with every bite. With harbour-side community-style dining, 3Fils serves up premium Asian dishes with a Japanese twist as its focus. FYI, they don’t serve soy sauce “so you can enjoy their true flavours and that’s not worth hiding behind soy sauce”.

Vietnamese Foodies

Location: Downtown Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Get Directions
+971 4 554 2090
VietnameseFoodies.com
Hours: 11:30am – 11pm

Vietnamese cooking is one of the healthiest. Vietnamese Foodies in JLT (also in Downtown Dubai) offers outdoor seating by the lake and a petite indoor area and is a hit with Vietnamese food-lovers. The restaurant’s founder and executive chef, Lily Hoa Nguyen, is a Vietnamese national who has been practising her craft since she was 5, and has spent her adult life cooking Vietnamese food in Saigon, Paris, Istanbul and Dubai. Authentic flavours and healthy dishes are a focus and the restaurant’s team of Vietnamese-only chefs and sous-chefs ensures that the restaurant only uses traditional recipes and cooking methods.

Indochine

Address: DIFC Gate Precinct Building 3, Level 2 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 1AM
Menu: indochinedxb.com
Phone: +971 4 208 9333

Indochine is a French-Vietnamese restaurant in DIFC offering signature dishes including Vietnamese ravioli. If you aren’t floored by the retro-chic stylish décor, the food will get you. As will the star power. While its New York parent may have set the tempo with A-listers frequenting the place, the one in Dubai can’t be far behind. The likes of Roger Federer, Karen Wazen and Chiara Ferragni have been spotted here, making a statement not just for the food, but also the ambience.

Asia Asia

Address: Dubai Marina Mall, 6th Floor, Pier 7 – Sheikh Zayed Rd – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Hours: Closed ⋅ Opens 6PM
Menu: asia-asia.com
Phone: +971 4 276 5900

Asia Asia is where the Far East meets the Middle East. With sweeping views across the Dubai Marina and twinkling waters below, the restaurant serves an exciting culinary fare. It is known for its inventive Pan-Asian specialities and the famous Spice Route Friday Brunch. Sitting in an ideal location on the sixth floor of Pier 7, the restaurant offers stunning views of the Dubai Marina and the shimmering city lights of the famous Dubai skyline.

Buddha-Bar

Address: Grosvenor House Dubai – Al Emreef St – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Hours: Closed ⋅ Opens 7PM
Menu: buddhabar-dubai.com
Phone: +971 4 317 6000

Buddha-Bar at Grosvenor House has a cool vibe and opulent décor with the menu inspired by China, Japan and Thailand. The majestic two-storied venue features striking overhead chandeliers, opulent décor and large bay windows with exceptional views of Dubai Marina. Indulge in delicious flavours of Far-East & Asia from an innovative menu in the Sodo dining room or party upstairs at the Dragon bar to the eclectic tunes from the resident DJ.

Lah Lah

Address: Fourth Floor, Zabeel House by Jumeirah, The Greens Onyx Towers, Tower 3 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 12AM
Phone: +971 4 519 1111

Jumeirah’s Lah Lah serves Pan-Asian fare in The Greens with a sprawling outdoor area and a cute bar by the pool. It offers a range of dishes from all over the continent but the Peking duck stands out. You can come here with colleagues for the weekday Business Lunch or enjoy a chill-out evening with friends and shisha (weeknights only). There’s also the Friday Brunch, Happy Hour (from 4pm until 8pm) and Ladies Night (Tuesdays) to keep your week and weekends occupied.

Mekong Restaurant at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort has cool interiors and Oriental furnishings with dishes from across Thailand, China and Vietnam including sharing platters, dim sum, noodles, soups and grills. Contemporary eclectic décor sets the stage for an exotic feast for the senses. Take a seat at rickshaw tables on the terrace or reserve the private dining room. Enjoy a variety of delicious Thai cuisine in Dubai amidst a range of appetising Asian cuisines. Beijing Half-Roasted Duck and the Mekong Mist are the highlights of the menu.

Miss Wáng

Address: Level P1 Majestic City Retreat Hotel – Al Mankhool Rd – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 2AM · More hours
Menu: dubaimajestic.com
Phone: +971 52 278 7622

Miss Wáng is a popular bar, restaurant and karaoke venue in Bur Dubai with an exciting range of cuisine from India, Japan and China. Located at Level P1 of the Majestic City Retreat Hotel on Mankhool Road, Miss Wáng is a perfectly hip and exciting spot presenting an infusion of modern and classic Asian cuisine. It also offers live band music from Tuesday until Sunday and a fun-filled karaoke session on Mondays.

Miss Tess

Address: Taj Dubai Burj Khalifa Street – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 2AM
Phone: +971 50 498 8505

Miss Tess, a street-food restaurant in the Taj Hotel in Business Bay, promises a lively night out with dishes coming from Korea, Thailand, China, Vietnam and Japan including noodles, curries, dim sum and satay. The restaurant is known for its entertainment, service and creative cocktails. With plenty of options to choose from (including Vegan Nights, All-You-Can-Eat-Sushi and Ladies’ Night) and decent-sized potions, it’s hard not to return for more.

Streetery Food Hall

Address: JLT Cluster D – Shop No. D6B, Lake level – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 11PM
Menu: streeteryfoodhall.com
Phone: +971 4 587 3373

Streetery Food Hall in JLT’s Cluster D has a low-key vibe and authentic street food dishes, from Chinese barbecue to Malay curries. The classic green Thai curry is a top shout. Streetery is a homegrown South East Asian food hall. It focuses on the best of comfort Thai, Chinese, Malaysian, Indonesian & Korean street food.

Chuan Restaurant

Address: The Pointe Palm – The Palm Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 12AM
Phone: +971 4 564 3888

When it comes to Chinese, Chuan Restaurant with a waterfront lounge overlooking the waters of the Palm Jumeirah stands out for authentic Chinese food with modern presentation. The inspiration for Chuan, which is surrounded by the sea on three sides, comes from the rivers and streams of China. Chuan means flowing water, a source of life, and symbolises wealth. The restaurant aims to “spread the eternal flavour of China to the Middle East.” Among the chef’s recommendations on the menu are mouth-watering delicacies such as Stewed Australian Beef and Peking Roast Duck.

Royal China

Address: Precinct Building 4 – 4L2-011 The Balcony – DIFC – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 1AM
Phone: +971 4 354 5543

Royal China in DIFC remains an excellent choice for a high-quality Chinese meal. The global chain is known for its delectable mouth-watering Cantonese flavours. Royal China’s Dim Sum and Hong Kong Chinese dishes are among the crowd favourites. But the customers don’t go to Royal China for just the food – a charming atmosphere with colourful décor and authentic Asian music in the oriental dining room add to the dining experience.

Zheng He

Address: Jumeirah Mina A’ Salam, Madinat Jumeirah, Jumeira Road, Umm Suqeim 3 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 432 3232

Zheng He’s in Jumeirah Mina A’Salam in Umm Suqueim offers utterly delicious and classic Chinese cuisine with a modern twist. Named after the 15th-century Chinese mariner, explorer, diplomat and fleet admiral, the restaurant is inspired by his passion for discovering new lands and civilizations. The culinary concept of the restaurant is as daring and brave as the admiral, combining innovative mixology and contemporary Far Eastern cuisine.

China Sea

Address: Al Maktoum Street, Al Rigga Near Clock Tower, Behind Emirates Gas Station – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 11PM
Phone: +971 4 295 9816

China Sea in Deira is an unpretentious restaurant that serves up authentic and delicious Chinese and Thai cuisine. China Sea’s convenient location (near the Deira Clock Tower Roundabout) and affordable prices make it a natural choice for dine-in and take-out meals. The restaurant is known for its variety in taste and high quality fresh ingredients.

Din Tai Fung

Address: Level #2, Mall Of The Emirates – Sheikh Zayed Rd – Al Barsha 1 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 10PM
Phone: +971 4 265 1288

At Din Tai Fung at the Mall of the Emirates, people go for the delicious dim sum, meaty soups and oodles of noodles. Ranked as one of the world’s Top Ten Best Restaurants by The New York Times, Din Tai Fung has its roots dating back to Taiwan 40 years ago. Din Tai Fung’s cuisine is all about harmony. Utilising the freshest ingredients paired with a relish for simple cooking styles, the recipe selection is never too rich or heavy on the palate, and is a fresh welcome given the increasing preference for healthy cooking. With a wide selection of enticing dishes, diners are destined to tuck into flavourful creations that burst into delight with each and every bite.

Hakkasan

Address: The Palm – Atlantis The Palm – Crescent Rd – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Hours: Closed ⋅ Opens 6PM Fri
Menu: menu.atlantisthepalm.com
Phone: +971 4 426 2626

Hakkasan, a Michelin-starred global chain at Atlantis, The Palm offers modern Chinese fine dining with signature dishes including Peking duck, dim sum and jasmine tea-smoked wagyu beef ribs. Founded in 2001, Hakkasan celebrates Chinese cuisine through traditional techniques, the finest ingredients and contemporary flair. Each kitchen is led by a talented chef whose passion lies in creating uniquely rooted yet modern dishes. With international outposts in some of the world’s most vibrant cities, Hakkasan’s menu is a culinary balance of signature dishes as well as an Only At collection created exclusively for each different location.

Long Teng

Address: Ground Floor, U-bora Towers, Building # 3, Al Abraj Street, Business Bay – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 12AM
Phone: +971 4 241 1666

Long Teng in Business Bay is Dubai’s premier Chinese fine-dining restaurant serving high-end Cantonese cuisine. Long Teng’s menu is a delightful mix of traditional and modern Chinese fare. Famed for its freshly prepared live seafood specialities, the restaurant also serves a variety of mouth-watering dim sum as well as traditional beef, lamb, poultry and vegetable favourites. Long Teng’s Yum Cha Friday brunch, inspired by the age-old Chinese tradition of dining on delicious dim sum while sipping on rich and aromatic tea blends, is the perfect way to get acquainted with Chinese cuisine. The restaurant provides a welcoming atmosphere alongside a high-quality dining experience and is the perfect spot for a casual lunch, business meeting or romantic dinner.

New Shanghai

Address: Financial Center Rd – Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Hours: Open ⋅ Closes 10PM
Menu: newshanghaime.com
Phone: +971 4 224 6819

New Shanghai in the Dubai Mall is a family-friendly spot offering plenty of tasty-sounding options on the menu with oodles of dim sum, wontons, dumplings and buns – it even has Nutella dim sum for dessert. The restaurant offers guests a taste of modern Shanghai-style cuisine in an ambient setting inspired by the bustling, colourful streets of the city it’s named after. At the heart of New Shanghai are ancient family recipes passed down from generation to generation. These recipes are the base of its vibrant array of Shanghai-style soup dumplings, noodles, bubbling hot pots, and pan-fried buns, which can be enjoyed while taking in its live dumpling-making theatre.