There’s something about the craving for Asian food that hits differently — whether it’s the warmth of a bowl of pho on a rainy Dublin evening or the crunch of Korean fried chicken shared among friends. If you’ve searched for “asian food near me” and ended up in Dublin or Sligo, you’re in luck: these cities hide a rich history of Chinese restaurants dating back to the 1950s, alongside a fresh wave of trending street-food spots.

4 related posts

Most popular Asian cuisine globally: Chinese ·
Number of Asian restaurants in Sligo (TripAdvisor): 10 ·
Oldest Asian restaurant in Dublin: First Chinese restaurant opened in 1957

Quick snapshot

1Dublin City Centre Asian Restaurants
2Sligo Asian Restaurants
3Trending Asian Dishes
  • Korean fried chicken
  • Bubble tea
  • Baos and pho
  • Sushi and poke
4Healthy Asian Food Options
  • Steamed dumplings
  • Vegetable stir-fries
  • Miso soup
  • Avoiding deep-fried items

Four facts, one pattern: the Asian food scene in Ireland splits between historic Chinese roots and modern street-food trends.

Label Value Source
Oldest Asian restaurant in Dublin First Chinese restaurant opened in 1957 DublinTown (city tourism guide)
Top rated Asian restaurant on OpenTable Varies; check South City Centre list OpenTable
Number of Asian restaurants in Sligo 10 (TripAdvisor) TripAdvisor (review aggregator)
Popular trending dish Korean fried chicken DublinTown

The implication: a quick glance shows Dublin has more guide-listed options, but Sligo’s smaller scene is tightly rated.

What is the most common Asian dish?

Chinese cuisine is the most widely consumed Asian cuisine globally, and Ireland is no exception. Sushi and ramen from Japan, along with Vietnamese pho, also enjoy massive followings, but Chinese dishes like fried rice, noodles, and stir-fries remain the everyday default for many. Regional variations matter: Cantonese dim sum, Sichuan hot pot, and Taiwanese bubble tea each have their devoted fans.

  • Chinese food dominates globally — DublinTown (city tourism guide) notes that Chinese restaurants are the most numerous Asian category in Dublin.
  • Japanese ramen and sushi are top contenders — DublinTown lists Yamamori, The Ramen Bar, and Takara as authentic ramen spots.
  • Korean and Thai dishes round out the list — DublinTown includes Arisu (Korean) and Saba (Thai) in its top picks.
The upshot

For the average Irish diner, the most common Asian dish is likely a Chinese takeaway staple, but the definition of “common” is broadening fast with Korean and Vietnamese trends.

What this means: if you type “asian food near me” in Dublin or Sligo, you’ll likely see Chinese options first, but the range of Asian cuisines available is wider than ever.

What Asian food is trending right now?

Korean fried chicken and bubble tea have skyrocketed in popularity, appearing on menus across both cities. Street-food styles like bao buns, pho, and poke bowls are no longer niche — they’re featured in dedicated spots such as Mi Asian Street Food in Dublin (noted by DublinTown).

  • Korean fried chicken is the dish of the moment — cited by DublinTown as a trending item.
  • Bubble tea has dedicated shops in Dublin and Sligo.
  • Bao buns and pho are widely available — DublinTown notes that Xi’an Street Food and Red Torch Ginger serve excellent vegetarian-friendly bao.
  • Sushi and poke bowls remain staples, with delivery options via Uber Eats (delivery platform).
The paradox

Trends move fast: what’s hot today might be yesterday’s news by next year, but Dublin’s restaurant scene has proven quick to adapt, giving locals access to global food movements within weeks.

The trade-off: trendy dishes often cost more and may sacrifice authenticity for mass appeal. Diners should check whether a spot is known for that specific dish rather than just adding it to a generic menu.

What are Dublin’s top rated Asian restaurants?

According to DublinTown, Dublin’s best Asian restaurants cluster around Camden Street, South City Centre, and the Docklands. OpenTable listings confirm high ratings for Nan Chinese, Saba, Arisu, Red Torch Ginger, Chilli Club, Kaldero, Yamamori, and The Ramen Bar.

  • Nan Chinese: upscale authentic Chinese, open 12:00-22:00, delivery via Deliveroo (DublinTown).
  • Saba: Thai cuisine with Saba To Go delivery and phone reservations (DublinTown).
  • Yamamori: ramen and Japanese; North location no delivery, South does Uber Eats (DublinTown).
  • Red Torch Ginger: Chinese on Deliveroo, reservations via OpenTable (DublinTown).
  • Chilli Club: Korean, reservations by phone/website, Uber Eats (DublinTown).
  • Kaldero: Filipino, reservations on OpenTable (DublinTown).
  • Vegetarian-friendly: Xi’an Street Food, Red Torch Ginger, Saba (DublinTown).

The pattern: most top-rated places offer delivery through Deliveroo or Uber Eats, making it easy to satisfy an “asian food near me” search without leaving home.

What is a must eat in Dublin?

Dublin’s food scene rewards the curious. Beyond the standard takeaway, must-try dishes include dim sum at Nan Chinese, pho at Mi Asian Street Food, Korean BBQ at Arisu, and ramen at Yamamori. The city’s first Chinese restaurant opened in 1957 (DublinTown), laying the foundation for today’s diverse offerings.

  • Dim sum: available at Nan Chinese and other Cantonese spots.
  • Pho: Mi Asian Street Food on Camden Street is a go-to (DublinTown).
  • Korean BBQ: Arisu offers tabletop grilling (DublinTown).
  • Ramen: Yamamori and The Ramen Bar serve authentic bowls (DublinTown).
Why this matters

Dublin’s Asian food history adds depth to every meal. Eating at a restaurant with decades of tradition changes the experience compared to a chain.

The catch: “must eat” lists change yearly, so check recent reviews on OpenTable or TripAdvisor to see what’s currently recommended.

How do Asians stay so healthy?

Asian diets traditionally emphasize vegetables, fish, fermented foods, and cooking methods like steaming and stir-frying. Portion control and variety also play roles. However, not all Asian food is healthy — dishes like deep-fried spring rolls, sugary bubble tea, and salt-laden soy sauce can tip the balance.

  • Healthier picks: steamed dumplings, miso soup, vegetable stir-fries (DublinTown includes these as vegetarian-friendly options).
  • Less healthy: deep-fried items, sugary sauces, and excessive sodium.
  • The key is preparation: ask for less oil or sauce when ordering.
The trade-off

Asian food can be both nutritious and indulgent — the health outcome depends entirely on what you order, not the cuisine label.

For Irish diners concerned about health, the smart move is to choose steamed, grilled, or broth-based dishes and avoid the deep-fried combo boxes.

Confirmed facts

  • Dublin’s first Chinese restaurants opened in 1957 — DublinTown (city tourism guide)
  • OpenTable lists Asian restaurants in South City Centre — OpenTable
  • TripAdvisor has 10 Asian restaurants in Sligo — TripAdvisor (review aggregator)

What’s unclear

  • Exact menu items of specific restaurants (not fully listed on all platforms)
  • Current rating trends (scores change frequently)
  • Health impact of every dish without nutritional labels

“Nan Chinese is an upscale eatery serving authentic Chinese meals.”

— DublinTown (city tourism guide)

“Jalan Jalan Sligo is ranked first among Asian restaurants in Sligo.”

— TripAdvisor (review aggregator)

Upsides

  • Wide variety of cuisines available in both cities
  • Delivery options through Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and direct services
  • Historic restaurants offer authentic, time-tested recipes

Downsides

  • Not all “Asian” restaurants specialize in one cuisine — quality varies
  • Sligo has fewer options than Dublin
  • Trendy dishes can be expensive and may lack authenticity

For anyone searching for Asian food near me in Dublin or Sligo, the choice is clear: explore the historic Chinese restaurants in Dublin or the top-rated spots in Sligo, or risk missing out on authentic flavors that have been shaped by decades of culinary tradition.

Additional sources

thevitalityvet.com, grubhub.com, gastroranking.ie

For diners looking beyond the main cities, a comprehensive Asian restaurant guide covers top options across Ireland, including hidden gems in Sligo.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the unhealthiest Asian food?

Deep-fried dishes like tempura, spring rolls, and sugary sauces such as sweet and sour chicken tend to be highest in calories and sodium. Healthier swaps include steamed dumplings or broth-based soups.

What is a traditional Chinese restaurant called?

Traditional Chinese restaurants often use names like “House,” “Garden,” or “Palace” (e.g., Mandarin Court). In Dublin, many historic spots follow this pattern, while newer ones use the chef’s name or a modern moniker.

What’s Dublin’s oldest Asian restaurant?

Dublin’s first Chinese restaurant opened in 1957, marking the start of the city’s Asian food scene. That tradition continues in today’s restaurants like Nan Chinese and Saba.

Where can I find authentic Asian food near me?

Use OpenTable or TripAdvisor to filter by cuisine and rating. Dublin’s Camden Street and Sligo’s Castle Street are good starting points. Look for restaurants that specialize in a single cuisine rather than “pan-Asian” menus.

Does Asian food near me offer delivery?

Yes, most top-rated Asian restaurants in Dublin deliver via Deliveroo, Uber Eats, or direct ordering. Sligo options also offer takeaway and delivery; check individual restaurant pages for details.

What is the most popular Asian cuisine in Ireland?

Chinese remains the most widely available Asian cuisine in Ireland, followed by Thai and Indian. Korean and Vietnamese are growing quickly in Dublin.

How to choose the best Asian restaurant for takeaway?

Check recent reviews on TripAdvisor, look for restaurants that deliver via your preferred platform, and choose one that specializes in the dish you’re craving (e.g., a ramen house for ramen).