Best Asian Restaurants in Downtown Pittsburgh

By Olivia Miller

As Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month comes to a close, don’t lose sight of the vibrant Asian community in Pittsburgh. Here is a collection of the tastiest Asian restaurants Downtown:

Nicky’s Thai Kitchen: Owned by Thailand native Ratthasak “Nick” Insawang, the restaurant has grown since its establishment in 2010 to include three locations, including one Downtown on Penn Avenue with a stunning outdoor seating patio. They have also been voted best Thai restaurant in Pittsburgh by both City Paper and Pittsburgh Magazine every year since 2012. It’s no surprise why: their menu features countless Thai classics like Pad Thai, crab rangoons, Tom Yum soup, and red curry.

We Recommend: Their broccoli chicken entree with flavorful broccoli, carrots, and baby corn all atop a bed of white rice.

Chinatown Inn: Dine at a piece of Pittsburgh history at Chinatown Inn. The restaurant with its pagoda style roofing is the last remaining piece of Pittsburgh’s once vibrant Chinatown, which was dismantled in the 1920s with the construction of the Boulevard of the Allies. Now in its third decade of being owned and operated by the Yee family, the restaurant boasts a long menu with Cantonese, Szechuan, and Hunan dishes.

We Recommend: Their chicken lo mein with tender lo mein noodles, firm vegetables, and perfectly cooked chicken.

Social House 7: With its koi pond, towering Buddha sculptures, and cherry blossom accents, Social House 7 provides the chicest atmosphere for you to enjoy their Asian fusion dishes. With dishes drawing inspiration from Korean, Thai, Chinese, and Japanese cuisine, the restaurant presents an impressive menu complete with specialty cocktails, sake, and wine.

We Recommend: Their godzilla roll- a little package full of flavor from its savory tempura shrimp and seared tuna, cool seaweed salad, and spicy garlic sauce on top.

Yuzu Kitchen: Located on Wood Street, this restaurant specializes in Eastern Asian influenced cuisine. Mostly known for their warm and filling ramen bowls, Yuzu Kitchen also offers stir fry and fried rice options as well as rice bowls and a large selection of small bites. Not to mention the restaurant is decorated with colorful spray painted murals and features a large bar which offers a selection of hand crafted cocktails, Asian beers, and sake flights.

We Recommend: Their katsu chicken rice bowl which features crispy slices of chicken katsu absolutely doused in a flavorful curry sauce.

Bae Bae’s Kitchen: Owned by husband and wife duo Ashley Bae and Edward Lai, Bae Bae’s Kitchen has been bringing authentic Korean cuisine to The Golden Triangle since 2017. The restaurant’s entrees are mostly made-to-order with white rice, greens, and the customer’s choice of protein and side, which change nearly daily. There is a branch next door to the restaurant called Bae Bae’s Cafe, which features more casual and quick fare, like Korean scallion pancakes and boba.

We Recommend: Their classic entree including crispy tempura shrimp and their tangy, spicy napa cabbage kimchi.