Asian restaurants from ‘Check, Please! Arizona’

Whatever your favorite flavors might be, Asian cuisine has you covered. Whether you like sweet or savory, spicy or sweet, there are many Asian restaurants in Arizona to choose from. To help you narrow down your choices, we’ve compiled a list of Asian spots featured on “Check, Please! Arizona.” With everything from Vietnamese to Thai to Hawaiian, we’ve got great recommendations for your next meal.

Rice Paper

Rice Paper is a Vietnamese restaurant that specializes in spring rolls and pho. They have more than 20 different varieties of spring rolls and their pho broth, which simmers for 18 to 20 hours, is made to order. “Check, Please! Arizona” guest Ed Neilson loves dining at Rice Paper. Neilson orders the edamame and a variety of spring rolls, but the two that he loves specifically are the firecracker shrimp and the Pacific trio. “They both are warm and crispy,” Neilson said. “There are three different dipping sauces. They are all amazing.”

Besides expected menu items like banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches) and several kinds of pho, Rice Paper lays claim to having the largest fresh spring roll bar in Arizona.

You can visit Rice Paper at their two locations in Scottsdale and Phoenix.

Clever Koi

Clever Koi, an Asian-inspired kitchen and craft cocktail bar, got its name from the traditional story of the koi fish swimming upstream to become a dragon, using cleverness and perseverance to achieve its goal. Clever Koi offers a diverse menu of steamed buns, house-made dumplings, progressive noodle dishes and small plates that reflect flavors of Thailand, Korea, China, Vietnam, Japan, and Indo-China. Whether you’re a culinary explorer or prefer familiar tastes, this is a culinary adventure tailored for everyone’s enjoyment.

Guest Tara Anderson described the restaurant as “intimate and quaint,” in which diners can watch the activity both behind the bar and in the kitchen. “It’s very much a neighborhood place,” Anderson said. If the food and the energy aren’t enough, Clever Koi’s cocktails surely will be.

You can visit Clever Koi at their two locations in Phoenix or Gilbert.

Shaanxi Garden

Nestled in Mesa’s Asian market district, Shaanxi Garden specializes in handmade noodles, barbecue, and other authentic Chinese cuisines. Three guests and chef Mark Tarbell visited the restaurant whose dishes take inspiration from the Shaanxi Province in China, which is famous for its over three-foot-long noodles they call biangbiang noodles. Shaanxi Garden is decorated with traditional furniture, art and statues imported directly from China, which co-owner Wanying Cheng says adds to the atmosphere.

“Check, Please! Arizona” guest Justin Neal recommended Shaanxi Garden. He said after living in China for six months, the restaurant was as close to authentic as he could find in Arizona. “The crispy chicken was so juicy, it was the perfect amount of salt, not too salty. The skin was a thin layer of crispiness that can just break.”

You can visit the Shaanxi Garden at 67 N. Dobson Road #109, Mesa, AZ 85201.

Udupi Indian Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine

Udupi invites guests to enjoy the warmth of Indian hospitality through its cuisine, with a diverse array of flavorful vegetarian and vegan food. The restaurant has built a community of frequent visitors who enjoy the dishes packed with vibrancy and culture, and the waitstaff ensures that you understand the new kinds of South Indian dishes you might come across.

“Check, Please! Arizona” guest Mike Sullivan starts out with the rasam soup, a spicy and comforting dish, before ordering potato poriyal and dal curry. Sullivan highlighted the deep flavors found in all the dishes Udupi offers.

You can visit Udupi Indian Vegetarian & Vegan Cuisine at 1636 N. Scottsdale Road, Tempe, AZ.

Indian Delhi Palace

Tucked away in Phoenix, this restaurant features a lunch buffet and a more formal dinner. The menu at Indian Delhi Palace is a carefully curated collection of dishes that tell the story of India’s culinary heritage. Indian Delhi Palace brings the flavors of India to the Valley and has been doing so for decades according to General Manager Phulprett Singh. “When Indian Delhi Palace first opened back in 1985, we were the first Indian restaurant in Arizona, in Phoenix,” Singh said. “We’ve been in the Valley showing people what Indian food is when nobody knew what it was.” It also has a banquet hall that is available for weddings and professional gatherings.

“Check, Please! Arizona” guest Angie Hicks mentioned a particular standout being the irresistible Tandoori Chicken. Hicks found herself captivated by its flavors to the point where she couldn’t resist indulging in every savory bite.

You can visit Indian Delhi Palace at 5104 East McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ.

Taste of Thai

Taste of Thai focuses on fresh ingredients while adding new twists to their food. The eatery is not afraid to introduce fusion dishes, including “Check, Please! Arizona” Isabel Garibay’s favorite, the bacon fried rice. The family-owned establishment prides itself on giving a taste of new twists on traditional Thai foods.

Garibay, who ordered the dish spicy, said it was very hearty and the bacon was, “crisped to perfection,” with thin slices of veggies. As an appetizer, Garibay ordered the spring rolls, which she praised for being crispy, delicate and flavorful.

You can visit Taste of Thai in Ahwatukee at 4855 E. Warner Rd., Phoenix, AZ.

Moku Hawaiian Grill

Moku, meaning “island” in Hawaiian, features authentic Hawaiian dishes like chicken katsu, kalua pork and poke.

When you step inside the restaurant, customers have the option to pick and choose their plating with their favorite foods. There’s a wide variety of tropical sides such as rice, edamame, corn and macaroni salad. Co-owner Joseph Flexman says Moku’s menu has a traditional mix of Asian and Polynesian influences. Additionally, Moku serves several flavors of Dole Whip, a pineapple soft-serve ice cream found primarily in Hawaii. Moku also includes flavors like strawberry and mango.

You can visit Moku Hawaiian Grill at 4302 E. Ray Road in Phoenix, AZ.

Saigon Kitchen

Dennis Tran, owner of Saigon Kitchen, says that his restaurant feels like one big family, as he strives for customers to be as relaxed as they would be eating at home while enjoying their unique and fresh Vietnamese dishes.

The most popular dish is the sizzling shaken beef platter, which includes stir-fried filet mignon, caramelized onions, and jasmine rice. Check, Please! guest Jim Scott describes the restaurant as a warm and inviting place, with a diverse menu of modern Vietnamese dishes. From traditional pho to fresh salads, and Saigon garlic noodles, Saigon Kitchen has a variety of flavors to appease any food-lover.

You can visit Saigon Kitchen at 14071 W Bell Rd, Suite 10, Suprise, AZ.

Canton Dragon Asian Bar and Grill

This family-owned Chinese restaurant offers a cozy and relaxing environment where everyone feels like family. Canton Dragon Asian Grill and Bar boasts a diverse menu with a prioritization of fresh ingredients served in the Canton style of cooking. This style puts its greatest emphasis on the freshness of the produce and meat, minimizing processed foods to ensure a healthy and flavorful dish.

The environment of the restaurant is familial, and restaurant manager Phoebe Carnell aspires to “make our customers feel like they’re at home.”

“Check, Please! Arizona” guests enjoyed a variety of dishes and praised the shrimp and salt and pepper squid. Guest Jennie Orr de Lopez loved the shrimp toast and was excited to find the familiar dish.

“The shrimp were really delicately cooked inside,” Orr de Lopez said. “They were plump and juicy.”

You can visit Canton Dragon Asian Bar and Grill at 10190 N 90th St, Scottsdale, AZ or visit their website for more information.

Thai E-San

This Thai restaurant located in North Phoenix prioritizes good and fresh ingredients bought almost daily and is known for having dishes with a kick.

Thai E-San serves traditional Thai dishes with an emphasis on cuisine from the Northeast part of Thailand that are rich in flavor and culture. The food is complemented by a welcoming environment.

“Check, Please! Arizona” guest Angela Smith found Thai E-San because she wanted a little spice in her life, which she found in this family-owned gem. Smith’s favorite dish is the yellow curry which is filled with fresh vegetables alongside a moist chicken that soaks up the flavors of the sauce.

You can visit Thai E-San at 616 W. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ or visit their website for more information.

Want more Arizona restaurant recommendations? Watch “Check, Please! Arizona” for inspiration for your next meal out, with diverse options all over the state!