Palm Springs Asian Restaurant Guide

Palm Springs offers a diverse culinary scene that caters to various tastes and preferences. Among the different dining options, Asian cuisine stands out for its rich flavors, exotic ingredients, and culinary artistry. If you’re a food enthusiast seeking to tantalize your taste buds with Asian delights, here’s a curated list of must-try restaurants in Palm Springs, along with some recommended menu items that will leave you craving more.

Vietnamese

Vietnamese cuisine is renowned for its fresh, vibrant flavors, emphasis on herbs and vegetables, and delicate balance of textures and aromas. One of the defining characteristics of Vietnamese food is its use of fresh herbs like cilantro and Thai basil, which add layers of fragrance and complexity to dishes. Rice, noodles, and various seafood, meats, and vegetables form the foundation of many Vietnamese dishes, with ingredients often prepared to showcase their natural flavors.

Vietnamese cuisine distinguishes itself from other Asian cuisines through its unique flavor profile and cooking techniques. While some dishes may share similarities with other Southeast Asian cuisines, such as fresh herbs and aromatic spices, Vietnamese cuisine often features lighter, fresher flavors with a focus on simplicity and balance.

Rooster and the Pig – 356 S Indian Canyon Drive

This Vietnamese-American restaurant presents a modern twist on traditional Vietnamese cuisine. The cozy ambiance and bold flavors make it a favorite among locals and visitors. The chef encourages you to order and share.

To begin, try the Vietnamese crispy rolls, chicken dumplings, or crispy sticky wings. Sharable entrees include favorites like red curry duck, crispy turmeric cod, caramelized chicken, crispy beef egg noodles, and ginger scallion lobster. Vegan options include sautéed eggplant, tofu, and sweet potato noodles.

This is very popular, and they don’t take reservations, so get there early. It can be challenging to get in, so be patient.

Open 5 – 9 pm, Wed. – Sun. It is cashless.

533 Viet Fusion – 1775 E Palm Canyon Drive

533 Viet Fusion offers a unique blend of Vietnamese and Thai flavors, creating an unforgettable dining experience. It provides a mix of modern and traditional Vietnamese dishes. The 10-seat spring roll bar gives guests a front-row seat as the chefs prepare the fresh spring rolls. This top-rated, locally-owned restaurant features locally sourced ingredients and house-made sauces.

The green papaya salad features shredded green papaya, carrots, basil, cilantro, peanuts, and a tangy lime dressing. There is a variety of Pho selections, such as a Vietnamese noodle soup made with a flavorful broth and rice noodles and your choice of beef, chicken, or tofu topped with fresh herbs and bean sprouts. Chef specialties include sweet tamari glazed salmon, Chile braised osso bucco, Saigon noodles with shrimp, and Vietnamese crepes.

Open 4 – 9 pm, Tue. – Sun. Walk-ins are welcome or make a reservation.

Fuzion Five – 285 S Palm Canyon Drive (Corner of Baristo)

Fuzion Five is in The Vineyard Shopping Center and serves traditional Vietnamese and Lao cuisine.

Start with the Banh Xeo, a Vietnamese-style crepe with pork, shrimp, onion, and bean sprouts with sweet garlic fish sauce. There are also various fresh spring rolls, egg rolls, firecracker shrimp, Pho rice noodle soup, and egg noodle salads.

Lao specialty entrees include green papaya salad with beef jerky and the koi pa with lightly seared tuna, salmon, and poached shrimp mixed with kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, fresh chili, cilantro, and mint. For the vegan, order the fried tofu glazed with garlic, ginger, chili, and soy sauce.

Open 11:30 am – 9 pm daily.

Thai Cuisine

Central to Thai cuisine is the use of fresh herbs and ingredients such as lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, chili peppers, and fish sauce, which contribute to its distinctive and bold flavors. Coconut milk is also a common ingredient, adding richness to many Thai curries and soups.

Some Thai dishes include Pad Thai (stir-fried rice noodles with tofu, shrimp, or chicken), Tom Yum (a spicy and sour soup typically made with shrimp), Green Curry (a creamy curry made with green chili paste, coconut milk and various meats or vegetables), and Som Tum (a spicy green papaya salad).

While Thai cuisine tends to incorporate bold and spicy elements,

 Thai Smile Palm Springs – 100 S Indian Canyon Drive (corner of Tahquitz)

Thai Smile is very centrally located downtown by the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza. It was opened in 1991 by owner Noi. They use authentic Thai spices and herbs and no MSG. Each plate is individually prepared using traditional methods in high-flame woks.

Start with the Thai Smile sampler, which includes chicken satay skewers, fried chicken spring rolls, and pork and veggie dumplings. For the entrée, they are known for their signature curry, which includes yellow, red, panang, masaman, and green curry. In addition to traditional entrée choices like kung pao chicken, cashew shrimp, and chicken lemongrass, they also offer duck, squid, and fish options. The luscious duckling includes panko-crusted slices of duck with traditional plum sauce and shredded ginger.

The vegan options include soft or fried tofu with veggies, noodles, and Tahi fried rice.

Open 11:30 am – 9:30 pm daily. No reservations.

Thai House – 246 S Palm Canyon Drive

Owner Nisa Hennecke’s family had a restaurant business in Thailand. They bring their talents to Palm Springs at Thai House, a locally owned restaurant that serves a variety of Thai and Asian favorites using the freshest ingredients.

Start with a bowl of soup. The Tom Kha soup is a fragrant Thai soup made with coconut milk, galangal, lemongrass, chicken, mushrooms, and lime juice. Thai House is known for its extensive list of curry profiles: yellow, green, red, panang, country style, pineapple, and roasted duck. The Siam Gulf curry is a mixture of seafood, coconut milk, chili paste, sweet basil, and vegetables. One of the most popular dishes is their signature pad Thai.

Open 11:30 am – 9 pm. Closed Wednesday. No reservations.

Pepper’s Thai Cuisine – 396 N Palm Canyon Drive

Pepper’s Thai Cuisine offers a wide range of authentic Thai dishes prepared with fresh ingredients and bold flavors, served in a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Easy online for pickup or delivery.

The most popular entrees are pan-fried flat rice noodles, pad Thai, and house-fried rice. You select your protein and level of spice, which include a level 5+++. Vegan options include veggies, and tofu.

Open 11 am – 9 pm, Tue. – Sun. No reservations.

Japanese

Japanese cuisine, renowned worldwide for its meticulous preparation, emphasis on seasonality, and aesthetic presentation, is a reflection of Japan’s rich culinary traditions and cultural values. At the heart of Japanese cuisine lies a deep respect for ingredients, with an emphasis on freshness, quality, and simplicity. Rice, fish, and seasonal vegetables are staples in Japanese meals, with each ingredient meticulously prepared to highlight its natural flavors.

One aspect of Japanese cuisine is sushi, which encompasses a variety of bite-sized dishes featuring raw or cooked fish atop rice. Sushi comes in various forms, including nigiri (fish atop rice), sashimi (sliced raw fish), and maki (rolled sushi), often accompanied by soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger. Another quintessential Japanese dish is tempura, where seafood, vegetables, or other ingredients are lightly battered and fried to crispy perfection, showcasing the delicate flavors of the main ingredients.

Japanese cuisine distinguishes itself from other Asian foods through its emphasis on precision and attention to detail in cooking techniques, as well as its reverence for the beauty of presentation. Additionally, the Japanese practice of washoku, which emphasizes a balance of taste, texture, and appearance, sets it apart from other Asian cuisines. While other Asian cuisines may incorporate bold and intense flavors, Japanese cuisine often focuses on subtlety, allowing the natural flavors of ingredients to shine through.

 Happy Sushi Palm Springs – 155 S Palm Canyon Drive

Happy Sushi is casual and centrally located downtown in the Mercado Plaza. From Palm Canyon, it is just past the Sonny Bono fountain toward the back. They offer an extensive selection of sushi rolls, sashimi, and Japanese dishes in a lively and inviting atmosphere.

Their regular rolls are bite-size cylindrical rolls with rice, fish, veggies, and other ingredients. The hand rolls are cone-shaped sushi rolls. Unlike regular rolls, they are not sliced into smaller pieces. They also offer deep-fried and traditional small rolls. The menu is extensive, with chef specials, sashimi, ramen, bento, poke bowls, and sushi. Enjoy with sake.

Open Mon. – Wed., noon – 9 pm. Thur. – Sun., noon – 9:30 pm. No reservations.

 Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey – 1556 N Palm Canyon Drive

Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey is at the north end of the Uptown Design District across from the Arrive Hotel. Engin Onural is the owner, chef, and founder of Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey. With a passion for Japanese cuisine and a background in culinary arts, Onural has crafted a dining establishment that blends tradition with innovation.

Sandfish offers a variety of traditional and innovative sushi rolls, each meticulously crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients. For those who prefer their sushi without rice, the restaurant typically offers an assortment of sashimi, featuring thinly sliced cuts of raw fish or seafood served with garnishes and dipping sauces. The Nigiri sushi consists of slices of raw fish or seafood atop small mounds of seasoned rice. As the name suggests, Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey specializes not only in sushi but also in whiskey. The menu may feature suggested whiskey pairings to complement the flavors of the sushi and enhance the overall dining experience.

Open Sun. – Thur., 4:30 – 10 pm. Fri. & Sat. open until 11 pm. Reservations recommended.

 TAKA SHIN Japanese Cuisine – 641 N Palm Canyon Drive

TAKA SHIN® is dedicated to bringing Japanese culinary art, elegance, sophistication and tradition to its customers. The Omakase, namely the Chef’s choice, is specially prepared on a daily basis to present the ultimate sushi experience for diners at TAKA SHIN®. Fresh seasonal fish and vegetables are selected to comply with Chef’s inspiration and techniques to serve guests omakase-style at Sushi Bar only.
Omakase is a Japanese dining style where the chef selects and serves a series of dishes to the diners based on their preferences, dietary restrictions, and the chef’s creative choices. The word “omakase” translates to “I’ll leave it up to you” or “chef’s choice” in Japanese.

Guests can also indulge in traditional Japanese sashimi, nigiri and tempura, all prepared with exceptional ingredients and impeccable techniques.

Open Tue. – Thur., 5 – 9 pm. Fri. & Sat., 5 – 10 pm. Sun., 5 – 9 pm. Close Monday. Reservations recommended.

American-style Chinese

Traditional American-style Chinese food, often referred to as “American-Chinese cuisine,” has evolved over time to suit the preferences of American diners while incorporating elements of Chinese culinary traditions. It is characterized by dishes that are often heavily adapted to American tastes, featuring bold flavors, generous use of sauces, and a focus on meat and vegetables stir-fried together. Dishes tend to be sweeter, saltier, and often more heavily sauced compared to their authentic Chinese counterparts. This is particularly evident in dishes like General Tso’s Chicken, Sweet and Sour Pork, and Orange Chicken. Nevertheless, it offers delicious and satisfying dining.

 China King – 295 N Indian Canyon Drive (corner of Amado)

China King offers a traditional American-style Chinese menu, including almond chicken, sweet & sour chicken, broccoli beef, moo shu, egg foo young, chow mein, fried rice, and chop suey. House specials include lemon chicken, crispy shrimp with hot garlic, orange crispy beef, duck with ginger, and honey walnut shrimp.

Order online. To Go only. Open 11 am – 9:30 pm daily.

Pan-Asian

“Pan-Asian” refers to a culinary concept that encompasses a diverse range of cuisines from various regions across Asia. Rather than focusing on the cuisine of a specific country or region, pan-Asian cuisine combines flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques from different Asian cultures. This approach allows for a fusion of flavors and styles, creating dishes that are inspired by the rich culinary traditions of Asia as a whole.

Pan-Asian restaurants may feature dishes from countries such as China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, and others. Common ingredients in pan-Asian cuisine include rice, noodles, seafood, tofu, vegetables, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and various herbs and spices.

 Wangs of the Desert – 424 S Indian Canyon Drive

Wang’s serves dinner family style and is meant to be shared. A nice way to begin is with the combination appetizer platter. It includes spring rolls, beef skewers, and cream cheese wontons. Another shared appetizer is the steamed dim sum platter.

For entrees on the sweet side, order General Wang’s chicken, walnut shrimp, panko-crusted sweet & sour chicken, and orange peel chicken.

On the savory side are Mongolian beef, cashew chicken, tempura shrimp, chicken garlic, ponzu salmon, twice-cooked pork, and Korean rib eye. Add some heat with the house specialty spicy pork chops, gingered beef, black pepper chicken, or yellow curry.

Open daily from 3:30 pm to 10 pm. They also have a daily happy hour until 6:30 pm. Reservations

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