On April 30 during a private “Meet the Chefs” event at Mise en Place, more than a dozen of Tampa Bay’s brightest culinary leaders got to actually see each other for the first time during the pandemic. Their joy was interrupted momentarily by Creative Loafing Tampa Bay asking what their favorite Asian markets and restaurants—from Russia to the Philippines, India and all the way over to Pakistan—were. Some couldn’t answer the question definitively, and others waxed poetic. In all, we settled on 56 spots, listed here in alphabetical order, with a phone no. when website was not reliable.—Ray Roa
A-Green Oriental Market
1321 E Fletcher Ave., Tampa. 813-971-3287
With selections for even the pickiest of noodle aficionados, this Korean grocery next to Ho Ho Choy Chinese restaurant (famous for its all day dim sum, seven days a week) is a staple of the USF area scene.
Photo via A-Green Oriental Market-??????/FacebookAnju
2827 16th St. N., St. Petersburg
The only K.F.C. (that’s Korean fried chicken) you want in your life. The menu—featuring bibimbap and K-tow tots topped with beef bulgogi, grilled kimchi, melted mozzarella and provolone cheeses, thinly sliced fresh scallions, crushed peanut and the St. Pete heat sauce—makes for out of this world comfort food.
Photo via VisitStPeteClearwater.comAzalea International Deli
1155 Pasadena Ave. S Suite G, South Pasadena
North Asian wares (meaning, Russia) for those missing the comfort food from their frozen home country. The other European items and deli are obviously a plus. If you’re staying in the neighborhood, be sure to catch a jazz show at the nearby Horse & Jockey restaurant in the same shopping plaza.
Photo via Azalea/FacebookBabushka’s
12639 N 56th St., Temple Terrace
This cozy strip mall Russian restaurant is a favorite of local chefs and foodies who flock to Temple Terrace and wait patiently for the chicken kiev, syrniki (pancakes), dumplings, baked cabbage, kotlety (croquettes) and more.
Photo via babushkas.us/FacebookBamboozle
516 N Tampa St., Tampa / 109 N 12th St., Tampa
A longtime staple of the downtown Tampa restaurant scene known for its pho, fresh rolls, bun and boba with locations just one mile apart. Bamboozle just launched its delivery-only Bamb Bao concept so there’s even more to dive into.
Photo via BamboozleLiving/TwitterBasil Leaf
6395 Gulf Blvd St., St. Pete Beach
When you need sushi, curry, Thai staples and a kid’s menu within walking distance of the shoreline, this is the spot.
Photo via Basil Leaf/FacebookBT
Multiple concept locations
Chef BT Nguyen is adored across the Bay area culinary scene, and her three Tampa concepts—Restaurant BT (2507 S MacDill Ave.), BT To Go (3215 S MacDill Ave.) and Bistro BT (4267 Henderson Blvd.)—showcase a modern take on the way French technique and sensibility has blended with Vietnamese culture over the last 100 years.
Photo via Restaurant BTBuya
911 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
In 2017, this downtown St. Pete ramen spot became a Flavortown favorite when Guy Fieri popped in to film an episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” And if you don’t like spikey-haired food philanthropists, then at least try some of Buya’s Japanese whisky.
Photo via buyaramen/FacebookChina Yuan
8502 N Armenia Ave., Tampa
Ever since a fire took the Waters Avenue Yummy House off the table, this Cantonese favorite has been the place to get Chinese food near Forest Hills. Solid selections whether you’re going for dim sum (daily, early), Peking duck or dumplings.
Photo via Google MapsCho Lon Oriental Market
5944 34th St. N no. 17, St. Petersburg. 727-527-7511
Pinellas Park is the Bay area’s venerable mecca of Asian markets in the 727, but Cho Lon—next door to Mekong Vietnamese restaurant—gives St. Petersburg-ers a place to get fresh veggies for pho plus hot, cold and fresh foods. A surefire place to stock up on sweets for Chinese or Lunar New Year, too.
Photo via Google MapsDiscovery Indian Cuisine
38593 U.S. Hwy-19 N, Palm Harbor
At their Palm Harbor restaurant, Swarn and Evelyn Singh serve Indian food—some wood fired, all spiced to perfection—from the Punjab area nestled between India and Pakistan. Chettinad chicken (from Southern India) is also heavenly, but the goat, channa masala and naan deserve a home in your belly, too.
Photo via Discovery Indian Cuisine/Google Maps?ông Á Grocery/Dong A-2 Market
2600 30th Ave. N, St. Petersburg and 7020 49th St. N, Pinellas Park
Another gem with locations in St. Pete down the street from Mazzaro’s and Pinellas Park, this is the kind of place where you can find gluten-free soy sauce and fresh honey mangoes for your cheesecake.Dosunco
3310 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa
In a small plaza in Tampa, this is the kind of cozy small restaurant that you’ll want to arrive at around opening time to beat crowds. From brothless options to the miso, spicy and udon, you won’t go wrong with a bowl from here. Definitely spring for the takoyaki, too.
Photo via DOSUNCOTAMPA/FacebookEbisu Sushi Shack
5116 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa
Seminole Heights’ go-to sushi spot, located in a cozy bungalow just steps away from other local favorites. We’ll always come through, especially early, but also can’t wait for Ebisu’s sibling origini-centric Junmai Station concept to open in downtown Tampa.
Photo via Google MapsFilipiniana Philippine Café
3848 W Waters Ave., Tampa
My parents would always get me some Filipiniana at PhilFest and now there’s a brick and mortar where you can get tried and true Filipino favorites and even plants on occasion. Yes, it’s next to Saigon Deli.
Photo via filipiniana.philippinecafe/FacebookFlame’s
2601 S Macdill Ave., Tampa
Known for finding the right wine to pair with whatever level of spice you crave, this South Tampa spot also serves an exceptional spicy cauliflower, and mango lassi.
Photo via Google MapsHan Gook Market
7030 W Hillsborough Ave., Tampa. 813-886-4554
Lots of kimchi to choose from along with staple Korean meats (kalbi, bulgogi), noodles (japchae) and sides (banchan). And its next to the excellent One Family Korean restaurant, one of Town ‘N’ Country’s best.
Photo via Google MapsHawkers Asian Street Fare
Locations: Orlando, St. Petersburg, Jacksonville, Neptune Beach, Windermere
Since opening its first location in Orlando in 2011, this Asian street food establishment has expanded across Florida and will soon be opening two out-of-state locations. Inspired by Asian “hawkers,” or street food vendors who depend on local ingredients, the restaurant owners hand-picked the most authentic Asian street foods to offer to customers.
Photo via Hawkers Asian Street Fare/FacebookHyderabad Biryani House
6810 E Fowler Ave., Temple Terrace
A Buffalo-born chain serving food from the south central region of the southernmost country on mainland Asia. You think you’re Southern, but India is a country as diverse as the U.S., so expect its cuisine to be as unique, too.
Photo via hbh_tampabay_indian_cuisine/InstagramIchicoro
5229 N Florida Ave., Tampa
After its Imoto location became the latest local concept to leave Armature Works, ramen army leadership is back in the lab at its Seminole Heights flagship and planning something new. In the meantime the ramen-ya’s mushroom broth with black truffle butter continues to be the stuff umami fantasies are made of.
Photo via ichicoroya/FacebookKiev Euro Deli
29821 U.S. Hwy-19 N., Clearwater., 727-786-0886
Along with South Pasadena’s Azalea International market, Kiev gives Clearwater a place to get Russian specialties, plus fresh baked bread.
Photo via Google MapsKim Brothers Oriental Market
4021 W Hillsborough Ave., Tampa., 813-886-8989
Like Han Gook, Kim Brothers has a good selection of Korean staples (banchan, bibimbap and warm kimchi buns on the weekend). Be a hero—and leave smelling like the kimchi fridge—by bringing home some homemade mochi, too.
Photo via Google MapsKotobuki Oriental Market
5537 Sheldon Rd. Unit V, Tampa. 813-806-0172
Serving the Town ‘N’ Country neighborhood of Tampa, this shop is smaller than some of the heavy hitters on this list, but still provides the staples to enjoy a comforting snack or make a good meal at home.
Photo via Google MapsKoya
807 W Platt St., Tampa, (813) 284-7423
There’s high demand for seats at the sushi counter of this Hyde Park fine dining restaurant. The owners of Noble Rice started Koya —an intimate eight-seat tasting-menu-only experience—2020. Since earning one of Tampa’s first Michelin stars in 2023, Eric Fralik have kept standards high. Diners can expect seven to nine raw and cooked courses, including luxuries like bluefin tuna and uni that are flown in weekly from a market in Kagoshima, Japan. Plan to be there for at least two hours. Credit:Photo via KoyaTampa/FacebookLa V
441 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
A St. Pete staple for Vietnamese fusion (and mainstays like vermicelli and banh mi) and a great place to watch downtown denizens stroll by as the sun goes down and gives way to the night. Do yourself a favor and try the tofu sando, too.
Photo via LaVFusion/FacebookThe Lemongrass
310 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Just a block from La V is another Asian restaurant. A no frills, multinational menu served on a big patio where you can get tom kha, seaweed salad, shumai, curry and specialty sushi rolls all on the same tab.
Photo via The Lemongrass Sushi Thai Tapas/FacebookLien Hoa Oriental Market
3692 W Waters Ave., Tampa. 813-932-1044
Well-stocked, small, Vietnamese market in the corner of a shopping plaza less than a mile away from local favorite Saigon Deli.
Photo via Google MapsManila Eats
10621 Tucker Jones Rd., Riverview
It’s not easy to find Filipino food in Riverview, but this food truck is helping with the search. Staples like adobo, lumpia and lechon appear alongside niche items like coconut milk pork, arroz caldo (rice and chicken porridge), sinigang (tamarind beef and pork) and whole fried fish.
Photo via Manila EatsMatoi
602 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa
If you’re looking for some of the best sushi in Tampa Bay, locals swear by this spot and also fall in love with the Korean food.
Photo via MatoiSushiTampa/FacebookMata’s Carinderia
4350 W Waters Ave., Tampa
Yep, Mata’s (a staple of PhilFest, pictured above) is one of the special places in Tampa Bay where Filipino-philes can experience balut (duck egg with embryo) in all of its glory. The sisig (sizzling pork head and liver, usually seasoned with calamansi and chili peppers), kare kare (peanut butter soup) and dinuguan (blood pudding) will also earn you honorary Pinoy status.
Photo via matasphilippinecuisine/FacebookMercel’s Bakeshop
8500 49th St.N, Pinellas Park
Sure, beloved Filipino bakery chain Red Ribbon is coming to town, but this Pinellas Park bakery and kitchen is the local O.G. grocery, catering, lunch, dinner and breakfast spot where you can try Filipino a.m. staples like tocino (cured pork), longanisa (pork sausage) and even jeprox (AKA bulad or salted dried fish).
Photo via Mercel’sMD Oriental Market
1106 E Fowler Ave., Tampa / 10127 E Adamo Dr., Tampa / 580 49th St. N, Pinellas Park
Along with Oceanic and Sanwa, MD is a giant of Tampa Bay’s Asian market scene. From mochi to custard cakes, the hot bar and bakery, MD has three locations across the area all ready to please.
Photo via MDOrientalMarket/FacebookOceanic Oriental Supermarket
609 N Tampa St., Tampa
What originally opened as a store serving merchants in town while docked at nearby Port of Tampa has evolved into Tampa’s go-to Asian grocery.
Photo via Ray RoaPatel Brothers Indian Grocery
1251 E Fowler Ave., Tampa
Despite having locations up and down the Eastern Seaboard and even in Texas, Arizona and California, this Indian grocery store giant is a fantastic place to get ingredients for your Indian home cooking needs.
Photo via Google MapsPersia House of Kebabs
1441 E Fletcher Ave., Tampa
For more than two decades—and formerly known as Morae’s Cafe—this USF area favorite can satiate a desire for Persian cuisine. Visit the market next door on your way out.
Photo via Google MapsPho Quyen
Multiple locations
With three Bay area locations (2740 E Fowler Ave. and 8404 W Hillsborough Ave. in Tampa; 4505 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park), these always busy Vietnamese restaurants serve hungry regulars steaming hot bowls of pho, crunchy banh mi and even bánh tráng n??ng ?à l?t (Vietnamese pizza).
Photo via Pho Quyen CuisinePinoy St. Pete
170 47th Ave. NE, St. Petersburg
Chef Raquel “Jingle” Baluyut hails from the northern Filipino province of Pampanga, and her menu at the Racquet Club’s Match Point Grille includes favorites like lechon kawali (crispy pork belly), pancit, afritada stew, bulalo (bone marrow soup) and breakfast staple tapsilog.
Photo via pinoystpete/FacebookRasoi
1701 E 8th Ave., Ybor City
Some folks say Ybor City has it all. When you can stumble into an Indian food buffet, those people are correct. Owner Boruah Manashi offers onion and baingan (eggplant) bhaji, samosas, aloo tikki, plus 13 vegetarian specials available alongside entree size seafood, chicken, lamb and goat with the usual treatments—tandoori, tikka masala and vindaloo, to name a few
Photo via Rasoi/FacebookRed Square Deli
4023 W Waters Ave. no. 12, Tampa. 813-901-8588
Some folks go here specifically for the buckwheat from Russia’s Altai Krai region. Everyone else comes for the Russian snacks and comfort food.
Photo via Google/Olgad7 DusekRoyal Palace Thai Restaurant
811 S Howard Ave., Tampa
South Tampeños will tell you that you never have to leave the neighborhood for a good meal, and Royal Palace definitely fits the bill for those craving Thai. Lunch is fast at this 2020 Readers Pick Best of the Bay winner for its pad thai (and runner up in Best Thai Restaurant), but sticking around for a long dinner is the ticket.
Photo via photocreditSaigon Deli/Saigon Marketplace
3842 W Waters Ave., Tampa
For many, this busy deli is religion. I’m not going to argue. No-nonsense service and consistently satisfying Vietnamese staples (watch me eat a banh mi, vermicelli, pad thai, pho and pork skin rice) all deserve your attention, and the nearby Saigon Marketplace is the perfect place to walk it all off.
Photo via Saigondeli/FacebookSamurai Blue
1600 E 8th Ave., Ybor City / 13703 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa
A long-running, trusted Ybor City sushi staple with a second location in Carrollwood. In a city swimming in sushi options, you’ll never go wrong here.
Photo via Samurai Blue – Sushi & Sake Bar/FacebookSanwa Farmer’s Market
2621 E Hillsborough Ave., Tampa
Ask a local chef where they go shopping, and they’ll tell you Sanwa. The spacious, clean and well-stocked brick building has it all, all thanks to founder and Hong Kong native Tony Leung who’s literally put roots down in Central Florida where he leads shoppers to items exotic (Buddha’s hand) and every day (jackfruit) with stops everywhere in between.
Photo via Google MapsSi-am
713 N Franklin St., Tampa
Sandwiched between two 813 icons (The Hub dive bar and Tampa Theatre), this equally important downtown Tampa Thaiamerican staple finds Chinda Chomburi and Stephen Dohack serving up flawless classics for locals and even delivering microwavable takeaway lunches to nearby Duckweed Urban Market.
Photo via photocreditSa Ri One
Multiple locations
Locations in Town ‘N’ Country (7525 W Hillsborough Ave.) and Brandon (1025 W Brandon Blvd.) have expanded this Tampa Korean restaurant’s reach, but the low ceilings at the flagship cottage (3940 W Cypress St.) are just part of the charm that’ll help you fall in love with the local chain.
Photo via Google MapsSushi Ninja
3018 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa / 903 E Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon
Definitely come and stay for the specialty sushi rolls, but come back over and over again for the lunch and dinner boxes, udon noodles and party bowls.
Photo via Sushi NinjaTampa Philippine Grocery
13934 W Hillsborough Ave., Tampa
Wholesale cases of mango regularly sell out at this Oldsmar area Filipino market that slings ingredients like banana blossom, bakery staples like ube cake while also helping families send infamous Balikbayan boxes back to the homeland.
Photo via photocreditThinh An Kitchen & Tofu
8104 W Waters Ave., Tampa
Tampa Bay’s longest running food critic, CL’s Jon Palmer Claridge, said it best when he wrote that, “Thinh An is to homemade tofu what Mazzaro’s Italian Market is to fresh pasta.” Translation: Thinh An is an institution. Since becoming the first restaurant in Tampa Bay to make its own tofu back in 2016, the creamy, custard-textured patties are the heart and soul of the joint’s heavenly banh mi.
Photo via thinhankitchentofu/FacebookTindahang Pinoy Variety Store
9150 49th St. N, Pinellas Park. 727-544-8020
Pinellas Park’s tiny Filipino grocery has a restaurant tucked in the back, and if you ever wanted to feel the love of a Filipino household, then you’ll want to stop in.
Photo via Google MapsTung Fong Oriental Market
5775 Seminole Blvd., Seminole. 727-393-6877
Friendly service is a hallmark at this family-owned shop and hidden gem of Pinellas’ Seminole neighborhood where you can find ingredients for seemingly everything from curries to hot and sour soup.
Photo via Google MapsTrang Viet
230 E Bearss Ave., Tampa
This vegan and vegetarian scene favorite near Tampa’s University of South Florida has plenty of meatless dishes (spring rolls, gyoza, sour soup, plus tofu, stir fry, clay pots plus imitation fish, pork and chicken), but also real meat options for your heathen buddies.
Photo via Trang Viet Cuisine/FacebookUnited Oriental Food
3681 62nd Ave., N., Pinellas Park. 727-528-7507
Wholesale and retail customers buy at this big grocery with a deli and bakery that serves Laotian cuisine, pastries plus frozen coffee and tea drinks.
Photo via Google MapsWat Mongkolratanaram
5306 Palm River Rd, Tampa
You can’t call yourself a Tampeño if you’ve never waited 10 minutes to get beef pho with skinny noodles at the Wat. And while the Buddhist temple’s Sunday market currently exists in drive-thru mode, sitting in the parking lot with your lips to the soup, rangoon, pad thai, fresh rolls and thai tea is still as satisfying as sitting at a bench on the riverside.
Photo via Wat Mongkolratanaram of Florida/FacebookYummy House
2620 E Hillsborough Ave. Tampa.
Owners of the concept have a new pho restaurant (read more in our summer 2021 new restaurant roundup), but their flagship restaurants hands down have the best salt and pepper calamari in Florida. Two-inch tentacles cut lengthwise, crispy on the outside, soft and tender underneath, and all kicked up with a complexly-balanced mix of minced green onions, cilantro, roasted garlic and chiles. Could 100% eat the dish (and a lot of the menu, honestly) every day of my life.
Photo via Yummy House China Bistro/FacebookZukku
Mulitiple locations
Want to eat a sushi burrito all bougie style while taking in the best views of downtown Tampa and the Hillsborough River? Zukku’s Armature Works location is your answer. Want to take your sushi or grill item seated then shop your ass off at an outlet mall? The new Zukku-San across from Tampa Premium Outlets is your jam. Either way, you can’t go wrong. Hell, there’s even a burrito and bowl concept at Lakeland food hall The Joinery.
Photo via ZukkuSushi/Facebook
