Hi, there. City Editor Lennie here. One of the hardest things about moving from Hawaii to Louisville was getting used to the food options. I’d always had easy access to chow fun , mandoo , and fried rice of every kind. Derby City’s Asian cuisine selections were much more limited than what I was used to — but a lot has changed over the past seven years.
Several new spots have since popped up, and I’m excited about what seems like a recent influx of Asian restaurants. Here are three that I’m particularly excited about.
🍜 Neighbors Noodles
, 835 E. Main St.
Connected to chef Edward Lee’s recently opened Korean steakhouse, Nami
, this noodle shop is currently open for dinner and carryout — but future plans include lunchtime service. There are noodle bowls, of course, but I’m most looking forward to the wings, which are available with teriyaki or gochujang sauce.
🍜 Renshoku Ramen
, 1161 S. 2nd St.
This Old Louisville dinner destination opened on Wednesday, July 12. In addition to four kinds of ramen, its menu features a selection of onigiri (rice balls) and karaage fried chicken, which is fried chicken that has been marinated in soy sauce and garlic + is served with mayo dipping sauce.
🍜 All Thai’d Up
, 4812 Brownsboro Center
The first brick-and-mortar location of this food truck opened and closed in downtown LOU, but a new restaurant is slated to open later this month in the space formerly occupied by Gasthaus. I can’t wait to enjoy all the pad Thai and rice bowls in the Windy Hills spot.
Asian fare not your thing? Here are three other restaurants I’m eager to try:
- Breakfast AF is scheduled to open at 1008 Goss Ave. on Wednesday, July 26.
- Barry’s Bagels will be opening five locations throughout the Louisville area.
- CURED Restaurant and Salumeria — which has been in the works since March — is slated to open next month.