Keeping It Local: OKC's Asian District

Anchored by the Gold Dome and Classen buildings at the intersection of Northwest 23rd Street and Classen Boulevard, the Asian district is full of colorfully delicious places to eat.

Eating

Oklahoma City’s foodie scene is alive and well in the Asian District and is a hub known for its unique cuisine. Here you will find some of the most interesting places to eat in OKC, with everything from Vietnamese, Sushi, Pho, Peruvian and Guatemalan to choose from.

Grab a bowl of Phõ

It is hard to beat this traditional Vietnamese noodle soup. I suggest if you want to experience this dish like a local, try Pho Cuong and Pho Lien Hoa. Pho Cuong is not much to look at but it does have one of the best broths, heavy on the spice and always piping hot. For something a little different try the one with the raw coconut sauce. Pho Lien Hoa is also great, but remember to bring cash. I suggest trying the Pho Chin Nac because the brisket is perfectly seasoned and cooked.

Asian Cuisine

If you are looking for Asian cuisine, I have a few local suggestions as well like Banana Island, Taj Cuisine of India, and VII Asian Bistro. However Lido's is amazing and I am quite sentimental about it because my hubby took me there on one of our very first dates. The food is great, as is the service. I love everything thing they sever, but the crab rangoon is a must!!! If you are looking for killer sushi, Grand House is your place. While they do serve traditional dishes, I love their dim sum so much but it is only on the weekends. Oh and the shaved ice with lychee, corn, red beans, and peanuts, at Banana Island is killer!!!

Eat beyond Asia

The district's culinary influences travel far beyond Asian cuisine. Be sure to visit Cafe Kacao for a Guatemalan and La Brasa for Peruvian food. If you are in the mood for a gourmet hot dog Mutts is your place, remember to order like a local and get some duck fat fries... you will not be disappointed. This place also makes their own sauce, so make sure to ask the staff which ones they would suggest for your dog and fries. I personally love the mini corny dogs! If you would rather have greek food, Gyros By Ali is you place and make sure to get hummus, Kamp's 1310 Lounge (Deli and Grill) is a classic style deli that all the locals adore. Oh and Lee's Sandwich rocks, they do not have a ton of options, but they are delish and cheap!

Shopping

Get your retail kicks, on Route 66! I love all things Route 66 and the local retailer Prairie Gothic recently renovated the 1930s Milk Bottle Building, one of Route 66's most iconic buildings. The shop carries local art and gets a lot of their inventory from local estate sales and thrift stores, with mid-Century charm that perfectly matches their funky fun location. If your taste buds are feeling adventurous, I suggest going to Super Cao Nguyen to find some get authentic fruit and treats from this colorful market.

Entertainment

I went to The Escape this weekend and it was amazing. To be honest I was a little surprised that I had as much fun as I did because the building does not look like much when you drive up. The Escape OKC has 5 different rooms, each with a different escape percentage, that change every once in a while, so check out the link below to find up to date descriptions. You have a hour to solve a problem and find the code to get out of the room. We ended up only needing 39 minutes to do so, but we were working fast because our next stop was a wine bar. Anyways, I would highly suggest going to this place (Up to 7 people) the next time you are in the area.

Links

Eat: Grand House, Mutts, Lido's, Chae, Taj Cuisine of India, Pho Lien Hoa, Banana Island, Gyros By Ali, Kamps, La Brasa Peruvian Kitchen, and VII Asian Bistro.

Shop: Super Cao Nguyen and Prairie Gothic

Entertain: Escape OKC

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