LIFE IN PRAGUE: Asian Places

By: Christyn Li Ling Chew

The sourness of tamarind, fragrant spices of garam masala, creamy scent of coconut milk, numbing heat of peppercorns… a euphoric palate bursting with Asian flavours is exactly where I come from, Malaysia. Known as the melting pot of multiple cultures we are blessed with wide array of local dishes in the traditional Malay, Chinese and Indian cuisine, stretching across neighbouring ASEAN countries such as Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian and further on to Korean, Japanese and more cuisines thanks to globalization.

As you’ve guessed it, born and bred in the Asian food heaven, I struggle on the first week over not so flavourful self-made meals :’) and of course the following week I improvised to taste the rich culture of every European cuisine I could find be it Czech, Italian, German, French and etc. To say the least, long story short, my tummy disagreed badly and left me heading straight on a mission searching for my comfort food, the Asian cuisine in Prague. So this is the birth story of my personal list of Prague’s Asian restaurants which I’d like to share with you!

Bab; rýže 2 (Anny Letenské 916/16, 120 00 Vinohrady) 

Authentic Korean restaurant that’s 10-minute walk from VSE Zizkov campus along Reigovy Sady. Serving traditional korean bento set lunch box from 169czk onwards, you can choose a main dish such as vegetarian Yangyeom fried tofu with Korean sweet and chili sauce, Ganjang fried chicken with soy sauce, or Bulgogi Bibimbab the Traditional Korean dish mixed rice with vegetables, egg and beef served in an iron hot bowl. What’s more lunch menu comes with daily chef’s vegetable salad, Korean side dishes and fragrant rice. For nice sunny weather, you can even order a takeaway picnic box to head over to Riegovy Sady to chill, or on cold winter evenings gather groups to try out the famous Korean BBQ or hot pot! Check them out here at https://bab-ryze2.business.site/

Taiko (Husitská 63, 130 00 Praha 3-Žižkov) 

Amazing handmade fresh ramen noodles is the specialty of this hip Japanese restaurant, Taiko. 6-minute walk from Lipanska tram stop, or right across the Tachovské náměstí bus stop, you’ll find the best umami flavours packed in one bowl of creamy pork broth topped with grilled pork neck Chashu, an onzen egg and finely chopped toppings over freshly made Ramen noodles to indulge in. Ramen Bar “Sluuurp” menu offers soupy Tonkotsu, Shoyu, Miso, and even Vegetarian Broth Ramen and Mazemen Cold Brothless Ramen. This pink cherry blossom decorated bar offers quirky cocktails like Tsunade’s Breast made from ume, pineapple juice and Chambord, and lots more on the signature list such as Kamehameha, One Punch and Straw Hat Pirates featuring exotic Japanese alcohols. Pair them with Japanese style fried dumpling Yaki Gyoza and marinated fried chicken Karaage for an authentic Japanese after work hangout experience! Check them out at https://www.instagram.com/taiko.prague/

Everest Restaurant (Anny Letenské 1235, 120 00 Vinohrady) 

One street down from Bab Ryze 2, is where you’ll find the flavours of India at Everest Restaurant serving fragrant Briyani Rice and Garlic Naan with Lamb Masala, Butter Chicken, Pork Vindaloo and even Shrimp Kadai. There are options for single portion rice platter with meat and vegetarian side dish, pot of curry selection or a huge board of mixed grilled meats great for groups. Soothe the fiery spice with an Indian yogurt drink Mango Lassi and get an appetizer Fried Pakora made of mixed vegetable seasoned with herbs, or the Vegetable Samosa triangle dough filled with seasoned tomatoes, green peas and dried fruit served with a delicious Sweet Sour Mango Chutney sauce. They get pretty busy in the evening with crowds, so you may also order them through wolt or damejidlo app! https://wolt.com/en/cze/prague/restaurant/everest-restaurant

Chuan Wang Fu (Pasáž paláce Metro, Staré Město 1, 110 00 Praha 1) 

If you’re craving for the ultimate numbing Sichuan peppercorn heat, Chuan Wang Fu got you covered with a range of spice level on their signature Spicy Sour Glassnoodle Soup or the Mala Spicy Beef Noodle Soup. My favourite meat dumplings called JiaoZi 饺子 are also available here and it’s juicy, well-seasoned and comes with ginger garlic chili oil dipping! Lunch menu is available at smaller portion and price suitable for one person where you can choose a main dish with rice or noodle. Come in a group and experience the Mala Spicy Sichuan Hot Pot over the traditional Chinese round table setting with chopsticks and hot Pu Er tea!

Last but not least, the list is not complete if you don’t have dessert!

 Café Susu (Školská 1478/14, 110 00 Nové Město) 

Amidst the bustling Prague central, 3-minute walking from Vodičkova tram stop you’’ find the cosy Café Susu with a wide glass window showcasing the lovely decorated workshop counter. SUSU means pure and simple in Korean, and here you can find the purest melt in your mouth Korean shaved ice called Bingsu in a variety of fruity flavours like Melon, Mango and Strawberry Bingsu, or Dalgona Coffee, Chocolate Bingsu! They offer traditional Korean snacks like the fish shaped pancakes Bungeoppang and Tteokkochi rice cake sticks and delicious Matcha Latte and Chai Latte for a perfect Korean drama café chill. Follow for seasonal menu here at https://www.instagram.com/cafesusu/

 Sharetea (Národní 21, 110 00 Staré Město) 

Saving the best for the last, this Taiwanese brand milk tea specialist, Sharetea gives you the best takeaway accompaniment when walking home after a long food hunting journey. Grab a tall cup of QQ Family Milk Tea as a beginner and they cover you with black tapioca bubbles (lovingly called boba), mini boba, pudding, red beans, herb jelly, and lychee jelly. What’s more you can customized the sugar level, ice level, and add on extra toppings such as the aloe vera. They store range a of board and card games for enthusiasts to spend the day in the spirit of togetherness! Official page here at https://sharetea.cz/

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Thankfully after a year in Prague, the list grew longer and I’m able to share with you more restaurant names based on the country cuisine here below,

  • Japanese: OMG, BON Fresh Ramen & Soba, Hana Sushi House
  • Korean: Soul Chicken, Bibimbap, Bonjuk
  • Chinese: Chang An, Hua Long Zhai, 天香阁 Nebeská vůně
  • Indian: Namaste India, Masala
  • Vietnamese: K-Remember, Old Hanoi

And if you have more time and belly space, definitely check out SAPA, it’s known as Little Hanoi, a Vietnamese town 30-minutes by car out of central Prague where there are the best Phở (Noodle Soup), Bánh Cuốn (Steamed Rice Rolls), Cà Phê (Vietnamese Drip Coffee), Che Saigon dessert cups you’ll ever find in Prague! Perhaps, on the next blogpost I’ll be sharing a full day trip covering the secret food spot in SAPA. Till then, let’s keep in touch if you want to know more or share your foodie experience 😊