Galway’s foodie offerings span the length and breadth of the globe, providing an authentic glimpse into the cultures and cuisines of far off places. When it comes to Asian food in Galway, there are loads of fantastic restaurants that showcase the niche flavours and nuanced approaches to cooking across various regions of the continent. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick spice bag or some tasty pad Thai, here are our top picks for the best Asian food in Galway.
RÉ NAO
Everyone is welcome at Rè Nao – not only do they offer an authentic Asian menu, but also a full vegan menu and separate kitchen area! Their fully-stocked, beautifully decorated bar offers an exciting selection of cocktails, expertly made in-house using fresh ingredients. Their selection of noodles and dumplings are all made from scratch and fresh each day in their open kitchen, so you can actually watch your food being prepared which makes for a memorable and inviting dining experience.
Spanish Arch // more here
THAI GARDEN
This authentic Thai restaurant has been a family-favourite in Galway for decades. Located right beside the iconic Spanish Arch, this is a must visit for both locals and visitors alike. Thai Garden specialises in group gatherings and with the combination of their beautifully presented dishes and restaurant’s unique ambiance, they can turn all events into a five star occasion. Did you know that the central Thai food style is also referred to as Royal Cuisine due to the elaborate preparation that goes into each dish? So if you’re after a meal fit for a king, pay a visit to Thai Garden.
Spanish Arch // more here
OSAKA
Bringing brand new tastes to the West of Ireland, Osaka Japanese and Korean BBQ restaurant is a hugely welcome addition to Salthill. Osaka offers visitors a dining experience of the finest Japanese and Asian cuisine. Their kitchen uses only the freshest ingredients and never uses MSG. Serving hot pot, donburis, currys, sushis, noodles and wok stars, there is something to suit everyone, with a variety of gluten free and vegan/vegetarian options available too. Be sure to check out their daily special bento box, available for both lunch and dinner, which is both delicious and affordable.
157-159 Upper Salthill // more here
UMBRELLA ASIAN TAPAS
The perfect place to try new things and discover amazing flavours, Umbrella Asian Tapas is a vibrant and welcoming restaurant that specialises in small portions and sharing plates to suit all tastes. Spring rolls, all kinds of sticky and delicious chicken skewers, sushi, fried noodles, BBQ ribs and aromatic duck pancakes - they’ve got it all in abundance.
2 Middle Street // more here
KHOW THAI
Bringing authentic Southeast Asian cuisine to the Liosbán Industrial Estate, the folks at Khow Thai have a passion and enthusiasm for utilising the freshest of ingredients to ensure you’ll experience the fragrances and flavours of Thailand with every forkfull. Whether you go for a wholesome bowl of noodle soup or a panang curry, this restaurant’s aromatic components and complex taste will have you coming back for seconds.
19A, Merrion House, Liosbán Industrial Estate // more here
XI’AN STREET FOOD
If you haven’t tried one of Xi’an Street Food’s legendary spice bags yet, where have you been?! Showcasing Chinese food culture to the masses, this restaurant honours the central Chinese city of Xi’an and their array of noodles, dumplings and burgers are the tastiest way to be introduced to the region’s unique food culture and history. A true highlight has got to be watching their expert chefs make Biang Biang noodles by slapping these big thick lengths of dough against the counter as they’re pulled - also, they’re seriously tasty.
9 Quay Street & Corralea West, Tuam // more here
LANA
Bringing the tastes, colours and smells of Asian street food to Ireland, the team at Lana come from Thailand, Indonesia, China and Malaya and reflect the nuances of these different areas in their variety of options. Whether you go for a selection of light bites that include crispy wontons, ribs and wings, or something straight from the wok (we can never resist the Malay BBQ honey), you’ll be leaving with a full belly and tingling tastebuds.
20A Mary Street & 224 Upper Salthill // more here
RÉ TEA
Specialising in traditional Chinese street food inspired by ancient recipes from the Shandong Province, Ré Tea provides us with exceptionally unique options that always keep us coming back for more. The Jianbing itself is a thin and crispy pancake made with corn, rye and other grains, flavoured with black and white sesame seeds and comes in many different forms; sweet or savoury for breakfast or dinner. This spot also serves bubble tea, which is made by blending a tea base with milk, fruit and fruit juices before toppling in the signature flavoured tapioca pearls.
6 Quay Street // more here
