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    The Asian Bistro

    4.0 (1.5k reviews)
    Tue 4:00 pm - 12:30 am (Next day)
    Wed 4:00 pm - 12:30 am (Next day)

    Order The Asian Bistro Takeout or Delivery

    The Asian Bistro Photos

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    THE ASIAN BISTRO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - The Asian Bistro

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    Thai basil fried rice with beef
    David W.

    Among the list of things I have low expectations for, Thai food at 2AM is up there. I've only ever known this time of the night to belong to halal stands and taco trucks. I stopped by with a group of 7 to end the night after bar hopping, and we all enjoyed our dishes. I opted for a basic thai basil beef fried rice at a spice level of 4 out of 5. It was quite literally exactly what I needed after a night out. Additionally, the Tom Kam soup has a uniquely savory taste to it that contrasts the spice of the basil fried rice. I can't speak on this fusion restaurant's more ambitious dishes (such as pho or roasted duck noodle soup) since I didn't want to take that risk, but they certainly hold their own in terms of Thai cuisine. Bonus points for the beautiful wall decor and open layout! The interior felt very welcoming despite being the one of the only restaurants open in all of Hillcrest.

    menu 2026
    Nathalie Q.

    Located in hillcrest I had a great experience here overall. The waitress with short hair and sleeve tattoos was incredibly sweet and welcoming. Service was fast, attentive, and made the whole meal enjoyable. I love the fact they had their thai tea wirh the option of half and half or coconut milk. They're open till 2:00 am which was a plus for me since we're traveling-- craved thai food. The restaurant interior was also very cool! Great service guys!

    Belldandy O.

    The Asian Bistro is a Thai, Asian fusion restaurant in the Hillcrest area of San Diego. There isn't a dedicated parking lot for the restaurant, but there is street parking all over the area. What led us to visit The Asian Bistro Saturday night was the fact that they didn't close until 2:30AM, which was rather surprising. My boyfriend and I parked our car about a block away and walked over. There were multiple parties already seated, but we were seated shortly after arriving since no one else was waiting in line to be seated besides us at the time. The menu has a variety of Asian dishes and lots of drinks, non-alcoholic and alcoholic! We ordered a small portion of the House Fried Chicken, Chicken Pad See Ew, Joy Luck Club (crispy roasted half duck tossed with their house garlic sauce, served on a bed of spinach and choice of rice), Emerald Iced Tea, and Taro Iced Tea. The drinks were great and refreshing. They were served in pretty large glasses. The House Fried Chicken was HOT (temperature wise) and delicious. The entrees were a bit of a miss for both of us though. The Pad See Ew was too sweet and the Joy Luck Club was overly saucy it was hard to enjoy. It helped to have the rice to balance out the sauciness of the roast duck at least. The service was good for the most part. It did get very busy for the restaurant after we were seated. There was a line formed out the door and lots of to-go orders waiting. The restaurant itself is pretty small, but they decorated for Halloween, which was cute!

    Outside
    Daniela A.

    I've been wanting to try this place for so long! But honestly it fell pretty short for me.. It feels like once places get hype or a lot of social media acknowledgment, they don't try as hard anymore.. We parked down the street and had to pay so keep that in mind when going to Hillcrest. There was a lot of beautiful art on the wall and rainbow decorations because of the restaurant being in Hillcrest. We walked in and waiting about 3 minutes for someone to come out from the back and seat us. I was concerned so I called the place to tell them we were waiting to be seated like their sign said but then the server came out and seated us. We started with a Thai Ice Tea and an Emerald Ice Tea. We ordered them with coconut milk and I think the coconut made the teas taste with little watered down. They were both pretty decent though. We ordered a Seaweed Salad, the Butterflied Garlic Shimp Skewers, the E-Sarn Sausage, the Krah Pow and the Roasted Duck Noodle. The Seaweed Salad had a lot of citrus in it but it was okay and still refreshing. The Garlic Shrimp Skewers were grilled nicely and had a really nice fish sauce that came with it. Honestly I was using the sauce for everything because it was pretty good. The E-Sarn Sausage was pretty good also, it was served with sticky rice in foil that was hard to eat with chopsticks or a fork. The sausage was pretty good too, but it was honestly the only thing I ate.. The Krah Pow taste like it was made with sugar and soy sauce and that's it.. it tasted really cheap and not worth the $16.. it had too much suger honestly which gave the impression that they were trying to make up for a lack of something.. I took one bite and didn't eat anymore. The Roasted Duck Noodle was super bland.. I have had Duck noodles before and I know it is a subtle taste but there's still flavor. This one was so bland.. I was pretty upset because of the $18 price tag on it. I was waiting for the server to ask for salt or soy sauce but after five minutes of no one coming out from the kitchen I just got up and grabbed a soy sauce from the table with condiments. The soy sauce didn't help.. the noodles were good quality and the Duck was very tender but it also lacked flavor. I ended up just eating the Seaweed Salad, two shrimp skewers and the sausage with the sauce from the shrimp skewers. It was pretty disappointing.. Overall, Asian Bistro was a let down, flavors lacked, service lacked and prices weren't justified. I would skip it and try somewhere else.. It truly broke my heart to waste my money like this..

    BBQ Chicken and Wings
    Sean C.

    I have been ordering DoorDash from Asian Bistro for years and good reason... their food quality is ALWAYS consistent and has the best flavor. So good that I'll be at a bar 1:30am and order before I leave so it's waiting for me when I get home I highly recommend the Mother Chili wings pictured here. 10/10 always along with the BBQ chicken which is my other fav

    Michael G.

    I have eaten here several times already. Whenever my wife craves Thai food late at night, this is where we go when other Thai restaurants are closed. This Restaurant closes late every day. Sunday through Thursday, they are open until 12 a.m., and Friday and Saturday until 2 a.m. That's what I was told by our server when we dined in there. My wife always gets her Lychee Palmer drink, she said she loves it. We recently tried their Chicken Tom Yum, Fried rice, Yellow Chicken Curry, and Drunken noodles. The tom yum was alright, but there was not much of ingredient on it. I hope they added a few more of veggies. Their Fried rice was good, and their Yellow Curry Chicken tasted just okay. The staff are nice and with cool decor inside.

    VANILLA ICE-CREAM FRIED
    Gwyneth N.

    Thai tea 5/5 Pad thai w chicken (got medium but should've gotten hot) 4/5 Drunken noodle 5/5 Overall very cute small business in hillcrest in a great area to walk around! Came here specifically for the fried ice cream and it didn't disappoint;however, the only thing I would mention is it's more American level spicy and not thai spicy right when ordering. Workers were nice and we got seated right away!

    Brian N.

    Nice place and chill ambiance, will come back again. Staff were friendly and helpful :)

    Brenda L.

    D'lish! our server Estela was friendly and helpful, the tea selection was tasty the parking is super close across the

    Bar area
    Peter Z.

    Service was very fast and good. The ambience was really nice and chill. The food was bussing.

    John Prician P.

    Food was amazing! Their whole fried chicken is tender, juicy and crispy with delicious marinate! You guys should try it! Our Salmon Panang Curry was bomb as well! Yummy curry sauce and perfectly cooked salmon! We also had a Duck Pho which was rich in flavor! Must try! Great place to go after a night of drinking in Hillcrest! Service is Fast. There could be a short wait on a busy weekend night but once you're seated you'll be serviced right away. It's a small location too so it can really be packed. Also, try their Thai tea! Yumm!!

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    2 months ago

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    1 month ago

    So delicious! They have such a solid drink options. I highly recommend the drunken noodle and red curry!

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    10 months ago

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    29 days ago

    The best place ever for amazing food and atmosphere. My favorite place I keep returning to.

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    1 year ago

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    1 month ago

    The Asian Bistro has great service and great food can't go wrong very tasty I highly recommend this place

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    4 months ago

    Nice, friendly atmosphere, good service and music. I love their Thai tea warm and iced. It's like melted ice cream :)

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    4 months ago

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    4 months ago

    Best drunken noddles in SD hands down shout out to Erik he's the man!! Been coming here for years!

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    5 months ago

    I really like the vibe in here. It's open late and the food smells good. .they cool af! I'm excited to try the food!

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    2 months ago

    Good customer service, nice ambiance, variety of options for beverages, food, and desserts

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    Page 1 of 38

    Ask the Community - The Asian Bistro

    Will you be open on Christmas Eve 2024?

    Yes, we only close for Thanksgiving. We stay open everyday

    Do they take reservations?

    Yes

    Are they open on Christmas Day 2021?

    Yes, we will be open for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 4PM-11AM. We will have a first come, first serve basis due to the volume of customers.

    Is this restaurant, Asian Bistro, opened for indoor dining yet?

    Yes

    View All 7 Questions

    Choi's

    Choi's

    4.6
    (678 reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$$
    Romantic vibe
    Private events

    Dylan was an incredible server. We're visiting town and will be back before we leave…read more He was kind, patient, and very attentive. The food was great, and you can't beat the oyster happy hour. See you tomorrow, Choi's.

    They have happy hour from 4pm- 6pm and brunch on Sundays. Paid parking lots only, but supposedly…read morethey offer validation at a specific location, check their website for more details. Came during happy hour. They had one server for 6+ tables that grew over time. Server was pleasant and refilled our waters. Another staff member brought food from the kitchen. Getting the check at the end of our meal took quite a bit of time. They have a mandatory 20% auto gratuity but also have another line on the bill for even more gratuity. Tried: Bulgogi birria vampiro $10 HH - two small tostadas piled high with toppings. Very messy to eat. Flavor was okay. Beef was very fatty. Multiverse fries $18 - super disappointed that these were absolutely drenched in franks buffalo sauce. It has a very unique flavor profile so we knew right away. Fries were soggy and beef and fried chicken thigh pieces were both on the fattier end. Not worth the price. Needed sour cream or guacamole. Cosmic Crunch Shrimp $12 - 4 very small shrimp that tasted pretty oily. Skip this. Yeosu Bliss $14 - a very raspberry forward drink. Overall it was just okay but the flavor profile just wasn't our thing.

    Photos
    Charred Gochujang Octopus
    Charred Gochujang Octopus
    Saewoojang Crudo
    Saewoojang Crudo
    Local Caught Yellowtail Crudo

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    Local Caught Yellowtail Crudo
    Books & Records

    Books & Records

    4.3
    (414 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    With a reservation, we were seated almost immediately. The inside was cozy, dim lit, and intimate…read morewhile still inviting. I appreciated the live music, though it did make conversation a bit difficult to hear. The drinks were sweet and strong! I recommend the Tangled Up in Blue The macaroni and cheese was the best appetizer. The wagyu tartare is actually quite spicy, and although tasty, we could not finish it because of the burn. The entrees were hot and cooked exactly as asked. You seriously get a bang for your buck with the portion size of the chicken parm! I also got some random corn surprises in my dish - I don't mind, but just something to be aware of in case you are allergic. I'm definitely coming back.

    We had a reservation for a friend's birthday dinner and I would highly recommend a reservation as…read morethe restaurant got crowded very quickly! - PARKING - Street parking, there are a few spots right out in front, but otherwise we all found parking around the adjacent streets. - SERVICE/ENVIRONMENT - There's a small foyer area in the entrance that you can be seated at, and as you walk in deeper there are additional dining tables as well as bar seating. We did have a fairly large group so we occupied the entire back wall corner. It was a bit snug in terms of table space and leg space, but we made it work. The staff were doing their best to keep track of everyone's orders, but there were a few mix-ups in the end. Food came out in waves and had a good cadence to the meal. - FOOD - We had a lot to share amongst our group! Wagyu Tartare ($14.00): Really flavorful tartare! Had a nice tartness to it due to the Black Vinegar. Pork Belly Baos ($12.00 - 2pc): Honestly this was just OK to me. Ahi Tuna Crudo ($18.00): Very bright and refreshing. Chicken Satay ($12.00): A little dry on some chicken pieces. Crispy Brussels ($10.00): Not as crispy as I'd hoped but still good. B&R Mac & Cheese ($8.00): Very creamy, very cheesy. The pasta was a bit soft though. Flat Iron Steak & Fries ($25.00): Decent piece of steak, cooked medium well. I honestly enjoyed the fries a lot! However, there must have been something expired, cooked wrong, or just not up to quality as many of us got stomach issues that night and the next day. We were all spread out so not sure what it could have been given we ate a few different items. - OVERALL - It was a cool vibe and they have some good tasting items, but considering a few of us got sick, I'm a bit wary to come back.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Crispy Brussels (Happy Hour)
    Crispy Brussels (Happy Hour)
    Blueberry Beret ($14)

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    Blueberry Beret ($14)
    Kingfisher

    Kingfisher

    4.4
    (700 reviews)
    2.6 mi

    Now we don't do fancy often but when we do we make it count. This is a spot for that. Love…read morekingfisher. You know the rules...one quick review: Food: top tier for sure. Great great all around Service: attentive and we went for a celebration and they made custom menus. Love that Ambiance: elegant but inviting, simple but upscale. It was perfect. Worth the trip, the money and the time. Go...

    Kingfisher serves some genuinely delicious food. The scallops were outstanding, the fried rice was…read moreflavorful, and the black cod was also excellent. The kitchen clearly knows how to prepare quality dishes, and the food is the reason I'm giving this restaurant 4 stars instead of less. That said, I deducted one star because of the location and overall environment. I chose Kingfisher because I was looking forward to Vietnamese cuisine, but when I arrived, my first impression was disappointing. Right by the entrance there was a strong urine smell, and because the restaurant has an open-air layout, it affected the dining experience. I also found myself concerned about the surrounding neighborhood and the overall setting. For me, a great restaurant is about more than just the food--it's also about feeling comfortable, relaxed, and enjoying the atmosphere. Even if a restaurant serves amazing food, the experience isn't complete if the location makes guests feel uneasy. I understand that Kingfisher has earned Michelin recognition, and the quality of the food certainly shows why. However, I hope the overall dining environment can improve because the talented kitchen deserves a setting that matches the excellent dishes they serve. I would gladly return if this establishment were located in a cleaner, more welcoming area without the homeless encampments nearby.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Hokkaido scallops $39
    Hokkaido scallops $39
    Crispy chicken wings

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    Crispy chicken wings
    Dao Fu

    Dao Fu

    4.3
    (1.5k reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$

    I really enjoyed our food and time here. The dishes taste so wholesome, healthy, and flavorful at…read morethe same time. Service was attentive and nice. They go above & beyond by providing complimentary tofu salad at the beginning of the meal, and ice cream at the end of the meal. The spring rolls here are unique and come with sauce on top. I don't normally go for spring rolls because I feel like they all taste the same, but my friend ordered these and I'm glad I tried it because it is different from other places' and I would get these again. All the dishes our table ordered were winners. I really loved my tofu clay pot. It came sizzling and kept the perfect temp throughout and it was also good as leftovers. Small businesses like this who really care about the overall experience and provide quality food always have my support!

    My local friends brought me here last night, and even though it was my first time and I had no…read moreprior knowledge of the place, it was an amazing experience. The restaurant has so much character, with dim lighting and walls covered in signatures from past diners that make you feel a real sense of community. Eric and his wife really make the restaurant what it is. They are kind, generous, and genuinely good people who care about their customers. You can see the hard work and heart they put into the food; they are so warm and it makes you feel like you're getting to know them. It's a great spot for mixed groups of vegans and meat-eaters, and I noticed a lot of older families and couples there as well--in my opinion, it would make a great date spot. The food is incredibly thoughtful in a way that feels very personal. We started with a complimentary marinated tofu salad with a unique beet sauce, and the marinated tofu itself was excellent--honestly the best I've had in a while. I was told it's actually hand-made in-house, and you can really taste that quality. They also gave us fried tofu which was a hit with my friends. Eric was even kind enough to give us extra tofu to take home, and following his recommendation, my mother used it to make a fish soup the next day that was delicious. I ordered a modified pork tonkatsu rice noodle soup, and it had a warm, nurturing quality that made me feel right at home. It's a great fusion spot, and because there is so much soul in the food, it isn't monotonous at all. Eric was so attentive that he even brought me extra broth when he noticed my noodles had soaked it all up. They even provided complimentary ice cream and a glutinous rice dish at the end. You go here because you want to feel nurtured and eat food that is good for your body and your soul, and the cherry on top is getting to support such good people. I definitely want to come back when I'm in town.

    Photos
    Dao Fu
    Dao Fu
    Free dessert

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    Free dessert
    CoCoCurry

    CoCoCurry

    4.9
    (297 reviews)
    4.0 mi
    $$

    This is my new favorite Thai spot! I'm so glad I got to try them out and I'll be a regular here for…read moresure - parking is tiny and there's only a few spots in the small plaza - the owner is so so friendly and welcoming! She gave us a sampling of each curry which was so helpful as we ordered online and were debating between which curry to choose. Now I know which ones I would want to try next time! (1) fried fish fillets with green curry in egg noodles - such a yummy combo, the fish had a light crisp and light salt and pepper seasoning, green curry was sharp and bright and the egg noodles soaked all the goodness in (2) duck leg with khao soi curry in egg noodles - a hit as well! Duck was tender, juicy, and flavor. This curry was slightly richer and deeper in flavor (3) drunken noodle with shrimp - the shrimp was such a good choice here, it was plump and fresh, it could use a little more seasoning but paired with noodles it was great - noodles were good as well! Chewy and not too mushy

    A hidden gem in City Heights!! I'm really hoping they continue to get good business and can expand…read moreto a larger space soon! - PARKING - Basically non-existent... there's 1-3 cramped spots right outside the shop but otherwise you might have to drive to the neighboring streets and walk over. - SERVICE/ENVIRONMENT - Similar to the parking situation, the interior of the shop is just as cramped. There's a narrow walkway that leads you to the counter where the staff welcomed us very warmly. She asked if it was our first time visiting, and because it was, she led us through a curry sampler taste test! She gave us small spoons of each curry so that we could make a more informed decision, which we really appreciated! The restaurant only holds about 5-6 tables, most of which only seat 2 people. I wouldn't plan to bring more than 4 people here, otherwise you run the risk of not being seated. - FOOD - Khao Soi: I love Khao Soi so when I saw they had one, I was very excited to try it! After the initial sampling, I was sold! I ordered it with the egg noodles and the fried chicken thigh. The fried chicken thigh was more reminiscent of a chicken tender rather than an actual leg/thigh piece. Still, everything about the dish was delicious! I also got to try my best friend's Penang Curry which she got with Chicken Breast. We both loved the Penang and Khao Soi curry the most, so this was also yummy to me. Her dish came with green beans and bell peppers as well. - OVERALL - Such a hole-in-the-wall and amazing small business! I really do hope they can expand in the future so it won't be as hard to visit them!

    Photos
    Curry Sauces
    Curry Sauces
    Step 1 : Crispy Fish Fillets 
Step 2 : Khao Soi
Step 3 : Egg Noodles 
Step 4 : Boiled Egg
    Step 1 : Crispy Fish Fillets Step 2 : Khao Soi Step 3 : Egg Noodles Step 4 : Boiled Egg
    Build Your Own Curry-Panang curry with chicken breast, medium boiled egg, jasmine rice and Thai tea with coconut milk.

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    Build Your Own Curry-Panang curry with chicken breast, medium boiled egg, jasmine rice and Thai tea with coconut milk.

    The Asian Bistro - thai - Updated July 2026

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