Blooming Thai
Asian, Thai
107 N. College
812-369-4229
This Asian fusion restaurant serves pho and other Thai dishes, bubble tea, and traditional Thai baked goods. Try the pad Thai wrapped in egg or green curry fried rice or choose from their selection of soups and salads. • Prices: $-$$ • Hours: Mon. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 4:30 p.m.–9 p.m.; Closed Tu.; Wed.–Thu. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 4:30–9 p.m.; Sat. 12–10 p.m.; Sun. 12–9 p.m. • Bar: Wine • Outdoor Seating: No
DoMo Japanese Steak & Sushi House
Asian, East Asian, Japanese, Sushi, Vegetarian
106 S. Franklin Rd.
812-332-7700
This oversize Japanese restaurant on Bloomington’s west side is split into hibachi and sushi zones. Choose hibachi for a bit of dinner theater, fun for kids and groups. Sushi options range from basic avocado rolls to the fiery Heart Attack, a tempura-fried jalapeno filled with spicy tuna and cream cheese. • Prices: $–$$$$ • Hours: Sun.–Th. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–11 p.m. • Bar: Beer, wine • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: No
Dragon Chinese Restaurant
Asian, Chinese, East Asian, Soup, Vegetarian
3261 W. 3rd St. • 812-332-6610
Dragon Express
1400 E. 3rd St. • 812-331-7030
The décor in these tiny Chinese restaurants may not be much to look at, but the food is quick and cheap, and it’s good. The Dragon makes great twice-cooked pork, excellent moo shu dishes, and a mean steamed whole fish. If you are in the mood for noodle soup, try the Yat Ka Mein, and slurp to your heart’s content. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Restaurant: 11 a.m.–11 p.m. daily; Dragon Express: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. daily • Bar: No • Credit Cards: No • Outdoor Seating: No • Accessibility Decal
Esan Thai
Asian, Fair Labor, South/Southeast Asian, Thai
221 E. Kirkwood
812-333-8424
House specialties at this bright and airy restaurant at the back of Victoria Towers are based on family recipes. Try the Yum Khai, a spicy grilled chicken salad with shallots, cilantro, tomato, and lime juice, or the Moo Num Tok (grilled pork with onion, mint, and chilies). Noodle dishes and curries are also first-rate. • Prices: Lunch: $-$$; Dinner: $$-$$$ • Hours: Sun.–Mon., Wed.–Th. 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Closed Tu.; Reservations recommended on weekends. • Bar: No • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: Yes • Fair Labor Decal
Hoosier Seoulmate
Asian
1614 W. 3rd St.
812-668-2059
Family-owned restaurant Hoosier Seoulmate combines traditional Korean fare with some Midwestern staples. The Hoosier Rice Bowl is a bed of rice topped with stir-friend kimchi, scrambled eggs, spam, and a house spicy mayo sauce. More familiar dishes like bibimbap and ramen are also available. • Prices: $ • Hours: Mon.–Sat. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 4:30–9 p.m.; Closed Sun. • Bar: No • Outdoor Seating: No
Mama’s Restaurant
Asian, Barbecue, East Asian, Korean
2630 E. 10th St.
812-333-8071
DIY barbecue puts you in control of your meal at Mama’s Restaurant. Meals are served with a variety of banchan: small bowls of Korean pickles, salads, and more meant to be eaten with your meal. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Mon.–Fri. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 5–9 p.m.; Sat. noon–10 p.m.; Sun. noon–9 p.m.; Closed every last Tu. of the month • Bar: Beer, wine • Credit Cards: Visa, MC • Outdoor Seating: No
Mandalay Restaurant
Asian, Burmese, Chinese, East Asian, Indian, South/Southeast Asian, Thai, Vegetarian
413 E. 4th St.
812-339-7334
This tiny 4th Street gem serves Burmese food — an exotic mix of Chinese, Thai, and Indian with a savory character all its own. Lots of curries and noodle dishes and many vegetarian options. Try the paratha with yellow chickpea curry and the tea leaf salad! • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Tu.–Sun. 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 5–9 p.m.; Closed Mon.• Bar: No Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: Yes
Mr. Hibachi
Asian, Chinese, East Asian, Japanese, Sushi
4400 E. 3rd St.
812-339-6288
Mr. Hibachi puts on a massive spread and the crowds line up to fill up. Buffet fixtures like crab rangoon and General Tso’s crispy chicken are abundant, along with Japanese offerings in miso soup and a variety of sushi rolls. For a more personalized meal, fill a plate with noodles, raw meat, and veggies, then head to the hibachi station where the chef will stir-fry your food while you wait. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Sun.–Th. 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m.; Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–10:30 p.m. • Bar: No • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: No
My Thai Cafe
Asian, Soup, South/Southeast Asian, Thai, Vegetarian
3316 W. 3rd St. • 812-333-2234
402 E. 4th St. • 812-333-3993
The first location for this beautiful little restaurant is hidden away in a strip mall on the west side of Bloomington. My Thai Cafe’s second location is on 4th Street restaurant row and also serves Thai family recipes cooked to your preferred degree of spiciness. Look for noodle dishes featuring the sweet and spicy “chef’s gravy,” and try the fragrant curries. • Prices: Lunch: $; Dinner: $$ • Hours: West 3rd Street: Mon.–Th. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 4:30–9 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 4:30–10 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Closed Sun.; East 4th Street: Tu.–Th. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 4:30–9 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 4:30–10 p.m.; Sat. noon–10 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Closed Mon.• Bar: Beer • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: Yes
Noodle Town
Asian, Chinese, East Asian, Japanese
318 S. College Mall Rd.
812-333-8325
Attached to Asuka Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi, Noodle Town fulfills the Chinese half of the dual restaurant equation. The Hong Kong-style menu includes salt-and-pepper seafood and spare ribs with black bean sauce. Lunch and dinner specials include fried rice and an egg roll. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: 11 a.m.–10 p.m. daily • Bar: Beer, wine • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: No
NOURISH Bar
Asian, Salads, Soup, Vegetarian
217 W. 6th St
812-650-3157
Specializing in fresh, healthy fare, NOURISH Bar offers paninis, soups, poke bowls, and salads. Try the Ahi Poke Bowl, served with sweet onion and cucumbers, sesame-sriracha-shoyu marinade, and brown rice. For salad lovers, consider the Green Apple & Duck Confit salad. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Tue.–Sat. 11 a.m.–2 p.m.; Closed Sun.–Mon. • Bar: Full • Outdoor Seating: No
Oasis
Asian, Chinese, East Asian
2652 E. 10th St.
812-339-3999
Ideal for carryout or delivery, this Chinese restaurant is tucked into the 10th and the Bypass strip of shops and restaurants. Specialties include bowls of Cantonese style noodle soup and sizzling claypot entrées; sample the gingery eggplant and chicken. Fruit smoothies and milky bubble teas help cool down spicy mouths. Karaoke and party rooms are available for groups, open late on Friday and Saturday. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Sun.–Th. 11 a.m.–midnight; Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–3 a.m. • Bar: Beer • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: No
Red Chopsticks
Asian, Chinese, East Asian, Japanese, Korean, South/Southeast Asian, Sushi, Thai
1420 E. 3rd St.
812-331-6898
At this one-stop Asian restaurant, choose from Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Korean, and Vietnamese options. The sushi menu is extensive, with rolls to fit any budget. Bento boxes allow for variety; try one with sashimi, tempura, and a California roll. The contemporary dining room is full of cozy, private booths. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Mon.–Th. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.–11 p.m.; Sat. noon–11 p.m.; Sun. noon–10 p.m. • Bar: Beer, wine • Credit Cards: Visa, MC • Outdoor Seating: No
Restaurant Ami
Asian, East Asian, Japanese, Korean, Sushi
1500 E. 3rd St.
812-339-7868
On East 3rd Street, at the edge of campus, Restaurant Ami serves a menu of Korean and Japanese specialties. On any given day you’ll find most tables filled with sushi and sashimi. Choose a combo of classic rolls or order one of the fun chef’s special rolls. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Mon.–Wed. 10 a.m.–10 p.m.; Th.–Fri. 10 a.m.–midnight; Sat. 11 a.m.–midnight; Sun. 11 a.m.–10 p.m. • Bar: Beer, wine • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc., Campus Access • Outdoor Seating: Yes