Asian Restaurants Brighton
Asian Restaurants in Brighton
Brighton’s Asian restaurant scene is one of the most diverse and exciting in any city of its size. From a Vietnamese kitchen run by brothers who cook the way their family taught them, to a Japanese izakaya tucked into the heart of the Lanes, a Shaanxi noodle bar where chefs hand-pull Biang Biang noodles to order and a Peruvian Nikkei sushi bar on the seafront, the breadth of Asian food available in Brighton and Hove is genuinely remarkable.
What makes this city’s Asian dining scene distinctive is not just the range of cuisines but the quality and conviction behind them. These are not approximations of Asian food for a British palate. They are restaurants run by people who care deeply about authenticity, provenance and craft, whether that means flying in specific ingredients, sourcing locally, or cooking to family recipes passed down across generations. This is our curated guide to the best Asian restaurants in Brighton, updated regularly to reflect new openings and changing recommendations. You may also like our complete guide to Indian Restaurants in Brighton.
The Big Bowl is Brighton’s only Vietnamese restaurant with a Vietnamese kitchen team, and that authenticity shows in every bowl. Run by brothers Chris and Brandon Vu on Preston Street, this welcoming spot brings the clean, fragrant flavours of Vietnamese home cooking to the city with a warmth and generosity that keeps diners returning. Classic pho arrives with richly layered broth, bun noodle bowls are packed with fresh herbs and textures, and the crispy spring rolls are among the best in the city. Relaxed in atmosphere and completely genuine in spirit, The Big Bowl fills a gap in Brighton’s Asian dining scene that nobody else has come close to filling.
Chilli Thai Brighton is the sister venue to the long-established and much-loved Chilli restaurant in Hove, and it brings the same commitment to bold, authentic Thai flavours to a prime location in the Lanes. The menu moves confidently across the full range of Thai cuisine: fragrant curries with depth and complexity, perfectly balanced stir-fries, fresh salads that crackle with heat and citrus, and sharing plates that invite exploration. For those seeking a Thai restaurant in Brighton that takes its source material seriously, Chilli delivers with consistency and style.
Blossoms is Brighton’s answer to the Japanese izakaya, the after-work drinking and dining institution that forms the social backbone of cities across Japan. Tucked into the Lanes, this award-winning cocktail bar and restaurant has built a devoted following on the strength of its vibrant small plates and genuinely excellent drinks list. Gyoza, bao buns, tempura, yakitori and freshly prepared sushi share the menu with cocktails that take their cues from Japanese ingredients: yuzu, sake, shiso and matcha featuring prominently throughout. The Miso Chocolate Brownie is the dessert everyone talks about. Come early, stay late and order more than you planned to.
Wabi Sabi in Hove is a captivating Japanese restaurant offering an artful fusion of tradition and modernity. Named after the Japanese philosophy of finding beauty in imperfection, Wabi Sabi showcases a menu filled with expertly crafted sushi, sashimi, and contemporary Japanese dishes. With its elegant ambiance and skilled chefs, diners can indulge in delightful creations like the Dragon Roll, a tantalising mix of eel and avocado, or the Wagyu Beef Tataki, a melt-in-your-mouth delight. For an authentic and exceptional Japanese dining experience, Wabi Sabi is a must-visit restaurant in Hove.
Shaanxi, an authentic Asian restaurant on Preston Street, brings the bold and distinctive flavours of China’s Shaanxi province to Brighton. Specialising in hand-pulled Biang Biang noodles, handmade dumplings, and crispy Chinese burgers (Rou Jia Mo), this is the ultimate spot for genuine Chinese street food. The open kitchen allows diners to watch as chefs expertly stretch and pull fresh noodles to order, enhancing the immersive experience. With rich, aromatic broths, savoury stir-fries, plenty of vegan options, and customisable spice levels, Shaanxi offers a unique taste of China in the heart of Brighton’s bustling food scene.
Bonsai Plant Kitchen, an award-winning restaurant, draws inspiration from South-East Asian cuisine, with all dishes cooked on a Binchotan grill. The main dining area is thoughtfully arranged around a bustling open kitchen and adorned with hand-decorated Japanese-style murals and pink neon features, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere. Additionally, there’s an izakaya den featuring bench booths for two, adding to the restaurant’s unique charm. The modern soundtrack sets the tone, adding to the cool ambiance, especially during lively evenings. Bonsai Plant Kitchen offers set menu lunches and delicious ramen bowls from Wednesday to Saturday, providing guests with a delightful culinary experience.
Nanima is a genuine hidden gem in Kemptown village, a family-run Asian kitchen that changes its menu daily and cooks from scratch with an honesty and care that is immediately apparent. The pan-Asian menu draws on culinary traditions from across the continent, from fragrant Thai curries and delicate Japanese preparations to punchy Chinese stir-fries and noodle dishes that are deeply satisfying. The dining room is intimate and the welcome personal, creating the kind of relaxed atmosphere that makes Nanima feel more like eating at a friend’s table than visiting a restaurant. Locals who discover it rarely stop talking about it.
Celebrating Nikkei cuisine, the bold and refined fusion of Peruvian and Japanese culinary traditions, Lima Nikkei brings something genuinely new to Brighton’s Asian dining offer. Based on Marine Parade facing the seafront in Kemptown, this stylish sushi bar was founded by Alejandro and Carlos, two passionate chefs who cook from the pass every single day. The result is a menu of ceviches, tiraditos and creative sushi built on locally sourced seafood, Japanese precision and the fiery, citrus-forward spirit of Peru.
The Coconut Island on Western Road brings the full vibrancy of Sri Lankan dining to Brighton in a format built for sharing and lingering. The menu draws on Sri Lanka’s rich culinary heritage, taking in influences from South India, Malaysia and Indonesia along the way, and the result is a succession of small plates that build in complexity and warmth. Fragrant curries, crispy hoppers, kothu roti, spiced sambols and sharp, clean pickles arrive in a flurry of colour and aroma. The cocktail list is equally considered. For a celebratory, joyful evening of Asian dining in Brighton, The Coconut Island is hard to beat.
Located in Brighton’s historic Lanes, Dishoom Permit Room is a vibrant Indian restaurant with a cosy atmosphere. Indulge in a delicious menu of small plates and nibbles paired with fantastic cocktails. Don’t miss the fabulous breakfasts, especially the loaded Naan Rolls. On Wednesday evenings, a live DJ sets the soundtrack, creating a lively atmosphere to complement the great food and drinks. Rain or shine, day or night, Dishoom Permit Room has you covered.
Unithai in Hove is one of the most quietly remarkable experiences in Brighton’s Asian dining scene. Located in the back of a Thai market on the same premises, this tiny restaurant seats a handful of diners at a time and operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no bookings taken. Arrive early, because the authentic, carefully prepared Thai dishes that emerge from the kitchen are worth any wait. The combination of market and restaurant creates something genuinely unique: you can browse a carefully curated selection of Thai produce, sauces and ingredients before sitting down to eat dishes that demonstrate exactly how those ingredients should be used.
Moshimo is Brighton’s most decorated Japanese restaurant and one of the most principled dining destinations in the entire city. Located in Bartholomew Square at the heart of the Lanes, it has been setting the standard for sustainable Japanese dining since it opened, never serving endangered fish and driving genuine environmental change through its internationally recognised Fish Love campaign. The sushi is outstanding: clean, precise and made with fish sourced to the highest ethical standards. The Hiroba outdoor deck is one of Brighton’s finest spots for alfresco dining, and the Moshimo Membership, offering 50 per cent off on Mondays and Tuesdays, makes it one of the best value propositions in the city.
Lucky Khao is one of the most characterful Asian restaurants in Brighton, a spirited and generous Northern Thai kitchen in the heart of Kemptown that has built a loyal local following through sheer quality and personality. The Khao Soi is the dish to order: a rich, fragrant coconut curry noodle soup of extraordinary depth, layered with crispy noodles, pickled mustard greens and a tangle of textures that make it one of the most satisfying bowls in the city. The Som Tum green papaya salad brings heat and crunch in equal measure. The open dining room is lively and the cooking consistently bold. Northern Thai cuisine is underrepresented in the UK and Lucky Khao makes a compelling case for why that should change.
Wagamama in Brighton, located on North Street, offers a vibrant dining experience perfect for families, couples, and solo diners. Open daily from 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM, the restaurant serves a diverse menu featuring Asian-inspired dishes. Popular choices include the hearty Chicken Ramen, Yaki Soba, and aromatic Curry Laksa. Starters like Edamame Beans and Pork Gyoza add to the experience. As a renowned chain across the UK, Wagamama promises fresh, fast, and delicious meals in a welcoming atmosphere.
