The 5 most exotic Asian restaurants in Brussels

1) Old Boy

Named after a popular South Korean film, this relaxed Asian canteen lovingly evokes the mood of Thai family meals. The interior is bright and modern, with an open kitchen and stools at the counter. The cooks prepare delicious traditional dishes including classic bao buns filled with chopped pork, and Peking duck pancakes. No booking so you may have a short wait.

bar and chairs at Old Boy restaurant in Brussels

2) San Sablon

Belgian-Korean chef Sang Hoon Degeimbre opened his second Brussels bistro in 2020. It’s a relaxed, cosmopolitan place in the Sablon district where Degeimbre displays his skilful, subtle cooking, inspired by his global travels. To add to the authentic Korean atmosphere, the food is presented in small terracotta bowls accompanied by a long wooden spoon.

Brussels - SAN Sablon interior

More hidden Brussels?

Discover the guide: The 500 Hidden Secrets of Brussels takes you to hundreds of lesser-known places and unique spots in the city. Available as book or ebook.

Shop the guide

3) Liu Lin

Sisters Liu and Lin have created a relaxed urban canteen where they offer vegan versions of Taiwan-style street food. The menu includes a tasty Taiwan dumpling soup and a ‘crispy chicky bowl’. It’s an inspired experiment in plant-based cooking that might impress even the most stubborn meat eaters.

Brussels - three bowls with tasty dishes from Liu Lin restaurant

4) Dam Sum

This is a lively new place to eat dim sum opposite the Eglise de la Trinité. The interior is noisy and bustling, with red and black furniture, graphic art and elegant ceramic bowls. The menu lists various soups and noodle dishes, but the main thing to try is dim sum filled with soup. A fun place to stop off for lunch on a tour of Ixelles art nouveau or Rue du Bailli design shops.

fried chicken and spring rolls from Dam Sum

Parvis de la Trinité 11

http://www.damsum.com

5) Au Bon Bol

An authentic Chinese noodle house down a quiet street near the Bourse. The noodles are handmade as you wait, while the soups are delicious and filling. It gets crowded downstairs, but you can usually squeeze onto a table upstairs, where you are surrounded by a lively crowd of students, young couples and Chinese tourists.

a man making fresh noodles in the kitchen of Au Bon Bol Brussels

Join the community

Sign up for free to gain unlimited access to the website. Plus, you'll receive a 10% discount in our online bookshop.

Sign up