Author
@NatChowsFood
Follow Nat’s Instagram below for more food recommendations in Charlottesville and Albemarle County, the DMV, and beyond!
Mobile Visitor Centers Begin Summer Break on July 24th.
The Mobile Visitor Centers will be on Summer Break from July 24th to August 6th. Visitors looking for information can visit the Albemarle County Office Building (401 McIntire Rd.) Monday—Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by calling 434-293-6789.
More InfoSix Local Asian American and Pacific Islander-Owned Restaurants
Written By: Creator of @NatChowsFood
As a Chinese foodie who grew up in the DMV area, I’ve been spoiled with amazing Asian food all my life. When I moved to the Charlottesville area, I found myself on a mission: to eat my way through the city and county and show all the sublime food our beautiful town has to offer.
One might be surprised to hear that we have some of the best Asian food in Virginia, but my stomach and I can confirm this is the truth! I document many of these amazing meals on my food Instagram: @natchowsfood. In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, these are some of my favorite AAPI-owned restaurants in Charlottesville and Albemarle County that are worth a visit.
Thai Cuisine & Noodle House
Located off Route 29, Thai Cuisine & Noodle House earns my spot for some of the best Thai food I have EVER had, and this is coming from someone who visited Thailand for three weeks!
I cannot resist their Drunken Noodles, Fried Tofu Pad Thai, Calamari Salad, Green Curry, Kua Gai, and Soft Shell Crab with Roasted Chili Paste, which are all packed with flavor. Their staff is accommodating and efficient, and often exceptionally quick when it comes to turnaround times for takeout. They offer lots of authentic Thai dishes on their menu and are happy to give suggestions to those looking to branch out beyond the typical Thai classics!
Umma’s
A funky spot by the Downtown Mall specializing in Korean and Japanese food, Umma’s is the perfect hangout for a solo date or catching up with family and friends.
I’ve spent a lot of time on their patio stuffing my face with their food while getting lost in a good book, but Umma’s is also a quintessential spot to get down—you can find them hosting late night dance parties! Their menu includes turned up classics like Spicy Honey Garlic Karaage and Kimchi Carbonara Tteokbokki, and they also offer late night specials (such as Shin Ramyun fries) that are perfect after a night out on the town.
Kanak
Peter Chang’s China Grill
Seoul Korean BBQ and Hot Pot
Q Noodles
Although this list just skims the surface of AAPI-owned restaurants in the Charlottesville area, it shows that our city is diverse and accepting of all, with an Asian American presence that is here to stay. In Asian culture, food is the ultimate love language and one of the ways we show that we love someone is by cooking them a meal and making sure they don’t go hungry. While these kitchens show us their love through their cooking, they deserve our love too, as supporting AAPI kitchens is more important now than ever.
Search for a comprehensive list of Asian cuisine on the Food & Drink page – and while you’re at it, check out different hotels and accommodations you can stay at during your next food tour.
Happy eating!