Glasgow’s best Asian fusion restaurants

Come here for dinner, afternoon tea, a quick lunch or Asian fusion cocktails with a pumping deep house soundtrack by the resident DJs. This is a new kid on the block, having hit the scene at the very end of 2022, launched by the team behind local faves Nonna Said and The Duke’s Umbrella. Velvet textiles, booth seating, a crop of disco balls hung above the bar and several large feature lights that replicate sunset, make a dining visit to August House, quite an immersive experience. Examples of items you may find on the menu include fried chicken sando with shredded cabbage, tonkatsu sauce, Japanese mayo and soft white bread; burrata with pistachio pesto, toasted pine nuts and butterfly sorrel; and The Sweet Spot cocktail, with Haku vodka, lychee liqueur, citrus and prosecco.

Lookout for the bike hanging from a building that wouldn’t look out of place on the streets of Hanoi, but is actually perched just off Byres Road. This super quirky Vietnamese/Asian restaurant is relaxed and friendly, with a focus on fresh and healthy ingredients. Simple yet full of flavour, menu highlights include the crispy spring rolls, the fragrant pho and the spicy tofu curry (this place makes the supremely tasty tofu in-house, so do give it a whirl). Sit upstairs, downstairs, or on the wrought-iron balcony with a view of the comings and goings on the cobbled lane below. It’s all basic wooden tables, stools and chairs in here, adding to the authentic vibe.

Awarded the AA Rosette for culinary excellence, Opium is a contemporary and glamorous establishment for a sassy night out. Spice up your evening with its bold and exciting flavours, and the likes of Korean-style fried chicken, miso and sake-marinated black cod or aromatic lamb curry. Located in the heart of the city, Opium is convenient for after-work meals and as a pampering lunchtime pitstop during your weekend shopping.

Mamasan’s menu combines the best of Asian cuisine, with dishes from Thailand, Japan and Korea, among others. Each dish is expertly crafted using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, which ensures that the food is of the highest quality and full of flavour. The unique and stylish interior design has been inspired by the opulent and glamorous world of 1930s Shanghai, with Art Deco-inspired details and plush furnishings. And it caters to a range of dining experiences to suit different occasions and budgets; from the casual bar area, which offers small plates and cocktails, to the elegant dining room and mezzanine, where you can order from the a la carte menu.

A 2022 finalist for Asian Fusion Restaurant of the Year at The Scottish Asian Food Awards, Tofu is a teeny eatery on Partick’s main drag. With a large variety of dishes including Taiwanese three cups sauce chicken; Japanese katsu curry; Malaysia Sambal seafood; Peking pork ribs; Thai-style tofu; and Penang prawn noodle soup, you can explore lots of different nationalities’ tastes under one little roof. Look out for a great value student bento available at lunchtime, if you’re counting the pennies.

Another of the 2022 finalists for Asian Fusion Restaurant of the Year, Lychee Oriental has scooped a number of accolades. It was the Best Chinese Restaurant at the Scottish Food Awards; was listed among the Sunday Times Top 25 Chinese Restaurants; received Best Newcomer 2012 at the Glasgow Restaurant Awards; was named Best Asian Restaurant in Scotland at The Entertainment Guide Awards; and won Diner’s Choice 2013 at the Top Table Awards. Set in a refurbished listed building, it’s a sophisticated oasis from the surrounding urban sprawl. Watch the flames as chef Jimmy cooks up a storm in the open kitchen and be sure to order a signature Lychee cocktail for a taste of the Far East. 

Ting Thai offers authentic Thai and Asian fusion street food in a vibrant, bright dining space. Located on Byres Road, the menu boasts small boxes and soup bowls, alongside rice, noodle and curry dishes. We particularly love the Khao Min Gai Tod – shallow fried chicken, with ginger, garlic, grated coconut, cucumber and shallot ajard, two brothers sauce, and jasmine rice.