Your Favorite Ethnic in Philly

[DaisyM]

Please share your favorite places in Philly for great ethnic places.

Here's mine:

Kim's Korean BBQ- It was so much fun and delicious. Also, the staff couldn't have been more welcoming. Fun to go with a group.

Uzbekistan--I loved being surrounded by people speaking Russian and having a great time. Bring your own vodka and prepare to have a feast with huge platters of food.

Vietnam--the grilled stuffed grape leaves and the spring rolls are worth finding a parking place.

[shoeman]

Cedars - Lebanese

[Elaine]

Cedars is a favorite of ours, too; we were just there last night. The Imam Baldi is my favorite.

[DaisyM]

I need to add Kim's for Korean food. Love Korean food.

[PennMD]

Has anyone been to Abyssinia recently? Never been, but looking for good Ethiopian and it has been recommended by a couple of work colleagues at U Penn.

[PhillyA]

I love Abyssinia - strictly by food, I think it's the best Ethiopian in the city.

Service can be snail-slow, and it's not a place for atmosphere. As long as I expect that going in, it's always been fine with me, and the food is great.

[jesup]

If you're in the Philly Burbs, Himalayan is wonderful. Decor is nothing special, but the food and service is great. Lots of Indians eat there on the weekends at brunch (parties); not solely targeted at non-Indians - they include things like Goat Curry (with bones) in the buffet frequently, but they also have a great Tikka Masala and Navratan Korma, plus good deserts.

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Himalayan Exotic Indian Cuisine
81 Lancaster Ave, Malvern, PA 19355

[jesup]

Shiroi Hana is great for sushi; my wife and I love to eat there when we we're down in that area.

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Shiroi Hana Restaurant
222 S 15th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102

[bess]

great thread!

Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House for Chinese (noodles obviously), Ocean Harbor for Dim Sum

I really love Tiffin but I haven't been to Ekta yet.

Abyssinia or Dahlak for Ethiopian/Eritrean

Nhu Y for banh mi, Cafe Viet Huong for pho or make-your-own summer rolls

Los Taquitos de Puebla for tacos, especially Al Pastor

Claudio's for italian deli food (that is ethnic too!)

[in bocca]

I love Abyssinia and will check out Dahlak pronto!

[bluehensfan]

I love the lamb sandwiches at Argan on South 17th St. It's a place that never seems to get much mention on the boards...

[naneharvey]

Almaz Cafe (140 S 20th St) has some of the best Ethiopian food I've had in the city. It looks like just a hip coffee shop, but I think they have two menus -- one coffee shop and one for the Ethiopian fare. The owners are really nice as well.

[gan911]

Anybody has recommendations on Peruvian (think cerviche and papusas?) or Mexican (menudo, pozole, actual homemade mole)

[in bocca]

Heading to Divan. What are some not to be missed dishes?

[DaisyM]

I loved the doner kabobs.

[sadiefox]

Sazon -- delicious Venezuelan food, and their hot chocolates are AMAZING! Love the one with sour cherry, lime, and hot pepper.

[xtian]

Tierra Columbiana for Cuban and Columbian food.

And what's the place in Gray's Ferry that has great Turkish? (same owners as Cafe Fulya, I think)...

[DaisyM]

Divan! I haven't been to Tierra Colubiana in years. Is it still great?

[xtian]

I don't think Tierra Columbiana has changed at all. Same menu, same prices, same staff.

[naneharvey]

Consistently delicious!

[gan911]

DIVAN is the turkish place?

[DaisyM]

Yes, Divan is Turkish. It is in the graduate hospital area.

[hungry100]

Hardena -- hole in the wall Indonesian.

[SnowCat]

Penang or Banana Leaf for Malaysian/Singaporean food. The menus are identical. Portion size is slightly larger at Banana Leaf. Quality/consistency is slightly better at Penang.

[thehungrything]

Dim Sum Garden is my favorite ethnic restaurant in Philly
a close second is Kanella

[cwdonald]

Dim Sum Garden has wonderful Xiao Long Bao

for me Han Dynasty has most authentic without going to NY or to Hong Kong.

Second the vote for Rangoon. Thousand Layer Bread is amazing.

Manilla Bay in the northeast is a GREAT Filippino restaurant.

Piccana is the only Brazilian restaurant worth visiting.

[DaisyM]

I've never had Filippino food. Can you tell me what dishes should not be missed at Manilla Bay? Thank you!

[cwdonald]

I am very partial to the Chicken Adobo... very traditional strew. For Apps the Tokwa Baboy or the Sisig are good. They also have nice fish dishes.

[malkazanie]

I've heard Manila Bay has since closed down. Anyone have any recommendations for Filipino food elsewhere?

[leepinleemur]

The only one I've heard of is Taste of the Tropics in Phoenixville.

[gan911]

lets keep this thread rolling...
best places for chinese?
best places for indian?

[Buckethead]

Chinese: Han Dynasty
Indian: Ekta

[brightman]

Szechuan Tasty House in Chinatown. Also Bell's Market in the Northeast.

[DaisyM]

Yes, love Bell's Market!

[Bashful3]

Daisy, Brightman, help me please. I am near Bells Market often; obviously they have welter of ethnic food there, but it is overwhelming, and I have no clue what is exceptional and what is ordinary.

What do you relish there?

Looking for the good stuff; price no object.

[DaisyM]

I love the prepared food. I don't know the russian names...but they have many different kinds of pierogis my favorite is stuffed with cabbage. They also have a delicous chopped, cold beet salad. My husband loves the very heavy black bread and always gets smoked fish. Most people are really helpful if you ask them what something is.

[zovig123]

best pierogies i've ever had--Franks-a-Lot in the Reading Terminal Market.. I know it's a hot dog stand but the pierogies! to die! I review it on Eating Reading..

[discndav]

Szechuan Tasty House in Chinatown is my favorite for lunch.

[FattyFatMan]

Three pepper chicken at Szechuan Tasty House is spectacular, although that is all I have had there. Any other Tasty House recs?

[shellybe]

Rangoon! great food and wonderful people

[Chefpaulo]

Rangoon was my first thought as well. Where else do you get such a successful melding of Indian, Thai and Chinese that works? And it has to be one of the most extensive menus in the area.
CP

[thew]

cheese steaks and soft pretzels are my favorite ethnic foods in philly