This sampling of Cambodian, Thai, Korean, Vietnamese and Malaysian restaurants will give you some idea just how sophisticated Vancouver's Asian palette is.
If you aren't accustomed to authentic Asian food, then go for the most familiar items on the menu. If you like adventure, then ask for suggestions from the person who serves you or try some of the more exotic menu offerings.
Spice Islands Indonesian Restaurant
3592 West 41st Ave
604-266-7355
Fresh seafood and authentic Indonesian restaurant, a neighbourhood favourite.
Simply Thai
1211 Hamilton
Vancouver
604-642-0123
The best downtown Thai food. Fresh, imaginative lunches and dinners with friendly staff and excellent takeout. Located in Yaletown at the corner of Hamilton and Davie.
Montri's Thai
3629 West Broadway
Vancouver
604-738-9888
Often voted the best Thai restaurant in Vancouver, Montri's Thai is fresh and friendly and serves extremely well prepared dishes with flair.
Jang Mo Jib
1043 Kingsway
Vancouver
604-872-0712
Korean family-style food with many different kinds of kimschee and excellent tofu.
Cho Sun
3486 Kingsway
Vancouver
604-434-1222
Great Korean barbecue right at your table.
Banana Leaf
820 West Broadway & 1096 Denman
Vancouver
604-731-6333 / 604-683-3333
Excellent, inexpensive daily specials and excellent crab
The Mekong
1414 Commercial Drive
Vancouver
604-253-7088
A neighborhood favorite, this place serves excellent Vietnamese comfort food.
Sawasdee Thai Restaurant
4250 Main Street
604-876-4030
Good curries, noodle and rice dishes - open for lunch
Phnom Penh
244 E. Georgia St.
Vancouver
682-5777
You may resist this restaurant for a couple of reasons. First it's a Vietnamese and Cambodian restaurant right in the middle of Chinatown. So you may think you ought to eat Chinese when in Chinatown.
But don't let that keep you out of Phnom Penh if you want inexpensive, healthy, fresh soups and noodle and rice dishes.
You may also be put off by the exterior which doesn't look that inviting. But be brave. Once inside, you'll be surprised at the difference. The inside is comfortable, clean, peaceful and friendly, and more upscale than you could imagine from the outside.