Four Cuisines at Eight Tables: Japanese, Korean, Thai and Cantonese Istanbul
Eight addresses that refuse to collapse into a single “Asian food” label. The route moves from omakase and sushi to Korean cooking, Thailand’s aromatic balance and the service rituals of Cantonese cuisine.
Defne ArasGastronomy Editor
How was this list selected?
Each restaurant was assessed on how clearly it expresses its culinary tradition, command of core techniques, ingredient focus and the experience that separates it from similar Istanbul addresses. Distinct identity took priority over generic fusion.
The order is based on current Choose Istanbul editorial judgement, not advertising or user-review scores.- Bebek, Beşiktaş
Sankai by Nagaya
For Istanbul’s MICHELIN-starred Japanese table, experienced through counter rhythm and exacting service.
- What to eat or drink
- Choose Sankai Sushi or Nagaya Signature; the whole table selects the same menu.
- When to go
- Monday to Saturday after 18:30; ask about the complimentary five-kilometre transfer when booking.
- Teşvikiye, Şişli
Suimaki
Choose it when you want a taste of the neighbourhood's established food culture.
- What to eat or drink
- Start with Push-Pop Sushi Çeşitleri, Truffle Ebi Roll, California Roll.
- When to go
- Walk-ins work; choose an earlier hour for a calmer table and check current opening hours before setting out.
- Kuloğlu, Beyoğlu
Az Çok Thai
Choose it for the atmosphere and a focused kitchen.
- What to eat or drink
- Street-style pad Thai, spring rolls, chicken satay and fried rice.
- When to go
- Book for busy evenings and confirm current hours before setting out.
- Asmalımescit, Beyoğlu
Çok Çok Thai
Classic Thai recipes with confident spice balance; a current, characterful stop when exploring Asmalımescit.
- What to eat or drink
- Classic Thai recipes with confident spice balance
- When to go
- Early evening on a weekday
- Bomonti, Şişli
Seoul Kitchen, Bomonti
Choose it for the atmosphere and a focused kitchen.
- What to eat or drink
- Korean fried chicken, tteokbokki, jajangmyeon and kimbap.
- When to go
- Book for busy evenings and confirm current hours before setting out.
- Kadıköy, Kadıköy
Sopung Kore
Choose it for the atmosphere and a focused kitchen.
- What to eat or drink
- Cheese ddokbokki, jajangmyeon, gun-mandu and samgak kimbap.
- When to go
- Choose an earlier hour for a calmer visit and confirm current hours before setting out.
- Harbiye, Şişli
Dragon Restaurant
Choose it for the atmosphere and a focused kitchen.
- What to eat or drink
- Crispy duck with pancakes, beef in black bean sauce, five-spice calamari and hot-and-sour soup.
- When to go
- Book for busy evenings and confirm current hours before setting out.
- Sinanpaşa, Beşiktaş
Shang Palace Istanbul
Peking duck, dim sum and refined Cantonese cooking; a current, characterful stop when exploring Sinanpaşa.
- What to eat or drink
- Peking duck, dim sum and refined Cantonese cooking
- When to go
- A special evening, Tuesday to Sunday
