Asian District – Palm Jumeirah

As its name implies, Asian District is a restaurant specialising in Asian food. What its name does not prepare you for is how grand and extensive it is. Located on the first floor of the Pointe West on Palm Jumeirah, this upend eatery is beautifully decorated in the colours, patterns and designs of the orient. It’s segmented into speciality sections covering such Asian favourites as sushi, stir-fries, noodles, ramens, curries and dim sum, representing Thai (Pad Thai Boulevard), Chinese (Dumpling Mew), Vietnamese (Pho Lane), Singaporean (Bao Lake), Japanese (Ramen Route) and Korean (Kimchi Ville) cuisine.

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All this and it’s licensed too.

The food is close enough to the real stuff to be enjoyed by Asian and non-Asian alike. In fact, on the evening my wife and I visited the place was packed with Asian couples and families; we were the only non-Asians there. That said, don’t expect the raw authenticity of Streetery by Zen for example. Asian District is authentic and touristy at the same time (in a good way).

We limited our starters to some chicken gyoza from the Ramen Route and vegetable spring rolls from Pad Thai Boulevard, the dumplings better than the oh-hum spring rolls.  Whenever I see Laksa on a restaurant menu I order it. My wife wanted one too but ordered a Pho instead. Her bowl was bigger and better than mine. I have yet to have a good Laksa in Dubai. Sitting outside on possibly the chilliest day of the year (and that was our Dubai winter, gone) the piping hot bowls of soup really hit the spot (otherwise both left much to be desired).

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Only bottled beer was available for those rich, desperate and/or crazy enough to pay AED50 a pop – madness, I tell you, absolute madness.

Service was good considering the restaurant has only been open for a couple of days but there was a little (expected) bumping, nudging and yelling among the staff. The two Filipinas looking after our table, one of whom was heavy with cold, did a splendid job. I made a mental note to mention in my review that while the supervisors of this fine establishment all got snug jackets to wear, these poor souls had to shiver and shake in simple t-shirts. Hello, management! That aside, Asian District is a fun new destination to add to an extensive list of new restaurants opening up in this part of town. I think it’s well worth a visit.

Hey! Now read this –
Xerxes physically dines at, or orders from, each and every venue he reviews. He pays in full for whatever he and his companions eat, drink, take away or occasionally throw at each other. Xerxes accepts no money, gifts, discounts or free meals in return for reviews or favouritism. What you have read was NOT influenced in any way by the venue. Join me on Instagram @ravenousxerxes or email me on xerxes@dellara.com.