- Zen Garden (JW Marriott) – Chinese fine dining restaurant, located in the hotel JW Marriott, with elegant decor and 5 star services. Provides authentic Cantonese cuisine in a quiet ambience, suitable for families and business occasions. The spacious interior keeps the oriental elements discreet, and the staff is very careful. The food is praised for its refined taste and impeccable presentation. “Delicious Chinese food and calm atmosphere, suitable for everyone” notes a guest.
- Popular preparation: Peking duck – traditionally served with pancakes and hoisin sauce, is often ordered here for authenticity. Also, the dim sum (Chinese steam dumplings) is highly appreciated; another unique detail is the lemonade of the house – a customer says “homewide lemonade… the best!,” sign that even drinks have a special twist. Desserts include the classic caramel bananas and mango dessert.
- Prices: High (specific to the luxury location). Main courses ~ 70-120 lei; Peking duck (full portion) ~ 250 lei; dim sum ~ 35 lei portion. Cocktails ~ 40 lei. It is a premium restaurant, so prices reflect the quality of imported ingradings and the level of service.
- Review: “Lovely Chinese food, good for everyone… Very pleasant atmosphere for family.” Zen Garden is often recommended for special occasions – reviews praise the constant quality of preparations and the fact that chefs adapt the spice level according to preferences. In conclusion, a place where you experience Chinese gastronomy at high standards, right in the heart of Bucharest.
- Ruka Izakaya – A modern Japanese restaurant located on the Floreasca Way, which brings the spirit of izakaya (Japanese casual bistro) into a refined version and fusion. The interior design is innovative and sensory – hot lights, massive wood tables, elements inspired by nature – creating an intimate and trendy ambiance. The menu is very varied: from fresh sushi and sashimi, to crispy tempura, teriyaki and specialities of meat and fish, plus creative Asian cocktails. “The atmosphere is cozy, with diffuse light tables and excellent cocktails.”
- Popular preparation: Volcano Rolls – a sushi roll with tempura shrimp, covered with fish mix and spicy sauce, served “volcanic” with steam, is often praised by customers. Also, baby spinach salad with sesame sauce, wagyu burger and tuna sashimi in truffle sauce are among the stars of the menu, highlighted for creativity and taste. At dessert, do not miss Ikebana Garden – a spectacular cake imitating a Japanese garden.
- Prices: Highly averaged. Sushi rolls ~ 45-60 lei, sashimi mix ~ 70 lei, ramen ~ 50 lei, main (eg Wagyu beef) ~ 90-120 lei. Japanese inspiration cocktails ~ 35-45 lei. A customer mentioned “reasonable prices for such quality,” and the general impression is that the price is worth the experience.
- Review: “Everything was very, very good. The extremely friendly staff helped us with suggestions, and the food… absolutely delicious! It was hard to decide what we were ordering, but we finally got duck sprint rolls, crunchy shrimp, Volcano Rolls, shrimp bao and the Izakaya Garden Desert – wow.” A visitor is excited. The careful service and atmosphere “cool without trying too hard” have been appreciated by all. Ruka Izakaya quickly became one of the musttry restaurants in Bucharest for lovers of contemporary Japanese cuisine.
- Kunnai – Considered by many the best Thai restaurant in Bucharest, Kunnai has brought “The Real Taste of Thailand” since 2012. Located in the area of Crângaşi, dream-a-vis a quiet park, the place has the air of an exotic refuge: interior decorated with Thai sculptures, candles and artisanal objects, Asian ambient music – an ambience that transposes you away from the city’s commotion. The kitchen is supervised by Thai chefs, ensuring the authenticity of the preparations (including the level of proper ears – if you ask very quickly, you will even get extremely spicy, as in Thailand!).
- Popular preparation: Tom Yum – famous Thai sour-spicy soup with shrimp, lemongrass and coconut milk, is a perfect start and in Kunnai retains its authentic taste. Similarly, Pad Thai (shrimp, peanuts and tamarind sauce rice noodles) is often ordered by customers. A couple of highly praised dishes: Duck with red curry sauce and duck with oyster sauce, both “with perfect taste” as stated by a review. At dessert, mango sticky rice (sticky rice with coconut milk and fresh mango) offers a genuine sweet note.
- Prices: Premium menu – the main types generally cost 50-80 lei (e.g. chicken green curry ~ 55 lei, basil beef and chili peppers ~ 60 lei, duck ~ 75 lei). Simple rice ~ 15 lei, dessert ~ 30 lei. The portions are generous and the platinum is elegant, so a meal in 2 people reaches ~ 150- 200 lei without drinks.
- Review: “Thai food here is top – full of authentic flavor and large portions” praises a satisfied customer. Another confirms: “The food was very good. Even taste real Thai. I asked extra spice and it was perfect – usually in Romania are afraid to spice, but at Kunnai it was like there!”. Also, the ambience receives maximum score: “An awesome meal of tasty, perfect ambiance, friendly waiter. I tried the duck with curry and mango dessert – absolutely delicious!” Kunnai remains the number one destination for a genuine Thai experience in Bucharest.
- Seoul Restaurant – The most famous Korean Restaurant in Bucharest, located near the Arc de Triomf (Mircea Zorileanu 89). Located in a large house (upstairs / attic) with hidden jam air, Seoul Restaurant offers a genuine Korean culinary experience, appreciated by both Romanians and the local Asian community. Decor is not fancy, but the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and staff welcome you in traditional attire. Once you climb the numerous stairs and enter, you feel that you have arrived in a corner of Seoul: tables down on the tatami (in some rooms), discreet Korean music and many Korean families dining here – sign of the authenticity of the place.
- Popular preparation: Korean cuisine is central to kimchiul – fermented and seasoned cabbage. In Seoul, the house kimchiul is unlenient and highly praised. Among the “signature” preparations: Kimchijeon – pancake / pizza with kimchi, and Kimchi-bokkeumbap – fried rice with kimchi, both intensely flavoured and representative. Also, Bulgogi (grilled beef on hot stove with vegetables and sweet sauce) is a hit of the menu – many customers say it reminds them of the Chinese preparations from the old Peking Duck, but with that unmistakable Korean twist. In the street-food chapter, Chimaek – fried chicken fins in sweet-spicy sauce, served alongside beer – are delicious (attention, creates addiction, as recognizes a customer who ordered double portion!).
- Prices: Light above average. Acreuri (kimchi, Korean gyoza, kimbap) ~ 20- 30 lei, traditional soups ~ 30- 40 lei, main dishes with meat 50- 70 lei. A complete meal (with Korean drinks, e.g. soju ~ 40 lei glass) for 4 people can reach ~ 400-500 lei. The portions are consistent and it is customary for meals to be family-style (divide everything at the table).
- Review: “Excellent food quality. Staff – especially Basanti – very politely, did not help us choose the best ways. The warm and cozy atmosphere. I didn’t feel very well!” says a pleased visitor. A local blogger notes: “The food is similar in places to Chinese, but with enough differences to say clearly: this is Korean cuisine. We liked bulgogs a lot, rice with kimchi and chimaek fins.” Many reviews also underline the authenticity: “The ambience sends you directly to South Korea. We will certainly return.” If you want a genuine Korean culinary experience, Restaurant Seoul is the heartfelt recommendation of the community.
- Toan’s – Considered “no doubt the best Vietnamese cuisine in Bucharest,” Toan’s is a small and modest Vietnamese restaurant, but with food that conquers you through genuine flavor. Located in the Fire Foyer area (Traian Street), the place does not impress by decoration – a few simple tables, paintings with landscapes from Vietnam – but the preparations are the star. The recipes are brought by Toan’s family, and the specific spices (lemongrass, fish sauce, lime kaffir) give each kind the authentic taste as in the streets of Hanoi.
- Popular preparation: Pho Bo – traditional beef soup with rice noodle, anise and cinnamon, is the soul of the Vietnamese cuisine and at Toan’s is an absolute must- try. The clear and flavoured juice, the young pieces of beef and fresh rice noodle – all guests recommend it as the first kind of try here. Next door, Bun Cha (grilled pork meatballs with noodles and herbs) and Banh Mi (Vietnamese sandwich with pâté, meat and pickled vegetables) are other favorites. The emblematic dessert: Che ba mau – three-colored Vietnamese pudding (red beans, pendant gelatin and coconut milk).
- Prices: Very accessible. Pho generous (big bowl) ~ 35 lei, Bun Cha ~ 40 lei, portion of sprinkle rolls ~ 25 lei, Banh Mi ~ 20 lei. Lotus tea or traditional drinks ~ 10-15 lei. For the quality and quantity offered, prices are a forte – excellent report.
- Review: “Toan’s has the best Vietnamese cuisine in Bucharest, no doubt. I recommend you first try the most famous dishes – pho bo beef soup and noodles – you will not regret it!” write a connoisseur. Other customers appreciate the freshness: “The ingredients are always fresh, authentic taste as in Vietnam. Phones are perfect comfort food, and summer shrimp and mint rolls are wonderfully refreshing.” Toan’s is a perfect example that you don’t need sophisticated to conquer by taste – though modest in appearance, the restaurant shines through authentic Vietnamese flavors that you bring to your plate.
This article is an English translation and adaptation of the original Romanian article on Lista Scurtă. Read the Romanian version.
