My 6 Favorite Asian Businesses in My Hometown

I always feel like I start the year a little bit later than everyone else, because I wait until after Vietnamese New Years to post about all my New Years things. Maybe I'm unrolling a snake-like excuse (because it's the year of the snake) but I'm going to stick with it, in addition to the fact that I am finally winding down from the craziness of moving.

Maybe you've figured it out from the title of this blog, but I have moved back to my hometown. I wanted to celebrate that along with the New Year by highlighting some of my favorite local Asian businesses in the area. Of course, I believe there could always be more Asian places in this small hometown of mine, but I'm glad to even be able to highlight what we have now.

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1. China Wok

Address: 102 Indian River Blvd W, Edgewater, FL 32141

Phone Number: (386) 426-7779

I don't know if I am super picky when it comes to my Chinese food, but I feel like having at least one delicious Chinese food place in every town is essential, and this is my one in my hometown. It is a little farther than I would like it to be, but the food is so delicious it is worth the extra travel.

China Wok is where I've been getting my Chinese food since I was in high school because the lunch special is so affordable. Now my sisters and I have kept to the tradition of Chinese food around Christmas time, and this is where we get it from. I love the coconut shrimp, Chinese donuts, and the lo mein from here specifically.

2. International Asian Market

Address: 2263 S Ridgewood Ave, South Daytona, FL 32119

Phone: (386) 675-6808

I'll be honest and say that this is not the go-to for Asian groceries in my household because it is a little bit pricey. That cost is supplemented by the fact that I wouldn't have to drive to Orlando for every little thing each time I ran out. This storefront has been around for years and really saves me in a pinch.

That, and the owners recognize my grandma and I when we walk into the store. If I show up without my grandma, the couple will typically ask, "How is Grandma?" and remember the little details about our family. I am always happy to support a mom-and-pop shop, especially when I know they're in the process of supporting their kids through college. So, I come here when it is convenient for me.

3. Ichi Ni San

Address: 246 S Beach St, Daytona Beach, FL 32114

Phone: (386) 301-4466

Recently, I learned that the name of this restaurant translates to "One, Two, Three," so I thought this would be a fitting place for it on this list. It's in what I associate to be downtown Daytona Beach, so it's an ideal place to stop after a baseball game or on your way home from the beach.

My go-to is typically the soft-shell crab ramen. This is because soft-shell crab is one of my favorite treats, and then I have a delicious bowl of ramen to pair it with. Last time I went, I tried their bang-bang calamari, and that was surprisingly luscious. I always worry that bang-bang as a flavor can be overwhelming, but the flavors were perfectly balanced and the squid a smooth, velvet texture.

4. AA Garden Fusion

Address: 206 Flagler Ave, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169

Phone: (386) 410-4772

If you've been following this blog for a while, then this restaurant should come as no surprise to you. As a Vietnamese girl myself, it is very hard to impress me when I am going out to a Vietnamese restaurant. So you best believe that if I have mentioned a restaurant as much as I haven mentioned AA Garden Fusion, it is one of the best around.

What I really love them for would be their desserts, which exist on a rotating menu. And if you have the opportunity to try a creme brûlée, make sure to take it, no matter what the flavor (but absolutely, positively if it is white chocolate...I'm salivating just thinking about it). When it comes to food, I really can't decide, because you can't go wrong with classics like pho or stir-fried noodles, but the more exotic lobster ragoons or coconut clams are also irresistible for me.

5. Seven Bubble Tea

Address: Multiple locations in Daytona, Port Orange, and Ormond Beach.

Phone Numbers: Also multiple based on location.

It took this area so long to get a delicious boba place, and so I am going to sing it's praises so they can never go out of business (I say that, because they've already downsized their menu once since I started relying on them, and I already miss my yakults...).

Anyway, if you are in the area, Seven Bubble Tea has all your boba needs, whether it's tea or coffee, lemonade or a yogurt. They've even gotten into the pastry game, which has also been delicious if you enjoy hot dog buns and mango cakes. It has become the place I got to for a regular treat.

Grandma Sau's Favorite Asian Business: Takara Sushi and Steakhouse

Just like AA Garden Fusion, Takara has become a staple mention here on the blog. I've had my birthdays here since I was sixteen, and if anyone is visiting from out of town, this one of the first places I think to take them.

Grandma Sau loves their fried rice, and I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the sushi menu. But if you're looking for something other than sushi, they offer hibachi and delicious dinner plates as well. My sister Kimmy is partial to their Chicken Katsu meal, which comes with soup, salad, fried rice, mango salsa, and a side of your choosing (we go for shishito peppers).

And that is a wrap on my favorite Asian places in my hometown, but it is the start for a new year of blogs. I am so excited to share what I have cooking in the kitchen, and I hope you'll continue to stick around so you can taste it all with me.