The best Asian restaurants in Rio de Janeiro 2025

Càm O’n — which means “thank you” in Vietnamese — gives its name to the restaurant by chef Ana Carolina Garcia. It may seem complicated at first glance, but everything makes sense from the first bite. Ana discovered the flavors of Southeast Asia while living in Sydney, where she was inspired by the strong presence of Asian immigrants. It was there that she fell in love with this cuisine and trained as a chef. Since then, she has traveled extensively to Thailand and neighboring countries, exploring everything from fine dining to authentic street food — a rich cultural and culinary experience that shapes the cuisine at Càm O’n Thai, located in a charming century-old house in Botafogo. To sample a little of everything, the chef’s starter mix (R$ 84) brings together ceviche, crispy shrimp, and pork-filled wontons — a beautiful showcase of flavors. Curries are the house specialty. The red curry, spicier, comes with duck and lychee (R$ 89). “It’s one of the strongest I make, but it has personality,” says Garcia. The green curry, much fresher, can be served with chicken (R$ 71) or shrimp (R$ 94). One of Thailand’s most traditional dishes, pad thai, is perfectly executed here: stir-fried rice noodles in a spicy tamarind sauce with shrimp, scrambled egg, and peanuts (R$ 85), also available with pork (R$ 73) or in a vegan version (R$ 81). The chicken satay bao with peanut sauce (R$ 25) is delicious, and the wontons (R$ 66) are simply irresistible. Humaitá: Rua Visconde de Caravelas 111 (97360-0844). Barra da Tijuca: Downtown, bloco 9, Barra (96966-8448). Tue to Sat, from 12 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sun, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Located within the Copacabana Palace, it’s easy to see why this restaurant renews its Michelin star year after year since first earning it in 2015. Chef Alberto Morisawa offers a tasting menu at the sushi bar, featuring both hot and cold dishes, inspired by his daily creativity. The execution is impeccable, and the experience, aptly named omakase (R$850), translates to “I trust you” in Japanese. A more traditional nine-course tasting menu is also available (R$695). The restaurant offers an à la carte service with recipes inspired by Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia. The menu ranges from a selection of 15 sashimis prepared by the chef (R$240) and temakis—from salmon (R$46) to eel (R$146)—to appetizers like the pork belly bun (R$45) and Hong Kong prawns, shrimp with caramelized pecan nuts (R$165, pictured). Among the main dishes, the pad thai (R$135), made with shrimp, egg, tofu, and peanuts, stands out. Note: Cipriani, the hotel’s award-winning Italian restaurant, is currently closed for renovations with no reopening date yet. Copacabana Palace: Av. Atlântica 1,702 (2548-7070). Open daily, from 7:00 PM to midnight.

Nearly 30 years ago, Rio native David Zisman swapped his lab coat for a chef’s jacket. Once a successful, albeit dissatisfied doctor, he sought a new career to commit to wholeheartedly. His interest in Thai cuisine emerged during his travels, leading him to specialize in it and become one of the pioneers in Rio de Janeiro. The attention to flavor in each dish goes far beyond determining whether a recipe is more or less spicy. The curry, for example, is made from scratch with fresh ingredients. The medium-spicy gaeng kua sapparod (R$93) combines shrimp with pineapple, red curry, and coconut milk. A classic, pad thai (R$80) is prepared with fried rice noodles, shrimp, egg, tamarind water, cabbage, bean sprouts, chili, coriander, and peanuts. While we skipped the appetizers, you don’t have to. The mix (R$84) allows for the selection of four appetizers, offering a taste of what’s served, like marinated chicken satay and Vietnamese shrimp rolls. You can also request a chef’s surprise. It’s fun to embrace the new. Leblon: Rua Rainha Guilhermina 95-B (97042-6575). Monday, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday, from noon to 10:00 PM. Thursday to Saturday, from noon to 11:00 PM.

Having lived in Brazil for nearly 15 years, Peruvian chef Marco Espinoza remains keenly attuned to culinary trends emerging in his homeland, ready to adapt them to suit the tastes of Rio residents. Cantón, for instance, serves chifa cuisine, a fusion of Peruvian and Chinese traditions. From the restaurant’s colorful and lively kitchen come starters like fried wontons (R$39), filled with chicken and pork, and gyozas (R$49), with pork and mushrooms. Tradition is also present in the wok-fried chaufa rice, available in different versions featuring chicken, pork belly, shrimp, and mushrooms (from R$52 to R$89). More substantial is the saho fan beef (R$89), combining grilled chorizo beef in Cantonese sauce with rice noodles, peanuts, spicy soy sauce, bean sprouts, and crispy onions. Copacabana: Rua Rodolfo Dantas 26 (3594-0002). Monday to Thursday, from noon to 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Friday, from noon to 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM to midnight. Saturday, from noon to 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM to midnight. Sunday, from noon to 10:00 PM. Botafogo: Rio Sul Shopping (98914-6891). Monday to Thursday, from noon to 10:30 PM. Friday and Saturday, from noon to 11:00 PM. Sunday, from noon to 10:00 PM.

Housed in a charming 19th-century mansion in Horto, Elena boasts five beautifully decorated spaces spread over two floors. The terrace bar is a must-visit. While the visually appealing ambiance enchants at first, it’s the flavors on the plates that truly captivate. Chef Itamar Araújo infuses a strong Asian influence, with a sushi bar offering dishes like tirashi (R$298), prepared with the finest cuts of the day and fish roe. The menu also features elements from Thai, Hong Kong, and South Korean cuisines. Each recipe indicates its spice level: the red curry with tenderloin, eggplant, tomato, onion, and jasmine rice (R$106) is for those who love intense heat. Everything can be paired with Alex Mesquita’s cocktails, ranging from classic to original creations. Across the street, you’ll find Eleninha, awarded best bar this edition, where you can also enjoy the chef’s creations. Horto: Rua Pacheco Leão 758 (97186-8923). Monday to Thursday, from 7:00 PM to 1:00 AM. Friday and Saturday, from 7:00 PM to 2:00 AM.

The interior space is chic, featuring illustrated tiles and neon lights on the walls. On the veranda, large tables invite you to share both the space and the appetizers crafted by Bruno Katz. It’s an upscale yet laid-back pub vibe, heavily influenced by Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisines. You can even eat with your hands without feeling self-conscious. The menu includes pork bao (R$34)—a small oriental sandwich with steamed bread. The well-seasoned shrimp and pork harumaki (R$46) is another hit among the appetizers. For something more filling, the fried rice (R$68), a gohan variety, is one of the most popular choices. It comes with pork, a 63-degree egg, carrot, corn, napa cabbage, and kewpie mayonnaise—the Japanese version made with egg yolks only. A recent addition is the chorizo steak with mac’n cheese (R$92), featuring a signature house sauce. Save room for dessert: the tamarind slurp (R$36) with white chocolate ganache, tamarind sorbet, and passion fruit syrup is delightful. Jardim Botânico: Rua Von Martins 325. Tuesday to Saturday, from noon to midnight. Sunday, from noon to 8:00 PM.

The setting is captivating from the start: tables overlooking Marina da Glória, where you can watch the boats and the ebb and flow of the water. However, it’s Chef Nao Hara’s cuisine that truly commands attention. You can embark on a full culinary journey with the five-course tasting menu (R$200), which includes a hot and cold appetizer, a sushi combination, main course, and dessert. Alternatively, you can savor everything at a leisurely pace. To begin, the kitchen tartare (R$70) is a favorite: a layer of avocado, another of salmon, massago black roe, crispy panko flour, and a quail egg yolk on top. Among the main dishes, the macau tuna (R$108) stands out. The piece is lightly seared in sesame and served with creamy yuzu lemon rice. The menu isn’t limited to Japanese influences; there are aromatic Thai-inspired dishes, like the pad thai (R$75) or pork belly (R$78). Among the sushi options, the foie gras with honeycomb and soy sauce ice cream (R$55) has become a house signature. The sashimi selection (R$110, 20 pieces) consistently features the freshest fish of the day. Marina da Glória: Av. Infante Dom Henrique, store 101 (4042-6161). Monday to Thursday, from noon to 11:00 PM. Friday and Saturday, from noon to 11:30 PM. Sunday, from noon to 9:00 PM.

With over 30 years dedicated to Japanese cuisine, Chef Nao Hara, also at the helm of Kitchen, explores other flavors at this restaurant on the 30th floor of the Hotel Nacional. Or rather, he blends them. While it’s impossible to separate him from Asian influences, the menu also offers a journey through France, Italy, Greece, and Turkey, executed with subtlety. That’s why it works. A menu highlight is the delicacies (R$133), a selection of special sushi featuring eel, scallop with ikura, seared wagyu, tuna belly with foie gras, and seared salmon toro with truffles. Among the rolls, the dragon (R$62) combines avocado, breaded shrimp, and salmon. For the main course, try the beefkatsu (R$100), panko-breaded ancho with potato salad and confit tomatoes. Another excellent choice is the shrimp gyoza with pumpkin mousse (R$45). Got it? The experience is worth it for the breathtaking view of São Conrado Beach as well. São Conrado: Hotel Nacional. Av. Niemeyer 769 (99037-6339). Daily, from 1:00 PM to midnight.

Located in front of the lagoon, this establishment prides itself on keeping its menu nearly unchanged for 20 years—and with good reason. It offers traditional Beijing cuisine that’s aromatic and well-prepared. This allows you to bet on the most popular choices. The chicken satay, a Chinese skewer (R$53, two pieces), comes with an intriguing—and secret—sauce. The shredded meat (R$166) with carrots is crispy, mildly spicy, and accompanied by a sweet and sour sauce. The mr. batista prawns (R$199) also stand out for their breaded and spicy shrimp, seasoned with spices and a similarly remarkable sauce. Another timeless dish is the sqwab (R$93), where you assemble the wrap with chicken cubes and lettuce right at the table. Naturally, the house sauce is a must. There’s also seafood noodles (R$199), crispy rice noodles with shrimp, fish, squid, and vegetables. Lagoa: Rua Maria Angélica 21 (2286-6661). Monday to Thursday, from 7:00 PM to midnight. Friday, from 7:00 PM to 1:00 AM. Saturday, from 1:00 PM to 1:00 AM. Sunday, from 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

The restaurant had already made its mark with the fusion of Korean and Japanese influences under Emerson Kim. However, after the chef’s departure late last year, Guilherme Gerard took over the kitchen, further expanding the Asian horizons to explore flavors from Thailand, India, and China. The cold section—featuring slices and sashimis—has been thoroughly tested and approved. Go ahead and indulge without hesitation. If you must choose just one, go for the tuna tataki (R$78), slices of tuna with a tangy soy sauce, sesame oil drops, radish, and grated ginger. When it’s time to turn up the heat, the roasted mussels (R$45) offer five juicy mussel shells with a mildly spicy sauce. Here’s where the “spicy” in the name comes into play. The grilled dishes are also a standout. It may seem unusual to suggest eggplant here, but the house version comes with caramelized miso sauce (R$48) and arrives piping hot. You can devour it with a spoon. Ipanema: Rua Maria Quitéria 99 (3490-4335). Monday to Thursday, from noon to midnight. Friday and Saturday, from noon to 1:00 AM. Sunday, from noon to 11:00 PM.

The menu offers a bit of Tokyo, Bangkok, and even the city of João Costa in Piauí. It’s a culmination of owner Denise Preciado’s travels and inspirations from the partners she’s invited over the 20-year history that builds the traditional Togu. There are recent creations by Chef Ana Zambelli (hence the influence from Serra da Capivara) and even a touch from Colombian chef Checho Gonzalez, one of the first to helm the kitchen before moving to São Paulo. The Amazonian salmon (R$95), in sautéed heart of palm with shrimp, mango chutney, and crispy bifum, is a classic. Named a thai from the molesta, the ginger-infused fried rice with seafood, coconut, turmeric, and kimchi emulsion (R$99) is generously served. On cooler days, you can enjoy a hearty soup. The so-called exotic soup (R$45) blends mushrooms, heart of palm, and chicken in coconut milk, offering comfort. Don’t forget there are also Japanese options. Sushi pairs like black salmon or beetroot-rimmed conger (R$32) are available. Leblon: Rua Dias Ferreira 90-B (99632-1200). Monday, from 5:00 PM to midnight. Tuesday to Friday, from noon to 1:00 AM. Saturday, from 1:00 PM to 1:00 AM. Sunday, from 1:00 PM to midnight.

Xian offers more than just proximity to Santos Dumont Airport; it provides a culinary journey. The kitchen draws influences from Japan, China, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, and Vietnam. While enjoying the stunning terrace view, you can share options like the house combo (R$256), featuring 34 pieces split between sashimis, nigiris, and baterás, or the dumplings, available in four pieces. The shrimp dumplings (R$56), with pepper jelly, and crab dumplings (R$54), with ginger jelly, are the most popular. Among the hot dishes, the pork ribs (R$88), marinated in soy sauce, sake, and spices, are a great choice. The shrimp pad thai (R$98), with eggs, peanuts, carrot, cabbage, moyashi, and traditional spicy sauce, finished with coriander sprouts, is a classic worth trying. For dessert, savor the Xian cake (R$36). It’s filled with semi-sweet brigadeiro, topped with crème anglaise and cardamom. Centro: Bossa Nova Mall. Av. Almirante Silvio de Noronha 365 (2303-7080). Monday to Thursday, from noon to 11:00 PM. Friday and Saturday, from noon to midnight. Sunday, from noon to 10:00 PM.