Beyond BBQ: A Food Crawler’s Guide to Houston’s International Districts

Move over, brisket – Houston’s culinary identity stretches far beyond Texas smokehouse fare. As America’s most diverse city, Houston’s food scene spans continents within just a few miles, offering authentic tastes from across the globe. Here’s your neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to exploring Houston’s international food scene.

Asiatown/Bellaire Boulevard: A World Beyond Downtown

Dim Sum Paradise

Start your journey along Bellaire Boulevard, where Houston’s sprawling Asiatown (don’t call it Chinatown – the diversity here spans all of Asia) comes alive with the clatter of dim sum carts. At Ocean Palace, weekend crowds gather for classic cart service, while Fung’s Kitchen elevates dim sum to an art form with delicacies like black truffle shumai and lobster dumplings.

Hidden Gems

Crawfish & Noodles: James Beard-nominated Chef Trong Nguyen’s Viet-Cajun crawfish defines Houston food innovation
Mein Restaurant: Hand-pulled noodles and roasted duck that rivals Hong Kong’s finest
One Dragon Restaurant: Insiders know to order the soup dumplings (xiaolongbao) 24 hours in advance
Tan Tan: Late-night favorite for Vietnamese comfort food

Little India: The Mahatma Gandhi District

Street Food Heaven

Along Hillcroft Avenue between Highway 59 and Bellaire Boulevard, the aromas of cardamom, cumin, and curry guide you through Houston’s Little India. Begin at Shri Balaji Bhavan, where the dosa (crispy rice crepes) span the length of your table and cost less than $10.

Must-Try Spots

London Sizzler: British-style Indian curry house famous for its butter chicken
Himalaya Restaurant: Where Pakistani and Indian cuisines meet, helmed by James Beard-nominated Chef Kaiser Lashkari
Raja Sweets: Houston’s oldest Indian sweet shop, perfect for mango lassi and barfi
Maharaja Bhog: All-vegetarian thali experience with unlimited refills

Southwest Houston: Nigerian & West African Flavors

Africa in Texas

Houston hosts the largest Nigerian population outside Nigeria, and the food scene reflects this rich cultural heritage. Start at Suya Hut, where the grilled meat skewers are seasoned with a secret spice blend that’s become legendary among locals.

Essential Stops

Safari Restaurant: Somali cuisine featuring tender goat and fragrant rice
Finger Licking Restaurant: Nigerian comfort food including perfect jollof rice
Afrique Restaurant: High-end West African dining with live music on weekends
Essence of Nigeria: Home-style Nigerian cooking with exceptional egusi soup

Hidden Gems in Houston’s Other International Pockets

Korean Food Finds

Visit Spring Branch’s “Koreatown” for twice-fried chicken at Toreore inside H-Mart, or dive into Korean BBQ at Bori, where the meat quality rivals top steakhouses.

Middle Eastern Treasures

Along Richmond Avenue’s “Little Middle East,” Al Aseel serves Palestinian comfort food, while Abdallah’s brings Lebanese home cooking to Rice Village.

Planning Your Food Crawl

Tips for First-Timers

Most restaurants in these districts are closed on Mondays
Dim sum is best enjoyed before noon on weekends
Many places are cash-only; come prepared
Consider a guided food tour for your first visit
Look for parking behind buildings in Bellaire

Best Times to Visit

Asiatown: Weekend mornings for dim sum, late nights for Hong Kong café culture
Little India: Lunch hours for the best thali deals
Nigerian restaurants: Weekend evenings for the fullest menu options
Koreatown: Dinner hours for BBQ, lunch for fast casual options

Getting Around

While Houston’s international districts are spread out, they’re easily accessible by car. Consider this sample itinerary:

Breakfast: Dim sum in Asiatown
Late lunch: Thali in Little India
Dinner: Nigerian suya and jollof rice in Southwest Houston

Beyond Food

Each district offers more than just restaurants. Stock up on hard-to-find ingredients at:

H-Mart or Hong Kong Food Market in Asiatown
Patel Brothers in Little India
Nigeria Foods on Bissonnet

Houston’s diversity isn’t just a statistic – it’s something you can taste. These international districts offer authentic cuisines that rival their homeland counterparts, often at a fraction of the price of a plane ticket. While the city’s barbecue and Tex-Mex scenes get much of the attention, these vibrant international food communities are where Houston’s true culinary heart beats strongest.