Outer Banks diners are lucky to have such a wide variety of restaurants. When you’re hungry here you’ve got choices ranging from seafood buffets to down-home Southern barbecue, New York-style pizza to Indian curry, all-American burgers to vegan cuisine. One style of cuisine you’ll find in abundance on the Outer Banks is Asian, including Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Mongolian. When you’ve got a craving for sushi, pad Thai, drunken noodles, pho or any of your other favorite Asian dishes, here's where to go. Keep in mind that this blog is being posted in the middle of winter, and all of these establishments may not be open when you see this. Call ahead to make sure your restaurant of choice is open for dine-in or take-out service.
Photo: Teppanyaki Hibachi style cooking at Fuji Steakhouse and Sushi in Kill Devil Hills.
Sushi & Japanese
You can’t be in a better place for the freshest fish available, and that fresh-off-the-boat seafood makes its way to your plate in the form of sushi. For sashimi, rolls and more, here’s where to go. All of these restaurants serve fare beyond sushi for anyone in your party who wants other options.
Sanya Sushi Bistro, Kitty Hawk, (252) 261-1946
Fuji Steakhouse and Sushi Bar, Kill Devil Hills, (252) 449-0628
Single Fin Bistro Bar & Grille, Nags Head, (252) 715-3983
Taiko Japanese Restaurant, Nags Head, (252) 449-8895
Wabi Sabi, Manteo, (252) 423-3131
Diamond Shoals Restaurant Sushi Bar, Buxton, (252) 995-5217
Photo: A sushi platter at Diamond Shoals Restaurant's Sushi Bar in Buxton.
Thai
Thai food is an Outer Banks favorite, which is why you’ll find four Thai restaurants from Kitty Hawk to Ocracoke. Every Thai-loving local is fiercely loyal to their favorite place, so you’ll have to try them all to pick your favorite.
Vilai Thai Kitchen, Kitty Hawk, (252) 441-8424
Thai Room Restaurant, Kill Devil Hills, (252) 441-1180
Single Fin Bistro Bar & Grille, Nags Head, (252) 715-3983
Thai Moon, Ocracoke, (252) 928-5100
Photo: A comforting bowl of pho at Vilai Thai Kitchen in Kitty Hawk.
Asian Fusion
Some restaurants have an Asian flair that can’t be singularly categorized. Take the very popular poke bowl, for instance, which originated in Hawaii but has a distinctly Asian influence. These restaurants offer a lot of Asian-influenced cuisine and other offerings as well.
Pok’s Art OBX Asian Fusion, Kitty Hawk, (252) 715-4421
Fuji Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, Kill Devil Hills, (252) 449-0628
PokeBox, Nags Head, (252) 261-1178
Boardwok South, Waves, (252) 987-1080
Photo: Fresh and tasty noodles at Pok's Art OBX Asian Fusion in Kitty Hawk.
Mongolian
The Mongolian restaurant on the Outer Banks features Mongolian bowls, which you can create on your own or choose a signature bowl.
Khan’s Mongolian Grill, Kill Devil Hills, (252) 255-1006
Chinese
For the ultimate in take-out or for a quick and tasty dine-in meal, Chinese cuisine is a favorite standby. Here’s where to find it on the Outer Banks.
Shun Xing Chinese Restaurant, Southern Shores, (252) 261-3996
Sanya, Kitty Hawk, (252) 261-1946
China King, Kill Devil Hills, (252) 449-2198
New China, Nags Head, (252) 449-8000
Top China, Manteo, (252) 473-6660
China Town, Avon, (252) 995-0118
Photo: A custom poke bowl from OBX PokeBox in Nags Head.
To read more about these restaurants, visit our page on Asian restaurants. To see all the restaurants on the Outer Banks and read a description of each one, click here.
About the Author Molly Harrison
Molly Harrison is managing editor at OneBoat, publisher of OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved to Nags Head in 1994 and since then has made her living writing articles and creating publications about the people, places and culture of the Outer Banks.
