Maine is famous for lobster rolls and chowder, but the state's Asian food scene has quietly become one of the most exciting parts of its dining culture. From James Beard-nominated chefs in Portland to family-run noodle shops in Bangor, Maine's Asian restaurants blend authentic technique with the state's incredible local seafood and produce. You'll find deep, house-made ramen broths sitting a few blocks from fiery Sichuan classics, and traditional sushi counters just down the street from vegan Thai kitchens — all shaped by chefs who trained abroad or grew up cooking these recipes at home.
It's a scene built less on trend-chasing and more on genuine craft, patience, and ingredients pulled straight from Maine's coastline and farms. Whether you're a lifelong local looking for a new favorite spot or planning a trip up the coast, this guide to the top 8 Asian restaurants in Maine covers eight spots worth building a meal — or a whole day — around.
1. Pai Men Miyake (Portland)
Address: 188 State St, Portland, ME 04101
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM (Closed Sunday)
Specialty: Japanese ramen and yakitori
Chef Masa Miyake's noodle bar in Portland's Longfellow Square is where locals go for deep, house-made ramen broths, steamed buns, and yakitori skewers cooked over an open flame. Many ingredients — eggs, pork, duck — are sourced from Miyake's own Freeport farm, giving the menu a farm-to-table backbone that's rare for a ramen shop. The craft beer list and lively bar seating make it as much a hangout as a restaurant.
Neighborhood: Longfellow Square, a short walk from the Arts District — easy to pair with a stop at the Portland Museum of Art beforehand.
Tip: Go early or expect a wait; the bar seats fill up fast on weekends, and they don't take large-party reservations.
2. Boda (Portland)
Address: 671 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101
Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, roughly 4:00–5:00 PM through 9:30–11:30 PM depending on the day (Closed Monday); no reservations, walk-ins only
Specialty: Thai street food and skewers
Boda built its reputation on grilled street-food-style skewers, bold curries, and inventive cocktails in a dim, lively dining room. It's a late-night favorite in the Old Port, and because it doesn't take reservations, arriving early on weekends is the move.
Neighborhood: Congress Street corridor near the Old Port, close to several bars if you want to make a night of it.
Tip: Since it's walk-in only, put your name in and grab a drink nearby while you wait — Friday and Saturday nights get busy fast.
3. Green Elephant Vegetarian Bistro (Portland)
Address: 608 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101
Hours: Check current listings for daily hours, as they vary seasonally; no reservations accepted
Specialty: Vegetarian and vegan Thai cuisine
Opened in 2007 by chef Danai "Dan" Sriprasert, Green Elephant proves that plant-based Thai food doesn't have to compromise on flavor. Every dish on the menu is vegetarian, with most items easily made vegan, drawing on recipes Sriprasert learned from his mother, who ran a restaurant in Thailand. It's a go-to for diners with dietary restrictions who still want serious, complex flavor.
Neighborhood: Congress Street, walking distance from Boda — the two make an easy double stop if you're comparing Thai menus.
Tip: No reservations here either, so aim for an early weeknight dinner if you want a shorter wait.
4. Empire Chinese Kitchen (Portland)
Address: 575 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101
Hours: Sunday & Monday, 11:30 AM – 8:30/9:00 PM; Wednesday–Saturday, 11:30 AM – 8:30/9:00 PM (Closed Tuesday); hours extend later Friday and Saturday
Specialty: Cantonese and Shanghai-style dim sum
Set on the site of Portland's original "Empire," a deluxe Chinese restaurant that operated from 1916 to 1953, this modern reboot serves lobster dumplings, soup dumplings, garlic green beans, and duck lo mein in a lively, music-venue-adjacent space. The kitchen moves fast even when it's slammed, and the pork dishes consistently draw the most praise.
Neighborhood: Congress Street, next door to the Empire music venue — a natural stop before a show.
Tip: Order the soup dumplings first; they take longer to come out, so getting them in early keeps the rest of the meal moving.
5. Bao Bao Dumpling House (Portland)
Address: 133 Spring St, Portland, ME 04101 Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, roughly 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Specialty: Hand-made dumplings and Asian small plates
Run by a mother-daughter chef duo, Bao Bao is a cozy West End spot built around shareable dumplings — from beef bulgogi to vegetarian edamame — alongside noodle dishes, bao buns, and a well-stocked cocktail and tea list. Portions are generous and reasonably priced, which is part of why it stays busy on weeknights.
Neighborhood: Spring Street, on the edge of Portland's West End — quieter and more residential than the Old Port.
Tip: It's small, so groups of four or more should call ahead rather than just walking in.
6. Yosaku Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar (Portland)
Address: 1 Danforth St, Portland, ME 04101
Hours: Monday–Friday, 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 9:00/9:30 PM; Saturday & Sunday, 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM and 5:00 PM – 9:00/9:30 PM
Specialty: Traditional sushi, sashimi, and teppan-grilled dishes
Started in 2003 by owner Takahiro Sato, Yosaku is a Portland institution near the waterfront, known for a sprawling menu of sushi, sashimi, udon, and tempura, plus optional tatami seating for a more traditional experience. The large outdoor patio and Japanese garden make it a favorite for bigger groups in warmer months.
Neighborhood: Danforth Street, near the waterfront and an easy walk from the Old Port's ferry terminal.
Tip: Ask for the outdoor patio or tatami room when booking — both fill up first, especially in summer.
7. Sichuan Kitchen (Portland)
Address: 612 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday, 11:30 AM – 8:30/9:00 PM; Friday & Saturday, 11:30 AM – 9:00/9:30 PM (Closed Wednesday)
Specialty: Authentic Sichuan cuisine
Since opening in 2017, Sichuan Kitchen has become the destination in Portland for diners craving real, numbing-hot Sichuan flavor rather than Americanized Chinese food. Signature dishes include Zhong dumplings, Sichuan poached fish, and twice-cooked pork, with vegan options like spicy noodles and daikon salad rounding out the menu.
Neighborhood: Congress Street, in the same stretch as Empire Chinese Kitchen and Green Elephant — a good third stop if you're doing a food crawl.
Tip: If you're sensitive to heat, ask the staff to adjust the spice level; the standard preparation runs hotter than most American-style Chinese food.
8. M Thai (Bangor)
Address: 128 Main St, Bangor, ME 04401
Hours: Daily, 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Specialty: Thai comfort food and noodle dishes
Heading north out of Portland, M Thai is a reliable favorite in downtown Bangor, serving classic Thai dishes like pad thai and curries alongside standout noodle plates. It's a solid pick for anyone exploring central Maine who wants a break from the coastal food scene without sacrificing quality.
Neighborhood: Downtown Bangor, near Main Street's shops and the Bangor waterfront.
Tip: It's open daily with no listed reservation requirement, making it a convenient, no-fuss stop if you're driving through rather than staying overnight.
Planning Your Maine Food Trip
Most of these restaurants cluster around Portland's Old Port and Arts District, making it easy to walk between two or three in a single evening, while M Thai in Bangor is worth the detour if you're heading further up the coast. If you're flying into Boston and driving up, we know how much smoother the trip feels with reliable boston to maine airport transportation already arranged. Here at bostonairportcab.com, we help travelers coordinate boston airport car service pickups timed around dinner reservations in Portland or Bangor, so the drive up the coast is one less thing to think about before you're sitting down for that first plate of dumplings or ramen.
Local Tips for Visiting
- Book ahead where you can. Portland's dining scene is small relative to its popularity, especially in summer and during fall foliage season — restaurants that take reservations fill up a week or more in advance on weekends.
- Group Portland stops together. Five of the eight restaurants on this list sit within a 10–15 minute walk of each other along or near Congress Street, so it's easy to do a tasting crawl on foot instead of driving between each one.
- Watch for seasonal hour changes. A few spots, like Boda and Green Elephant, adjust hours by season, so a quick call or check of their social media the day of your visit is worth the extra minute.
- Bring cash as a backup. Most restaurants take cards, but smaller, family-run spots occasionally have card minimums or prefer cash for smaller tabs.
- Time your Bangor detour. If M Thai is your one stop outside Portland, pair it with other downtown Bangor errands or a walk along the waterfront so the drive north feels worthwhile.
- Coordinate transportation in advance. If you're flying in rather than driving, arranging your ride before you land means you can head straight to dinner instead of losing time at the airport.
Conclusion
Maine's Asian dining scene has grown well beyond a handful of takeout spots — it's now a genuine reason to plan a trip around, with James Beard-caliber chefs, family-run kitchens, and everything from fiery Sichuan dishes to farm-sourced ramen broths all within a short drive of each other. Whether you're spending a weekend in Portland or making the longer haul up to Bangor, these eight restaurants offer a real cross-section of what makes Maine's food culture worth exploring. Pair a couple of stops with the rest of your itinerary, book ahead where you can, and let the state's coastline and kitchens do the rest of the work.
Restaurant hours and details are current as of publication but can change seasonally — it's always worth a quick call ahead, especially for restaurants that don't take reservations.
