While Convoy remains the king of Asian food in San Diego, Asian food in North Park holds its own.
Bangkok Spices Thai
When I talk to people about Thai food in San Diego, I usually hear the same few places coming up. Don’t get me wrong, Bahn Thai, Veganic Thai Cafe, and others are all amazing choices and are places that I frequent myself.
However, for Thai food in North Park, Bangkok Spices Thai is one of my new go-to spots. A true hole-in-the-wall spot, Bangkok Spices is located on 30th street between University and Upas. In an unassuming building that could be mistaken for someone’s home, Bangkok Thai serves up amazing dishes at reasonable prices.
My favorite Thai curry is Duck Choo-Chee, which can be hard to find at times. The Choo-Chee here is not only huge, but amazing too. Beautiful, rich curry covers huge pieces of duck. They don’t skimp on the portions here, either. This dish easily lasted me two meals plus a snack later.
My one complaint would be that the food could be spicier. The Thai Basil Rice, usually one of the hottest items on any Thai menu was flavorful, but not very hot. Of course, I would imagine that a special request would get the job done.
Overall, Bangkok Spices Thai has authentic flavors for reasonable prices and has become a new staple for me.
Nood Bar
Offering a huge menu full of flavors from Thailand to China, Nood Bar is an excellent option for Asian food in North Park. Aptly named, their noodle dishes are exemplary.
Dan Dan Noodles have been a longtime favorite of mine, but are not always available, especially if you want to stay in North Park. Happily, the Dan Dan Noodles at Nood Bar are great. The sauce tastes authentic and the roast pork stands out. Fatty, flavorful, and melt-in-your-mouth, it is reminiscent of char siu (BBQ pork) from a good ramen shop.
Another benefit is that the menu is huge. More than just noodle dishes, there are curries, rice dishes, appetizers, and grilled meats. Whether you’re looking for Korean food (Gochujung Udon), Thai food (Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, and more), or Chinese food (Dan Dan Noodles, Hong Kong Style Soup), there are plenty of options.
Conveniently located on 30th, be sure to try Nood Bar next time you’re in the area.
Shank and Bone
While much of the best Vietnamese food in San Diego lies in City Heights, neighboring North Park, Shank and Bone brings Viet flavors to the heart of town. Located on University Ave, right in the middle of North Park, Shank and Bone fires up fun flavors.
The Pho here is excellent, with my favorite being the signature. With beef shank, oxtail, steak, brisket, and a bone with lots of marrow, it is a protein-packed delight. The wings here are huge, crispy, and seasoned well. A seasonal summer menu brings tons of new flavors to the restaurant, including fried catfish, wagyu Pho, and brisket Bahn Mi.
Inside the restaurant is a real piece by Shepard Fairey along with a full-wall colorful map of Vietnam. The vibe is fun and modern, and with good weather, the garage-style door opens for outdoor seating and fresh air.
Soi 30th
Another great option for Thai food in North Park, Soi 30th is located steps away from Aburi, on 30th and Upas. Soi 30th has a great menu that includes Thai staples like Pad Thai and curries, but also features some fun, lesser-known Thai dishes.
My vote is for the Pad Phet, which has crispy pork belly, spicy and well-seasoned rice, and some of the best eggplant I have had. The menu is not huge, but everything is done well and cooked with care – it tastes like home cooking.
Vegetarian-friendly, Soi 30th offers regular meat options for their dishes as well as tofu with veggies and mock duck. The interior is very well done, creating a look that combines elements of more modern art with Thai styles. As an added bonus, happy hour specials are offered on weekdays.
Aburi Sushi
While sushi options in North Park are limited, and admittedly, I have not tried them all, Aburi Sushi still makes for a solid choice. Having two Michelin-starred restaurants (Soichi Sushi and Sushi Tadokoro) and plenty of great choices within a dozen miles makes finding sushi in San Diego a daunting task.
However, the rolls at Aburi are flavorful, fresh, and fun. With a plethora of options to choose from, any sushi enjoyer can find something here. The Fire Roll was pleasantly spicy, though not overwhelmingly so. Everything was tastefully presented and reasonably priced. For those who stay away from raw fish, there are plenty of options – however, I can not speak for anything other than the quantity of the dishes available, as I have only had sushi here.
Overall, while there are sushi restaurants in San Diego that stand above Aburi, if you are looking to keep it local in North Park, it is a serviceable option.
