Savor the Flavors of Mesa’s Asian District

The heart of Arizona’s vibrant Asian culture resides in Mesa.

In 2008, with the opening of the celebrated shopping and dining center Mekong Plaza, Mesa’s Asian District was born. Today, more than 100 Asian-owned businesses — from markets to restaurants to retail outlets — call this bustling neighborhood home. Here’s everything you need to know to explore all the district has to offer.

Where is Mesa’s Asian District?

The Asian District occupies approximately a 2-mile stretch of Dobson Road in Mesa. The district’s main cluster can be found in the thriving section of Dobson between Main Street and Broadway Road, with Mekong Plaza and H Mart anchoring its core.

Mekong Plaza

The energetic and always-busy Mekong Plaza brings many businesses together under one roof. Most are individual eateries serving authentic Asian dishes such as bao (Chinese steamed buns), pho (Vietnamese soup), bánh mì (Vietnamese sandwich), Taiwanese hot pot and much more.

Mekong Plaza’s highlight is Mekong Palace — one of Greater Phoenix’s epic spots for dim sum. Servers maneuver carts laden with regional Chinese specialties among round tables in an expansive dining room, electric with diners’ anticipation and the heady aromas from the kitchen. Guests select what they wish to eat directly from the carts. Steam wafts as lids lift from containers to reveal glazed pork ribs, delicate shrimp dumplings or fragrant rice wrapped in lotus leaves.

asian grocery stores

Founded in Queens in the early 1980s, H Mart is an iconic pan-Asian grocery chain (the largest in the United States), and its only Arizona outpost is across the street from Mekong Plaza. This location opened in 2020 to great fanfare as H Mart is the go-to destination for anyone seeking a diverse selection of authentic Asian ingredients.

Located on the district’s south end, Asiana Market provides geographical range in its offerings, with everything from wagyu brisket and Chilean sea bass to Korean pears. The store also includes a food court with standouts for jajangmyeon, or Korean black bean noodles, at Paik’s, and French-Asian baked goods at Tous Les Jours.

At Mekong Plaza, Mekong Supermarket stocks produce and food products from different regions of Asia. Grab tofu, artisan buckwheat noodles, curry paste, even live lobster from the seafood market.

Daruma Sushi/Roll/Noodle
Though low-key and casual, this Japanese restaurant brings fine-dining-level flavor to sushi, ramen, gyoza and street food like takoyaki, a Japanese street dumpling traditionally stuffed with octopus.

Hodori
This Korean restaurant has a deep menu of hits like budae-jjigae (spicy South Korean stew), bibimbap (a flavorful rice dish) and cold noodles.

Jin BBQ
This top-notch Korean barbecue’s thinly sliced ruby meats sizzle on the grills until midnight. The extensive menu features large stews and Korean alcohol, like soju, sake and plum wine.

Paris Baguette
A favorite launched in South Korea, this bakery chain cranking out eastern and western specialties makes stellar mochi donuts, rice donuts and matcha drinks.

Shaanxi Garden
Three words: hand-pulled noodles. And not just any hand-pulled noodles, but the thick, chewy biang biang noodles, so giant they’re often described as belt-like.

Tasty Pot
The specialty at this nook within Mekong Plaza: massive bubbling Taiwanese hot pot, heaped with protein and chopped vegetables, hitting you right in the soul.

Tastea
This newly opened beverage emporium offers an array of Asian-flavored smoothies as well as milk teas—a sweet beverage served hot or cold that can be customized with a variety of flavors.

unPhogettable
Pho, bún bò huế (spicy beef and noodle soup) and other classic Vietnamese soups feature prominently on the menu at this aptly named casual restaurant inside of Mekong Plaza.

Shops in the Asian District

Though most famous for its food, Mesa’s Asian District also serves up plenty of non-culinary experiences. For toys, gifts and knickknacks, KPOP STAR USA and Hong Kong Gifts are favorites, while Secret of Beauty stocks cosmetics and other beauty products. The Asian District also offers many wellness options, like acupuncture and massage.

Asian District Art

Mesa’s Asian District is home to a few extraordinary murals, each by a different local artist, and all celebrating Asian culture and traditions. Spot them on a neighborhood tour using this map.