Please note that this post contains affiliate links to find out more information, read my disclosure policy for more information.
If I’m not making my own food at my own apartment in Davis, I am most likely somewhere downtown getting some sort of food.
As a current junior at UC Davis, I’ve spent many hours trying out different foods at downtown Davis and there are definitely a handful of East Asian restaurants that I find myself returning back to.
Whether I’m craving sushi, homie Chinese comfort food, or a big poke bowl between classes for lunch or for dinner, these seven restaurants have never disappointed me and I’ve always gone back to them to eat by myself or with my friends to catch up. So here’s my personal and not-so-serious guide to some of the best Asian eats in Davis.
1. Zen Toro: The Best Vibes and Sushi in Town
Zen Toro is hands down my favorite spot for sushi in Davis. The atmosphere is unbeatable, and the quality of their sushi rivals even the omakase restaurant downtown. I’ve tried both, and honestly, Zen Toro’s quality isn’t too far off from what you’d get at that pricier omakase spot, making it a much better value for your money.
My go-to order is always the torched Davis roll. It’s become such a staple that I can’t visit without getting it. What I love about Zen Toro is that it’s not just a sushi place. They offer amazing lunch deals and have incredible variety on their menu, including rice bowls, katsu, and ramen. Whether you’re in the mood for fresh nigiri or a warm bowl of ramen, Zen Toro has you covered. This is my sister’s favorite restaurant in Davis and they also have great combo meals for sushi where you can also try out their nigiri!
2. Yangkee: Traditional Chinese Food Done Right
While Yangkee is a little bit outside downtown Davis, it’s absolutely worth the trip. This is the best Chinese restaurant in Davis, periodt. Almost 90% of all my international or Chinese-speaking friends have always said that Yankee is the one restaurant they always go back to.
Their soup dumplings are incredible, and every dish I’ve tried has been authentic, traditional Chinese food at its finest. Coming from someone who’s from Taiwan which is also the founding place for DingTaiFung, their soup dumplings are nice and juicy and you can see the chef make those soup dumplings in their glass window kitchen.
The portions are generous, and the prices are reasonable, especially for the quality you’re getting. My roommate actually works at Yangkee, so I sometimes get dinner for half off, which is an amazing perk. But even at full price, Yangkee has never disappointed. The food is consistently excellent, they have great dessert options, and it’s the ultimate comfort meal when I’m craving something hearty and homey. If you want authentic Chinese cuisine that reminds you of home-cooked meals, Yangkee is your spot.
3. GoodFriends Hawaiian Poke: Fresh Fish and Loaded Options
GoodFriends Poke is the best poke option in Davis, and honestly, it’s pretty much the only real poke place if you don’t count the Latitude Market on campus. What sets GoodFriends apart is their portion sizes. The bowls are so generous that I always split mine in half and save it for two meals, making it an incredibly budget-friendly option.
My favorite order is their loaded tropical style option. The combination of fresh fish, toppings, and that tropical flair just hits different. They have amazing variety in their loaded options, and the fish is always pretty fresh. It’s perfect for those days when you want something light, healthy, and satisfying without breaking the bank. I had actually compared their poke bowl to some of the poke bowls that I had at Hawaii and Good Friends Poke does not pale in comparison to be honest.
4. Dumpling House: That Homey Meal Vibe
Dumpling House has a special place in my heart because it genuinely feels like home. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, and their fried dumplings have been a longtime favorite of mine. My usual routine is grabbing their fried dumplings and then walking over to either T-Percent or Molly Jasmine for a drink. It’s become my comfort ritual.
The food at Dumpling House is really homey, almost like something your family would make, which is different from Yangkee’s more restaurant-style vibe. Both are excellent, but they serve different purposes. When I want that warm, familiar feeling of a home-cooked meal, Dumpling House is where I go.
5. Thai Canteen: Student-Budget-Friendly Thai Food
Thai Canteen was almost tied with Sophia’s Kitchen in my rankings, but what pushed it ahead is how student-budget-friendly their prices are. The food is consistently good, and the location is perfect. It’s right next to an ice cream shop, so my friends and I have made it a tradition to grab dinner at Thai Canteen and then walk next door for dessert.
It’s the perfect dinner-and-dessert combo spot for maybe a first date or if you’re hanging out with friends because there’s also a sitting area outside for the ice cream spot.
The flavors are authentic, portions are solid, and you’re not going to empty your wallet. For college students trying to eat well without spending too much, Thai Canteen is a lifesaver.
6. Honey D: Taiwanese Homey Food
I always get their fried popcorn chicken rice and their Asian desserts that they have. Their douhua is my guilty pleasure and what I treat myself to on a good or bad day. It’s very similar to some things that you would get at Meet Fresh there’s not a single other store that sells this same Asian dessert that they have at Honey D.
Their menu is kind of a middle ground between Dumpling House and Yangkee, they have a lot of meals but it’s definitely more individual-sized meals and Yankee is more family-style with a lot of different dishes for you to split between your group.
7. Pho Tasty
I never really knew about this place until the first quarter of my junior year, it’s actually right next to Temple Coffee Roasters and I didn’t really know that it was a restaurant until I was looking for vermicelli noodles downtown and I happened to find this place on Google Maps.
But this filet mignon vermicelli noodles has been one of my go-to meals in junior year. It has all of the veggies and the sauce that they have for the vermicelli noodles is perfect. In my mind it’s almost like a healthy Asian version of Chipotle. Their appetizers are also amazing and this store (for me) beats out the other Sitlo Saigon Viet place downtown because this place has vermicelli noodles on top of their options for pho.
Honorable Mentions: More Davis Gems
While these didn’t make my top seven, they’re still worth mentioning:
Tasty Palace has great malatang, which is my go-to when I’m sick or craving soup. I will say the waiters sometimes have difficulty processing English, but don’t let that deter you. The malatang is genuinely great and worth ordering.
Tim’s Hawaiian is incredibly popular among UC Davis students for a reason. Their portions are absolutely ginormous, almost like getting a really good bento box. If you’re starving after a long day of classes, Tim’s will definitely fill you up.
Open Rice Kitchen gets mixed reviews because of how cheap the prices are and some questionable perceptions about quality. However, I ate there a decent amount during my sophomore year, and the quality has been good in my experience. I really love their crispy pork fried rice. Plus, it’s right across from Molly Jasmine, so you can grab fried rice and then get a beverage to complete your meal.
Whether you’re a UC Davis student or just visiting the area, these restaurants have become my tried-and-true favorites. Each one brings something unique to the table, and I honestly can’t imagine my Davis experience without them. Happy eating!
