We all know the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover.” But have you heard that you should never judge a restaurant by its location? Never scoff at the Chinese restaurant next to a sex toy shop, Kroger, or tanning salon, and don’t you dare roll your eyes at the Korean BBQ joint that shares a wall with a shuttered video rental store. Wanna know why? Well, Madison Heights’ strip malls have some great Asian restaurants.

Quan Ngon Vietnamese Bistro 30701 Dequindre Rd., Madison Heights; 248-268-4310 This spot’s well-laid tables with generous cloth napkins and metal chopsticks, the six chandeliers, banquette, the graceful way the food is presented — all lift the heart. Besides Vietnam’s famous bánh mì sandwiches, Quán Nem Ngon, which means “delicious small restaurant,” offers three ways to order a hefty meal: soups, noodle salads, and protein served with noodles or rice, fried or not. Photo via GoogleMaps
Liang’s Barbecue 30953 Dequindre Rd., Madison Heights; 248-616-9616; liangs-oriental.edan.io Located in one of Madison Heights’ many strip malls that contain a variety of Asian eateries, the tradition of “whole beast cookery” is on display in the glossy whole hogs, ducks, and chickens hanging from hooks above the counter, and the chewy beef belly, intestines, and other offal simmering in gravy steam pans. Liang’s offers a refreshing impression of authenticity with its versatile array of Chinese dishes. Photo via GoogleMaps
Pho Que Huong 30820 John R Rd., Madison Heights; 248-588-0998 Que Huong’s pho menu isn’t too different from most in Madison Heights, but there are always some who are going to do it a little different or a little better, and this is one of those spots. While bánh mì and pho are excellent, you might’ve already tried both. The best parts of Que Huong’s menu are the deeper cuts and the house specials — dishes with which your Midwestern taste buds might not be familiar. Photo via GoogleMaps
168 Asian Mart 32393 John R Rd., Madison Heights; 248-616-1689; 168asianmarket.com Are you ready for an astonishing variety of good food and products paired with a space packed with amenities and sprinkled with some good old hustle and bustle? 168 Asian Mart comes equipped with a food court, a treats station complete with beautifully decorated cakes made-to-order, ice cream and a bubble tea stand with both creative and classic flavors (such as mango, and even cookies and cream), a vast meat selection, live seafood still swimming in the tank, aisles for hair care and beauty products, a houseware department with enough options to keep a busy restaurant fully equipped, a shipping center to send packages worldwide, and even an area for your landscaping and houseplant needs — plus, all the produce and products necessary to get your general grocery shopping or meal prepping done, too. It is a massive warehouse-like space after all. Photo via GoogleMaps
LC’s Asian Kitchen 29070 N. Campbell Rd., Madison Heights; 248-584-2505; lcsasiankitchenmi.com This family-owned spot serves traditional Chinese cuisine, as well as some popular Thai dishes. LC’s Asian Kitchen is known for their cozy atmosphere, deep fried pepper squid and vegetarian options like the ma po tofu, they also have an extensive menu with classic combination platters, beef, pork, and chicken dishes. Photo via GoogleMaps
Chen’s Noodles 30491 John R Rd., Madison Heights; 248-588-7823; chens-noodle.business.site One of the newer restaurants to enter the Madison Heights Asian food scene, Chen’s Noodles offers Cantonese cuisine like shrimp wonton soup, steamed rice rolls, lo-mein, congee, ma po tofu, goji chicken, sweet and sour pork, and more. Photo via GoogleMaps
Ph? Tài 30577 Dequindre Rd., Madison Heights; 248-397-8333 This family-restaurant offers fresh Vietnamese and Thai cuisine. Pho is, of course, a highlight of Pho Tai’s menu and comes in steak, brisket, chicken, seafood, and vegan varieties, and packs a punch with the flavorful broth and fresh ingredients. Photo via GoogleMaps
Sushi Gallery 1449 W. 14 Mile Rd., Madison Heights; 248-291-5987; sushigallerymi.weebly.com Sushi lovers might pass this unassuming sushi spot because not only is it in a strip mall but it’s nestled in a hard-to-see corner next to a credit union. Well, thanks to their large rolls, affordable prices, and unpretentious atmosphere are sure to put Sushi Gallery on your personal dining map for good. They have non-sushi entrees, too, like bibimbap, spicy pork, bulgogi, chicken katsu, udon, and ramen dishes. Photo via GoogleMaps
TJ’s Shanghai Dumplings 27312 John R Rd., Madison Heights; 248-586-9588; tjs-shanghai-dumplings.business.site You might quite literally pass this unassuming family-owned dumpling spot because of its location and outdated signage but you’ll stop passing it once you dive into their selection of affordable traditional dumplings, scallion pancakes, crab rangoon, and noodle dishes. Photo via GoogleMaps
Sunrise Thai 28921 John R Rd., Madison Heights; 248-543-1961; sarasarovart.wixsite.com/sunrisethai/our-menu This small spot has a big menu filled with even bigger flavor. Sunrise Thai covers all bases with its traditional Thai menu, which features noodle and rice dishes, soups, seafood, and popular entrees, like Pad Thai. Photo via GoogleMaps
Little Saigon 29083 Dequindre Rd., Madison Heights; 248-336-9185; /littlesaigonvietnamesesoulfood.com Little Saigon is all about the straightforward and fresh Vietnamese fare offering a thick menu featuring rice dishes, noodle entrees, shakes, and pho. They have a menu for veggie lovers, too. Photo via GoogleMaps
Kung Fu Noodle House 31151 Dequindre Rd., Madison Heights; 248-268-2171; thekungfunoodlehouse.com Kung Fu Noodle House is, as you guessed, all about the noodles. This spot offers Cantonese, Sichuanese, and Taiwanese dishes, but what sets apart the bowls at Kun Fu Noodle Houses is that they make and hand-stretch their own noodles in-house, thus the fresh noodles take center stage. They’ve got options like beef noodle soup, noodles with soybean paste, and cumin lamb as well as a variety of chili pots, skewered meats, and dumplings. Photo via GoogleMaps
QQ Bakery 30941 Dequindre Rd., Madison Heights; 248-588-9899; qqbakery.weebly.com Leave the plastic at home as this cash-only Chinese bakery has sweet and savory treats like red bean buns, egg tarts, pork buns, melon cakes, as well as bubble teas to wash them down with. Photo via GoogleMaps
Zhang BBQ 31682 John R Rd., Madison Heights; 248-588-7007 This cash and-takeout-only spot offers up some traditional Chinese barbecue options like roasted duck, barbecued pork (like, as in a whole damn pig) and char sui. Photo via GoogleMaps
Wokery Chinese Food 28079 John R Rd., Madison Heights; 248-399-0020 This popular takeout spot is a no frills, full-flavored restaurant with Chinese food favorites including egg foo young, chow mein, fried rice, and a variety of Szechuan dishes. Photo via GoogleMaps
Fuji Japanese Buffet 32153 John R Rd., Madison Heights; 248-616-8868; fujibuffet.com The owners of 168 Asian Mart also own this Japanese buffet located in the same strip mall. Though they have rice, noodles, and other Japanese dishes, people come for the sushi… the never-ending, all-you-can-eat sushi. They also allow you to purchase seafood from 168 and bring it in to be cooked. Photo via GoogleMaps

Have something to share?

SEND US A NEWS TIP

Since 1980, Metro Times has been Detroit’s premier alternative source for news, arts, culture, music, film, food, fashion and more from a liberal point of view.