Asian Kitchen in Columbia: Dim Sum, Noodles, and Sichuan Heat

What Asian Kitchen offers and where to find it

Asian Kitchen is a casual Chinese restaurant in Columbia that serves dim sum, hand-pulled noodles, and Sichuan dishes in a no-frills dining room. The menu leans toward regional Chinese cooking rather than the Americanized takeout style you find at many strip-mall spots. You order at the counter, find a seat, and the kitchen sends food out as it's ready—which means dim sum carts don't roll through, but you can order from a printed menu instead.

The restaurant sits on a busy commercial stretch and draws a steady mix of regulars and people hunting for authentic flavors. Parking is street-level and usually available. The space is small and can get loud during lunch and dinner rushes, which is typical for this style of casual Chinese dining. Seating is first-come, first-served, and tables turn over quickly during peak hours.

Key Takeaways

• Asian Kitchen specializes in hand-pulled noodles, dim sum ordered from a menu, and Sichuan dishes with real heat and numbing spice.
• You order at the counter and eat in a casual, no-frills room—expect noise and a quick turnover during peak hours.
• Prices are moderate; most noodle dishes and dim sum plates run between $6 and $12.
• The kitchen handles dietary requests like vegetarian dim sum and noodle modifications, but call ahead for large groups or special orders.

Dim sum and small plates to order

Dim sum here arrives as individual orders rather than from a cart. You get a printed menu with photographs and can point to what you want. Steamed pork buns, shrimp dumplings, and sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaf are reliable choices. The skins are thin and the fillings are generous—not the frozen, rubbery versions from supermarket freezer cases.

Vegetable dumplings and spring rolls round out the lighter options. Many people order three or four small plates to share, which lets you sample across the menu without committing to a full entrée. Prices per plate typically run $3 to $5, so a table of two or three can eat for under $20 before drinks and tax.

Hand-pulled noodles and noodle soups

The hand-pulled noodles—la mian—are made fresh in the kitchen. You can watch the cook stretch and fold the dough if you sit near the counter. These noodles have a chewy texture and hold sauce better than dried noodles do. They come in broth-based soups or tossed with oil and sauce, and you can choose your protein: chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, or vegetables.

Sichuan dan dan noodles arrive with a sesame and chili oil base, ground pork, and a scatter of peanuts and scallions. The numbing sensation from Sichuan peppercorns is real—your mouth tingles pleasantly if you like that flavor profile. If you prefer less heat, tell the counter staff when you order. Most noodle dishes cost $8 to $11 and come in a size that fills you up.

Sichuan dishes with spice and depth

Beyond noodles, Asian Kitchen makes Sichuan braises and stir-fries that go beyond the sweet-and-sour template. Mapo tofu—silken tofu in a numbing, spicy sauce with ground pork—is a signature dish. Chongqing chicken, which is fried chicken tossed with dried chilies and Sichuan peppercorns, arrives as a pile of heat and crunch. These dishes are not mild; they're built for people who want real flavor and real spice.

The kitchen will dial back the heat if you ask, but the point of these dishes is the intensity. Ordering them mild defeats the purpose. Pair them with steamed rice or order noodles on the side to cool your mouth between bites. Most entrées run $10 to $14.

How to order and what to expect

Walk in, grab a menu from the counter, and take time to look it over. The staff speaks Mandarin and English and can answer questions about spice level and ingredients. Point to what you want or say the name. Payment happens at the counter before you sit down—cash and card both work. The kitchen usually takes 10 to 15 minutes for noodles and 5 to 10 minutes for dim sum.

If you're coming with a group of six or more, call ahead so the kitchen can pace the food and the staff can hold a table. Takeout is available and works well for noodle dishes; dim sum travels less reliably. During lunch (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) and dinner (5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.), tables turn over quickly, so expect a wait if you arrive at peak times.

Dietary needs and modifications

Vegetarian dim sum and noodle dishes are clearly marked on the menu. The kitchen can make most noodle soups with vegetable broth instead of meat stock. Soy sauce and sesame oil are standard ingredients, so ask if you need to avoid them. Peanut allergies are common enough that the staff takes them seriously—mention it when you order, especially for dan dan noodles and dishes with peanut garnish.

Gluten-free options are limited because soy sauce and wheat noodles are foundational to the menu. If you have a severe allergy or intolerance, call the restaurant before you visit so the kitchen can tell you what's safe.

Hours, location, and parking

Asian Kitchen is open for lunch and dinner most days, typically 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., though hours vary by day of the week—call to confirm before a late visit. The restaurant closes for a few hours between lunch and dinner service. Street parking is available on the block and in nearby lots.

The space itself is small, so if you're sensitive to noise or prefer a quiet meal, go early or late rather than during the rush. The dining room fills up quickly during peak service, and the open kitchen means cooking sounds carry throughout the room.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to order a lot of dim sum, or can I get just a few pieces?

You can order as little as you want. Dim sum comes in individual portions, so one person can order two or three plates and eat a full meal, or a table can order many plates to share. There's no minimum.

How spicy is the Sichuan food really?

It's genuinely spicy and numbing. If you don't eat chili regularly, start with a milder dish like the noodle soup and work your way up. Tell the counter staff your heat tolerance and they'll steer you toward the right dish.

Can I bring my own group and reserve a table?

For groups of six or more, call ahead. The restaurant will hold a table if the kitchen knows you're coming. Walk-ins of that size may have to wait or split across multiple tables during peak hours.

What's the difference between the noodles here and the noodles at other Chinese restaurants?

Asian Kitchen makes noodles fresh by hand, stretching and folding the dough. They have a chewier texture and absorb sauce better than dried noodles. You can watch the cook make them if you sit near the counter.

Is there a kids menu?

There's no separate kids menu, but the kitchen will make mild noodle soups and simple dim sum for children. Ask the staff what they recommend for younger eaters.