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Whether or not you savored some gastronomic globetrotting at this month’s Raleigh’s International Food Festival, extend your palate passport all summerlong—and beyond—via these authentic local worldly eateries.
🇰🇷 Korean: Soo Cafe
What to order: Korean fried chicken, duh
Don’t judge a book by its cover—or restaurant by its exterior. Once inside this Korean outpost, you’ll def be sold on the made-to-order fried chicken—aka the perf balance of spicy, crispy and flavorful. The bibimbap is also, well, boppin’. 2815 Brentwood Road, facebook.com
🇯🇵 Japanese: Gen Ramen
What to order: Feeling ramen-tic
It’s hard to ~ramen~ calm when slurping the creamy broth + flavorful ingredients featured in this Japanese joint’s ream of ramen ops, aka the international version of soup for the soul. The sushi rolls, bao buns and karaage fried chicken are also worth a try.2330 Bale St., Ste. 112,
@genramen_raleigh
🇮🇳 Indian: Royal India
What to order: Get the royal treatment via the Royal chicken curry
Raleigh’s OG Indian oasis doesn’t miss with its award-winning curry curations. Belly up for some spice-forward and veggie-loaded flavor. Or, if curry ain’t your thing, the chicken tikka masala doesn’t disappoint. 3901 Capital Blvd., Ste 103, @royal.india.nc
🇨🇳 Chinese: Chuan Cafe
What to order: Sesame chicken FTW
Skip the DoorDash deep dive and just Chuan it. Experience the flair of the Middle Kingdom (minus the Great Wall) when diggin’ your chopsticks into the fan-fave sesame chicken. And you can’t go wrong with lo mein, dry-fried string beans or General Tso’s chicken either. 2004 New Bern Ave.,
@chuanxiacafe
🇻🇳 Vietnamese: Pho Far East
What to order: The pho is for real
Embrace fresh Far East flavor when dining at this authentic gem flaunting mouthwatering and belly-warming pho—NTM bangin’ banh mi and gobbleworthy rice vermicelli soups. 4011 Capital Blvd., phofareastrestaurant.godaddysites.com
🇮🇹 Italian: Piccola Italia
What to order: Eyes on the pizza pies
Feeding Raleigh like (Sicilian) family one slice and bowl at a time since it bowed in the early ’80s, Sicily-native Frank Amato’s love affair with contemporary casual Italian eats will transport you straight to the “Boot.” Did we mention the dough, sauces and soups are all scratchmade?! 423 Woodburn Road, @ncpiccolaitalia
🇵🇪 Peruvian: Mami Nora’s
What to order: Rotisserie chicken has us spinnin’
Ashley Christensen famously once said she gets her chicken from this Peruvian paradise
when she’s not cooking it, and we can’t blame her—it’s the place in Raleigh for rotisserie! Pro tip: Don’t sleep on the sweet plantains. 2401 Wake Forest Road, mamislatinrotisserie.com
🇪🇹 Ethiopian: Nafkot Ethiopian Restaurant
What to order: Bozena shiro, for sho
Comfort from the Land of 13 Sunshines comes in the form of food and atmosphere as you taste Ethiopia through beef-, chicken-, and veggie-based dishes with a ginger tea to pair. So hearty! 2109 Avent Ferry Road, Ste. 146, @nafkot2109
🇲🇽 Mexican: Taqueria el Toro
What to order: In our ~fillings~ for carne asada
A strip-mall standout, this authentic south of the border eatery boasts tantalizing tacos of all types topped with its signature spicy green sauce. After stuffing yourself, wash it all down with a Mexican Coke and an order of flan, natch. 3601 Junction Blvd., facebook.com
🇹🇭 Thai: Lemongrass
What to order: Stay fruity with pineapple fried rice
You’ll surely be feeling like you made a pit stop in the Land of Smiles itself after pigging out on some of the best fried rice in town (trust us). And if the mood for noods strikes instead, opt for an order of the fan-fave pad thai or pad see ew. 8320 Litchford Road, Ste. 142, lemongrassnc.com
🇬🇷 Mediterranean: Neomonde
What to order: Go crazy for kebabs
Escape to the Mediterranean when you dine at Neomonde—and while the kebabs’ll have a stake on your heart, the pita pockets, hummus and baklava are all worth coming back for. 3817 Beryl Road, @neomondemediterranean
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