The Susquehanna Valley is a melting pot of ethnic eats, offering authentic cuisines and atmospheres that transport diners around the world without ever leaving Central Pennsylvania. Many of these traditional eateries are family-run businesses sharing cherished cultural recipes. We decided to spotlight global cuisine outside the realm of Italian, Chinese, Mexican, or French-inspired restaurants, for a final list of 35 distinctly unique ethnic restaurants offering a sense of adventure with extra flavorful fare.
African
The Big 5 African Cuisine
Owned by Laurah Musembi, Big 5 African Cuisine opened in the fall of 2017 and features a menu of African favorites such as goat stew, Sukuma wiki (collard greens), and more. Be sure to try Mandazi (African doughnuts) for dessert.
630 N. Plum St., Lancaster, PA / facebook.com/The-Big-5-African-Cuisine-193825087876577
Awash Ethiopian Cuisine
Named for the Awash River region of Ethiopia, this Lancaster restaurant features traditional cuisine served on a bed of injera (bread that is used for eating the sauces) with additional injera rolled on the side, to be torn and used to scoop up lamb, beef, chicken, or vegetarian stew by hand. Perhaps the most traditional Ethiopian item is coffee: Awash grinds and brews authentic Ethiopian coffee served in traditional clay pots.
1027 Dillerville Road, Lancaster, PA / awashethiopiancuisine.com
Asian/Fusion
Photo by Donovan Roberts Witmer
Issei Noodle
Naomi and Robert Pham opened Issei Noodle’s Carlisle location in 2007; “Issei” is Japanese for “first generation.” Featuring Vietnamese pho, ramen and Asian fusion dishes, the large menu includes egg noodle delight, a “Phamily” favorite featuring sautéed ground pork with garlic and sweet soy sauce over steamed egg noodles, topped with fresh bean sprouts, green onions, cilantro, and red Chinese vinegar. Don’t forget to order traditional Vietnamese iced coffee too.
54 W. High St., Carlisle, PA / 44 N. Queen St., Lancaster, PA / isseinoodle.com
Photo by Jeremy Hess
Silantra Asian Street Kitchen
Owners Sam and Cindy Guo cooked up plans for Silantra while attending Penn State University together. Inspired by Asian street kitchens, they strive to offer quick, casual Asian dishes starting with a bing (scallion pancake), bowl, or salad and customized with proteins, veggies, and a sauce. Silantra’s most popular item is a chicken bing; two of the top accompaniments are coconut white rice and Silantra’s signature wasabi coleslaw. The hottest sauce is homemade chili garlic aioli sauce, “cooler than the underside of your pillow hot sauce”—quite a mouthful!
101 E. King St., Lancaster, PA / silantra.co
Spring Garden Korean Japanese Restaurant
A family-owned restaurant, Spring Garden offers a multitude of Korean and Japanese dishes, the most popular of which are kimchi, Korean BBQ (the menu includes six options), and vegetarian dishes. Or pick from 15 chef’s specialties like Tang Suyuk (fried pork with sweet and sour sauce) or Ah-Goo Jim (monk fish with sprouts steamed in a spicy sauce).
BYOB / 5 S. 35th St., Camp Hill, PA / koreanspringgarden.net
Asian/Korean
Korealicious
A family-run restaurant, Korealicious mixes traditional Korean dishes with fun Korean fusion dishes—Korean-style tacos, burritos and burgers. On the traditional side, start with an appetizer such as Haemool Pa-Jun (seafood pancake) or Mandoo Gui (fried dumplings); choose from numerous entrées—Bi-Bim-Bop, Duk Boki (spicy Korean rice cakes), ginseng chicken soup, O-Jing-Uh Bokeum (spicy stir-fried squid with mixed vegetables) and more.
BYOB / 829 State St., Lemoyne, PA / korealiciousfusion.com
Korean Bulgogi House
Serving nine varieties of bibimbap, ramen, kimchi stew, and house specials—dumpling soup, several varieties of fried rice, Korean quesadilla and more—the Korean Bulgogi House’s dinner plate special is a great option that allows you to choose two entrées such as japchae, ginger spicy pork, bulgogi (“fire meat”), and more, served with soup and steamed rice. Although the restaurant does not have a website, check Yelp or Trip Advisor for hours.
408 W. Loudon St., Chambersburg, PA
Asian/Japanese
Aki
Sushi is the specialty at this Japanese restaurant, with more than two dozen chef’s special rolls alone—with colorful names like dancing dragon roll, blue Pacific roll and the namesake Aki roll. Or try teriyaki, tempura, fried rice, and noodle dishes, or one of the chef’s creations—Samuri and the Mermaid features grilled filet and shrimp layered with coconut sauce and served with sweet potato.
1150 Carlisle St., Hanover, PA / hanoveraki.com
Chop Sushi
Owner Nate Abel describes his poke bowls as sushi in a bowl rather than a roll. Poke (pronounced poh-kay) is a Hawaiian raw fish salad. Poke bowls can be customized in the cafeteria style line by choosing from a bed of greens or rice; raw tuna, salmon, crab, or salmon; veggies like edamame and fruits like avocado and mango; toppings like green onions, pickled ginger, Hawaiian salt, or red pepper flakes; and sauces from sweet Shoyu and ginger dressing to Sriracha aioli. Hibachi bowls feature cooked proteins like chicken, steak, shrimp, or tofu over fried or white rice with veggies and toppings like cilantro, seaweed flakes, wasabi aioli or Yum Yum sauce. Yum Yum indeed!
126 N. Prince St., Lancaster, PA / chopsushilancaster.com
Photo by Jasmine Clouser
Kondu Japanese Restaurant
Kondu’s creative sushi burrito menu includes such colorful-sounding dishes as the Sunset Love Burrito (tuna, salmon, cucumber, spinach, sweet pepper, avocado, mango, chipotle mayo, and wasabi aioli), the BFF burrito, rock n roll burrito, mind eraser burrito and Mr. Ben Burrito. Or choose from several varieties of Teppanyaki, a style of Japanese cuisine cooked on an iron griddle. Don’t miss the extensive varieties of bubble tea!
3501 Paxton St., Harrisburg, PA / konduexpress.com
Mt. Fuji Japanese Restaurant
This Carlisle eatery boasts an extensive menu. Unique offerings include salmon skin salad (grilled salmon skin, mixed greens and sweet sauce), Tako Su (sliced octopus with ponzu sauce) off the long list of appetizers, and 45 varieties of sushi rolls—both cooked and raw—plus sushi entrees, bento boxes, or Sukiyaki (Japanese-style casseroles). Try the green tea or red bean ice cream for dessert.
149 N. Hanover St., Carlisle, PA / newmtfuji.com
Asian/Vietnamese
Rice and Noodles Vietnamese Eatery
Third-generation Vietnamese restaurateurs, sisters Vy Banh and Alys Truong opened Rice and Noodles with their husbands in July of 2006, a year after Hurricane Katrina devastated their previous family restaurants in New Orleans. Perhaps the most important tip when considering the fresh, extensive entrée menu is to save room for dessert, which includes French macarons, banh flan (egg custard with a layer of caramel), a fun-to-eat green taro rice pudding, and more.
1238 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, PA / riceandnoodlesrestaurant.com
Viet Thai Café
Featuring 13 varieties of Vietnamese noodle soup and six types of Viet Thai soup including shrimp and pineapple soup, Viet Thai Café’s menu also includes curry, fried rice, or noodle dishes, plus more than 20 Viet Thai dishes such as caramelized shrimp, Bò Lúc Lac (ribeye steak, sautéed peppers, onions, and mushrooms served over a bed of lettuce with a pepper lime sauce) or Sea Dragon (fried flounder topped with a sweet and spicy tomato, ginger, and pineapple sauce).
2535 E. Market St., York, PA / vietthaimarketstreetcafe.com
Asian/Thai
Chalit’s Thai Bistro
Chalit’s includes authentic, artfully presented dishes in a multitude of categories including Thai tapas. But perhaps it’s the house specials where the Bangkok-born chef shines: Choose from Thai BBQ chicken, crispy Catfish Cha Cha (tapioca-breaded filets, deep fried and topped with a blend of red curry sauce, served with steamed vegetables), or broiled Chilean sea bass (served over baby bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, and fresh ginger in brown soybean sauce).
5517 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA / chalitsthaibistro.com
District Thai
Offering traditional Thai appetizers, soups, salads, curries, rice, and noodle dishes, plus entrées, District Thai’s menu also features five unique chef’s specials including five spice duck curry, seafood Pad Cha and seafood with basil (shrimp, squid, scallop and mussel sautéed with basil and chili pepper). Enjoy a sweet ending with mango fried rice.
1057 N. George St., York, PA / districtthai.com
Eastern Palace
Renovating what was once a Wendy’s on Columbia Avenue, Win Thaung and his wife Thet Thet Mon opened Eastern Palace next to their other restaurant Pho Pasteur 3, a Vietnamese restaurant. Eastern Palace has a unique offering of Burmese dishes not seen anywhere else in the area, from its own Burmese style samusa (curried vegetables in a crispy phyllo triangle) and fish noodle soup to Thai stir fries, curries, rice, and even a full Japanese sushi menu. Also don’t miss the bubble tea.
2206 Columbia Ave., Lancaster, PA
Bhutanese/Nepalese
Himalayan Curry and Grill
Himalayan Curry and Grill is a family-owned and -operated restaurant serving a range of flavor-filled dishes from chicken curries to lentil dishes, lamb or goat entrées, seafood such as shrimp coconut curry, Tandoori specialties, seven types of naan (bread), and exotic Nepali specialities such as Rayo ko Saag (mustard green leaves pan fried with cumin seed and homemade spices). Be sure to try dessert too—barfi (Nepali fudge made with pistachio), Gulab Jamun (honey ball), and more.
22 E. Orange St., Lancaster, PA / himalayanlancaster.com
Yak N Yeti
A family-owned restaurant, Yak N Yeti offers traditional Bhutanese and Nepalese cuisine hailing from the Himalayan region. Quick geography lesson: Bhutan borders China and India and was recently named the world’s happiest nation! The restaurant’s most popular Nepalese entrée is Thali (a sampler); Noo Sha Paa is the top Bhutanese pick (beef cooked with potatoes and chili peppers). If you can handle spicy dishes, try Datsi (chili peppers and cheese), which is the Bhutanese national dish.
213 3rd St., New Cumberland, PA / yaknyetipa.com
Caribbean
Photo by Donovan Roberts Witmer
Callaloo Trindadian Kitchen
Owners Amanda and chef Amos Kinert infuse downtown Lancaster with island vibes. A colonial-Caribbean island nation off the coast of Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago’s cuisine is fused with south-Asian and African-creole flavors. Try the jerk pork ribs, spicy pepper beef or fish, curried shrimp, or the Callaloo and CooCoo—stone ground cornmeal, coconut milk, spinach, and sweet potato with the option of adding wild-caught crab.
351 N. Mulberry St., Lancaster, PA / callalootrinidadiankitchen.com
Caribbean Wave Jamaican Jerk Restaurant
A family-owned restaurant, Caribbean Wave serves authentic Jamaican cuisine including jerk chicken, jerk salmon, jerk shrimp, and much more. “Jerk” is a Jamaican style of cooking that starts with meat being dry-rubbed or marinated with herbs and spices. Also on the menu: curry goat, brown stew chicken and oxtail, and sides like reggae corn or sweet plantains. Yah man!
701 E. Chestnut St., Lancaster, PA / caribbeanwave717.com
European
Café Bruges
Belgian cuisine is showcased at Café Bruges, from light fare such as Liege salad (warm green bean, potato, and bacon salad with a shallot-parsley vinaigrette) to entrées like Carbonade Flamande (Flemish beef stew cooked in dark ale) or moules frites (steamed mussels served with hand-cut fries, fried twice in beef tallow). Pair your dish with a Belgian beer or ale, but don’t leave without a bite of Belgian chocolate—it stars in two desserts, including Belgian dark chocolate mousse served in an edible chocolate cup—seriously!
16 N. Pitt St., Carlisle, PA / cafebruges.com
Hellenic Kouzina Greek Café
Hellenic Kouzina (“Greek kitchen”) offers everyone’s favorite authentic Greek dishes—gyros, Souvláki, moussaka, lamb shank, and more. BYOB or try the Ellinikos (Greek coffee), but be warned: When you order at the counter, you are faced with sweet temptation right behind the glass—an array of tantalizing Greek desserts and pastries including Baklavá. Don’t pass them by!
500 E. Main St., Mechanicsburg, PA / hellenickouzina.com
Josie’s German Delicatessen
A 30-plus-year tradition, Josie’s offers a traditional German dining experience, plus an adjoining grocery/bakery. Authentic homemade German dishes include schnitzel, sauerbraten, bratwurst, and more. Don’t forget German dessert from the bakery: apple cake or strudel, Black Forest cake, and authentic Kase sahne cheesecake.
5238 E. Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg, PA / germanfoodatjosies.com/market
Indian
Banana Leaf Indian Cuisine
Authentic Indian—vegetarian, salad, appetizer, wrap, curry, and tandoor choices, plus desserts and drinks—seems to offer something for everyone. But follow Banana Leaf on Facebook and you’ll see a multitude of creative daily lunch specials to boot. Recent specials include Bhendi Peanut Fry, Carrot Halwa, Chicken Lolly Lolly, Double-Ka-Meetha (sweet Indian bread pudding), and more.
6520 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA / bananaleafindiancuisine.com
Photo by Jeremy Hess
Hamir’s Indian Fusion
The first restaurant to open following a test run at York’s Taste Test pop up, Hamir’s opened in January of 2018. Chef Hamir Patel features an Indian fusion menu including appetizers and more than a dozen entrée selections, but Thali may be your best bet—it’s a stainless steel sampler platter featuring the chef’s daily selections and includes a samosa (a crispy fried appetizer with potatoes, peas, and carrots with sweet chutney and mint yogurt sauce) plus dessert.
24 S. George St., York, PA / hamirs.com
Passage to India
Featuring an extensive menu of authentic Indian cuisine, from lassi (yogurt-based drinks) to entrees, perhaps the best choice at Passage to India is a combination meal, offering a little taste of everything. The Ultimate, for example, includes Chicken Makhani, Lamb Palak, Tandoori Chicken, a vegetable, creamed lentils and raita, served with soup of your choice, saffron flavored basmati rice, Papad, naan and even saffron flavored rice pudding with dried tropical fruits. As the restaurant’s tagline says, “the only thing we overlook is the Susquehanna River!”
520 Race St., Harrisburg, PA / passagetoindiaharrisburgpa.com
Latin/South American
Flora’s Restaurant
A Latin-fusion flavor-fest, Flora’s cuisine combines the flavors of Colombia, Peru, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, and Puerto Rico into an ever-changing menu (posted daily on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram). From blackened salmon to lollipop lamb chops, lobster paella or chimichurri pollo, the menu is part of the adventure!
306 N. Mulberry St., Lancaster, PA / florasrestaurant.com
Inka Kitchen
Inka Kitchen features more than 20 fresh Peruvian dishes: Ceviche Mixto (fish and shrimp marinated in fresh lime juice and spices, served with fried yuca and Peruvian corn) or Bistec a lo Pobre (grilled steak served with plantains, French fries, rice, and a fried egg), to name two. Or dazzle your taste buds with one of the dozen South American or Caribbean entrées.
1228 Lincoln Way E., Chambersburg, PA / facebook.com/inkakitchenchambersburg
Los Tres Cubanos
This colorful traditional Cuban restaurant, located in Harrisburg’s Shipoke neighborhood, offers an authentic Cuban menu, from la Cubanita Emparedado (Cuban sandwich) to entrées such as Picadillo ala Habanera (ground beef, raisins, capers, and diced potatoes), Camarones Enchiladas, (shrimp in creole sauce with peppers, tomato, garlic and onions) and more. The drink menu features a full lineup of cocktails: wines from Spain, Argentina, and Chile; mojitos; martinis; and beer. Cheers!
540 Race St., Harrisburg, PA / lostrescubanos.com
Suba Tapas Bar
Offering Spanish tapas (small plates) and Latin American specialties, Suba is located above sister restaurant Mangia Qui (Italian) and alongside sister restaurant Rubicon (French-inspired). Under the direction of chefs Qui Qui Musarra and Elide Hower, Suba offers creative dishes such as Lox A’Nola (smoked salmon, pomegranate yogurt, onion confit, honey drizzle, toast points, and lime zest) and more, with a full cocktail and wine menu featuring the wines of Spain.
272 North St., Harrisburg, PA / subahbg.com
Middle Eastern
Mezza Café
Six sisters combine their talents to run this traditional Lebanese restaurant, which also includes a stand in the West Shore Farmers’ Market. Choose from traditional Lebanese dishes or street food sandwiches—falafel, humfrie or shawarma—accompanied by Turkish coffee and accented by desserts such as baklava, rice pudding, halawa, or Lebanese sundaes.
BYOB / 829 State St., Lemoyne PA / mezzamedcafe.com
Zahra Restaurant
Founded in 2011 by Pakistani American Khalid Jilani and named for his daughter, Zahra Restaurant offers traditional Pakistani and Middle Eastern eats from kabob platters to tandoori, curry or vegetarian specialties. Zahra’s menu also includes four house specialties of Karahi (a Pakistani-style wok). Don’t miss Gulab Jamun (milk puffs fried and soaked in honey and rosewater syrup) for a sweet ending.
Hampden Center Plaza, 4830 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA / eatatzahra.com
World
Broad Street Market
One of the newest additions is Bon Appetit Creperie, operated by husband Shawket Mourtada, from Liberia, and wife Lalla Mourtada, from Mali, blending their French/African heritage into sweet and savory crepes and more (be sure to try the Moroccan mint tea). The couple is opening a stand-alone restaurant (1426 North Street, Harrisburg) in addition to their market spot.
Pikowski’s Pierogie Place / Ougi’s Cocina / Phyllo / Flavors of India / Bon Appetite Creperie / Yami Korean Food / Porter’s House Jamaican / Kabob House / 1233 North Third St., Harrisburg, PA / broadstreetmarket.org
Lancaster Central Market
Stop by Lancaster Central Market for authentic Thai, Asian, African, Middle Eastern, Greek, and other world cuisines. For example, Omar and Nadia Al Saife founded Saife’s Middle Eastern Foods in the early 1990s and have earned a reputation for their wide range of fresh, preservative-free Middle Eastern foods, such as 12 different flavors of hummus, fresh-baked pita, spinach pies, falafel sandwiches, and even vegan baklava.
Narai Thai & Asian Cuisine / Rafiki’s Deli / Saife’s Middle Eastern Food / Stella’s Greek Cuisine / 23 N. Market St., Lancaster, PA / centralmarketlancaster.com
Upohar Ethnic Cuisines
Offering world cuisines, Upohar (“gift” in Bengali) is a social impact restaurant that provides jobs for Lancaster’s refugee population. The business also runs a stand at Lancaster Central Market called Christina’s Criollo, featuring authentic Puerto Rican flavors. Upohar also hosts regular dinners for Bridge, with local refugee families sharing cuisines and experiences from Syria, Irag, Congo, and more in the hope of connecting with neighbors.
798 New Holland Ave., Lancaster, PA / upoharethniccuisines.com
