Nashville Best Of 2026 · Best Asian Restaurant
Noko
Asian-inspired cooking meets a live wood fire in East Nashville, and the result is one of the most exciting tables in the city. Nationally recognized and proudly local, Noko is our pick for the best Asian restaurant in Nashville.
The Verdict
Why Noko Earns the Title
Noko takes flavors from across Asia and runs them through a wood-fired hearth. Executive Chef Dung “Junior” Vo, a 2025 James Beard semifinalist, smokes, sears, and roasts familiar proteins and local vegetables into dishes that feel both comforting and completely new.
The accolades back it up: OpenTable named Noko one of the Top 100 Restaurants in America, Eater Nashville called it the city’s Best New Restaurant, and The New York Times included it among Nashville’s 25 best restaurants. Yet the room still feels like a neighborhood spot, with warm service and a philosophy of affordable luxury.
Top 100
OpenTable Restaurants in America
Top 25
NYT’s Best in Nashville
2025
James Beard Semifinalist Chef
1%
Of Profits Given Back
What to Order
The Dishes That Made Noko Famous
Noko’s menu is built for sharing. Gather a few friends and start with these favorites.
Tuna Crispy Rice
Spicy tuna, serrano, and sweet soy piled on a crisp rice base with spicy aioli. It shows up on nearly every table, and one bite explains why.
Burnt End Lettuce Wraps
Smoked beef belly with a spiced honey glaze, tucked into cool, crisp lettuce. A barbecue-meets-Asia bite that shows off the wood fire.
Smoked Gochujang Wings
Wings smoked over the hearth and glazed with spicy-sweet gochujang. Think Nashville hot wings with a Korean accent.
The Story
Built on Taking Care of People
Noko was founded by Jon Murray, Managing Partner Wilson Brannock, and Executive Chef Dung “Junior” Vo around one simple idea. Its warm, Japanese farmhouse-inspired dining room centers on a wood-fired hearth you can watch from the bar.
That philosophy goes well beyond the plate. Noko’s people-over-profit program gives employees a yearly travel stipend, company-funded health insurance, and free access to therapy, and the restaurant donates 1% of net profits to the Nashville Children’s Alliance. Next door, its 14-seat omakase counter, Kase x Noko, is one of the toughest reservations in the country.
“Take care of your people, and everything else follows.”
Noko’s Guiding Belief
Plan Your Visit
Dinner by the Fire in East Nashville
Noko sits in the Shops at Porter East, with a shared parking lot out front. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.
Location
701 Porter Rd
Nashville, TN 37206
(615) 712-6894
In East Nashville, our Best Neighborhood pick. Free street parking is available nearby when the lot fills up.
Hours
Tue–Thu: 5 – 9 pm
Fri–Sat: 5 – 10 pm
Sun Brunch: 11 am – 2:30 pm
Sun Dinner: 5 – 9 pm
Mon: Closed
Reservations
Tables go fast, so book ahead. Pickup orders are also available online if you’d rather enjoy Noko at home.
Pull Up a Seat by the Fire
Reserve your table in East Nashville, or order pickup and bring Noko home tonight.