No Passport Needed: A Guide to the Best Eats on Buford Highway

Sample dishes from around the globe while going for a cruise down Buford Highway.

MALAYSIAN

Mamak celebrates the best of Malaysian cuisine, but don’t be surprised to taste the flavors of India, China, and Singapore as well. Those flavors influenced the country’s food cuisine, and this translates to tofu satay covered in peanut sauce, pork porridge, flat noodles topped with shrimp and scallops, and tofu stuffed with shrimp and fish. In fact, the bountiful menu earned the vibrant cafe an Atlanta magazine 50 Best Restaurant award.

CHINESE

A longstanding Buford Highway staple, Yen Jing serves traditional Korean-Chinese dishes such as noodles with black bean paste and pork (jajangmyeon), and spicy seafood soup (jjamppong), but you’ll also find more unique menu items like jellyfish salad.

KOREAN

Although Sokongdong Tofu & BBQ offers seafood pancakes, bibimbap, and barbecue, the star of the show is the rich tofu soups. The soybean-based protein may be the main draw at this Korean family-style restaurant, but you can also expect beef, oysters, and even tripe. Just be careful with the four spice levels; “very spicy” is not for the faint of heart. With a name like Stone Bowl House, it shouldn’t be a surprise that this Korean restaurant specializes in bibimbap, the rice bowl topped with meat, egg, and fresh vegetables that literally sizzles at the table. For those looking to branch out, try the seafood pancake (haemul pajun) and kimchi soup, both served with a variety of veggie sides (banchans).

Have a traditional dessert at the Buford Highway outpost of bakery White Windmill. Grab a pair of tongs to pick through the dozens of savory and sweet breads, including traditional red bean buns and blueberry pound cake. Presentation is what sets this cozy cafe apart from other Buford Highway bakeries, with elaborate cakes in a case by the counter, bread shaped like fish overflowing with vanilla cream, and lattes decorated with roses.

For Korean comfort foods, stop by Yeh Tuh. From the palate-cleansing barley rice (boribap jeongsik), to hearty, spicy beef noodle soup (yukgaejang ), classics make up this menu. People also come for the massive pancake (pajun) stuffed with seafood—even a whole baby octopus.

VIETNAMESE

For more than 20 years Pho Bac has been ladling out steaming bowls of pho, a beef noodle soup, in an unassuming but large Chamblee dining room. All Vietnamese favorites are represented on this menu, such as freshly brewed coffee sweetened with condensed milk; a cold rice noodle salad bursting with tangy flavor called bun; and com, a comforting mix of rice, egg, and meat. Every menu item has multiple meat or add-on options and plenty of garnishes, like fresh basil and sriracha, to complete a meal.

THAI

At the Thai street vendor–inspired Roll It Up Ice Cream, employees pour cream on a metal plate chilled to -8 degrees, spread, then roll it into perfect circles. The Instagram-worthy cups and cones are some of the freshest ice cream you’ll ever find, plus the store offers 21 flavors with toppings like cinnamon toast crunch and fresh strawberries.

MEXICAN

Head to Plaza Fiesta for the best food court you never knew existed. Plaza Fiesta is the central point for Georgia’s Latino community and houses 350,000 feet of offerings. From retail to restaurants, you are sure to find delight at Plaza Fiesta in Chamblee.

EL SALVADOR

Staples like tacos and a soothing chicken noodle soup are on the menu at Rincon Latino, but this humble space is known for its pupusas. The homemade masa tortillas are loaded with savory fillings, including black beans, cheese, chicken, and pork.