Global Kitchens How Katy Asian Town Became a Popular Dining Destination

Words by Aries Payne

Along a stretch of Bellaire Boulevard, you’ll find Houston’s Asia Town, a sizable residential and commercial area home to restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores, retailers and more.

The community has been the city’s go-to spot for Asian and other international goods since the early 1980s when Houston’s main Asian American business district began migrating from its original location just east and south of downtown.

Currently, Asia Town takes up roughly six square miles (3,840 acres) of real estate. Although this is an impressive amount of ground, Westpark Tollway and U.S. Highway 59/Interstate 69 create boundaries that make it difficult for the community to grow beyond this. Commercial real estate is maxed out in the area, and as the Houston area’s suburbs continue to expand, it has become less accessible to residents outside city limits. However, Katy Asian Town, a recent 15.5+ acre development northeast of the intersection of Interstate 10 and Grand Parkway, has broken this barrier, offering many of the things Houstonians love about Asia Town but, for some, just a little bit closer to home.

This new commercial district started as a 100,000-square-foot shopping center in 2018, with international supermarket H-Mart at its core. It has since evolved, encompassing more dining, shopping and entertainment options. You’ll also find apartments and condos, college campuses and office space, attracting early-career young adults, in addition to the already growing Asian population.

New residents aren’t the only ones moving to this newly developed community. Numerous eateries have decided to either expand or launch their businesses in Katy Asian Town. Established chains such as 85ÅãC Bakery Cafe, Michelin-starred Tim Ho Wan, Beard Papa’s, Gong Cha, Happy Lemon and L&L Hawaiian Barbecue have set up shop, while new and original entities, including Soju 101, Patis & Toyo, Phat Eatery and 8 Ounce Korean Steak House have also opened up.

What are restaurateurs finding so attractive in this growing west Houston suburb?

Well, for one, Katy’s Asian population is booming, as is that of Fort Bend County, where much of Katy is located. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 data, Katy’s Asian population almost quadrupled over the span of 10 years, while Fort Bend’s grew almost84 percent.

And although Katy Asian Town was built amidst this significant demographic shift, the city itself has long been a desirable place to live, not only for its sense of community among diverse groups but also for its family-friendly amenities, numerous and affordable housing options, its strong economy and its good school system, whose Asian student population increased from 11.1% to 16.1% between 2010 and 2020.

Katy Asian Town offers access to both Katy Independent School District as well as satellite locations of the University of Houston-Victoria and Houston Community College. The Metro Grand Parkway Park & Ride and the Regus coworking facility are also there for commuters and those who work remotely.

As the Asian population in the greater Katy area has surged — and available commercial real estate has become rarer, even in nearby Sugar Land, which also has a large Asian population — Katy Asian Town has started filling a demand for space for Asian retail stores and restaurants. And, it’s not finished growing. Besides lots still available in the first phase, there are two other phases, a university center and a mixed development site, in the works, as well.

The recent growth in the area has also benefited the establishments that have already chosen to make Katy Asian Town their home. Alex Au-Yeung, chef and owner of Phat Eatery, was among the first to see the development’s potential and opened his Malaysian restaurant there.
“I thought this area was a good opportunity,” he says. “Katy has the charm of a small town with all the conveniences of a big city. I also learned that there are many people working in the oil and gas industry in the area who have lived in Malaysia and were missing the food.”

Phat Eatery continues to gain new customers regularly. “We love seeing new faces inside our restaurant,” says Au-Yeung. “Even after five years in business, we constantly see people coming from all parts of Texas.”

Due to the establishment’s success, Au-Yeung has since expanded the dining area into the suite next door and has recently announced his plans to open a second location in The Woodlands early this year.

Along with the aforementioned Phat Eatery, there are a host of other restaurants that have become popular weekend destinations for Katy’s diners, including Square Root Pok., Soju 101, Tan Tan Wok, Dim Sum Box and Haidilao.

Beyond meals, drinks and sweet treats, there’s also plenty to keep one entertained while at Katy Asian Town from a Cinemark 19 to Andretti Indoor Karting & Games to mini-golf at PopStroke or batting cages at Home Run Dugout. Shops abound as well offering everything from skincare and cosmetics to housewares and more.

In the five years since its inception, Katy Asian Town has quickly become a go-to destination to enjoy a variety of Asian cuisines. As the area grows, we can expect more restaurants, shops and activities, including Wushiland Boba, Portillo’s, Cat Haven Lounge, and claw machine arcade, Claw City, which are slated to open in 2024.“Katy Asian Town is a hub of many Asian cultures and backgrounds,” says Au-Yeung. “It’s a great experience with flavors from around the world. You can spend the whole day exploring, eating and shopping.”

Aries Payne is a long-time writer and editor based in Houston, TX. With an extensive writing, editing, and marketing background, she is dedicated to using her knowledge to help people and organizations grow and reach their full potential through the written word.