Asia Chinese Restaurant, Dover, NH (restaurant)

Name:Asia Chinese Restaurant
Type:restaurant
Street:42 3rd Street
City:Dover
State:NH
Zip:03820
country:USA
Phone:
Status:operational

Description:
Standard Chinese/Polynesian Food Restaurant but with more Bamboo than most in New England. Lamps too!

My wife and I really enjoyed this trip to Dover, NH.

The bamboo surrounded booths were very private, each with it's own great lamp.

Did not try the drinks unfortunately.

You wouldn't be able to guess that there was as much cool bamboo as there is from the appearance outside.

Also, the first thing you see when walking in is a nice fish tank, and then the bar directly in front of you and the pool tables in their own room to the left. I took no pictures of theses things since they were standard New Hampshire Chinese Restaurant fare (including cigarette smoke)

We were guided to our booth through what appeared to be a sushi bar room, and then into the main dining room where we saw all the lamps and bamboo booths.

We were seated in the room that usually has the buffet which was not going on when we were there.

The other room was a bit nicer, since it was free of the buffet set up. It had a nice framed picture on the wall.

We actually loved the food, and the presentation was better than most places in our neck of the woods.

Our waiter forget to light the flame until after I took these pics, so I took another one later (once the food was eaten) and photoshop'd it!

Here's our lamp.

No actual Tikis unfortunately, but we really enjoyed our trip and you really don't see that much bamboo in New Hampshire!

Thanks for the tip Humuhumu!!!

[ Edited by: The Granite Tiki 2007-02-04 19:13 ]

A brief aside regarding our trip to Dover.

We were driving up route 16 on our way to Asia, and quickly pulled off when we thought we found the restaurant miles before we should have (in Newington, NH). Never fully trusting Mapquest we felt we had to investigate. This sign fooled us. (if you look closely, it says "New Asia")

But we figured the outside warranted a return trip.

We did indeed drop in on New Asia on our way home, even though we were pretty full already, I ordered some chicken and some fried ice cream desert.

Honestly, what little food we tried is not worth mentioning, and although they had the same lamps as our actual destination for the day, it was a boring dining room.

I only mention this because it was part of our excursion to Asia. I wouldn't suggest going to New Asia.

[ Edited by: The Granite Tiki 2007-02-04 19:45 ]

[ Edited by: The Granite Tiki 2007-02-04 19:47 ]

Nice snoopin' Granite! thanks for the post

thanks for exploring possible tiki & writitng restaurant reviews for the sites in new england ~ we'll be traveling through the area with my folks this fall.

eastern chinese food is like the cantonese food we had in the west,'60-70's. it brings back fun memories (ok, fun because as a Chinese American, we mostly had to eat at traditional restaurants) ~ but if we ever had a chance to eat without the old folks, we'd order crab rangoons,meat on sticks, food on fire,and anything sweet and sour!

HA, so my parents will be at my mercy for chinese-polynesian food this October. i think we'll stick with Kowloon ~ mmm Ambrosia!

Thanks for taking up the scouting mission Granite. Asia doesn't look all that bad. If I'm ever in the neighborhood I'll certainly pop in there to check it out.

When we head up 16 every year to go camping I've always noticed the New Asia restaurant but it never looked open. After your review I see why.

I should mention that down town Dover seemed like a very cool spot.

Lots of cool looking pubs and a very cool looking old style movie theater right next to Asia.

I saw at least two classic music stores driving through town as well.(for any musicians out there)

So if Dover, NH is a bit of a ride, you can definitely make a day of it.

On 2007-02-04 19:38, The Granite Tiki wrote:
A brief aside regarding our trip to Dover.

We were driving up route 16 on our way to Asia, and quickly pulled off when we thought we found the restaurant miles before we should have (in Newington, NH). Never fully trusting Mapquest we felt we had to investigate. This sign fooled us. (if you look closely, it says "New Asia")

But we figured the outside warranted a return trip.

We did indeed drop in on New Asia on our way home, even though we were pretty full already, I ordered some chicken and some fried ice cream desert.

Honestly, what little food we tried is not worth mentioning, and although they had the same lamps as our actual destination for the day, it was a boring dining room.

I only mention this because it was part of our excursion to Asia. I wouldn't suggest going to New Asia.

[ Edited by: The Granite Tiki 2007-02-04 19:45 ]

[ Edited by: The Granite Tiki 2007-02-04 19:47 ]

It's too bad you didnt give the New Asia a chance..I mean...you had just come from eating a full meal 25 minutes prior (or so) and you stopped into another chinese restaurant and ordered MORE food. Maybe your taste buds were overloaded. I will tell you that the owners, Tim and Raymond, Strive for authentic Polynesian food, and pay careful attention in making sure that all the food has its own unique authentic flavor. You should see what there lunch and dinner buffet consists of. Prime rib (yes..prime rib on a buffet), snow crab legs, sushi, shrimp poppers and even some of the best steak tips you will ever have. So tender and juicy that you can cut them with a fork. Please give them another try sometime and tell them Shadow Walker sent you!!!

[ Edited by: djshadowwalker 2007-03-02 07:05 ]

That's great to hear djshadowwalker. You're absolutely right. I certainly did not eat enough to really critique the overall menu.

My main point was there was no real "Tiki" going on there besides the lamps.

The buffet looked large and inviting!

Do you gig there?

[ Edited by: The Granite Tiki 2007-03-02 11:47 ]

Good to see so many fellow Tiki fans from way up in NH.
I grew up near Dover, NH so I've been a frequent visitor of both Asia & New Asia.
I've always loved the bamboo booths at Asia in Dover, maybe thats why I'm such a tiki fan now, the bamboo stuck in my mind subliminally, haha.
Can't go wrong with the buffet there either, if you ever get the chance, go for it.
Good drinks, I've stopped by the bar a few times before catching a movie next door. They used to show slightly older, really cheap movies (like an all day matinee pretty much).
I prefer the Dover one to Newington, the food is good at both, but the atmosphere is much better in Dover. They should however incorporate some kareoke. What's good is a scorpion bowl if you cant bust out some rusty ole kareoke tunes?

As of 5/30/12 New Asia is now closed. Boo! It will be the future home of some local pasta joint. Double Boo!

[ Edited by: K9RADIOTIKI 2012-06-01 08:57 ]

Indeed, the New Asia is no longer in business and the building is being taken over by Momma D's Italian restaurant. I have worked near the New Asia for 10 years or so and had several lunches there. Good food, fun atmosphere on weekends, fun drinks.

Local newspaper articles state the owners wanted to prepare for their retirement. Based on a couple recent visits, there was a noticeable declining number of customers over the past year. The local Taipei & Tokyo restaurant also shut the doors maybe 1-2 years ago, and rumor has it the new buffet restaurant (across from Fox Run Mall) absorbed the customers. Don't know. Based on my visit inside the restaurant yesterday, there were many sections of the New Asia structure which looked like they were not updated since it was built in 1985: internal and external. Lots of costly updates and upgrades to be taken into consideration.

Regardless, sad to see any family owned business go under.

Well, about 8 months ago Momma D's Italian restaurant closed. The vintage 1985 building is now up for lease. So if anyone is interested in a former Chinese / Polynesian restaurant which was then subsequently converted to an Italian restaurant, there you go.

Two years ago, thankfully I was able to obtain quantity twelve of the Tiki Face bamboo lights You can see them in the picture above, with the aquarium & couple colored lights.

Does anyone know why some of these restaurants have no windows? This is a large building: couple dining rooms, full bar, function hall, big kitchen. 0 windows except for the front doors.

On 2014-07-03 08:58, MooShi Tiki wrote:
Does anyone know why some of these restaurants have no windows?

I've no inside info about this particular place, but the idea of themed restaurants in general is have you forget about the outside world of the here and now. They're like Las Vegas Casinos in that respect. :P Nothing would destroy the illusion faster than seeing a New Hampshire parking lot outside the windows.

Thanks, Kenbo-Jitsu. New Hampshire, snow, fully understood. Now that you kindly explained it this way, it is quite clear. Almost a bit embarrassingly common-sense on my part :)

[ Edited by: MooShi Tiki 2014-07-04 05:12 ]

Regarding the defunct New Asia Restaurant in Newington NH. Mama D's Italian Restaurant closed in October 2013. The building sat vacant for almost a year. Late in 2014 Shogun Japanese & Asian Fusion Restaurant has started setting up shop there. The building exterior has been repainted and seems like many renovations taking place. Based on my June 2012 facility tour it certainly needed it. I do not think Shogun is open to the public yet.

Regarding the Asia Chinese & Japanese Restaurant in Dover NH. They are still open, I believe 44 years old now. In November 2014 they were shut down by the Town of Dover for health code violations. Newspaper articles report cockroach infestation, greasy kitchen floor and ventilation hoods which had not been cleaned in a year. The restaurant re-opened early December 2014 and remains open.