Exploring Hmong and Asian Flavors In and Around Wausau

There are few comfort-food dishes more satisfying than a steaming bowl of noodles, a fragrant curry with rice or savory stir-fry, just three examples of what you can find in the Central Wisconsin community of Wausau. For your next meal out, round up your food-loving gang and drop by one of these restaurants for a memorable meal. We guarantee these will suit everyone’s cravings, thanks to not only diverse menu options but also the chefs’ unwavering love and care.

Hmong Eggroll

First on the list is Hmong Eggroll. Owner Phoua Xiong’s fusion of Thai and Hmong cuisine means more than eggrolls, although you should definitely order the deep-fried, crispy rolls. Stuffed with shredded cabbage and carrots, plus vegetables or meat (pork, spicy pork or chicken), and dipped in sweet chili sauce, they’re ideal for sharing. Other menu items are pineapple fried rice, various pho bowls and Hmong stir fry, featuring roasted pork belly and broccoli. Bubble tea and Vietnamese coffee (the condensed milk makes it creamy) are delightfully sweet endings.

Jade Panda Filipino Fusion

As one of Wisconsin’s few Filipino restaurants, Jade Panda Filipino Fusion offers unique cuisine just south of Wausau. Opened by John Greene in summer 2024, as a tribute to his cultural identity, Jade Panda specializes in lumpia (fried spring rolls), noodles, fried rice and adobo (chicken stewed in soy sauce and vinegar). Nods to Wisconsin are also here, including a lumpia stuffed with cheese curds and Korean BBQ fries topped with even more cheese curds. You can easily give back to the community as the restaurant donates a portion of sales to charities, from the local school district to Pandas International.

Oishii Ramen

Husband-wife team Louis Gao and Summer Liu debuted their latest Japanese eatery Oishii Ramen, located in Wausau. This location, with a name that means “delicious” in Japanese, hones in on artisan ramen, such as crispy chicken ramen. Appetizers are the best way to experience the menu, especially if dining with others, so you can sample delicacies like pepper tuna tataki (thinly sliced seared tuna in ponzu sauce), harumaki (deep fried veggies) or takoyaki (deep-fried octopus dumplings).

Lemongrass

Tucked into downtown Wausau, Lemongrass is influenced by several countries in Asia and serves cocktails that also fold in these flavors, including lemongrass margarita or lychee martini. On the menu is chicken satay, a specialty in Malaysia and Thailand, as well as spring rolls or dumplings that are perfect for a group to share. There are opportunities to customize for your palate, like with the teriyaki, adding chicken, beef or salmon. Seafood options are equally unique, such as orange-peel salmon, miso sea bass and steamed turbot.

Yummy Deli Hmong Cuisine

The name of this casual eatery, Yummy Deli Hmong Cuisine, owned by Thao Her with a robust take-out following says it all: this is a place where you can enjoy delicious Hmong food. This includes iconic dishes from Southeast Asia like purple sticky rice, Hmong sausage, papaya salad, pho (try the Jay Pho Challenge) and stuffed chicken wings. Wash it all down with boba tea—once you choose from a whopping 18 selections, evoking the tropics with flavors like lychee, pineapple, passion fruit and coconut.

Whether you're craving Hmong and Asian flavors or something classic and comforting, Wausau has dining options to satisfy any palate.