The Hidden Asian Food Hall in Birmingham You Probably Walked Right Past

Sometimes, the best meals are the ones you never actually planned for.

During the May half-term, the kids and I had our Birmingham family day out strictly mapped out: Legoland, a bit of shopping, the mandatory sweep through Uniqlo, and a planned visit to an old favourite spot of mine in Chinatown. But as we wandered down Pershore Street, with heavy feet and tired legs, an unassuming doorway stopped the three of us in our tracks.

You couldn’t see much of the actual restaurant from the street. All that was visible was a vibrant grid of window decals promising everything from Phở to claypot rice, a lift, and a set of stairs. We had somewhere else to be, but the intrigue – coupled with exhaustion – pulled us upstairs to see what was hiding on the first and second floors.

What we found was Asia Asia Food Hall, a bustling, multi-storey ecosystem of incredible Asian street food stalls right near the Bullring.

After a bit of wide-eyed browsing, we sat down to eat, only to quickly realise we were clumsy beginners here. The food hall operates on a top-up card system: you visit a wooden-slatted counter, load a card with the money you want to spend, and then use it across the various vendors. (A quick tip: top up with cash if you want your remaining balance refunded before you leave, otherwise, keep the card for your next visit!).

Once we navigated the system, the food was a revelation. We ordered incredible udon noodles with beef that arrived in a sizzling pot (my son fancied trying something new), crackling and hissing against the hot stone. My daughter ordered a vegetable ramen – a portion so massive and comforting we had to take half of it home as a takeaway. I opted for a black bean pepper claypot rice with a very generous side of crispy chilli oil because I was feeling something hearty and wholesome. It did not disappoint - it was earthy, warm, and scorched perfectly against the bottom of the bowl and that crispy chilli oil was beautiful. I definitely went back for seconds.

Looking around, hearing the clatter of the stalls, and noticing that many of the chefs didn't speak much English, I knew I had stumbled into truly authentic Asian food in Birmingham. It felt like I had stepped out of the Midlands and straight back into Asia. I was instantly set on returning.

A week ago, we did exactly that.

We took the train into the city mid-afternoon, arriving hungry and ready to introduce my husband and my in-laws to the space. This time, we went all in, treating it like a sprawling Asian tapas experience to share across the table. The beauty of a food hall is that there are no compromises – whether you are an 11-year-old wanting familiar comfort or you are chasing complex, slow-braised traditional dishes, everyone gets exactly what they want.

We built an absolute feast spanning Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Chinese cuisine:

• Korean Fried Chicken: We ordered this with chips, and while it was a massive, glossy portion, my husband was hoping for the fiery kick of their "crazy spicy" option. We must have ordered the standard by mistake, as it leaned closer to a sweet chilli glaze. Delicious, but perhaps a safe choice in a hall full of bold flavours!

• Tempura Salmon Maki Rolls: These were brilliant. Deep-fried for a massive textural crunch, drizzled generously with a rich, creamy sriracha mayo, and paired with delicate pickled ginger. (Though, I admit, the purist in me still slightly prefers cold sushi with raw salmon).

• Vietnamese Beef Noodles: A beautiful textural contrast. A dark, rich, savoury sauce heavily cascading over a brittle "bird's nest" of crispy golden egg noodles, brightened up by fresh coriander and cuts of red chilli.
  

• Hong Shao Rou (Braised Pork Belly): My husband ordered these shimmering, dark soy-reduced pork belly chunks. The first bite was incredibly tender and melt-in-the-mouth, though it was a bit too sweet and rich for me to eat a whole bowl. He, however, happily demolished it.
  

• Pan-Fried Gyozas: My daughter's choice – golden dumplings with perfectly blistered bottoms, resting next to a dark pool of salty dipping sauce.
  

• Chicken & Shiitake Claypot: My mother-in-law ordered this, and it was absolutely divine. There is just something about claypot dishes that is so hearty and wholesome. It feels like getting a warm, reassuring hug from your mum or grandma.

We ended the meal upstairs at the Malaysian stall with a "Milo Dinosaur" – a towering iced chocolate drink absolutely heaped with a mountain of malted cocoa powder that you have to happily dig through with a spoon.

Having such a soft spot for Asia, and holding onto the memories of our trip to Malaysia last year, sitting around that table was pure joy. For the duration of a meal, we were able to completely escape the busy Birmingham streets and lose ourselves in the vibrant, chaotic, and comforting flavours of Asia.

Happy Bellies Verdict: Highly recommended!

I would happily go there again and again. Here's your quick guide to Asia Asia Food Hall Birmingham if this inspires you to check it out. Leave me a comment when you do!

• Where to find it: 10 Pershore Street, Birmingham City Centre, B5 4RU. (Just a short walk from the Bullring and the canals).
• The Vibe: Casual, bustling, and an incredibly family-friendly place to eat. Because there is no table service, it is loud enough that you never have to worry about the kids making too much noise.
• How it works: You need visit the Top-Up counter first (although you might want to browse the menus first to estimate your spend, or you can also YOLO and plan to order to your heart's content). Load a card with cash (to get your unspent change refunded before you leave) or card (to keep the balance on the card for your next visit). You then use this card to tap and pay at individual food stalls.
• The Standout: Don't leave without trying a traditional Claypot dish with the crispy chilli oil. It's incredible! Thank me later.

About me...I'm Lorna Rose and, by day, I work in the tech industry, but in my heart of hearts, I've always been fascinated by the story that food tells. The magic of a well-cooked meal, the way a simple dish can bring people together, spark conversation, and create lasting memories. On Happy Bellies, I set out to explore and find hidden gems, so that I can indulge in telling stories around food that will make you want to go out and create your own foodie adventures.

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