Are there any diverse Asian restaurants closer to TV rather than Sushi or Chinese?
 

I'm from South Orange County near Irvine, CA which has a large Asian population. Vietnamese, Indian, Thai and Korean and others. Would Orlando or Ocala be the closest restaurants? I only saw a few Sushi places or Chinese in TV. I may need to travel to buy groceries in Ocala or Orlando when I'm in the Villages.

Orlando would be your most productive area for anything Asian from restaurants to grocery stores. We go once every 4-6 weeks....only an hour away, but since we hit up Costco and Trader Joes while in the area, nice day out.

We also have Ruby Thai and Pho shop here in TV directly for Asian dining very locally.

If you want to go to a food market, I reccomend Woo Sung Oriental Food Mart in Orlando. Take a cooler and be prepared to spend some time. It is big and the people are helpful.

Woo Sung Oriental Food Mart
5079 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, FL 32810

Tampa
 

I prefer Oceanic Asian Market in Tampa.

It's an easier ride (IMHO) than going to Orlando. I also make stops at BJ's, Trader Joes, and going a bit more south, Jo-Els and Mazzaros! It's a multi ethnic day!

Oceanic Market

Thanks for the info. I try it the next time I'm in the Tampa area. Jo-El's and Mazzaro's are already on my list for a St. Pete trip.

Closest good Asian market to TV is 1st Oriental Supermarket on Colonial Drive, Orlando. Take the the turnpike south to the 408 and east. Exit at Kirkland (exit 5) and turn right. Stay in right lane and turn right at Colonial. Chinatown is on the right about 3/4 mile. Also a number of restaurants in the same center.
From there you're about 15 minutes from COSTCO, BJ's, Dick's Sporting Goods, Super Target, etc. And Millenia Mall.

Is it now called Enson Market?

As mentioned above, there is Ruby Thai in Lake Sumter Landing, but the food can be bland unless you tell them that you want it spicy.

Pho Sai Gon near the corner of 301 and 466 is pretty good.

Good advice, especially Mazzaros!!

I am guessing the OP is from California. I think those from New York, Chicago and LA will be disappointed looking for food that they left behind. I suggest some nice Southern Fare.

Get yourself some wonderful Fried Chicken from Publix. When in Rome you know.

Gracie...still perfcting my halal chicken and rice recipe...once it done, delivering a big platter to you

Op post say coming from CA. OP one does not need to be disappointed moving to FL, when looking for Asian food, and thinking you need to sub in southern cuisine.

There are Asian markets and restaurants in Orlando and Oceanic in Tampa, which is my favorite, will not disappoint. We have Vietnamese restaurants (Pho) close to TV, which are good, enough that our Vietnamese grandchildren have returned more than once.

However Asian cuisine is regional, like most countries, and will vary from one family recipe to another.
Depending on who is cooking in our Vietnamese side, even kimchi recipes vary.

Mazzaro's is great, but quite a hike. Also, be prepared to hunt for a parking spot and hike even further on foot:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Here's a comprehensive list:
Go to The Villages Gourmet Club's Search Page, check the "Asian" box in Section 2, and click SEARCH at the bottom.
I came up with 80! The furthest was in Ormond Beach called Thai Erawan. Nice drive.

This is a great resource. I think their next meeting is next month. Open to only TV residents however.

Skip

There's a Thai restaurant in Lake Sumter Landing but I don't like it.

East Colonial Drive in Orlando is basically their China Town. Lots of good Asian food, but again, Thai is hard to find.

According to my Asian ex-wife, the Asian market at Lotte Plaza is the best of all of those in that area.

If anyone knows of good Thai food in the area, I'd love to know about it.

If you like Indian cuisine, there's a small restaurant in downtown Mount Dora called Shiva that is excellent, as is Amrit Palace on 200 just east of 75 in Ocala.

Not only is Ruby Thai food bland but the appetizers are always over cooked. I would not recommend that place to anyone.

If anyone knows of good Thai food in the area, I'd love to know about it.[/QUOTE]

We find Royal Orchid across from the mall in Ocala to be the best Thai somewhat near The Villages and eat there every couple of months.

We have eaten at Thai Thani near Seaworld in Orlando once and found it quite nice, but have not returned due to the drive.

We like Koyame

Sorry, yes. Changed hands in late 2020. Still the best in the area. Now if I could find a good Italian market closer than St. Pete.

OP
 

Thanks for all the responses. I was worried I was asking a stupid question about Asian markets and food. My family is originally from Hawaii, then southern Cal and now the Villages. So making recipes and eating good Asian food is a must. I must have had the worst ever Hawaiian Poke at the food truck at the Marsh pitch and putt. I will have to bring supplies from southern Cal. to help in the beginning like Tamarind paste, Tom Yum Mix, Korean dry chili, things that are harder to find but I'm sure they are in Orlando or Tampa areas or even Ocala.

Trader Joe’s, Costco, aldis
 

Yes these three are in every city here is California sometimes 2 Costco’s in one city so orlando trips for sure, then pho for lunch. We have the largest Vietnamese, Korean, Cambodian, Indian and Thai I think in the US here so tough to leave.

Bjs
 

Wow. Bjs started in my last city of Long Beach, ca. I wish I had bought stock 10 years ago. Is Tampa a little further than orlando? Trader Joe’s started near my high school with the same Hawaiian shirts and friendly service. Im glad some California businesses have expanded there. My realtor said the villages rejected Trader Joe’s because they demanded certain financial requests or discounts which is disappointing.

Fried chicken
 

Yes I’ve been disappointed so far with Korean, japanese, Chinese and Hawaiian. Unfortunately I have inherited high cholesterol so can’t eat comfort foods.

Asia One market in Leesburg is very small, but they might have some of the items you are looking for. Very nice people there.

Best Chinese I've ever had, even in China, is China Boat on Maui. Best Hawaiian/Asian fusion would be Star Noodle all on Maui. Broke da mouth Ahi poke. I do miss all that

Asian sunrise has Thai food on menu but I have not tried it. Their Chinese dishes are better than average for the area

I second this. Pho Saigon on the southeast corner of 466 and 301 (across from Aldi’s) is excellent!! It’s Vietnamese.

I am visiting The Villages for a couple of weeks. Yesterday I had dinner at Pho Sai Gon on 301 just south of 466 in Oxford (right across the street from Aldi's). I don't believe I have ever had Vietnamese food before. I had the seafood curry with noodles. It was somewhat spicy, but very good. I would go back. The address is 11717 US-301, Oxford, FL 34484.