The Asian food options on Mission Gorge Road in Santee don't get as much attention as the Mexican restaurants or the big-name spots like Phil's BBQ. But the variety is legitimate, and some of these places are carrying 4.8-star ratings with hundreds of reviews.
Pho: Three Strong Options
Pho Ca Dao at 9535 Mission Gorge Road is the pho anchor. Nearly 1,000 reviews and a 4.2 rating. The broth is the reason people drive from other parts of East County. It's the kind of restaurant where the menu has 80 items and you order the same thing every time. "Pho Ca Dao Santee" gets 880 monthly Google searches.
Pho Mai Cali at 9888 Magnolia Avenue runs a 4.8 rating with 487 reviews. That's the highest-rated pho in Santee. The restaurant is off the main Mission Gorge corridor, which keeps it quieter and means you can actually get a table on a Saturday. Pho Van 2 at 8790 Cuyamaca Street has 445 reviews and a 4.7 rating.
Streets Pho & Grill at 235 Town Center Parkway has 169 reviews and a 4.8 rating. It's the newest addition to the Santee pho scene and sits in the Town Center shopping area. Sizzling Saigon at 9159 Mission Gorge Road has 97 reviews and a 4.9 rating.
Sushi: Four Solid Picks
Takka Sushi Bar & Grill at 9535 Mission Gorge Road has 504 reviews and a 4.5 rating. The rolls are generous and the lunch specials make it a workday favorite. Tabu Sushi Bar & Grill at 9343 Mission Gorge Road has 454 reviews and gets about 590 monthly Google searches by name.
Domo Sushi Bar & Grill at 9625 Mission Gorge Road has 617 reviews and a 4.4 rating. Okawa Steak House & Sushi at 9720 Mission Gorge Road adds teppanyaki to the sushi bar, with 832 reviews and a 4.3 rating. Oishii Sushi Bar at 10251 Mast Boulevard is smaller but carries a 5.0 rating.
Thai Food
Thai Thai at 10251 Mast Boulevard is the Thai restaurant Santee rallies around. Over 510 reviews, a 4.6 rating, and 480 monthly Google searches. The pad thai and curries are the most ordered items. Leela Thai Restaurant at 9725 Mission Gorge Road has 327 reviews and a 4.4 rating. Gen Thai Street Food at 9490 Cuyamaca Street has 99 reviews and a 4.8 rating for a street-food-style approach.
Chinese Food
Lucky Chinese Food at 9740 Mission Gorge Road is the one. Over 860 reviews, a 4.4 rating, and 1,300 monthly Google searches for "Lucky Chinese Santee." It's the kind of Chinese-American takeout joint that neighborhoods depend on. The wor wonton soup and fried rice are the repeat orders.
Chai Waii Chinese Food at 9225 Carlton Hills Boulevard has 107 reviews. Panda Country Restaurant at 9621 Mission Gorge Road has 354 reviews and generates about 260 monthly Google searches.
Other Asian Options
Tsunami Modern Cuisine at 205 Town Center Parkway does Asian fusion and sushi with 147 reviews and a 4.6 rating. L&L Hawaiian Barbecue at 9621 Mission Gorge Road handles the Hawaiian plate lunch crowd with 402 reviews.
For the full Santee dining directory, explore the community page.
