The Best Asian Cuisine in Louisville? Here’s Why It Might Be Newcomer Joy Luck

Since childhood, I've loved Asian food. In middle school, my girlfriends and I would wander around our local mall on Saturday afternoons and treat ourselves to a food court lunch. They enjoyed pizza and chicken nuggets, but I always chose a steaming rice dish from a quick-serve Asian restaurant. It was a locally owned and operated restaurant and was delicious. I became hooked on fantastic Asian food and have tried many excellent restaurants over the years, from small hole-in-the-wall places to large, sophisticated restaurants like TAO Uptown in New York City. Now, as an adult, I love trying new Asian restaurants. When I saw that Joy Luck in Louisville had terrific reviews, I had to try it.

I entered Joy Luck on Bardstown Road on a chilly November day. Its upscale casual atmosphere was cozy and welcoming. I was seated at a quiet table inside the restaurant, passing the large and impressive bar on the way there. I browsed the cocktail and food menus and was blown away by all the delicious options. The starters included crab rangoon, duck wings, salad with ginger dressing, and pork dumplings. The menu had specialty dishes like Szechuan Chicken and Honey Walnut Shrimp, as well as rice dishes that could be made with vegetables or the diner's preferred protein, like General Tso's, Thai Curry, and Kung Pao. I had difficulty deciding on one dish but ultimately chose the Orange Chicken with white rice and a salad with ginger dressing.

The salad came almost immediately, and the lettuce, vegetables, and dressing all tasted vibrant and fresh; the meal was off to a great start. Soon after, the Orange Chicken arrived. The dish included crunchy, coated chicken in a sweet sauce, broccoli, white rice, and an egg roll. I dove in and loved every bite. It was clear that the ingredients were high-quality and that the dish was just made. The sauce was slightly sweet, the broccoli was crunchy, and the rice was perfectly fluffy. I finished the entire plate and immediately knew I'd have to return to try Joy Luck's other dishes.

The restaurant has a massive cocktail bar, where it creates intriguing cocktails like an Oriental Fashioned with bourbon, ginger, orange, and five-spice flavors and Take It With a Grain of Rice featuring gin, dill sake, thyme, and cucumber flavors. Joy Luck also serves wine, sake, beer, whiskey, and bourbon flights. The delicious foods and unique drinks make Joy Luck an excellent spot for a girl's night out, date night, or happy hour drinks and snacks.

As we enter winter here in Kentucky, with dark evenings and chilly temperatures, I'm already planning another trip to Joy Luck for its warm, filling food and cozy atmosphere.

For more information, visit Joy Luck's website and Facebook page.

Kentucky has many fantastic Asian restaurants, such as J2C Asian Bistro in Lexington and Siam Orchid in Bellevue. KungFood Chu's AmerAsia serves spicy and unique dishes in Covington, Kentucky.

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