This Arizona Asian Plaza Added 32,000 Square Feet Of Restaurants, Shops, And Global Finds

I’ll admit it, I have a serious problem when it comes to wandering down brightly lit aisles in search of weird snacks. So, when I heard a certain local Asian plaza recently slapped an extra 32,000 square feet onto its footprint, I practically sprinted to the parking lot.

If you think this place was already an absolute playground of sensory overload, get ready.

They just jammed even more sizzling woks, rare global goodies, and jaw-dropping shops into the mix. I spent an entire afternoon getting wonderfully lost in the newly expanded maze of flavors, and my wallet is currently filing a formal complaint. But honestly?

Totally worth it. Come grab a bubble tea and let me show you the glorious new corners of this desert oasis that just got a massive glow-up. Read on to find out what makes this place one of the most exciting food and retail destinations in the entire Arizona.

Mesa’s Asian District Keeps Growing Under One Roof

Mekong Plaza has become one of those places where I lose track of time almost immediately. What started in 2008 inside a former Target has grown into a major part of Mesa’s Asian District along Dobson Road, and the latest expansion added another 32,000 square feet of space in 2025.

That extra room brought more shops, dining options, and family-friendly stops into an already lively complex. I can arrive planning to pick up one grocery item and somehow end up browsing unfamiliar snacks, comparing sauces, and debating which meal deserves my attention first.

The plaza still centers around Mekong Supermarket, where fresh produce, seafood, meats, and pantry staples fill aisle after aisle.

Beyond the market, the surrounding businesses offer plenty of reasons to keep exploring, especially when the smells from nearby kitchens start interfering with your original plans.

This is not a quick in-and-out stop for me. Mekong Plaza turns an ordinary errand into an afternoon of shopping, eating, and finding something I did not know I needed.

Haidilao Hot Pot: A Chinese Classic

Few dining experiences create as much buzz as a table full of bubbling broth, fresh ingredients, and a crew of friends ready to cook together.

Haidilao Hot Pot, one of the most celebrated traditional Chinese hot pot brands in the world, chose Mekong Plaza as the site of its very first Arizona location, and that is a pretty big deal for food lovers across the state.

The concept is simple but deeply satisfying. You pick your broth, choose your ingredients, and cook everything right at your table.

Haidilao is famous not just for the food but also for its over-the-top hospitality, which includes noodle-pulling performances and attentive tableside service that makes every visit feel like a celebration.

If you have never tried hot pot before, this is one of the best possible places to start. The communal style of eating makes it perfect for groups, families, or anyone who enjoys a relaxed, interactive meal. Reservations are strongly recommended since demand has been high since opening day.

Udon Shin: Tokyo Comfort Food

There is something almost magical about a perfectly made bowl of udon. The thick, chewy noodles, the delicate broth, the carefully chosen toppings all come together in a way that feels both simple and deeply comforting.

Udon Shin, a Tokyo-based udon restaurant with a devoted following in Japan, picked Mekong Plaza for its U.S. debut, making Mesa an unexpected but thrilling destination for noodle enthusiasts.

The restaurant brings authentic Japanese techniques to every bowl, using recipes and methods that have been refined over years of service in Tokyo. Regulars in Japan often describe the broth as clean, nuanced, and deeply satisfying, with noodles that have just the right amount of chew.

That same quality has now arrived in Arizona.

For anyone who has traveled to Japan and missed the food terribly upon returning home, Udon Shin is a welcome surprise. First-timers should try the signature bowl to understand what all the excitement is about before exploring the rest of the menu.

Mama Lu’s Dumpling House

Mama Lu’s Dumpling House started as a beloved Los Angeles institution, earning loyal fans with its Chinese family-style cooking that carries a distinct Taiwanese twist.

Now it has made its way to Mesa, bringing handmade dumplings and hearty, home-style dishes to Mekong Plaza’s growing lineup of standout restaurants. The menu reads like a love letter to home cooking.

Think plump, generously filled dumplings, braised dishes that simmer low and slow, and flavors that feel like someone’s grandmother spent all afternoon in the kitchen preparing them just for you.

The portions are generous, the prices are reasonable, and the atmosphere is the kind of casual and welcoming that makes you want to linger.

What sets Mama Lu’s apart from other dumpling spots is that combination of Chinese technique with Taiwanese flavor influences, creating dishes that feel familiar yet surprising at the same time.

Groups should order several dishes to share, since trying multiple plates is absolutely the best way to experience everything this kitchen does well.

Meet Fresh And Snowy Village

Dessert at Mekong Plaza just got a serious upgrade. Meet Fresh, a Taiwanese dessert shop with a passionate following, opened its second Arizona location here, serving up warm and cold treats built around taro balls, grass jelly, and sweet broths that have been staples of Taiwanese street food culture for generations.

Right alongside it, Snowy Village Dessert Cafe launched its first-ever Arizona outpost, bringing the Korean tradition of bingsoo to the Valley. Bingsoo is a shaved ice dessert that bears almost no resemblance to the syrupy snow cones you might remember from childhood.

The ice is finely shaved to a soft, milky texture and then piled high with toppings like sweetened red bean, mochi, and condensed milk.

Having both dessert destinations in the same plaza makes for a genuinely fun tasting adventure. Try the taro ball soup at Meet Fresh for something warm and comforting, then swing over to Snowy Village for a cool, creamy finish. Your sweet tooth will not regret the double order.

Miniso And Claw Zone

Not every great plaza experience has to revolve around food. Miniso, the popular Japanese-inspired lifestyle retailer known for its playful and affordable products, has set up shop at Mekong Plaza, giving visitors a fun place to browse everything from quirky home goods to adorable plush toys and accessories.

The brand has built a massive international following by making everyday items feel fresh and fun. Just as entertaining is Claw Zone, an arcade-style attraction centered on claw machines filled with prizes.

It sounds simple, but the experience is genuinely addictive. Kids love it, adults love it even more than they want to admit, and it provides a lighthearted break between meals or shopping sessions.

Together, these two additions prove that Mekong Plaza is thinking about the full visitor experience, not just the dining. Families with children will especially appreciate having a built-in entertainment stop on the agenda.

Plan to spend a little extra time in this corner of the plaza because it is easy to lose track of time between browsing and playing.

Hong Kong Cafe

Hong Kong-style cafes, known locally as cha chaan tengs, are famous for serving an eclectic mix of East and West influences on a single menu.

Hong Kong Cafe, originally from Los Angeles, brings that same spirit to Mekong Plaza, offering a menu that stretches from thick-cut steaks to delicate dim sum with equal confidence and skill.

The concept might sound unusual if you have never experienced it before, but Hong Kong-style dining has always been about creativity and variety.

Expect dishes like French toast stuffed with peanut butter, baked pork chop rice, silky Hong Kong-style milk tea, and a rotating selection of dim sum favorites that pair perfectly with the casual, buzzy atmosphere.

This restaurant is a strong choice for anyone who wants a meal that offers something for every taste at the table.

The portions tend to be satisfying without being overwhelming, and the menu is approachable enough for newcomers while still offering plenty for seasoned fans of the cuisine to get excited about on every single visit.

The Mekong Supermarket

At the heart of Mekong Plaza sits its original anchor, the Mekong Supermarket, a sprawling Asian grocery store that stocks everything from fresh seafood and imported produce to specialty sauces, teas, and pantry staples sourced from across Asia.

It is the kind of store where you walk in for one ingredient and come out an hour later with a cart full of discoveries. Beyond the supermarket, the plaza hosts a rich variety of established restaurants and shops that have been drawing loyal crowds for years.

Mekong Palace serves classic dim sum, Happy Bao’s specializes in dumplings, Sizzling House covers Japanese cuisine, and several Vietnamese eateries like Hue Gourmet and Broken Rice round out a dining scene that genuinely represents the breadth of Asian culinary traditions.

With the Phase 2 Expansion now complete, the plaza stretches across more than 132,000 square feet and anchors Mesa’s Asian District in a way that few commercial spaces manage anywhere in the country.

Accessible via Valley Metro light rail and just 15 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, this is a destination that truly rewards the trip.