Tag Archives: asian fusion

Ssahm BBQ: Asian fusion on wheels

Food trucks are starting to populate the streets of Dallas, and one of the first on the scene is Asian fusion truck Ssahm BBQ. Ssahm puts Korean favorites in Mexican clothing with Korean inspired tacos, burritos and quesadillas. Pick your Korean marinated meat (or tofu), pick your style (taco, burrito, or quesadilla), and they add caramelized Kimchee and fixin’s. Also available are the ever popular Kimchee fries topped with cheese. The Ssahm truck may seem elusive at first, moving locations every day for lunch and dinner, however, they have a schedule posted on their website or you can follow them on Facebook for more specifics. Come get SSahm!

ChoLon Modern Asian Bistro: East-West Extravagance

This sleek downtowner is a treasure trove—and its crown jewel is chef-partner Lon Symensma, whose world travels are reflected in his contemporary East-West cookery. The menu is designed for grazing and sharing such artistically presented creations as green papaya salad with tamarind sorbet, egg noodles with squid and scallops, and elegant sandwiches like the pulled beef with raclette and spicy radish. But once you take a bite of the luscious kaya toast with coconut jam and an “egg cloud,” you’ll be hard pressed to let anyone else near it. As for the service, it’s as polished as everything else.

Puck Packs Modern Asian Punch at The Source

Leave a reply

Add a little Asian influence to your evening with a trip to celebrity chef, Wolfgang Puck’s exclusive Asian eatery, The Source, situated right along politically-infused Pennsylvania Avenue. As the Newseum’s signature restaurant, The Source combines the museum’s sleek, modern design with flawless fusion cuisine to create a dining experience worthy of a top spot on The Washingtonian’s “Top 100 Restaurants” list.

With three contemporary levels donning floor to ceiling windows, diners overlook America’s most famous address while ogling a selection of over 300 wine labels and two distinct mouth-watering menus. Opt for a relaxed meal out and grab a seat at The Source’s ground level lounge, complete with a Izakaya-inspired menu full of sushi, sashimi, noodle and traditional Japanese “Robata” grilled options. Try the Bacon Wrapped Sea Scallops with seaweed butter and braised bamboo or the signature Kobe Sliders with cheddar and smoked onion marmalade.

For a true Wolfgang Puck dining experience, head to the upstairs dining room – connected to the lounge by an impressive (think 2,000 bottles) two-story, temperature-controlled glass wine wall. Try the Pork Belly Dumplings with Chinese black vinegar dipping sauce or the Szechuan Filet “Au Poivre” with wild mushrooms and finished with a caramelized shallot sauce. One trip to The Source, and you’ll be vying for a little more Asian minimalism.

The Latest Momofuku is Ma Peche in Midtown

Ma Peche, David Chang’s newest Asian fusion restaurant and the first to venture outside of the East Village, is now open for business. The restaurant is in Midtown’s Chambers Hotel, but don’t let the new neighborhood or the high ceilings in the hotel lobby fool you. Ma Peche stays true to the Momofuku brand of exclusivity that is brought about by dim lighting, community seating and chefs working within an arms reach. Oh, and they don’t take reservations.

The menu at Ma Peche changes daily depending on what local farmers have on the chopping block. That’s code for: this restaurant serves a lot of meat, and has no vegetarian options. Mainstay entrees include spicy pork two ways, ribs with carrots and spaetzle, and mussels with crab paste and beer.

After the meal is over and the reasonable tab is settled, stop by the Milk Bar at the front of the house. Offerings include Cereal Milk soft serve and Crack Pie. They call it that because, well, it’s really addictive.

House: Not Your Average Hole in the Wall

Fail to pay attention and you’ll walk right by, but for those who know House it stands out like the TransAmerica building amidst the cliché dim sum depots that define Chinatown. For over a decade, House has finely presented the best in East-meets-West cuisine for its loyal patrons.

Always dramatic, Chef Larry Tse’s perfectly balanced towers of food are known to awe. Set against a sleek neutral atmosphere with slate tiles and simply framed art, his presentations really stand out. Don’t expect dumplings in a bamboo steamer, they’ll come out arranged around a delicate sauce on a paper-thin layer of beets, and it’s as pleasing to look at as it is to eat.

Of course, every restaurant has its signature. For House, the miso-glazed black sea bass ($24) has a long-standing following; it’s a caramelized slab of perfect white fish draped with a long-biased cut of California roll. House also performs every operation with military efficiency and precision so you can get in, get out, and enjoy your evening on the town.

Chic France Meets Exotic Vietnam Nights at Le Colonial

Bones Gets to the Marrow

The name Bones is appropriate for such a spare, sleek space. It fits the streamlined menu, too. But the flavors of the Asian-inspired small plates and noodle bowls flowing from the tiny open kitchen? They’re anything but bare bones.

Known primarily for his simultaneously soulful and sly approach to contemporary Italian cookery at Luca d’Italia and Osteria Marco, chef-owner Frank Bonanno (who also owns the much-celebrated Mizuna) takes a no less playfully forward tack here—pulling short ribs for eggolls, ultra-refining ramen with poached lobster, and roasting the best, yes, bone marrow in town.