DINING OUT by Nanette Wiser
We love Japanese sushi and Chinese chow mein, but it’s time to expand your palate to dishes from Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos and more. Fusion Asian cuisine, where Mex spice and style (burrito/taco) meet Asian flavors really wow our tastebuds. Southeast Asian dishes from India, redolent with curry spice and naan bread, are a lifelong passion of mine.
A twist on Asian flavors accenting fresh fish is poke, so popular in Hawaii and a lovely twist on sashimi in a bowl. Popping up all over Pinellas County, poke appears on restaurant menus (Seaweed, Bonefish, Billy’s Seafood, B.J.’s Brewery) and at small eateries. Poke Havana in Clearwater is my favorite go-to spot but check out Pete Sushi & Poke (Madeira Beach), Aloha Ansley (West Bay, Largo), Poke Rose (Seminole) and Poke Falls (Gulfport).
Sushi dazzles in Paradise, with our faves below, as well as Eastern Kitchen and Sushi, Sushi Rocks, Bento Asian Kitchen & Sushi and Hooks. Explore these fabulous Asian culinary adventures for dine in or take out.
Basil Leaf Thai Sushi and Noodles, Nori Thai: The beaches’ finest sushi and Thai dishes, delighting locals and visitors with specialty rolls (Mikey’s), sashimi, curry and the 3 in 1 soup concoction so dear to our publishers! St. Pete Beach
Blue Fugu (Japanese): Classic Japanese Steakhouse in Dolphin Village serves up sake, dramatic teppanyaki cooked right before your eyes, sushi, tempura and teriyaki dinners (seafood, chicken), an amazing Hibachi New York Strip and my favorites, the hot and spicy marinated beef chef special or bento box. St. Pete Beach
Gateway To India: Tandoori Chicken, lamb korma, chicken tiki masala, fresh naan, fragrant rices, chutneys, raita and salad and vegetarian dishes, especially the curry, ordered light or spicy are both healthy and delicious. Bay Pines, Pinellas Park
Ha Long Bay Chinese & Vietnamese Cuisine – Delicious dim sum here, but for right now, take out only. St. Petersburg
Hawker’s Asian Street Fare (Asian Fusion): Jazz at The Independent Sunday and browsing the Malaysian, Thai, Japanese dishes are my favorite excursion. Clever cocktails, craft beers, eclectic dipping sauces (peanut, chili) and shareable dishes. Start with the Seoul Hot Chicken Bao, Chicken Egg Rolls, Sichuan Shrimp & Chicken Won Tons, Chili Garlic Edamame, Spring Onion Ginger Wings, Crispy Pork Belly with Hoisin Sauce, and then decide what’s for dinner. A Viet Bun Salad with lemongrass pork, fresh basil, rice noodles and Vietnamese vinaigrette, Yaki Udon with sliced chicken, eggs and veggies in a savory sauce or Singapore Mei Fun with rice noodles dusted with yellow curry and wok-fired with chicken, shrimp, eggs and veggies. The menu is endless. DTSP
JinJui Korean Grill and Sushi: Plan to share the pork kimchee dumplings, a noodle pancake or stone pot dish, grilled marinated short ribs and the Sexy Mama specialty roll washed down with a lavender milk tea, sake, beer or wine. St. Petersburg We also recommend Nine Spices Hot Pot for Korean fare.
La V (Vietnamese Fusion): Succulent dishes include sesame chicken potstickers, sizzling crepe, fresh egg or spring rolls, roast pork banh mi, sauteed shrimp vermicelli rolls and their Iron Pot filled with shrimp, chicken, eggplant and more, all served with jasmine rice. DTSP For more elegant Asian fusion like this, visit Asie Pan Asian on Central Ave.
Lanna Thai: Beautifully decorated, with good sushi and outstanding traditional Thai dishes including chicken pad thai, panang, curry and numerous vegan options. St. Petersburg
We also recommend Thai Basil and Thai Coconut for authentic Thai dishes.
Osaka Sushi & Thai Restaurant: Open only for dinner with yummy sushi, sashimi, Thai dishes and veggie options. Try the Beasty roll made with spicy snow crab, avocado, beet topped with tempura escolar, spicy eel sauce, scallion, and fish egg. Seminole/Park Ave.
Pacific Counter (Japanese): You can build a bowl or roll up your creation, mixing rice/noodles/greens, protein (salmon, tuna, shrimp, chicken, tofu, calamari), sauce (ponzu, poke, spicy or house) and five toppings including avocado, seaweed salad, edamame, daikon salad, kimchi, sprouts, wonton crisps, cilantro, chia greens and so much more. The specialty rolls are outstanding, especial the Rainbow, Green Panther, Trippy, Golden Hour and Ring of Fire. Add a sake slush or Mother Kombucha and eat healthy then finish up with a Dole Whip. DTSP
Pho Kien Giang (Vietnamese): The best pho, broken rice, Bun Bo Xao Xa (vermicelli with stir-fried beef in lemon grass and authentic aromatic Vietnamese dishes) perfect for take-out. Pinellas Park
Pin, Wok & Bowl (Thai, Japanese, Sushi): With a second spot on Central “Pin On Café Asian” coming, this Asian fusion bistro serves extraordinary sashimi, specialty sushi rolls (Mango Tango, OMG Lobster), pho, poke and offers a well-curated wine list. We adore the ahi wonton nachos, Tom Kha soup, softshell crab salad bowl, Volcano king prawns with lava sauce, asparagus panang curry and sushi burrito. DTSP
Sab Café (Thai/Vietnamese): Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles, Green Curry, Crispy Duck, Tempura Soft-Shell Crab, Whole Red Snapper with veggies accompanied by pineapple fried rice and a starter of Crab Rangoon will make your day. You won’t find the Oxtail Pho with flank steak, fresh herbs and vegetables with rice or egg noodles this good anywhere. DTSP
Savanh of Laos: Fantastic crispy duck, papaya salad, steamed fish in banana leaves, bamboo shoot soup and Laotian style veggies and udon noodles, fragrant and savory. Seminole
The Lure (Japanese): Asian inspired tapas, tacos and flatbreads, with gluten-free and vegan options you’ll savor, from the Surf & Turf specialty roll (Kani salad, cucumber, asparagus topped with seared tenderloin with herb aioli and demi-truffle eels sauce) to the Lava Drops rolled nori and rice balls stuffed with kani salad and cream cheese, tempura style, then topped with eel sauce and spicy mayo. Maui Waui albacore poke balls and Seoul Food marinated bulgogi beef salad round out the eclectic fare. DTSP
Zom Hee (Chinese): From the Pu Pu Platter to the traditional Chinese dishes you love like Egg Fu Young, General Tso Chicken, Lo Mein, Chow Mein, Beef with Oyster Sauce, Moo Shu Pork, Moo Goo Gai Pan, Sweet & Sour Chicken, a full cocktail bar (queue the pastel umbrellas and exotic drinks like the Confucius Itch), this is the best Chinese in Pinellas serving Szechuan, Hunan, and Cantonese styles. Lots of vegan options (tofu with black bean) and a delicious duck with black mushroom. Seminole/Park Ave.
