Asian fusion has found a home in St. Louis. Restaurants in the metro area put their spin on traditional dishes, forging new flavor combinations and reinventing the classics. The good news for diners is, most of these dishes can be enjoyed on a dime. Whether it’s a new take on crab rangoons or Mexican tacos with Asian slaw, you can find fresh, creative food at a reasonable price. Here are our picks Asian fusion fare on a budget.
1. Rangoon with salted cod at Good Fortune
Botanical Heights newcomer Good Fortune is already making waves with its Chinese-American food, and the rangoon is a crowd favorite. I usually despise rangoon, but I enjoy this dish, a play on the classic that has fried rice wrappers filled with cream and salted cod. The rangoons (pictured above) come with a side of fermented sweet-and-sour sauce that’s perfect for dipping. Two rangoons come to $6 before tax and tip, but you’ll probably want to splurge and get more.
2. Lemongrass turkey wrap at Lona’s Lil Eats
It’s hard to miss the wraps at Lona’s Lil Eats. Essentially giant spring rolls, the wraps come in Chinese and Thai-inspired flavors and often ring in at less than $10. My favorite is the lemongrass turkey wrap, which has smoked turkey, jasmine rice, and zesty lemongrass pesto rolled in rice paper. The wrap comes to $10.25 before tax and tip, making it a bit of a splurge.
3. MOFU tofu steamed bun at Kounter Kulture
Kounter Kulture’s takeaway dinner fare can be a bit on the pricey side, but its smaller dishes won’t break the bank. Some of its most reasonably priced and delicious dishes are the steamed buns, which come in a variety of flavors. A new favorite of mine is the MOFU tofu served with sesame cabbage, pickles, kewpie mayonnaise, and bulldog sauce. It rings in at $6 before tax or tip.
4. Tacos at Kalbi Taco Shack
Kalbi Taco Shack is the place to go for Korean-Mexican food. Stop by for inventive takes on classic Mexican dishes, including the tacos. Two of my favorites are the teriyaki chicken taco and the pan-seared cod taco, which are served on your choice of a corn or flour tortilla and are topped with house-made Asian slaw and spicy Kalbi aioli sauce. The tacos vary in price, but the chicken and cod come to $2.65 and $3.50 before tax and tip, respectively.
5. Pork ribs at Vista Ramen
Eating the pork ribs at Vista is an out-of-body experience. The meat is so succulent and tender, it nearly falls off the bone and is coated with a sweet crab caramel sauce and topped with peanuts. The ribs cost $11 before tax and tip, so it's a small budget buster—but trust me, it’s worth every penny.
