Without a doubt, I would consider myself a foodie. I love every cuisine, from pasta, to sushi, to bagels, to ice cream; but most importantly I love adventure. Food not only tastes good but tells a story – and these restaurants tell a very unique story. These Atlanta hotspots redefine the term fusion, placing a heavy emphasis on blending cuisines. The chefs behind the scenes have experimented with a variety of ingredients, creating dishes that exemplify worlds colliding in a new and delicious way.
Takorea: Burritos and Bulgogi
Takorea, located just outside Atlanta, is famous for its unique combination of Korean and Mexican flavors. This family-friendly, casual joint puts a twist on standard favorites. When ordering, you are given an option between Street Takos, Big Burritos, Tako Bowls, or a specialty house item filled with bold yet beautiful Korean flavors.
Takorea's crowd favorite Takos were definitely the "Korean Fried Chicken" and "Shrimp". Both of these tacos mix a classic Mexican taco with a distinct Korean flavor that left my palate wanting more. The Pork Tako was on the spicy side because of their specialty "Seoul" sauce, so if you like spice, this one is for you. They also have plenty of vegetarian options such as Avocado, Tofu, and Stir Fry flavors.
3 of the 5 House Specials have been featured on Food Network's "Best I Ever Ate", "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives", and Travel Channel's "Food Paradise". The Loaded Bulgogi Fries, as pictured above, combine sweet, salty, savory, and spicy all in one bite.
Whiskey Bird: New American Eats
Whiskey Bird blends New American dishes with an Asian flair. Let me just start by saying everything on the menu was fantastic. Pictured above is a trio of crispy rice flavors: Spicy Tuna, Smoked Salmon, and Crunchy Shrimp. Although this dish is not a fusion moment, it's an absolute must!
Traditional queso, guac and chips? No thanks. Korean queso, Yuzu guacamole, and wonton crisps? That's more like it. My friend declared Whiskey Bird's queso the best she'd ever had. This appetizer was surprisingly filling and perfect to share. The Korean queso was piping hot and had a very unique taste, while the guac offer a refreshing, familiar compliment. In other words, this app was the perfect blend of hot, cold, cheesy, and most importantly fused.
Just when I thought it was impossible to top the appetizers, the entrees came. The fan favorites were the WB Chopped Salad, the Thai Steak & Noodle Salad, and the Korean BBQ Tofu Bowl. The veggies were extremely fresh, colorful, and juicy.
The menu offers plenty of vegetarian-friendly dishes, and the service was great. Added bonus: they give tasty Japanese snack Pocky Sticks with the check. If you haven't been, this is your sign to go.
Salaryman: Adventurous Appetizers
Salaryman, traditionally known for its infamous ramen, has some fantastic appetizers that scream fusion. In my initial look through the menu, I thought this restaurant was another New American establishment with Asian influence – but that's not the case. The restaurant offers plenty of American-esque appetizers, but their main focus is to emphasize Japanese and Korean inspired flavors, as well as keep their customers on their toes with complex, exciting dishes.
Straight off the bat, the Kalbi Meatballs and Mini Dog seemed the most intriguing. The meatballs were somehow able to combine Italian and Korean cuisines with a sweet ginger sauce and rice cakes. Simple, yet complex – or in other words, a crowd pleaser. The Mini Dog was described as a corndog with curry ketchup, mustard mayo, and furikake. It tasted, well, like a mini corn dog! Another appetizer that I recommend is the Korean Bulgogi Poutine, essentially fries with kimchi, bulgogi, and a house sauce. The fries were crispy and the Bulgogi was very flavorful.
My personal favorite was the brussel sprouts. I know brussel sprouts have a bad reputation, but these are a game changer. Salaryman's sprouts are topped with breadcrumbs and gochujang vinaigrette, adding a crunch with an ever so slight touch of spice. This dish is something you didn't know you needed in your life.
Hopefully, in this list of fusion, you'll find inspiration to brand out and sample the rich, unique cuisines Atlanta has to offer. TLDR: run to Whiskey Bird for the crispy rice and Salaryman for the brussel sprouts. Enjoy!