When you research restaurants online, you might find establishments in your community that offer Asian fusion cuisine. The dishes allow you to sample new flavors while still enjoying your favorite Asian food. So if you're prepared to order, here is a guide to what fusion cuisine is and popular combinations to try.

What Is Asian Fusion?

Fusion is the coupling of cooking techniques, flavors, or traditions used in Asian cuisine with the methods or ingredients used in a different type of cuisine. A chef might do this to expand their skill set, enhance the flavor profile of a dish, or introduce restaurant patrons to new fare they've never tried before. 

The modifications can be subtle, such as changing one or two ingredients in a sauce, or more noticeable, such as pairing sushi with side dishes popular in the West. 

A Few Asian Fusion Dishes to Order

Latin and Asian food both feature distinct tastes and unique cooking methods that are often fused together on restaurant menus. 

Tempura, for example, is a Japanese dish of seafood or vegetables lightly coated in an egg and flour batter then fried. The salty crunchiness pairs nicely with the starchy, buttery texture of tostones. A popular side dish in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and other Latin American countries, the unripe green plantains are cut width-wise into pieces, smashed, and then fried. 

Kimchi is a Korean side dish that can be used as a hamburger topping at Asian fusion restaurants. Foodies might find the sandwich add-on has a tart, pickled taste reminiscent of sauerkraut. Hoisin sauce, honey, soy sauce, ginger, and cloves are ingredients often combined to give an Asian dish salty, sweet, spicy, and sour notes. These ingredients are also used as a substitute for jerk sauce slathered on grilled meats in Caribbean cuisine.

To satisfy your cravings for Asian food with a twist, visit Stephi Cocktails-Cuisine in Orange Beach, AL. The restaurant fuses fare from Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and other Asian countries with cooking styles and popular foods from different regions throughout the world. Browse the eclectic menu online, and call (251) 981-9800 to make reservations. See pictures of the mouthwatering morsels on Facebook.