The selection of Asian-food items eating places I have by no means been to carries on to dwindle, however some good Google ratings led me to a single particular location that has eluded me so far: Asian River, which sits at the intersection of Central Avenue Pike and Merchant Travel. The Grub Partner and I headed up that way not long ago for a sit-down supper.
Even although The Spouse and I are both equally entirely vaxxed up, I appreciated that Asian River’s team noticed masking protocol on the evening of our check out and that the configuration of booths and seating allowed for a respectable quantity of distancing. They even have bottles of sanitizer on the tables. We claimed one particular of the aforementioned booths, requested drinks and set about processing the in depth menu on the fly.
A agent lineup of soups, salads and appetizers kicks off the listings. Crab Rangoon and steamed dumplings are joined by items like the scallion pancake and calamari to give diners assorted starting up choices.
Similarly, an eclectic assortment of both equally Japanese and Chinese cuisine spans Asian River’s menu. For illustration, there are sections that includes lo mein (smooth noodle), mei enjoyment (rice noodle), pai thai, yaki soba and yaki udon dishes. Chicken, steak and shrimp are among the protein options. In other places, you’ll come across extra constrained selections of Thai and Malaysian creations like panang curry chicken, Thai basil chicken, mee goreng and shrimp laksa meifoon.
I decided to get sushi as a starter. The menu divides uncooked-fish fare into nigiri, sashimi, standard rolls and unique rolls. Offered varieties of fish include salmon, smelt roe, tuna, yellowtail, octopus, eel, striped bass and squid, to mention numerous. I went with one particular of the specific rolls, the Volcano roll ($11.99), which functions salmon, avocado and product cheese wrapped in rice and topped with baked, shredded crab as nicely as scallion and chili sauce.
For our entrées, The Husband or wife chose from the hibachi and teriyaki entrees. Selections consist of chicken, crab, steak, shrimp, scallop and lobster tail as nicely as a lot of combos of those people. The Husband or wife received the chicken and steak combo ($13.99) geared up teriyaki-model. People meals are served with a vegetable medley of broccoli, onion, zucchini and mushrooms moreover a choice of white or fried rice. Spousey went with fried.
I centered my interest on the Chef Specialties segment, which has dishes like Volcano Steak in a spicy brown sauce, Hearth Wok (a multi-meat combo in a massaman curry sauce) and the Emperor Duck. My variety, Joyful Relatives ($13.99), is an outdated-university preferred, but its blend of hen, steak, shrimp, scallop and crab would give me a large amount of flavors to sample. (Regretably, I had to maintain off on the scallop mainly because I might have developed an allergy to it in modern yrs.)
For the record, Asian River is adjacent to a total-provider bar, and they have a quantity of lunch specials featuring sushi and Chinese delicacies. The hibachi and teriyaki meals are obtainable in lunch portions as properly. They also have a delicious choice of bubble teas for people of you who are admirers.
I acquired to munch on sushi 1st, and I was quite pleased with the Volcano roll. The fish, avocado and p
roduct cheese innards were being fantastic more than enough, but the shredded crab on top made for a flavorful little bit of additional texture.
And both entrees held their possess with the fare I have sampled at similar Asian-food eateries in town. The parts have been surely generous, but over and above that, the range of grilled meats on our platters sent, and the flavor and texture of the fried rice have been great as effectively. I also considered the stir-fried greens in the two our meals were cooked to just the ideal regularity.
Asian River will not get any awards for its interior aesthetics, but the food items is enjoyable on all ranges, and the provider we acquired was comprehensive and courteous. All those of you dwelling and performing in the Merchant Drive ZIP code ought to take into consideration introducing it to your Asian-foods short listing.Â
Asian River
Meals: 4
Services: 3.75
Ambiance: 3.75
Over-all: 3.75
Deal with: 6714 Central Avenue Pike, Suite B
Cell phone: 865-444-5800
Full bar provider
Kids’ menu
Hrs: 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays by means of Thursdays 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays
This North Knox restaurant ably serves up a huge selection of delicious Asian cuisine.
