KenShin
301 Spring Garden St
Cuisines: Chinese, Asian, Thai
About
Saying you're hungry for "Asian" is like saying you're in the mood for "European" -- if you've only narrowed things down to "the most populous continent in the world", you've got lots more work to do. Or do you Giving you the run of Asia, KenShin. Occupying a long-vacant corner storefront, KenShin pays delicious lip service to the five major Asian cuisines in a casually modern, 35-seat space with wood veneer hi-tops & barstools, three Asian-scripted banquettes, an illuminated plexiglass-topped bar, and faux flagstone columns interspersed with neon blacklights -- like a souped up Civic serving hot & sour soup. Speaking of which, Chinese runs from Kung Pao chicken and Mongolian beef to Szechuan string bean and choy sum w/ oyster sauce, while Korean includes beef rib kalbi, takkpokum (chicken thighs), and grilled squid; meanwhile, Vietnam trots out pho and hoagies, while Thailand's repped solely by shrimp Pad Thai, a.k.a. the tikka masala of Bangkok. Because Japan will not be denied, there are also 15 sushi options (eel, "dancing dragon", spicy tuna), shrimp/crab/veggie tempura, udon, and three teriyaki bento boxes; congee's also on the menu, but only on weekends -- but if Asian gruel were available all week, what would you have to look forward to Beverage-wise, KenShin offers up milk teas from cantaloupe to taro, and pearled tapioca boba teas from lychee to red bean -- once you've narrowed things down to "legume color", your work is done.
