Certain, San Antonio’s obtained Tex-Mex and barbecue on lock.
However past the enchilada plates and smokehouses, the Alamo Metropolis’s quietly constructed one heck of a global meals scene. Due to a deep and various immigrant group, you’ll be able to bounce from fiery Thai curries to Korean avenue meals, Ethiopian consolation dishes, Afghan kebabs, Indian spice bombs, Vietnamese pho and standout Latin American fare with out ever leaving metropolis limits.
Listed here are some under-the-radar worldwide spots proving San Antonio’s culinary sport goes approach past tacos and brisket. These locations might not have fancy digs or James Beard nominations (but), however they’re actually serving up daring and invigorating flavors.
Madurai Mes
5152 Fredericksburg Highway, (210) 524-8161, maduraimes.com.
This specialty of this strip-mall treasure is the fiery delicacies of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, although its menu additionally contains objects from across the subcontinent. Maybe one of the simplest ways for first-timers to expertise the area’s breadth of flavors is to order certainly one of its lunch thalis, which supply a filling assortment of advanced curries and aromatic rice dishes together with breads, fried appetizers and cooling yogurt concoctions.
Seoul Asian Meals Market and Cafe
1027 Rittiman Highway, (210) 822-1529, instagram.com/saseoulasianmarket.
A restaurant serving up superb noodle soups, bulgogi and kimchi fried rice is tucked into the nook of this Korean market. It’s a spot you gained’t need to miss in case you’re craving nice fiery fare and flavorful grilled meats.
Azro Genuine Afghan Delicacies
2211 NW Army Freeway #131, (210) 342-0011, azroafghancuisine.com.
This family-owned gem serves superb Afghan and Mediterranean delicacies. The kabob-and-rice combos are arduous to beat, and vegetarians ought to attempt the badenjan chalow, a wealthy and hearty eggplant stew.
Dallah Mediterranean Delicacies
5450 Babcock Highway #112, (210) 233-9574, dallahsanantonio.com.
Dig into Dallah’s scrumptious tackle Mediterranean delicacies whereas stress-free on the restaurant’s out of doors patio. Strive the Gourmand Fiesta Plate for a sampler that features spanakopita, hummus, baba ghanoush, dolmas and a complete lot extra.
Singhs Cantina
15410 White Fawn Drive, (210) 979-9110, order.toasttab.com/on-line/singhscantina
An outgrowth of a profitable Vietnamese meals truck and restaurant on the St. Mary’s Strip, Singhs Cantina is serving up soulful Vietnamese fare subsequent to Hills and Dales Ice Home in Northwest San Antonio. Crowd pleasers on the menu embody the Brisket banh mi and different crossover dishes.
Sichuan Home
3505 Wurzbach Highway #102, (210) 509-9999, sichuaneats.com.
Chef and restaurateur Kristina Zhao might have closed her fancier DASHI Sichuan Kitchen + Bar, however her authentic eatery Sichuan Home remains to be turning up the warmth. The digs could also be less complicated, however it’s arduous to go improper with something on the menu, particularly in case you get pleasure from fiery flavors.
Luna Rosa Puerto Rican Grill y Tapas
1014 S. Alamo St., (210) 314-2723, lunarosatapas.com.
This family-owned Puerto Rican eatery is understood for mofongo and paella, however the small plates on its menu are additionally flavorful and value exploring.
La Marginal
2447 Nacogdoches Highway, (844) 663-6646, lamarginalrestaurant.com.
This restaurant has been identified to self-proclaim themselves as having the most effective Cuban sandwich within the metropolis. And we simply might need to agree with them. La Marginal serves up contemporary and homey Puerto Rican fare that’s value searching for out.
Amen Cafe Eritrean & Ethiopian Restaurant
5115 Fredericksburg Highway, (512) 940-3349, amencafe.com.
In case you’ve been craving good Ethiopian meals, Amen Cafe is the reply to your prayers. The regional delicacies additionally has many scrumptious choices for vegetarians. Count on massive platters with a wide range of sauces on a spongy, fermented pancake-like flatbread referred to as Injera. It’s not simply OK to eat along with your fingers right here, it’s one of the simplest ways to go.
Hyderabadi Spicy Matka
7080 Bandera Rd, (210) 600-3338, hsm-sanantonio.com.
Hyderabadi Spicy Matka celebrates the delicacies of Hyderabad, the capital of southern India’s Telangana state. The restaurant’s masala dosa, a regional specialty, is a big and exquisite crepe product of a rice-and-lentil batter and served with flavorful chutneys. The eatery additionally prides itself on using the standard methodology of cooking its meals in clay pots, which imparts an added earthiness.
Ilsong Backyard
6905 Blanco Highway, (210) 366-4508, ilsonggardensa.com.
With a primarily Korean menu and a few Japanese dishes accessible, Ilsong Backyard’s genuine tastes could have you questioning whether or not you’re actually eating in a strip mall and never in Asia. Head to this quaint area on your repair of Korean barbecue and a complete lot extra.
Kungfu Noodle
6733 Bandera Highway, (210) 451-5586, instagram.com/kungfunoodlesa
In case you choose a guide by its cowl, you will have a tough time believing that tasty noodles await you inside this Leon Valley strip mall spot. Enterprise inside, although, and also you’ll uncover authentically-made hand-pulled noodles, dumplings and steamed buns.
Sawasdee Thai Delicacies
6407 Blanco Highway, (210) 979-9110, sawasdeethaicuisinetx.com.
This menu, largely vegetarian-friendly, gives loads of Thai choices for lovers of the delicacies in addition to curious newbies. The weekly lunch specials are arduous to beat, and the curries are advanced and comforting on the similar time.
Tasty Trendy Asian Kitchen
9502 I-10, (210) 888-1190, tastymodernasiankitchen.com.
In case you drive by this restaurant on the I-10 hall, scope out the variety of automobiles within the car parking zone. That’s a very good signal. The place serves up expertly executed Cantonese fare together with dim sum, or Chinese language small dishes resembling steamed dumplings and buns.
European Dumplings Cafe
2211 NW Army Freeway, Suite 131b, (736) 219-2483, europeandumplings.com.
Ukrainian meals in an SA strip middle? Certain, why not. The borsch right here isn’t spelled with a “t” on the finish, nor does it include beets, however it’s topped with bitter cream and brimming with cabbage, shredded carrot, sliced cabbage and many different goodies. The pork-filled dumplings are refined, however tender and scrumptious.
Selda Mediterranean Kitchen
9955 I-10 West Colonnade III, (210) 236-5230, seldamediterraneansatx.com.
“Mediterranean” can imply a variety of issues on the subject of eating places, and the speciality right here is the meals of Turkey, together with its well-known doner kebabs. Don’t snooze on the opposite stuff, although because the grilled halloumi cheese, grilled pistachio meatballs and a wide range of salads are additionally prime notch.
Kain Na Filipino Delicacies
9323 Perrin Beitel, Unit 101, (210) 455-2414, kainnasatx.com.
“Principal Na” means “Let’s eat” in Tagalog, a local language of the Philippines. And that’s good recommendation at this place, which makes a speciality of homestyle meals. From addictive Pancit noodles to hand-rolled lumpias, this place will get each the flavors and the hospitality proper.
Leiah Venezuelan Meals
12066 Starcrest Drive, (210) 819-3232, instagram.com/leiah_ venezuelanfood.
Leiah serves up massive, homey flavors in a easy setting. The empanadas and arepas, each made with un-nixtamalized cornmeal flour, are the attraction right here, and they are often filled with a wide range of fillings that ship on taste.
Mian Noodles and Dumplings
19141 Stone Oak Parkway, (210) 267-1711, miannoodlesdumplings.com.
Not solely are you able to order house-made Chinese language noodles and dumplings at this stripmall treasure, you’ll be able to really watch them being made in a particular space of the restaurant. This place is the actual deal. Go for the Shanxi Stewed Lamb for a scrumptious home specialty.
Thai Curry 8210 Broadway, Suite 1, (210) 888-1155, thaicurrysa.com.
Take a look at the Thai Larb with floor rooster, the pumpkin curry and the tamarind-sauced stir fry accessible with the meat of your selection.
