Huntington residents can now experience Japanese, Thai & Chinese all in one location
By Jeanie Poindexter
HQ 67 | WINTER/SPRING 2009
What do you get when you mix two families, cuisine from three exotic cultures and West Virginia? Your first guess is probably not an upscale Asian eatery in downtown Huntington, but that is exactly the blend that is the Taste of Asia restaurant. Taking advantage of the developing retail area across from Pullman Square, the Cheung and Tang families have opened a third location of their popular restaurant in Huntington. This melting pot of culture and cuisine offers our region a unique opportunity to sample authentic and delicious dishes never before available to local diners, in a beautiful and elegant environment.
The original Taste of Asia opened in South Charleston six years ago, followed by a second location in Teays Valley. Building on the success of the first two, owners Michael Cheng and Sylvia Tang decided to expand to the Huntington market, with the help of Sylvia’s sister, Amy, as a manager. According to Amy, “We learned that there were really no other restaurants in the area that offered Thai food, and we thought it could work here.”
The restaurant’s concept is to provide the diner with traditional Chinese, Thai and Japanese food in a sophisticated setting. With that goal in mind, special attention was paid to the layout and flow of the room. A New York firm was brought in to design the luxurious interior, and a skilled artisan was hired to create custom woodwork. A sleek and modern full bar greets the guest at the door. Top shelf liquors, specialty cocktails and an assortment of domestic and imported beer and wine are available for diners as well as for customers who may only want to relax and pass the time in the comfortable bar. Just beyond the main bar, the sushi bar provides a selection of fresh seafood, while the Hibachi tables with their theatrical chefs are located in the rear of the restaurant.
The high energy and excitement of the Hibachi experience contrasts sharply with the almost Zen-like atmosphere of the intimate, semi-enclosed and private booths that line the main dining room. Here, vibrant colors meld with the clean lines and warm tones of the custom woodwork to make the guests feel as though they are enclosed in a serene Japanese garden.
“We wanted the restaurant to be more upscale than the usual buffet style Chinese restaurant.” says Amy. “We wanted to model it more along the lines of a PF Chang’s, in both the look and the food, but with more variety.”
To that end, the menu offers many exotic Thai recipes in addition to an abundance of Hunan, Cantonese and Szechuan dishes. Some familiar favorites like Egg Rolls, Won Ton Soup and Sweet and Sour Chicken can be ordered alongside more exotic dishes like Panang Curry, Crispy Whole Fish or Basil Filet Mignon. There is also a plentiful selection of appetizers, soups and noodle dishes like Pad Thai, made from rice noodles in a sweet and savory sauce with peanuts. All are beautifully plated and presented, comparable to what one would find in a fine dining atmosphere.
However, even these dishes are surpassed in elegance and artistry by the sushi. Elaborate and whimsical mosaics made from the freshest fish, rice and spicy sauces delight all who view them. “I loved the Lobster Roll,” states Robert Jank, who had dinner at Taste of Asia while in Huntington visiting friends. “I’m from Cleveland which is a much larger market, and I thought the food was just as good as anything I’ve had at home.”
Taste of Asia is open for lunch as well as dinner, with specials available Monday through Friday. The lunch menu features Chinese, Thai and Japanese dishes in slightly smaller portions than for dinner. Even Sushi is available at lunch, providing a healthy, leaner option than fast food. Julie Patton of Grayson, Kentucky agrees. “I don’t eat meat, so I enjoy the Vegetable Lo Mein for lunch. It’s tasty and filling, and I really like coming to the restaurant when I’m in Huntington.”
Nikki Blatt adds, “The best thing about eating here is that it is always a new and adventurous experience. There are so many different things on the menu that I never get tired of eating at this restaurant.”
Catering and private parties are also available from the Taste of Asia, and Amy Tang thinks this area of the business will grow more in the future. She says, “Since coming to West Virginia, I’ve noticed an increase in people’s interest to try Asian food that they may not have seen before. When we first opened the Huntington restaurant, we started out with a more limited Thai menu, but now the Panang Curry is one of our most popular items.”
The future is bright for the Taste of Asia restaurant and the people behind it. Excitedly, Amy speaks of their plans: “We want to continue to introduce people in this region to authentic and exceptional Asian food. We also want to grow and hopefully open more restaurants down the road. “The best dishes are a combination of fresh and interesting ingredients and thoughtful mixing by caring hands, so it should be no surprise that The Taste of Asia restaurant has quickly become a Huntington favorite. Truly, that is a recipe for success.
