| Voting to end on favorite Asian restaurant |
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By: Posted By Mike West
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If you count the number of restaurants in the Murfreesboro area, it soon becomes obvious that Asian food is a local favorite.
While many of us refer to it as Chinese food, oriental or Asian cuisine is a better description of a dietary style that includes food from China, Thailand, Laos, Japan, Mongolia, Korea and other Asian countries.
With each culture, the foods can vary wildly from the mild Cantonese to the spicy Szechuan and Hunan-style Chinese dishes.
And who ever dreamed that you would be able to buy fresh Sushi, made before your eyes, at area supermarkets.
What's your favorite Asian restaurant? Vote for your favorite Asian restaurant as suggested by Murfreesboro Post readers. Created Monday, July 7, 2008 2:14pm
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choice | % |  | Far East | 18.2% |  | Taste of China | 7.6% |  | Bangkok Cafe | 13.6% |  | Omni Hut | 3% |  | Chef Wang | 7.6% |  | The Clay Pit | 3% |  | China Garden | 1.5% |  | Noppakao | 4.5% |  | Aja Sushi | 1.5% |  | Fulin Asian Cuisine | 6.1% |  | Thai Spice | 1.5% |  | Pei Wei | 7.6% |  | Sumo | 0% |  | China Spring | 3% |  | Fuji's | 15.2% |  | Golden Eagle | 1.5% |  | Sushin | 4.5% |  | | | You must be logged in to cast a vote in this poll.
Even fast-food burger places like McDonald’s have their Asian inspired salads and entrees now.
One interesting part of the Asian food phenomenon is that many of the best restaurants are located, and cater to, a particular neighborhood.
Oriental food is a fairly recent development in the Murfreesboro with the first restaurants dating back to around 1970s except for one exception:
Smyrna’s Omni Hut: James F. Walls, a World War II and Pearl Harbor veteran, turned a love for Polyasian cooking into a profession at Omni Hut and did it so well it has been drawing customers from across Middle Tennessee for almost five decades. 618 South Lowry Street Smyrna, TN 37167 (615) 459-4870.
Far East Restaurant: Long before Asian food became almost universally popular, Far East was serving up excellent egg rolls, fried rice and moo goo gai pan to Murfreesboro residents. Far East started as an Asian market in the 1970s and then began offering carry-out. Eventually it morphed into a restaurant.
Its Main Street location was once a prime spot, but the quality of the food keeps it in the hunt despite abundant competition. Our favorite: the cashew chicken and beef with broccoli. The roast pork is a favorite along with the snow peas and mushrooms. Home of the sweetest, sweet ice tea in the world. 1529 E Main St., Murfreesboro, 37130 (615) 890-1413.
One of Murfreesboro’s most-popular carry-out restaurants is Taste of China, 1730 W. Northfield Blvd., is located near Kroger in Georgetown. A vast number of combination plates are available with quick, excellent service. Ol Hammerhaid is stuck on their General’s chicken, much to the amusement of the proprietors, which offer one of the most diverse menus in town. 6-15-896-5933 is the number programmed on H-haid’s speed dial.
Hammerhaid also got stuck on Bangkok Cafe’s coconut curry beef when this delightful Thai restaurant was located downtown near the saltmines where he labored. Now located on his favorite shortcut to Stones River Mall, Bankok has spacious and nice accommodations at 315 Robert Rose Drive, Murfreesboro, 615-896-8399.
OK, now it is your turn. Share your favorite Asian restaurant with Murfreesboro Post readers. Where’s it located and what do you love about it? Don’t be shy. Please confine your answers to the Murfreesboro/Rutherford County area.
Chef Wang anyone?
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Member Opinions:
By:
karlbarth on 7/1/08
The Clay Pit. Really fine Indian Food on Memorial next to Little Caesars near Reeves-Sain.
By:
tealady on 7/1/08
OMG, Taste of China is the best of the best. Sushi...well...Daily Buffet by the new Walmart on Rutherford Blvd is great and you can take anybody with you since their buffet is laid out for any taste.
By:
MagsOMolly on 7/1/08
I love China Garden over by Sam's. But there is a place that I remember from when I was a little girl, my grandmother used to take me there all the time; it was in the Jackson Height's Plaza. I don't remember the name of the place. I just remember that it seemed really "fancy", but then again I was like 5 the last time I went and that was well 30+ years ago. I remember that it was right beside the old Carmike Theater when it still only had two screens! If anyone remembers the name of the place I would love to know! ;^)
By:
elguapo on 7/1/08
Listen up! There are only 3 decent Asian restaurants in the Boro.
For Thai-Noppakao, across from the new Walmart on Rutherford.
For Japanese-Aja Sushi in Jackson Heights where Cherry Blossom used to be.
For Chinese-Taste of China.
All of these are mom and pop restaurants.
They are not the best in the world but they are the best that we've got.
As for the previous reccomendation for The Clay Pot Indian Restaurant- when they decide to clean up the place and serve the food on something other than styrofoam plates, I'd be glad to go back as their food is not bad.
By:
life_is_short on 7/1/08
who cares if the clay pot serves on styrofoam plates. the prices are cheap. and if it is an environmental issue for you, which i certainly understand, maybe you could make the suggestion that they use some type of recyclable paper instead. the food is good, and the price can't be beat.
and i only at at chef wangs once. i don't get why everyone thinks it is so great. you can't serve quality food with a set up like they have.
By:
bota on 7/1/08
The Bangkok Cafe. Great food, service and nice place to enjoy a quiet meal. (Except when Jack wants to talk about golf)
By:
dbr2e on 7/2/08
Far East is by far the best Asian food in the Boro. They actually use quality ingrediants. You can tell with every bite. Their is a reason they have been around for so long.
By:
janisjoslyn on 7/2/08
I used to think Far East was the best in town, but their health scores have kept me away as of late. I have been a loyal fan of Fulin Asian Cuisine in The Avenue since they opened. You can have your choice of Chinese or Japanese. Their sushi & sashimi is the freshest in town! The Eda Mame is awesome! Everything is fresh & made to order-no cold buffet items here! This place is perfect for those times where everyone wants something different!
By:
Trvlace on 7/2/08
Thai Spice in the strip next to Frat Row on Rutherford, the chicken w/fried rice is to die for as is their General Tso's Chicken. Far East always a mainstay, on my lunch circuit. Pei Wei, yummy. Bankok, yummy. I will say the Asian offerings are all pretty good, would be hard for me to pick a favorite. I don't really care for the larger Buffet places, something about kids sticking stuff back on the steam table and people sneezing and wheezing around them turns me off bad. :)
By:
anonymous on 7/2/08
Anyone tried Fulin's Asian Cuisine at the Avenue. Blows the competition out of the water. Excellent variety of sushi, the best in town, and asian food. Give it a try.
By:
JM325 on 7/2/08
Best Curry -- SUMO. By Food Lion. Lascassas Highway@Rutherford/Northfield.
Best Thai -- Bankok Cafe. Behind the Mall.
Fulin is very good and has both Chinese and Japanese but the prices are high.
By:
devolver on 7/2/08
I know its a chain, but Pei-Wei has some great dishes.
For delivery, I usually order from China Spring on Middle Tennessee Blvd.
The Clay pit has a killer curried chicken.
Thai Spice has a yellow curry to die for.
Sakura has the best sushi in town.
Fuji's if you're feeling like a Japanese steak house.
Golden Eagle for Mongolian grill. (and its lots of fun)
As a life-long resident of Murfreesboro, its very exciting to have such a great cross-cultural selection of food to choose from. Now, if any of these places go 24/7, I may never leave.
By:
sandir on 7/2/08
The Bangkok is my favorite Asian restuarant in Murfreesboror. It has extremely high marks for cleanliness, the food is always fresh to order and Bulpha is the best chef in town, she can do anything! The waiters and waitress's are friendly, neat and helpful. The atmosphere is family friendly and caring. Yes, I will agree with another writer, don't get Jack started on golf....... My family has frequented this family owned business since their first day on Maple street on the square, followed them to College Street and now enjoy their beautiful place on Robert Rose Drive. Healthy, flavorful Asian food, in a family friendly atmosphere... What more could you want.By the way they have the BEST egg rolls and Spring rolls around.
By:
Farmall on 7/3/08
There are two reasons I moved back to Murfreesboro, one is "Taste of China" the other is "Camino Real". "Taste Of China" is king, course the lady running the show is not the nicest in the world, kinda part of its charm.
By:
sechappell on 7/5/08
Sushin. Hands-down the best sushi in the boro. Their bento boxes are the best lunch value in town.
By:
sechappell on 7/5/08
elguapo, you are dead on with Nappakao Thai on Rutherford across from Wal-Mart. You can't beat their noodles. Best Thai in the Boro by far, and I've eaten at all of them.
By:
hendersona on 7/7/08
Nappakao on Rutherford--food is excellent, service impeccable. Only real Thai in the boro as far as I am concerned.
By:
Geana on 7/7/08
I love Taste of China's food. If anyone likes boneless spare ribs, they'll know exactly where I'm coming from. They actually trim the fat from it. Other restaurants leave so much fat and way too much sweet sauce. Yech. Why isn't BoBo's on the list? It's got great food also. Chef Wang's and the other Chinese buffets are too commercial, too many American foods.
I prefer authentic Japanese Hibachi restaurants. Meaning no mixture of other Asian cooking.
Question: Has anyone seen Calamari cooked Hibachi style on menu? OMG. I had it in a NY restaurant. It's so tender and delicious.
By:
barrettbear on 7/7/08
OUT OF THE CITY LIMITS AND DOWN THE ROAD: ASIA CHINESE IN SMYRNA.
By:
pulcastro on 7/7/08
Every time I visit Murfreesboro from Vermont, I make a special trip to Bangkok Cafe - Food is outstanding and the service is first rate -excellent experience all around.
By:
gum232 on 7/7/08
Okay, let me be the first to commend Chef Wang's on holding their head high and staying in business! I'm all about giving immigrants a chance - BUT - be here legally - visa. At one point our families were immigrants too - I thing a lot of people forget that. Imagine how your life could be if society would not have given your parents, grandparents, great grandparents, etc. a chance. By the way - there's enough people that like Chef Wang's that they's been voted the best 4 years in a row. Two little words that pack a big punch in flavor - crab legs!!
By:
etech30 on 7/8/08
I haven't been to Nappakao Thai, but would love to try it.
So hendersona-what do you recommend? :-)
By:
KristinG8R on 7/8/08
The sushi at Sushin is delicious and if you're never tried a wasabi dumpling...then you should go by Sushin today.
By:
tahamaki on 7/8/08
I've found Fuji's to be severely lacking the last few times I've visited. Best japanese steakhouse in Rutherford County I'd say would be Tokyo off Sam Ridley.
My normal Chinese takeout is China Star on Memorial. The other place that's close to me, China Panda on Lascassas, I was not impressed with.
By:
justdance on 7/9/08
Fulin's does prepare great food, the prices are a little on the high side, but you can't beat the ambience. Great place for a date night!
My hubby loves Chef Wang's, but I am kind of tired of it. I am ready to try some of these other recommendations you guys have made. Thanks!
By:
T-Rex on 7/11/08
Well, without a doubt, my favorite and the best Asian restaurant in Murfreesboro, and possibly Middle Tennessee is Bangkok. I have eaten at tons of Asian restaurants throughout Middle Tennessee, and my favorite is still Bangkok. Great family owned and operated business. Beautiful interior; the wood work is splendid. CLEAN. Nice ambiance. The service is excellent and incredibly helpful. And lets not forget about the Thai food: rich ingredients, full of flavor, made right when you order. The Tom Kha soups are superb. I get it every time. The Crispy Fish is, hands down, the best Asian dish I've ever had. Perfect egg rolls, beats Far East any day. Biggest Vegetarian menu by far. Great family environment. They are always able to accommodate my family and out of town guests. Bottom line, if you have not ate at Bangkok or have not been a while, you are seriously missing out on an amazing experience.
By:
TastyMacNougat on 7/14/08
Every time I try a new Chinese or Thai restaurant, I am always disappointed because it is not as good as Far East. The quality of the ingredients and preparation is way beyond most. Maybe the dining room isn't as fancy as some, but that isn't what keeps me going to any restaurant. As for Japanese, I like Fuji a lot. However, I haven't gotten into sushi yet, simply because I know I haven't had good sushi. I haven't even tried Fuji's sushi. I'm hoping to try some of the suggested destinations here sometime in the near future!
By:
lupusman on 7/14/08
It’s odd that Chef Wangs was voted RCs favorite oriental restaurant 4 years in a row and so far this poll lists it at only 7%. I wonder if the issue of employing illegal immigrants has anything to do with it. Smirk!
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