Dining

By Devika Koppikar Hidden Menu is Asian Fortune’s series on where to find the authentic Asian meals not always found on restaurant menus. This month, Devika Koppikar explores Bollywood Bistro in Fairfax, Virginia. At first glance, many of Bollywood Bistro’s “off-the-menu” items don’t even look like traditional Indian cuisine. But take a bite, and you’re instantly on the rastas (streets) …

By Daphne Domingo For regular diners at Full Kee longing for a taste of home, or for newcomers curious about the experience of authentic Chinese cuisine, owner Gary Zhu has a simple suggestion: ask your server, “What specials do you have for today?” That question usually leads to an array of options, many based on unusual ingredients they bring in …

By Amanda L. Andrei Ask any D.C. area resident for a recommendation on Vietnamese cuisine, and nine times out of ten you will be directed to Eden Center. Nestled on the northern edge of that legendary traffic nightmare known as Seven Corners in Falls Church, Virginia, Eden Center is more than a Vietnamese shopping plaza. It’s the largest Vietnamese commercial …

We begin the series with Daphne Domingo’s yearning for authentic Thai taste. Admit it: there’s a certain “cool factor” dining in a restaurant knowing there are special items you can order that aren’t on the menu. What if you knew of an entire menu hidden from regular customers? This isn’t a novel marketing trick. In fact, this practice is typical in …