What's fun about exploring a city that is "new" to real, authentic cuisine is that, once in a while, I can find a rather bizarre combination of ethnic cuisines. And this is one of them.
Asian Spice sits just a few doors down from the second Kami Teriyaki location, which is a rather odd strategy for either of these two as they are both in the same strip mall off the main highway (Hwy. 2), across a man-made lake and really not in the center of anywhere except nowhere.
What they offer is equally one-of-a-kind... Thai and Korean food, with a me-too sprinkling of Chinese fast-food offerings. You have to see this to believe it. My guess is the owners think the locals don't know Thailand from Korea and China. That, or the cook just specializes in those cuisines, which... I don't think is the case.
When any small Asian or "teriyaki" joint gives away any hint of having Korean underpinnings, I go straight for the kalbi (marinated short ribs) because, in my vast, previously unwritten dining experiences, I can tell the quality of a restaurant's offerings by how they prepare kalbi.
Kalbi, that meaty goodness that is equivalent to a grilled-medium rare USDA Prime ribeye, is the badge of honor (or disgrace) of any worthy chef. The best that ever was around here was the old Aloha Teriyaki of Lynnwood. Their thick slices of marbled short ribs were marinated in a divine concoction over FOURTEEN days in a refrigerator. I should know as I once purchased a tray full for a New Year's Day blast way back when.
(As a side note, this item is named "Blazing Fire" and described as "boneless prime short ribs marinated in spicy Korean barbecue sauce served with steamed rice and house salad.")
This kalbi was more of the wtf? when it was presented on a plate with the basic greens and rice. First off, there wasn't any bone-in meat. Second, the meat was already cubed. And the dead giveaway was the reddish hue glowing from this just-right portion. And what was that? Potato and carrot slices mixed in with this almost-gelatinous conglomeration topped with chopped green onions???
Okay, I got over the visual shock and dug in. The meat was tender and the taste was pleasant. Not tilted toward any extreme sensation. The meat was tender and easy to digest. A pretty good meal BUT... it was not what kalbi traditionally is. They should rename it "Korean Cowboy Stew."
Prices are reasonable ($6-$12) and you can mix-n-match with their "Wok Specials" that, I'm sure, is a step-up from Monkey Express.
M-F 10:30am-9pm, Sat 11am-9pm. They will do only "large" orders for Sunday. read more