Well, you may wonder what's with the fusion. I love the uncertainty associated with the fusion food which foremost, brings out the inner vision of a chef onto the plate. I happened to spot a reputed place which perfectly fits the bill. I am a psychic, yes!
The place is known as dak & bop. This restaurant has been around the block for quite some time and has build quite a character to it. It mainly emphasizes on Korean food with a twist of Asian and Mexican cuisines doing the rounds. Got there around 8pm during the weekend and the parking is a private garage with limited spaces. Luckily, wasn't abuzz with activity on that day and we got ourselves in right away. We were shown the table and the menus were handed subsequently.
Lots of options I could dig into and without further ado, I got my order floating with Kimchi Fries, Spicy Chicken Bao, Chicken Empanadas and Elote. A bit of every culture, yes!
Ten minutes into the order, I got my first order up.
Hot and crispy Chicken Empanadas. They are served alongside two dipping sauces - Garlic Herb Aioli and finely chopped Parsley blended with truffle oil. I dipped my first bite into the creamy aioli and munched on.
The Empanada was not greasy and the filling consisted of chunks of chicken along with green & white onions and minced garlic in a gooey texture. It was delicious and the sauces paired well with them. The truffle oil resonated as well.
Taste: 7.5/10
Quite an appetizing start to the evening, and then followed my second order.
I love me some Elote. A perfectly charred corn on the cob covered with lots of Cotija cheese, with traces of Mexican mayo & butter and finally seasoned with paprika which comes with a side of chili lime sauce and a wedge as well. I should say there isn't any chef's fusion I could notice in this traditional Mexican dish, however the charred corn was lip smacking. The cheese and the chili lime sauce was a perfect blend to the corn and I loved every bit of this dish apart from it being called a fusion.
Taste: 7/10
Moving on with the third order, out came the server with it.
The coveted Kimchi Fries. The fries laid amidst an intricate design of sauces with Kimchi lost somewhere in between them and topped with cilantro. The sauces involved here are a four blend cheese sauce, spicy mayo and their special d&b sauce. Oh, and Sriracha!
Also, you can see some toasted sesame seeds as a topping. The fries also had some onions in them. Koreans love their Kimchi and is no exception here. The cabbage was perfectly pickled and the acidic blend of the Kimchi with the sauces, fused with the crispy fries were supposedly a combination worth trying in itself.
Taste: 6.5/10
Lastly, I got my fourth order make its way.
The Spicy Chicken Bao. Anything stuffed in a Asian steamed bun makes it yummy, doesn't it? Just kidding. There's more to it than the bland yet soft and fluffy bun you get. The stuffing is mainly the Korean fried chicken (Ahh! Not KFC) with the citrus slaw which has these shreds of red & green cabbage and carrots infused with citrus aioli. Blended in a buffalo sauce and topped with slices of freshly cut cucumbers and jalapeños. Also, comes with a side of their d&b sauce(Gosh!! It's everywhere).
The first bite was enough for me to fall in love with the bao. The bun was so spongy and delectably joined with the crunchy chicken and the citrusy slaw. The cucumbers were a perfect summer reprieve to this dish along with the piquant jalapeños. These baos are definitely recommended with or without the sauce.
Taste: 8/10
A fusion not worth vouching for, but more than rather trying for!
Details
Dak & Bop
1801 Binz St Ste 120 Houston, TX 77004
(713) 528-0280
Overall
Taste: 7/10
Ambience: 6.5/10
Service: 7/10
Value For Money: 6.5/10
