Bonchon, OIA Area

I tried this new (6 weeks) Korean chain on 436 near the airport last night. I might have given it a lukewarm review if it weren't for four trips to the toilet today. I had a wing combo (four wings are replaced by three drumettes for a total of nine pieces) for $13. That is over $1 a wing and not worth it even if they weren't a health hazard. The wings were very dry, so, I assume they were old and possibly fried multiple times. They were also tiny. Maybe from multiple oil baths? The drumettes were a tad plumper and less jerkified. And I don't mind an overcooked wing as long as the skin is crisp as a chip. The sauce was also a tad too hot. George likes his kung pao spicy, but. most people would be put off. It totally precluded any enjoyment (or experience) of the flavor. It came with a side of pickled radish that was too sweet. The starters (8) are pan-Asian. Leaning to Japanese. IF the salmon avocado ball could be prepared properly (and I have my doubts), It could have been an interesting alternative. It was $11. $7 is the floor. $10 on Mains. And that is for  a wrap. Bulgogi is $17. There are 7 other options. Mostly Korean. Buns and tacos are $11. And that (in addition to spoiled food) is the problem. They are a soul-less chain. A knock off. And they charge more than an authentic Korean restaurant. It's untoward. The room is one, high ceiling-ed square. It seats around sixty. It tries to be Asian modern. The bathroom was dirty. I just came back from Edmonton and I ate at place called Seoul Fried Chicken (SFC) and they gave me five pieces of fried chicken, a side (I chose and interesting sweet potato cole slaw), fries and a soda for $10. And the place was cuter and a award winner and a locals favorite. The chicken was far superior and the portion was bigger. I'm not totally writing this place off, but, I will be reticent to try them again. I would also like them to reduce their prices by at least 20 percent. It's also funny that they sell next to no "bonchon" (ie tiny bites). They threatened (informed me) that we are going to get two or three more locations in Orlando. You all have been warned. I mean informed. They do lunch.

Rasa, Sand Lake Rd Area

I tried this homage to Malaysian food stalls on Sunday night. It is aside the cigar place and the Middle Eastern (Cedar's?) place in the strip mall at the Dr Phillips and Sand Lake intersection. It was some kind of wine bar the last time I was here (years ago). It seemed like the same decor (in general). That was odd because it seemed like the time between when they promised to open (hung their shingle) and did open was long. I think they opened in January. I last checked at Xmas. It is what it purports to be. A peek into the world of Asian street food. Now, it is 3x as expensive, but, you get air conditioning, napkins and service minus the noise and congestion. Plus we are talking about $4 meals. They have a fair representation of dishes you might find in Malaysia or Singapore. The apps are a little "Americanized" and there may be a tad more Thai and Indian influence than you'd normally see. The owner is Indian, so, that may explain that part. Indians are everywhere, so, maybe you get more Indian dishes depending on the region or neighborhood in Malaysia that the food stall is in. I don't want anyone complaining that I'm misrepresenting the facts. I've only been to Singapore and Kuala Lampur, but, I found that the Indian food was more prevalent in the Indian neighborhoods than at the food stalls. I also don't recall much Thai. A lot more Chinese. Anyway. Back to Rasa.

I had the black pepper fish (cod) for 12. The fish was much fresher (no smell) than you usually get at an Asian place. They also weren't stingy with it. I must had had over ten marshmallow sized pieces of it. There was also some superfluous vegetation in their too. The sauce was brown and could be spiced to your tolerance level. They also served a side of properly steamed white rice on the side. You didn't need an app. This was filling. They have around six fried rice dishes and six house specials and eight noodle dishes and four soups and maybe one more category. The wine menu is a little blase. The sake and beer menu is better. The place seats about sixty. It was a mostly professional pan-Asian crowd (a living representation of the menu) that ate late. It started getting full after 8pm. Like I said, it seemed like they kept the brown brick and iron work of the old place (the bar seemed the same) and added some Asian "flare". Not that it is bad. You wouldn't notice if you have never been there before. Service was fast and polite and competent. You probably aren't going to get a chance to experience much of this cuisine (I recall one food truck and Mamak in Vietnam town) anywhere else in town. So, you could be less fortunate than being forced to try it here. The prices are fair. The atmosphere is pleasing. The service is good. And you don't have to wash your hands in a water fountain (or wipe your spice inflamed sinuses with your hand) when you are done. Give it a try.

Daytona Pig Stand, Ormond Beach

This one is kind of at the edge of our community, but, I'll add it for beach goers and I-95ers because it is hard to find a place that is close to the highway on your way to Jacksonville and beyond. I had a brisket sandwich with a side (potato salad) for $8. It was good. Better 'que than 4Rivers has been serving up lately. I had to convince them not to mutilate (chop) it though. They still didn't serve it exactly right. The potato salad was excellent and plentiful. Another improvement over 4Rivers' tiny cups. I thought the place might be a shack based on the billboards. It was a nice, big, log cabin-y place that you would expect from a bank rolled chain. They said they have been there for ten years. It looked brand new. Now I'm pissed that I have passed right by so many times. I forget which exit it is off, but, the cross road is US 1 and it is after the main exits of Daytona Beach (ie LPGA Blvd). It is on the south bound side of 95 near a Harley dealership. They serve the usual bbq items.