Try Miso for unique fusion cuisine
When one thinks of “fusion cuisine,” Asian foods and techniques with a Western influence usually comes to mind. But Miso, a Japanese-Korean restaurant in the Safeway shopping center at 7410 Little River Turnpike takes the concept in a different direction, incorporating such ingredients as mozzarella and curry on its menu.
Miso is a Japanese soybean paste but the word also means “smile” in Korean.
Miso specializes in various types of katsu, meaning “cutlets,” in which various ingredients are breaded and deep fried. While katsu is common in Korea, my Korean-American friend says it’s rarely found in Korean restaurants in the U.S.
Among the types of katsu offered at Miso are beef; eel; pork; bacon and kimchi; various kinds of seafood; and such combinations as chicken, ham, pineapple, and mozarella. I tried a shrimp and potato katsu and a kodonburu (derived from “cordon bleu”), consisting of chicken filled with mozzarella and green pepper (see photo). Both were very good with a barbecue sauce.
If you order a katsu “set,” be prepared for a huge amount of food for a reasonable price. The meal starts with a glass of barley tea, followed by a small salad and a custardy steamed egg. The katsu comes with a cut of very good udong (noodle) soup, cabbage salad, potato salad, and small bowls with kimchee, onions, radishes, and sauces.
Other menu offerings include seafood, beef, or chicken teriyaki; sashimi with rice; and udon with meat or vegetables. Miso offers good value in a pleasant setting.
3 responses to “Try Miso for unique fusion cuisine”
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To clarify, katsu is rare in traditional/formal Korean restaurants in Korea or America (such as Yechon/Sorak Garden/Hangang/Han Sung Oak, etc) – and that's probably because it's not really a Korean food. Donkatsu (pork cutlet) is kinda common in Korean food courts and cafeterias in Korea and America. I'm sure a few other places in the Annandale/Fairfax area have donkatsu on the menu, but they're bars, cafe/cafeterias, or food courts in Korean shopping centers/grocery stores.
But a restaurant that has all kinds of katsu (besides the original pork-based donkatsu) is rare in America (at least, outside of LA, San Fran, and NY).
It would be useful to perhaps include a price range and comment on type of restaurant (family friendly, fine dining, etc) when doing a review like this. I'd like to know if your definition of 'reasonable' would make it a full family event for me or just an adult outing. Either way, you have enticed me to give it a try at some point!
I'd say prices range between $10 and $20 per dish. The last time I was there, we got two $15 katsu dishes. Even the most basic meals come on a Japanese-style tray with bowl of noodle or miso soup, rice, and sides.
This place is good to meet a friend or small group of friends. They have tables that, when moved together, can accommodate up to 8.
I'd say this is a good place for big kids (because it's just a fascinating fried food). You might want to go somewhere else with the little ones. And there's no shame in asking for a fork 🙂
This restaurant does serve alcoholic beverages, but I've never seen anyone drink there. Could be a nice place for a lowkey lunch/dinner date, not fine dining. More of a cozy wooden booth atmosphere.
In the picture above, the main dish has mayo-based coleslaw, a scoop of potato salad, and a katsu (cutlet). The side dishes are (clockwise from top left) kimchi, pickled radish cubes, dipping sauce for katsu, sliced onion in dressing, white rice, and udon (noodle) soup.