World Street Kitchen (WSK), the beloved Minneapolis food truck, has laid down roots in the vibrant Lyn-Lake neighborhood, bringing its globally-inspired street food to a brick-and-mortar location. While Lyn-Lake boasts a diverse and competitive dining scene, WSK, spearheaded by Chef Sameh Wadi, is not intimidated. In fact, Wadi, also the chef behind the acclaimed downtown Minneapolis restaurant Saffron, sees the neighborhood’s culinary energy as a major draw. He believes the concentration of restaurants with a similar passion for food only elevates the area, creating a more exciting destination for diners.
A Neighborhood Ready for Bold Flavors
For Chef Wadi, the Lyn-Lake location isn’t just another spot; it’s the perfect stage for his adventurous and flavor-forward approach to cooking. He contrasts this location with his downtown restaurant, Saffron, where he feels somewhat isolated amidst nightclubs and less food-focused establishments. In Lyn-Lake, he finds a community of like-minded culinary ventures, fostering a scene rather than mere competition. He points to neighborhood favorites like Moto-i, Nightingale, Fuji Ya, and Chino Latino as examples of the diverse and exciting food landscape that World Street Kitchen is joining, not disrupting.
Chef Sameh Wadi portrait, head chef and owner of World Street Kitchen Minneapolis, known for Saffron restaurant and innovative street food.
Evolving the Food Truck Experience
World Street Kitchen aims to capture the spirit of its popular food truck while expanding its offerings and creating a more permanent dining experience. Wadi emphasizes the importance of replicating the food truck’s casual and approachable vibe in the new restaurant. This is reflected in the open kitchen design, counter service, and menu boards, all intended to foster a relaxed and accessible atmosphere. While Saffron showcases Wadi’s fine-dining expertise with dishes like seafood tagine and foie gras, World Street Kitchen focuses on moderately priced, globally-inspired street food favorites, familiar to fans of the truck but with new additions and a broader menu.
World Street Kitchen Minneapolis storefront sign on the side of the building, indicating the restaurant's location in Lyn-Lake.
During a preview, Wadi offered a glimpse into the World Street Kitchen menu, highlighting its dual focus: “health conscious” and “stoner food.” This playful categorization underscores the menu’s range, designed to appeal to diverse tastes and cravings.
Menu Highlights: From Refreshing to Indulgent
The “health conscious” side of the menu is exemplified by the Vietnamese noodle salad. This dish, priced at $9, is described as a refreshing and light option, featuring cold rice noodles, shrimp, pickled daikon and cucumbers, and a medley of fresh herbs like mint, cilantro, and basil. It’s finished with crushed peanuts and a nuoc cham fish sauce dressing, creating a vibrant and flavorful yet healthy meal.
Vietnamese noodle salad at World Street Kitchen Minneapolis, a refreshing dish with rice noodles, shrimp, vegetables, herbs, and nuoc cham dressing.
In contrast, the aloo tikki chaat, at just $4.75, represents the explosion of flavor and spice characteristic of WSK’s more indulgent offerings. This dish, seemingly simple in its presentation, is packed with layers of taste and texture. It features potato and lentil patties seasoned with garam masala from The Spice Trail, topped with both tamarind-date and cilantro chutneys, lime yogurt, and crispy chickpea noodles (sev). The aloo tikki chaat exemplifies WSK’s ability to deliver complex and satisfying flavors in a street food format.
Aloo Tikki Chaat at World Street Kitchen Minneapolis, an Indian street food dish with potato patties, chutneys, yogurt, and crispy sev noodles.
The MFC, or Moroccan Fried Chicken sandwich, firmly plants itself in the “stoner food” category. This substantial sandwich is built on a buttermilk biscuit with white cheddar and green onion, filled with North African spiced fried chicken, spicy feta with smoked paprika, and a bright carrot salad with preserved lemon. Wadi jokingly suggests needing a “knife, fork, spoon, maybe even a stretcher” to tackle this decadent creation, highlighting its rich and satisfying nature.
More Than Just Food: Drinks and Vibe
World Street Kitchen extends its globally-inspired approach to its drink menu, curated by Rob Jones and Alberto Blanco from Saffron. The beverage program includes local beers on tap, canned beers from around the world, wine cocktails, and sake cocktails, including a sake-based caipirinha. Adding to the casual and fun atmosphere, WSK also offers options like Miller’s High Life and Mickey’s grenades. Wadi acknowledges the strong beer scene in Lyn-Lake and emphasizes that WSK isn’t trying to compete directly but rather complement the neighborhood with its unique drink selections.
Chef Sameh Wadi with World Street Kitchen menu items, showcasing the variety and global inspiration of the Minneapolis restaurant.
World Street Kitchen: A Welcome Addition to Minneapolis Dining
World Street Kitchen Minneapolis brings a dynamic and exciting dining option to the Lyn-Lake neighborhood. By expanding on the popular food truck concept and offering a diverse menu that ranges from healthy to indulgent, Chef Sameh Wadi has created a restaurant poised to become a local favorite. With its focus on bold flavors, a casual atmosphere, and a globally-inspired menu, World Street Kitchen is a must-visit for anyone seeking a unique and delicious dining experience in Minneapolis.
MFC Moroccan Fried Chicken Sandwich at World Street Kitchen Minneapolis, a decadent sandwich with fried chicken, biscuit, feta, and carrot slaw.
Eat WSK t-shirt, promoting World Street Kitchen Minneapolis with a simple and catchy slogan.
