Buffalo, NY, has been on a quest for exceptional Asian cuisine, often finding itself navigating a landscape of tired and uninspired Chinese restaurants. However, a beacon of hope has emerged on the 500 block of Elmwood Avenue: Street Asian Food. Located at 516 Elmwood Avenue, this modestly sized eatery promises a departure from the ordinary, focusing on vibrant and authentic flavors. My initial visit, centered around a take-out experience, proved to be a delightful introduction to what could become a new neighborhood favorite for those seeking genuine street asian food.
Opting for takeout to sample a range of dishes, I placed an order designed to test the breadth of their menu. The selection included beef samosas, vegetarian Vietnamese pho, General Tso’s chicken (hot), vegetarian Burmese fried rice (medium hot), a refreshing ginger salad, and fresh spring rolls. This diverse array was intended to gauge whether Street Asian Food could truly deliver on its promise of authentic and flavorful Asian street food, a category often diluted in Western interpretations.
Upon arriving to collect my order, the interior of Street Asian Food immediately impressed. It offered a noticeably more appealing ambiance than many of the city’s more predictable Asian restaurants. The welcoming smile and warm greeting from the woman behind the counter further enhanced the positive first impression. While a few patrons were dining in, takeout and delivery seemed to be popular options. Excited to delve into the culinary offerings, I took my bundles home, anticipating a satisfying meal.
Unpacking the takeout containers revealed a visually appealing and fragrant spread. The aroma alone hinted at a quality dining experience. To fully appreciate the food, we plated and bowled each dish, transforming our kitchen table into a mini Asian food feast. The vibrant colors and enticing smells heightened our anticipation. While the amount of disposable packaging was a momentary concern, the focus shifted quickly back to the promising food before us.
The General Tso’s chicken immediately caught the eye with its fiery red hue. Despite requesting a “hot” spice level, the dish, while exceptionally flavorful and devoid of any unwanted fat or gristle, lacked any significant heat. The broccoli was perfectly cooked, and the sauce avoided being overly sweet, a common pitfall of this dish. Although mild, it surpassed many General Tso’s renditions in Buffalo in terms of taste and quality. A future order with a request for “super hot” spice is definitely warranted to test their ability to deliver on the heat front.
The Burmese fried rice emerged as the standout dish for my wife. While its aroma, reminiscent of pad Thai due to the fish sauce, was less appealing to me personally, she thoroughly enjoyed it. The rice itself was perfectly cooked, avoiding the dryness often found in fried rice dishes. A medley of flavorful ingredients, including onion, green beans, red bell pepper, zucchini, cabbage, and egg, provided a delightful complexity. However, similar to the General Tso’s, the “medium hot” spice level was practically non-existent.
The spring rolls were standard fare – good, but not particularly memorable. However, the beef samosas were a revelation. Filled with a warm, curried mixture of beef, potato, and pea, and accompanied by a remarkable homemade dipping sauce, they were arguably the best samosas we’ve encountered in Buffalo. Served piping hot and perfectly fried without being greasy, they were a true highlight of the meal.
The ginger salad also proved to be a pleasant surprise. Its refreshing citrusy flavor profile, leaning towards lime, was unexpectedly enjoyable. The varied textures and the inclusion of fresh shredded ginger created a palate-cleansing and invigorating salad. It was a welcome contrast to the richer dishes and demonstrated a thoughtful approach to flavor balance.
While the Vietnamese pho was well-received, it didn’t quite reach the same heights as other dishes. My wife found the noodles to be overcooked and somewhat gummy. The broth, while clean-tasting, lacked a deeply complex flavor. However, as a comforting and soupy element of the meal, it served its purpose adequately. The meal was rounded out with standard sticky white rice in a typical Chinese takeout container.
Overall, Street Asian Food is a significant addition to Elmwood and Buffalo’s evolving food scene. The experience has certainly piqued my interest in dining in, particularly to sample their sushi offerings. Given co-owner Than Oo’s previous experience as a chef at Sun Restaurant for six years, the sushi menu holds considerable promise. Street Asian Food, owned by Than Oo and his wife Kapru Paw, Karen people of Burma, brings a unique and authentic perspective to Asian cuisine in Buffalo.
If Street Asian Food can amplify the spice levels as requested, it has the potential to become a top dining destination in Buffalo for those seeking genuine street asian food.
Street Asian Food is located at 516 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo NY, and can be contacted at (716) 886-4001. They are also on Facebook.
Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 11 AM – 10 PM
Friday-Saturday: 11 AM – 12 AM
Sunday: 4 PM – 10 PM
