5 Best Asian Tastes in Baltimore

THAI RESTAURANT

3316 Greenmount Ave., (410) 889-6002

If you're talking about Thai food, this award-winning restaurant has got to be the best one in town. What's more, it's located just down the block on Greenmount Avenue, fairly convenient when you want to have some exotic stimulation for your taste buds. The prices are affordable, ranging from $8.95 to $14.95. They also serve a wide range of dishes from the usual pad thai to a long list of Thai curries. With dishes coming with your choice of squid, mussels, scallops, pork, beef, chicken, shrimp or duck, your only problem is what to choose. For those of you who can't handle spices, the menu indicates how spicy each dish is. Oh, and of course, don't forget the Thai iced tea.

INDIA TANDOOR

2101 N. Charles St., (410) 468-0969

With an aroma of Indian spices filling the restaurant, India Tandoor will give you a completely new eating experience. As you sit down and hear the sounds of lentils being ground in the kitchen, you will appreciate the freshly-made complimentary chapathi bread accompanied with tamarind and green chili sauce. India Tandoor will be a good treat for yourself after a week of midterms, papers and late-night oil with entre9es ranging from $11 to $14. Vegetarians will particularly appreciate the flavorful dishes of grains, vegetables and legumes. You will also want to try the wide range of appetizers from the traditional samosas to deep fried onions in chickpea butter. Apart from the e0 la carte menu, India Tandoor offers an affordable buffet meal where you can try a little bit of every dish.

KAWASAKI

413 N. Charles St., (410) 659-7600

Being the oldest continually operating Japanese restaurant in Baltimore, Kawasaki has every reason to be called the sushi specialist. Although Kawasaki's menu features the typical Japanese dishes such as tempura and teriyaki, you wouldn't want to fill your stomach with those and miss out on the sushi. Food critics call Kawasaki a restaurant that "carries an air of authenticity." Sitting at the long sushi bar, you will find a selection of fresh sushi rolls from smoked salmon to Japanese eel. Kawasaki also offers the local specialty Baltimore roll, which features fresh Maryland blue crab with red, green and orange roes. Although dishes are a little pricey, you will find every plate you order worth every penny you spent. Besides, where else could be more convenient than a block down the JHMI stop at Peabody?

JOUNG KAK RESTAURANT

18 W. 20th St., (410) 837-5231

Everybody knows about Joung Kak -- it's the Korean restaurant next door! Located conveniently at the rim of the one-mile radius that the security escort van serves, Joung Kak is probably the most frequently visited Korean restaurant by Hopkins students. Whether you choose to have Korean barbeque or separate dishes, you'll definitely be served with the small plates of typical Korean appetizers and a wide smile from the friendly Korean waitresses. You won't find anything outrageously innovative on Joung Kak's menu, but it offers a stellar list of Korean favorites from kimchi jigue to seafood pancake. If you come in as a party of four, you will want to share a $74 Joung Kak special barbeque platter, which includes a selection of beef, kalbi and bulgogi together with a fresh green salad and tofu soup. Open until 4 a.m., Joung Kak is, not surprisngly, a favorite hangout for students after late-night studies or parties.

GOLDEN GATE NOODLE HOUSE RESTAURANT

6-8 Allegheny Ave., Towson, (410) 337-2557

Golden Gate Noodle House is not the typical Chinese take-away with the greasy lo mein and General Tso's chicken. Located just across from Barnes & Noble at Towson Center (where the Collegetown Shuttle stops), Golden Gate is one of the rare places in Baltimore where you can taste authentic Chinese dishes. The lady owning the restaurant may sound grumpy when she brings you to your table, but you'll have to take her word for the day's recommendations. Without the grease and the overdose of soy sauce, you'll find the best homemade dishes at Golden Gate, including steamed pork in black bean sauce, turnip and beef pot and shredded pork and eggplant. Your best Chinese meal would be a bowl of steaming white rice with a serving of soy sauce chicken. Come with an empty stomach because white rice is is unlimited.