Restaurants in Dallas

The name WooGak—meaning “realize taste of beef” in Korean—fits this modern eatery to a tee, as chefs rouse all the senses by grilling succulent meats tableside in front of diners’ eyes. Cobblestone floors lead the way from the bright entrance into a spacious, contemporary dining area, where gold walls surround simple black tables. Amid this open and airy space, grill-masters prepare 14 types of barbecue including braised beef, pork belly, and short ribs. Vegetarian options abound with tofu-packed rice bowls and sides of spicy kimchi, the favorite piñata filling of film star Shaquille O’Neal.

After moving to America at 3 months old, Steve Shin didn’t have much time to learn the culinary traditions of his native South Korea. But when he returned for a year in 2001, he witnessed the cuisine's slimming properties firsthand. Though he consumed lots of food, his waistline shrank, most likely due to the minimal grease and fat content in South Korean cuisine. Inspired by his journey, he tried to eat a more healthy diet when he returned to the U.S, but after several rounds of salads and sandwiches, fast food lured him back to his old habits. Frustrated, he started brainstorming ways to build healthy and balanced meals, which led to b.b.bop. At his Asian-fusion restaurant, the menu is centered on wholesome bowls of rice, veggies, and protein, steering customers away from heavy, fatty meals, such as a giant butter sculpture.

To whip up b.b.bop's signature entree, cooks line bowls with a rice of the customer's choice, from a jasmine-scented Thai type to a nutty, fiber-filled brown variety. Next, the customer selects a lean, flame-grilled protein from options including pulled pork, chicken breast, or marinated tofu. Veggies such as bell peppers and bean sprouts add color and crunch to the dish, and sauce—the finishing touch—comes in more than a half-dozen flavors, from spicy red pepper to sweet teriyaki.

Banana Leaf's headmaster, Steve "the Cajun Asian," treats each customer like a houseguest, so be sure to ask for him before perusing the menu or borrowing his toothbrush. Bring taste buds to blossom with an appetizer such as the shrimp blanket ($4.99), comprising jumbo shrimp wrapped in a rice sheet, then deep fried and served with homemade sweet & sour sauce. To satisfy a poultry addiction, nosh the larb chicken ($12.99), a delicious disarray of pummeled poultry, red and green onion, cilantro, mint, rice, and lettuce tossed in a homemade lime dressing and Thai fish sauce. You’ll also find dependable noodle dishes ($11.99–$12.49) and other entrees ($10.99–$12.99) prepared in a health-conscious way.

Not every restaurant is inaugurated by the mayor. But in June 1999, Scott Wheeler used his mayoral gravitas to help celebrate the opening of Thai Orchid Restaurant. The eatery's auspicious beginnings accurately reflect its involvement in the community. Today, Thai Orchid Restaurant not only serves the neighborhood with a menu of Thai-style basil duck, sautéed beef in oyster sauce, and chicken with cashew nuts, it is also a member of the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce.