CULTURE SHOCK | Fusion Frenzy in Washington, D.C.

Expensive members of the Georgetown neighborhood: are you conscious that Washington, D.C., is without doubt one of the greatest fusion meals scenes on the planet? Persevering with my column on the theme of multiculturalism, this installment can be targeted on meals, a very enjoyable facet of tradition mixing. 

Final summer season, I used to be strolling down the road of San Francisco, Calif., with my grandparents — almost ravenous to demise — once I pulled up Yelp and had a revelation. Inside a three-block radius, I might discover meals from each continent in a wide range of kinds: Egyptian, Puerto Rican, Vietnamese, you identify it! 

It occurred to me that seemingly nowhere else on the planet besides the US would this expansive, genuine meals variety happen. Multiculturalism has strengthened our nation, and a technique all of us profit from it’s the huge variety of delicacies.

However this variety is on no account distinctive to San Francisco. In truth, the District’s historical past as a cosmopolitan metropolis and “gateway to the South” has created a definite cultural local weather that manifests itself in nice meals. 

From Black People arriving in D.C. through the Nice Migration to the District’s massive Vietnamese and Ethiopian communities (the Washington, D.C.-Maryland-Virginia space occurs to carry the biggest Ethiopian enclave outdoors of Ethiopia!), the meals of D.C. displays all of the teams which left an imprint. With out additional ado, listed here are some nice D.C. fusion suggestions from myself, with the assistance of meals columnist Audrey Biles.

($) = meal below $15, ($$) = meal below $25, ($$$) = meal over $25

Curry & Pie ($): First up on the listing is a little bit of a no brainer. Shut, inexpensive and fairly dang good, Georgetown’s Curry and Pie is simply too handy to not miss. Whereas it excels in basic Indian dishes (I’d advocate the Saag Paneer or the Hen Tikka Masala), the restaurant’s eponymous “Pies” present a South Asian twist on pizza, such because the mango rooster pie. Nice for sharing, Curry & Pie pushes previous being a easy Indian joint to ship one thing really authentic.

Susheria ($$): One other close by specialty, this modernist joint gives a singular Japanese-Peruvian fusion in naturally tasting amalgams. As a lover of sushi and spice, Susheria hits the spot like no different delicacies, showcasing the distinct energy of fusion meals. Susheria additionally marries basic Japanese rice bowls with Peruvian proteins (and spiciness) to create filling and interesting dishes.

Kaliwa ($$$): The third entry on this listing comes from the quickly revitalized Wharf — and sports activities not solely two, however three cuisines in a single place! Counting on the distinct taste signatures of the Philippines, Thailand and Korea, Kaliwa focuses on turning out dishes basic to every nation with a twist. For a lover of Thai meals akin to myself, Kaliwa doesn’t shrink back from taste — every chunk is a mouthwatering combination of candy, salty, tangy and spicy. From lumpia to pad thai to kimchi, this restaurant focuses on delivering meals that twist the brand new with the outdated.

Mariscos 1133 ($$): This Latin American seafood joint occupies a particular place in my coronary heart. Whereas not inter-continental fusion, Mariscos’ distinct fashion is nonetheless exhausting to trace down. Mainly, Mariscos derives taste from anyplace that speaks Spanish and touches water. The appetizers are shockingly good, with dishes just like the octopus ceviche, lobster guacamole and queso fundido, and the massive essential dishes are nothing to sleep on both. The menu has a big value vary, be it a easy Latin fashion Po’ Boy or surf and turf extravaganza, and I assure your solely remorse can be not ordering extra.

Chaia ($): Transferring again into Georgetown, Chaia is an attention-grabbing tackle tacos and different Latin-inspired meals: it’s all vegetarian. Chaia will get artistic by substituting seasonal greens for meat, and succeeds in pushing the boundary of what constitutes a “taco.” From the kale and potato taco to my favourite, the candy potato nachos, the altering menu at all times has one thing new to supply.

Cranes ($$$): Ending our journey in Chinatown, we end with the basic Spanish-Japanese fusion. Cranes serves up basic Japanese meals in addition to fusion innovations in Spain’s well-known small-dish fashion. From the stuffed Spanish mackerel to shishito peppers, every dish is dazzling to the eyes and makes a meal right here really memorable. An ideal restaurant for particular events or a serious splurge, Cranes does fusion meals within the classiest approach doable.

These six places are just some examples of what makes D.C. such a powerhouse of cookery. Break the Georgetown bubble, and get on the market! Everytime you take a chunk of scrumptious fusion meals, be sure to not neglect the luck of residing in such a cosmopolitan metropolis in such a cosmopolitan nation. 

Noah Portner is a sophomore within the School. Tradition Shock will seem on-line and in print each different week.