112 June 27-July 3, 2024 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times b e s T o f m i a m i ® 2 0 2 4 BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT Ashoka Indian Cuisine 295 NW 82nd Avenue Miami, 33126 786-980-9626 ashokamiami.com/miami Ashoka Indian Cuisine invites visitors to em- bark on a culinary journey through India but in Flagler Park Plaza in Doral. At first glance, the restaurant appears ordinary, but once you step inside, you’re transported to a charming indoor courtyard decorated with window panes on the walls and a fountain at its center. You can ex- plore your palate or indulge in the dependable but delicious plain-Janes of butter chicken and chicken tikka masala. Each dish is generously proportioned and spice-laden. Best of all, Ashoka has a marketplace with an array of In- dian goods to take home. BEST UZBEK RESTAURANT Grandma’s Secret 50 E. Dania Beach Boulevard Dania Beach, 33004 954-639-7038 grandmassecretmenu.com Decorated with Central Asian paraphernalia, this tiny hole-in-the-wall diner on Dania Beach Boulevard serves incredible dishes from Uz- bekistan, a Silk Road, central Asian country with cuisine that fuses influences from across the continent. Noodle dishes like Uyghur lag- man soup and steamed dumplings called manti share space on the menu with kebabs, dolma (stuffed grape leaves), and blini pancakes served with yogurt or jam. Don’t miss the sam- sas, which are sweet, flaky pastries filled with beef or pumpkin and served with a delicate to- mato sauce. BEST KOREAN RESTAURANT The Namu Korean Japanese Kitchen and Izakaya 10317 Royal Palm Boulevard Coral Springs, 33065 754-229-6772 the-namuorder.com In the heart of Coral Springs, the intimate, ca- sual dining experience at the Namu Korean Japanese Kitchen and Izakaya boasts a variety of Korean dishes like tteok-bokki, bibimbap, and japchae, and Korean street food staples like pancakes, kimchi fries, fried seaweed rolls, and baked corn cheese. But the real highlight at the Namu is the Korean fried chicken, with its balance of crispness and sauciness, you can’t lose. The Namu also of- fers a selection of Japanese dishes for your guests who don’t dig the bounty of a Korean kitchen. BEST VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT Tâm Tâm 99 NW First Street Miami, 33128 786-359-4647 tam-tam-mia.com Disappointed by Miami’s lack of Vietnamese cuisine, husband-and-wife team Tam Pham and Harrison Ramhofer took matters into their own hands. The couple based the idea of Tâm Tâm on the Vietnamese phrase quán nhau, which loosely translates to a place where friends gather to enjoy food, drinks, and life in general. Situated on a quiet corner in down- town, the small but vibrant Cuban cafe turned Vietnamese restaurant has an old bakery dis- play case and ventanita window at its entrance. There are wood-paneled walls, barstools with fun patterns, and a large framed photo of ac- tress Jane Fonda, formerly a staunch anti-Viet- nam War activist. The 36-seat spot has a rotating menu that is just as eclectic as its inte- rior –– boasting inventive dishes like dragon shrimp crudo, jungle steak tartare, and crisp wings glazed in fish sauce, as well as a sprawl- ing list of wines and frozen drinks like passion fruit daiquiri and spiked Viet iced coffee. The liveliness even extends to the bathroom, where there’s a hidden karaoke machine. BEST THAI RESTAURANT Lung Yai Thai Tapas 1731 SW Eighth Street Miami, 33135 786-334-6262 lungyai.com Nothing matches the Miami heat better than Thai spice. It makes Lung Yai Thai Tapas’ loca- tion on Calle Ocho both unexpected and per- fect. It’s a small place, and the long wait is a testament to its mouthwatering menu. If you often find yourself saying, “The customer is al- ways right,” don’t come here. Some people might whine about their policies: no reserva- tions, no substitutions, and one-time-only or- dering. Those people are missing the point. Owner and chef Veenuthri Trisransri and his crew know what they are doing and are experts in Thai cuisine. You should let them take the wheel; you’ll be better for it. It’s called tapas, so expect small dishes with big flavor. Make sure to over-order. It’s best to try as much as possi- ble, share, and discover a new favorite dish with each visit. The food comes as fast as the check. The experience can feel like a blur, but the tastes will stay with you for days.
