Houston’s Diverse Culinary Scene Offers New Takes on Chinese Cuisine
As one of the most diverse cities in America, Houston is known for bringing various cultures together through delicious food. With large Asian communities, especially from China and Vietnam, Houston chefs have put their own creative spin on Asian cuisine. In this article, I will explore how some chefs in Houston are reimagining Chinese classics through innovative preparations and unique ingredients.
Chinese food has long been a staple of Houston’s dining scene. However, younger chefs are not satisfied with just replicating dishes from their family recipes or what you find in a typical Chinese restaurant. They want to showcase the versatility of Chinese cooking techniques and ingredients to new audiences. By putting a modern twist on classics, chefs hope to introduce non-Asian Houstonians to the complex flavors of Chinese cuisine in a way that is familiar yet unexpected.
Chef Jet Tila Reinvents Chinese Takeout Favorites
One chef at the forefront of reinventing Chinese classics is Jet Tila, a renowned chef and TV personality based in Houston. Growing up in a Thai-Chinese household, Jet Tila has a unique perspective on Asian flavors that he applies to his cooking. At his restaurant One Fifth in downtown Houston, Jet Tila pays homage to iconic Chinese takeout dishes but with an inventive upgrade.
For example, Jet Tila’s version of orange chicken is crispy boneless chicken thighs coated in an orange-sesame glaze, served over Chinese broccoli sautéed with garlic. This reimagined version retains the familiar citrus sweet-and-sour profile people love, but uses higher quality, healthier ingredients. Another play on a classic is Jet Tila’s kung pao pasta. Instead of using peanuts and chiles atop proteins and vegetables, he tosses the sauce mixture with thick rice noodles. The silky noodles soak up intense Sichuan peppercorn flavors while still satisfying cravings for the beloved dish. Through his culinary skill and creative spirit, Jet Tila is showing that with some reworking, Chinese takeout favorites can be gourmet creations.
Fusion Cuisine at Kiran’s Inspired by Houston’s Multiculturalism
At Kiran’s restaurant in River Oaks, owner and executive chef Kiran Verma treats guests to a seasonal menu that seamlessly blends Asian and Indian influences with Texas pride. Growing up with family from India and Singapore, he brings experiences from these cultures into his cooking. One dish that elegantly fuses Chinese and Indian flavors is his Nepalese momo. These traditionally steamed dumplings get an upgrade with an aromatic chicken filling spiced with garam masala alongside the usual ginger and green onions. For the dipping sauce, he mixes soy sauce with Indian lime pickle for brightness and heat.
In another nod to the diverse communities in Houston, Kiran Verma reimagines Chinese fried rice topped with shrimp using basmati rice as the base. The long-grain rice absorbs flavors deeply while staying fluffy. He boosts the dish’s nutrition by mixing in forbidden rice and freekeh for texture. A splash of tamarind chutney balances the rich shrimp and savory rice. Through fusions like these, Kiran Verma honors the immigrant legacies that have enriched Houston’s identity.
Chef Tony Nguyen Embraces Regional Chinese Variations
While many chefs put a modern spin on classics, Tony Nguyen of Xin Chao restaurant focuses on highlighting lesser-known regional Chinese cuisines. Originally from Vietnam, he became fascinated by food diversity in China during culinary school travels. At his Asian gastropub in Midtown Houston, diners can sample fare from provinces often overlooked.
One highlight is Tony Nguyen’s Sichuan dan dan noodles. Where many keep this classic simple, he sources specialty ingredients likePremium Sichuan peppercorns and toasted peanuts to intensify the numbing and savory profile. His Tibetan meatballs made from yak and lamb highlight high-altitude cooking techniques using warming Chinese herbs. For those curious about coastal styles, Tony Nguyen presents Chaozhou braised duck simmered in a claypot with fermented tofu and preserved vegetables.
By shining a spotlight on diverse regional Chinese cuisines through dishes like these, Tony Nguyen educates diners while staying true to distinct local flavors rather than just blending styles together. His menu pays homage to culinary traditions throughout China instead of a one-dimensional view.
Creative Chinese Cuisine Thrives in Houston
The chefs highlighted here show that Houston provides a fertile environment for creatively reimagining Chinese classics. With a spirit of culinary fusion and celebration of diverse influences, these chefs invent new takes that are familiar yet unexpected. Whether putting gourmet twists on takeout favorites, seamlessly blending Asian and Indian flavors, or bringing obscure regional Chinese cooking to the forefront, they continue to intrigue taste buds and broaden culinary horizons in Houston. Through innovative dishes, the city’s dynamic chefs ensure Chinese cuisine remains vital and ever-evolving to suit modern lifestyles.
