How a Silly Instagram Comment Sent Me to a Top 5 Asian Dining Establishment
This is an apology article as well as a discussion on one of the best places to eat in all of Florida.
I’m dead serious.
On Instagram, I made a joke about a chicken dish recipe that looked very unappetizing because it looked like it has no seasoning. I said something along the lines of “so much work for no flavor.” Among the Asian-American Instagram friends, they each called me out on not having knowledge of the magic known as Hainan chicken. So on my list of recommendations around Florida I stumbled upon a spot that actually specializes in this same recipe. It also happens to be inside a local market.
The concept of the small independent market/bodega is a bit more foreign here in Central Florida when compared to the likes of New York City, but they do exist. In a supermarket environment dominated by the likes of Publix, Wal-Mart, and Whole Foods, there are a few local markets here and there that provides a few options that’s beyond the norm.
Orlando is unique because there are two sections that I consider to be “Chinatown”s, both on the same road but several miles apart. Western Colonial Drive towards Winter Garden gives us the stronger Asian presence, and you’ll find more spots on that side including the awesome Lotte Market that originally hails from South Korea. But that story is for another article, we’re heading east to the IFresh Market.
Located close to my personal favorite neighborhood Audubon Park, IFresh Market is this nice small quaint Asian market with a great variety of products, fruits, seafood, and even imported sweets. But also inside this nice market is an establishment that is significantly more than its appearance.
Meng’s Kitchen is a quick-service spot in the corner that crafts food as delicious as the most elegant and expensive of meals. Not sure how its accomplished in such a small space, but every visit I end up satisfied, every visit I end up taking food home because the portions are so plentiful. To add to that, their menu bounces all over the Eastern Asian map, with meals influenced by China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, and even hints of India.
Every single dish is an absolute treat. The pork belly, the katsu, the fried pot stickers, the Chinese BBQ, and yes, especially the Hainan chicken.
I apologize to everyone who I offended when I offended the chicken. I am typing this part while on my knees.
This dish has significantly more flavor than I could have ever imagined, I had no idea that something looking so plain can taste so good. Their housemade sauces all strike the right notes, the rice also delivers in all categories, and even the accompanying soup (almost unnecessary at this point) is also great every time.
I mean it, these pictures don’t do the dishes justice, and there is a ton of missing footage of all the other visits I’ve already made to this delightful corner of Asian culinary happiness. What I usually do is get one of the imported drinks and then place my order to dine at the market. Friendly warning, they only have a couple tables so most of their clientele orders the food to-go, probably as a reward for a successful shopping spree.
I once again apologize, I’m hardly ever such levels of wrong, but I was completely wrong here.
IFresh Market is worthy of your attention and your money, but Meng’s Kitchen is an absolute-must if you want to know what good East Asian food actually tastes like. The prices aren’t too risqué, the portions are excellent, the variety is surprisingly deep, and the flavor is consistently better than most of the typical larger restaurants known as top-tier.
Come here, shop, and enjoy some of the best Asian food in all of Florida…including the Hainan chicken I foolishly underestimated.