Whenever I get asked for a Boston restaurant recommendation the first place that comes to mind is Banyan. They create dishes that are unforgettable because of their ability to combine both uniqueness and familiarity. Banyan starts with common dishes but they put their spin on it and that is what makes this restaurant so memorable. There hasn’t been someone I bring to Banyan that isn’t thoroughly impressed with the food.
Something that always has a place on their ever-changing menus is the bao buns which are the perfect bite without being overwhelming. Some of the best ones they have introduced are sweet potato, cauliflower, and lobster. Even though the lobster is the only one left it truly shows what Asian fusion can be. There is nothing more Boston than a Lobster Roll but instead, imagine it on a fluffy bao bun and that's what Banyan gives you. Even when this particular version leaves the menu, I know something better is going to replace it because that’s how Banyan keeps you coming back.
Another dish that exemplifies Banyan as the best Asian fusion restaurant is the seasonally rotating chips and dip dish. I can’t think of anything more American than eating chips and dip while watching a football game, but instead picture Asian-inspired dips. This past winter, there was a crab rangoon dip that fulfilled all my late-night Chinese takeout dreams. Spring switched things up with an avocado-edamame dip that only felt right eating in a tank top with light and refreshing qualities. Every season brings a new dip that harmoniously combines the season’s atmosphere and a common Asian dish or flavor.
On my most recent trip to Banyan, I tried something I always looked at but never ordered. After trying it, the sticky chicken hot dish has become my new favorite. The fried chicken was coated in a sweet garlic and soy glaze, yet it remained crisper than most of the fried chicken I have tried. The sauce created the perfect umami-forward dish that I couldn’t stop eating. The fact that I am still able to find new tasty dishes years after trying them for the first time is what makes Banyan so special.