Best of the Best: Asian Options
Bao Nine
10 Liberty Blvd., Ste. 120, Malvern
484-320-8481 / BaoNine.us
Malvern’s restaurant scene welcomed the fluffy Taipei street-style bao buns at Bao Nine — the nine in the name refers to cloud nine, your postprandial experience. About a dozen options (order three, they’re small), with the Sticky Chicky (teriyaki glazed chicken) getting raves. The “Gobbaoler” was a special for Thanksgiving. Mainly for delivery and pickup, given the few tables.
Maison Lotus
175 Lancaster Ave., Wayne
610-527-5700 / Maison-Lotus.com
The latest venture of the Win Hospitality group (Azie, Blue Elephant, Teikoku), Maison Lotus offers up French-Vietnamese food in the sumptuous reno of the former Margaret Kuo’s building. Over two stories “designed to capture a bygone era of romance and celebration” — plus the new lower-level Jade Rabbit speakeasy — enjoy brunch (including dim sum), lunch or dinner, with plenty of signature dishes, like the vermicelli noodle or rice bowl, lobster shumai, shaking beef, hot stone wagyu. Weekday Happy Hour, 4 to 6 p.m. The place to live out your “White Lotus” fantasies.
Mama-San
226 N. Radnor Chester Rd., Radnor
484-580-6942 / MamaSan-Restaurant.com
A fast-casual “elevated Asian Shake Shack,” Mama-San is another new venture from the Win Hospitality group, this one in Radnor’s former Buena Onda spot. Eat in or take out handmade sushi rolls, poke and noodle bowls, and plenty of Asian-fusion fare (umami fries and drunken noodles are faves). Everyday $7 Happy Hour, 3 to 5 p.m., cocktails and sushi.
Mino Sushi & Ramen
2 W. Gay St., West Chester
610-301-8869 / MinoRamen.com
An offshoot of the longtime Malvern location, Mino Sushi & Ramen opened at the Gay and High Street intersection in West Chester (former Starbucks corner). Enjoy authentic ramen, bubble tea, poke bows, sushi and traditional Japanese cuisine. Try their sushi tacos — crispy fried seaweed shells with sushi rice — or the many other apps, rolls (raw and cooked), bowls and balls (rice balls) from their extensive menu. Lunch, dinner and takeout.