Mixin’ it up

Remember middle school dances? I sure do. Now, I was an eighties baby and those not-so-magical celebrations in the school gymnasium bring back some painful — and by painful I mean, ridiculously hilarious — memories.

Girls on one side — “plastered-to-the-wallflowers,” we called them — and boys on the other, the stage was set for the waiting game … each wall of watchers wondering what brave soul would make the first move — and when they did take that looooong, slow walk across the gym floor, would they (or their fragile tween pride) live to tell about it?

I still get goosebumps remembering the drama of it all — the angst! Where was Lady Gaga when our little identities needed her self-esteem building Born This Way ballad? But there was always that one kid … that beatboxer — cool and mysterious — making his own DJ mixes in the basement, and then bustin’ it out on the dance floor to a rhythm all his own (and didn’t we all want a mixed tape from that guy?)

And just like that lone dapper DJ, Asian Mix — a Honolulu eatery — is making its own music, with a menu mash up that’ll make your mouth water. Featuring killer combinations of flavor harmonies, freshly blended with local beets (and other farm-fresh ingredients), this restaurant rocks cuisine like only expert chefs can — including vegetarian fare.

“From day one, we have always had a health-focused client base,” explains owner Daniel Leung. “We always have and always will offer non-meat options for those looking for them.”

Wooed by the promise of veggie food, Dining Out danced on over for a delicious Asian Mix demo. Check this set:

Vegetable Vegetarian Eggroll ($4) features four shareable eggrolls made with carrots, bamboo shoots, celery and mushroom — sliced up, stir-fried and swaddled in savory bite-size bundles, served alongside delicious dipping sauce.

Vegetarian Fried Rice ($7.95) offers herbivores the option of enjoying this sumptuous staple with or without egg. Either way you choose, it’s eggs-actly the right decision for deliciousness — just let your server know.

Eggplant & Tofu in Garlic Sauce ($8.95) sizzles as a substantial meal. Strips of eggplant and ample cubes of tofu are first fried (well-done), and then paired with bamboo shoots, bell peppers and a garlic sauce best described as a little sweet and a little sour, before being wok-fried once again for that added firmness in tofu consistency that makes a better bite.

Leung also makes it a point to offer amazing customer service at Asian Mix, explaining that, “Our staff is high quality; we always make our customers happy — always offering to fix any order that they are not 100 percent happy with — we want them to leave satisfied.”

And there are no worries on that note, because from the great service to the delicious food, this is one fresh Mix you’ll want to have on loop.

Contact Andy Beth Miller at diningout@staradvertiser.com

Asian Mix

1234 S. Beretania St.
521-1688
Daily, 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.