While he was running a gourmet Chinese restaurant in the past, Daniel Leung noticed something: “I really saw people getting busier and busier.”
So he decided to do something to help them — he closed down his gourmet eatery and opened Asian Mix as a casual, affordable alternative.
“If people are working all day, they really don’t want to cook. So they can come here, grab a few things, go home and serve,” Leung says.
Coming with him was a lot of the team from his previous restaurant — including head chef Jason Ruan.
Barbecue Pork and Ginger Chicken on Rice ($9.50) File photo
One of Ruan’s creations makes an appearance in the restaurant’s roast duck, which can be found in various dishes, including Roast Duck with Funn ($9.50). Creating the duck is a lengthy, elaborate process that takes about 24 hours of roasting, marinating and drying the meat.
“Duck is our signature dish here,” he says. “We pretty much sell out every day.”
While you will find a range of influences and types of food, Asian Mix has a particular affinity for Hong Kong cuisine.”These dishes represent the type of food you can get in Hong Kong — the way the dishes are prepared, the way they’re served, is just exactly Hong Kong-style,” Leung says.
However, there is one tweak that Leung has made: “The portions are larger.”
Getting Saucy
One thing that sets Asian Mix apart is its collection of signature sauces concocted by head chef Jason Ruan — two of which are on display in Barbecue Pork and Ginger Chicken on Rice ($9.50). “People come here and just buy the sauce sometimes,” says restaurant owner Daniel Leung.
Asian Mix
1234 S. Beretania St., Honolulu
521-1688
Daily, 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Honolulu, HI 96814
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