I love fusion cuisine: the combining of food profiles from different cultures. Zengo seemed like a natural choice to review fusion cuisine since it’s known for it’s “Latin-Asian” flavors. When I saw Won Ton Tacos, and Thai Chicken Empanadas on the menu, I knew I made the right choice. These “entretizers” are perfect for happy hour, or to share with friends during dinner.
Their Won Ton Tacos are cleverly deceptive. Inside each Won Ton Taco you’ll find sweet sushi rice topped off with charred ahi tuna mixed with some pickled ginger and mango salsa. All the ingredients are then nestled within a deep fried wonton shaped like a taco shell. I couldn’t but help laugh with each bite I took because they feel like tacos, but the flavors are pure Asian. At times, I actually thought I was eating a wonton, or maybe even an eggroll, instead of a taco.
The next fusion entretizer on the list was the Thai Chicken Empanada. On the outside, it’s looks like an empanada dish. As the dish arrived, however, I could easily recognize the aroma of the sweet Thai curry coconut sauce. Like most Thai dishes, the Thai Chicken Empanada has a little kick balanced off with some sweetness. It’s chicken filling made with chile poblano rajas, and the warm flaky dough gives it a sense of comfort food, perfect right after a long day at work. Their mixologist paired the dish with a refreshing Cucumber Mohito. I am not much of drinker, but even I loved this sweet and minty cocktail.
These two entretizers should give you a good feel for what the rest of the menu will be like: a delicious blend of Latin-Asian flavors. Every dish on Zengo’s menu will deliciously play tricks on your taste buds. Along with entrées like Kobe Beef Charasco and Pan Roasted Chilean Sea Bass, even their sushi rolls play with fusion flavors combing traditional sushi ingredients with things like sesame-chipotle rouille, jalapeno-chive aioli, and sweet-samba aioli.
Zengo is perfect for any fusion foodie.
Zengo Restaurant – Denver
1610 Little Raven Street, Riverfront Park
Denver, CO 80202
720.904.0965
www.modernmexican.com/zengodenver
Executive Chef: Clint Wangsnes
