Food Review: Asian Sister Cafe, Canoga Park
In the vibrant neighborhood of Canoga Park, known for its diverse community and bustling local businesses, Asian Sister Cafe presents an unassuming exterior, which might lead one to underestimate the culinary treasures housed within its walls. Intrigued yet slightly skeptical due to the empty tables that greeted us upon our arrival, my family and I stepped inside this quaint establishment, eager to experience its menu.
Our culinary adventure commenced with the Ube Pork Belly, a dish that is a true triumph of flavor fusion. This unique dish features thick slices of fluffy French toast, their golden edges perfectly caramelized, effectively cradling an irresistible filling of purple yam, known locally as ube. The coloration of this vibrant filling was striking, and its flavor was sweet and earthy, creating a delightful contrast to the richness of the pork belly that graced the top. The succulent pork belly was expertly cooked, boasting a rich, unctuous texture that melted in the mouth. This harmonious blend of tastes and textures was further elevated with a dollop of spicy mayo, which introduced a welcomed kick that danced across the palate. Accompanying this standout dish were crispy fried shrimp egg rolls, their exterior perfectly fried to a golden brown, creating a satisfying crunch that juxtaposed the soft, pillowy toast. Each bite was a symphony of textures, harmonious and indulgent in every way.
For our main course, we opted for the expansive OMG Pho, which arrived at our table as a magnificent bowl of steaming treasure, massive enough to feed an entire family. Its sheer size was nothing short of ambitious, filled to the brim with an impressive assortment of meats, including tender slices of beef, plump beef balls, and significant portions of tripe, brisket, and beef shank tendon. A striking oxtail bone protruded from the center of the bowl, hinting at the rich flavors yet to come. Our expectations soared as we inhaled the aromatic steam rising from the broth. However, as we took our first sips, we found the broth slightly disappointing; while it had the complexity and warmth we desired, it fell short and registered on the palate as muted and faintly bland. Placing the bean sprouts at the bottom further dilutes what could have been a flavorful masterpiece as they languish, absorbing the broth's essence rather than elevating it.
Despite our best efforts to conquer the vast assortment of food before us, we ultimately found ourselves defeated, leaving remnants of the exquisite yet somewhat underwhelming broth, which clung stubbornly to the bottom of the bowl.
In summation, the Asian Sister Cafe certainly offers tantalizing glimpses of culinary potential through its innovative dishes and impressive portion sizes. However, the overall experience was slightly hampered by minor missteps in executionâparticularly in the broth's flavor balance. It seems that the establishment is still navigating its place in the bustling culinary landscape of Canoga Park, with hope for growth and refinement in future offerings. While I am hopeful that subsequent visits may unveil a more resonant and well-rounded dining experience, for now, I would deem this establishment deserving of a modest three-star rating, with the anticipation that it will soon flourish in both execution...
   Read moreDelicious food, spacious restaurant, and friendly service!
MENU Their menu is quite extensive and is sure to have something for everyone in your group. I was pleased to see traditional Vietnamese dishes such as banh xeo, com tam, and bun bo hue, as well as fusion items like roti curry and ube pork belly. Yum! The prices are also very reasonable given today's... climate.
FOOD We ordered the sizzling spicy seafood basil, pho ga (chicken), and salad roll with avocado. Everything tasted fresh, authentic, and delicious! I liked that the sauce in the sizzling noodles wasn't overpowering, yet still tasty. The broth in the pho tasted like it was homemade. The salad roll was simple, yet yummy and healthy. The presentation of each dish was also nice.
SERVICE The servers were friendly and also checked on how we were doing regularly.
PARKING There is a small lot in front of the restaurant. We went for lunch on a weekend and didn't have trouble getting a spot.
Overall, this place is awesome and I'm already looking forward to going back. I'm excited that we have a new Vietnamese fusion restaurant...
   Read moreAsian Sisters is a new Vietnamese-heavy fusion cafe. Most all of the dishes are essentially Vietnamese with elements borrowed from other Asian cuisine, including Thai and Indian. The menu has a nice selection of appetizers, among them, I recommend their garlic noodles, which feature crispy garlic over lightly stir fried egg noodles with cabbage. Their Asian Side Noodles are another popular item, with beef and pork stir fried into egg noodles and bean sprouts. Their banh mi is offered with beef, chicken or bbq pork. I recommend the pork. The only thing I wish is that they would grill the French roll...it is both typically done at Vietnamese restaurants, and gives the sandwich some extra texture and flavor. The atmosphere is modern and the restaurant is clean. As for service, the owners are friendly. Prices...
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