A taste of Asia in Morganton: Our dining experience at Asian Fusion

Editor's Note: Reviews are based on a single, unannounced, and anonymous visit. Your experience may differ from what is presented here.

Since my husband, Marty, and I became co-workers at The Paper in September 2023, we have made a point to broaden our horizon when dining out in our “second hometown,” Morganton. We were both born and raised in Marion, and we still live in McDowell County so, while we are quite familiar with dining options, we are still discovering delicious lunch and dinner choices all over Burke County.

On a recent overcast Saturday, we spent the morning at The Paper’s office. Our publication had just completed the transfer to a new web platform and we helped answer many phone calls and questions from subscribers that morning.

A little after noon, the call flow had slowed and we decided to head home – but not before a stop for lunch. Marty and I both love Asian food and we had heard our fellow journalists sing the praises of Asian Fusion, an eatery in Tannery Square off of West Fleming Drive. We arrived at the restaurant at 12:45 and were greeted by a friendly hostess as soon as we walked in.

OUR ORDER

We soon discovered the hostess would also be our waitress. She took our drink order (sweet tea for both of us, $3.59 each) and we decided to try the Shumai (shrimp dumplings, $7.99) as an appetizer. The menu is extensive and I had no idea what to order so I asked our waitress for a suggestion. Without hesitation, she pointed out the Pad Pak Ruammit (stir fried mushrooms, bamboo, broccoli, string beans, celery, carrots, onion and Napa cabbage.) I opted to have the dish with chicken ($10.95).

Marty selected the Bulgogi (Korean BBQ beef) which consisted of marinated ribeye beef, jasmine rice, onion, glass noodles and sesame seeds ($15.95).

THE ATMOSPHERE

While we waited, we had a moment to check out the decor. Since we were visiting in July, I was surprised to see the dining room decorated in magnificent Christmas splendor. Lush illuminated garlands hung from the ceiling and gleaming ornaments were suspended around the room.

Our waitress arrived quickly with the appetizer and I asked her about the Christmas decorations. She smiled and told me they decorated the place six years ago and loved it so much they never took it down. I have to admit the place looked amazing! Even after six years, the decorations looked new and perfectly clean.

SERVICE

Our hostess/waitress was efficient and friendly. She knew the menu well and never let us run out of tea. She stopped by several times to see if we were happy with the food. Even though there were other guests in the restaurant, we felt as if we had a personal waitress.

THE FOOD

Asian Fusion lived up to the hype we’d heard in the newsroom. The shrimp dumplings appetizer was absolutely delicious. The bite-size dumplings came with a dipping sauce that was not too hot and not too sweet. They were served on a bed of cooked cabbage. There was plenty to share and we finished the small plate just as our entrees arrived.

Marty’s Korean beef looked impressive. A mound of shredded beef, onions and glass noodles was piled on the plate. The side dishes of rice and steamed vegetables (including kimchi, a traditional Korean side dish consisting of salted and fermented vegetables, most often napa cabbage or Korean radish) were served on separate white dishes.

According to Marty, his meal was delicious. He ate about half of his entree at the restaurant, and took the rest home for dinner.

My Pad Pak Ruammit was also excellent. I had asked our waitress for a dish without a lot of spicy heat, and she definitely steered me in the right direction. My food was flavorful and tasty, and the vegetables were cooked just-right. I ate until I was full and also had enough food left for dinner.

I wish we had saved room for dessert, because the mango sticky rice, fried banana with vanilla ice cream, and mochi ice cream all sounded delicious. We will definitely try one of them when we return to Asian Fusion.