To many outsiders, there’s a homogeneity that would seem to define Utah. But Salt Lake food lovers – and anyone else who has spent much time here – know that our diverse restaurant scene spans the culinary globe, with cuisines ranging from Asia and Latin America to Europe, the South Pacific, Africa, the Middle East and beyond. Unconventional cuisines have become conventional here. Let’s take a tour.
Downtown SLC sports one of Utah’s best Asian restaurants in J. Wong’s Thai & Chinese Bistro, a lovely family-owned eatery with heavenly honey-glazed walnut shrimp and massaman curry lamb chops. For fab pho and the fragrant flavors of Vietnam, look no further than SOMI Vietnamese Bistro in Sugar House, named for owners Sophia and Michael Eng. The whole branzino with ginger-scallion glaze is a real crowd-pleaser, as is whole Peking duck and lemongrass beef noodle soup. Closer to downtown Salt Lake, Pho Hay To is the go-to option for many local pho lovers, even if they don’t know that Mama Mai and her daughter Michelle often start simmering their phenomenal pho broth as early as 5 a.m.
There’s certainly no shortage of Latin American restaurants in Utah and one of the most authentic is La Oaxaquenawhich, as you’d surmise, brings the flavors of Oaxaca, Mexico to Salt Lake diners. Specifically, you’ll want to order a tlayuda – a 14-inch homemade tortilla topped with your choice of bean, meats, cheeses, veggies and more, almost like south-of-the-border pizza. Conveniently located adjacent to the Salt Lake Marriott is Monarca, a family-owned Mexican restaurant with an upscale ambiance to match the vibrant flavors there. Start with ceviche or queso fundido before moving on to the bodacious birria tacos, street-style elote, huitlacoche quesadilla, and more south-of-the-border inspired dishes.
Africa is well represented at restaurants in and around Salt Lake, including the marvelous Oromian restaurant and Mahider Ethiopian, where you’ll find genuine Ethiopian fare made from scratch at both. It’s a hands-on experience where utensils aren’t necessary. Just tear off a piece of injera bread and scoop up boldly flavored foods like doro wot, gomen, alicha, quanta firfir, ater kik, waaddii, kohee handaaqoo and other exotic dishes.
You can tour Europe without leaving downtown Salt Lake by visiting Manoli’s for modern interpretations of Greek culinary classics in a lively setting, or Siegfried’s Delicatessen for genuine German fare ranging from schnitzel and spaetzle with gravy to one of the best Reuben sandwiches this side of the Rhine. For a taste of Belgium, pop into Bruges Belgian Bistro for authentic Belgian waffles and fabulous frites with a variety of dipping sauces – just like you’d find in Bruges. And for French-style macarons, croissants, cookies, ice cream, kouign amann and much more, stop by Bonne Vie in the Grand America Hotel for takeout goodies.
Afghan Kitchen delivers authentic Afghan cuisine to adventurous Salt Lake diners in two locations with dishes like beef mantu, bulani, aush and more, while for the flavors of Lebanon, discover foods like loobia, mujaddara, kebabs, shawarma, falafel, mutabbaq, and more at Mazza. Laziz Kitchen is another Salt Lake fave for Middle Eastern fare with scrumptious from-scratch cuisine and a small market that sells imported spices, take-home treats, and other pantry items.
The vibrant flavors of India are well represented at Saffron Valley, a splendid eatery in The Avenues, while Curry in a Hurry – as you might guess – is perfect for Indian food lovers on the fly. Tandoori cooking is the specialty of Himalayan Kitchen but don’t leave without enjoying an order of Nepali steamed dumplings called momos.
Do you like your Thai food spicy? Choose your heat level carefully at Skewered Thai, with the authentic flavors and spices of Thailand. Meanwhile, the current ramen craze means plenty of options for ramen aficionados in Salt Lake, but none better than at Kobe Japanese Restaurant, where chef/owner Mike Fukumitsu brews his ramen broth for days before it ever sees the inside of a ramen bowl. Kobe also serves up some of the best sushi in the West.
