These are my top picks for vegetarian-friendly Asian fusion, hotpot, and KBBQ restaurants in St. Petersburg and Tampa that offer creative and contemporary Asian-inspired cuisine!
According to BFF Asian Grill’s blog, Asian Fusion became popular in America in the 1960s. It is a type of cuisine that is characterized by a few different ways to use Asian-style dishes and ingredients mixed in with other types of dishes. Asian Fusion is about experimenting with different flavors, ingredients, cooking techniques, and more to create something new. I incorporated this definition combined with each of these restaurants’ self-identity as Asian fusion spot into generating this list of my favorite Asian finds.
Lingr
I couldn’t believe it when such a chic, unique spot was opening literally right across the street from my previous DTSP apartment! Located in downtown St. Petersburg, Lingr is a modern restaurant that blends Nordic and Asian cuisine. The blue oyster mushroom and vegetable dumplings, mapo ho fun rice noodles, and of course the carefully curated drinks are all definitely major highlights!
Haiku
Haiku Tampa features a hip interior with dangling flowers and neon lights, reminiscent of restaurant-clubs found in Miami. It offers a variety of Asian fusion options including veggie and tofu tempura, yuzu guacamole, and vegan shoyu ramen, and is the perfect place to start a night out, especially before heading to The Edition in this upscale part of town.
Wandee
Wandee is tucked away in an accessible but not busy part of Tampa. It features a really colorful Insta-worthy interior, but not at the expense of flavorful food. This Thai fusion is very delicious, especially their special cashew curry.
Green Pagoda
Green Pagoda is a sister restaurant to Mangosteen in downtown St. Pete. It offers a range of vegetarian-friendly classic fusion eats. Some of the most popular meatless dishes include spring rolls, curries, and noodles. Although they have a proper cocktail menu, we always resort to ordering rounds of sake.
Good Fortune
I was devastated to learn that Ichicoro St. Pete was permanently gone after its initial closure when COVID hit. I never got to eat or drink at the sleek underground Japanese restaurant/bar, only briefly walked inside once. Time is truly the cure for everything and with enough waiting, I found out the the Park & Rec owners were opening up a karaoke bar-restaurant with a similar theme to take its place! My favorite part of the decor was the cherry blossom-laden bar. A karaoke room can be reserved for a larger party. At night a third of the seating area even becomes a dance floor!
Good Fortune’s menu features an impressive variety of options with Japanese, Korean, and Chinese influences. The drinks were great too – I’m a sucker for anything yuzu. Ronak ordered a highball without understanding the nuances of this Japanese whiskey-soda concept (one I only know after listening to almost all of the Japan Distilled podcast). What made up for it was two Liquid Swords whiskeys that come in a smoking treasure chest. We tried the Japanese milk bread, sweet potato roll (upscale version of our Sushi Inc. favorite Yam Yam), one of the most delicious edamame in St. Pete, and the drunken noodles. I missed the falafel bao buns on the menu but there will always be a next time! Book here on OpenTable, the app/site that I love for easy booking for the coolest spots in any city.
Hong BBQ & Hot Pot
Hong BBQ & Hot Pot, big, beautiful, and busy, and provides an all-encompassing foodie experience! The Chinese herbal is the only vegetarian-friendly soup base, however there are a multitude of vegetarian sauces to customize the flavor. The variety of options to add into the soup include rice cakes and a wide range of vegetables and tofu types, all of which could also double for Korean BBQ purposes!
Matjoa
Matjoa is a really great KBBQ restaurant with a great amount of vegetarian options. Their vegetarian bibimbap was sizzling and delicious. There portions are generous and the staff is very nice!
This post was all about some of the best Vegetarian Asian fusion, hotpot, and KBBQ restaurants St. Petersburg Tampa! Check out my posts on the best vegetarian-friendly Japanese/sushi restaurants, Thai restaurants and Indian restaurants in St. Pete and Tampa!
