Food from the Far East is making a big impression on Folly’s cuisine scene
By Lorne Chambers | Editor
It wasn’t so long ago when the culinary landscape on Folly Beach was rather limited. But in the last several years, a host of small but innovative restaurants have helped give diners more options and more flavors. Big flavors. And while all of these restaurants are rooted right here in Folly, many of those big flavors are inspired by the other side of the globe.
The Asian food trend has hit other parts of the country as well, but for so many Asian options to be available on such a small island is intriguing … and delicious.
While Folly Beach still doesn’t have a true “Asian” restaurant (unless you count Pan Garden, the Chinese take-out place just off the island, next to Harris Teeter), there are many restaurants serving Asian specialties or Asian-influenced dishes. In many cases, these Asian influences are popping up in the most unlikely of places.
For example, who would expect to get sushi from a sandwich shop? Well, Lisa Dixon Kullmar of Sushi By Lisa, has been rolling this Japanese favorite for the folks of Folly Beach for years and sets up shop every Tuesday through Friday nights at the Drop-In Deli. Excellent sushi is also being rolled nightly at Snapper Jack’s, just down the street from Drop-In. Heck, you can even get fresh, pre-packaged sushi from Bert’s Market these days.
As exotic as sushi is to many of Americans, it’s by no means a new trend among ambitious eaters. From Brooklyn to San Francisco from downtown Charleston to Folly Beach, Southeast Asian cuisine is all the rage these days. There is no doubt that the bold flavors and spicy additions have brightened up our beach’s dining scene.
Jeff Butler, co-owner and chef at The ’Wich Doctor, has lead the Asian food charge on Folly Beach, bringing unique flavors to his small sandwich and pizza shop, just off Center Street.
Typically, you wouldn’t expect to find authentic Vietnamese pho (noodle soup), Bun Thit (noodle salad), or banh xeo (crispy pancake, stuffed with shrimp and pork) at a beach sandwich and pizza joint, but Butler’s affinity for Asian food is evident in his creative sandwiches, such as the Hanoi Hoagie, Spicy Stir Fried Shrimp Sandwich, the Korean BBQ and Kimchee Sandwich, and Slow Roasted Beef Brisket on Chinese Steam Buns. However, it’s The ’Wich Doctor’s daily specials that really showcase Buter’s passion for Thai, Veitnamese, Cambodian, and Korean fare. Exotic noodle bowls, soups, and salads bring the flavors of the Far East right here to the Edge of America.
The newest darling to the Folly culinary scene is Jack Of Cups, a cozy little bar that opened about a year and a half ago in the former Folly Beach Brew Pub space. Owners Lesley Carroll and Nick Della Penna have converted the beer bar into one of Folly’s hottest little restaurants. Carroll (aka The Curry Queen of Folly Beach) has concocted an ever-evolving menu of rich and spicy curries and other Asian-inspired treats, such as gyoza steamed dumplings, red curry mac and cheese, Thai peanut ginger soup, cold soba noodle salad, just to name a few.
A little of the beaten path of Center Street you’ll find Chico Feo, a quirky outdoor bar and restaurant that largely serves up Caribbean-influenced cuisine, such as fish tacos, black beans and rice, and curried goat. However, owner Hank Weed also has a love for Asian cuisine and this month announced the opening of his Ramen Tokyo Noodle Counter out of the front of Chico Feo, located adjactent to Bert’s Market.
You can find Asian influence creeping into other menus on Folly Beach too. Taco Boy has a kimchi beef taco on it’s menu, as well as a tempura-fried shrimp taco. The Grill and Island Bar serves a tuna sandwich with pickled red ginger, Asian slaw, and siracha as well as a sweet and a spicy shrimp dynamites appetizer. In addition to offering sushi at it’s raw bar, Snapper Jack’s has a seared tuna sandwich with a siracha aioli and Asian slaw. Even Blu, Folly’s highest-end restaurant, offers muscles in a red curry broth.
So you don’t have to look too far to get your Asian fix on Folly. The recent explosion of Far East flavors just goes to show that the people of Folly Beach aren’t your typical beach bums, we have a flair for good times and good food and a group of young, ambitious restaurateurs are just feeding our appetites, one spicy bite at a time.
