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Photo courtesy of The Peterboro
When you think of most restaurants, it’s usually easy to pinpoint a single cuisine. Fusion restaurants, however, bring together ingredients and cooking styles from different traditions to form something entirely new. In Metro Detroit, chefs aren’t shy about combining bold flavors, spices, and techniques for dishes that delight. If you’re craving something beyond the usual boundaries, here are a few local spots that skillfully merge cuisines while introducing inventive menu items…
Takoi
2520 Michigan Avenue, Detroit
Takoi is celebrated for its edgy approach to Asian-inspired cooking, blending Thai cooking with local ingredients and flavors. Fusion shines brightest in menu offerings like the Crispy Spare Ribs, paired with a salad made of apples, pickled fennel, and ginger, Makhwan Fried Chicken, or Steak Golae, combining a grilled New York strip with coconut milk curry. Whether you choose a curry, noodles, or a small plate like their pastrami-filled egg rolls, expect elements pulled from Thai, American, and other global flavors in every bite.
El Barzon Restaurante
3710 Junction Avenue, Detroit
El Barzon opened in 2007, combining the best of traditional Mexican and Italian culinary styles. One moment you’re savoring Mole Poblano or Enchiladas Rojas (red sauce), and the next you might indulge in handmade pasta dishes like Fettuccine alla Bolognese or Ravioli di Aragosta (ravioli with lobster and shrimp). This unique blend allows guests to choose between tangy salsas, rich sauces, or hearty pasta in the same meal. For a truly cross-cultural feast, start with classic Mexican appetizers like a bowl of queso fundido, then switch to an Italian pasta course before returning to Mexican entrées such as Pipian Verde (chicken with green mole sauce) or Chiles Relleno (stuffed poblano pepper).
The Peterboro
420 Peterboro Street, Detroit
The Peterboro is a great spot if you’re looking for a fusion of American-influenced Chinese dishes. “Our menu at The Peterboro is a reflection of our commitment to blending traditional Chinese flavors with modern culinary techniques. We’re constantly experimenting with fresh ingredients and cross-cultural inspirations to create a dining experience that feels both comforting and adventurous,” shares owner Charles Inchaustegui. Cheeseburger Spring Rolls are a perfect example, rolling all-American burger fillings up into a crispy wrapper. The Fried Chicken Bao Buns are another highlight, combining fried chicken thighs with cabbage, pickles, and a housemade spicy dragon sauce to bring it all together. The Chinese Spare Ribs are a must, cooked to perfection, and served with waffle fries. For dessert, select between Chinese Apple Crisp or Deep Fried Oreos, which are great examples of The Peterboro bridging flavors with a contemporary twist.
The Takeout Box
39958 Ford Road, Canton
545 Forest Avenue, Plymouth
The Takeout Box combines a casual setting with a menu full of pan-Asian inspirations. “We’re an Asian Fusion Restaurant that specializes in modernized takeout food! Our vision is to create a space for our customers to come together with their family and friends to eat in one location.” That vision lives in offerings like Taiwanese Loaded Fries, loaded up with battered chicken and layered sauces, or the Asian Birria Bao Bun stuffed with grilled beef, cheese, and a side of consommé. From Fire Wings, Bang Bang Shrimp, and Kimchi Fried Rice to Pho and Mango Sticky Rice, their approach merges familiar sweet and savory dishes with inventive flavor spins.
The Blind Owl
511 South Main Street, Royal Oak
39610 Main Street, New Baltimore
The Blind Owl prides itself on creating an energetic atmosphere where Latin-inspired dishes and fresh sushi share the same menu. Start out with the Street Corn or opt for the Shawarma Nachos if you’re craving a cuisine where Middle Eastern meets Mexican, piling queso, feta, grilled chicken shawarma, garlic sriracha, and pico atop corn chips. For tacos, consider the Lamb Braisin’ Birria, Tequila Lime Mahi-Mahi, or Fried Avocado options, or check out their Fusion Rolls on the sushi side. With everything from tacos and fajitas to sashimi and maki, The Blind Owl showcases how cultural boundaries can vanish on one plate. The fusion doesn’t stop for dessert, with options ranging from affogatos and Fried Cheesecake with a sweet berry chipotle sauce to Mama’s Dulce de Leche Gelato.
White Wolf Japanese Patisserie
31 East 14 Mile Road, Clawson
White Wolf Japanese Patisserie applies French pastry techniques to Japanese flavors, offering a refined dessert selection. The Matcha Mille Crepe Cake epitomizes this fusion, layering traditional French crepes with ceremonial-grade green tea mousse. Other highlights include Yuzu-Lemon Soufflé Cheesecake, Cocoa Swiss Roll, and Melon Pan, a Japanese sweet bun covered in a layer of crisp cookie dough. Each confection nods to both European and East Asian baking traditions, achieving a delicate balance of richness and subtlety.
Fusion restaurants offer diners an opportunity to explore diverse flavors under one roof. These Metro Detroit establishments demonstrate how a creative mashup of global techniques and local ingredients can lead to dishes that are both comforting and unexpected, perfect for anyone seeking to expand their culinary horizons.
This article has been updated to include new information. The original article was published on July 16, 2023, and was authored by Katie Goncalves.
