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Mott Street
Mott Street
Monica Wang

14 of Chicago's Best and Boldest Fusion Restaurants to Try Now

Taco Bell's Naked Chicken Chalupa misses the cut

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Mott Street
| Monica Wang

Deciding on a restaurant to dine at can sometimes be an exasperating ordeal. Mexican or Indian? Barbecued meats or tacos? There's never a wrong choice but accommodating multiples palates, as well as your own, requires careful consideration. To make life easier, here's a map of 14 of the best fusion restaurants in Chicago, so people can have what they're craving.

As Chicago's culinary scene continues to expand, more and more chefs are thinking outside the box. Instead of always striving for authenticity, they're pushing forward with bold flavors that combine pieces of various cuisines. These spots eschew tradition and have only one goal in mind—to create delicious food.

Some of the city's most notable chefs, including Abe Conlon and Bill Kim, have made a mark with their restaurants. Other places, like Sunda and Carnivale, are consistently packed with crowds that just can't seem to get enough Asian and Latin fusion fare. Even seasoned diners will find new and exciting dishes to try. Sushi burritos, anyone?

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Altiro Latin Fusion

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Visit Roscoe Village for a taste of what suburbanites have been enjoying for years. Altiro Latin Fusion gained a following out in Geneva for its innovative fare bursting with bright flavors. In 2015, a Chicago outpost arrived and it has continued to build on the original’s success, delivering an array of tacos and South American-inspired small plates.

Korean barbecue gets taken to the next level at Bill Kim’s flagship spot on the edge of Restaurant Row. Expect fine-tuned variations on classic ‘Q meats—Korean short ribs, tea-smoked duck breast, sake-roasted chicken, baby back pork ribs—alongside Western staples such as Belly Mac featuring Japanese noodles and Thai curry. If that’s not enough, diners can head next door to Urbanbelly for their fill of noodles, rice and dumplings.

Carnivale

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The party never ends at Chicago’s liveliest Latin fusion destination. Colorful décor, a festive atmosphere and live entertainment ensure there’s never a dull moment but chef Rodolfo Cuadros’ cooking is the real attraction. He incorporates elements from South America, Spain and the Caribbean to create diverse offerings that include a selection of ceviches, ropa vieja, arroz con mariscos and even housemade cotton candy.

de Quay Restaurant

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Dutch and Indonesian flavors in Chicago are in exceedingly short supply so it was a welcome sight when chef-owner David de Quay decided to embrace both cuisines at his eponymous concept. Some offerings are decidedly non-fusion—braised lamb shank with goat gouda mashed potatoes is hearty European comfort while nasi goreng, or Indonesian fried rice, is the country's national dish. But there are also many others that blur the line between cultures, such as braised short rib with rendang croquette and pea tendril; and mussels and shrimp luxuriating in coconut curry.

Marc Much

Del Seoul

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Kalbi and tortillas may sound like an obvious pairing these days but that’s due in large part to Del Seoul. The restaurant helped popularize Korean-inspired street food, such as tacos filled with sesame-chili shrimp, tempura fish, grilled short rib, spicy barbecue pork and more. In addition, other delectable combos include Korean barbecue banh mi sandwiches, kalbi poutine and kimchi fries. Topping fries with fermented cabbage makes it healthier … right?

En Hakkore 2.0

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Sometimes, that sushi craving comes calling and there’s no choice but to comply. Ordering multiple rolls for yourself can be excessive and cost prohibitive, though, so head to this Asian fusion eatery for a playful twist that brings two disparate foods together. The specialty sushi burritos are hulking wraps of rice packed with proteins like tempura shrimp, spicy tuna, tuna ceviche and Korean BBQ beef.

Fat Rice

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At this point little introduction is needed for Abe Conlon’s beloved Macanese restaurant. The food draws on the influences of Southeast Asia and Portugal, culminating in a signature dish dubbed arroz gordo, or “fat rice.” This paella-like bowl of jasmine rice comes packed with curried chicken thighs, char siu pork, linguica sausage, prawns, clams, tea eggs and more. It’s an assorted mix that hits all the right notes on the flavor spectrum.

Marc Much

One of 2016’s boldest openings was as unique of a concept as there's been in recent times. The expansion of Maria’s Packaged Goods & Community Bar gave patrons a reliable dining option in the form of Korean-Polish street food. Chef Won Kim dishes out elevated bar snacks like sausages topped with “krautchi,” smoked wings, kimchi poutine, housemade meatballs over noodles and more. Lounge away on the patio when the weather’s nice or take the food next door and pair it with a craft beer.

Aron Gent

Mexique

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Carlos Gaytan is an inspiring success who’s worked his way up the Chicago scene over the last two decades. At his restaurant Mexique, he presents the Mexican flavors of his homeland with French finesse. What seems like an improbable melding of cuisines produces hits such as chile relleno stuffed with ratatouille; seared duck breast and duck leg confit in chipotle tamarind glaze; and carne asada with roasted fingerling potato salad, cherry tomatoes and goat cheese fondue.

Mott Street

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Edward Kim’s North Side establishments, Ruxbin and Mott Street, have been two of Chicago’s must-visit dining destinations over the last several years. The street food-inspired dishes here put his team’s talents front and center as they elegantly refine flavors that one might find at an Asian night market. Guests enjoy a variety of bites including kimchi & Oaxaca empanadas; General Tso’s lamb sweetbreads; kimchi cabbage stuffed with pork butt and sticky rice; and udon noodles with spicy marinated cod roe, kimchi and seaweed.

Photo courtesy of Mott Street

Rogue Fusion

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With a name that conjures images of Star Wars, it’s no surprise that the menu at this Rogers Park restaurant feels like it spans the entire galaxy. The kitchen plays by its own rules, cooking everything from Korean tacos and chicken wings to crab meat beignets and tagliatelle a la carbonara. So the next time your friends want to drag you to the Cheesecake Factory for the sake of “variety,” be a rebel and suggest Rogue Fusion instead.

Saucy Porka

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Spice up your lunch game with Asian-Latin fusion in the Loop. This popular daytime spot recreates the childhood memories of owner Amy Le and chef Rafael Lopez through blended dishes like bao tacos (“bacos”), pork carnitas banh mi sandwich, “Asian-style” paella, pork carnitas pho and more.

Rockit Ranch Productions’ pan-Asian spot in River North is always a rip-roaring scene. The good vibes are accompanied by an eclectic menu full of the continent’s greatest hits—lemongrass beef lollipops, tiger shrimp tempura, adobo-braised pork belly, a selection of signature sushi and more. Trendy and delicious, it’s a hot combination.

Photo courtesy of Sunda

Vermilion

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East meets West for an exotic global twist. The one-of-a-kind philosophy at Vermilion fuses Indian spices with Latin flavors to create intriguing mash-ups. The influence is prevalent on dishes like Brazilian seafood stew with Indian seasoning, and simple-yet-enticing tandoori skirt steak.

Altiro Latin Fusion

Visit Roscoe Village for a taste of what suburbanites have been enjoying for years. Altiro Latin Fusion gained a following out in Geneva for its innovative fare bursting with bright flavors. In 2015, a Chicago outpost arrived and it has continued to build on the original’s success, delivering an array of tacos and South American-inspired small plates.

bellyQ

Korean barbecue gets taken to the next level at Bill Kim’s flagship spot on the edge of Restaurant Row. Expect fine-tuned variations on classic ‘Q meats—Korean short ribs, tea-smoked duck breast, sake-roasted chicken, baby back pork ribs—alongside Western staples such as Belly Mac featuring Japanese noodles and Thai curry. If that’s not enough, diners can head next door to Urbanbelly for their fill of noodles, rice and dumplings.

Carnivale

The party never ends at Chicago’s liveliest Latin fusion destination. Colorful décor, a festive atmosphere and live entertainment ensure there’s never a dull moment but chef Rodolfo Cuadros’ cooking is the real attraction. He incorporates elements from South America, Spain and the Caribbean to create diverse offerings that include a selection of ceviches, ropa vieja, arroz con mariscos and even housemade cotton candy.

de Quay Restaurant

Dutch and Indonesian flavors in Chicago are in exceedingly short supply so it was a welcome sight when chef-owner David de Quay decided to embrace both cuisines at his eponymous concept. Some offerings are decidedly non-fusion—braised lamb shank with goat gouda mashed potatoes is hearty European comfort while nasi goreng, or Indonesian fried rice, is the country's national dish. But there are also many others that blur the line between cultures, such as braised short rib with rendang croquette and pea tendril; and mussels and shrimp luxuriating in coconut curry.

Marc Much

Del Seoul

Kalbi and tortillas may sound like an obvious pairing these days but that’s due in large part to Del Seoul. The restaurant helped popularize Korean-inspired street food, such as tacos filled with sesame-chili shrimp, tempura fish, grilled short rib, spicy barbecue pork and more. In addition, other delectable combos include Korean barbecue banh mi sandwiches, kalbi poutine and kimchi fries. Topping fries with fermented cabbage makes it healthier … right?

En Hakkore 2.0

Sometimes, that sushi craving comes calling and there’s no choice but to comply. Ordering multiple rolls for yourself can be excessive and cost prohibitive, though, so head to this Asian fusion eatery for a playful twist that brings two disparate foods together. The specialty sushi burritos are hulking wraps of rice packed with proteins like tempura shrimp, spicy tuna, tuna ceviche and Korean BBQ beef.

Fat Rice

At this point little introduction is needed for Abe Conlon’s beloved Macanese restaurant. The food draws on the influences of Southeast Asia and Portugal, culminating in a signature dish dubbed arroz gordo, or “fat rice.” This paella-like bowl of jasmine rice comes packed with curried chicken thighs, char siu pork, linguica sausage, prawns, clams, tea eggs and more. It’s an assorted mix that hits all the right notes on the flavor spectrum.

Marc Much

Kimski

One of 2016’s boldest openings was as unique of a concept as there's been in recent times. The expansion of Maria’s Packaged Goods & Community Bar gave patrons a reliable dining option in the form of Korean-Polish street food. Chef Won Kim dishes out elevated bar snacks like sausages topped with “krautchi,” smoked wings, kimchi poutine, housemade meatballs over noodles and more. Lounge away on the patio when the weather’s nice or take the food next door and pair it with a craft beer.

Aron Gent

Mexique

Carlos Gaytan is an inspiring success who’s worked his way up the Chicago scene over the last two decades. At his restaurant Mexique, he presents the Mexican flavors of his homeland with French finesse. What seems like an improbable melding of cuisines produces hits such as chile relleno stuffed with ratatouille; seared duck breast and duck leg confit in chipotle tamarind glaze; and carne asada with roasted fingerling potato salad, cherry tomatoes and goat cheese fondue.

Mott Street

Edward Kim’s North Side establishments, Ruxbin and Mott Street, have been two of Chicago’s must-visit dining destinations over the last several years. The street food-inspired dishes here put his team’s talents front and center as they elegantly refine flavors that one might find at an Asian night market. Guests enjoy a variety of bites including kimchi & Oaxaca empanadas; General Tso’s lamb sweetbreads; kimchi cabbage stuffed with pork butt and sticky rice; and udon noodles with spicy marinated cod roe, kimchi and seaweed.

Photo courtesy of Mott Street

Rogue Fusion

With a name that conjures images of Star Wars, it’s no surprise that the menu at this Rogers Park restaurant feels like it spans the entire galaxy. The kitchen plays by its own rules, cooking everything from Korean tacos and chicken wings to crab meat beignets and tagliatelle a la carbonara. So the next time your friends want to drag you to the Cheesecake Factory for the sake of “variety,” be a rebel and suggest Rogue Fusion instead.

Saucy Porka

Spice up your lunch game with Asian-Latin fusion in the Loop. This popular daytime spot recreates the childhood memories of owner Amy Le and chef Rafael Lopez through blended dishes like bao tacos (“bacos”), pork carnitas banh mi sandwich, “Asian-style” paella, pork carnitas pho and more.

Sunda

Rockit Ranch Productions’ pan-Asian spot in River North is always a rip-roaring scene. The good vibes are accompanied by an eclectic menu full of the continent’s greatest hits—lemongrass beef lollipops, tiger shrimp tempura, adobo-braised pork belly, a selection of signature sushi and more. Trendy and delicious, it’s a hot combination.

Photo courtesy of Sunda

Vermilion

East meets West for an exotic global twist. The one-of-a-kind philosophy at Vermilion fuses Indian spices with Latin flavors to create intriguing mash-ups. The influence is prevalent on dishes like Brazilian seafood stew with Indian seasoning, and simple-yet-enticing tandoori skirt steak.

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