Have you guys ever tried a Pan-Asian restaurant? You know, a place that focuses on cuisine from all across Asia? Because I had not until I visited Imoto. And I can say Imoto not only focuses on diverse Asian food but also cares about creating delicious Asian food with a modern spin.
But first, let’s talk about the locale of Imoto. Imoto is located in downtown Dallas, Texas, and it is more specifically on Victory Park Ln. Victory Park houses the American Airlines Center – the home of the Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars and several concerts and events. So you can go watch Luka Doncic and the Mavs cross up their competition right after you get your fill of tasty food. But I digress haha; let’s have a dialogue about the interior and atmosphere of Imoto. Imoto is described as a ‘Chic-but-casual bi-level restaurant and lounge,’ so Imoto is a blend of casual style and formal flair. And I think they perfected this combo; the best way I can describe the feeling inside of Imoto is a laid-back elegance. For instance, they played upbeat, energetic songs while patrons drank outstanding sake and we had some authentic and savory sushi. They even have nightclub-esque lights shining on their origami ornaments on the ceiling. Imoto, by far, is a great dining experience in Dallas.
Now for the food though 😀 As mentioned, Imoto is a Pan-Asian restaurant, so you can have something anywhere from sashimi to Korean Fried Chicken (KFC), but you also wouldn’t regret whatever dish you end up choosing. For me, some of my favorite dishes include the KFC on top of their Dim Sum items as well as their traditional nigiri dishes. The KFC is a smart bridge to Pan-Asian food for those who may be unfamiliar with it. You, of course, cannot go wrong with good fried chicken; however, the gochujang butter and honey soy glaze invite you to eat even more Asian food, and more importantly, you become intrigued to start trying some traditional Asian food. The KFC can be a true gateway drug to Asian food for some lmfao.
Going on, The Braised Green Curried Pork Dumplings are just fantastic; the green curry sauce looks daunting at first, but it is a profound and elevating condiment for the dumplings. The dish is a wonderful union of Chinese and Indian cuisine. For the sushi, the salmon roe nigiri here is perhaps the best salmon roe I have ever tried. The Spider Roll, salmon nigiri and sweet shrimp are all good sushi dishes to try as well.
But perhaps my favorite dish here was their Traditional Hot Rocks with A5 Miyazaki beef. I think it is the best Asian-style beef I have had in Texas – its taste is simply just great, but it is also deep, complex and profound.
Overall, I enjoyed Imoto a great deal. The location, atmosphere and style were cosmopolitan and appealing. The staff were attentive and thoughtful. The food, influenced from across Asia, was awesome no matter the choice of dish. And as the cherry on top, you can go see the Dallas Mavericks win at basketball after having a superb meal. Imoto is a definite must try!
Hungry Mind, Hungry Stomach 