Best of Nashville's Ethnic Eats

Pad Kee Mao from The Smiling Elephant

Many diners judge their favorite Thai restaurants strictly by the pad Thai, that old standby of Siamese cuisine. While Smiling Elephant’s version is outstanding, a deeper reading of the menu uncovers pad kee mao, or drunken noodles, a stir-fried dish made with wide rice noodles. The cooks here toss it with Thai basil, which they pull from plants grown in pots and flowerboxes onsite, along with spicy chiles, sauces, and oils to punch it up to your desired perspiration level.
2213 8th Ave. S., 615-891-4488; thesmilingelephant.com

Paella Valenciana from Guantanamera

Paella is one of those dishes found on so few local menus that devotees could spend considerable time and energy hunting an authentic one down. Luckily, Guantanamera is easy to find on Nolensville Road, landmarked by its proximity to the Nashville Zoo, and their version is perfecto. The superstar is the Paella Valenciana, a flat oval pan of bright yellow saffron rice, ringed with red and green pepper strips and mussels, centered with a roast chicken thigh. It’s chock-full of shrimp, fish, calamari rings, hunks of pork, and coins of chorizo sausage.
3744 Nolensville Rd, 615-844-4114; Guantanamera on Yelp

Banh Mi from InterAsian Market

Walk into InterAsian Market, step up to the register, and order a banh mi. You’ll hand over $3.50 (a steal!) and receive in exchange a tightly wrapped sandwich—a perfect balance that starts with a crusty house-made French roll schmeared with pork pâté and mayonnaise and then stuffed with Vietnamese pork and a crunchy slaw of carrots, daikon, jalapeño, and cilantro. It hits all the right notes: creamy, crunchy, spicy, acidic.
2160 Nolensville Pk., 615-742-3268; interasianmarketdeli.com

Dolsot Bibim Bab from Korea House

Along with kimchee, bibimbap (translating to “mixed rice x93) is Korea’s most famous food. Atop a base of short grain rice are chopped and julienned vegetables, thin strips of beef, and a fried egg cap. At Korea House, the dolsot bibim bab also comes with sound effects, thanks to its sizzling delivery in a stone bowl heated in a 400-degree oven. Allow the dish to sit undisturbed for a moment as the bap forms a crackled crust, then squirt on some red gochujang and bibim it all together.
6410 Charlotte Pk., 615-352-2790; Korea House on Yelp

Dumplings from Lucky Bamboo

A few months ago, Jack Ting took over the Lucky Bamboo space, and ever since, we’ve been wowed by his take on authentic Chinese food and dim sum. Lean toward the Szechwan specialties, where you’ll find the dumplings with hot chili oil. Light and airy, they contain a filling of savory pork and ginger and are bathed in a tongue-numbing chili oil made with Schezwan peppercorns and garnished with sesame seeds.
5855 Charlotte Pk., 615-760-5930; Lucky Bamboo on Yelp

Braised Lamb from House of Kabob

Nashville has the highest population of Kurds outside of Kurdistan—and, subsequently, a solid selection of Kurdish bakeries and restaurants. Our choice is House of Kabob, situated on Thompson Lane, where we indulge in the braised lamb shank. Simmered down with onion, tomato, and spices, the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender and served up with green rice—made with dill and fava beans—which soaks up all those tasty lamb juices. Pro tip: Order an additional side of the lamb-braising liquid.
216 Thompson Ln., 615-333-3711; houseofkabobtn.com