For several years now, St. Louis’ food scene has been on the rise – celebrated for innovative food pioneers and diverse selections. The culinary boom has reached West St. Louis County, where an array of international restaurants have made their debut in the last few years. These local restaurants make it convenient for curious eaters to try new and exciting foods from around the globe.
“It’s great to see more diverse options, especially family-owned restaurants,” Chesterfield resident Chris Harris said. “You don’t have to go into the city for all the different options.”
The Harris family – Chris, Valerie, and teenage daughters Maddie and Lauren – have lived in West County for 13 years. They venture out to eat once a week, each taking turns selecting the restaurant. Valerie grew up in a home that enjoyed food from various cultures. Chris is a pescetarian who says international restaurants offer more options. While Valerie loves Mediterranean and Asian restaurants, Chris said he doesn’t have a favorite.
“I would prefer a new experience every time,” he said. “It makes eating out in West County a lot more fun,” Valerie added.
Lauren said that her favorites are sushi and Mexican. Maddie favors Italian restaurants but said it really depends on how she is feeling that day.
The Harrises encourage people to go out and try unique, flavorful foods throughout the area, to be open-minded and to test new dishes.
Maddie suggested starting with lighter spices and working your way up to stronger ones so you don’t overwhelm your taste buds.
Chris suggested bringing friends or someone who is knowledgeable about the cuisine.
“And ask the staff questions,” he added. “With so many options, you need help when trying new things. People like to help. Plus with a group, you can try multiple options.”
“Just do it!” Valerie said. “You never know what you may love.”
Here is a guide to some of the tasty treats you can find around West County.
BINGSU & BUBBLE TEA
In addition to other kinds of ice-cold treats around the area (see tour/st on page 24), one recent frosty addition to the West County area is bingsu, the Korean shaved ice treat.
The ice in bingsu is more lightly packed than the average snow cone, giving the dessert a certain fluffiness. Then it is topped with sweetened condensed milk that creates a creamy texture. Depending on the order, additional toppings may include sauces or syrups, fresh fruit, whipped cream and in some cases cereal or crumbled cookies.
Sweet Tapioca Cafe at 123 Hilltown Village Center in Chesterfield offers fruity selections like Mango Madness, Strawberry Surprise and Sweet Melon. These bingsu desserts are topped with chunks of fruit swimming in syrup and a dollop of whipped cream.
Spoonful Desserts at 12943 Olive Blvd. in Creve Coeur serves up a variety of bingsu flavors including takes on popular sweets such as caramel sundae, tiramisu and even a bowl of cereal. They incorporate ice cream, flavored syrups and sugary cereals as some of their topping choices.
For a lighter treat, consider an iced tea or a smoothie or a mixture of both containing boba – chewy balls or pearls made of tapioca that have the consistency of a gummy bear crossed with jello. For an even more exciting treat, try popping boba, which are lighter in texture and burst slightly when bitten.
Mango Dragon Cloud smoothie and Tiger Fruit Tea at Tiger Soup Dumplings in Des Peres. (Photo by Felina Deck)
Originating in Taiwan, boba can be added to either hot or cold beverages such as creamy milk teas or fruit slush. When boba and tea are combined, the beverage is commonly known as “bubble tea.”
Boba cafes are popping up all over West County and serving both bingsu and boba along with other international snacks.
Sweet Tapioca Cafe is a locally owned and operated cafe specializing in boba tea, smoothies, shaved ice cream and more.
Spoonful Desserts also serves bingsu, bubble tea and taiyaki – a Japanese sweet street food. Taiyaki is a fish-shaped cake similar in consistency to a Belgium waffle. What makes taiyaki so special is the option to have it filled with your choice of a sweet red bean, Nutella or apple cinnamon fillings.
TeaLux at 14788 Manchester Road in Ballwin opened its doors in June of 2023 and specializes in bubble tea and banh mi – Vietnamese sub sandwiches. Their fruit teas begin with a base of jasmine or black tea and, depending on the addition of flavorings, is transformed into thirst-quenching creations with clever names like Islander (jasmine tea/passionfruit/mango/pineapple), Aphrodite (jasmine tea/hibiscus/mint) and Meadow (black tea/peach/lemongrass). Crafting a signature bubble tea is also an option. Start with a fruit or milk tea, select the drink’s sweetness level and choose from almost two dozen toppings.
“TeaLux is my favorite for boba,” Valerie said. “They seem to have a nice bakery, too. But I’ve only had the (bubble tea) – it was very sweet and creamy with a nice presentation. The place is cute, too!”
Lauren has tried mango milk tea both with popping boba and with star jellies. “I liked it because it has just the perfect sweetness and I really like mango!”
INDIAN FUSION
West County’s explosion of new Indian restaurants offers modern takes on traditional dishes – everything from street food turned into gourmet delicacies to cocktails with familiar Indian spices.
Biryani goat, chicken vindaloo, basmati rice, garlic naan and raita at Black Salt in Chesterfield. (Photo by Felina Deck)
Black Salt at 1709 Clarkson Road in Chesterfield offers an intriguing menu featuring all the classics and fine-dining vibes. Black Salt’s signature cocktail is served in a stemless wine glass and is a unique green color, likely from lime and mint mixed with your choice of vodka, gin or tequila. It is garnished with a sprinkling of a chili powder blend. The cocktail – sweet, herbal and refreshing – pairs perfectly with the spiciness of the dishes to follow.
An order of the Punjabi Samosa is a wise and perhaps familiar choice as it is one of the most-eaten snacks in India, the Middle East and South Asia. A light, crispy and savory pastry is filled with pureed potatoes, spices and herbs. It is served with two sauces: one brown, one green. The sweet and sour brown sauce is flavored with tamarind. The green sauce is mainly cilantro and mint seasoned with green chili, ginger, garlic and other spices.
An outside-the-box appetizer selection would be Pani Puri. Originally a “chaat,” or roadside food, the dish is making its way into fine dining establishments and quickly becoming a foodie favorite. Pani Puri are light, crispy, flaky balls of fried dough, hollowed and filled with finely diced, perfectly seasoned vegetables including potato, onion, peas and chickpeas. The pani is served on a bed of puffed rice and is accompanied by a little pitcher of liquid – a watered-down chutney of sorts with the flavors of mint, cilantro, chili, ginger and other spices, including black salt.
Because the origin of Pani Puri is street food, it is perfectly acceptable to pick up the crispy ball with your hands, pour the desired amount of liquid into the ball, pop it into your mouth and consume it in a tidal wave of flavor. The crispiness of the outer shell and the combination of the juice and filling make for a uniquely textured edible experience.
For dinner, try Biryani Goat – a mixed rice dish – or Chicken Vindaloo – a curry dish loaded with spices. Both are served with garlic naan (an Indian flatbread similar to pita bread) and basmati rice. The raita – a creamy yogurt-based dipping sauce – is the perfect condiment to cool the palette from some of the heat of the biryani and vindaloo.
Elaichi Mascarpone Gulab Jamun is a light and satisfying way to end the meal. A milk dumpling, it is served on mascarpone cheese flavored with cardamom and sprinkled with crushed pistachios. It is the perfect shareable dessert to indulge in just the right amount of sweetness.
Red Chili Indian Cuisine & Bar at 963 Chesterfield Center and Amrut Fusion Bourbon House at 17392 Chesterfield Airport Road have taken Indian Fusion to the next level. Both restaurants have blended traditional Indian flavors with American staples. These dishes give curious eaters a good introduction to the spices and seasonings of Indian cuisine by way of foods familiar to them.
Red Chili opened in February 2023 and has an extensive menu of Indian favorites as well as some Indo-Chinese options. The Indian-style burgers are a unique option for first-time diners. Offered only during lunchtime, there are about a half-dozen choices including vegetarian options. Red Chili has created popular Indian dishes like Paneer and Chicken Tikka and turned them into burgers.
Amrut Fusion also offers Paneer and Chicken Tikka burgers alongside Indian-style vegetarian burgers that take the classic cultural seasonings and create zesty, flavorful patties, which will satisfy vegetarians and carnivores alike.
HOT POT & TABLESIDE GRILLING
If you are looking for a unique dining experience with an authentic Asian flair, visit a restaurant that offers hot pot.
Hot pot is a communal way of eating that originated in China in the 16th century. It is very similar to Swiss Fondue and is a common mealtime gathering in Asian cultures.
Bulgogi, dumplings, beef japchae (clear glass noodles), ramen and banchan at JooJoo Restaurant and Karaoke in Creve Coeur. (Photo by Valerie Harris)
Friends and family gather around a large metal pot atop either a hot plate or an open-flame burner. The pot is filled with boiling broth that has been seasoned generously with spices.
Thin slices of raw meat, sliced vegetables and other ingredients like clear glass noodles, fish cakes and tofu are served on a tray. Diners gently lower their desired ingredients into piping hot broth, and within seconds, the food is ready to scoop out onto your plate. Various dipping sauces are also served to enhance the flavor of the boiled meal.
Urban Kitchen by Sharesweet at 17409 Chesterfield Airport Road offers a solo version of hot pot perfect for a quick lunch or dinner out. The portions are generous enough that these dishes would be perfect for sharing when paired with a couple of appetizer or dim sum menu items.
The restaurant has eight signature recipes on its menu, including spicy beef, Japanese miso, Thai Tom Yum seafood, spiced lamb, chicken broth and vegetable mushroom.
The spiced lamb hot pot is a flavorful combination that includes healthy protein: lamb, pork, tofu and low-sodium luncheon meat. It is loaded with vegetables, such as mushrooms, zucchini, daikon radish, green onions and cilantro. Sitting in the center of the savory seasoned broth is a helping of clear glass noodles perfect for slurping. When paired with the house cucumbers, the scallion pancake and a couple of bubble tea beverages, the meal is a right-sized serving for two.
JooJoo Restaurant and Karaoke at 12937 Olive Arcade Plaza offers authentic Korean cuisine – hot pot and barbecue are part of its extensive menu. The main differences between the Chinese and Korean versions of hot pot are the flavor profiles and protein options. JooJoo’s menu offers beef, seafood options including octopus, and ham and sausage with vegetables in a spicy broth. Its hot pots also are larger and designed to be eaten family-style.
Korean barbecue is another communal form of eating where an electric grill is placed in the center of the table and diners order various meats to prepare on the grill themselves. Bulgogi, consisting of thinly sliced marinated beef, might be the most widely known Korean meat dish. Other offerings for the grill include pork belly, beef brisket and spicy octopus.
Something that many diners enjoy most about Korean cuisine are the small shareable side dishes known as banchan, which are delivered before the entrees, almost like little appetizers. A few popular banchan include seasoned soybean sprouts, spicy cucumbers, braised lotus root and pickled garlic and radishes; however, there are many more delicious surprises.
SOUP DUMPLINGS
Soup dumplings are different from what you might typically find when ordering Chinese takeout. These thin-skinned dumplings are bite-sized bundles filled with meat or seafood swimming in a puddle of broth. When bitten into, a flavor release happens. Tiger Soup Dumplings boasts two nearby locations. The first opened in 2022 at 98 Gravois Bluffs Circle Drive in Fenton. The second opened in April 2024 at 13311 Manchester Road in Des Peres.
Upon arriving at the table, it should be noted that the soup dumplings are piping hot. Therefore, consuming this meal takes a certain amount of patience, precision and care so as not to burn the inside of your mouth or squirt the treasured broth all over yourself or fellow diners. For novice soup dumpling eaters, the writing is on the wall – literally. At the Des Peres location, the stainless steel walls don a step-by-step infographic with instructions: 1) Pick up top; 2) Take a small bite; 3) Pour broth onto your spoon; 4) Sip the broth; 5) Dip dumpling in vinegar and eat.
Steamed pork dumplings are a crowd favorite at Tiger Soup Dumplings in Des Peres. (Photo by Felina Deck)
The Des Peres location offers both steamed and pan-fried options. The steamed pork dumplings arrive in a bamboo steamer basket and resembled a traditional dumpling only smaller in size. The pan-fried beef dumplings are served on a plate, almost as one large unit, with a crisp top connecting the individual pieces. Both versions were packed with a generous helping of meat and a delicious, flavorful broth.
At each table sits a caddy with soy sauce, rice vinegar and chili oil. These condiments are meant to enhance the flavor of the dumpling fillings. Experts warn against pouring the entire dish of sauce into the broth as doing that will ruin the flavor packed into the tiny parcels. Suggested pairings were light vinegar with the beef filling and soy sauce with the pork.
As far as side dishes, the cucumber salad and golden broccoli are the perfect cold, crisp, fresh veggie dishes to round out the meal. An order of the spicy wonton side dish is the perfect addition to add the perfect amount of kick without overpowering the wontons.
CHIMNEY CAKES & CRÊPES
Whether you are craving a sweet treat, planning a party or celebrating a special occasion, West County is now home to various eateries that offer European baked goods and pastries.
One of the newest establishments in the area is Twisted Rolls Chimney Cake at 14640 Manchester Road in Ballwin. The ice cream and pastry shop opened in fall 2023 and offers kürtőskalács – Hungarian chimney cakes. These spiral-shaped pastries date back to medieval times. The tubes are traditionally roasted over an open flame and coated in melted butter and sugar – sometimes they are also dusted with ground nuts or cinnamon.
“The chimney cake is a sweet pretzel-like roll filled with ice cream,” Lauren said. “I got the coconut-flavored one, so the cone is rolled in coconut. It is topped with caramel and chocolate drizzle, and then topped with more coconut. I really like the combination of the two different flavors.”
The C’est Paris crêpe at French Crêperie in Chesterfield is filled with Nutella and your choice of strawberries, sliced banana or both.
The French Crêperie at 17409 A Chesterfield Airport Road boasts authentic French crêpes – both sweet and savory. They are perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch or a midday snack. The restaurant has recently increased its hours and is now open seven days a week beginning at 8 a.m. each day.
The cozy space gives modern Parisian vibes with two-seater cafe tables filling the room. The walls are decorated in a contemporary French street style showing off the red, white and blue of France’s flag, the Eiffel Tower and chic French ladies. Owner Natacha Douglas encourages people to come in, relax and enjoy good company while savoring the food and ambiance.
“I really wanted to keep it authentic,” Douglas said. “So that when you walk in, you feel like you just stepped into a crêperie in France.”
Past the rows of cafe tables is a large stone counter where groups can gather for French Crêperie’s cooking classes, which provide an evening lesson in crêpe making.
Diners can find a wide variety of traditional and innovative, made-to-order crêpes on Douglas’ menu. Be sure to brush up on your French accent because all of the offerings are cleverly named with various French sayings and phrases.
Sweet fillings include hazelnut spread, French jams, peanut butter, S’mores and various fresh fruits. For example, if you order C’est Paris, you will enjoy Nutella and your choice of strawberries, sliced banana or both. The crêpe is folded in a triangle and topped with powdered sugar, whipped cream and more Nutella. L’Amour is filled with cinnamon sugar butter and topped with caramel.
Traditional savory options include eggs, cheese, meat and vegetables. With La Vie En Rose you get to choose your cheese – mozzarella, Swiss or cheddar – and your meat – ham, turkey, bacon or sausage. The crêpe is then topped with a French béchamel cheese sauce.
Veggie lovers will enjoy the Bon Voyage, which is filled with egg, cheese, spinach, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red bell peppers and pesto aioli.
For at-home chefs, the restaurant has packaged its authentic French crêpe mix – just add water, whisk and cook. Douglas developed the mix using her cherished recipe, and it is made with simple ingredients that are free from artificial additives.