New Norfolk restaurant opens with a fusion of Asian flavors

May is a busy month with holidays, graduations and celebrations. Though I don’t need a particular reason to eat, I’ve been scoping out restaurants for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Amaz Asian Café & Bistro opened in March in the former My Mama’s Kitchen, a house on Shore Drive near East Little Creek Road. The interior looked as I remembered: high-top tables with barrel bases, a counter in the back and a room to the right with low tables.

The owners are from Thailand but offer a fusion of Asian flavors, ranging from pad Thai to edamame to sushi. They run the restaurant and are happy to help customers order food at two kiosks.

I placed my selection and found a seat in the adjoining room. It didn’t take long. The deep-fried chicken potstickers were charred and crispy like I wanted. They had a slight chew and a big flavor, especially after dunking them in the sour-sweet soy sauce. I got my roll on next. The eight Philadelphia rolls contained a perfect trifecta of salmon, cream cheese and cucumber, with vibrant colors. They tasted fresh. I am convinced that sushi belongs on an afternoon tea tray; they were the perfect size.

I ended my meal with the main course: Pad kee mao or drunken noodles, a dish native to Thailand. I ordered it with less spice but the savory sauce still had a little kick. My Thai tea toned it down to a delicate heat. The stir-fried noodles included tender chicken, onions and bell peppers. I first tried the noodles by themselves and didn’t care for the texture; they were sticky, slippery and soft. The four ingredients together made for a good bite.

Rekaya Gibson, 757-295-8809, rekaya.gibson@virginiamedia.com ; on X, @gibsonrekaya

___

If you go

Where: 7943 Shore Drive, Norfolk

Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Noon to 2 p.m. and 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday

Prices: $5.95 to $10.95 starters; $13.95 to $19.95 main dishes; $7.95 to $12.95 sushi

Details: 540-630-9195; amazasiancafebistro.com