Still More of Delco’s Melting Pot of Ethnic Cuisine — Round 3

What do you do when you’re still hungry for more, even after working your way through Rounds 1 and 2 of Delco’s favorite ethnic cuisines? You hit more of ‘em with Round 3! 

 

Luckily, every corner of Pennsylvania’s favorite county is packed with restaurants, takeout stops and funky joints representing foods from around the world. Time to eat!

 

Buena Onda Baja Taqueria

Garces fast-casual? Yes, please! That’s renowned Latin-American Chef Jose Garces, of course. The creative menu of starters, buena bowls and burritos caught our eye, but we simply can’t resist the house specialty: tacos. They’re served on house-made flour tortillas, chipotle remoulade, avocado and red cabbage slaw. The fish and tofu tacos come batter fried or grilled with tequila lime glaze. In the mood for something different? Try the mushroom and kale taco with poblano rajas, black bean, quest fresco and crema. During Happy hour nosh on $1 chips and salsa, and half-priced margaritas, sangria and select beers. Ask about the daily specials, too! Open seven days from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; happy hour runs Monday through Sunday from 7 to 8 p.m.

220 N. Radnor Chester Rd., Suite 226, Radnor, (484) 430-4900.

 

 

Yangtze Inn

Chinese and Japanese classics fill this really extensive menu; feast on Wonton soup, egg foo young and sweet and sour (try the triple delight with chicken, pork and shrimp!), yasai gyoza (pan-fried vegetarian dumplings), seaweed salad with cucumber and fish egg, and sushi rolls. Ask about the maki combinations and the chef’s special rolls. We have to have the raw Godzilla roll, jumbo shrimp tempura encased in spicy tuna, tempura crunch and eel sauce. Open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Sunday from 2:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; closed Tuesday.

211 W. State St., Media, (610) 566-6829.

 

H&B New York Style Deli & More

Open a mom-and-pop shop during a pandemic? Check!… That’s what entrepreneurial Henry and Blanca Noemi Morales did in March 2021. It immediately became a welcome respite in the neighborhood, featuring traditional deli favorites like bagels and BLTs; however, the draw is authentic Peruvian fare. Dig into the Peruvian street food that’s really quite Delco: Salchipapa. It’s fried hot dogs and french fries plated together. Just as Peruvian and popular is ceviche (seafood marinated in a large lime juice and served cold). Enjoy it topped with cilantro red onion salad, sweet peas and Peruvian corn. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Monday.

3905 State Rd., Drexel Hill, (484) 453-8156.

 

 

 

Tiffin Indian Cuisine

The restaurant’s name pays homage to the Mumbai, India, practice of delivering homemade lunches in metal canisters — tiffin wallahs. It started as a web-based delivery service, and now offers dine-in, carryout and delivery. The menu tempts with apps like samosas (crispy pastry packed with potato and peas) and kebabs; tandoor dishes (cooked in a clay oven!) with chicken, shrimp or lamb, curry pots and biryani (spice-infused rice and slow-cooked tomato sauce); and traditional entrees such as butter chicken, boneless thighs in buttery tomato cream sauce spiced with clove, nutmeg, cardamom and cinnamon. Ask about vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free items. Open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

202 S. Newtown Street Rd., Newtown Square, (610) 325-0400.

 

 

Aria Mediterranean Cuisine

More than a celebration of Mediterranean cuisine, this cozy spot highlights foods from Greece, Afghanistan and the Middle East. How can you choose when there’s gobi, cauliflower, chickpeas and fresh veggies in curry tomato sauce; babaganush, mashed smoked eggplant blended with tahini and garlic, and served with pita or chips; salmon kabob sandwich, savory grilled spice-marinated salmon pieces in pita with lettuce, tomato, onion, tzatziki and a side of french fries. And much more! 

Open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday.

405 Dartmouth Ave., Swarthmore, (610) 543-2701.

 

 

African and Jamaican Kitchen

This is as authentic as authentic gets! You’ll taste it in every bit of seasoned and grilled fish with your choice of sides (we like plantain!); omo tuo, mashed rice formed into balls served with nkatekwan (groundnut soup) and your choice of fish, beef, goat or chicken; palm butter soup with fufu (a doughy ball made with plantains, yams or cassava; fried choffie (turkey tail); and oxtails served with cabbage, plantain, rice and beans. Portions are Delco-sized, so there’s plenty of leftovers. Eat-in, takeout and catering for special events is available. Open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Sunday.

125 Chester Ave., Yeadon, (610) 259-5733.

 

Pho Philly

Don’t let the name fool you — this Delco hidden gem prides itself on its traditional Vietnamese dishes, and it shows. Add your favorite protein to these: co’m (rice platter) featuring pickled carrots, cucumber, lettuce and house special sauce; or bun (vermicelli) with bean sprouts, basil, lettuce and fried scallions. We must have the pho — white or dark meat chicken noodle, no-meat pho with chicken soup or beef noodle soup — garnished with onions, scallions and cilantro, plus sides of cilantro, bean sprouts, basil, lime and jalapeno peppers. Fill up on the Philly Special: rare filet mignon, well-done flank steak, brisket, oxtail and beef ball. Vegan options, too! Open seven days from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

118 Powhattan Ave., Essington, (484) 497-6280.

 

• • •

 

Want to know more about everything Delco? We’re more than just your source for good eats — we’re your source for where to stay, what to do and more in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. We’re Visit Delco, PA, and we’ve got you covered from Philly to the Brandywine. Contact us at (610) 565-3679, by email, or online.

— Nina Malone

 

Featured photo by Michael Persico, courtesy of Buena Onda Baja Taqueria