Asian Box to Challenge ShopHouse in Casual Asian Dining

Asian Box, a NorCal-based quick serve dining concept, is coming to Burbank and Downtown LA, bringing a similar set of ideas and flavors as ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen. Patrons customize pan-Asian flavored boxes (not bowls) with a choice carbohydrate (or salad), add a protein (say, lemongrass pork or garlic/soy beef), and follow that up with veggies, toppings (bean sprouts, scallion oil), and sauces (Sriracha, "Asian Street Dust"). While Shophouse pushes flavors from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore, Asian Box says its boxes are inspired by "Asian street stalls." As for price, ShopHouse bowls begin at $6.60 for chicken satay and $6.85 for organic tofu or meatballs, but Asian Box's least expensive option is $6.95 for coconut curry tofu, followed by $7.25 for six spice chicken. Plus, depending on the ingredients added to one's box, the cost increases.

Frank Klein, CEO of FK Restaurants & Hospitality, is behind The Box, along with partner Chad Newton. The Asian menu was designed by executive chef Grace Nguyen who has spent time working at San Francisco's famed modern Vietnamese eatery, Slanted Door.

With three Northern California operations in Palo Alto, Mountain View, and San Francisco, Asian Box is next planning to hit Southern California at 116 E Palm Avenue in Burbank and 445 South Figueroa Street in Downtown LA. [EaterWire]