TenPenh Temptations Redefining standards of contemporary cuisine influenced by the Asian Pacific

In reviving TenPenh, the ground-breaking Asian-inspired restaurant in downtown DC that delighted patrons and critics for over eleven years, Passion Food Hospitality indulges a particular passion of partner-chef Jeff Tunks: the myriad flavors of Asia.

Thanks to a number of formative culinary years under the exacting tutelage of chef Takashi Shirmaizu, and more in kitchens on the Pacific coast, an eastern influence has informed Tunks' cooking style his entire career. Prior to opening the original TenPenh, he traveled extensively through the Far East, absorbing a vast range of techniques, ingredients, and dishes, which he interpreted to great acclaim back in DC. At the restaurant’s second incarnation [opened December 2016 in Tysons Corner, VA], unrestrained by the strict formality of a fine dining atmosphere and emphasizing shared-plate service, Tunks displays an even freer creativity with his unerring sense of exotic delicacy. His contemporary Asian-Pacific cuisine draws on the flavors of Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong, Korea, the Philippines and Japan. His thoughtful, playful menus offer something for every taste and appetite.

Here, you'll encounter Steamed Buns hiding savory morsels of Pork Belly, Cucumber, Green Onion, Cilantro and Ginger Hoisin sharing space on the menu section with a less conventional, but no less delectable filling option of Hot Nashville Chicken with Bread & Butter Pickle Relish; another contains a subtle Grilled Shiitake Mushroom & Scallion with Truffle Mushroom Soy Remoulade; and yet another reveals a surprising inner treasure of Panko Shrimp with Kimchee Jicama Slaw and Yuzu Dynamite Sauce. Tunks has taken Italy's beloved fried rice-ball snack, and given it a Korean identity as Bibimbap '' with Bulgogi, Kimchee Vegetables, Egg and Gochujang. From Shrimp Toast 'Hot Pockets' with Sweet & Spicy Chili Sauce to Balinese Duck & Lemongrass with Malaysian Peanut Sauce and Cucumber Relish, he covers the face of Asia with playful variations on familiar favorites. And that’s just for starters…

In keeping with chef Tunks' nationally recognized seafood expertise, the heart of TenPenh Tysons is anchored by a sushi bar, where a dedicated sushi chef prepares refined bites of the highest quality fish and shellfish. As the restaurant's signature roll, the tempura-fried TenPenh Roll of Yellow Tail, Jalapeño and Green Onion and Sriracha Dynamite makes a powerful statement, but no less intriguing are the Wicked Tuna Roll with Kimchee Tuna and Tuna Tartare with Cucumber and Green Onion, and the Gilligan's Island Roll of Tempura Shrimp, Spicy Crab, Mango and Crispy Korean Yam. Freshest Sashimi is available by the platter, or in a Chirashi Bowl with Pickled Vegetables and Sushi Rice.

Those who fondly remember the original TenPenh will be glad to see a number of popular favorites back on the menu at the Tysons Corner location, such as the Shrimp & Red Thai Curry with Golden Pineapple and Steamed Rice, and Tunks' signature Chinese-Style Smoked Lobster with Stir-fry Vegetables, Crispy Spinach, and Ginger-Garlic Soy Glaze. The latter is offered on the list of banquet platter specialties for the table, along with show-stoppers like the Crispy Whole Fish with Spicy Thai Chili Tamarind Nam Pla and Pickled Cucumber; the Sizzling Cumin Lamb Chops with Dates, Caramelized Onions, and Fresno Chili; and the vertical-roasted Peking Duck with Ginger Hoisin, Scallions, Cucumber and Mandarin Pancakes.

Single-servings from the 'Land' menu section include Cantonese Roast Pork with Sweet Soy and Cilantro, and a Grilled Korean "Kalbi" Beef Ribeye with Grilled Scallions. From the 'Sea,' there’s Miso Glazed Royal Sea Bass with Wakame Seaweed, Sake Butter and Jasmine Rice, and Okonomiyaki "Japanese Pancake" of Shrimp and Octopus, Napa Cabbage, Scallions, Katsu Sauce and Wasabi Kewpie. The ‘Sizzling Hot Stone “Rice Crispy” Bowls’ are Tunks’ take on the Korean comfort food known as bibimbap, and feature either Bulgogi Beef Brisket, Braised Chicken Adobo or Grilled Shiitake Mushrooms atop a bed of Short Grain Rice, Carrots, Sesame Spinach, Zucchini, Kimchee, a Soft Poached Egg and Gochujang Sauce. Steaming bowls of Ramen find their inspiration from just across the Sea of Japan: Fresh Tokyo Wavy Noodles, Bean Sprouts, Green Onions, a Soft Poached Egg and Nori Furimake come topped with your choice of Chasu Pork Belly in Broth, Grilled Shiitake Mushrooms in Miso Broth, or Braised Chicken Ado in Shoyu Broth. Further down the noodle menu are Beef and Broccoli Chow Fun with Fresh Rice Noodles and Bean Sprouts, and, representing the noodle-rich cuisine of Thailand, Spicy 'Patpong' Spaghetti with Bird Eye Chiles, Anchovies and Thai .

Vegetables arrive at the table on ingenious easy-to-share stacking trays. With options like Grilled Broccoli with Yuzu-Tahini Vinaigrette, Dried Chinese Plums and Pine Nuts; Indonesian Corn Fritters with Sweet Chili Soy; and a Chopped Asian Salad of Edamame, Carrots, Cabbage and Cucumbers with Japanese Steakhouse Dressing, you'll want to order several – including, if you dare, the Szechuan Fried Eggplant, which comes with fair warning: “numbing and spicy.”

Lunch time at TenPenh means ‘ Lunch Plates,’ inspired by the artfully packed Japanese lunch boxes-to- go. Slow down and savor these fully composed plates: they all include a California Roll, Vegetable and Chilled Rice Noodle Salad, and are customizable with a choice of Miso Glazed Salmon, Spicy Korean Pork Tenderloin, Grilled Teriyaki Beef Short Ribs, or Lemongrass Grilled Chicken. Another lunch favorite is the ‘Phnom Penh “Po’Boy,’” Cambodian-style similar to the Vietnamese Banh Mi, featuring international fillings ranging from Taiwanese to Grilled Japanese Eggplant with Shiitake Mushrooms and Tofu, all on a Toasted Fresh Baguette with Chili Mayo, Cucumber, Cilantro and Pickled Carrots and a side of House-made Potato Chips.

Speaking of chips, those you'll find on the Bar Menu at TenPenh benefit from the same creativity given to the most extravagant entrée. From Lotus Root Chips with Wasabi Edamame Hummus, to Wonton Chips with Hot Dip, Green Onions and Sweet Chili Sauce or Pork Crackling Chips with Spicy Thai Chili and Cucumber Chimicurri, these exotic combinations will go down easy with your beer, wine or cocktail.

In addition to Japanese sakes, which pair naturally with many of TenPenh’s dishes, the extensive wine list draws heavily from Pacific Rim vineyards, notably California, Oregon, Australia and New Zealand, and showcases the best from boutique wineries and noted vintners. Each is handpicked to complement the intricate flavor profiles and spice compositions of Tunks' Asian-inspired cuisine. A robust selection of beers features more than a dozen from the Far East, including two on tap. Six Japanese whiskeys hold their own alongside a lengthy list from Scotland, Ireland, and the United States; and rice liquors, including Korean soju, Japanese shochu, and Chinese baijiu, lend authentic 'firewater' flair to the experience. Winning cocktails like the Matcha Mule, containing vodka, matcha simple syrup and ginger beer, and the Lycheetini, a concoction of Confucius Wisdom baijiu, Lychee liqueur, and Domaine Canton Ginger, mimic the exotic invention of the menu in liquid form.

The temptations of TenPenh's Dessert Menu are calculated to provide just the right sweet finish with a nod to the eastern influences of the preceding courses. Choose from treats like Five Spice & Sugar Dusted Donut Holes with Vietnamese Coffee Chantilly Cream; Lemongrass Panna Cotta with Fuyu Persimmon Ginger Chutney and Walnut Sesame Biscotti; or Taiwanese Shaved Snow with Fresh Fruit, Condensed Milk and Popping Boba Pearls – or, order them all, and share them around the table.

From the bar to the banquet table, and from dim sum to dessert, TenPenh welcomes you to a fresh and sophisticated taste of Asia: explore, and enjoy!

TenPenh | 7900 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 703.910.3096 | TenPenhTysons.com | Twitter / Facebook: @TenPenhTysons

For more information: Simone Rathlé – 703.534.8100 president | simoneink, llc [email protected] | simoneink.com | @simoneink