North Texas Daily

This is the perfect place to bring your girlfriend (who also happens to be Asian) when she says that white people can’t make asian food right. (I now know from personal experience.)

You walk in feeling like a zillion bucks and ask for the table by the big windows in the back. The fire starts slow, with a cucumber salad that reminds her of something her mom used to make, your girlfriend slowly begins to eat her opinions with each savory crunch. There it was: her seal of approval.

Soon after, the heat cranks up with the “Caesar Loco Salad,” similar to a southwest salad with sweet notes of natural sugars from the corn and tomatoes. Add a nice char on some mildly spicy chicken? Holla, this dish is going places.

What’s refreshing about this restaurant is the fusion of some Latin notes into their Asian cuisines. Crazy, right? (That was a “loco” joke.)

“The Pork Belly Bao Bun” hits the table and everything instantly slows to the rate of a Christopher Nolan movie. The cilantro spills out onto the plate by design, the spicy orange glaze is just enough tang to keep each bite from feeling dry and there is a beautiful contrast in texture between the soft chew of the bun and the subtle crunch of the chicken.

Even if Dora hadn’t taught me how to say “delicioso,” I’m sure it would’ve just come to me in that moment.

I then order one of the weekend specials: some seared Japanese scallops with a big emphasis on sea salt and lemon zest. I was little disappointed in the fact that these scallops are so thin. They were also quite fishy, though the sea salt did help tame it. For the price, I don’t think they were worth it, but it has one thing going for them: they disappear in your mouth like cotton candy – I literally plopped them in and they were gone faster than the Kylie Jenner lip challenge trend.

One of the owners, Kyle Kreuger, walks out and begins to tell me how he and his two friends from Denton opened this place. “It was a pretty easy transition for us,” he said about taking over the lease from a previous restaurant to get such a cool location.

I was initially worried about how a great little place like this would make it, being tucked in an alleyway off of a major Denton street, full of spots for those looking to casually dine-out. He doesn’t seem worried though, claiming to “know all of these business owners around here,” which is relieving to my spirit. In fact, the restaurant has already been open for about 15 months, and they seem to be doing just fine.

I also asked Kyle about the fact that a new ramen restaurant is opening just down the street. “[Ramen] is only one menu item here,” he said, and it’s definitely one menu item worth trying.

The first time I came here, I tried one of the sushi rolls and a bowl of ramen (both of which were great), so don’t hesitate to go that route if it’s your thing.

Do yourself a huge favor and stop on in at Komodo Loco, located right off of Hickory Street, for some delicious Asian food made by some hometown white boys.

The best thing that hit the table: “Pork Belly Bao Bun.” Order at least eight for guaranteed happiness.
People who would love this: The college student who wants to know what real ramen tastes like.
Price range: Expect to pay around $20 after a tip.

Featured Image: For seafood lovers, Komodo Loco’s menu offers Japanese scallops. The zesty appetizer has unique features, such as togarashi and garlic ginger panzu. Matthew Hernandez