Global Dining

Although 417-land is just a little speck in the middle of the United States, our restaurant scene is filled with gigantic flavors from all around the globe. And we’re talking about more than just the typically popular Chinese, Mexican and Italian spots (although we highlight some of those, too). Local diners can dig into Lebanese food, Korean cuisine, Peruvian treats and Australian fare. They can feast on Thai food made by Thailand natives, and authentic Mediterranean dishes made from recipes brought here generations ago. And the list goes on. Whether they came here for business, a vacation or to actually open a restaurant, chefs in our corner of the state hail from all over the world, and they’re serving up some of the tastiest fare around. Ready for a culinary adventure that will lead you all the way around the globe? Prepare to feed your adventurous spirit.

5 Spice

[ Chinese ]

2058 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-799-0215, eatoceanzen.com

5 Spice won over the hearts of 417-land foodies years ago when it first started serving modern Chinese food, delivering carefully compiled, beautifully presented dishes to every customer. And in May 2014, the restaurant gave us all yet another reason to come back: it introduced an authentic Chinese menu. The authentic dishes here are prepared by Bob Tan, the father of brothers and co-owners John and Johnson Tan. “He’s from Taiwan originally,” Johnson says. Highlights of the authentic menu include a soy-braised pork belly, salt and pepper pork, salt and pepper fish and the hot pot fish, which is a Szechuan dish with white fish and assorted fresh vegetables that are stewed in a spicy hot pot sauce. If you’re looking for a more daring authentic dish, Johnson recommends you try the pork chitlins with jalapeños and onions.   

The chicken tikka masala at India Clay Oven features chicken in a creamy tomato sauce with a variety of spices.

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India Clay Oven

[ Indian ]

2005 W. 76 Country Blvd., Suite 209, Branson, 417-973-0044, indiaclayovenbranson.com

Just as its name suggests, this Indian restaurant specializes in serving mouthwatering dishes that are cooked to perfection in a tandoor oven. The clay oven mix grill entrée with tandoori chicken, lamb and seafood is served with sizzling onion and bell peppers and is a great option for those new to Indian cuisine, and the shrimp korma dish featuring shrimp swimming in a delectably creamy almond and saffron sauce is a favorite of the regulars. You’ll find the usual favorites here, too, like chicken tikka masala. Owner Gurmit Ram moved to the United States in 2002, and he runs the restaurant with his sons, chef Surjit Saroya and front manager Jit Saroya. The family-owned spot offers distinctive Indian flavors that range from mild to exotic, and they can be as spicy as you’d like. If you’re extra-daring, order a dish extra-hot. (You can always order the spice on the side, if you don’t quite have the guts.) 

Mijuri Sushi & Grill

[ Japanese ]

2710 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, 417-889-9593

This Japanese restaurant is owned by Jong Lee, a South Korea native who purchased it in 2010. It’s a hot spot for sushi, selling a wide variety of nigiri, sashimi and maki rolls, but the restaurant also has a handful of authentic Japanese dishes on the menu. If you’re looking to start your meal with some out-of-the-box flavors, look to the appetizer menu and try out the tako—an octopus salad. Then, consider ordering the Mijuri Chicken Katsu for dinner. This dish features breaded chicken that’s topped with Asian barbecue sauce and served with steamed rice and salad, pairing the familiar chicken with a one-of-a-kind sauce that’ll have you licking your plate. 

Nicola’s Ristorante

[ Italian ]

3631 E. Sunshine St., Springfield, 417-886-3700, nicolasristorante.com

Originally from northern Italy near Lake Como, Chef Nicola Gilardi’s days in the kitchen started when he was just a young boy. In fact, his parents even owned an Italian restaurant. “I cooked with my mother for years,” Gilardi says. Next, he went to culinary school in Italy, and after cooking at a few spots around the world, he eventually settled down and opened his own gourmet Italian restaurant in Springfield. Gilardi and his wife, Monica, own and operate Nicola’s Ristorante, which offers a variety of pastas (including a gluten-free pasta), freshly made ravioli, seafood entrées, pizzas, lamb, pork and veal shanks, tenderloins and even bone-in rib-eye steaks. With recipes created by the life-long chef, nearly everything served at Nicola’s is as authentic as Nicola himself, and whether you order a pizza with his signature sauce or an entrée with ravioli that were just made that morning, you’re going to go home happy.

The stuffed jalepeños at Iguana Roja Restaurante are filled plump with Terrell Creek Farm goat cheese, bacon and fairy dust, the spice combination the restaurant uses to season its chips.

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Iguana Roja Restaurante

[ Mexican ]

107 W. Church St., Ozark, 417-485-8585

Iguana Roja owner Brian Taylor was born and raised in Springfield, but he went to culinary school in Fort Lauderdale. “In that experience, I was introduced to using many exotic flavors while working with chefs from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico and South America,” Taylor says. When he returned from training, he was inspired to share his freshened-up interpretation of these cuisines with 417-landers. In addition to usual favorites like fajitas, burritos and enchiladas made with the freshest ingredients available, Iguana Roja offers many specialties, including chile rellenos that are lovingly stuffed with quinoa, raisins, almonds, rice, shredded pork, ground beef and caramelized onions and then baked. For a real treat, try the stuffed jalepeños that are loaded plump with goodies like local Terrell Creek Farm goat cheese, bacon and fairy dust—a seasoning blend ground in house from cumin, garlic, annatto seed and cracked black pepper that’s also used to season the chips. 

Farmers Gastropub

 [ British  ]

2620 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-864-6994, farmersgastropub.com

Great Britain native Bill Griffiths, who owns Farmers Gastropub with his wife, Christina, says he’s always wanted to open a restaurant. After learning to cook while living in France, he moved to Springfield in 2004 and opened Farmers Gastropub in 2009. The gastropub concept leads the restaurant to feature as much local fresh, organic and sustainable food as possible. With a nod to Bill’s roots, much of Farmers’ menu is British, including the fish and chips. “We hand-cut all of our French fries and double fry them,” Bill says. The bangers and mash dish features sausage that’s mixed in-house and stuffed at Harter House, and the cottage pie is complete with beef, veggies, gravy and mashed potatoes. Farmers also serves a full English breakfast on Sundays. Recently, the restaurant hired Chef Peter Tinson, who is known from his years at Gallery Bistro and his more recent stinit at Springfield’s south-side location of Nonna’s Italian Cafe.

Yan’s Chinese Restaurant

 [ Chinese ]

533 S. Kimbrough, Springfield, 417-719-4560

Originally from China, Yan’s Chinese Restaurant owner Tom Hsi moved to the United States in 1984. Hsi opened his Springfield restaurant in 2012, and with high hopes of pleasing the palates of all 417-landers, he created both American Chinese and authentic Chinese menus. While you’ll find many of the ordinary chicken-meets-sauce favorites on Yan’s Americanized menu, we suggest branching out and ordering from the authentic menu instead. The top-selling authentic dishes include duck offered five ways (oh, the roasted duck!), fish bowl soup, spicy cabbage, braised ribs served with tofu noodles and deep-cooked pork, which is a flavor-packed pork belly that is slowly cooked for eight hours and served dripping with flavor. The restaurant also offers hot pots with fish, beef, meatballs or vegetables that are delivered to your table on a portable stove while they’re nice and hot (in fact, they’re still steaming!) “A lot of people come in and try all the authentic menu items one by one,” Hsi says. Sounds like a plan.

Great American Taco Company 

[ Mexican ]

2915 E Battlefield, Springfield, 417-315-8745,greatamericantaco.com/

Great American Taco Company owner Pat Duran opened this restaurant to offer 417-landers a not-so-traditional take on Latino food. The menu here specializes in tacos (nearly 20 varieties served in your choice of six shells, often with different meat options), but there are also other tasty options that include gourmet posole soup, enchiladas, burritos, and Frito pie. To add to your list of ordering decisions, the restaurant offers four varieties of salsa and six styles of fresh guacamole. First timers should sample the Ultimate Perfection taco with chili sauces, queso, smoked cheddar, pepper jack, shredded romaine, fresh tomato, cilantro citrus sour cream and your choice of meat.  

Taj Mahal Indian Restaurant

 [ Indian ]

1250 E. Republic Rd., Springfield, 417-719-4573

Dishes at this Indian restaurant can be ordered mild, medium or spicy and with plenty of indulgent sauce, so be sure to order some naan (Indian flatbread) so you can soak up every last drip. Owned by India natives Tarvinder Girn and Paramjit Kaur, the restaurant offers a full buffet at lunchtime and an enormous menu at dinner time. If you’re new to Indian cuisine, Girn suggests trying out the chicken tikka masala featuring chicken in a creamy sauce and served with rice. (What’s not to love?) The lamb vindaloo, a spicy lamb dish, is a great option for more adventurous eaters who are ready to graduate from chicken tikka masala. 

London Calling Pasty Company

 [ British ]

836 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-380-7943, londoncallingpastycompany.com

Long before he began greeting customers at this gourmet pasty company, Neil Gomme left his West London home to attend summer camp in Maine. While he was there, he ended up meeting his wife. “She was from Springfield,” Gomme says. The two lived in London for a while, but then they ended up relocating to 417-land, and Gomme decided to put his charming accent and knowledge of British food to good use by partnering up with his sister-in-law, culinary guru Carrie Mitchell, to open London Calling. “She does the cooking, and I brought a lot of the recipes,” Gomme says. Located in Springfield’s food truck park and offering a big red double-decker bus for seating, this restaurant specializes in creating the ever-so-popular British pasties made with flaky crust and warm fillings. Flavors range from a traditional filled with tender steak, onion, golden potato and rutabaga to a version filled with bangers and mash, one with steak and stilton and even a tikka masala that’s loaded with chicken, a cream-based tomato sauce and English curry. You’ll also find a tasty shepherd’s pie and traditional sausage rolls on the menu, with every ingredient made from scratch in the food truck.

Gem of India

 [ Indian ]

211 W. Battlefield Rd., Springfield, 417-881-9558, gemofindia.net

If you’re a first-timer who’s looking to try a wide variety of Indian food, make friends with the lunch buffet at Gem of India. Owner and head chef Gurnek Singh is originally from northern India’s Punjab, and he loads up this beauty with a smorgasbord of goodies. The dinnertime menu is even more impressive, boasting dozens of entrées featuring chicken, seafood, veggies and a whole lot more. Try the Dinner for Two with mulligatawny soup, vegetable samosas, pakoras, papadam, tandoori chicken, lamb bhuna, chicken tikka masala, saffron rice, naan, raita and dessert. (Woah!) 

Although it comes in many different forms, bread is an almost universal food around the globe. We tell you where to find a few of our favorite kinds. 

Bread photos by Jessica Kennon Spencer

Anpan

Anpan is a Japanese sweet roll that’s often filled with red bean paste. $2 each at the Echigo Farm booth at Farmers Market of the Ozarks

Challah

A braided sweet bread that’s as beautiful as it is delicious, challah is traditionally known for being the egg bread for the Jewish Sabbath.  $5 for a half loaf, $8 for a regular loaf or $12 for a family loaf at Legacy Bagelry

Baguette

A super-popular French bread, this tasty creation is often long and thin in shape, airy in texture and great for absorbing sauces. $2.50 a loaf at La Gallette Berrichonne

Focaccia

This flat, oven-baked Italian bread is often seasoned with herbs and sometimes topped with goodies like cheese or vegetables. It’s great for dipping in olive oil. $1.99–3.99 per loaf in the bakery section at local Price Cutter Plus stores

Mosbolletjies

Mosbolletjies is a tasty, naturally leavened South African sweet bread made with a hint of anise. $6 per loaf, available from Katie Made on Saturdays at Farmers Market of the Ozarks or at Homegrown Food

Naan

Naan is a leavened, oven-baked flatbread that’s often served with Indian cuisine.  $2.95 for a plain loaf or $3.95 for a garlic loaf at India Clay Oven

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Elotes Don Tono 

[ Mexican ]

Food truck located in a parking lot at 1314 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-773-0250

The first Elotes Don Tono food truck was started in Mexico by Elotes Don Tono himself. Two years ago, Elotes Don Tono’s son, Martin Rodriguez, and his wife, Norma, decided to open a version of the food truck in Springfield. Moving here from Mexico, the two wanted to serve things just as they are served in their native country. A favorite here is the Mexican street corn, which is served on the cob or in a cup and seasoned with a combo of butter, mayo, Mexican cream, Mexican cheese and chili powder. Other popular items include street tacos available with steak, pork, tripe or tongue and dressed with cilantro, onion and homemade salsa, homemade pork and chicken tamales and torta, a Mexican-style sandwich served on homemade Mexican bread. 

Soo’s Korean Restaurant

[ Korean ]

3644 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, 417-889-2220

Originally from South Korea, Nam Ok Kim purchased Soo’s more than four years ago. She filled the menu with several traditional Korean dishes, including the favorite beef bulgogi (tender marinated beef), the squid bokum (stir-fried squid and vegetables) and the samgyetang, which is a traditional Korean soup made with chicken and ginseng. If you’re new to Korean food, try the beef bulgolgi—the tender marinated beef is excellent here, and it comes on a skillet with a side of veggies. If you’re more experienced, go for the doenjang jjigae, a stew-like dish made with soybean paste. 

Haruno

[ Japanese ]

3044 S. Fremont Ave., Springfield, 417-887-0077, harunosushi.com

All 417-land sushi fans know and love Haruno, a restaurant that has grown famous for its quality sushi creations. But that’s certainly not all there is to get excited about at this Japanese restaurant, owned by Young Sun Jun and her husband, John Jung. Young says that the restaurant’s udon soups are both great authentic Japanese dishes. One features broth, udon noodles, shrimp tempura and vegetable tempura, and the other features broth, udon noodles, chicken, shrimp tempura, boiled egg and spinach. If you’re feeling more daring, opt for the spicy seafood soup (loaded with seafood favorites) instead. The donburi is a flavorful layered dish that combines rice, onions, egg, a sweet and salty broth and your choice of chicken, pork or shrimp tempura. Of course, the teriyaki options are always a slightly sweet and safe choice for those who are new to Japanese cuisine. If you want to start with an authentic Japanese appetizer, try the gyoza, traditional pan-fried Japanese dumplings. 

Koriya

[ Korean ]

4121 S. Fremont Ave. #128, Springfield, 417-882-0077

When Young Sun Jun decided to open Koriya with her husband, John Jung, nearly three years ago, she wanted to introduce 417-landers to customizable Korean cuisine. The restaurant’s bibimbap is a great choice for first-timers, as it offers a choice of brown, white, black or mixed rice and a variety of vegetables, meats and sauces that can be combined to create dozens of flavors. “If you want it to be the most authentic, ask for it with an egg,” Young says. Those skeptical of anything unusual can start simple with the spicy peanut chicken dish, which features crispy breaded chicken and a kick of heat. Other popular menu items include bulgolgi beef, yaki soba with chicken and galbi—Korean barbecue short ribs. 

Tong’s Thai Restaurant

 [ Thai ]

3454 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, 417-889-5280

On your first visit to Tong’s Thai Restaurant, try out the Siam Beef. This dish features thinly sliced, extra-tender ribeye steak that’s marinated in a tasteful selection of Thai seasonings and spices then stir fried with bell pepper, bamboo and onion. Another popular choice for Thai-food beginners is the Emerald chicken with grilled marinated chicken, steamed vegetables and a creamy peanut sauce. “I developed a lot of the recipes myself,” says owner Tong Trithara, who’s originally from Bangkok. Of course, you’ll have a choice of many other authentic dishes, including a variety of pad Thai creations (the seafood pad Thai is a must-try when it’s on special). If you’re looking to feed your adventurous spirit, try the Bangkok duck—a half-duck that’s deboned, breaded, deep fried and topped with garlic basil sauce. 

The Argentina Steakhouse

[ Argentinian ]

1410 E. Republic Rd., Springfield, 417-886-8010, theargentinasteakhouse.com

Argentine cuisine is well-known for being heavy on the beef, and The Argentina Steakhouse capitalizes on this fact with its first-class menu. Originally from Argentina, owner Angel Kim says he worked to blend traditional Argentine flavors with popular steakhouse fare, and he included many tasty beef options. A favorite is the Lomo Ana Pineta, a grilled filet dish that’s served with a burgundy reduction or mushroom cream sauce. All entrées are servered with chimichurri sauces, which are traditional Argentine dipping sauces loaded with flavor, and Argentine sea salt is the spot’s signature seasoning.

The German bratwurst and Bavarian sauerkraut at Roswitha’s Schnitzelbank pair well with brÖetchen bread and mustard.

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Roswithas Schnitzelbank

[ German ]

12167 State Hwy. 43 North, Webb City, 417-642-5343, roswithasschnitzelbank.com

This German eatery owned by Roswitha Hartline is located in a show stable that doubles as a restaurant in Webb City. “But I promise, we don’t eat horse meat!,” Hartline says. Originally from Rhineland, Germany, Hartline creates authentic German dishes like wienerschnitzel, a breaded pork loin topped with lemon, jagerschnnitzel topped with a sautéed garlic, mushroom and white wine sauce and rahmenschnitzel topped with a sour cream and lemon dill sauce. Other goodies on the menu include German bratwurst and sauerbraten, which is a tender beef roast marinated in gourmet white vinegar and seasoned with bay leaves. Meals here may be accompanied by your choice of German sides, such as kartoffelsalat, a warm potato salad with bacon and a gourmet vinaigrette, or Bavarian sauerkraut, which Hartline says is sweet and sour without the bite. Make sure to arrive here hungry, and you’re sure to leave happy. “People just go on and on about the food I cook, and I swear, I sometimes get embarrassed!,” Hartline says. But before you visit, be sure to grab some cash­—the restaurant doesn’t take credit cards.

That Lebanese Place

[ Lebanese ]

338 E. Commercial St., Springfield, 417-536-6677, thatlebaneseplace.com 

Appetizers are the best way to start a meal, and That Lebanese Place gives Lebanese-food lovers many authentic and flavorful options. If you’re a fan of dipping and scooping, start things off with the pita and hummus or babaganoush. If you’re looking for super-authentic flavors that you can’t find just anywhere, try the grape leaves filled with rice and vegetables. Originally from Lebanon, Elie Ghanem owns the restaurant with his wife, Elizabeth, and he recommends trying That Lebanese Platter if you’re new to the cuisine. It’s loaded with your choice of two meat skewers (choices include beef, chicken or kafta, which is a ground beef mixture seasoned with parsley and onions), plus four pieces of falafel and four stuffed grape leaves. 

Vasken’s Deli

[ Mediterranean ]

900 E. Battlefield, Springfield, 417-883-0083; 3200 Gretna Rd., Branson, 417-334-9182; vaskensdeli.com

Vasken and Staci Haroutounian are the husband-and-wife team who own both Vasken’s Deli locations, and Setrak, Alyse and Meg Haroutounian are the trio of children who help the restaurants operate. “It really is a family business,” says Setrak. A variety of Mediterranean dishes fill the restaurant’s menu, including a mouthwatering gyro that helped put the spot on the map. “We always suggest that they start with the lamb or beef gyro,” Setrak says. The shawerma hot sandwich features beef brisket or chicken seasoned with special shawerma seasonings and is another favorite.

Ocean Zen

[ Pan Asian ]

4117 S National Ave, Springfield, 417-889-9596, eatoceanzen.com

Along with their father, Bob Tan, brothers Johnson and John Tan have brought Springfield a handful of fine dining restaurants, including the ever-so-popular Ocean Zen. “We describe Ocean Zen’s food as Pacific Rim food,” Johnson says. You’ll find dishes with an Asian-European flare here, plus lots of Asian glazes on dishes, including a mouthwatering Mongolian glaze that’s used on the lamb chops, ribs and a 14-ounce rib-eye. And speaking of steaks, the restaurant has recently stepped up its game. “We’re really focused on bringing in top-notch prime steaks right now,” Johnson says. “We’ve got certified Angus tomahawks, some Kobe beef and others—really all the steaks you’d find in a nice steakhouse.” 

Outback Steak and Oyster Bar

[ Australian ]

1914 W. 76 Country Blvd., Branson, 417-334-6306, outbackbranson.com

While researching to open his restaurant, Nixa native Steve Wood traveled to Australia three times. He came back fully equipped to open Branson’s Outback Steak and Oyster Bar, which is exactly what he did 26 years ago (just six months before the Outback Steakhouse chain restaurant first opened). “There are two large grills in the center of the restaurant, because in Australia, almost everything is cooked ‘on the barbie,’” Wood says. “When designing the menu, I wanted to be able to grill as many things as we could.” Classic steaks and seafood here are seasoned with the restaurant’s signature seasoning and grilled. The restaurant also has some Australian-themed sampler dishes, including The Aussie Plate (with pork, two sausages, tomato, onion and a fried egg) and The Melobourne Mixed Grill (with quail, lamb and another exotic meat). A fun and truly Australian starter is the alligator tail—give it a try!  

Elaine and Roland Parney create gorgeous French fare at La Galette Berrichonne, including Beef en Croute.

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La Galette Berrichonne

[ French ]

143 E. Main, Fordland, 417-738-2112, rolandparny.com

After attending culinary school, French-born chef Roland Parny cooked around the world in places like Paris and South Africa. Then, he came to the United States and cooked as an executive chef for Mississippi State University before he settled down in Fordland. His retirement dream was to start a cooking school here and run a café on the side, but the café quickly became the star of the show. Today, with the help of his wife, Elaine, Roland runs La Galette Berrichonne, a French bakery-café that specializing in French dishes with a bit of a home-cooked flare. “A lot of the dishes reflect Roland’s upbringing in La Berry, a French region roughly three hours south of Paris that’s a lot like the Ozarks,” Elaine says. Popular French selections include Chicken DuBois, Beef Burgundy and, of course, a dreamy selection of freshly made French pastries. 

Altenhof Inn

[ German ]

680 Jakes Creek Trail, Branson, 417-338-5091, altenhofinn.com

If you’re in the Branson area and you get a hankering for some German food, you’re in luck. Gertraude Santo opened Altenhof Inn here in 1998, and the restaurant serves up a variety of tasty German classics with a side view of Table Rock Lake. “I always watched my mother cook when I was little, and then I worked my way up in the restaurant business,” the Germany native says. “I was eager to learn.” Santo has experience cooking in fine-dining establishments and catering, but it’s working at the Altenhof Inn—the restaurant she started herself—where she says she’s fulfilling her dreams. “In 1986, I said, ‘What if…’” Santo says. “And now, I’m in my 17th season.” Wienerschnitzel and jagerschnitzel are popular authentic German options, and guests also love the bratwurst and knackwurst with red cabbage and German potato salad. There’s also a line of burgers and pizzas here, including a German-themed pizza with bratwurst, knackwurst, onions and sauerkraut.

Cafe Cusco

[ Peruvian ]

234 E. Commercial St., Springfield, 417-868-8088

While developing the menu at Cafe Cusco, owner Joseph Gidman focused on mixing flavors of ancient Peruvian cuisines with modern tastes. “I’ve worked for a lot of chefs, and I spent a lot of time traveling and being exposed to a lot of different foods,” Gidman says. “My best friend is from Lima, Peru, and I got a really good taste for the food.” Among the authentic Peruvian dishes here is the ceviche, which is raw fish that has been cured in lime juice, garlic, red onions and yellow pepper. You’ll also find a variety of other Peruvian flavors on the menu with entrées such as the Lima Shrimp Cocktail and the Fritas La Huancaina, made of Yukon gold, sweet potato and yucca fries with Huancaina cheese sauce and cilantro. To start off your meal, be sure to try the tequenos, a favorite appetizer of Cotija cheese cooked in empanada dough.

ReRico Brazilian Grill

[ Brazilian ]

3371 E. Montclair St., Springfield, 417-881-8882, rericogrill.com

At ReRico Brazilian Grill, it’s all about the meat. “We have 18 rotisserie meats, and they’re all brought to your table on skewers for tableside carving,” says restaurant owner and chef Angel Kim. But this meat isn’t just your typical beef and chicken. The selections are all first-class, including the popular Brazilian Picanha, a house-special beef rump roast, filet, K.C. Strip, Frango Peito, a chicken breast with bacon, Froaldinha, a horseradish sirloin and more. Dinnertime guests also get to feast on the gourmet cold bar, which features some 40 appetizers and salads including shrimp and calamari ceviche and gourmet olives. Before you leave, make sure to try the Pao de Queijo, a tasty Brazilian cheese bread. If you dine in for lunch, you’ll order from a menu that features pastas, salads and steaks.