Asian spice, with some rice.

In the pursuit of filling out my blog's categories, what better way to kick off the Asian cuisine category than with Ol Asian Bistro? It's likely I've passed by this place many times. Like most people, I tend to stick to what's familiar. The easy choice is always to eat what I already know I'll enjoy, but I've learned the world has so much more to offer when you're willing to take a risk, no matter how small.
Walking into the restaurant almost made me forget where I was. Ol Asian Bistro sits in the beautiful downtown area of Holland, Michigan, and the space gave off a genuinely professional feeling. The kind of place where you could conduct a meeting over a nice meal. That alone told me I'd made the right choice. The moment I step into a restaurant, I feel something. Whatever that something is, it's part of what makes me remember a place — the meal, the people, all of it.
For appetizers, we ordered the House-Fried Gyoza and the Korean Fried Chicken. The gyoza was fried more than I was used to from other restaurants, but I enjoyed it even more for it. That satisfying crunch in every bite is exactly what I look for in a good dish, and the flavorful sauce made each crispy shell taste like a burst of juicy flavor.
The Korean Fried Chicken is an all-time favorite of mine. Paired with rice, I used to be able to put away twenty wings in one sitting — though I've calmed down since then, which worked out perfectly, since I'd never seen Korean fried chicken served as an appetizer before. The moment I saw it on the menu, I knew I had to order it. The flavor was the classic garlic soy, but the real surprise was the crispiness. Not quite what I was used to, but the balance was spot on. Crunchy in the right places, packed with flavor in every bite, and just some darn good chicken. As a simple man, it doesn't get better than that.
Spicy Stir-Fried Pork was a dish I never thought I'd order — which is exactly why I had to try it. It arrived beautifully plated, paired with a generous helping of white rice and just the right amount of kimchi. My first bite was significant. I realized in that moment I'd been missing out on edible gold for years. The stir-fried pork carried a nice spice, but nothing that called for a glass of water. Paired with the rice, it instantly became a new comfort food, and I found myself using my chopsticks to scoop up as much of it as I could. I was genuinely happy to have found this place. And let's not forget the kimchi — it added a refreshing bite followed by a spice level that will absolutely wake you up. You may want water nearby for that one. Together, it all made for a meal I won't forget.
Ol Asian Bistro turned out to be exactly the kind of risk I needed to take. What started as just checking a box for my Asian cuisine category turned into one of the most memorable meals I've had in a while. The kind of place that reminds me why I started doing this in the first place. If you're in downtown Holland, do yourself a favor and stop in. I have a feeling you'll walk out with a new favorite of your own.