The new Filipino and Cambodian fusion restaurant A Taste of Both Worlds opened last month. I went for lunch last week to try it out.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
Another option in Urbana’s Broadway Food Hall, A Taste of Both Worlds serves a variety of appetizers, entrees, and desserts offered on side-by-side menus: one with Filipino options and one with Cambodian. I tried a Filipino app, a Cambodian entree, and a Filipino dessert.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
The sisig taco ($2) comes on soft corn tortillas with a choice of pork, chicken, or mixed with fresh chilis, red onion, and cilantro. I chose to have mixed chicken and pork. On my first bite, I didn’t put any sauce, so it tasted pretty plain. I added some sauce, and holy moly, it came to life. Be warned: the sauce is very, very spicy. Taste the sauce before pouring it all over. I like spicy food, but this was another level. The spicy sauce really brought this taco together.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
I heard about these stuffed wings during Restaurant Week, and they never left my mind, so I had to try them. I ordered the Cambodian stuffed wings meal ($9) which came with three stuffed wings, a lot of steamed rice, and a mini cucumber salad.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
The chicken wings were stuffed with ground chicken, clear bean thread noodles, green onion, and lemongrass. The chicken was so juicy and flavorful with a light lemon brightness. The wings were deboned, so there was a lot of room for all the filling. The skin was crispy and golden — and truly a sight to behold. These are not battered wings, just fried skin-on wings. I’m not even sure how they were able to debone and stuff these wings and still have the skin beautifully covering all the meat; it’s like these wings were born with lemongrass and noodles inside it.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
There was also this little salad which doesn’t look like much, but wow, the flavors in this are insanely good. The salad had little, chopped cucumbers and carrots in a salty and spicy dressing. It was refreshing and cold, but it had some serious heat.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
Lastly, I tried the turon dessert ($3.25). Two little eggrolls were filled with banana and jackfruit and topped with powdered sugar and served with two dipping sauces: caramel and chocolate. These were heavenly. The egg roll had a loud crunch when I bit into it, and it was amazing. The middle was soft and creamy with a caramelized banana flavor with mild jackfruit that blended well. All of it together: fruity flavors, savory wrapper, dusted sugar, and sweet dipping syrups made for such a good dessert. Add one (or two) to your order, for sure.
Here’s a look at the menu posted at A Taste of Both Worlds. They’re still a new restaurant, so they are in the process of updating the menu.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
The service was friendly, and the food was spicy and delicious. If you’re looking to try something new, go try A Taste of Both Worlds.
A Taste of Both Worlds
401 N Broadway Ave
Urbana
W+Th 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
F 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5 to 7 p.m.
Sa 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Top image by Alyssa Buckley.
