5 things I can't wait to try at Asian Food Fest – from fried fish heads to posole tacos

Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer
Updated ·2 min read

More than 65 food vendors will participate in this year's Asian Food Fest happening downtown this weekend. And while attendees will have more than 180 dishes to choose from, here are five that I'll likely be standing in line for.

1. Halo-halo from Ono Turo-Turo

Halo-halo from Ono Turo Turo at Asian Food Fest.
Halo-halo from Ono Turo Turo at Asian Food Fest.

One of my favorite orders from last year, this halo-halo ($8) from Columbus-based Ono Turo-Turo knocked my socks off. For the uninitiated, halo-halo (which translates to mix-mix) is a traditional Filipino dessert made with a mix of shaved ice and coconut milk. The joy of eating it is digging to the bottom for a varied mix of tapioca pearls, dried fruit such as jackfruit and mango, mung beans and other ingredients.

Keith's thoughts: Why Asian Food Fest matters

2. Posole tacos from Mahope

Vy and Sami Sok of Mahope, a Cambodian food truck that will serve posole tacos, among other items, at this year's Asian Food Fest.
Vy and Sami Sok of Mahope, a Cambodian food truck that will serve posole tacos, among other items, at this year's Asian Food Fest.

Posole is one of my favorite stews in the world. The traditional Mexican version usually features a mix of pork (or seafood) with hominy in a rich broth. While I don't know how Mahope, a food truck that offers Cambodian cuisine, plans to incorporate it into a taco ($5), I can't wait to find out.

3. The fried fish heads from Little Chef Medy food truck

A customer at Little Chef Medy food truck proudly displays one of chef Remedy Stewart's fried fish heads.
A customer at Little Chef Medy food truck proudly displays one of chef Remedy Stewart's fried fish heads.

Remedy Stewart, whose Little Chef Medy food truck will be back at the festival for the second year in a row, is offering fried fish heads – lightly fried salmon served with tomato, onions and soy sauce. ($10). I've been told by some Asian Food Fest die-hards that they're not to be missed.

4. Dukbokki from Neko Sushi

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This Korean and Japanese restaurant in Hyde Park will be offering one of my favorite Korean street food dishes. Dukbokki ($8) is a mixture of chewy rice cake cylinders with cabbage, green onion and hard-boiled eggs, all seasoned and spiced with chili paste.

5. Dan Dan Noodles from Fortune Noodle House

Fortune Noodle House is one of about 65 vendors at this year's Asian Food Fest.
Fortune Noodle House is one of about 65 vendors at this year's Asian Food Fest.

If you haven't been to Fortune Noodle House in Clifton Heights, you're missing out. The owners hand-pull their noodles, making them some of the best in town. Start with these spicy Sichuan dan dan noodles with Sichuan peppers and minced pork ($10) at the festival, then visit their brick-and-mortar location so you can dig deeper into their exceptional menu.

Asian Food Fest takes place at Court Street Plaza in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, April 27, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, April 28, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For a complete list of vendors and a complete menu, visit asianfoodfest.org.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Asian Food Fest 2024: 5 dishes I'm most excited to try