Dashi is the new celebrity at my office. Like a bunch of kids on Christmas morning, on "Dashi Day" ( any day where they are scheduled to come to our parking lot to serve lunch ), everything is okay. Because it's Dashi Day, and Dashi Day is The Best Day Of The Week.
What can make an office of over 300 people ( including this food blogger ) go crazy for a truck with a sombrero on the side serving Asian(ish) Latin(ish) food?
The menu appears to be fine. Certainly not plain, but there are no surprises on it either for the Charleston foodie. Tacos, Burritos, Pad Thai, Curry, and a steadily rotating selection of specials. Really, the menu at Dashi looks good but not ... spectacular or obviously special. For that reason, it can be difficult to get some people to give it that very first try.
But that first try is all they need. See, the food at Dashi is spectacular. Not just "good for a food truck" good, but "DAMN good for anywhere" good. The execution is spectacular. The flavors are perfectly balanced and unique enough for me not to have that "Ugh, I could have made this at home" feeling after eating. I have eaten my way through the entire menu over the last few months ( I know, I probably should not admit that ... ) and I have yet to have anything that didn't absolutely knock my socks off.
My personal favorite thing about Dashi is their chicken. It's super crunchy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside -- a perfect topping for some noodles or on a taco. I also have it on good authority that the tofu is excellent in the burrito, although I have yet to try that particular combination. Plus, they serve Cannonborough Beverage Company sodas, which are mah faaaaaaavorite.
TL;DR:
Crunchy chicken, crisp fresh pickled veggies, noodles, tacos, and more. Much like not liking animals, a dislike of Dashi is a sure sign of being a serial killer. Order anything and prepare to be delighted. My latest obsession is the pork lettuce wraps ( which have ground pork and delightfully, noodles! ), but the pad thai, tacos, and burrito are all killer, too.
Value:
Excellent.
Wait time:
Average.
Staff:
Super nice, even though I always waste their time staring at the menu because I cannot make a decision. (Sorry, guys)
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