Culinary Serendipity

By Jun Wang

Lin’s Asian Cuisine
Location: 130 Scenic Gulf Dr. Suite #5B, Miramar Beach, FL 32550
Phone: 850-424-5888
Offers: Dine-in
Cuisine: Americanized Chinese Cuisine, Southeast Asian Cuisine 
Signature Dishes: Pineapple Chicken, Shrimp with Asparagus, Mongolian Beef, Orange Chicken, Thai Curry 
Year of Establishment: 2009
Website:www.linsasiancuisine.com

Lin’s Asian Cuisine II
Location: 11160 Panama City Beach Pky. #408, Panama City Beach, FL 32407
Phone: 850-233-6566
Offers: Dine-in, Sushi Bar

Miramar Beach is a famous tourist resort located in the Florida panhandle that offers endless entertainment options and a marvelous selection of restaurants. Located close to Mississippi and Alabama, Miramar Beach attracts a large number of tourists from out of state. Once only known for its spectacular ocean views, the influx of tourists has helped jumpstarted Miramar Beach’s dining scene.

As the only Chinese restaurant in the area, Lin’s Asian Cuisine’s grand opening was a godsend for those hankering for Chinese cuisine. Lin’s Asian Cuisine lived up to expectations by not only having a tasteful and aesthetic decor but also dishing up some of the best Chinese food in the Florida panhandle.

This unassuming eatery is not so enticing at first glance, but you’ll probably change your mind when you step into the restaurant and find that you are surrounded by soothing music and the soft lights, along with a warm orange-hued tone, which complements a cozy and relaxing ambiance. The decorative Chinese-inspired paintings and characters embedded on the tile are just the first steps of an enlightening journey into Chinese culture and cuisine.

At first glance the menu doesn’t seem to offer anything special, and like many other restaurants offers the usual soup, appetizers, fried rice, Lo Mein and pork, beef, chicken and seafood entrées. While the offerings seem to be run-of-the-mill fare, the prodigal chefs at Lin’s Asian Cuisine have transformed these seemingly bland and ordinary entrées into true palate-pleasers.

Flavor Infusion
Mongolian Beef is a fixture on the menus of Chinese restaurants all around the US. However, Lin’s version is a bit different. In Florida, the sweltering heat and lingering humidity brought about by the tropical climate makes locals shy away from hot and spicy food. Instead, they favor foods with light flavors. Therefore, Lin’s version of Mongolian Beef is a sweeter version of a usually very spicy dish.

Besides holding true to tradition, owner Qun Lin also comes up with new and thrilling inspirations to entertain the palates of customers. One of those creations is the Orange Chicken. Lin’s version is injected with orange juice then further enhanced by minced orange peels, adding an extra layer of citrusy taste.

Shrimp with Asparagus is also a hit with customers. The shrimp is balanced with asparagus, sugar snap peas and zacama—all favorites of the locals and garnished with strawberry, orange slices, and carrots to create an eye-catching blend that will both dazzle your eyes and your taste-buds. You’ll taste the freshness and light sweetness of the dish on the tip of your tongue when you bite into the asparagus and green sugar snap peas.

Mr. Lin also puts a unique spin on Southeast Asian style dishes by making use of a number of exotic spices. A bundle of herbs, spices and sauces give dishes their unique flavors, creating a distinctive experience that is both culturally inspired and comfortably Asian. The Thai Curry and Pineapple Chicken are two of these enthralling Southeast creations. Someone craving something with ethnic Thai flavor may want to try them out. You’ll be impressed by the lingering aftertaste of the curry sauce and Thai chili sauce.

Good News for Panama Beach
Now the residents of Panama Beach have the luxury of being able to enjoy these amazing delicacies, as Mr. Lin has opened another Lin’s Asian Cuisine location there this past May. Not someone to rest on his laurels, he has also brought in some Japanese delights to complement the already diverse offerings. The menu features a large collection of entrees, including soup, salad, sushi, teriyaki, tempura and hibachi among others. “Try some of our meticulously crafted sushi then treat your mouth to a swirl of flavors by following with a cup of hot sake,” recommends Mr. Lin. 

Despite opening during the economic downturn, Lin’s Asian Cuisine has still been able to battle through rough seas and even expand to Panama Beach. Business continues to increase because of their dedication to high quality food, consistent flavor, and providing attentive service.

Quality Above All
Good food will bring in more diners, while high quality food with an exhilarating flavor will put a restaurant on the map. Of course, there are other factors involved and a restaurant’s popularity won’t rise too much if other important areas are ignored. Nowadays, besides just fresh ingredients, diners are also looking to dine at restaurants that use healthy cooking methods. Mr. Lin knows this well. As a veteran chef and businessman, he has more than a decade’s experience under his belt and has witnessed the ups and downs of many restaurants. He’s noticed that the ups come more often when there is a harmonious combination of savory and healthy offerings, while a restaurant going through a down period either offers inferior quality food and/or suffers from sloppy management.   

When it comes to food freshness, Mr. Lin keeps a clear mind and insists on choosing the best ingredients available. He uses 100% pure vegetable oil because he believes choosing a healthier type of oil is essential in preparing healthier dishes.

Lin’s Asian Cuisine has two locations, so pretty much wherever you are in Miramar Beach or Panama Beach, you’ll still be able to enjoy high quality Chinese food in a cozy and comfortable setting. The flavor is consistent because of the strict sauce preparation standards. The ambiance is a bit different yet welcoming, and you’ll feel relaxed once you step into these stylish eateries. They are both worth a visit.   

Aiming to expand inland, Mr. Lin hopes to open more Lin’s Asian Cuisine locations in the next few years. With the second location opening this last May, he is well on his way to opening a third and fourth location.