The last time I visited Porthcawl's Cosy Corner Lounge, I remarked that its chain-like name didn't really reflect their menu of big flavoured pan-Asian cooking.
Fast forward a few months and they changed their name to Asiad.
Following a walk along the coast on one of the nicest days of the year, we pitched up at the restaurant formerly known as Cosy Corner Lounge (TRFKACCL) for a last-minute midday lunch. Impressively, the place swiftly filled up.
It’s understandable as Asiad’s set lunch menu is a cracking value thing, offering three small plates for £16.95. From a selection of nine, we ordered six to share.
But first, alcohol free cocktails, which I remember being excellent last time too. Yuzu shandy (£6.50) combined a big wallop of citrus with a malty hit of alcohol-free lager. A chilli and lemongrass smash (£6.50) was a more complex number, balancing the fragrance of lemongrass with apple, lime and vanilla.
With one eye on a blowout dinner, we ordered the least carb heavy of the dishes on offer. I have *no regrets* about not ordering their brilliant triple cooked chips.
First up crisp lettuce cups were home to a sticky, spicy, sweet and sour minced chicken laab topped with the fragrance of mint and crunch of nut. With their huge flavours and contrasting textures, they really demonstrated what Asiad is all about.
First up crisp lettuce cups were home to a sticky, spicy, sweet and sour minced chicken laab topped with the fragrance of mint and crunch of nut. With their huge flavours and contrasting textures, they really demonstrated what Asiad is all about.
A pair of whopping crisp crumbed croquetas were filled with silky squid ink stained bechamel. The savoury hit of mollusc balanced well with a big hitting aioli seasoned with the umami hit of crispy chilli.
Long cooked and charred soft aubergines were a delightfully meaty vehicle to soak up a super savoury soy and sesame sauce whose spice was dialled up by the presence of crispy chilli. This was Mrs G’s pick of the meal.
Korean fried cauliflower saw al dente florets coated in a shatteringly crisp batter drenched in a sticky sauce seasoned with the savoury and spicy hit of gochujang.
A bowl of impeccably fresh and crisp whitebait were lovely dredged through a wasabi charged mayonnaise.
Lastly, gorgeously tender slices of lamb were coated in a Mongolian sauce which seemed to be hoisin and five spice based. Lighter notes were provided by the fragrance of basil and heat of red chilli slices.
We had a belting lunch of excellent value pan-Asian cooking at Asiad and there’s no doubt that their new name is a much better fit for what they’re doing. If you're visiting Porthcawl and looking for something other than fish and chips, then Asiad should be top of your list.
The Details:
Address - Asiad, 33 Esplanade, Porthcawl CF36 3YR
Telephone - 01656 503245
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