Diverse pan

bang a drum

The almost two-year wait for an Atlanta-based pan-Asian restaurant to make its Houston debut has come to an end. Tin Drum Asian Kitchen is now open daily for lunch and dinner.

Photo by Becca Wright

Tin Drum Asian Kitchen serves a menu of familiar pan-Asian fare.

Located just off Washington Avenue in The Vic at The Interpose mixed-use development (1111 Shepherd Dr.), Tin Drum’s menu consists of familiar dishes from continental Asia that includes Chinese, Sichuan, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, and Korean cuisines. Founder Steven Chan took inspiration from restaurants he encountered as a child who grew up in Hong Kong.

Meals at the fast-casual restaurant could begin with tempura cauliflower, chicken lettuce wraps, or crab and cheese rolls — all of which can be combined into a “Bo Bo Platter” with fries. Wings are served with one of nine sauces.

Bowl-style entrees include pad thai, Chinatown lo mein, tikka masala, and Thai fried rice. Tin Drum also serves ramen, salads, and fried chicken sandwiches.

Diners can pair their meals with Asian-inspired sips such as boba tea and Vietnamese coffee. A grab-and-go "mini mart" offers a range of snacks, candy, and sauces from different Asian countries.

“As a longtime admirer of Houston, it’s a privilege to bring Tin Drum to this world-class city,” Chan said in a statement. “The food scene here is authentic and genuine. The people are fantastic and inclusive of all walks of life and cuisines. You can see why so many are drawn here. What an incredible patch-work quilt of cultures and personalities. Our Houston partners Shairoz and Avez Maredia first experienced Tin Drum as college students in Atlanta and are very excited to share the food with their friends and family.”

Speaking of Atlanta, Tin Drum has been highly successful in its hometown, growing to 12 locations in 20 years. For Houston, the restaurant will start small with a 50-seat dining room that’s supplemented by an outdoor patio. It opens daily at 11 am.