WEST MEETS EAST

Modern Fusion at Ling & Louie’s

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LING & LOUIE'S

By Christy Claymore Vance

“Fusion” is an attractive word, but its definition shifts to accommodate the finer points of its context. It can mean alchemy, or a coalition, or the co-mingling of interesting and diverse styles. In terms of a regional chain that’s now a Treasure Valley favorite, Ling and Louie’s brings flavorful fusion to our taste buds.

Ling & Louie’s was the brainchild of veteran restaurateur and founder Randy Schoch. The idea came to Schoch through his appreciation for the foods he’d enjoyed during the 20 years he lived in Hawaii and traveled throughout Southeast Asia. Schoch created Ling & Louie’s with the vision that the traditional cuisines of Asia could be created with a modern air for presentation and quality. The characters of Ling and Louie represent Schoch’s vision, marrying modern Asian cuisine with American culture.

In 2019, long-time Manager and Director of Brand Development, E. John Banquil Jr., purchased Ling & Louie’s Restaurants from Randy Schoch with the vision to continue the excitement of the brand and propel it into the future with his local Idaho business partners Rex Chandler and Caleb Padgett. “Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar and Grill is for people who want to have fun and enjoy a unique dining experience,” said Padgett. “Serving Modern Asian Cuisine with American air, our chefs use traditional Asian cooking techniques and ingredients in non-traditional ways to create bold, craveable flavors that appeal to all tastes.”

Ling & Louie’s interprets fusion as using traditional Asian cooking techniques and ingredients in non-traditional ways. “We don’t like to be pigeon-holed into one category or another—such as Chinese, Thai, or Japanese—because that is not who we are,” said Pagett. “We look at popular Asian and American dishes and think about how we can make them better. Sometimes, this means taking what is considered a traditional Chinese dish and adding what are traditional Thai ingredients to give it a unique twist on the original. Other times, it means taking a dish that you grew up eating—like meatloaf—deconstructing it and rebuilding it into something wholly unique and delicious.”

Diners can enjoy a variety of wok-fired favorites that are inspired by a fusion of Chinese, Thai, Japanese, and American cuisines. With an upbeat atmosphere, an innovative bar, and friendly service, the cuisine at Ling & Louie’s pairs perfectly with their selection of signature cocktails, craft beers, and hand-selected wines. Serving lunch, dinner, daily happy hours, and a weekend brunch, Ling & Louie’s not only applies fusion towards flavors and preparation, but also in terms of offering this concept to a variety of mealtimes.

Ling & Louie’s takes their fusion seriously. From the interesting and diverse styles influencing their menu to the spirit of coalition that speaks to the hospitality diners will experience at their restaurants, they’ve undoubtedly drawn together the best of many worlds into something truly singular and exciting. Visit Ling and Louie’s in Meridian, or their new location along the Boise River in downtown Boise, and experience the alchemy of fusion for yourself.