I’ve been anticipating House of the Rising Tanuki-san (or Tanuki for short) arrival in Austin for MONTHS and I was soooo delighted to finally try them out last week! The name comes from Japanese folklore as a shapeshifting shinto god of mischief. It fits the restaurant perfectly because they’re a fusion of East Asian and Southern comfort food with lots of funk and flavor.

We started out the night with these Harajuku Girls Fried Wontons with amazing bison tonkatsu, sweet tamari, scallions, sesame seeds and a wasabi cream for dipping. Perfect for sharing (or devouring yourself).

Chef Jonathan (placing the wontons for service) and Chef Adam (the Asian Cajun Cowboy) run the kitchen together.

In the mural, Tanuki says “you look like you could use a drink!” and he couldn’t be more right. I had the delicious Sake to Me with Joto Yuzu Sake, New Amsterdam Gin, Yellow Chartreuse, Aperol, and Orange Bitters. It was like an aperol spritz met a negroni and they fell in love in the same glass.

Accompanying the wontons are the Princess Mononoke Miso Braised Clams in a light but super flavorful green broth with jalapenos and baby bok choy. Make sure to get a side of rice with this to sop up the amazing broth!

I loooove shrimp n grits and try to order them at every restaurant in town. These were so unique – like nothing I’ve ever had. They’re called No Money No Honey Shrimp and Grits and come with Texas gulf shrimp, Thai tamarind & coconut curry, andouille sausage, baby bok choy, okra, peppers, onions, cheesy grits, basil, cilantro and a lime wedge. Beautiful, isn’t it? I would easily order this every single time.

Even though it seems simple, the Yo Mama So Charred Asparagus were one of the best things I had. They’re tender, bold and come with tamari, a perfectly poached marinated egg and togarashi spice. YUUUMMM. Add some shrimp to this and it could be a meal!

Ok y’all, I wasn’t expecting to like their burger as much as I did. The Double Double Korean Trouble Burger comes with two pork & beef patties, kimchi, secret sauce, American cheese, shiitake mushrooms and romaine. Every single ingredient comes together in perfect harmony. The fluffy bun is also delightful and did I mention the fabulous slaw salad on the side? It’s tossed in a sherry miso dressing that was irresistible.

Tanuki is open for lunch and dinner Monday – Friday and dinner service only on Saturday (closed Sundays). They have an awesome happy hour from 4 – 6 pm during the week too! You can find them at 120 West 5th Street (formerly BaseCamp) in between Congress and Colorado. If you haven’t figured it out yet, you need to get your butt down to Tanuki and try at least one of the things I mentioned above (but they also have a huge menu with lots of other yummy things!)