Hidden in a small strip of restaurants, bakeries, and bike shops less than half a mile from Haverford is a tiny restaurant. Just down Lancaster Avenue, past the Dunkin’, is an unassuming entrance with a modest sign that reads “TaoOne – Asian Cuisine.”
You step in and sit down. You’re handed a menu. It’s huge: TaoOne has virtually every type of Asian cuisine you could want. From Wonton, Miso, and Tom Yum soup to dozens of sushi rolls and sashimi, Thai curries, Kung Pao, and Szechuan Chicken.
With all of these options, just ordering a simple meal can seem daunting. While all of the food is of high quality, a few dishes stand out to me as especially good.
One of my favorite dishes at any Asian restaurant, the Salmon Lover ($24), is especially decadent at TaoOne. Of all types of sashimi and sushi, the salmon is extremely soft and flavorful. Within the same realm, the Sashimi Deluxe features 21 slices of assorted fish, including salmon, tuna, squid, and fluke, for just $28. The Sashimi Deluxe can easily become a shareable dinner when combined with a starter or two, as it already comes with a miso soup and house salad.
It’s not just the main courses that are superior; the appetizers are nothing to ignore. Some of my favourites are the Miso soup ($4-8), with good broth but a bit lacking in tofu; the Egg or Spring Roll ($2.50), both crunchy and packed with flavour; and the Seaweed Salad ($9), deliciously cold and refreshing for the course ahead. As for their Japanese-Style Garden Salad ($6), it’s refreshing while having a hint of sweetness from its carrot ginger dressing; though house salads aren’t typically my thing, so your opinion on it will likely vary.
Like many Asian restaurants on the Main Line, a humble entrance hides many different dishes, cuisines, and styles, all of which are extremely appetizing.
Japanese cuisine is a major focus of TaoOne—in fact, they have a live sushi bar to watch—but their other cuisines are just as delicious. As a repeat customer of both the General Tso’s ($17.50) and Orange Chicken ($18.50), I have not been disappointed with TaoOne’s chicken. It’s always extremely crispy, crunchy, tender, and packed with flavour. Their Fried Rice ($14-$21) is very good as well, both flavourful and filling.
Their Thai selection is great as well; the Pad Thai ($16-22) allows visitors to combine fried rice with an array of vegetables and meats—pork, chicken, beef, shrimp, and seafood—to cater to whatever the mood may be. They also have X-O Shrimp, Thai Triple Delight, and more.
Like many Asian restaurants on the Main Line, a humble entrance hides many different dishes, cuisines, and styles, all of which are extremely appetizing. So if you’re not quite sure where to eat after a long day at school, consider TaoOne as a close, reliable option with top-notch choices.
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