Richard Wright has fond memories of Princess Pamela’s house parties in New York, where she’d cook soul food and sing until dawn. She eventually parlayed her underground success into a successful restaurant and cookbook. It was in that spirit of community that Wright and wife Akiko Konami invited bloggers, friends and family into their Silver Lake home to preview Asian Soul Kitchen, a new food truck in the Road Stoves family that launches December 1.

The couple formed Asian Soul by combining Konami’s background in Japanese fine dining and Wright’s “expertise in true, homestyle soul cuisine.” The couple ran Butta’Cup Lounge in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn, for five-and-a-half years, until 2005. Wright transitioned to Food and Beverage Director at Mandalay Bay Hotel, Resorts and Casino before working as the Encore Beverage Director. After he lost his job, the couple started fresh in Los Angeles, with Konami helping to head the Pink Jellyfish media and events firm.

At the house party, Konami and Wright previewed tamarind BBQ lollypop chicken, vegetarian yakisoba, bacon-spiked string beans and Nikujaga, a meat and potato stew with a mirin sake broth, yam noodles and carrot.

Konami also thinks it’s important to “educate and introduce rice.” Given that, expect different rice each day, including the nutty black forbidden rice that we experienced. They also plan to serve Asian sliders, lettuce wraps with tofu or pork and salmon koroke – salmon and potato croquettes.

When the truck rolls out, it will be yellow and purple – “Lakers’ colors.”

Follow Asian Soul Kitchen on Twitter @itsbentobaby.

Related Posts

1. Yealang Smith Plans to Bring Soul to Hollywood
2. Alex Chu Rolls out THE DIMSUM TRUCK
3. Sweets for the Soul open in Atwater
4. Clausen unveils Four Daughters Kitchen in Manhattan Beach
5. Craves Soul Food - Charleston, SC

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This entry is filed under LA Culinary Compass, Openings.