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. Ernie’s: Bringing Soul Food to a Charleston Side Street
2. Yealang Smith Plans to Bring Soul to Hollywood
3. Alex Chu Rolls out THE DIMSUM TRUCK
4. Craves Soul Food – Charleston, SC
5. Sweets for the Soul open in Atwater

1. Pingback: Tweets that mention Food GPS » Blog Archive » Asian Soul Food Kitchen Rolls Out December 1 -- Topsy.com on November 17, 2009
2. Pingback: Food GPS » Blog Archive » Asian Soul Food Kitchen Rolls Out December 1 | kitchensolvers on November 17, 2009
3. Trackback: uberVU - social comments on November 17, 2009

1 Comment

1. Tom Cramer, June 7, 2010:

   Hi Richard and Akiko its Tom Cramer from Las Vegas, how are you both doing? I was searching for you Richard and found you on this site. I’m still in search of a better position, hopefully back in the Beverage / Lounge Business. I am still at Wynn in Security and havent had any success finding a position here in Las Vegas, I’m ready to get out of here. Do you have any leads for a position? Also, the Federal EEOC is finally after two years about to investigate Mandalay Bay for retaliation of a witness in a racial discrimination complaint. Please call me at 702-806-8464 or 702-581-4494 or e-mail me at thomascramer77@gmail.com

   Tom

This entry is filed under LA Culinary Compass.