Himalaya Asian Bistro in RockledgeHimalaya Asian Bistro in Rockledge transports diners to the Far East with their culturally blended cuisine

Himalaya Asian Bistro, one of the newer additions to Central Brevard’s Asian food scene is tucked into a plaza near the corner of Barnes Boulevard and Murrell Road in Rockledge. Anything but bistro-small, the restaurant is fairly modish, with contemporary style, minimalist décor that includes an interior waterfall, dark wood tables and a full bar. It reflects a menu that is anything but typical.

This is not specifically a Thai, Japanese or Chinese restaurant, but more pan-Asian in outlook, so that Sambal Shrimp incorporates Indonesian spices with shrimp paste, carrots, onion, lemongrass and baby corn; and Malaysian Mee Goreng, ho-fun noodles with chicken, beef or shrimp, mixed with vegetable, egg and tofu in a dark, spicy sauce. Vietnamese Steamed Fish is red snapper with tomato, tofu, ginger and cilantro.

There are fusion-style dishes, like Lemongrass Chicken and Honey-Glazed Walnut Shrimp. Crispy Beef with Tamarind Sauce is as advertised: bite-sized bits of beef, battered, fried and served with onion, carrots and red pepper in a sauce not too heavily flavored with tamarind.Orange Flavor Chicken is similar: bits of chicken very lightly breaded and served with an orange sauce that is not sweet or sticky. Spicy Basil Chicken incorporates bell pepper, onion, green beans, garlic and chili paste.

Naturally, Himalaya also serves what diners have come to expect: pad Thai, lo mein, Japanese noodles, fried rice, and, of course, sushi and sashimi. Himalaya has plenty of the latter, including appetizers like tuna tataki and tuna or salmon carpaccio; and 28 styles of roll, as well as special maki.

Himalaya also is ahead of the game where nutrition is concerned, information-wise, each dish having its calories, carbohydrates, proteins, fats and fiber counted out for all to see.

10 year old Ethan Foster, who was visiting the area, was quite happy with the lo mein: a very large serving of noodles with appropriate amounts of cabbage, scallions, bean sprouts, onions and carrots. But in the end, kids will be kids  “I liked (the lo mein). It wasn’t too salty or too mushy,” he said. “But I really liked the little, coated ice creams (mochi) for dessert. I guess I found out I like red bean ice cream.”

Himalaya Asian Bistro

Address: 634 Barnes Blvd., #118, Rockledge

Phone: (321) 633-7555

Hours: Noon to 9:30 p.m. Sundays; Lunch, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays; dinner, 4:30 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Other: Full bar; sushi bar; lunch, sushi bar and daily  specials; nutritional information with all meals. Carry-out and catering available.