What started out as a pink house and a dream has since evolved into James Beard Award nominations, three storefronts and a die-hard foodie following.
And, now, with the launch of a brand-new cookbook, the minds behind San Antonio’s Curry Boys BBQ can truly say they’ve gone global.
The cookbook Asian Smoke (Harvard Common Press) takes readers on a journey through the fusion cooking techniques Curry Boys BBQ founders Andrew Ho, Sean Wen and pitmaster Andrew Samia have become known for. Having opened up the restaurant’s original location in October 2020, the hardworking has trio stayed true to their concept — Southeast Asian curry fused with post-oak smoked brisket, offering a true marriage of two vastly different cuisines.
Suffice to say, Curry Boys BBQ made the fusion concept work — and now the chefs are sharing more than 100 recipes in Asian Smoke, ranging from favorites loyal regulars will recognize from the restaurant along with new dishes. Among the intriguing additions are Thai-style BBQ shrimp with Penang curry butter, a honey-sriracha pulled pork sandwich and smoked coconut cheesecake.
Although book’s appeal to home pit masters is obvious, it doesn’t assume the reader is an expert in barbecue. The chefs devote whole pages to cooking brisket, fire management and even wood selection. In other words, a mix of enticing recipes and important fundamentals fills the cookbook’s 256 pages.
In an emailed statement, Ho, Wen and Samia reiterated how important it was that they stayed true to their concept throughout the process.
“When we started as a small pop-up, we were just trying to cook food we believed in,” Ho said. “To see it grow into multiple restaurants nationally and now a cookbook — it’s surreal. But the core hasn’t changed: we’re still just trying to cook brisket the right way and add the flavors that feel natural to us. This book captures that journey.”
Asian Smoke is available for $30 at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other retailers. Curry Boys BBQ is open with three locations, one in Nashville, and two in San Antonio at 19903 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 101 and at 536 E. Courtland Place.
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