Nestled in a cozy corner of Linden Square, Karma Asian Fusion offers upscale Asian Cuisine, combining flavors from numerous regions to make unique combinations. Inside, hungry restaurant goers are greeted by Chinese paintings and opulent black, red, and gold decor. The black wood-paneled walls and curved clamshell booths offer a sense of warmth while keeping its interior welcoming. The white and red flower centerpiece, surrounded by more seating and oriental-style paper lanterns, invites people to settle in and enjoy the environment.
My family and I were served by Joe and Andreas, who were charming and helpful. They were efficient when waiting us, making sure our food arrived quickly, and cracking jokes that brought laughs to our faces.
The spicy tuna maki along with the Kobe roll were the first dishes to arrive. Its presentation was deliberate — the vibrant tuna and the hint of green in the Kobe roll were my favorite parts. The tuna roll was creamy, refreshing, and altogether delightful, and the tuna was tender and fresh. The cucumber and tempura coating added a satisfying crunch and the roll wasn’t overwhelmed by rice.
The Kobe roll — a must try, as advertised by the menu — leaned into its mushroom-y side, with an unmistakable truffle flavor coming through with the aioli. Though distinct, it wasn’t overpowering. The Kobe was melt-in-your mouth delicious, with a tangy and hearty flavor, and the avocado, fried crispy onion, and crunchy shrimp tempura added a mild sweetness to the roll.
The tuna roll was both crunchy and creamy, and the Kobe roll’s truffle aioli added an unexpected depth of flavor. Photo by Grace Zhao.
Next was a classic dish from Shanghai: xiao long bao or little dragon buns. I was impressed with the skins: they were thin and chewy. I loved that the filling was slightly sweet and meaty, and the soup was fragrant; however, I wished for a little more soup inside, as they felt a little dry and didn’t burst in my mouth like a typical xiao long bao.
Xiao long bao: a classic dish from Shanghai with a mild truffle flavor. Photo by Grace Zhao.
For entrees, we enjoyed black pepper udon noodles and spicy garlic chicken in a clay pot. The black pepper udon noodles were mildly sweet, smoky, and peppery with a wonderful chewy texture, while the chicken, beef, and shrimp were tender and charred. I enjoyed the snap peas and broccoli, which were crunchy, refreshing, and cut through the oiliness of the dish. The addition of fresh vegetables lightened the dish, contrasting nicely with the sharpness and heaviness of the black pepper sauce.
The black pepper udon noodles used fresh ingredients and a house-made black pepper sauce — a unique sauce to Karma. Photo by Grace Zhao.
The spicy garlic chicken in a clay pot came out sizzling and bubbling, with bright colors and the telltale sweetness of garlic. Again, the meat was juicy, with a kick from the dried Sichuan peppers and a little sweet smell from the fresh peppers. The garlic was sweet and mushy, melting easily. However, I wished the dish was a little less oily — it felt heavier because of the grease and fat.
The clay pot chicken, blended with the mild sweetness and mushiness of the garlic, came out delicious and flavorful. Photo by Grace Zhao.
Of course, dessert wasn’t forgotten! We ordered a classic: chocolate cake. It was beautifully presented, and the lightness and creaminess of the layers were surprising, but delicious. It was not too sweet and still carried the character and richness of the chocolate in the cream layers. The sponge was, well, perfectly spongy and not soggy at all. I also enjoyed the berries embedded in the layers of cream, which added a refreshing touch to the dish.
Decadent, fluffy, and not too sweet — Karma’s chocolate cake continues to impress with its tasty chocolate layers. Photo by Grace Zhao.
After reviewing these dishes, I’ve opted to give Karma Asian Fusion a 9.5/10. The service was polite and efficient, and the atmosphere highlighted the well-thought-out design.
The food was well-made and the ingredients were evidently extremely fresh — from fish to meat to vegetables, everything was either tender and juicy or crisp and crunchy. My favorite dish was the Kobe roll, an option that not only reflected the elegance and opulence of Karma’s interior design, but also offered a depth of wonderful and unique flavors.
Karma Asian Fusion’s arrival in Wellesley certainly deserved the excitement it received; after all, it has good food, good vibes, and good people, making it an excellent spot for dining out with family and friends.
