Jazmin: Bringing Bali-Inspired Pan-Asian Flavors to Downtown Asheville
There’s a fresh flavor on the horizon for Asheville food lovers. Jazmin, a new Pan-Asian, Bali-inspired restaurant, is set to open late-September at 22 College Street, downtown — in the former Mayfel’s spot. Nestled on the same side as Tupelo Honey and Insomnia Cookies and just across from the beloved Pritchard Park (come Friday nights when the drum circle rolls), Jazmin is positioned to be part of Asheville’s vibrant heart. We caught wind of this project, saw some preview photos of the design, and believe it’s exactly the kind of restaurant this town needs.
What Is “Pan-Asian, Bali-Inspired” Cuisine?
To get excited about Jazmin, it helps to understand what those terms mean, and why Bali inspiration adds something special.
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Pan-Asian generally means drawing from multiple traditions of Asian cuisine — think Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Japanese, Malaysian, etc., using shared ingredients or techniques (rice, noodles, herbs, chilies, soy, coconut milk, wok stir-fry, sauces) while also mixing cross-influences.
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Balinese food, from the island of Bali (Indonesia), is known for its intense flavor layering: coconut, lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, kaffir lime leaves, spicy sambals, frequent use of fresh herbs, aromatic spices, and both savory and sweet-savory combinations. Think rich satay, rendang, nasi goreng, grilled seafood, tropical fruits, and balance of textures (crunchy, tender, juicy).
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A Bali-inspired twist in a Pan-Asian restaurant likely means the chefs will take those Indonesian or Balinese flavor signatures — the spice blends, the sambals and sauces, the sweet-savory interplay, possibly grilled items over open flame or charcoal, tropical fruits, maybe coconut and lime, an abundance of fresh herbs — and combine them with other Asian cuisines (for example, pairing Bali-style marinated protein with Vietnamese or Thai sides, or using Balinese sauces with Japanese or Chinese style stir fry).
This kind of cuisine tends to deliver bright flavor, fragrant aromas, playful textures, and bold combinations — which is perfect for adventurous eaters who want more than the standard take-out.
What We Know About Jazmin
Here are the confirmed details so far:
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Location: 22 College Street, Asheville, in the old Mayfel’s restaurant location.
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Opening timeframe: Slated for mid-September.
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Style & inspiration: Promoted as a Pan-Asian spot with Bali-inspired eats and décor.
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Interior / Design teasers: We’ve seen sneak peeks of design and install, suggesting Jazmin is planning a stylish space with an immersive vibe — likely upscale, trendy, letting its Bali inspiration show in décor, lighting, furniture, perhaps plants or tropical touches.
What We Hope They’ll Do — Why We’re Excited
Given the location and what they’ve said so far, here are some educated guesses / hopes about what Jazmin might bring, and why this feels promising:
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They’ll likely offer fusion and signature creations: not just sticking rigidly to one national cuisine, but mixing flavors — maybe Indonesian-style grilled fish with Thai herbs, or Bali sambals paired with Japanese or Chinese proteins.
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The menu could include smaller share dishes or appetizers to sample many flavors; maybe bowls, rice or noodle dishes, satays, fresh salads with tropical fruits, spring rolls, spiced meats, seafood.
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Given the trend toward experience as much as food in Asheville, the décor and setting will probably contribute heavily: lighting, design, a feeling of being transplanted somewhere warm, lush, vibrant.
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Because it’s downtown, across from Pritchard Park, and near other popular spots, Jazmin has high foot traffic potential. This also means expectations will be high: for service, for consistency, for ambiance.
Why Jazmin’s Location is a Big Deal
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Old Mayfel’s site — Mayfel’s has deep roots in Asheville; its closing left a hole in the downtown dining scene. Jazmin taking over that space means they’re stepping into a spot many locals have nostalgic feelings about.
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Proximity to Pritchard Park — with drum circles and community events, especially on Fridays, being across the street is gold for visibility. Evening vibrancy, foot traffic, outdoor energy.
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Neighbors like Tupelo Honey & Insomnia Cookies make this stretch one people frequent for food, casual dessert, and social time. Jazmin could slot in nicely.
Final Thoughts — What This Means for Asheville Foodies
We’re ready. Jazmin feels like the kind of restaurant that isn’t just filling space, but bringing something new: global flavor, bold spices, beautiful décor, a place to experience food from the other side of the world without needing a flight. It’s not going to be a tourist trap — the hints are that it’s being built more for people who love food, love flavor, and want something fresh in our city.
If all goes well, Jazmin will be one of those spots we recommend without hesitation — for date nights, group dinners, Sunday wanderers, anyone who wants to taste something different. We can already feel the vibe.
Stay tuned for updates: menus, opening date, previews. Until then, daydreaming of satay skewers, fresh sambals, fragrant coconut curries, and so much more!
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