Table Talk: Coffee Fusion offers the perfect pairing of coffee and Asian-inspired dishes

Photo by Wendy Anderson / Assistant Lifestyles Editor

Coffee Fusion offers a unique spin on a traditional coffee shop. Located right inside The Gateway Village, this quaint shop offers Asian-inspired foods and beverages along with traditional coffee shop favorites. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by friendly staff. With delicious smells wafting from the kitchen, I made my way up to the counter.

Coffee Fusion’s menu offers things like bubble tea, pho, curry, bahn mi, pad thai and egg rolls. Whether you’re a regular connoisseur of Asian food or a picky eater who doesn’t usually branch out, there’s something for everyone here. With such a large menu, though, I had trouble deciding what to get. I eventually decided to go with a mocha bubble tea and the pork roll banh mi. If you’re not sure what banh mi is, it’s a Vietnamese sandwich that has meat, pickled vegetables and chili peppers all on a baguette.

After I placed my order, I sat at one of the high-top tables and took in the light chatter going on in the shop. There were a wide variety of people present, from college students to business professionals. There wasn’t a ton of artwork on the walls, but there was just enough to make the place feel complete and not overwhelming. One thing on the wall that was pretty interesting was a huge shelf of  slow-drip coffee.

Not only was it aesthetically pleasing, but the fact that it serves an actual purpose was just an added bonus. Coffee Fusion’s quiet, relaxing atmosphere makes for the perfect place to study or just enjoy some great food. My drink was ready first, and I couldn’t wait to try it. I’ve had bubble tea before, but have never tried a mocha bubble tea. I wasn’t sure how the coffee would pair with the tapioca pearls, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was delicious! Not to mention it looked pretty cool with the tapioca pearls in the bottom.

It didn’t take very long at all for me to receive my food. I could tell by the smell and brightness of the veggies that it had just been freshly made. I’ve had banh mi from other restaurants before, so my expectations were kind of high for this one. It only took one bite, and I knew that this is definitely something that I would order again. Everything tasted fresh and delicious.

I know coffee sounds a little weird to pair with something like banh mi, but I think they complemented each other well. This place has all the makings of some hipster-style place in Nashville, but it’s right here in our own backyard. Coffee Fusion is open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m Monday through Friday, 7 a.m until 8 p.m on Saturday and 8 a.m. until 7 p.m on Sunday. You need to come check this place out for yourself, because you won’t be disappointed. I’m adding Coffee Fusion to my growing list of favorite places in Murfreesboro.

To contact Lifestyles Editor Tayhlor Stephenson, email lifestyles@mtsusidelines.com.

For more updates, follow us at www.mtsusidelines.com, on Facebook at MTSU Sidelines and on Twitter/Instagram at @Sidelines_Life.