The Southeast Asian dining scene continues to grow in the Southern U.S. town of Murfreesboro.

Pho and pad Thai are such popular dishes here, they can now even be had at the local coffeeshop.

Entering Coffee Fusion, a locally owned shop located at Gateway Village at the Thompson Lane/Medical Center Parkway intersection, the sounds and smells of a standard coffeehouse greet the patron.

A deli case displays fresh muffins, bagels and other baked goods.

But this coffee shop offers much more than the standard coffeehouse fare. The Coffee Fusion menu also contains a variety of curry, pho, stir fry and noodle dishes, in addition to coffee and pastries.

The cold-brew coffee, bubble teas, espresso and lattes get favorable feedback from patrons, as do the pandan coconut waffles.

One diner was recently enjoying a Lao iced coffee, an iced concoction with cream and sweetened condensed milk.

“If you like strong coffee that’s sweet, I highly recommend it,” she said of the drink that she chose to accompany her banh mi, a large pork sandwich on a split baguette, topped with carrots, daikon, cilantro and jalapeño.

Coffee Fusion also offers a drink called Viet coffee, similar to the Lao coffee, but not quite as sweet.

And for those who enjoy bubble tea, Coffee Fusion offers a good variety of flavors, including kiwi, peach, jackfruit, mango, taro, passionfruit, red bean and honeydew, among others.

The establishment opens at 7 a.m., making available breakfast sandwiches and bacon and eggs.

For lunch, though, the Asian flavors come out.

Coffee Fusion owner Iris prepares everything from fried rice to drunken noodles, soups, sandwiches, spring rolls and even a fried tilapia dish (served with jasmine rice and a Thai sweet chili sauce) in the kitchen.

Keo, Iris’ husband, says without any further instruction from the customer, the cafe’s curry will come with “a little bit” of spice.

Though one diner, very familiar with the local Thai restaurants, recently proclaimed that the spice level of Coffee Fusion’s standard curry is well over “a little bit.”

Be prepared.

But many like the spice, and here, they can find it.

Many of the lunch items come a little tamer for the average American palate.

For $7.99 a Coffee Fusion customer can select three items from the “Lunch Table” portion of the menu: fried rice, chicken lo mein, pepper steak, roast pork, chicken wings, chicken on a stick, chicken and broccoli, tofu and vegetables or yellow curry chicken.

And the staff will heat up a breakfast sandwich or wrap anytime of day.

For outdoor dining or sipping, a few tables and chairs sit outside of the restaurant.

Restaurant patron Joshua Mendoza said he appreciates the variety of food and drink choices at Coffee Fusion, mentioning that he particularly likes the pho, papaya salad, sticky rice and chicken wings.

Most anyone can find something to suit them at Coffee Fusion, whether it’s a hot or cold coffee drink, a hot and spicy dish of pho or duck soup, a traditional American breakfast plate or a baked good.

And if the curry or pho sets your mouth ablaze, luckily you are already in the right spot to obtain an iced vanilla latte, Thai tea or mango bubble tea for a cool and sweet dessert.

Spring Rolls with Taro Bubble Tea

Coffee Fusion
836 N. Thompson Ln., Suite 1F
Monday–Friday: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.; Saturday: 7 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday: 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Regular iced vanilla latte: $4.05; Large Thai tea: $3.55; Chicken, beef or veggie curry: $9.95; Pork roll banh mi sandwich: $4.99; Shrimp pad Thai, pad se ew or drunken noodles: $10.95; Large brewed coffee: $2.50
615-900-1515
thecoffeefusion.com