Above: "Oysters 3-Ways": flash-fried "Biloxi hot oysters," oysters Rockefeller with creamed collards and coppa and raw oysters with coconut milk ceviché, cilantro and soy, White Pillars, Biloxi, Mississippi

Among the pleasant surprises of our recent visit to the Gulf Coast were the excellent restaurants. Many of them featured locally caught seafood, including oysters, shrimp, grouper, redfish and pompano, drawing inspiration from the cooking of New Orleans and incorporating Southern comfort food, like grits, cornbread and fried green tomatoes. Because this coastline is home to large communities of Vietnamese-Americans, as well as recent immigrants from Mexico and Latin America, their kitchens contribute to the delicious repertoire of modern Southern cooking.

Join Andrew Harper today to continue reading our exclusive content.
Above: "Oysters 3-Ways": flash-fried "Biloxi hot oysters," oysters Rockefeller with creamed collards and coppa and raw oysters with coconut milk ceviché, cilantro and soy, White Pillars, Biloxi, Mississippi

Read More from Our Trip:

The Myriad Charms of Ocean Springs, Mississippi A Leisurely Exploration of the Gulf Coast