May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month and in celebration of that, we rounded up a list of a ton of AAPI-owned restaurants around town. Lucky for us, that list includes a bunch of awesome spots. Some are very well-known and up there as the most popular restaurants in town and others are more under the radar, but either way you should check them out.
Shuhei
23360 Chagrin Blvd., Beachwood
An excellent variety of maki and nigiri sushi is the star of the show here — ordered à la carte or in combinations as either appetizers or entrées. Shuhei has been serving up sushi in a basement of a Beachwood office building since 1994, well before the sushi craze hit the country as a whole. Beyond sushi, diners can also select items from a large menu of delicious dishes like beef teriyaki, tori karage, seafood dishes and many more. Charming servers in traditional kimonos add a decorative touch. Credit:Shuhei/FacebookCredit: Scene ArchivesSasa
13120 Shaker Square., Cleveland
This sushi and tapas restaurant introduced the concept of Izayaka to Cleveland. This is the perfect place to share a family meal of sushi and small plates, like their award-winning tempura fries and their Kobe beef meatballs. Their Sasa Fire roll is filled with lobster, crawfish, masago salad and Chinese broccoli, then topped with shrimp, spicy mayo and unagi sauce and is phenomenal and their kobe beef gyoza and meatballs are mouthwateringly good. Credit:@DabbsDonna/InstagramSeoul Garden
5270 Pearl Rd., Parma
Adventure is the name of the game at Seoul Garden, the region’s best Korean restaurant (despite less-than-glamorous digs) for nearly a decade. At this Parma institution, small groups huddle around bubbling pots of “jungol” hearty stews that run the gamut from spicy seafood to Army Base, so named for the inclusion of American Spam. Other tables feature tabletop griddles for cooking up Korean barbecue items like thin-sliced pork belly and beef brisket, which are wrapped in lettuce leaves, topped with red chili pepper paste and kimchi, and eaten out of hand. For the uninitiated, bibimbop is a great place to start. Served in a hot stone bowl, this mix of steamed rice, shredded veggies, ground beef and egg is Korean comfort food. Credit: Scene ArchivesRising Grill
3709 Payne Ave., Cleveland
It was right around the time our server wheeled a cart up to the table that we regretted not inviting more friends to dinner. Our combination platter had enough beef short rib, ribeye, pork and chicken to feed half the dining room. But we persevered, cooking up tasty bits of Korean BBQ on Rising Grill’s trusty new gas-powered grill tables. Hot off the grate, we bundled up the charred, garlicky pieces of meat into cold lettuce wraps, dragged them through sauce, popped them in our mouths, and washed them down with ice-cold OB beer. We never stood a chance, but at least we went out with a smile. Credit: Doug TrattnerHimalayan Restaurant
13124 Lorain Ave., Cleveland
Just as we were becoming familiar with xiao long bao (soup dumplings) courtesy of the great new Chinese noodle shop LJ Shanghai, along comes another exotic dumpling with which to get acquainted. Momo are Nepali-Tibetan dumplings, and they have been making quite the splash down in Columbus, where a tiny food stall tucked into a sprawling international foods warehouse is one of the top-rated eateries in the entire city. Now, with the opening of Himalayan Restaurant, we think Clevelanders will follow in Columbus’ footsteps and adore the exotic cuisine.
Photo Courtesy of Himalayan Restaurant Credit: Scene ArchivesKorea House
3700 Superior Ave. E.., Cleveland
There is more to Korean food than kimchi and bulgogi, and this cozy eatery is the perfect place to expand one’s range. Meals begin with crispy pan-fried mandu, or beef dumplings. Sweet bits of seafood and scallion dot a fluffy egg pancake. And bibimbap is a glorious bowl of rice topped with beef, veggies, runny egg and hot-chile paste. Fragrant condiments known as banchan fill what little space is left on the table. Credit:Korea House/FacebookNinja City
6706 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Gordon Square’s Ninja City definitely has one of the best varieties when it comes to Asian soups. They have Korean style red curry noodle soup, they have pho, they have veggie broth ramen and they have pork broth ramen. And whatever you get, you have a ton of choices of what to put in the soups. Yum. They also opened a second location in Tower City in 2022 and will soon open a stand in the Van Aken Market Hall. Credit: Scene ArchivesBangkok Thai
5359 Mayfield Rd., Lyndhurst
This unassuming Thai restaurant, located in a strip mall in Lyndhurst next to an aquarium store and a bar, serves up some of the best Thai food in town. The pad thai and the crazy noodles are must-try dishes. Credit:Bangkok Thai Cuisine/FacebookSzechwan Garden
13800 Detroit Ave., Lakewood
In addition to all of the Chinese dishes we expect on a familiar menu, this Lakewood joint also has a “Zen Menu” featuring all sorts of vegan and vegetarian dishes for those looking for their Chinese fix but aren’t into eating animals. Credit: Scene ArchivesKintaro Sushi & Hot Pot
7325 North Cliff Ave., Brooklyn, 3364 Warren Rd., Cleveland, 33550 Vine St., Willowick and 311 Westgate Mall Ste. A128, Fairview Park
All you can eat sushi may make it sound like the quality isn’t great, but that’s not the case at Kintaro in Brooklyn, where for $14.99 for lunch and $25.99 for dinner, you can eat all of the sushi you want, but don’t take more than you eat, or you’ll be charged for it. In addition to unlimited sushi, the price also includes staples like miso soup, edamame, gyoza and tempura and even full teriyaki or hibachi meals. Credit:@Stephen.Corey/InstagramCredit: Scene ArchivesCredit: Scene ArchivesCredit: Scene ArchivesSaigon
2061 East Fourth St., Cleveland
Nestled into a relatively small storefront on downtown’s bustling East Fourth Street, the room is cozy, comfy, and contemporary. The best bets here are the meal-sized phos — fragrant beef-broth soups featuring rice noodles and several different styles of beef. On the side, an array of condiments — Asian basil, fresh lime wedges and bean sprouts, sliced jalapeños, earthy hoisin sauce, and peppery sriracha — allows diners to customize the dish to their preference. Credit: Scene ArchivesPho and Rice
1780 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights
For a quick and convenient bowl of pho, you should definitely consider Pho & Rice. There are more than a dozen phos with the usual noodle, beef and poultry fillings. The broth is made in house and the soup is served with a handful of bean sprouts, a bunch of basil, and a few jalapenos and lime wedges. Credit:@MimiRuth123/InstagramNam Wah
392 West Bagley Rd., Berea
Out in Berea, Nam Wah’s menu boasts a mashup of Chinese and Vietnamese offerings. That includes seven different offerings of pho that are very tasty. They also have bun bo hue, or spicy beef noodle soup, so you really can’t go wrong here if you’re looking for a broth-based dish. Credit:Nam Wah/FacebookKing Wah
20668 Center Ridge Rd., Rocky River
“I have been going here for takeout as well as dine-in since I moved to the west side of Cleveland. This is one of the best Chinese restaurants in the greater Cleveland area. I have had a little bit of everything on their menu. The Coconut Shrimp is always a great appetizer. The sushi is also excellent, not to mention the staff is always friendly and will greet you with a smile. I will continue to patronize King Wah as it’s excellent food and service speak for itself,” Todd M. on Yelp
Photo via King Wah/Facebook Credit:King Wah/FacebookXinji Noodle Bar
4211 Lorain Ave., Cleveland
While it may be hard to ever achieve owner Shuxin Liu’s recommended five-minute limit when it comes to consuming a bowl of ramen, a time derived from the lifecycle of a bouncy noodle, it’s damn worth trying. Bowls of chicken and pork-based broth contain fresh noodles, silky slabs of buttery pork belly, corn, scallions, mushrooms and, if you’re wise, a soft-cooked egg. If at first you don’t succeed in the five-minute drill, try and try again at this fantastic Ohio City noodle bar. Credit: Emanuel WallaceCredit: Scene ArchivesPeppermint Thai
30769 Pinetree Rd., Pepper Pike
For delicious Thai in the Eastern suburbs, you can’t do much better than Peppermint Thai. Located at Lander Circle in Pepper Pike, you can find mostly familiar Thai dishes, plenty of noodle and rice dishes, as well as seafood, curries, and vegetarian treats. The pad see you, chili duck and Coventry Road Madness are the stars of the show. Credit: Scene ArchivesPhnom Penh
1929 West 25th St., Cleveland
The restaurant offers many dishes that would be familiar to those used to Asian cuisine, but the Cambodian influence is unique and distinct. That said, there are more than 10 kinds of soups full of heaping piles of noodles, veggies and delicate spices to choose from. Credit: Scene ArchivesLJ Shanghai
3142 Superior Ave., Cleveland
LJ Shanghai made a splash in Asia Town last year when they opened as the first true dumpling restaurant in Cleveland. While they’re known for their dumplings, or Xao Long Bao, don’t sleep on their soup dishes. They’re spicy, they’re tasty and they’re perfect for a cold winter day. Credit: Scene ArchivesIssho Ni
34302 Euclid Ave., Willoughby
This cherry little spot on the far-east side of town is serving up some of the best ramen and sushi in Northeast Ohio. We’re not sure what they do better, so get a bowl of tonkotsu ramen and pair it with their Euclid or sunshine roll and you’ll be hard pressed to find a better combination in town. Credit: Scene ArchivesSushi 86
530 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
One of the only sushi spots downtown, Sushi 86 has a very low key atmosphere that is typical for some of the best sushi joints around. 2020 was its 20th year in business and any restaurant that makes it that long must be doing something right. Credit:@Sushi86_ClePhusion Cafe
3030 Superior Rd., Cleveland
This Taiwanese street food joint is the newest addition to the ever-expanding Asia Town area around Superior and Payne in the East 30s. From the owners of Playhouse Square’s Phuel Cafe, this place has its menu on a board and features delicious items like noodle and rice bowls, crepes and smoothies and finger food that you’d find on the streets of Bangkok. Credit: Scene ArchivesRichie Chan’s Chinese Restaurant
13181 Cedar Rd., Cleveland
“This wonderful restaurant has authentic Cantonese food prepared by the owners – a husband and wife team who work hard from morning until late at night. The food is fresh and plentiful. Portions are generous and very reasonably priced. We were delighted with our order, and everything was delicious. Richie Chan’s has become our go-to place for Chinese food. Highly recommended!” Bip N. on Yelp
Photo via Wikimedia Commons Credit: Wikimedia CommonsWonton Gourmet & BBQ
3211 Payne Ave., Cleveland
Wonton dishes out some 20 varieties of Hong Kong-style soups, overflowing with plump shrimp and pork dumplings, garden-fresh greens and thin noodles. They also serve a wide selection of congee, or rice porridge. Credit:@PatBenatarNation/InstagramSiam Cafe
3951 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland
Neat, tidy, and friendly, this multicultural restaurant in the heart of Asia Town serves an enormous variety of authentic Asian eats. Ingredients are fresh, flavors are nuanced and masterfully balanced, and prices are notable values, particularly during the bustling lunch hours. They serve the Vietnamese soup Canh Chua, along with Thai soups Tom Kar Gai, Tom Yum Goong and Hot Liang Soup along with 15 varieties of pho and other noodle soups. Credit:@Mayepaz/InstagramSuperior Pho
3030 Superior Ave., Cleveland
The Asia Town mainstay — an absolute favorite for quick lunches, group meals, and dates — also dishes up a great banh mi, bubble tea, and other Vietnamese appetizers and entrees. Try them, but do yourself a favor and get the pho first. Credit: Scene ArchivesTay Do Vietnamese Restaurant
11725 Snow Rd., Parma
The fragrance and flavor of Tay Do’s authentic Vietnamese cuisine — full of ginger, lime, cilantro, and mint — is enough to transport diners from the bare-bones dining room into a full-blown floral fantasy. You won’t be able to stop slurping this pho. Credit: Scene ArchivesShinto
857 Columbia Rd., Westlake
This Strongsville Japanese steakhouse and sushi spot was featured on Ginormous Food because of their Godzilla Roll, a monstrous five pound sushi roll. Shrimp tempura, avocado, cream cheese, eel, topped with tempura flakes, eel sauce and spicy mayo make up this giant roll. Credit: Shinto Japanese Steakhouse/FacebookOtani Noodle
11472 Euclid Ave. and 234 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Otani Noodle, from the same owners of long-standing Mayfield Heights hibachi restaurant Otani, recently opened their second location, this time in the heart of Downtown in addition to their University Circle home, and if you haven’t been yet, you’re missing out. The tonkotsu broth they use for their ramen is delectable. Credit: Scene ArchivesLi Wah
2999 Payne Ave., Cleveland
Located in the Asian Plaza — a three-floor complex of professional offices, gift shops, herb stores, and Asian food markets — Li Wah offers an assortment of traditional dim sum as well as a large menu of fresh seafood and authentic Hong Kong-style cuisine. If you’re going for their delicious dim sum, go on a Sunday afternoon, when the variety of dishes being pushed around on carts is at its maximum. Credit:Li Wah/FacebookHo Wah
2101 Richmond Rd., Beachwood
“Really enjoy this spot for Chinese food. Fresh and quick with quite a great selection including some items I have not seen on a menu before. Shrimp is large and juicy, chicken dishes tender and the sauces very flavorful. The wonton soup is fantastic as are the giant egg rolls. Did I mention the serving sizes are HUGE!” Susan K. on Yelp
Photo via Ho Wah/Facebook Credit: Scene Archives#1 Pho
3120 Superior Ave., Cleveland
While many old-school Vietnamese restaurants make their dishes saltier than the Atlantic Ocean, #1 Pho makes liberal use of cilantro and tangy fruit sauces to keep your taste buds entertained (like the vegetarian pho above). Inside the restaurant’s green Victorian building, the ambiance is fresh and dramatic, with blond wood floors and long red curtains hanging all the way to the floor. Credit: Scene ArchivesSweet Mango
54 Front St., Berea
Not to be confused with the two Sweet Mangos in Strongsville and Medina, this Sweet Mango is the local Thai favorite of Berea residents. In addition to their traditional Thai dishes like pad see you and pad thai, they also offer spicy noodle soups that you shouldn’t miss. Credit:Sweet Mango Berea/FacebookLittle Hong Kong
18332 Bagley Rd., Middleburgh Heights
“Absolutely excellent! Food, service and atmosphere. After a long day traveling, this was the perfect spot. Great pork fried rice, shrimp egg fu young and bourbon chicken. Good prices. Great place to stop at!” Gary K. on Yelp
Photo via Little Hong Kong/Facebook Credit:Little Hong Kong/FacebookHunan East
724 Richmond Rd., Cleveland
“Excellent Chinese food, and very authentic. I love their pan-fried noodles. One order is enough for two people. Their beef stew is delicious too. Prices are very affordable for the amount of food. I would highly recommend,” Ben C. on Yelp
Photo via Hunan East/Facebook Credit: Scene ArchivesPho Thang Cafe
815 Superior Ave. East, Cleveland
Pho Thang’s pho is delicious, with 10 different varieties ranging from lean to a combination bowl with round steak, brisket, tripe and meatballs. Chicken varieties are there, too. Soups come in only one size and are served with usual accompaniments of bean sprouts, cilantro, jalapeno and lime. Credit: Scene ArchivesEmperor’s Palace
2136 Rockwell Ave., Cleveland
Another spot in Cleveland’s bustling Asia Town, Emperor’s Palace contains a multitude of delicious offerings. Serving up Cantonese food and Dim Sum, there’s great dishes for everyone here. Credit: Scene ArchivesBowl Of Pho
27339 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere
It’s a bit more difficult to find pho in the suburbs. But Bowl of Pho, in the conveniently located shopping district of Woodmere, is dab smack in the middle of the Eastern suburbs, making it a destination for any pho lovers that want to stick closer to the burbs. And it’s a really tasty bowl of pho, so it’s worth it. Credit:Bowl of Pho/FacebookErewan Thai Kitchen
38 S. Aurora Rd., Aurora
For something a bit different than traditional Thai, try Erewan out in Aurora. Erewan serves up Thai dishes you’ll find elsewhere but they also offer up Thai street food like pad gra tiam (sauteed chicken in garlic sauce), lava seafood, shrimp in a blanket and other food you’ll find on the streets of Bangkok. Credit:Erewan Thai Kitchen/FacebookHa Ahn
3030 Superior Ave., Cleveland
We dream about the Korean soups at Ha Ahn. The spice is not for the faint of heart, but if you can handle that, oh man are they tasty. Whether you want a fish soup like the roe, cod or squid, beef, pork or tofu, you really can’t go wrong. Credit:Ha Ahn/FacebookDragon Light
3537 West 105th St., Cleveland
“It’s a hidden Cleveland gem, folks. Food is always fresh and delicious. Service is always awesome. We have a Chinese restaurant at the end of our street and several others that are closer to our house, but we go out of the way to order from Dragon Light. It’s that good. The egg foo yung is legendary, and the pho is fantastic. Skip the fried food. You won’t regret ordering from Dragon Light!” Amanda M. on Yelp Credit: Scene ArchivesDang Good Foods
13735 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Daniel Ang progressed from a food truck of the same name to a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Lakewood only slightly roomier. There, he lovingly prepares a small roster of dishes culled from his childhood in Singapore, where he devoured foods rooted in Chinese, Indian and Malay traditions. When you visit, do try the curry noodle soup and braised pork belly rice, but if you want to experience Spam in its highest form, tack on an order of the musubi. Slices of the sweet-salty canned ham are sauteed, painted with teriyaki, sandwiched between steamed rice and bundled up in a tidy seaweed wrapper. Credit: Scene ArchivesCredit: Scene ArchivesChina Jade
2190 Brookpark Rd., Cleveland
“I’ve been coming here since I was a child. When I think of Chinese, this is what I compare everything to. I live in San Diego now, and I can’t find any Chinese like this. Best wonton soup and egg rolls you’ll find anywhere.” David L. on Yelp
Photo via China Jade Credit: Scene ArchivesThai Spice
25099 Center Ridge Rd., Westlake
In Westlake, Thai Spice offers a combination of Vietnamese and Thai dishes that are sure to leave diners coming back for more. With pho, pad see ew and pad thai on the same menu, you can’t really go wrong. Credit:Thai Spice/FacebookBonchon
7581 Broadview Rd., Seven Hills
Made to order Korean fried chicken? Where do we sign up? We usually try to stick to local places on these types of lists but Bonchon was too good to pass up. Credit: Bonchon/FacebookHako
13603 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Sapporo Sushi has been a downtown mainstay for 15 years. The small shop on the alleyway, beloved for its sushi, sashimi, rolls, noodle bowls and teriyaki dishes, rolled down the shutters for good on August 1. But fans of the owners and food won’t have to wait long to enjoy both again as they are relocating the shop to Lakewood. The new restaurant will be called Hako, and it will be run as a partnership with Jackie Kim, the owner of Ohashi in North Olmsted. The space formerly was home to Kim’s Aji Noodle Bar and, before that, Yuzu. In addition to nigiri sushi, sashimi and dozens of traditional and eclectic rolls, the menu will feature “pan sushi.” Popular in Hawaii, pan sushi is a more carefree style of sushi that features layers of rice, fish, roe and sauces, which are pressed and then cut into tidy squares. Credit: Scene ArchivesBo Loong
3922 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland
Come to Bo Loong to sample some of the city’s most authentic dim sum — tiny sweet-and-savory dumplings, buns, and tarts whose name translates as “dot the heart.” If you order from the menu, consider the golden, pan-fried noodles, topped with seafood, meats or vegetables. Dim sum is served daily, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Credit: Scene ArchivesCredit: Scene ArchivesBall Ball Waffle
2999 Payne Ave., Cleveland
Owner Aldous Lau says that egg waffles (also known as bubble waffles) are one of the most popular street foods in Hong Kong, his hometown. Around since the 1950s, the trend has slowly been spreading across the globe, where the picturesque, honeycomb-shaped snacks are consumed throughout the day. Up until now, Cleveland has been surprisingly lacking in the treats. After noticing that dearth, Lau and his wife Alice opened Ball Ball Waffle inside Asia Plaza. Both sweet and savory options are available, with some coming naked while others feature cheese, chocolate or matcha and mochi. Credit: Douglas TrattnerHunan By The Falls
508 East Washington St., Chagrin Falls
A reliable choice for flavorful Thai and Chinese food, this good-looking East Sider offers options ranging from the traditional (think General Tso’s Chicken) to the upscale (including specials like buttery rib-eye steak in spicy red-bean sauce), all served by efficient staffers in a charming if sometimes noisy room. Credit:Hunan By The Falls/FacebookMizu Japanese Sushi Restaurant
10219 Brookpark Rd., Parma
“We are back at our favorite sushi place, Mizu Japanese Sushi, for some much-needed home favorites. We ordered the simple but delicious spicy tuna rolls, a Mexican roll and the incredible mustard rolls. We are never disappointed when we come here. The staff is attentive and very knowledgeable and will help point you in the right direction if you’re new to sushi or want to try something new. Mizu proves that the restaurant doesn’t have to be in a fancy location to be incredible!” Nathan B. on Yelp. Credit:Mizu Japanese Sushi Restaurant/FacebookLobster and Pho
6901 Rockside Rd., Independence
Why go to a restaurant that specializes only in Vietnamese pho, or Maine lobster rolls, or Cajun seafood boils, or Japanese tonkatsu when you can order all four (and more!) in a single sitting? Seafood, namely lobster, is the main draw. The first thing guests notice after crossing the divide is a double-decker tank filled with living, breathing sea life. The electric Cajun-Vietnamese spice blend in the boil elevates the lobster to heights unattainable by a simple steam and butter dunk. Credit: Scene ArchivesMely’s Kainan
5382 State Rd., Cleveland
Just three miles away from the Philippine American Cultural Center in Parma, Mely’s offers a welcome taste of home for the large and growing number of Filipino expats living in and around Cleveland. Before Mely Gregorio opened this modest little cafe three years ago, the Filipino community had precisely zero restaurants to call its own despite comprising one of the larger Asian-American demographics in Cuyahoga County. This isn’t fancy food, but rather the kinds of soul-satisfying dishes Filipino families have been making and enjoying at home for decades. Credit: Scene ArchivesThai Kitchen
12210 Madison Ave., Lakewood
Pick up any Thai restaurant menu in town and you’re bound to see the same collection of popular chestnuts trotted out time and time again. That’s not the case at Thai Kitchen in Lakewood, home to Chef Kwan and her lengthy roster of authentic restaurant-style and home-style Thai dishes. A graduate of one of Bangkok’s top culinary arts programs, Kwan boldly and unequivocally sets herself apart from the rest of the field. Credit: Scene ArchivesTree Country Bistro
1803 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights
Part of Coventry Village’s restaurant row, this comfy bistro serves a pan-Asian menu, with a focus on Japanese, Thai, and Korean cuisines. They have a big lineup of sushi as well. The pad see you is one of our favorite dishes on this extensive menu that goes on for 11 pages. Credit: Scene ArchivesHigh Thai’d
1791 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights
At High Thai’d, chef and owner Tony Chaichana has developed a healthy, vegetarian-friendly menu that emphasizes low-sodium soy sauce, brown and jasmine rice, fresh, locally grown vegetables, and no MSG. In addition to High Thai’d’s vegetarian specialties, any item on the menu can be prepared for non-carnivores. The menu is based on the Thai concept of combining flavors — salty, sweet, sour, and spicy — so that a different dimension unfolds with every bite. Credit:@ChuckMagnus/InstagramMango Mango
3133 Payne Ave., Cleveland
Local franchisee Bin Zheng opened the Hong Kong-style dessert shop in late 2022. The original location opened in New York City’s Chinatown neighborhood in 2013. Since then, the colorful confectionery has expanded to include approximately 30 locations in 12 states. The expansive menu includes familiar items like smoothies, milks, bubble teas and mango mochi, alongside house-churned ice cream starring green tea, red bean and mango. There are also many-layered mille crepe cakes, coconut crepe rolls and fresh fruit waffles. Credit: Scene ArchivesBuild the Pho
11440 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
It can be a challenge to keep track of all the restaurant comings and goings at Uptown in University Circle, but one new entry is a welcome arrival that is worth seeking out. Build the Pho, as the name suggests, is a build-your-own-bowl-style Vietnamese noodle shop. It is located on the Museum of Contemporary Art side of Euclid and, in fact, enjoys views of Judy’s Hand Sculpture from the rear of the dining room. In the case of the pho, diners start by picking a choice of noodle (rice, egg or vermicelli), broth (beef or vegan) and proteins (rare beef, beef trip, tendon, beef brisket, meatballs, tofu). Guests can double up or triple up on meats simply by selecting that option on a digital ordering system. Credit: Scene ArchivesCafe Everest
14304 Puritas Ave., Cleveland
Cleveland just secured another place to enjoy momos, those heavenly filled and steamed dumplings that hail from Nepal. Café Everest, a Nepalese and Indian restaurant, opened in the Bellaire-Puritas neighborhood of Cleveland on August 11. Other specialties of the house include Nepalese-style chicken and noodle soup, pan-fried chow mein noodles and sekuwa, grilled skewers of marinated chicken or goat. A great way to sample a number of dishes is to order the thali, a wide platter containing a variety of small dishes.
Photo via Cafe Everest Credit: Doug TrattnerCredit: Scene ArchivesBanana Blossom Thai
2800 Clifton Ave., Cleveland
This 60+ item Thai menu will keep you coming back time and time again to try new things. But we highly recommend the house specialty hot and spicy crispy duck if you’re a first-timer and want the best item on the menu. Credit: Scene ArchivesSoba
1827 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights
It’s been ages since we sat with friends around a hissing hibachi table while an animated teppanyaki chef entertained us with his impressive culinary skills. Drowning succulent morsels of sautéed shrimp in too much yum-yum sauce and then chasing it with aggressively salted fried rice – all while in the comfort of one’s own home – really is the hack we’ve been waiting for. In fact, the closest we’ve come to reliving that gratifying experience was when we ordered food from Soba Asian Kitchen on Coventry. The menu sidesteps countless appetizers to focus squarely on the main event, which is framed around a small handful of proteins like shrimp, chicken, steak, pork belly and tofu. Those items are griddled with an assortment of veggies and paired with rice and sauces, just like at the full-service restaurant. Credit: Doug TrattnerSweet Mango Thai
14610 Pearl Rd., Strongsville and 871 N. Court St., Medina
With locations in Strongsville and Medina, Sweet Mango Thai has become one of the more popular Thai spots around. The currys are sweet, the noodles are spicy and the flavors are on point. Credit:Sweet Mango/FacebookCredit: Emanuel WallaceCredit:Scene Archives
