Cincinnati CityBeat is your free source for Cincinnati and Ohio news, arts and culture coverage, restaurant reviews, music, things to do, photos, and more.
While this year’s super popular Asian Food Fest was moved from its traditional May date to August, and then canceled until 2021, fans will have a similar-yet-novel dining experience to look forward to this November.
The Asian American Cultural Association of Cincinnati the group that produces both the Asian Food Fest and Lunar New Year party are hosting the inaugural Asian Food Week from Nov. 2-8.
“After Asian Food Fest was cancelled due to COVID-19, the nonprofit quickly adapted to find a different way to celebrate Greater Cincinnatis robust and growing Asian food culture,” reads a release from the Asian American Cultural Association of Cincinnati. “Asian-owned restaurants have been especially impacted by misinformation related to COVID-19, which increased the nonprofits urgency to create a campaign to support Asian restaurants.”
More than 20 eateries from across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky are participating and offering either a special $20 prix fixe, three-course meal or a secret menu item. “The secret menu special is a nod to the unlisted menu often found at many Asian restaurants in America that include traditional dishes that may not conform to mainstream American tastes,” says the release.
As Asia encompasses an extensive collection of cuisines, so too will Asian Food Week with offerings from Vietnamese, Hawaiian, Indian, Chinese restaurants and more.
For example, Hi-Mark in the East End is offering a Bo Kho chili mac as their “secret” menu item, while Kiki College Hill is making Yurinchi chicken for theirs. Thai Express in Clifton is offering a three-course option for $20 with vegetable gyoza, lemongrass stir fry (your choice of protein) and Thai custard.
Vietnamese
1. Pho Lang Thang, pholangthang.com
2. Wild Ginger, wildgingeroh.com
3. Quan Hapa, quanhapa.com
Photo: Hailey BollingerPho Lang Thang
1828 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
Secret Menu Item: Bánh Cu?n
Photo via Facebook.com/DoTheLangThangTeak OTR
1200 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
$20 for three-course meal
First course: (Choose one): Spring Rolls or California Roll
Second course: (Choose one): Ginger Salmon or Chicken Pad Thai
Third course: (Choose one): Ginger Creme Brulee or Mango
Photo via Facebook.com/TeakOTRChako Bakery Cafe
611 Main St., Covington
Secret Menu Item: TBD
Photo via Facebook.com/ChakoBakeryCafeQuan Hapa
1331 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
Secret Menu Item: Filipino Platter: Amish Chicken Adobo, Short Rib Lumpia, Sauteed Greens, and Garlic Rice ($16-18)
Photo via QuanHapa.comHi-Mark Bar
3229 Riverside Drive, East End
Secret Menu Item: Bo Kho Chili Mac
Photo: Hailey BollingerAmbar India
350 Ludlow Ave., Clifton
$20 for three-course meal
First course: Vegetable Samosa
Second course: Chicken Curry with Butter Naan
Third course: Gulab Jamun
Photo via AmbarIndia.netLalo Chino Latino
709 Main St., Downtown
$20 for three-course meal
First course: (choose one): Chips and Dip, Dumplings
Second course: (choose one): Pad Thai (Chicken or Carnitas), Spicy Miso Ramen, or Asian Taco Plate
Third course: (choose one): Asian Pudding or Cheesecake Flan
Soft drink of your choice
Photo: Hailey BollingerBridges Nepali Cuisine Northside
4165 Hamilton Ave., Northside
$20 for three-course meal
First course: Rice Bowl
Second course: (choose one): Steamed Momos or Pan Fried Momos
Third course: Rice Porridge
Photo via BridgesNepaliCuisine.com Photo: Kellie ColemanCrzy Monk
627 Main St., Downtown
$20 for three-course meal
First course: Dumplings
Second course: (choose one): Super Monk Noodles or Pho Noodles
Third course: Taro pudding dessert
Photo via Facebook.com/MonkCincinnatiBoba Cha
1606 Main St., Over-the-Rhine
Secret Menu Item: Black Sesame Milk Tea (Regular: $3.50 Large: $3.95)
Photo via boba-cha.square.siteBridges Nepali Cuisine OTR
133 E. Court St., Over-the-Rhine
$20 for three-course meal
First course: Rice Bowl
Second course: (choose one): Steamed Momos or Pan Fried Momos
Third course: Rice Porridge
Photo via Facebook.com/BridgesDowntownChristines Casual Dining
5770 Harrison Ave., Dent
$20 for three-course meal
First & Second course: Christine’s Feast (FIlipino soup, 2 Pork Skewers, 2 Eggrolls, Pancit, Steamed rice)
Third course: Fried Ice cream
Photo via Facebook.com/ChristinescasualdiningDope! Asian Street Fare
100 E. Court St., Downtown
$20 for three-course meal
First course: (choose one): Dope Wings or Dumplings
Second course: Choice of Salad
Third course: Choice of Ramen
Photo via ThisStuffIsDope.comGuru India
4800 Fields Ertel Road, Mason
$20 for three-course meal
First course: Plain Naan
Second course: Chicken Tikka Masala with Basmati Rice
Third course: Kheer (Indian Rice Pudding)
Photo via Facebook.com/GuruIndiaRestaurantNKYHop Ping Hog
29 E. Court St., Downtown
$20 for three-course meal
First course: (choose one) Hot Fiery Wonton or Tom Kha Goi soup
Second course: (choose one) Thai Pineapple Fried Rice or Katong Laksa
Third course: (choose one) Crispy Sesame Ball or Sago Gula Melaka with Santan
Photo via Facebook.com/HopPingHogHunan Bistro
321 Ludlow Ave., Clifton
$20 for three-course meal
First course: (choose one): Crab Rangoon, Egg Rolls, or Golden Mini Buns
Second course: (choose one): Eggplant with Ground Pork, or Sichuan Green Bean
Third course: (choose one): Tiger Skin Eggs with Pork Ribs, or Chicken with Chili Oil Sauce
Photo via HunanBistroCincinnati.comKampuchea Kitchen
1045 S. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas
$20 for three-course meal
First course: Chip Chop Chicken Salad
Second course: Red Curry Chicken with Noodles
Third course: Mango Sticky Rice
Photo via KamupcheaKitchen.square.siteBanana Leaf Modern Thai
101 E. Main St., Mason
Secret Menu Item: Citrus-Infused Pumpkin Curry ($27-$33.50 depending on protein)
Photo via Facebook.com/BananaLeafModernThaiKung-Fu Tea Kenwood
7875 Montgomery Road, Kenwood
Secret Menu Item: Winter Melon Lemonade with Nata Jelly
Photo via Instagram.com/KFTKenwoodKung-Fu Tea Mason
7892 Mason Montgomery Road, Mason
Secret Menu Item: Winter Melon Lemonade with Nata Jelly
Photo via Instagram.com/KungFuTeaMasonPintoh Asian
7709 Beechmont Ave., Anderson Township
$20 for three-course meal
First course: (choose one): Salad Roll, Tom Kha (Chicken coconut soup), Gyoza, or Crab puff
Second course: (choose one): Chicken Thai Spicy, Cashew Chicken, Chicken Thai Basil, Pad Thai, Thai Fried Rice, Red Curry, or Green Curry
Third course: (choose one): Sticky Rice with Thai Custard, Vanilla Custard Cake, Sago Cantaloupe
Photo via Facebook.com/Cha-Bar-Pin-Toh-AsianPoke Hut
1509 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
$20 for three-course meal
First course: (choose two): Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken, Cheese Wonton, or Veggie Spring Roll
Second course: (choose one): Chicken Hibachi, Shrimp Hibachi, or Regular Signature Poke Bowl
Third course: Third course (choose one): Mango Fruit Tea or Taro Milk Tea
Photo via PokeHutUSA.comQueens Bakery
4770 Fields Ertel Road, Mason
Secret Menu Item: Creamy Custard Layered Steam Cake ($2.99)
Photo via Facebook.com/Queens-BakeryRaja India
6188 Tylersville Road, Mason
$20 for three-course meal
First course: Aloo Tikki
Second course: Chicken Makhani with Garlic Naan and Basmati Rice
Third course: Gulab Jamun
Photo via RajaIndiaRestaurant.comSago Eurasian Cuisine and Rotisserie
1004 Delta Ave., Mt. Lookout
$20 for three-course meal
First course: (choose one): Pork Bun or Chicken Curry Puff or Vegetarian Samosa
Second course: Choice of Rotisserie Meat
Third course: (choose one): Mango Rice or Sago Gula Melaka
Photo via Facebook.com/CitrusAndSagoSaigon Noodle Bar
9220 Allen Road, West Chester
$20 for three-course meal
First course: (choose one): Egg Roll or Spring Roll
Second course: Pho (Beef, Chicken, or Vegan)
Third course: (choose one): Flan or Ice cream
Photo via SaigonNoodleBar.business.siteTea n Bowl Asian Fare and Bubble Tea
211 W. McMillan St., Clifton
$20 for three-course meal
First course: (Choose one): Satay Chicken or Roti Canai
Second course: (Choose one): Thai Red Curry Chicken or Hainanese Chicken Rice or Curry Laksa Noodle
Third course: (Choose one): Malaysian Fried Sweet Potato Balls or Fried Sesame Balls or Thai Creme Brulee
Photo via TeaNBowlUC.comThai Express
213 W. McMillan St., Clifton
$20 for three-course meal
First course: Vegetable Gyoza and Dipping Sauce
Second course: Lemongrass Stir Fry (your choice of chicken, pork, beef, or tofu)
Third course: Thai Custard
Photo via Facebook.com/ThaiExpressCincinnatiUncle Yips Restaurant
10736 Reading Road, Evendale
$20 for three-course meal
First course: (Choose one): Sesame Chicken or Hot & Spicy Chicken or Spicy Sizzling Beef or Mongolian Beef
Second course: (Choose one): Stuffed Tofu w/ Shrimp or Stuffed Eggplant w/ Shrimp or Stuffed Chilli Pepper w/ Shrimp or Steam Gailan (Chinese Broccoli)
Third course: (Choose one): Crab Rangoon (2 pcs) or Sesame Ball (1 pcs) or Chicken Egg Roll (1 pcs) or Vegetarian Spring Roll (2 pcs) or Pork Pot-Sticker (2 pcs)
Photo via Facebook.com/UncleYipsYat Ka Mein
2974 Madison Road, Oakley
$20 for three-course meal
First course: Shanghai Dumpling
Second course: Hong Kong Wonton Mein
Third course: Dan Dan Noodle
Photo via Facebook.com/Yat-Ka-MeinChina Gourmet
3340 Erie Ave., Hyde Park
$20 for three-course meal
Photo: Hailey BollingerDeans Mediterranean Imports
108 W. Elder St., Over-the-Rhine
Secret Menu Item: Halal Beef Burger with Halloumi
Photo via Facebook.com/DeansMediterraneanMaki Express Ramen House
209 W. McMillan St., Clifton
$20 for three-course meal
First course: (choose one): Chicken Karaage, Takoyaki, or Gyoza
Second course: (choose one): Ramen Selection from menu or Rice Selection from menu
Third course: (choose one): Japanese Fried Ice cream or Japanese Cake Selection
Photo: Hailey BollingerGrand Oriental
2303 Buttermilk Crossing, Crescent Springs
$20 for three-course meal
First course: (choose one): Egg Roll or Spring Roll
Second course: (choose one): Wonton Soup or Hot and Sour Soup
Third course: (choose one): Moo Goo Gai Pan, General Tso’s Chicken, Hunan Chicken, Beef and Vegetable, Beef & Broccoli, or Hunan Beef
Photo via Grand Oriental Chinese Restaurants Facebook