Fifty restaurants across the Greater Cincinnati area will be participating in the 2021 Asian Food Week from May 3-9. This event kicks off Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and participants can celebrate by trying the diverse range of Asian cuisine that this region has to offer. Asian Food Week, which launched in November 2020, is produced by the Asianati and the Asian American Cultural Association of Cincinnati. According to the organizers in a recent release, they felt compelled to start this campaign now because Asian-owned restaurants have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and related anti-Asian sentiment. The event is intended to celebrate a range of Asian cultures and support local Asian restaurants. In addition to offering three-course prix fixe menus, several participating restaurants have “secret menu items” that customers can order throughout the week. From specialized bento boxes to Korean barbecue, these restaurants are offering unique meals and deals for a limited time. For more information and specific menu offerings, visit this asianati.com. *Please note that since most of these are novel menu items, photos may not represent each secret dish.
Sawasdee Thai Cuisine and Sushi 6600 Dixie Highway, Fairfield Secret Menu Items: Thai Papaya Salad (papaya salad, sticky rice and grilled chicken; $12.99); Bento Box ($12.99) Photo: Catie Viox/Provided by Asianati
Cafe Mochiko 1524 Madison Road, East Walnut Hills Secret Menu Item: Cincinnati-Style Mazemen ($15) Photo: facebook.com/mochikocincy
Queen’s Bakery 4770 Fields Ertel Road, Mason Secret Menu Items: Fruity Fantasy Tea ($6.98); “Not a Plain Roll” Roll ($9.98); Tea + Roll Combo ($16) Photo: facebook.com/queensbakerycincy
Pho Lang Thang 1828 Race St., Over-the-Rhine Secret Menu Items: Bo Luc Lac Special ($20) — 1. Cháo Ga (Chicken Congee) or Cháo Nam (Mushroom Congee); 2. Side Salad; 3. Bo Luc Lac Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Quan Hapa 1331 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine Secret Menu Items: Papaya Salad, 3 KFC Wings, Ramen or Rice Noodle Bowl ($25) Photo: facebook.com/quanhapa
Ramen Hachi 17 W. Church St., Oxford Secret Menu Items: Choose a Signature Ramen Bowl, Tuna Poke Sampler, Japanese Gyoza Dumpling, Hachi Pork Bun and Mochi Ice Cream ($22 per set) Photo: Ramen Hachi Facebook
Milk Jar Cafe 3880 Paxton Ave., Oakley Secret Menu Items: Blueberry Matcha Latte (Regular: $4.85); Blueberry Milkies (Regular: $4.75) Photo: facebook.com/milkjarcincy
Kiki College Hill 5932 Hamilton Ave., College Hill Secret Menu Item: Vegetarian Thai Curry Ramen ($12) Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Chako Bread & Cake 611 Main St., Covington Secret Menu Items: Onigiri Bento Set (Two Japanese Riceballs; Salmon Filling), Karaage (Fried Chicken), Potato Salad and Tamagoyaki (Japanese Omlette) ($12) Photo: facebook.com/chakobakery
The Hi-Mark 3229 Riverside Drive, East End Secret Menu Items: Six Wings, Chili Mac, Wanderer Beer ($20); Korean BBQ Chicken Sandwich, Cup of Chili, Wanderer Beer ($20); 12 Korean BBQ Wings, Cup of Chili, Wanderer Beer ($20) Photo: facebook.com/thehimark
Uncle Yip’s 10736 Reading Road, Evendale Secret Menu Items: Green Beans Roast Pork ($18.95); Green Beans Shrimp Cake ($15.95); Curry Chicken Hong Kong-Style ($15.95); Soy Sauce Leek Stir-Fried Noodle ($14.95) Photo: facebook.com/uncleyips
Oriental Wok 2444 Madison Road, Hyde Park Secret Menu Items: Hong Kong Curry Fishballs ($12); Canton Ginger Chicken ($12); Liuzhou Spicy Bamboo Noodles ($15); Cumin Lamb ($21) Photo: facebook.com/orientalwok
Lalo 26 W. Court St., Downtown Secret Menu Item: Mexican Bao Buns ($9.50) Photo: facebook.com/lalocincinnati
Stone Bowl Sushi, Ramen, Korean & Japanese Restaurant 3355 Madison Road, Oakley Secret Menu Item: JapChe Combo Set (JapChe, Salad, Vegan Dumpling, Edamame, Yogurt, Organic fruit) ($16 -$16.80) Photo: facebook.com/stonebowloakley
Baraka Tea House 121 Calhoun St., Clifton Heights Secret Menu Items: Matcha Roll ($3); Japanese Cherry Blossom Tea ($6); Morning Dragon Latte ($6); Oolong Tea ($5) Photo: Baraka Tea House Facebook
Dean’s Mediterranean Imports 108 W. Elder St., Over-the-Rhine Secret Menu Item: Baba Fries (famous baba ghanouj over crispy steak fries with veggies and sauce) ($5) Photo: facebook.com/deansmediterranean
BobaCha 1606 Main St., Over-the-Rhine Secret Menu Items: Red Bean Matcha; Strawberry Matcha; Rose Matcha; Sesame Matcha; Ginger Caramel Matcha; Peach Lime Tea (Regular: $3.50, Large: $3.95) Photo: facebook.com/bobachaonmain
Crzy Monk 29 E. Court St., Downtown Secret Menu Item: Monk’s Quinoa Fried Rice ($TBD) Photo: facebook.com/monkcincinnati
Milk Jar Station 7743 Tylersville Road, West Chester Township Secret Menu Items: Blueberry Matcha Latte (Regular: $4.85); Blueberry Milkies (Regular: $4.75) Photo: facebook.com/milkjarcincy