Bonsai Bistro With its elegant koi pond and impeccable service, this pan-Asian eatery offers a delightful blend of Chinese, Japanese and Thai foods. Go at Happy Hour for $3 sake and deals on asian tapas. Try the wok-fried dynamite shrimp; it comes with spicy aioli and shoestring veggies and is a steal at $6. 101 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d'Alene • 208-765-4321 • bonsaibistro.com
Chan Bistro At Chan Bistro, the menu features traditional dishes with a modern spin. Consider the House Ginger Salmon ($15); the pan-fried salmon comes topped with ginger sauce and scallions, nestled among sautéed vegetables and rice. Chan Bistro also offers more common dishes like fried rice ($11) and appetizers like coconut prawns ($9) and calamari rings ($9). 1409 N. Argonne Rd. • 926-0366 • chanbistro.com
Ding How Though located in a strip mall, Ding How is a veritable tour of Asia, featuring Chinese, Korean, Thai and Japanese selections on its menu. Check out the sushi that they make right in front of you, or get some takeout that will make you reminisce about standing in your boxers over the sink during your bachelor days. 1332 N. Liberty Lake Rd., Liberty Lake, Wash. • 921-1901
Fai's Noodle House Go ahead and slurp. No one will judge you at this bustling little noodle shop located inside Northern Quest Resort and Casino. Fai's menu goes beyond noodles, with specialty stir-fries, Japanese Mochi and tempura battered chicken; we urge you to order a steaming bowl of Vietnamese pho or Fai's popular Wonton soup and slurp away. Northern Quest Casino, 100 N. Hayford Rd., Airway Heights, Wash. • 481-6602 • northern quest.com/resort/dining
Gordy's Sichuan Cafe Known for its freshly prepared dishes featuring complex, clean flavors, Gordy's has the reputation of being one of Spokane's best-kept food secrets. But since it's won "Best Asian Food" in the Inlander's Best Of reader's poll more than once, maybe it's not so much of a secret any longer. Either way, it's definitely a place to put on your list of local restaurants to try. 501 E. 30th Ave. • 747-1170 • sites.google.com/site/gordyscafe
The Mustard Seed You can still get your favorite dishes like Shrimp Osaka and Bong Bong Chicken, but after more than 20 years in business, The Mustard Seed isn't resting on its laurels. Make a reservation during Spokane Restaurant Week, when we're guessing their chefs will be trying out even more new dishes. NorthTown Mall, 4750 N. Division St. • 483-1500 • mustardseedweb.com
Nudo Nudo can be credited with bringing the ramen noodle trend to Spokane. In May 2014, the ramen house opened in a stylish spot downtown. If you're picturing something akin to the Top Ramen of your college days, delete that thought. Ramen has long been a staple in Japan, and at Nudo you can get it with barbeque pork, boiled egg and braised bamboo shoots or as bookends to a burger. 818 W. Sprague • 290-5763 • nudoramen.com
Pho City The recipes at Pho City came directly from Vietnam with the Nguyen family, who own it. On the menu, there's of course the pho ($8-$9): Choose from chicken or beef, both served with a plate of bean sprouts, Thai basil, cilantro and hoisin and Sriracha sauce that you can add to your pho. For a lighter choice, go for the spring rolls ($4) or the bánh mÏ grilled pork sandwich ($4) with carrots and other vegetables.112 N. Howard St. • 747-0223 • phocity509.com
Pho Van Pho Van has an extensive menu of pho options that include beef, chicken and shrimp, but perhaps the most inspired pho features duck. Star anise and ginger-infused broth accents perfectly roasted chunks of duck that fall off the bone with a gentle nudge from a chopstick. Although traditional rice noodles are an option, thin egg noodles offer a welcome change from the norm. Bok choy adds body to the dish, while fried shallots sprinkled over the top add texture and smokiness. 2909 N. Division • 326-6470
Ugly Fish Asian is an all-encompassing term for a continent with 60 percent of the world's population. Ugly Fish has a correspondingly large menu of more than 150 menu items: Japanese sushi. Korean BBQ. Chinese stir-fry. All this in a swanky, modern interior of chrome, red, white, black and neon. 1927 W. Riverstone Dr. • Coeur d'Alene • 208-667-6389 • uglyfishasianbistro.com
