If you’re flying through Denver, the airport location of ChoLon - Modern Asian is one of the better sit-down dining options at DIA. It’s the airport outpost of chef Lon Symensma’s well-known Denver restaurant, which built its reputation on modern Southeast Asian cuisine with French influences. I started out with mac & cheese purses, which are served with a sweet & sour sauce. The crisp, golden exterior gave way to a creamy macaroni and cheese filling that was rich and heavy. So, the sauce helped. I then ordered pad thai, with rice noodles, scrambled eggs, bean sprouts, cashews and shrimp. Lots of toppings -- less focus on the sauce. I really love pad thai, and this was a different spin on it -- but welcome nonetheless in an airport setting. Grade: A

Belle's Bread is one of my most favorite roadtrip discoveries of all time. Thanks to a head's up from my nail tech (and friend!) Christina, I stopped at the Columbus bakery and entered into a new world. The Japanese bakery & cafe is located in Kenny Centre Mall and draws on inspiration from France for its take on breads and pastries. It is family-owned and -operated. Takashi Takenaka opened the business after emigrating from Japan in 1972. There's the red bean roll, frank roll, and curry and boiled egg doughnuts. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. The bear-shaped strawberry butter cream pastry was as adorable as it is delicious. I wasn't going anywhere without a ham & onion roll, which also had mayonnaise. All familiar flavors, but combined in the best way. My favorite of the trip may be the curry & boiled egg donut. Think sweet, fluffy exterior with an explosion of flavor inside. It is sweet and has some depth of flavor from the curry and also creaminess from the egg. Delicious. Their signature Caramel Almond Roll features a light, fluffy sponge cake with rich caramel and crunchy sliced almonds. There were a number of other unique options that I'll save for next time: tuna cheese, bacon corn roll, spicy tuna and more. If you've been, let me know your favorites in the comments below. Happy eating! Grade: A

Tensuke Market is the largest Japanese grocery store in Ohio. "Growing up in a tiny village in Japan, Takashi Takenaka loved fishing in nearby streams, often immersed waist-deep. As he grew older, he dreamed of sharing his knowledge and love of seafood and Japanese cuisine," reads the website. "After leaving his homeland and settling in America, he established one of Central Ohio's first Japanese restaurants in 1987, now called Akai Hana. Shortly after that, he opened a Japanese seafood and grocery store - Tensuke Market." "Over 30 years, the company has grown to include the 6 shops of Japan Marketplace, each providing a unique piece of Japanese tradition and culture. Takashi notes that when we prepare Japanese food for our customers, they experience a sense of well-being – similar to what he felt while enjoying the delicious meals from his mother growing up." "Tensuke Market is committed to offering the finest of Japanese food, products and culture to nourish our great community of Columbus. We hope that you can enjoy a taste of Japan's beautiful cuisine and renowned traditions." I picked up a teriyaki chicken & mayo onigiri. The first task is figuring out how to open it. It is designed to keep the seaweed crispy. Pull the center tab down (1), pull the right corner out (2), and pull the left corner out (3). I also got some gummy grape candy for dessert. Both were tasty. What an awesome place with so many offerings. I'd love to go back when I have a cooler in tow. Grade: A

"Some of the city’s best Chinese food can be found in a Kenny Centre strip mall at Xi Xia. The restaurant’s specialty is its chewy noodles that are painstakingly made by hand. You’ll find them in their excellent signature dish: stirred noodles with supple pieces of beef shank, bok choy, and a kick of chili oil. The springy strands also show up in soup dishes of rich, slow-cooked bone broth that’s a solid hangover cure. Don’t miss the wonderfully gelatinous spicy chicken feet, the excellent lamb rice pilaf, or the salt-and-pepper chicken that’s an excellent takeout order for the family," reads The Infatuation. With a description like that, how can I not order that signature dish. The silky noodles were my favorite - so delicate. And the egg - I would love a soy egg with every meal. The meat was my least favorite; the beef shank flavor was a bit on the earthy side for me. Grade: B

Located at 1242 Washington Ave in Huntington, West Virginia, Asian Express is a casual Asian fusion restaurant offering dine-in, take-out and delivery.



The menu spans familiar favorites—from hibachi and stir-fries to sushi rolls and curries — alongside burger and hot dog options.



I ordered a chicken katsu bento box, which comes with a California roll, dumplings and an orange. The chicken is crispy and golden on the outside, tender on the inside, and served with a tangy katsu sauce that adds some sweetness. The California roll is fresh and simple, while the dumplings bring a savory, steamed contrast, and the orange slice at the end offers a bright, refreshing finish.



The Dragon Ball roll is wrapped in fresh avocado, giving it a smooth, round texture. The avocado adds richness to each bite and pairs well with the shrimp and spicy crab inside. Finished with a light drizzle of eel sauce, it’s a flavorful.



It appears the restaurant may have since closed - but unclear. Have you been?



Grade: B

Mizu Sushi & Hibachi, located at 102 Lakeview Drive in Parkersburg, is a Japanese restaurant offering sushi, sashimi, hibachi, and other kitchen entrées. One unique feature is their "All You Can Eat Sushi & Hibachi - $22.99 per person." Like a buffet concept, but made to order. I ordered a deep-fried sushi roll filled with crab and egg, as well as some General Tso's chicken. The deep-fried sushi roll was a bit soggy on the outside, but I enjoyed the rich, savory filling of crab and egg. The General Tso’s chicken was sweet and tangy with a sticky sauce that clung well to the pieces, though it leaned slightly on the sugary side. Grade: B

Oishii Hibachi in Charleston started as a popular food truck in Kanawha City, where it built a loyal following serving up fresh hibachi and sushi from a Piggly Wiggly parking lot. In 2024, it made the leap to a permanent brick-and-mortar location on MacCorkle Avenue in the former Pita Pit space, right next to Horace Mann Middle School. The new space has a simple, dimly lit interior with a dozen or so tables and booths, a small sushi counter, and colorful hanging lanterns that give it a relaxed, slightly tucked-away feel. The menu is a mix of hibachi-style entrees, sushi rolls, appetizers, and bento boxes. Appetizers include items like spring rolls, gyoza, and crab rangoons. Hibachi meals can be ordered with steak, chicken, shrimp, salmon, scallops, crab, or vegetables, and they come with your choice of fried rice or noodles. Bento boxes offer a little bit of everything—rice or noodles, a main dish, salad or soup, and a sushi roll or dumpling. Sushi lovers will find nearly 20 roll options ranging from classics like spicy tuna and shrimp tempura to deep-fried rolls filled with crab, avocado, and cream cheese. The hibachi steak with noodles is filling and generously portioned, though the steak was hit or miss -- sometimes a bit tough and overcooked. Noodles were fine. The crab rangoon, however, was hot, crisp, and well-stuffed, with the triangular folded shape giving it an extra edge. Service is generally quick and friendly, carrying over the approachable vibe from Oishii’s food truck days. It’s a solid spot for an easy lunch or dinner, especially if you’re craving comfort hibachi or a satisfying sushi roll. Not too bad. A solid option in town. Have you been? Grade: B