Buddha Lounge & Grill

1711 North Kings Highway

Myrtle Beach

626-5541

Buddha Lounge & Grill is a great lunch spot where you can pick up, from their Japanese Express side, many exciting dishes such as Hot Edamame, Tuna Tataki, Veggie Bowls, Hibachi meals with rice and vegetables, Lo Mein, Rice Bowls with chicken, shrimp or filet mignon, and spring rolls. The Buddha Lounge part of the restaurant is open in the evening, and it is a beautifully exotic den of pleasure. The golden and candle-lit atmosphere encourages romance and provides thrilling flavors. A few entrees include Grilled Tuna or Salmon, New Zealand Lamb Chop, Sesame-crusted Chicken, Shrimp Tempura, Filet Mignon, and the Udon Pot with salmon, mussels, shrimp, vegetables and udon noodles.

Emi Bistro and Sushi Bar

47 Da Gullah Way (beside U.S. 17)

Pawleys Island

235-2313

www.emibistro.com

Shozo Sakata is one of the best sushi chefs in the Grand Strand area, and his lovely and delicious creations are featured in the sushi bar. It’s fun to get a ringside seat and watch him perform amazing knife skills. The regular menu has an esteemed reputation for its unique upscale Asian cuisine that fuses some of the best elements of French and continental cooking methods.

eNoodles

400 20^th Ave. S.

Myrtle Beach

916-8808

110 U.S. 17 S.

North Myrtle Beach

663-1628

These are not your ordinary Asian restaurants. With a sophisticated and relaxing décor, the food is definitely a cut above your neighborhood take-out joint. The double pan-fried noodles are awesome.

Mrs. Fish

919 Broadway St.

Myrtle Beach

946-6869

The place isn’t fancy; there are a dozen tables and a counter where you can sit and watch owner Andrew Chu cook up a storm, and the décor is what you’d expect in a no-nonsense beach diner: nothing special. But what is special is their fish, such as Grilled Grouper with Spicy Asian Sauce; Crab Rangoon with Gumbo; Atlantic Mussels; and Coconut Shrimp.

SoHo

406 21^st Avenue North

445-6021

SoHo has a long sushi list, and their hibachi plates are creditable. The atmosphere is that of a bistro, and the décor is Asian.

Supannahong

4505 Socastee Blvd

in Socastee Plaza

294-3663

Supannahong is a family affair with owner Parinya Popra, her mother, Joy Raiford (who is the sister of the owner of Thai Cuisine restaurant), her uncle, Sonya Boonsit, and friend Wanna Samedang. Lunches come with complimentary Sour and Spicy Soup brimming with matchstick ginger, tofu and fresh cilantro; and a Spring Roll served with sweet Thai Sauce. Dishes include Guay Teow Phad Thai (stir-fried noodles with a choice of meats and egg, bean sprouts, green onions and crushed peanuts); Phad Kai-Grob (stir-fried crispy chicken, chili paste, egg, ginger and bell pepper); Golden Hong Thong – Deep-fried rolls with shrimp, chicken, crab, onion and crystal noodles served with Thai sauce; Tod Kra-Dook-Moo – Deep-fried spareribs topped with roasted garlic and served with Thai chili sauce; and Phad Preow-Wan Plad – Deep-fried whole snapper topped with chili paste, onion, bell pepper, celery, mushroom, green onion and cashew nuts.

Takara Japanese Express

Next to Krystal Burger

U.S. 17 Business in the South Beach Exchange shopping center

Garden City

651-4106

Jenny Wong owns this incredible Japanese restaurant. It’s not a chain, and she and her sister, Annie Wong, serve fantastic and inexpensive food in their beautifully decorated eatery. There are always several lunch specials such as Glazed Salmon with rice and vegetables. The salmon was cooked to a perfect moistness and the glaze coating was flavorful and generously applied. A few other dishes include Shrimp Lo Mein, Broccoli with Filet Mignon, Ginger Garden Salad, Miso Soup, Jumbo Black Tiger Shrimp and Hibachi Crab Bowl. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Take-out orders are welcome, and the number is 651-4106.

Thai Cuisine

1210 N. Kings Highway

Myrtle Beach

946-7475

I love how the restaurant called Thai Cuisine has desserts listed on the first page of its take-out menu. They all sound great, too: Ice Cream Tempura, Cheesecake with Ice Cream, Thai Donut, Sticky Rice with Ice Cream and Green Tea Ice Cream. The rest of the menu is extensive and includes Satay Beef, Fried Tofu, Thai Spring Roll, Papaya Salad, Pad Thai, Whole Snapper Curry, Spicy Basil Fried Rice and Curry Duck.

Thai Season

1004 U.S. 17 Bypass S.

North Myrtle Beach

663-9300

http://www.thaiseasonmyrtlebeach.com

Owner Sak Yiengjuntuek worked hard to refurbish, restore, renew and redecorate, and the result is a cozy dining haven with excellent food and reasonable prices. We recommend: Shrimp Cake Appetizer, Thai Dumpling, Steamed Mussels, Veggie Spring Roll, Chicken Fried Rice Crispy Chicken in a Sweet Chili Sauce, Basil Duck, Garlic Pepper, Ginger Thai Style, Sauteed Glass Noodle and Swimming Angels (steamed chicken and shrimp topped with peanut sauce over steamed broccoli, tomatoes and cilantro.)

Umi Pacific Grille

U.S. 17 at Lake Arrowhead Road, in the Galleria Shopping Center

Myrtle Beach

497-6016

Umi is a new entry in Myrtle Beach’s upscale dining ranks, and reactions are favorable. The décor is sleek and sophisticated to match the splendid Pacific Rim menu. As with most Grand Strand restaurants, you don’t need to go over the top with your manner of dress; “nice casual” works almost anywhere in town. Umi does not use any oils containing trans fats.