If you think that Chinese noodles just aren’t cutting it anymore, stretch your gastronomic map further east and try some Japanese sashimi, Thai tom yam soup or maybe some Indonesian bakmi goreng. Teeming as it is with restaurants offering a variety of pan-Asian fare, the city never disappoints you when you are looking for haute cuisine to pamper your taste buds.

Try a whole new dining experience with Korean barbeque at Soo Ra Sang in Koramangala. Run by a Korean family the food here is authentic, though the menu is a wee bit confusing. The barbeque is a must try, where you order meat of your choice that is then left to sizzle at the electric grill on your table. Take in the wafting aroma while you sample the different types of kimchee, pickles, salads and side dishes that magically keep filling up your table. Another restaurant serving Korean food is Hae Kum Gang.

Cashing in on the hype that surrounds Thai cuisine, many restaurants in the city now have started to include it in their menu, but few do it as right as Shiok . This restaurant in Indiranagar has an extensive range of dishes and its ingredients are imported from Thailand for the ultimate taste. Another fabulous Thai restaurant is Tai Tai, where you get to discover that there is more to Thai cuisine than just red, green and yellow curry. And finally, if you feel like splurging on the best pad thai in town, Rim Naam at The Oberoi would be your call.

Unfortunately, Vietnamese cuisine in the city comes at a high price as the only restaurant serving such food is Blue Ginger at The Taj Westend. However, if you do decide to take the plunge with both your taste buds and your credit card, rest assured, you won’t be disappointed.

If you feel like sampling Indonesian, Singaporean and maybe some Malaysian cuisine, all at one go, try Asean on Church Street or Nankings on Cunningham Road. The food at both these places is very good; the Chinese barbecue at Nankings is particularly exotic.

Last but not the least, if you want minimalist and spectacular in the same mouthful, Japanese is the only way to go. The Japanese restaurants in the city are Harima, Zen at The Leela Palace and the good old Dalhia. If you’re a first timer, you could safely try the udon, tepanyaki, tempura, tonkatsu and some sushi rolls. If you feel like getting adventurous, order some sashimi.

So choose your region, pick up your chopsticks and let the aromas of the east regale your senses.