Located on the ground floor of a South End rowhouse, this intimate chef's counter is the vision of Chef Wei Fa Chen. Pale walls and light wood provide a blank canvas to show off the chef's seasonal selection of ceramic platters (from Kyoto and Asheville), custom-made tatami coasters and thoughtfully crafted cuisine. The chef's omakase features impressive nigiri showcasing high-quality product, much of it imported from Japan.

Say hello to your quintessential neighborhood hangout. Armed with two bars, candles flickering on every surface and a menu committed to southern Italy, Chef Karen Akunowicz’s bigger-boned follow-up to Fox & The Knife gets all the little details just right. A lengthy amaro selection and fine-tuned cocktails set the stage for familiar dishes that deliver on flavor and finesse. Salt cod fritters come cleverly dusted in za’atar.

The roots of Chef Karen Akunowicz’s pasta empire trace back to this welcoming restaurant in South Boston, where she draws inspiration from her time in Italy. Everyone from parents in for a quick meal with their kids to younger couples just getting their evening started take to the lively space fit with a long bar up front and banquettes further back. Meals must begin with warm pieces of focaccia stuffed with taleggio or, for something a bit lighter, gnocco fritto with mortadella.

Childhood friends who grew up north of Bangkok end up in Boston for college. It's not the plot of a cinematic hit; it's the story behind Mahaniyom. This Brookline Village spot, packs a punch with a highly original menu of Thai small plates and creative cocktails (sip the Mahaniyom Sazerac with Thai tea-infused rye). Dishes to consider include yum som-o, or pomelo salad, a seasonal treat featuring grilled tiger prawns arranged with diced citrus segments, roasted cashews and toasted coconut.

Hailing from China’s Xinjiang region, Uyghurs are largely Muslim, and their cuisine is informed by both Chinese and Arabic cultures. That means you can expect plenty of lamb, spices, color and dishes full of verve and vitality. The specialty is hand-pulled noodles; these deliciously chewy, thick noodles slip down very easily, whether you’d gone for Laghman noodles or Jahunger noodles with Sichuan peppercorns – you can feel them nourishing your body and your soul.

Chef Tracy Chang’s flagship restaurant has been a Cambridge mainstay since the day it opened in 2017. With a fun menu that takes cues from both Spain as well as countries across Asia, the cooking delivers quality ingredients, bold flavors, and the right amount of care. Think patatas bravas with mojo verde, tempura-fried string beans with Thai chili hot sauce, crab laksa with ramen noodles and poached shrimp, and fluffy baos stuffed with pork belly.

This bright spot among Kendall Square's many offerings is one of the few Chinese restaurants specializing in Hunanese cuisine in the area. Sumiao Chen trained as a doctor and scientist but her true passion for food led her to open this local favorite in 2017. There are plenty of Chinese staples but look closely to discover an enticing selection of regional specialties. Spicy, crunchy cucumbers are a flavorful accent to any dish.