EAST DENVER. This Japanese restaurant knows how to prepare sushi, and with over 100 options available, the menu offers plenty of choices. Select rolls prepared with either fish, seaweed, eel, or avocado on the outside; try whole fried rolls; or opt for a low-carb selection, made without rice. If you prefer a cooked meal, a tempting array of traditional dishes features everything from tempura and teriyaki to katsu and hibachi offerings. Reservations accepted only for groups of four or more.

DOWNTOWN. Highlighting foods from rural Japan, Domo caters to trendy urban Denverites. The interior is set with a collection of Japanese artifacts, and tables and chairs are crafted to look like tree logs. A Japanese garden completes the tranquil, country-influenced atmosphere. The cuisine mimics the dining room's rustic nature and features fresh selections like kaizoku nabe (seafood stew) and finely cut steaks tinged with teriyaki sauce.

SOUTH DENVER. Looking for a place that boasts unrivaled service and that's great for groups? Head to South Broadway, where you'll find Imperial. This elegant eatery serves authentic Chinese cuisine and features tasty house specialties, including Hunan beef, lemon chicken, and Chilean sea bass drizzled with black bean sauce. Other notables include battered jumbo shrimp dipped in spicy sesame sauce and savory black pepper steak dotted with red and green peppers.

WEST DENVER. Crammed into a West Denver strip mall, J's is the kind of place that's easy to dismiss with a slight "been there, done that." However, those who venture in will find what many locals regard as the best Thai in town. While the restaurant's atmosphere is rather ho-hum, patrons' senses are, nevertheless, tantalized by the aromas of ginger, curry, and other Eastern spices. House specialties include hot noodle dishes, Bangkok barbecue chicken, and flavorful pad Thai.

AURORA. Don't expect to sit back and relax at this eatery ­ patrons play an instrumental part in cooking their own food. Seated at a horseshoe-shaped counter that surrounds an open kitchen, diners are given a steaming bowl of broth in which to cook meats, seafood, and veggies brought by servers (always on hand to provide guidance). Leave the ingredients in your bowl for a soup meal, or extract them to sample the dipping sauces. Beef, shrimp, scallops, bok choy, mushrooms, and spinach are all on the menu, allowing you to create your own culinary masterpiece.