Aroma Restaurant & Sushi, Cincinnati

Normally, it wouldn't be appropriate to go into a restaurant and ask for a hot mama. But at Aroma, it's OK. The Hot Mama is just one of their playfully named sushi rolls, a mix of five fish ignited by sriracha and red-pepper paste. There are dozens more, including the Sunday Morning with salmon and cream cheese, and the Red White Blue with tuna, mayo, and blueberries. A supplementary a la carte sushi menu also compiles a sizable selection of classic rolls and nigiri.

Beyond sushi, the regular menu showcases a diverse mix of classic Asian recipes. Pad thai noodles entangle bean sprouts, peanuts, and each other; Korean-style chicken gets sautéed with onions; and spicy ramen simmers with shrimp and green mussels.