Your friend just raved about that new sushi burrito spot. Your coworker insists you have to try the kimchi tacos. Your Instagram feed is flooded with ramen burgers. You need to navigate this delicious chaos—and find where the hype is actually deserved. This list cuts through the noise to bring you Columbia’s most inventive Asian fusion spots, where tradition gets a thrilling modern twist.
Miyo’s at Columbiana Drive ___ M Kitchen
$$ | (803) 764-0558 | WEBSITE
Miyo’s beautiful interior and attentive service are a great backdrop for the story of how you finally convinced your friends to try Asian fusion. But add in the garlic green beans, the tender salmon, the chicken dishes with their perfect seasoning, and you’ve got all the ingredients for talking serious flavor. Get the hot and sour soup too: the Thai basil with chicken is a delicious highlight.
Kao Thai Cuisine
$$ | (803) 569-6881 | WEBSITE
Kao Thai Cuisine is where you go when you want to feel like you’ve stumbled into the best dinner party in Columbia. Get their $22 pad thai—any of their noodle dishes are a solid choice, but the drunken noodles should be your main priority. The meal comes with a beautiful presentation that makes you pause before digging in, and you can add on their crispy brussel sprouts for just $6. The staff, especially servers like Jay and Christine, make you feel like a regular even on your first visit.
Their cocktails and mocktails look almost too pretty to drink, but you’ll be glad you did. It’s the kind of place where you’ll find yourself planning your next visit before you’ve even finished your meal.
Tsunami Sushi Restaurant
$$ | (803) 312-9911 | WEBSITE
Someone we know got so caught up in the conversation about the freshness of the California Rolls at Tsunami that they almost missed ordering the Hibachi steak before the kitchen closed. Don’t do this—because then you’d miss out on the dynamite roll—but do come to this Asian fusion spot in Columbia, sit at a table in the classy dining room, and invite whoever’s pouring your Georgia Peach Martini to join the discussion.
Tokyo Grill
$ | (803) 862-1668 | WEBSITE
If you need a place to grab a quick, satisfying meal before heading out in Columbia, Tokyo Grill is it. Their teriyaki chicken and shrimp plate arrives steaming hot, and they’ve got some of the creamiest white sauce around: similar in texture to half-melted butter. Families with kids should get the reasonably priced kid meals, with clean restrooms and a simple atmosphere.
CO
$$ | (803) 956-4049 | WEBSITE
If you’re in Columbia and want to unwind with friends, head to CO. The spacious restaurant has a large bar seating area and lots of shareable plates. The pleasant background music is just lively enough to keep the vibe vibrant without overwhelming conversation. And the tacos, especially the beef bulgogi version, are a fantastic way to kick things off.
M Vista
$ | (803) 255-8878 | WEBSITE
At M Vista, the dishes—like the Kung Pao Tofu, which is very good, and the sushi, known for being delicious and fresh—are great, and come with attentive, visible service. Plus this place is vibrant and engaging (thanks to its open kitchen), so you don’t have to worry about missing the action. Finish your final bites of your new favorite’s Hong Kong Fried Rice over a raw sushi selection.
Asian Express
$ | (803) 391-8888 | WEBSITE
The take-out focused Asian Express can get chaotic during peak hours, but you should still swing by for juicy crawfish boils, perfectly seasoned hibachi steak, and fresh, generous fried rice. For a quick meal, it’s a solid choice with a clean dining area and speedy service. They have a seafood boil, where you can enjoy big, fresh crawfish or mix in vegetables and rice.
Teriyaki Madness
$ | (803) 708-0004 | WEBSITE
Don’t let the words “bigger city vibe” fool you—Teriyaki Madness’s upbeat soundtrack is always just lightly pulsing in the background, so it’s never necessary to rush your meal. While all of their bowls at this Columbia spot are great, it’s the crab Rangoons—crispy, creamy, and subtly spiced—that stand out the most.
Korean O-Bok Restaurant
$ | (803) 995-5008 | WEBSITE
Save your fusion indecision for another night, because Korean O-Bok’s attached dining setup is primed for ordering from two different cuisines at once. Pair that with the must-try Galbi dinner box, served hot with fresh side dishes moments before you eat it, and some Korean spicy sauce, with or without the huge seafood pancake.
Tokyo Grill Hardscrabble
$ | (803) 851-5383 | WEBSITE
At this consistently popular Columbia spot with the best hibachi in town, grab a seat at the grill to feel the heat of the teppan on your face. Sip on refreshing iced tea and dive into the hibachi menu, focusing on the perfectly cooked proteins, fresh vegetables, and steaming rice—plus a side of their signature ginger sauce and yum yum sauce.
Saky Japanese Restaurant
$ | (803) 787-5307 | WEBSITE
This Japanese spot (from the friendly owners behind the counter, and with that hidden-gem feel) serves complimentary miso soup, noodles, and marinated cucumbers. Keep the meal going with some dangerously delicious pork gyoza, a fresh tamago roll, or adventurous off-menu items.
Publico
$ | (803) 661-9043 | WEBSITE
Columbia has no shortage of taco spots, but at this constantly busy Asian fusion restaurant, you can start sipping while you wait for a table. Once seated in the vibrant dining room, turn your attention to their excellent waterline margarita, delicious tacos, and dip trip, and always get an order of the appetizers. The accommodating staff is a nice bonus.
Red Bowl Asian Bistro
$ | (803) 462-9991 | WEBSITE
Yes, most of this list involves fusion in some way, but Red Bowl is a bistro too. And at Red Bowl Asian Bistro, a popular spot in Columbia, the general tsos is excellent. So are the affordable vibes: the meals flow like garlic sauce (which also flows—like sweetness). Instead of fried rice, there’s a stir fry bar tofu with vegetables in garlic sauce, which is just tasty enough to get you warmed up for a proper meal.
Miyo’s
$ | (803) 743-9996 | WEBSITE
The sushi is fresh, napkins crisp, and, on weeknights, quiet conversations fill the space. Miyo’s knows how to create a serene meal—right down to serving spring rolls so good that your date might actually pause their story to politely share the last bite. Fair prices, attentive service and a cute interior make this a versatile pick.