Hip Asian

When you want your sweet and sour chicken or spicy tuna roll served up with a little scene and style, these spots should deliver.

Akwa

This space has had more identities in the last 15 years than Madonna. But the latest just might stick: a Cal-Asian restaurant with an expansive patio, plus a 10-seat sushi bar downstairs framed by a three-tiered waterfall where Hirotaka Fujita, a veteran of Nobu in Malibu, turns out beautiful sushi and delicious salads.

* Sushi $4 to $18; entrees $23 to $32. 1413 5th St., Santa Monica, (310) 656-9688.

Tengu

One of the first fashionable sushi spots in town, Tengu still packs in the pretty young things. The draw is the sexy setting, creative specialty rolls, tasty fruit-infused sake cocktails and, Wednesday through Saturday nights, groovy tunes courtesy of a cadre of DJs.

* Sushi specialty rolls $9 to $18; entrees $15 to $29. 10845 Lindbrook Drive, Westwood, (310) 209-0071.

Kung Pao Kitty

This casual pan-Asian looker, with soaring ceilings and Chinese red walls, opened a little over a year ago. The playful menu features sections such as “noodle, schmoodles” and “here fishy fishy” There are a lot of appealing starters but, alas, no beer or wine. That’s due to change any day now. Then this kitty will be all grown up.

* Starters $3.75 to $7.75, entrees $6 to $13. 6445 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, (323) 465-0110.

Nonya

We love the bar with its weathered brick walls and pretty lacquered tables at this sophisticated Parankan-style restaurant. But there’s a reason to stick around after those lychee martinis: a flavorful cuisine that blends Chinese and Malaysian cooking. Don’t mind a little manual labor? Try the whole Dungeness crab cooked with black peppercorns.

* Starters $8 to $9; entrees $15 to $42. 61 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, (626) 583-8398.

Mosun

Lots of blond wood, architectural lighting and a dramatic fountain make for a sleek interior, a fine background for some of the best sushi in Orange County. Weekly special events like “Never Ending Mondays” (all-you-can-eat sushi for $19.95) mean every night’s a party. But Friday and Saturday nights are particularly popular. That’s when Club M, the nightclub upstairs, is in session.

* Sushi $3 to $11; entrees $12 to $25. 680 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, (949) 497-5646.