Hendersonville Food + Drink Guide

Champa Sushi & Thai Cuisine is a red-lacquered feast for the eyes.

Owner Mile Chen came with his family from China in 2000. Deciding it was time to branch out on their own, Chen's goal in creating Champa was for people to "try and open their minds and tongues with something new and fresh."

With sushi having gained such a following in recent years, Chen took pains to find just the right sushi chef and recruited a friend from New York. Fresh fish is delivered nearly every day, and you can sit at the softly lit bar and watch these edible works of art being created.

Champa also offers a lovely private dining room that seats up to 35. And with prices ranging from well below $10 in most categories of the menu, there’s something for every pocketbook as well. Chen says, "We hope people will feel like part of the family," and he has often offered to make a dish that isn't on the menu if a diner requests it.

Champa, like the Asian flower it was named for, is a lovely space with an appealing menu and beautifully plated wide-ranging Asian cuisine.