Nevermind Mexican, forget about Italian. The East Valley is home to far more exotic eats than the standard Chinese take-out. Treat your tastebuds to these five global tastes:

Turkey: Efes Turkish Cuisine
Details: Enjoy a taste of Turkey at this newly opened south Tempe eatery. The menu, which includes sandwiches, salads and platters served with bread and rice, is heavy on the lamb and beef specialties, while the festive dining room — decked out in jewel tones — features luxurious pillows and exotic artwork. A taste: Manti (dumplings filled with minced beef and served with garlic and yogurt sauce), $8.95 and Adana Kebab (spicy skewered lamb patties), $5.95
Info: 1701 E. Guadalupe Road, Tempe, ,
www.efes turkishcuisine.com

Ethiopia: Cafe Lalibela
Details: To say Lalibela is just a restaurant isn’t quite fair: The popular Tempe Ethiopian eatery is a culinary adventure. Vegetarian and meat offerings are served with a basket of selata — a crepe-like sourdough bread used to scoop and soak up the food. (There are no utensils, you see.) The eclectic menu is a good fit with the diverse crowd that packs the place for lunch and dinner.
A taste: Vegetable combination plate with misir wat (red split lentils), fosolia (string beans with carrots and onions), gomen (chopped collard greens), tikil gomen (cabbage, carrots and potatoes), $9.95
Info: 849 W. University Drive, Tempe, , www.cafelalibela.com

The Middle East: Sinbad
Details: When Tara Eivers returned to the U.S. from Jerusalem several years ago, she brought with her a handful of recipes (for hommus, tabbouleh, garlic dip and other delights) and the desire to bring a taste of the Middle East to the East Valley. And she’s done just that with Sinbad. Drop by at lunchtime for Sinbad’s buffet or on the weekends for bellydancing and hookah.
A taste: Shish kabobs (marinated beef, tomatoes and green peppers), $11.95 and chicken shawarma (marinated chicken breast on a bed of rice), $10.95
Info: 5004 S. Price Road, Tempe, , www.sinbadaz.com

Vietnam: Cyclo
Details: A true dining diamond in the ruff, Cyclo’s menu is far more sophisticated than its neighbors — including a Blimpie and a dry cleaners — indicate. Best of all, the Vietnamese specialities — including noodle dishes and five different soups — are reasonably priced, with nothing on the menu more than $6. And don’t forget dessert; the coconut tapioca pudding is tasty.
A taste: Glazed pork short ribs, $4 and spicy garlic chicken wings, $4
Info: 1919 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler,

India: Delhi Palace Cuisine of India
Details: A longtime ASU favorite, this strip mall star of India serves up more than 100 menu items, including such adventurous dishes as curry (spicy, hot!) and a plethora of lamb offerings. The mom ’n’ pop eatery also offers a daily lunch buffet, featuring tandoori chicken, meat and veggie curries, salads, rice and four different desserts.
A taste: Shrimp curry, $9.95 and gulab jamun (cheese balls in scented light syrup), $1.95
Info: 933 E. University Drive, Tempe,