You may have noticed the recent boom in ramen shops opening up around town. Asheville has become obsessed with the soul food of Japan, with three new shops opening in the last few months. Being a college student means Top Ramen is a staple in my diet. While Top Ramen is an inexpensive way to eat fast, local restaurants are upping the ante with their creative, fresh takes on these and other traditional Asian dishes. In honor of the local ramen boom, here are some of my favorite places to get ramen and other types of noodles – like udon, soba, pho, + more. Bonus: Check out some can’t-miss places that serve more than just noodles.

Whether you’ve been eating these foods for a while or you’re just starting out, we’ve also created a short list of terms to help you better navigate + understand the diversity of menu items you’ll encounter as you explore Asian cuisine.

From poké and tempura to pho and bubble tea, read on to find out what these (and other) tantalizing terms mean — and where to find them around town.

Your need-to-know menu items

Ramen: Typical ramen noodles are long and elastic. There are some varieties like thin and straight + thick and wavy.

Udon: Thick noodles made of wheat flour.

Soba: Spaghetti-thick noodles made of buckwheat flour that can be eaten either hot or cold.

Saké: An alcohol brewed with rice, water, and koji mold. Can be served either hot or cold.

Poké: Hawaiian raw seafood salad.

Gyoza: Dumplings filled with ground meat and vegetables. Can be pan-fried or steamed. AKA pot stickers.

Pho: Vietnamese soup made with bone-beef broth, rice noodles, + thinly sliced beef. Often served with fresh herbs.

Dim Sum: Cantonese style of steamed dumplings prepared in small bite-sized portions.

Tempura: Lightly battered, deep fried seafood + vegetables.

Bubble Tea: A tea drink containing cooked tapioca pearls.

Ramen

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4qA9v9BKyL/

🍜Broth Lab, 1 Roberts St.

Wide variety of ramen options including the option to make your own bowl. You pick the broth, type of noodle, proteins, + vegetables. Located in the original White Duck Taco location in the RAD. Protip: the grilled salmon is a great substitute if red meat isn’t your jam.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5-8kV2hfXV/

🍜Futo Buta, 121 Biltmore Ave.

Newly-opened Charlotte-based ramen shop next to The Orange Peel with different saké varieties available. They are very traditional, with no substitutions allowed for their ramen dishes.

https://www.instagram.com/p/By3U_a1hJI9/

🍜Gan Shan Station, 143 Charlotte St.

Gluten-sensitive + vegetarian options available for their noodle dishes. Multiple small plates like house-made dumplings, Korean rice cakes, + Okonomiyaki (pan-fried dish made up of battered cabbage, meat, or seafood). The newly opened Gan Shan West (285 Haywood Rd.) has small plates like Korean chicken wings, dumplings, + Japanese French fries along with special ramen bowls.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjvJv8HhhGf/

For over 20 years, this eatery has been serving up sushi, ramen, hot pot, + more. Their diverse menu includes many different ramen bowls with the option of udon or soba noodles, along with a wide variety of sushi rolls. It’s a small restaurant, so be prepared to wait if you go on the weekends. Protip: they have a half-size bowl option if you’re not super hungry.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6JpkdtBX_z/

🍜Itto Ramen Bar & Tapas, 630 Haywood Rd.

Newly opened in West Asheville, with eight signature ramen bowls (and the newly added Ramen Burger!) + multiple tapas. Some of these include poké bowls, gyoza, and tempura sweet potato. The vegetable ramen comes with kale noodles + creamy vegetable broth. All other ramen comes with either pork, beef, or fish.

Udon, Soba, + More

https://www.instagram.com/p/BoIc7OLHQou/

🍜Ben's Tune-Up, 195 Hilliard Ave.

Three different types of udon and a variety of small plates. Beer and saké brewery as well as other casual dining options. DYK: Ben’s Tune-up is credited as the first place to bring ramen to Asheville. This is what encouraged Chef Dai Sugimoto of Heiwa Shokudo to dive into ramen.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzP5ojIg_7e/

🍜The Noodle Shop, 3 SW Pack Sq.

Dimsum, noodle bowls, and other Chinese entrees. Multiple Chinese noodles including: thin egg noodles, thick egg noodles, mung bean noodles, thin rice noodles, + wide rice noodles.Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options included.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1Erq2jhM8A/

🍜Typhoon Noodle, 1834 Hendersonville Rd.

Ramen, udon, + pho with a Szechuan twist. Also the option for stir-fried noodles like lo mein, Pad Thai, and tossed noodles. Other Chinese entrees and small plates + bubble tea.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0a0JDZhOzP/

🍜Waku Waku, 674 Merrimon Ave.

Udon, soba, and one ramen bowl. Traditional Japanese comfort foods like Okonomiyaki, takoyaki, + curry. DYK: Waku Waku hosts events like a Japanese culture and language meetup, flower arrangement classes, + Koto concerts.

Sushi, Dim Sum, Bubble Tea, + More

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByBCUgKBSxH/

🍱 Aloha Cafe, 28 Battery Park Ave.

Poké with build-your-own options, banh mi + a wide variety of spring rolls.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSotFUCDpCv/

🍱Hana Japanese Hibachi & Sushi Bar, 5B Biltmore Ave.

Primarily known for their sushi + hibachi dishes, Hana also has stir-fry + noodle bowls with udon and soba options.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0o1P6ADtnf/

🍱Green Tea, 2 Regent Park Blvd.

Asian fusion with dishes including hibachi, sushi, noodle bowls, + bento boxes. Three different types of noodles available: udon, soba, and clear bean.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5_GI5Jnx_M/

☕️Möge Tea, 5 Biltmore Ave.

Newly opened and dedicated solely to bubble tea.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvcFxDiHWMV/

🍱Red Ginger Dimsum & Tapas, 82 Patton Ave., Suite 100

Traditional Chinese noodle dishes like Dan Dan noodles, lo mein, beef noodle soup, + more. A multitude of different small plates and dimsum like dumplings, shu mai, spring rolls, and more.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4kI4LvpeCZ/

🍱Shanghai Dumpling House, 37 Biltmore Ave.

Opened in the former Doc Chey’s location, they offer dim sum including soup dumplings as well as full Chinese entrees.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0ZT9n0BeBe/

🍱Wasabi, 19 Broadway St.

Also known for their sushi dishes, Wasabi has ramen, udon, soba, and yam noodles. Hibachi, curry, and special tofu round out their menu.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4m8Fl7h7IJ/

🍱 Yum Sushi Burrito and Poke, 100 Julian Shoals Rd. + 45 Asheland Ave.

Fresh poke bowls with build-your-own options, plus dumplings and other sides and rolled ice cream.

Did we miss your favorite spot for ramen, noodles, or other Asian food? Drop your recommendations in the comments below. 👇

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