NSU is a unique and lively campus, but that doesn’t mean Sharks can’t band together and take an afternoon to explore the South Florida area — even if that just means finding a quaint place to study.
If you’re looking for a new and exciting place to Gill Out near campus, Poke Ramen is your place. Poke Ramen is a self-proclaimed Asian soul kitchen, and for good reason — their dishes are delicious and their staff is friendly and willing to explain any menu item for you.
As the name implies, poke and ramen are the stars of the menu. They offer build-your-own style poke bowls, with bases of rice or greens, proteins such as ahi tuna, tofu, shrimp and even eel or octopus for the more adventurous diner and sauces and toppings (you can even get Hot Cheetos added to your bowl). You can also get any of the poke ingredients wrapped up in seaweed paper to make a sushi burrito for a meal that’s ready to go. If you’re not quite ready to make your own dish, they have combinations such as the Twin Dragon or Godzilla for you to order without any of the extra steps.
For something that’s a bit more comforting and warm, try one of their ramen dishes. They have classic flavors like pork and miso along with some less traditional ones like cilantro lime chicken and vegan with kale noodles. They also offer curry ramen and rice bowls, with pork, chicken and vegan options for both, and a shrimp rice bowl. Besides just poke and ramen, their menu features small plates and appetizers such as edamame, gyoza (pork and vegetable), takoyaki, Korean chicken wings and an assortment of bao buns.
I had visited Poke Ramen shortly after their somewhat recent opening before they had their full menu rolled out. At the time, I had ordered the regular vegan ramen, and I did enjoy it. However, when I returned more recently, I was eager to try their spicier curry ramen, and it did not disappoint. The broth has just enough kick to keep you coming back for more without lighting your mouth on fire, and it’s perfect to warm you up on a rainy day. I also ordered a plate of their sweet chili bao buns to test out one of their small plates. As someone who has eaten a lot of tofu in their life, I can confidently say Poke Ramen ranks among the best for how well they cook and season it. While the prices aren’t necessarily the cheapest you’ll find around town, it’s worth it for the portion sizes — come hungry or be prepared to take home plenty of leftovers.
Poke Ramen Asian Soul Kitchen
Tower Shops
1908 S University Dr, Davie, FL 33324
Monday-Saturday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
$$$$$
Photo: M. Rinka
