🍜 Rochester‘s New Ramen Spo

🍜 Rochester‘s New Ramen Spot｜Crave in Collage Town: A Comforting Bowl of Spice & Crisp Searching for a quick yet tasty meal in Rochester‘s Collage Town area, the newly opened Crave Ramen has become a noticeable option. Conveniently located at 1386 Mt Hope Ave, it not only offers Japanese ramen but also blends in (diverse choices) like bubble tea and roujiamo , making it a vibrant little hub of Asian flavors. This visit, we focused on tasting its noodles and fried items, experiencing a dose of spicy comfort on a winter day. 🍜 The Star: Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen with Grilled Shrimp & Wavy Noodles We ordered a bowl of “Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen with Grilled Shrimp and Wavy Noodles.” First, the noodle choice was interesting—thick, wavy noodles. Compared to common thin straight noodles, they hold onto the thick broth better and offer a more chewy texture. The broth is the classic tonkotsu (pork bone) soup, seasoned with spicy miso. The first sip delivers a rich, savory bone marrow flavor, followed by a slowly building heat that‘s not overly aggressive—a (gentle yet lasting) spiciness. 🦐 The grilled shrimp were well-cooked, firm and bouncy with a slight char, adding a layer of seafood flavor to the bowl. Overall, this bowl of noodles was “very flavorful,” and the portion was substantial. Having a bowl on a cold day was quite satisfying. 🍗 The Delightful Side: Freshly Fried Japanese Karaage If the ramen was the expected warmth, the Japanese Fried Chicken (Karaage) brought an extra surprise. The chicken pieces are fried fresh to order, arriving at the table steaming hot and golden brown. The exterior was so crispy it made faint cracking sounds, while the inside remained remarkably juicy and tender, with the marinade flavor just right. This is absolutely the kind of food that “is truly delicious fresh out of the fryer!” However, the prime enjoyment window is short. Once it cools down, the exterior softens, and the texture significantly diminishes—“it doesn‘t taste good reheated.” So, enjoy it while it‘s hot! 🧋 Further Exploration: The Call of Bubble Tea & Roujiamo Crave‘s menu goes beyond that. We also noticed the shop serves bubble tea and roujiamo, offering more diverse pairing possibilities for a simple ramen meal. The bubble tea can cut through the spice, and the roujiamo can provide more solid satiety. This time, limited by stomach capacity, we (temporarily “missed out”) on them, but this definitely gives us a clear reason to “try them next time given the chance.” A shop that can do several different categories well is (worth looking forward to in itself). 💎 Overall Impression & Best For Crave Ramen is a casual dining spot with a clear(positioning) and quick service. It‘s suitable for: A quick meal after class/work: You can get something hot without much wait. Warm comfort on a winter day: A bowl of hot noodle soup always chases away the chill quickly. Mixed Asian flavor cravings: When you feel like having some noodles, bubble tea, or trying different things at once. Its environment is clean and bright, and service is relatively fast. For students and residents living near Collage Town, this is undoubtedly a convenient and tasty new option. Next time you‘re on Mt Hope Ave and unsure what to eat, perhaps push open Crave‘s door, order a bowl of spicy ramen and some crispy fried chicken, and give yourself a simple treat. #RochesterFood#CollageTown#JapaneseRamen#Karaage#AsianFusion#FoodReview#WinterComfortFood#RochesterNewSpot