InkFire Ramen Tapas & Bar — Restaurant in Norman

08/11/24

As promised, here's the update. Be sure to follow me for more than 14k google reviews and contributions!

Today we started off with two drinks. We enjoyes the Inkfire Red and Lovesick. Both are highly recommended! The Inkfire is the choice of the two with a garnish of plumb candy. Be sure to dig out the delightful goodness of sweet plumb that is as smooth as cotton candy. I can't stress this enough.

Appetizers:

Crab puffs: is a take on crab ragoon. Preety bacis, served with a sweet sauce. Can out warm with a very light exterior.

Bacon Enoki Mushrooms: 3 picks with 2 pieces on each. Appear to be shaped to represent the octopus logo of the Inkfire name sake. Small, but absolutely perfect for what it is. Mildly salty.

Inkfire wings: Honestly this was the least impressive dish. The wings are very thin. The dish was very oily and left a heavy feeling in the gut. If left to drain may have be a whole lot better. Garnished with celery and peanuts and the house spice.

Main:

Bulgogi Beef:

Hands down way better than expected! The sauce/gravy had a sweet flavor that truly complemented the beef and onions. Only complaint was it came with only 2 florets of broccoli.

Miso Vegatable: The rice noodles were definitely the way to go with this dish. Tofu was added for extra substance. Overall the dish was hardy and satisfying.

Sticking with the same /current star ratings. I feel the over all food is good but there are definitely places to improve on.

New spot in town that is still on the soft open. Definitely gonna give it another go!

I'm not high on ramen spots. So this was definitely outside my wheel house for reviews.

Appetizers: Fried Shrimp: Flattened butterfly style shrimp. Pretty thin for the price. Expected something with a little more substance.

Endemame: The house seasoning is dynomite. The portion was spot on for the price.

Dishes: Tomato ramen and Curry (shrimp) ramen: both dishes where more than enough and didn't leave a heavy feeling in the gut. Full of flavor and a great presentation when served.

The Good: location is great and the front outdoor patio looks very inviting. Inside the design has been very well done. Staff was attentive and friendly.

The Bad: If you're vegetarian there's not a lot to choose from. The bar is currently not operating at this time (but told it should be soon). Menu has some black out dishes that I really wish I could have been able to try.

Definitely will be back! For something out of my comfort zone I really enjoyed it.

Be sure to follow me for more than 14k google reviews and...

InkFire Ramen Tapas Bar is in the space on Main Street where McNellie's dished up some excellent food and beverages for several years. While I miss McNellie's, InkFire is a wonderful contribution to the culinary experience available in Norman.

Norman has a wealth of Asian restaurants, but this one is a little different. It has the lovely dark soothing ambience of the space, complimented by a beautiful bar display, clean design, and excellent food and drink.

I was fortunate to go in in the middle of the afternoon and was the only patron. I looked at the menu thoroughly, because it had offerings that were both multicultural and traditionally prepared. Everything was done to a turn.

I started with some shrimp tempura, always a favorite. And I spoke with the server, Ken, regarding the dishes I was interested in or unfamiliar with. He was helpful and quite pleasant, and I learned more about Asian foods.

Having grown up partially in southeast Asia, I love good Asian food. I wound up ordering the ink fire Ramen which had a soy sauce base in pork broth with pork belly, wavy Ramen noodles, black mushrooms, green onions, and one of the most complex broths I've had the pleasure of eating.

Their cocktails are unique and interesting, using high quality ingredients that are relative to Asian food. I thought I didn't like lychee, and he asked me if I'd like to taste one, as I had only tasted lychee wine. It was sublime, so I ordered a drink that had lychee juice in it.

I have digestive issues, and there are some foods I simply cannot process. I asked for advice on the ramen, because all of the offerings had one or more of these foods in them. Together we worked through which one would be easiest to modify and also satisfy my taste buds. The ramen we chose was divine. I could have sat there all afternoon munching, drinking, while chatting, or reading.

I brought food home for my husband, and he likes fried rice so I selected shrimp and chicken fried rice and some gyoza. I had to taste his gyoza when he got off work, and it was quite delicious. I can't wait for him to try the fried rice so I can steal a shrimp or two!

I'm looking forward to my next trip to Norman, because I will be returning to InkFire to try something else. I hope you consider giving them a try, and don't be hesitant to ask questions or taste something you've never had before. As they say, variety is the spice of...

If I could give InkFire six stars, I absolutely would. This place took everything to the next level—the drink selection, the food, and the overall atmosphere were all beyond impressive. From the moment we stepped inside, it was clear this was going to be a standout experience. The staff, especially Heather and Mallory, were absolutely fantastic—so friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about what they were serving. They made our visit feel personal and memorable.

We had the pleasure of trying two different types of rice wine, sake, and a couple of unique vodkas—though I admit, the names of some of them escape me now! But every drink was expertly crafted, bursting with flavor, and unlike anything you’d find at a regular bar or restaurant. The variety and creativity of the cocktails were so much fun, and my friend Lisa and I couldn’t stop sampling everything. It was like a mini adventure for our taste buds!

As for the food—oh my goodness, where do I even start? I ordered the tempura shrimp and the crab Rangoons (though they went by a different name on the menu). Let me tell you, I have been drooling and dreaming about these dishes for two days now. Everything was cooked to perfection, bursting with fresh, rich flavors. I can’t wait to go back and indulge in more of their mouthwatering offerings.

The whole vibe of InkFire was just perfect—a romantic, laid-back atmosphere with a chill, welcoming energy. The layout itself was so thoughtfully designed, making it a perfect spot for a relaxing evening. Whether you're there for the incredible drinks, amazing food, or just to soak in the cozy ambiance, it’s the kind of place that keeps you coming back for more.

My friend Lisa and I had more fun at InkFire than we’ve had in any of our previous adventures around Norman. As someone who eats out often and writes anonymously for several publications in the greater OKC area, I can confidently say that InkFire will be my next feature in the "restaurants to discover" series. If you love ramen, enjoy exploring unique drinks, and want a place with great company and a fun atmosphere, look no further than InkFire. Come hungry, come ready to laugh, and prepare to have an...