NoRa Asian Fresh — Restaurant in Phoenix

I've been to this place twice.

I was excited for a new asian food place @ 19th & northern (considering chen wok has been terrible the few times I went) People often say you can judge asian take out on their Teriyaki/Orange chicken. Got one of each for me and the wife. They are both sub-par. Soggy fried orange chicken and a total lack of their bland teriyaki sauce on the chicken.

I figured I would give it another shot because it was pay day and wanted to treat myself. Got the Unagi (eel) bowl for takeout. My worry started when I heard them running the microwave on my order. When I got home I found 2 tablespoons of canned microwaved eel with maybe another 2 tablespoons of imitation crab salad and a few slices of avocado and cucumber to make the bowl look more full. You're better off going to new tokyo market @ 35th and northern and buying a can of eel for $3 because you'll get way more for your money.

This place doesn't try to be good. The owner, who sits at his laptop all day and refuses to wear a mask, makes it very clear he doesn't care how the food is prepared.

If you want a variety menu for the same price with way better food go to Akihana (Mr.Sushi) in the mini-mall at I-17 and Northern.

You're better off going to Mr. Wongs at 19th and Peoria. Or Lucky King at 43rd and Northern. Both places give tastier options with more food.

Gave it 2 stars because it wasn't terrible and they had a variety of menu items (that I won't be back to try), plus...

First time coming here with my sister, and it was very quiet and clean inside(more spacious than expected)

The food was awesome and filling, I’d just say that the nigiri plate isn’t for first time sushi eaters like me b/c that was a LOT to handle. Spicy roll though, great. Always try the orange chicken at any establishment that offers it to test theirs out, and with the rice, it was crispy and delicious. The fried rice was well portioned and dumplings came out crispy, although I’d thought they’d needed a lil bit of seasoning or, in the case of the rice, a protein to accompany it to give it that ummph. But otherwise they were good.

Saw a few reviews about the approachability or service from the counter, and yes it was a lil too quiet of an interaction, compared to say other places where they appear giddy and ready to talk to you. However, they were polite from what I’d gotten and they were right to the point with order taking, making sure you got what you want in an orderly fashion. I believe that yes, hospitality is a key role in the continuation of a customer to business relationship, and I think they do that in their own manner that some may or may not like.

Overall, I’d think I’d come back, maybe not get the nigiri until I’m ready haha. But I’d give this a try for...

My first time here. I almost passed this place as it blends in with the other buildings so the restaurants gets lost. I ordered the chicken chow mein and some shrimp fried rice with two egg rolls. First in, the egg rolls., OMG! The way they were prepared was almost perfect. The color was a nice golden light brown, they were not greasy and the stuffing inside was just tasty. Then came the chicken chow mein. The texture of the noodles was on point. The portion, excellent and the colors were excellent. Finally, the shrimp fried rice. Again the color and the texture were perfect. Nothing was squishy or mushy and none of these dishes. The shrimp fried rice, the shrimp were nice size and perfectly seasoned, not overcooked, again, on point.

And now for the service, it was almost immediate. She smiled and that represents the restaurant and other employees. Oh wait, her voice was beautiful. I thought she was going to sing when she spoke. Overall, well done. I know I will be going back over here again and again. We just moved into the neighborhood and we were looking for some good Asian food and did not want to go to the big box Bear restaurant down the street so this one out of all the nearby Asian food restaurants took the win. WELL DONE! 💯...