It’s time for a palate cleanser.
Italy to Japan, France to Laos, Mexico to Vietnam – Oklahoma is filled with opportunities to get an authentic taste of culturally diverse cuisines, many right here on Adventure Road. Come along as we highlight a few special restaurants with a quality of food and experience that speak for themselves and will have you coming back for more.
Cover image provided by Quit Nguyen.
Ramen in the Paseo Arts District
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You’ll understand why the Paseo’s resident ramen shop is so popular upon first taste. The rich broth. The soft noodles. The crunchy vegetables. You can tell each bowl is prepared with love and expertise. Don’t forget to order a craft cocktail and shareables like fried Brussels sprouts, Tokyo Hot Chicken and Nikumans, Japanese steam buns filled with everything from fried chicken to pork belly, vegetables and delicious sauces.
Authentic French Cuisine at La Baguette Bistro
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Image from La Baguette Bistro.
Crêpes, béarnaise, niçoise, croque-monsieur – La Baguette Bistro has all of the traditional French dishes in addition to an ever-changing menu of specials. With its own boucherie and bakery, this is also a popular spot to pick up items for a special at-home meal, but we encourage you to enjoy the full experience with its ambient dining room. If you want an authentic taste of France, look no further; the restaurant was started by French natives and brothers Michel and Alain.
Laotian Dishes in the Plaza District
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Image provided by @quitnguyen..
“Ma Der!” is a Laotian phrase meaning, “Come eat!” And you’ll want to, over and over again, once you get a taste of Ma Der Lao, recognized on Top 50 lists by both Bon Appétit and The New York Times. Dishes like papaya salad, aromatic chicken, crispy rice salad, fried pork spareribs and spicy mushroom stew are always on the menu, but be on the lookout for Freestyle Friday features like the Sakoo: steamed Lao dumplings filled with sweet and savory pork, peanuts and preserved radish wrapped with tapioca pearls.
Pho-nomenal Vietnamese Food in the Asian District
With $2.85 in his pocket, Duy Tran started a life in America in a refugee camp after being displaced by the fall of Saigon. Working his way up through various kitchen jobs, he never thought he would one day return to that kind of work, much less create one of the area’s most beloved pho shops. Pho Cuong, located on Classen in the Asian District, has been serving up Duy’s comfortingly flavorful soups and expertly crafted Vietnamese dishes for the past 28 years. If you’re in the mood to explore Vietnamese cuisine, there’s no place like Pho Cuong.
A Taste of Brasil in Midtown
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Image from Café do Brasil..
In the heart of Midtown, Café do Brasil is “the place to savor authentic and scrumptious regional dishes and stellar caipirinhas.” Filled with color, delicious scents and music, guests will have a chance to taste the authentic flavors of Brazilian cuisine through dishes like Picanha (grilled 9 oz. steak served with rice, collard greens, black beans and chimichurri sauce) and Espirito da Terra (slowly braised pork ribs fried to perfection, topped with caramelized onions and served with rice, collard greens, fried yuka, black-eyed pea and pinto bean vinaigrette).
Wood-Fired Italian Pizza on Campus Corner
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Founded by a second-generation Italian with the dream of serving the best wood-fired Neapolitan pizza this side of the Atlantic, Volare Pizzeria believes pizza to be the people’s food. It serves up authentic pies piping hot from an oven straight from Italy. Bring a friend or bring a date to enjoy happy hour specials on the rooftop bar from 4-6 p.m.
Classic Favorites at Casa Romo Cocina Mexicana
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Born on the outskirts of San Juan de los Lagos in Jalisco, Mexico, Jose and Socorro Romo opened Ardmore’s Casa Romo Cocina Mexicana in 2002. Since then, Casa Romo has moved into a unique 100-year-old building preserved with historical integrity intact and continues to serve hot and fresh Mexican dishes to the Ardmore community. In addition to margaritas that require two hands, the menu includes all of the tried-and-true favorites, like quesadillas, fajitas, tacos, tamales and enchiladas. Plus there are Casa Romo’s house specialties, like the Mexican-style shrimp cocktail, potato enchiladas, brisket tacos and the avocado burger.
Japanese & Latin Fusion in Automobile Alley
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Image from Yuzo Sushi Tapas.
At Yuzo Sushi Tapas, you get to taste what’s at the intersection of Japanese and Latin cuisine. Start with gyoza, steam buns or blue crab poppers before moving onto ramen, poke bowls and rice bowls. Don’t miss Yuzo’s innovative sushi rolls, like the Latino roll (fried shrimp, cream cheese, asparagus topped with avocado, pico, crab mix and chili aurora), Elotes (California roll with a dynamic sweet corn topping, chili powder and parmesan) and Casa Blanca (fried shrimp, cream cheese, cucumber, avocado, snapper, pico and spicy ponzu).
Italian Comfort Food at WinStar World Casino and Resort
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The World’s Biggest Casino transports you to the heart of Italy with Vino’s Italian Kitchen, located in the Paris Gaming Plaza. Cozy up with mouth-watering dishes like gnocchi Bolognese and grilled chicken artichoke flatbread, as well as classics like chicken marsala and shrimp scampi. Paired with an impressive wine selection, Vino’s is the perfect gathering place to wind down after heart-pounding fun on the milelong gaming floor.
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What restaurants do you visit for new, exciting flavors?