Monday Munchies: Fayetteville's Rice Forest
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The niku udon. Photo: Worth Sparkman/Axios
If you're willing to brave college students on the run from their meal plan, a new Asian fusion restaurant in Fayetteville is worthy of your time.
The vibe: Rice Forest was packed on a recent weeknight — partly because its footprint is minuscule, partly because it's new.
- But waiting for a table was a no-brainer once the fragrance from the kitchen hit my nose.
- It's no-frills, order-at-the-counter-and-take-a-number-to-the-table service, but clean and bright.
Best bites: The fave dish was the Sichuan dumplings ($9) with chicken, served in chili oil. A touch of heat, but nothing to be afraid of. The six-dumpling appetizer was gone in short order.
- I opted for the teriyaki chicken ($15) made with grilled thigh meat and steamed rice. Though I'm only so-so on thigh meat, I found the dish to be exactly what I'd hoped for.
My companion ordered a ramen dish of beef, thick noodles and a soy broth (niku udon, $16).
- She loved the noodles and broth, but admits she made a bad choice with the beef because she doesn't normally like it.
"I'll order something different next time," she said, emphasizing there would be a next time.
- I found it to be awesome.
Check it out: Monday-Wednesday, 11am-3pm and 5pm-8pm; Thursday-Saturday, 11am-3pm and 5pm-9pm and Sunday 11am-3pm.
- Located at 2117 M.L.K. Jr. Boulevard in Fayetteville.