A new dining option on the South Dakota State University campus seems to be striking the interest of students.
RAMEN at Larson Commons offers students a customizable ramen and poke bowl concept. The restaurant features ramen bowls, as well as options that allow students to select from a variety of broths, proteins, noodles and toppings.
Additionally, there are three fresh poke bowl options: classic, California and volcano. Executive chef Edgar Sepulveda emphasized the quality and speed of the food.
“It’s the most authentic ramen and poke in town,” Sepulveda said. “Nothing is ever frozen, and most is ready in three minutes.”
The new eatery is part of a rotating dining experience. The space will be updated with a new concept each semester.
“I’m excited to see what kind of food next semester will bring,” Sepulveda added.
A significant amount of time has been invested in planning the new RAMEN location, said Julia Neer, district manager for Sodexo.
“The location for RAMEN was made possible through the renovation of Larson Commons,” she said. “RAMEN complements other campus dining options while bringing something entirely new to the table. The demand for something new was something that many students had requested.”
Junior animal science and agricultural science major Peyton Meyer said she was looking forward to the change.
“I was excited because I love ramen,” Meyer said. “I was just excited for there to be something new, especially since Erbert & Gerbert’s kind of took the old rotating spot. I was glad that there was just a new place.”
The addition, the new RAMEN restaurant on campus has sparked numerous conversations among students. For many, it brings a welcome sense of variety and freshness to the campus dining options.
“It’s a little bit pricier, but it’s good, quality food,” Meyer said. “It tastes good. And it’s on campus, so you don’t have to go very far to get it, so it’s convenient.”
Sodexo officials are eager to hear student feedback as the company continues building the dining experience at SDSU.
“RAMEN represents a continued commitment to diversifying dining at SDSU,” Neer said. “It’s a place where students can experiment with flavors, enjoy a quick, customizable meal and discover their next favorite dish right in the heart of campus.”
RAMEN is located in between Young and Binnewies halls and is open Monday through Friday, from 10:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4-8 p.m.
