She Said: Cherry Blossom Noodle Cafe blends Asian, Italian flavors in best way

Cherry Blossom Noodle Cafe, an interesting restaurant, is located in a strip mall off of 10th Street on the north side of Camelback Road in Phoenix.

I use the word “interesting” because I don’t think I have ever been to an Asian/Italian fusion restaurant before. The interior is welcoming and cozy with an Italian restaurant flare, while Asian aromas are pumping out of the kitchen, sending your senses into a confused but intrigued state.

We decided to stick to the Asian side of the menu and ordered some starters.

The summer rolls and vegetable tempura caught our eye. The summer rolls were your traditional spring roll filled with shrimp, crab, lettuce, avocado, cucumber and rice noodles all wrapped in light rice paper with a side of peanut dipping sauce.

Two full-size rolls cut into four pieces were the perfect size for an appetizer, leaving us plenty of room for our entrees.

The vegetable tempura consisted of a half-dozen seasonal veggies lightly battered and fried to a perfect airy crisp and was another nice beginning to our meal.

For an entrée, I ordered miso ramen with salmon. This noodle dish was delicious and surprisingly filling. The bowl arrived filled with green onion, corn, noodles and of course salmon. The miso broth,

The bowl arrived filled with green onion, corn, noodles and of course salmon. The miso broth, noodles and veggies had absorbed the flavors of the salmon giving this dish smoky and rustic flavors. There was absolutely no fishy taste present.

I happily slurped down each comforting bite as it warmed my belly on this uncommonly cool spring evening in Arizona. My dining companion ordered the Sansai Soba noodle soup, which she labeled as a “veggie lover’s dream soup.”

This restaurant has been on my radar for a while and I am glad I finally stopped in. Even though some say it has a bit of an identity crisis with their unique fusion, I did not think that reflected any part of our meal.

I am excited to go back and explore the Italian side of the menu.

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