My ideal girls day out consists of window shopping, buying new trinkets and having a delicious, one-of-a-kind meal – all within walking distance. Sazan Ramen in The Crescent shopping center is my go-to spot to fuel up during one of these perfect days out.
The Crescent shopping center offers an experience like no other. Just a few miles from the University of Texas’ campus, the center is filled with Asian grocery options, gift shops, K-pop stores and more. Out of all the food options, the best place to spend your dollar is Sazan Ramen. Its ramen has been my go to for many occasions like joyous birthdays or much needed mental health days. Regardless of the reason, going to Sazan is always a fun event.
As we enter soup season, Sazan offers a chic ambiance paired with a comfy bowl of ramen. My go-to is the spicy paitan with vegan broth and chicken.
Though I love all aspects of this ramen, the broth is the star of the show. It’s rich and creamy with the added kick from their spice bomb, which includes a blend of tobanjan chili, garlic and ginger. As someone who doesn’t eat red meat, I sometimes have a tough time finding a more customizable bowl of ramen, but Sazan accommodates my diet respectfully.
Krittka Adlurbellur, a Sazan employee, said the restaurant makes an effort to accommodate all their customer’s palettes and needs.
“We have a lot of diverse people who come in who want different options, whether it be gluten-free noodles or vegan options,” Adlurbellur said. “We try to make that as available to everyone that we can.”
Sazan’s ability to offer versatile dishes is why it’s perfect for any friend group. For instance, if someone in your group is not feeling noodles, they can spring for Sazan’s wings and fries. Or if you want to get something for the table, go for one of their appetizers like takoyaki and tempura.
Just like the rest of their menu, their cocktails and mocktails are creative and always hit the spot. Like me, Adlurbellur prefers the spicy paitan, so she opts for a sweet and citrusy cocktail to balance out the heat.
“My favorite (drink) is the Sunday School. It has mezcal, hibiscus syrup, ginger and yuzu … it’s well balanced and delicious,” Adlurbellur said.
Sazan sets the scene with a great music selection, soft lighting and comfortable seating. Juli, an employee at one of The Crescent shopping center’s gift shops, has been a customer of the restaurant for around two years.
“I think it has its own atmosphere … I like the aesthetics and they remember you if you go in there a lot, which is cool,” Juli said.
Juli gets the signature paitan, a spice bomb on the side and an extra marinated, jammy egg (ajitama). She said she likes that the menu allows her to put her own spin on the original dish.
If you’re someone who enjoys a sweet treat, you can even get one of Sazan’s mochis to cool down after a hot bowl of soup. If you and your friends can’t decide on a dessert at the restaurant, no worries! Look to some of the neighbouring bakeries and boba shops and you’ll find something for everyone.
After slurping down my ramen, I love to take a stroll to delay my inevitable food coma. Conveniently, there are plenty of places in the shopping center you can explore after your meal. From grocery shopping to Hello Kitty keychains, you can find anything your heart desires at The Crescent. My friends and I love stopping by the bookstore Kinokuniya to get Mofusand and Smiskis blind boxes.
“Daiso is a good go-to place. It has everything and Kinokuniya if you’re an anime nerd – it’s the perfect place for me,” Juli said.
There are many restaurants in The Crescent, but Sazan stands out to me. The ramen restaurant shows its care for its customers through its inclusivity of food choices and welcoming environment. I often feel like my dietary restrictions are a burden when going out in a group of people, but Sazan ensures that every customer leaves their doors well fed and satisfied.
