Address: | 2611 SW 19th Avenue Rd, Ocala, FL 34471, USA |
Phone: | +1 352-237-2666 |
Site: | asianpopocala.com |
Rating: | 4.5 |
Working: | 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10:30PM 11AM–10:30PM 3–9PM |
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Deborah Collins
From their website: "An authentic, high-quality dining experience that is fun, quick, healthy, and affordable." This quick service joint is just that. It is similar to Chipotle with a Build your Own Box concept. The food here is inspired by Vietnamese vermicelli (bun), although your base can be salad or white or brown rice. Immediately when walking in you are hit with the smell of lemon-grass pork. Yum! The aroma is enough to know this food here is authentic. Although I was skeptical, almost unwilling to spend $8 for a portion of vermicelli (chilled rice noodle) that was smaller than I am used to getting at the typical pho place, the smell of authenticity was enough to change my mind. Im usually not a fan of "hipster"-like Asian places because I am spoiled by my authentic, sometimes hole in the wall places, be I was in Irvine and my friends were hungry, so here I was! I ordered a create your own box with lemongrass pork, pickled veggies, crispy shallots, bean sprouts, and peanuts over the chilled rice noodles with fish sauce. The meat was flavorful, fresh, tender, and not fatty. All flavors came together quite nicely. The fish sauce (the typical bun sauce) wasnt overpowering, however, I usually like a little more fishiness to this dish, so next time Ill ask for more on the side. The pickled veggies werent too tart/sour which is nice if you mix your whole box together when you eat this. And along with your choices, the box includes "sauce tossed veggies" which have a nice crunch and salty flavor. To drink, I ordered their lemon-lime marmalade which is their house lemonade with a jam added. Its not too sweet and the jam adds a nice sour bite to the beverage. Not a bad choice, but I was sad because it was too late at night to try their Vietnamese chicory coffee. Overall, the meal was delicious, however, the food wasnt my favorite part (surprise). I LOVE their sustainability. Their boxes are cardboard with a thin plastic top, the takeout bag is a brown paper bag, their cups, ramekins, and flatware are made with a more earth friendly plastic, and their straws are paper! On the way out, you can see that their trash has two options: recyclable and landfill. Although Im not always quick to spend a little extra for the food of my motherland, but I would proudly support Asian Box for their earth-friendliness. The food industry is a contributor to our waste, due to cleanliness standards and take out options, so any little effort a business makes means a whole lot. If you are in the area and are looking for quick viet food, I would highly recommend this spot. :) TL;DR: Yummy viet food and environmentally minded. I recommend it.
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Micah Patterson
Came in here because i was looking for a barber and this was across the street. I looked at the menu online and the food looked good. The pictures, however, do NOT do it justice. I got the shrimp bento box for lunch. I also got the fried calamari and a Lion King Roll. I got wayyy more than I should eat and nearly finished it all. The food, is just fantastic. I wanted to finish it but I was already to the point that I thought the lady was going to have to roll my butt out to the car. She was super friendly too and very attentive. Got me tea when I wanted some as well as explain some things on the menu as I was ignorant to 50% of it. I ate eel. Was crazy. The Lion King roll was absolutely delicious. The bento box, astounding. The fried squid, best ive had ever.
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Samantha Figueroa
This is the best Asian food in town!! This family owned establishment is clean, comfortable and we are treated like family when we eat here. The owner, Kevin, is always coming up with new food items to delight! They consistently have some sort of sale going on. Right now its buy 1, get 1 50% on select sushi rolls and the same goes for appetizers. The coconut shrimp bento box is to die for and comes with so much food, my boyfriend and I routinely share it and still take some home. If you get the chance, grab the sweetheart roll! Every dish is a master piece. I constantly recommend this place to others, as well as take friends and family here every chance I get.
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brittaneys352
Stopped by after a movie on Sunday and I was floored! My sushi was absolutely amazing!! My server suggested I add the bestfrienf roll to my volcano roll and it was perfect! So much flavor and it was more than I expected, my husband and I left with 2 to go boxes. My sons chicken fried rice was equally as good. I hate most of the fried rice in Gainesville but this was done just right! Fresh and tasty! The only downfall was the menu was a little confusing, there was a lot going on.
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Jeri Remington
Our second visit was even better than the first! The shumai was so delicate yet held up to chopsticks. Our waitress was wonderful (and adorable) I love the bento and my partner was impressed with the steak and scallop hibachi ( real scallops!) Theyve even got a passable kimchi which Ive never seen anywhere. And if you have any room left try the mochi ice cream. The strawberry was awesome. The decor is simple yet somehow perfect and the staff is great.
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Josh Meyers
Im from out of town, and I must say the service was nice, but the sushi was the worst I have ever had, the rice was warm, the meat was room temp at best, honestly was hard to get down.. Nice place, my drink stayed filled so thats the only plus I have for this place.. It has some great reviews so maybe I just caught it on a bad day.. But def wont be trying again
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Stephanie Michelle
I just went by for a quick snack after work, and it was so delicious! And the price was great! The place was very clean. No sticky counter tops or miscellaneous crumbs. :) I didnt find the staff to be AS friendly as Ive been hearing about, though. But maybe they were just tired. Anyways, Ill definitely be going back for a real meal soon! :)
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Carol Johnson
This is by far the best sushi in Ocala and the cheapest. We found this spot about a year ago and havent ate any where else since. We used to go to Tonys Sushi - but its just so over crowded, the sushi and drinks are mediocre. This place is quiet, has great service and really well made sushi. Defintly a must try. Cant beat the prices.
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Michele Garcia
Place was "ok" little run down in comparison to others. Sushi was ok, but all night I felt strange, only to wake up running to puke. Felt like crap all that day. So many great reviews, but as for me, its a no!! Ive been to better in Ocala. This is not the best.
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Mike Hughesii
Sushi was not very good at all! This was absolutely disgusting. The ginger dressing is watered down and has a weird taste. The miso soup is incredibly bland. The sriracha wasnt even good. Stop reading this review and go find a more appropriate place to eat.
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Jeremy DiFiore
Cant say enough about this place. Its so good and cheap I keep thinking its going to go out of business. Luckily, they are still rocking. Sushi is great with specials. Try the walnut/ coconut chicken. Servers are super polite. Highly recommended.
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Kelly Cahill
The quality of sushi is great especially considering the low prices. They also have a great selection of sushi. The Angry Bird roll is one of mine and my husbands favorites. The staff are friendly, however at times the service can be slow.