Ramen and rolls make debut on South Sterling

Morganton’s newest Japanese restaurant opened Wednesday on South Sterling Street. Just in time for the cooler weather slowly creeping in, Origami offers build-your-own ramen, along with classic Japanese dishes.

Located in the former Captain D’s restaurant, Origami is owned by Julie Phan Bentley, whose family also owns Oishii and Nara Express in Lenoir. On the menu is a diverse selection of sushi rolls, rice plates, noodle plates, combination plates, appetizers, and ramen, which is something new for the family’s restaurants.

All ramen bowls start at $15, and customers can choose from Tonkotsu Original (pork), Spicy Tonkotsu (pork broth and spice), chicken broth, and Miso. Noodle options include Ramen, Udon, and spaghetti.

Toppings for the ramen include pork, beef, chicken, shrimp tempura, tofu, gyoza, seasoned egg, nori seaweed, cabbage, broccoli, mushrooms, bean sprouts, bok choy, green onions, sweet corn, and chili oil. Each topping ranges from 50 cents to $4.

Japanese restaurant classics are also featured on the menu, a decision that Bentley said was a no-brainer. Hibachi Chicken, Teriyaki Steak, Teriyaki Chicken, and more are included as rice plates, which range from $9 to $12.50.

There are 24 different sushi rolls to choose from, including the California and Philadelphia rolls on the classic menu. The Lava Flow roll on the cooked/fried rolls menu includes shrimp tempura, cream cheese, scallops, crab stick, spicy mayo, and sriracha. The Volcano roll is on the raw menu and features smoked salmon, cream cheese, zucchini, masago, and sriracha.

Origami is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.