Hey, fishcakes. 🍥

Where to get ramen and pho in Columbia SC

Look for the glowing neon sign in the window of Menkoi Ramen House. | Photo by COLAtoday

Soup season is upon us, and what better way to stay warm than to cozy up with a steamy bowl of ramen or pho?

Oh — and fun fact, the word “pho” is commonly pronounced as “fuh.” Don’t believe us? Check it out pho yourself.

We asked for your recommendations on our social media for the hottest noodle bowls in town — and here are some of the spots you noodle pho-natics shared with us:

🍲 Boku Kitchen and Saloon, 916 Gervais St. | This Pan-Asian restaurant has several pho options and is a go-to spot for the Dim Sum Brunch.

🍲 Black Rooster, 201 Meeting St. | A “Frenchish” restaurant with ramen? You read that right. Chef Alex Strickland cooks up a special ramen recipe every Tuesday at the West Cola spot.

🍲 Duke’s Pad Thai, 904 Knox Abbott Dr., Cayce | We heard you loud and clear. A lot of our readers love Duke’s Pad Thai. At Duke’s, you can choose from eight different broths on the Noodle Bar with a variety of veggie and protein options.

🍲 Menkoi Ramen House, 1004 Gervais St. | Just a block from the State House in the Vista glows a neon sign that reads “Ramen House.” Inside, you will find a variety of Japanese ramen dishes, from Tokotsu Ramen with marinated pork and fishcake to a spicy bowl to help clear up any sinus issues.

All this for $10? Eat your heart out. | Photo by COLAtoday team

Whether you’ve been eating these foods for a while or you’re just starting out, we’ve also created a short list of terms to help you better navigate the menu.

Dim Sum: Cantonese style of steamed dumplings prepared in small bite-sized portions.
Ramen: Typically, ramen noodles are long and elastic. There are some varieties like thin and straight + thick and wavy.
Soba: Spaghetti-thick noodles made of buckwheat flour that can be eaten either hot or cold.
Tempura: Lightly battered, deep-fried seafood + vegetables.
Udon: Thick noodles made of wheat flour.

FOUR MORE OPTIONS THIS WAY

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Wednesday, January 25

Winter Stars Planetarium Experience | Wed., Jan. 25 - Sun., Feb. 12 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St., Columbia | $11.95 - $13.95 | Explore the beauty of the night sky in the South Carolina State Museum’s 55-ft. digital dome planetarium.
Voices from Ukraine | Wed., Jan. 25 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | femme x COLUMBIA, 1501 Richland St., Columbia | Ana Sazonov and femme x member, Oksana Vobiachenko are partnering together to bring a meaningful panel discussion with other local Ukrainian community members.

Thursday, January 26

Live In The Lobby: Admiral Radio | Thu., Jan. 26 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St., Columbia | $15- $20 | Catch local folk duo Admiral Radio perform in the scenic lobby of the Koger Center.
Modern Shag Night | Thu., Jan. 26 - Thu., Oct. 26 | 8:30-11 p.m. | $5 | Bill’s Music Shop, 710 Meeting St., West Columbia | Enjoy a Shag lesson from 8:30-9 p.m., and stay to dance until 11 p.m.

Friday, January 27

The Water Kickers “Winter Alone” Single Release Concert | Fri., Jan. 27 | 6:30-10 p.m. | The Living Room, 6729 Two Notch Rd., Suite 70, Columbia | $10 | A songwriter collaboration of Kelley and Brodie Porterfield, The Water Kickers celebrate the release of their newest single “Winter Alone.”

Saturday, January 28

Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition | Sat., Jan. 28 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Spears Center for the Arts, Columbia College, 1300 Columbia College Dr., Columbia | Free | The Metropolitan Opera Company of New York sponsors the Laffont Competition in 42 locations in North America to identity young talented singers for the opera world.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

7 secrets to know about hiring a financial advisor 👀

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SmartAsset is a hassle-free way to find vetted financial advisers in your area. | Photo by SmartAsset

Life should be a balance of adventure and relaxation — not finances. Enter: Working with a financial advisor. But choosing the wrong one could potentially wreak havoc on your retirement and investments.

Check out these seven secrets comfortable retirees know about hiring one, so you can get back to the balance that matters most.

Pro tip: For simplicity, try this free tool to get matched with up to three vetted financial advisors serving your area.*

GET YOUR FREE MATCHES

Weather

67º | Thunderstorms | 100% chance of rain

Opening

Clutch Coffee Bar (4716 Devine St.) is hosting a grand opening on Saturday, Jan. 28 and is offering free 16 oz drinks all day. The new to-go coffee spot is also giving away four $25 give cards. Learn how to enter here. ☕

Coming Soon

A new Frank’s Car Wash is set to open soon at 109 Main St. in Blythewood, located just passed Blythewood High School. This will be the 14th Frank’s Car Wash in the Midlands, keeping cars looking spick and span. An exact opening date has not been announced. 🧼 (The State)

Closed

The Baskin-Robbins on Forest Drive near Lowes Foods has closed. The location at 9920 Two Notch Rd., near Sesquicentennial State Park, is still open for you to enjoy all 31 flavors. 🍦

Community

Are you one of Cola’s next leaders? Applications are now open for the Columbia Chamber’s Leadership Columbia program for the class of 2024. Around 60 applicants will be selected for the program to build social and community awareness to serve the Midlands.

Civic

A special election will be held on Tuesday, March 28 for the open City of Columbia District Four seat. The two candidates vying for the seat are Beatrice King and Peter M. Brown. The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming election is February 27. 🗳️

Eat

The City of Columbia is continuing its Food Truck Fridays program hosting trucks in the REI Co-op parking lot in the BullStreet District. Stop by Friday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. to grab lunch from Carolina Donut Diva, Chuckie Cheezz Steaks & Hoagiez, or the Come Back Food Truck.
Looking to add some new dinner recipes to your 2023 rotation? We’re bookmarking this sesame chicken stir fry, this citrus salmon, and this slow-cooked pork roast. 🍳*

Health

Why is giving blood so important? Hear from a lifelong American Red Cross blood donor on why he gives + what to consider if thinking about donating blood.*

Drink

Going dry this month? Give it your all with Athletic Brewing Company’s non-alcoholic craft beers. From IPAs to goldens, they have brews for whenever + wherever works for you. Use this easy tool to find out where you can snag a six-pack locally. 🍻 *

Fact or Fiction

Facial hair commonly appears in women — fact or fiction? (Looking at you, stubborn chin, jaw, and upper lip hairs.) Get the answer.*

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A pipeline to the pros ⚽

Soda City FC partners with Flower City Union

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Soda City FC works to build the soccer community for all Midlands soccer fans. | Photo by @miles_silber

Columbia’s soccer team, Soda City FC, announced a partnership with Flower City Union (Rochester, NY) and is now in the Official UPSL Mid Atlantic Premier Division.

Founded in 2020 as a way for area soccer players to extend their playing careers, the new deal will help with the pipeline by creating an amateur to professional pathway for Midlands players. The deal will also guide the future growth of the club through business development, guidance, and connections (think: trial opportunities for SCFC players).

If you’re interested in lacing back up, Soda City FC will host a tryout on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at 6671 St. Andrews Rd. RSVP here and get ready to bend it like Beckham.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by David.

Editor’s pick: My personal favorite noodle bar in town is Duke’s Pad Thai and I don’t usually get Ramen. My go-to is the Green Curry and the Thai Chicken Salad. I’m also looking forward to them opening Little Bee Bun Mee next door later this year.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Check out our guide to dog-friendly businesses in Cola, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Samantha Robertson, David Stringer, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith| Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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