With similar names, signs and menus, College Park’s many Asian restaurants can be hard to tell apart. But these are worth a shot:
Pho D’Lite
Pho D’Lite isn’t the best pho joint in the county — that would be Pho 88 past Ikea — but it’s certainly the best within walking distance of the campus, and a very pleasant place to enjoy a meal.
The signature Pho D’Lite offers a good mix of textures paired with hearty broth, and vermicelli bowls are great for the hot months; a fresher, lighter take on standard Asian takeout. The service and ambiance at Pho D’Lite are a serious cut above most other area Asian restaurants.
Ivy Noodles
Ivy Noodles is the only place in College Park where you can find he fen, udon, Cantonese egg noodles, lo mein and rice noodles all under the same roof, along with more traditional Chinese/American-Chinese fare. The wonton noodle soup has a killer mix of great wontons and good noodles in a decent broth, and the pork and preserved egg congee hits the Chinese comfort food sweet spot. Ivy Noodles also has speedy phone and online delivery service.
Shanghai Cafe
There are a ton of American-Chinese restaurants near the campus. Almost all of them (I’m looking at you, Seven Seas) are decent, but few are as remarkably consistent as Shanghai Cafe when it comes to cooking up greasy General Tso’s chicken or murky hot and sour soup. If you’ve ever been to a Panda Express, you know most of what Shanghai Cafe has to offer — there are a few authentic Chinese dishes, but results are scattershot. Dining in is a considerably less endearing experience, but delivery is quick and reliable.
Wasabi Bistro
Wasabi Bistro beats out all the area sushi restaurants by virtue of convenience — it’s a one-stop shop for bubble tea, froyo and tasty Japanese morsels. Wasabi offers plenty of combos and box meals for value-seeking Terps, as well as the deliciously unique sushi pizza. Appetizers are also tasty — check out the crunchy, savory scallion cake and crispy pork gyoza.
