What happened to the ramen bowls?

On April 21, St. Olaf’s newest lunch option debuted: sushi burritos. The thick rolls are offered in five different styles, including tuna, salmon, and tofu options. The sushi burritos replace the ramen bowls from the Chopstix line, which have been discontinued.

Bon Appétit Board Manager Rick Parris says the main reason for the change was due to underperforming numbers with the ramen line. When St. Olaf opened two additional meal swipe concepts at the beginning of the school year, MedExpress — Mediterranean-inspired bowls dubbed “MedBowls” — and Chopstix, it was to make service faster and shorten the lines. From the beginning, however, the ramen line was struggling to meet expectations.

“It wasn’t nearly as popular as we were hoping it was going to be,” Parris said. 

According to Parris, the ramen bowls were cumbersome to serve. Students had to fill out a sheet listing their toppings, and the chef then had to cook the dish while others waited. As a result, the ramen line only served 50 to 70 students per meal period, far below the targeted goal of around 300.

When researching new options for the space, sushi concepts repeatedly stood out as successful.

“It’s an item that you can quickly grab. It’s already mostly prepared, so the lines move pretty quickly, and they are a food that is easily transportable,” Parris said.  

Implementation was a more difficult process. The equipment is expensive — the sushi-rolling machine cost about $30,000 — and because raw fish is a regulated item, staff must regularly complete temperature logs.

By and large, however, the first week was a success. The line was able to serve over 300 students per meal period and had an overall positive reception. 

“I think it’s really nice to have it as a meal swipe option,” said Cordelia Smith ’25. 

Smith has purchased sushi from the C-store and the Cage before, so she was excited to see a meal-swipe option available. 

I feel like [the sushi roll] is definitely better portion-wise. And like, actually makes me feel full upon eating it,” Smith said. 

Another first-time sushi burrito consumer, Iza Russe ’27, agreed.

“I know a lot of people really like MedBowls… so it’s an alternative for maybe a day where you’re not feeling MedBowls or want something a little bit different,” Russe said. 

According to Parris, students can expect the sushi burrito line to continue into next year, or possibly be offered at the Cage instead, though he noted the final decision will be made by St. Olaf leadership, not Bon Appétit.