Bao and Broth

Ok, I understand it is super difficult to pick when you come into Optimist Hall. I have had many of these spots, and they are yummy. Today Bao and Broth was amazing!! I had the seasonal special Ramen of Pork belly and kimchi. Oh yeah! I'll have to come back for a couple buns. Not today though. I am stuffed. Oh yeah, they have lychee tea too!! It is super awesome. I love lychee! Worth the visit! Free parking for 90 minutes as well, so a spot to chill as well.

I am pleased I agreed to choose the recommended chilled ramen bowl along with the jack fruit bao buns. The ramen was not ice cold but a chilled temperature perfect for summer. The flavors were robust. The bao buns were also layered with flavors and various textures to tantalize the palate. To top off the meal I had the lychee lemonade. I thoroughly enjoyed these selections and can't wait to have them again. I recommend Bao and Broth when visiting Optimist Hall.

I've eaten here over the years and it seems like the ramen flavors have reduced. The spicy pork ramen isn't spicy and does not have flavor. There's no depth that you would expect with ramen broth, so I'm assuming it's quickly made versus the typical long process used to develop complex flavors in ramen broth. If you happen to have leftovers, when reheated there is more flavor, so that supports my theory of more time needed to develop the flavors. I come back every few months to give it another chance, but this is my last time coming here for a while. Quick and convenient, but bland taste. With so many more ramen options in the city than when bao & broth first opened I cannot in good conscience recommend coming here.

The second time around I appreciated it more however the noodles were hard. Ive had all kinda of Ramen and the noodles were not aldente soooo… anywho. I had the spicy pork ramen and the pork was very good and I think it had a miso egg in it which I appreciated. My friend got a side of Kimchi and it tasted really good but y’all, that was a .99 cent serving not worth $3. I’d come back here only for the pork. The ramen, I can make better at home.I also had the KFC bun… guys… I wish businesses would stop Americanising something that its already good in its own culture. Just saying….

The miso chicken is incredible. It’s a huge portion so expect to be full. The broth alone you could just sip on its own. Highly suggest trying this place next time you visit Optimist Hall! 😎👍

The food was delicious. Highly recommend. Not a ton of meat so I got extra.

The bao and broth were good, but honestly, the standout star for us was the pork belly!! I might even venture to say this was the best pork belly I've ever had, it was delicious, melt in your mouth, and still had a good meaty texture and flavor. Highly recommend getting anything with that. The bao was creative and fantastic. I also recommend the lychee tea.

Food was eh for what we paid and the guy taking our order seemed more bothered that he had to take our order and not talk to chicks. I watched him go from smiling and helping a girl in front of us to tossing an extra bowl at my wife instead of handing it to her.