Joseph S.
Yelp
New pan Asian "noodle shop, with ramen and pho. Going to try to be constructive and balanced.
Ambience: none, unless you are a Gen Z newb to noodles. Bright, loud, hard "turn that table" seating, with pricing too high for what it is.
Food:
Pork- crab Soup Dumpling: excellent flavor, and the broth, what little there was of it, had a great, fatty palate. Problem: hard to tell it was a "soup" dumpling...almost no broth. So it was never there,or it leaked out in process. We made sure the dumpling skin did not tear on the paper liner and leak there. Though that was difficult...they need to rub or spray their steamer paper with a bit of light oil to keep their bao and such from sticking. But, really, when I order a soup dumpling, I want some broth in my spoon when I break the skin...or I don't think I am getting a Xiao long bao.
Crystal shrimp dumpling: get the shumai.
Barbecue pork bao: very flavorful filling...red pork with some brown sugar boost. Delightful steamed bun...full done and hot! Stuck to the steamer liner paper, though, so we're back to that issue.
Deluxe Beef Pho:: salty and underwhelming...NOT bone broth...beef broth-yes, but...too little elemental spicing....5-spices star anise...you know. The broth was just flat, when it should have been FORTIFYING...ENERVATING! But this was just not. ..
And no amount of hoisin, soy, leaf basil, lime or sriracha was going to get it where it was supposed to already be. The Tenderloin was moist and only partially cooked...LIKE IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE. not enough tendon...only 3 meatball halves...brisket dry but tender....lots of noodles at just the right texture as it cooked in the broth and as I consumed them.
service: 30% occupancy. Setups were chopsticks with ONE, 12x12, single-ply paper napkin. ...for a menu FULL of finger foods...edamame, spring rolls, barbecue bao...you get it. At least put napkin dispensers on the tables. ...and maybe some quality plastic setups for the "chopstick-impaired." ...or offer them at the beginning when order-taking.
Seemed like the wait staff may have been owners not used to that role...or just learning the ropes. Sat with an empty beer glass for 10 minutes while one guy was here and there, and another busy with refilling a fill straw-and-napkin holder at the door. Now, please don't get me wrong...they were charming and eager to please! It just seemed like they needed guidance. We NEVER felt unwelcome or deliberately ignored. These guys just opened in Feb, 2025, and they may just be a little...say, "unpracticed" in the trade.
In sum: Overpriced McNoodles.