In a city lacking solid ramen options, Xinji does not help fill the void. It's also unfortunately declined in quality over the years while prices have crept up. It's primely located on Lorain Ave with a decent amount of street parking around, and usually decently busy at dinner times. The dining room is ample with a view of the open kitchen which provides some level of hope. However, hope diminishes as the time between sitting down and getting the menu to a staff member bringing water or taking your order extends. The menu really isn't too long and the main decision is whether you're feeling a bowl of steaming noodles or a rice bowl, and whether you're hungry enough to indulge in apps like the bao or kimchi balls. The Pork Bao used to be a reliable taster in anticipation of the entree with a more interesting flavor blending sesame, soy and hoisin, but more recently it tastes like someone took leftover pulled pork from a weekend BBQ and slapped it in a rice bun. The Kimchi Balls are nice, with a satisfying crunch to them, but quite heavy if you're getting more than one. Good ramen broth is a labor of love, but it shouldn't take 30+ minutes to receive ramen at a restaurant dedicated to ramen. Even more disappointing is when it's just average ramen, salty without the savory umami kick that an enjoyable bowl delivers. The added egg ($1.50) does come perfectly jammy and the noodles have a comforting chew, but both are cool temperature wise and detract from the heartiness of the noodle bowl. I found myself gulping down water to offset the saltiness of the food, but the staff, though very pleasant, seemed too overwhelmed to come back and refill the water when our flask was empty. Will probably not be returning for the barely average ramen with other good noodle soup options in existence. read more

I wish there were more ramen options in cleveland because it is so satisfying to slurp some warm broth and noodles on a cold night. Thanks to xinji for offering that comfort! We came Friday night and were quickly seated and offered cucumber water. The fried chicken bao is a must!!! It was soooooo crispy and juicy and was huge! The Korean sauce was a perfect compliment and had a tiny spice kick. The garlic tonkatsu was flavorful and filling. I added a soy egg to it which was tasty but was a little cold. We loved that the menu had a noodle with no broth as an option too! Can't wait to come back! read more

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Had the opportunity to try Xinji Noodle Bar a few weeks ago. Located near Ohio City, Xinji is a fresh and laid back restaurant with a variety of vegetarian friendly food options. We had a large group so we made reservations in advance. The restaurant would not seat us until our entire party arrived. The food itself was a hit or miss. The crispy vegetarian dumplings, vegetarian kimchi balls, and bao were delicious. The kimchi balls were perfectly crisped with a nice tangy flavor. Some people in our group tried the vegetarian tonkatsu ramen and were less impressed by the flavor. The service was timely and the servers were extremely attentive to our large group. Parking is fairly easy as there are a ton of street parking options near the area. Overall, a decent spot for vegetarians. Recommend the non ramen options for more flavor and variety! read more

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Came on a Friday for lunch and it lively but was still able to get a table. Lots of seating. Service was quick and friendly. We shared the pork dumplings and they were delicious. I got the Miso Ramen and actually wish I had gotten the spicy because I asked for a side of chili paste after it had arrived. Definitely get the soy egg add on (soy sauce marinated) read more

Xinji Noodle Bar - Pork Dumplings - Noodles Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Fast & friendly service. Clean environment. Tasty food. One of the best ramens I've had around cle - clean taste, delicious pork belly, healthy serving size, and great flavor! Would recommend! Wanted to try the bao that other reviews show but it wasn't in the menu read more

Xinji Noodle Bar - Black garlic ramen, spicy miso ramen - Noodles Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

xinji is definitely my favorite restaurant for ramen or food in general that I frequent. it's usually busy but the service is always fast and the staff is friendly. my favorite is the black garlic ramen (i like to add corn and a soy egg). All around solid restaurant connect with me on IG: @tableforjsmn read more

Xinji Noodle Bar - Noodles Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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My group of five and I met at Xinji Noodle Bar near Ohio City on a rainy Saturday evening. Parking is street-parking only, but I did not struggle in finding a nearby spot. FYI; They will only seat you once the entire party is here but there is a waiting area. The first thing I noticed upon arriving was how dark it was inside! It gave me serious Amba vibes! It was hard to read the menu, take a quality picture, or even see what you are eating! My vegetarian group of friends were all huge fans of the spicy vegetarian ramen and stated that, based on prior visits here, that the non-spicy version is not very good. The only other meat eater and I shared a fried chicken bao. The bao bread was light and fluffy and the fried chicken was chock-full of spices! Yum! My black garlic tongatsu ramen was incredibly delicious and unique. You could really taste the age of the 72-hour pork broth. I did not try the variety of vegetarian dishes the rest of my group ordered but they looked good. Just an FYI that the waiter will ask if you want a soy or poached egg with your meal, indicating that the egg is included and she is just asking how you'd like it, but the egg is actually an extra $1.50! I was very surprised by this upon seeing my bill but I definitely wasn't going to fight it over such a low amount. They probably count on people not fighting the secret charge to make additional money. I get that it should be extra but that needs to be made clear by the waitstaff when asking if we would want one. I don't regularly drink alcohol so I didn't order myself a cocktail, but my group ordered the Frozen Lychee cocktail and the Blue Yuzu cocktail. I tried a sip of the lychee drink and loved it! It tasted just like those lychee jellies I would buy by the gallon container in college and eat when I wanted a very sweet, fruity jelly. Overall, I give this place a 4 out 5. I enjoyed my food as did the rest of my party, but there are some annoyances that need to be fixed. I plan on coming back soon. read more

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This is an awesome, really cute spot that feels cozy--like you're eating at home. The food and service are average, but it's still a nice place to grab dinner, whether it's a casual weekday meal or a weekend bite before heading out. While I wouldn't choose it for a special celebration, it's perfect for a quick ramen stop to warm up on a cold day. A great option for laid-back dining! read more

Love the atmosphere. Kinda romantic and cozy. The service was wonderful. I had kimchi balls and bao. Definitely will be back to try the noodles! The Thai tea was very tasty as well. read more

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I cannot say enough about how amazing this place is. Everything we've had there has been unbelievably delicious. The fact that many of their items are either already vegetarian or can be made vegetarian is a huge plus. Their Bao are seriously the best I've had. They are so soft and fluffy. The ramen is a big portion and reheats well for leftovers. They add Japanese pumpkin to it which has a great taste and texture. They have yummy cocktails too. Definitely add it to your list of restaurants to try! read more

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Very tasty! The meat (pork belly and pulled pork) that we got in the ramen was soft and pulled apart super easy, good flavor. The KFC was SOOOOOO good, the crisp stands up against the sauce and doesn't get soggy. The sauce has a hint of heat and the flavor is awesome ! Good service! The kimchi ball sampler is also delicious ! read more

Xinji Noodle Bar - Black garlic ramen , KFC boneless (not pictured kimchi balls we devoured them ) - Noodles Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Very nice spot for ramen in Cleveland. We came in with a group of 8 for a bachelorette party. Seating was mildly unconventional but they made it work for us -- they pushed together two round tables on the patio for us. Service was friendly and fast! Food was great. I got the crispy veggie dumplings and the pork bao. Both were wonderful. The bao were good, but i thought the dumplings were phenomenal. Others at my table got the kimchi balls and the ramen and LOVED what they got. read more

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My daughter gave me two options Xinji or another place I chose this one also because I wanted to try it when I drove past it before it was a good choice the inside is set up pretty nice the lighting was dim but not to much so it was like a soft setting to eat to and there were little seats and tables in the window space where you can sit criss cross applesauce lol it just sounds funny saying that but I think that's pretty awesome the service was good the waitress explained some of the dishes because I've never been here before I chose the Spicy Miso Ramen it was very good the broth was great everything was good in it but the broth put this on point I would say the miso hit the spot on this one I definitely recommend trying this place and the spicy miso read more

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I have gone here a couple of times and I just love it. It's one of the best places I've been to in Cleveland so far. The staff is very friendly and welcoming. The restaurant is open with lots of seating. It's not too loud and there's a great patio space in warmer weather. I used to live in Koreatown in Los Angeles and I am still missing the food. Xinji is helping to ease the transition with their kimchi balls and Korean Fried Chicken. They're both delicious and addictive. The two ordered together made for a nice light dinner to share. I need to go back more often so I can try different things on the menu! Looking forward to visiting regularly. read more

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This is a great place to go when you've got the craving for some noodles! We were visiting Cleveland for the day and decided to try something new. And we're glad we decided on this place. It's definitely got the vibe of a fusion/hipster Asian restaurant, but that's not to say it isn't authentic. It's just fresh and new. We particularly enjoyed the bao buns, but the kimchi balls were something different and tasty too! The ramen itself was a solid choice. I wouldn't say it was the most mind-blowing ramen I've ever had, but you wouldn't go wrong coming here if you wanted a great experience with the taste of authenticity. Overall, this is a great place to go if you're in the mood for some modern Asian noodles. I wouldn't say it would be in my top to do list for Cleveland, but if we were in the mood, I wouldn't regret coming here. read more

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Visiting Ohio wanted something warm. Found this place on yelp being I know nothing here. I loved it, the ambiance is very nice, simple and inviting. I had the Wonton Ramen with a Soy Egg. All of it was so flavorful perfect for this cold weather of 30 degrees (which I'm not used to cold weather). I had the chrysanthemum tea very nice and hot. I strongly suggest coming to this restaurant Service was great and attentive. read more

Xinji Noodle Bar - Noodles Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Fantastic ramen! Although the decor in here is quite odd and unexpected, I really enjoyed my first visit to Xinji, definitely the best ramen I've had in Cleveland so far. I had the wonton ramen and my friend has the lamb Ramen special and we were both very pleased! Our server was sweet and took great care of us, the space is clean, and their menu is kinda small with food options, which I take as a sign of them focusing on a few things and doing an amazing job of that. I definitely want to come back soon and try the bao and some cocktails too. The ramen broth was so flavorful and rich and the noodles were the perfect texture. I can't wait to come back soon! read more

I am from the (US) land of ramen, LA, and I used to eat it 4 or 5 times a week when I lived there. I take trips to New York just to get my noodles in and the first thing I looked for upon arrival in Cleveland was ramen. Xinji is a cute little shop in Ohio City that has a small hit decent ramen menu. I find that their broth is tasty and their noodles have a good bite but...something is missing. I cannot put my finger on it and I enjoy their soup enough to go every few months but it doesn't quite hit the spot like a bowl from EAK does. That said, Xinji is my favorite ramen spot in northeast Ohio so you'll find me there at least 2 more times this winter for sure! read more

Xinji Noodle Bar - My kid loves a good bowl of noodles! They do a great job with the young ones. - Noodles Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

It had been a while since I visited Xinji, and I'm pleased to report that it still rules. The unseasonably warm temperatures mean that patio season has been almost indefinitely extended, and we found ourselves eating on the cutest patio in Cleveland well into the fall. I've always a big fan of ramen and Xinji does their ramen well. I recommend the spicy ramen with an added egg. I'll basically drink tea any season, and I love that Xinji serves it formally in a beautiful ceramic pot. Coupled with the chicken bao to start, this is always a winning combo! Try to visit Xinji during an off-time and aim to sit on this beautiful patio! You'll be blown away by how quaint and cozy it is amongst the busy Ohio City. The service is always friendly and you're sure to leave Xinji with a smile on your face. As it goes in this neighborhood, street parking is it, so be patient and bring your parallel parking skills! read more

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*this is only a review of the take-out experience* I picked up some take-out ramen from Xinji last week. The server at the front was awesome and told me the exact instructions on how to heat up and prepare the ramen. (They give you the soup separate so the noodles don't get soggy.) Overall, I thought the ramen was pretty good. Cleveland doesn't really have good ramen at all (in my opinion) but I would rate this place and Mason's creamery ramen at the top. Spicy miso soup had really nice flavor, meat was tender and I loved the soy egg. I didn't like the ginger in the soup and the noodles were just okay. You will have better ramen in any other major US city, but if you happen to be craving ramen in Cleveland- this isn't a bad option. read more

Xinji Noodle Bar - spicy miso ramen - Noodles Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Xinji always hits the spot when I'm craving some ramen! I usually get the miso ramen, and I highly recommend adding a soy egg (if you don't mind paying a little extra) for the full true ramen experience! :) I had read about the kimchi balls in a bunch of reviews before coming here, and even though I don't usually like spicy foods/kimchi that much, I found the kimchi balls to be unique and definitely worth a try! They also have an array of delicious cocktails to try. I've tried Xinji takeout recently in light of COVID, and the noodles are are still great (I just recommend reheating the broth if it's not as hot as you'd like your soup/noodle soup to be usually!). Overall, great place with delicious food - highly recommend trying Xinji out if you haven't already! read more

Xinji Noodle Bar - Black garlic tonkotsu ramen with a soy egg! - Noodles Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

A mere 1 week after my initial visit, I came back to Xinji with my partner knowing that Xinji has the best fried chicken I have ever had in Cleveland and the spicy miso ramen has the best noodles. With this knowledge, we got the spicy miso ramen with extra noodles (an extra $4) with no pickled ginger, the fried chicken baos, and the Korean fried chicken rice bowl. The fried chicken baos were just as good as they were the first time and I was thrilled to find out that the Korean fried chicken rice bowl is basically the bao in rice bowl form - I am so impressed with this dish that I was more than happy to have it twice in the same meal. The extra noodles were definitely the move for the spicy miso ramen. It basically doubled the meal. My partner thought that the broth was only ok - it was pretty salty so you couldn't drink it on its own without being overwhelmed. However, the noodles were so delicious and the pork was very nice, and compared to my last soup experience I would rather the broth be on the salty side vs the bitter side. This time around our food experience still wasn't perfect but it was pretty close - do yourself a favor and come to Xinji and get some noodles and fried chicken. You won't be disappointed! read more

Wow, this is definitely one of the best Ramen places in Cleveland! The menu has much variety. The broth is homemade and delicious. This place is also very accommodating to vegetarian's. I definitely recommend a spicy miso ramen. The indoor decor is very simple, but chic. I will definitely be coming back multiple times throughout this cold winter. 5/5 recommend!! read more

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Awesome place. I travel a lot and am always looking for great Ramen and this place it awesome! I got the Black Garlic Tonkatsu with a Soy Egg. The broth is simmered for over 70 hrs and has a delicious complex flavor. The pork was perfectly cooked. So tender and so full of flavor. Even the bamboo shoots tasted like they were marinated in ginger. The soy egg had a slight sweetness and the yolk was so creamy! 10 out of 10! My coworker got the Soicy Miso Ramen and said it was fantastic! They have a great beer selection too! If you are in Cleveland, definitely give them a try! read more

Xinji Noodle Bar - Black Garlic Tonkatsu with added spice and Soy Egg - Noodles Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Get their KFC (Korean fried chicken) with dark meat. Super juicy, flavorful, and crispy! Also, can't go wrong with their ramen, kimchi balls, and nap buns. read more

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My boyfriend and I tried this place for the first time and were highly impressed. Ambiance is cozy and intimate, great for date night. While we didn't have any drinks that night, the menu included a wide range of saki and various cocktails. We started off with an order of pork bao (includes 2 baos). Meat was juicy, bao was sweet and fluffy, and pickled vegetables complimented the protein perfectly. It was also just the right portion size for appetizer. For entree, I ordered the Black Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen with a Soy Egg and was not disappointed. Flavorful and rich broth, amble fatty pork belly, and perfect texture noodles. My boyfriend got the chicken wonton ramen which he enjoyed thoroughly and recommends for a lighter option. Overall, delicious food, great atmosphere, and reasonable pricing. We will be recommending this as a date night spot to our friends, and hope to return soon! read more

Xinji Noodle Bar - Black Garlic Tonkotsu with Soy Egg - Noodles Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

This was a cute spot for a date! Taste was great for all the dishes. Presentation was pretty for everything. Menu was simple and uncomplicated. I got the warmed sake and now use the adorable little glass cup at home. Portion size was a bit small and prices were higher for what you get but I respect that it's similar to an upscale non-Asian place so this still tracks. Love the ambiance and high ceilings here. Street parking though. read more

First time at Xinji and service was really great! Also food was very good ordered a vegetarian bao as a apps which was very good bao was soft and the crispy croquette had great texture the sauce on it def made the bao so so flavorful! The ramen was also very good probably one of the best in Cleveland. As a vegetarian good ramen is hard to come by! The broth was good and they were able to add other veggies and spice level as well! The noodles were such a good texture very soft and not chewy or too doughy! I would def come back for my ramen fix! read more

Xinji Noodle Bar - Vegetarian Tonkotsu ramen with corn and soy eggadded and requested it spicy! The flavor was amazing and noodles were soft and felt fresh! - Noodles Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

We went here for a Saturday date night. Xinji is in a cute neighborhood, so when we had to wait there was a good bar down the street! Only had to wait a 1/2 hour, which was expected from a place so highly rated, and it did not disappoint. The hostess was super sweet so was the server. The drinks were delicious and unique. But let's get to the goods, the food! We got the spicy pork dumplings and they were amazing. Loved the spicy broth they came in, and the flavor inside was to die for. Now, the ramen. Wow. Authentic, delicious flavors, quality ingredients. We both added eggs to our bowls and I would recommend it, if you're into that. This was some of the best ramen I've had. Now have I tried a lot of authentic ramen... a few. But this blows the bricks of dried noodles out of the water. Would recommend, worth wait!! read more

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I feel like this place was not as busy as it should be on a Saturday night. First time coming here, we started with the Chilled Lychee and a Sapporo with the Korean fried chicken bao buns. The sweet chili was a perfect patch for the soft bao and crispy chicken. My partner got the black garlic tonkatsu pork ramen and I had the KFC rice bowl. I'm not big on spice but the gochujang sauce was just enough heat for me to still comfortably enjoy my meal. I added the marinated soy egg- YUM! Big recommend! The ramen had a nice deep garlic flavor with a brothy mix. The pork was so tender as well. We demolished our meals and left very happy. Something that made me smile was the design of the restaurant with its Frozen art work leading to the bathroom and 2000s hit music playlist. read more

This place is dog friendly and has patio seating! The food was very flavorful. We got the Korean fried chicken and pork belly. The pork belly so melt in your mouth soft. Just being the bao apps were pretty filling. I had a lot of left overs. Overall, this is a great stop. The staff was super friendly, great ambiance, clean bathrooms. read more

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First time I've been to a noodle bar. Attentive service. Pork dumplings were delicious as was the kimchi balls. I'd order the spicy meso again. read more

Xinji's ramen is hands-down the absolute best in the city! I always go for the spicy miso ramen - the portion is large and perfectly spicy! The kimchi balls are a great snack and such a cool idea. I'm not a sake expert at all but have always been happy with their sake menu and recommendations! The service is always excellent, friendly and quick! read more

Will always recommend a comfort bowl of noodles at Xinji. This has been on my "list" to go to for a long time now (was saving going for a special occasion). Came here for the (72 hour broth) black garlic tonkatsu ramen, with a soy egg add-on, but my favorites were the delicious apps! Would crush the spicy pork dumplings and fried chicken bao again. Also got one of each of the kimchi balls with some cocktails. If you have to wait for a table, walk two blocks away to get a drink at Arsenal Cider or play some games at Forest City Shuffleboard. Street parking is all along the road, but metered up to 6 PM! Follow their social media for specials! read more

Super fresh food, good every time I go. Fast and friendly service. Highly recommend this place.

This place was great!!! Came in on a Saturday evening with no reservation. They were on a small 20-30 minute wait. The host recommended us to sit at the bar as two open seat were available. Our server was super nice working at the bar, overall all the staff were welcoming! We were visiting in town, and this place was down the street from out air bnb. We order the Brisket Special Ramen, Fried Chicken Bao Bun, and Pork Spicy Dumplings- They were ALL GREAT! We also had a bottle of Sayuri Nigori Sake which was yummy! Would definitely recommend coming here! read more

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Great food, cool atmosphere, the people working there are always really nice. Just some good ramen if that's what you need.

Wife and I dined here before a recent Cleveland playhouse show. We had no reservation on a Saturday night and were given a table right away. Spot was filled and lively...we sat near the kitchen and got to watch the "magic" happen! My wife ordered a warm alcoholic-laden tea and we decided on a number of small shareables along with a bowl of ramen. All four shareables came out (more or less) at the same time. The pork bao was covered in a smoky BBQ sauce with pickles and yuzu, it was the best dish we had. The fluffy steamed buns were the perfect vessel for the sliced meats and yuzu. The veggie dumplings were crisp and came in a moat based on soy sauce...a unique take on a dumpling! The boneless Korean fried chicken consisted of small breast pieces coated in a sweet, sticky, spicy sauce. You need to eat this one fast as the longer it sits (where it starts to lose its temperature) the less appealing it becomes. We had an order of three kimchi balls, one of each flavor...chicken, pork, kimchi. The best of the three was the actual kimchi version, then the pork, then the chicken. Each had a unique sauce on top. After all of those dishes, out came our bowl or ramen. We ordered the Ohio City vegetarian version because of all the meat dishes above. It was decent, but the mushrooms in the dish were super-sweet which was a little off-putting, although the broth was smooth and mellow. I think I'd order one of the other versions next time. We both appreciated the artistry in how each dish was presented and served, and our server was attentive and engaging with us. The space is rather minimalist, but very tastefully done in a modern, chic kind of way. We will return at some point in time. read more

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My husband, brother, and I decided this place would be perfect on a cold night. They have side street parking for those of you who haven't been here before. I'm not really sure if they have a parking lot though. When you first walk in, you see a beautiful bar with an open concept floor plan. They kind of give off an industrial vibe when you walk around. We received amazing service as soon as we walked in which put us in a good mood. We ordered kimchi balls for our appetizer. Each ball had a different flavor which was fun to try. The chicken ball wasn't that impressive. You couldn't really taste the chicken. The kimchi ball was definitely my favorite and had a kick of spice as you eat it. The pork ball was very sweet, it was more like a bbq pork taste. I had the black garlic ramen which was one of the chef's special! Although it was pricey, it was totally worth it. The broth was so rich and full of flavor. The ramen came with mushrooms, bamboo shoots, ramen noodles, and pork belly. The pork belly takes 72 hours to prepare which is why it is packed with a bunch of flavor! Every single bite was like a taste of heaven! I definitely recommend anyone to come here if they are craving legit ramen! read more

Xinji Noodle Bar - Kimchi balls! Kimchi, chicken, and pork flavored - Noodles Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

My friend and I ordered their black garlic tonkatsu and spicy pork dumplings for takeout recently and definitely hold the restaurant in high regards compared to other ramen places in Cleveland. The interior of the restaurant is spacious and well-decorated; the service was friendly and we even received instructions for reheating at home. In terms of their food, the spicy pork dumplings were delicious and the garnishes on top were perfect. I found the flavor of the ramen broth to be a bit lacking but the quality of their soy eggs and charshu was fantastic. A little more is to be desired from the ramen itself. read more

Xinji Noodle Bar - black garlic tonkatsu - Noodles Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio