The food is good and the ramen has great flavor, but unfortunately the overall experience is completely overshadowed by terrible customer service. From the very beginning, the treatment from the man attending was rude and uncomfortable. When he asked for my phone number, he made a comment that felt clearly discriminatory, as if questioning whether I even had a phone in the United States. It was very unpleasant and disrespectful. When my order arrived (Ramen Soup), it did not include a spoon, only a fork. I had to go back and ask for one, and I was given a small tea spoon. When I requested a proper spoon for soup, he became visibly annoyed. I left the small spoon unused, yet he insisted that I take it with me because I had “touched it” and it could not be reused, demanding that I carry it with me. I asked him to please throw it away, which only made him more upset. The entire interaction was hostile, unnecessary, and unprofessional. I felt poorly treated and discriminated against. It is truly a shame, because the food has potential, but the service is unacceptable. A restaurant should be judged not only by its food, but also by the respect and professionalism shown to its customers. I would not return or recommend this place unless the customer service significantly improves.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Rosetta Brodie
This place! Tried the chicken ramen broth and boy I was not ready for all those rich flavors. Every ingredient fresh and complimented each other well. Thanks for the experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chad Lillestolen
The O. G. bun is a 10/10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Curtis Stone - The Realtor
I’ve been to Bao & Broth in Optimist Hall probably a dozen times and finally remembered to grab photos on this visit. I ordered the OG, the KFC, and the Bulgogi bao.
The OG is consistently good, soft bun, solid flavor - but if you’ve ever had one from Good Food on Montford, you might find it a little less memorable by comparison. The KFC bao was great, but that almost feels expected… it’s fried chicken, so it’s hard to go wrong there. The Bulgogi, which is usually what I’m most excited about, was unfortunately the biggest miss this time. The meat came out dry, overcooked, and almost jerky-like with very little flavor. It was surprising given how much I normally enjoy their food.
Overall, I still like Bao & Broth and most spots in Optimist Hall - this just felt like an off day for one item. I’d absolutely go back, but I might skip the bulgogi next time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Roxanne Daugherty
I found a gem! Why I didn’t try this place sooner I don’t know. Great place in Optimist Hall to try! I had the Vegan Ramen (I am not vegan) with crispy tofu. This was so unexpectedly delicious! I will ge back next week to see you guys! Btw, the staff was extra on que. Friendly and efficient! Thanks for being patient with me in ordering!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
rohit suman
Their miso ramen is the best I've had in Charlotte. The O.G. Bun is pretty good too. And the food comes out pretty fast.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good Times
Foods ok. Not authentic. But ok. The egg in the hot soup was cold. But WOW!!! The guy working at the front was sooooo rude. Will never eat here again simply because of that. Ok food. Horrible gentleman at the register.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
john b
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.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
brom9213
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.
Food: 1
Jeremy Antrim
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.
Amazing ramen and the OG pork bun was the best I’ve had in Charlotte! Quick service and the drinks were good as well. Got the lychee tea and it was great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mike N
The food was delicious. Highly recommend. Not a ton of meat so I got extra.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
soraya zahouily
Really not tasty and pretty expensive for what it is.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Rogan Sports Clinic
A huge thank you to the kind gentleman working the front counter on Oct 25th. He is a service professional and made my experience today next level. Thank you for your kindness and help with all my random take out bags and fresh lychee tea. The food here is always consistent and delicious and our constant go to. Today’s service only encourages us to continue frequenting their stand!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
celebridee
Cute little place in a cool little food and shopping center. Nice portions on the bao and ramen. The miso broth was superb!
The food is good and the ramen has great flavor, but unfortunately the overall experience is completely overshadowed by terrible customer service.
From the very beginning, the treatment from the man attending was rude and uncomfortable. When he asked for my phone number, he made a comment that felt clearly discriminatory, as if questioning whether I even had a phone in the United States. It was very unpleasant and disrespectful.
When my order arrived (Ramen Soup), it did not include a spoon, only a fork. I had to go back and ask for one, and I was given a small tea spoon. When I requested a proper spoon for soup, he became visibly annoyed. I left the small spoon unused, yet he insisted that I take it with me because I had “touched it” and it could not be reused, demanding that I carry it with me. I asked him to please throw it away, which only made him more upset.
The entire interaction was hostile, unnecessary, and unprofessional. I felt poorly treated and discriminated against.
It is truly a shame, because the food has potential, but the service is unacceptable. A restaurant should be judged not only by its food, but also by the respect and professionalism shown to its customers.
I would not return or recommend this place unless the customer service significantly improves.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
This place! Tried the chicken ramen broth and boy I was not ready for all those rich flavors. Every ingredient fresh and complimented each other well. Thanks for the experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The O. G. bun is a 10/10
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’ve been to Bao & Broth in Optimist Hall probably a dozen times and finally remembered to grab photos on this visit. I ordered the OG, the KFC, and the Bulgogi bao.
The OG is consistently good, soft bun, solid flavor - but if you’ve ever had one from Good Food on Montford, you might find it a little less memorable by comparison. The KFC bao was great, but that almost feels expected… it’s fried chicken, so it’s hard to go wrong there. The Bulgogi, which is usually what I’m most excited about, was unfortunately the biggest miss this time. The meat came out dry, overcooked, and almost jerky-like with very little flavor. It was surprising given how much I normally enjoy their food.
Overall, I still like Bao & Broth and most spots in Optimist Hall - this just felt like an off day for one item. I’d absolutely go back, but I might skip the bulgogi next time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
I found a gem! Why I didn’t try this place sooner I don’t know. Great place in Optimist Hall to try! I had the Vegan Ramen (I am not vegan) with crispy tofu. This was so unexpectedly delicious! I will ge back next week to see you guys! Btw, the staff was extra on que. Friendly and efficient! Thanks for being patient with me in ordering!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Their miso ramen is the best I've had in Charlotte. The O.G. Bun is pretty good too. And the food comes out pretty fast.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Foods ok. Not authentic. But ok. The egg in the hot soup was cold. But WOW!!! The guy working at the front was sooooo rude. Will never eat here again simply because of that. Ok food. Horrible gentleman at the register.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
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.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
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.
Food: 1
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.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Amazing ramen and the OG pork bun was the best I’ve had in Charlotte! Quick service and the drinks were good as well. Got the lychee tea and it was great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was delicious. Highly recommend. Not a ton of meat so I got extra.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Really not tasty and pretty expensive for what it is.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
A huge thank you to the kind gentleman working the front counter on Oct 25th. He is a service professional and made my experience today next level. Thank you for your kindness and help with all my random take out bags and fresh lychee tea. The food here is always consistent and delicious and our constant go to. Today’s service only encourages us to continue frequenting their stand!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cute little place in a cool little food and shopping center. Nice portions on the bao and ramen. The miso broth was superb!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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