My wife and I ate there for our first anniversary dinner last night, and couldn’t have had a better experience. The staff was wonderful, the food was out of this world, and we will absolutely be coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ming Kong
Very good and creative food. I really loved the crispy octopus in their October menu. The place is a must try.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ofer Sruya
Absolutely love coming here! Every meal is done to perfection using the highest grade products. The boom of flavors takes you away with every bite. Highly recommend for a fun date night out when you don’t know what you want and the chef just feeds you.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yatri Trivedi
Ram and Rooster is a special place. A small and very intimate restaurant where the chefs cook just a few feet away from you feels odd, but you can literally sit and watch them all out the care and attention into every single plate or bowl or cup of tea.
They have a prix fixe menu on Wednesdays and Thursdays, but they seem to focus on a very well thought out chef's tasting menu, and that's what is available on the weekends. Their menu also states that if you call them at least 48 hours in advance, they can accommodate some kinds of dietary restrictions. They're at least some what asian-fusion-leaning, so softly and sesame allergies can't be currently accommodated. Their disclosure is straightforward on their website menu, and I'm appreciative of that.
We did the prix fixe menu and several teas. I think even the owner/chef may have served us?! We've had some great experiences at 11 Madison Park and this reminded us of them. Every plate was well-balanced, every bite flavorful, and everything was edible (no useless frou-frou garnishes).
Their tuna tartare, coconut soup, and roast duck deserve special mention, as they were top notch and somewhat unusual in a delightful way. The tuna tartare was served with pear sorbet and the combo was vibrant and light. The coconut soup had pickled bamboo shoots and herb oil which kept the flavor profile bright. The cook on the duck was perfect and every piece was precisely cut. No awkward textured bites, no unrendered fat, and the tiger sauce was a beautiful complement to the rest of the dish.
We also are not opposed to great dining experiences that don't necessarily fill you up. Much of the time, the delivery/presentation, composition, and overall experience matter more than actually filling you. We expected that to be the case here, but it really was a very filling and satisfying dinner! It's a testament to high quality ingredients and proper course composition. The crispy pumpkin, as an example, was a lot more satisfying that it might appear to be on the plate. Not a ton of food to the eyes, but we left stuffed and sated. Well worth the price of admission, especially when you are getting the ambiance and theater of it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
L B
My husband and I went here for the first time, and it was truly one of the best dining experiences we’ve ever had. If you decide to go, I highly recommend sitting at the Chef’s Table — it’s an incredible experience watching the chefs prepare the dishes you’re about to enjoy.
The restaurant offers a tasting menu featuring six small entrées and two desserts, and every single course was amazing. From the moment we walked in, we were seated right at the Chef’s Table (a bar-style seating area) and immediately felt welcomed. AJ, our waiter, was outstanding — attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly. He poured our wine (it’s BYOB, by the way) and described each dish in detail as it arrived.
It’s hard to pick a favorite, but the poached mussels were unforgettable. The coconut broth was phenomenal, the mussels were perfectly tender, and the pickled bamboo added such a unique and delicious flavor combination. The Egg Tofu was another standout — unlike anything I’ve ever tasted before, with incredible layers of texture and flavor. If you enjoy fish roe, this dish is a must-try! The contrast between the smooth tofu and whipped potatoes with the pop of the roe was perfection.
And of course, the wagyu — absolutely melt-in-your-mouth amazing. Every entrée was beautifully prepared, and the overall experience was something we’ll never forget.
We also had the pleasure of meeting Sean, the owner and head chef behind these incredible creations, as well as his talented sous chef, Dereck, who was fascinating to watch in action.
This is definitely a restaurant worth visiting at least once for the full experience — it will not disappoint! My husband and I are already planning our next visit
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alyssa Ching
Great vibe, thoughtful service, and some of the most unique and delicious food I’ve had in NJ. Would definitely recommend if you’re looking for a special night out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kristen Snyderman
We searched to find a last minute place for a nice date night and Ram & Rooster. The owner (unbeknownst to us) greeted us so warmly. We sat at the “bar” and watched the meticulous preparation of the food. It was amazing to watch! Incredibly creative and delicious offerings… complex flavors and beautiful presentation. The service? Every course was explained by the friendly, knowledgable staff. We were there as they closed and watched them scrub and clean every surface, they cleaned the grill three times to a brilliant shine. The staff were happy and told us they feel honored to work there, which has a lot about the owner. The owner came over, spent time, explained his restaurant and the various chefs and made us feel special. I can’t say enough about this wonderful place. A true gem and easily the best restaurant in New Jersey.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hans Hwang
Probably best fine dining in the central NJ area. We had the tasting menu and everything is interesting and delicious. I would characterize as Asian flavors cooked in French technique. They lean heavily on local farm to table so menu changes seasonally. Very small space so it is intimate. Will definitely return, highly recommend for special occasions!
Updated Sept 2025: returned for second time, just as good as first time although the tasting menu has been refreshed. One of my favorite restaurants in the state, along with Frog & Peach and Scalini Fedeli (It is different in that it focuses on tasting menu and is a small intimate space - but the attention to detail and thoughtfulness of food is similar).
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Russell Richardson
Phenomenal food and atmosphere! I will definitely return. The red snapper crudo and A5 wagyu was 🔥
Trung Tran
What a gem of a restaurant in Mantuchen! We sat right in front of the kitchen and watched the team prepared an Asian-inspired tasting menu that was quite delightful. Many dishes represented not only a marriage of flavors but also of texture. The menu changes with the seasons, and although there were only 8 dishes, our group was more than full at the end of the night. This is a BYOB establishment.
Our server AJ was very friendly. I am pescatarian and the staff was very accommodating. Each bite was intentional, flavorful, and innovative.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
David Bercher
We had an absolutely phenomenal experience at Ram & Rooster in Metuchen. We enjoyed the chef’s tasting menu, and while there were far too many dishes to describe individually, every single one was outstanding. Truly the best dining experience we’ve ever had.
The service was just as exceptional. Our waiter, Kevin, was knowledgeable, friendly, and engaging. He really elevated the evening and made us feel completely taken care of.
We also want to wish Chef Sean all the success in the world with this restaurant. It is so well deserved. Ram & Rooster is a gem, and we cannot wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael Russick
I feel Ram and Rooster is reconsidered Chinese and Japanese food really well done. Lots of savory dishes on the tasting menu that feel familiar but the added textures and flavors elevate the dishes. Not sure if it's been around for awhile or have been awarded but I wonder if they'll be up for a James Beard award or Michelin bib gourmand. Would love to go back but we got to find a babysitter again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wilbur Pan
We've eaten here two times over the past few months, and it's been two of the best meals I can remember having in a long time. We definitely will be coming back on a regular basis. Very highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lonny C. Friedman
Owner and chef Sean Yan is a genius! This is the newest restaurant to be added to my gem list! Every dish was special, thoughtful, and delicious! This is a tasting not to sleep on!
My wife and I ate there for our first anniversary dinner last night, and couldn’t have had a better experience. The staff was wonderful, the food was out of this world, and we will absolutely be coming back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very good and creative food. I really loved the crispy octopus in their October menu. The place is a must try.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely love coming here! Every meal is done to perfection using the highest grade products. The boom of flavors takes you away with every bite. Highly recommend for a fun date night out when you don’t know what you want and the chef just feeds you.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ram and Rooster is a special place. A small and very intimate restaurant where the chefs cook just a few feet away from you feels odd, but you can literally sit and watch them all out the care and attention into every single plate or bowl or cup of tea.
They have a prix fixe menu on Wednesdays and Thursdays, but they seem to focus on a very well thought out chef's tasting menu, and that's what is available on the weekends. Their menu also states that if you call them at least 48 hours in advance, they can accommodate some kinds of dietary restrictions. They're at least some what asian-fusion-leaning, so softly and sesame allergies can't be currently accommodated. Their disclosure is straightforward on their website menu, and I'm appreciative of that.
We did the prix fixe menu and several teas. I think even the owner/chef may have served us?! We've had some great experiences at 11 Madison Park and this reminded us of them. Every plate was well-balanced, every bite flavorful, and everything was edible (no useless frou-frou garnishes).
Their tuna tartare, coconut soup, and roast duck deserve special mention, as they were top notch and somewhat unusual in a delightful way. The tuna tartare was served with pear sorbet and the combo was vibrant and light. The coconut soup had pickled bamboo shoots and herb oil which kept the flavor profile bright. The cook on the duck was perfect and every piece was precisely cut. No awkward textured bites, no unrendered fat, and the tiger sauce was a beautiful complement to the rest of the dish.
We also are not opposed to great dining experiences that don't necessarily fill you up. Much of the time, the delivery/presentation, composition, and overall experience matter more than actually filling you. We expected that to be the case here, but it really was a very filling and satisfying dinner! It's a testament to high quality ingredients and proper course composition. The crispy pumpkin, as an example, was a lot more satisfying that it might appear to be on the plate. Not a ton of food to the eyes, but we left stuffed and sated. Well worth the price of admission, especially when you are getting the ambiance and theater of it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My husband and I went here for the first time, and it was truly one of the best dining experiences we’ve ever had. If you decide to go, I highly recommend sitting at the Chef’s Table — it’s an incredible experience watching the chefs prepare the dishes you’re about to enjoy.
The restaurant offers a tasting menu featuring six small entrées and two desserts, and every single course was amazing. From the moment we walked in, we were seated right at the Chef’s Table (a bar-style seating area) and immediately felt welcomed. AJ, our waiter, was outstanding — attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly. He poured our wine (it’s BYOB, by the way) and described each dish in detail as it arrived.
It’s hard to pick a favorite, but the poached mussels were unforgettable. The coconut broth was phenomenal, the mussels were perfectly tender, and the pickled bamboo added such a unique and delicious flavor combination. The Egg Tofu was another standout — unlike anything I’ve ever tasted before, with incredible layers of texture and flavor. If you enjoy fish roe, this dish is a must-try! The contrast between the smooth tofu and whipped potatoes with the pop of the roe was perfection.
And of course, the wagyu — absolutely melt-in-your-mouth amazing. Every entrée was beautifully prepared, and the overall experience was something we’ll never forget.
We also had the pleasure of meeting Sean, the owner and head chef behind these incredible creations, as well as his talented sous chef, Dereck, who was fascinating to watch in action.
This is definitely a restaurant worth visiting at least once for the full experience — it will not disappoint! My husband and I are already planning our next visit
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great vibe, thoughtful service, and some of the most unique and delicious food I’ve had in NJ. Would definitely recommend if you’re looking for a special night out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We searched to find a last minute place for a nice date night and Ram & Rooster. The owner (unbeknownst to us) greeted us so warmly. We sat at the “bar” and watched the meticulous preparation of the food. It was amazing to watch! Incredibly creative and delicious offerings… complex flavors and beautiful presentation. The service? Every course was explained by the friendly, knowledgable staff. We were there as they closed and watched them scrub and clean every surface, they cleaned the grill three times to a brilliant shine. The staff were happy and told us they feel honored to work there, which has a lot about the owner. The owner came over, spent time, explained his restaurant and the various chefs and made us feel special. I can’t say enough about this wonderful place. A true gem and easily the best restaurant in New Jersey.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Probably best fine dining in the central NJ area. We had the tasting menu and everything is interesting and delicious. I would characterize as Asian flavors cooked in French technique. They lean heavily on local farm to table so menu changes seasonally. Very small space so it is intimate. Will definitely return, highly recommend for special occasions!
Updated Sept 2025: returned for second time, just as good as first time although the tasting menu has been refreshed. One of my favorite restaurants in the state, along with Frog & Peach and Scalini Fedeli (It is different in that it focuses on tasting menu and is a small intimate space - but the attention to detail and thoughtfulness of food is similar).
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Phenomenal food and atmosphere! I will definitely return. The red snapper crudo and A5 wagyu was 🔥
What a gem of a restaurant in Mantuchen! We sat right in front of the kitchen and watched the team prepared an Asian-inspired tasting menu that was quite delightful. Many dishes represented not only a marriage of flavors but also of texture. The menu changes with the seasons, and although there were only 8 dishes, our group was more than full at the end of the night. This is a BYOB establishment.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Our server AJ was very friendly. I am pescatarian and the staff was very accommodating. Each bite was intentional, flavorful, and innovative.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had an absolutely phenomenal experience at Ram & Rooster in Metuchen. We enjoyed the chef’s tasting menu, and while there were far too many dishes to describe individually, every single one was outstanding. Truly the best dining experience we’ve ever had.
The service was just as exceptional. Our waiter, Kevin, was knowledgeable, friendly, and engaging. He really elevated the evening and made us feel completely taken care of.
We also want to wish Chef Sean all the success in the world with this restaurant. It is so well deserved. Ram & Rooster is a gem, and we cannot wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I feel Ram and Rooster is reconsidered Chinese and Japanese food really well done. Lots of savory dishes on the tasting menu that feel familiar but the added textures and flavors elevate the dishes. Not sure if it's been around for awhile or have been awarded but I wonder if they'll be up for a James Beard award or Michelin bib gourmand. Would love to go back but we got to find a babysitter again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We've eaten here two times over the past few months, and it's been two of the best meals I can remember having in a long time. We definitely will be coming back on a regular basis. Very highly recommended.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Owner and chef Sean Yan is a genius! This is the newest restaurant to be added to my gem list! Every dish was special, thoughtful, and delicious! This is a tasting not to sleep on!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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