One of the worst service experiences I’ve ever had. The waitress was rude and made our party feel unwelcome. I’m not sure why a 20% gratuity was automatically added to the bill, I typically tip over 20%, but service today didn’t justify it. The food was passable…anyway I’ll make sure I won’t go back there.
Visited this place sporadically over the years and wanted to give it another try. Overall the experience was enjoyable but somewhat lacking compared to the price tag.
We had the boneless KFC, which was great— perfect amount of sauce, crispy, and served with pickled daikon and cucumbers on the side. However the ramen broth was somewhat lacking in the umami department. The noodles were chewy but somewhat bland and somehow dilutes the broth’s flavor even more. Their soy egg is top notch, and definitely hands down the best in town.
We had 1 appetizer, 2 ramens (with soy egg each), 1 beverage each (1 alcohol, 1 non-alcohol) and the whole meal was almost $100 with taxes and tips. Maybe it’s the inflation? We can certainly find comparable ramen for less around town, so rating it a 4 star experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Korean Fried Chicken
Leah D.
I am pleasantly surprised with this spot, after previously living in a city where ramen is really popular, having moved back I was on the quest to find some good tasting ramen. After having some disappointing experiences with other places, I was super surprised by this one.
I ordered take out: Black Garlic Tonkotsu and the Chicken Bao Buns. The bao buns were pretty good, a little dry, could use more sauce, but overall good. Initially upon tasting the tonkotsu I thought it was kind of salty, but after eating it more the flavors kind of came together - I also added a bit of chili paste!
One note: I just need them to get some take out ramen spoons!
The vibes inside look nice, I would visit again.
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Pig Head Bao, Black Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen
Helen Sun
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.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
Sam Diehl
Xinji is our go to spot. I love their kimchi balls and wanton ramen with the soy egg. We’ve tried most of the menu and everything is delicious. Additionally, we recently went for a friends birthday and they went above and beyond to make the dinner special. I would go back for their service alone. Thank you for always taking such good care of your customers and making us feel so welcome at xinji.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kimchi Chicken and Pork Balls, Wonton Ramen, Black Garlic Tonkotsu
Jacob Hoshaw
The service and food have been excellent every time we’ve gone. Best ramen in Cleveland, and the kimchi balls will change your life.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan Ramen, Kimchi Chicken and Pork Balls
Sam Schwartz
This was mine and my boyfriends first time here and we will definitely be back ASAP! Staff was so nice and attentive, and the food was incredible. Boyfriend got spicy miso ramen, I got Korean fried chicken. It tasted incredible. We will be coming back here a lot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Korean Fried Chicken, Spicy Miso Ramen, Miso
Brandon Schwenk
My personal favorite ramen spot in Cleveland. The black garlic tonkotsu and the spicy miso ramen are fantastic. Definitely give the kimchi balls a try, you will not be disappointed.
King King
Xinji Noodle Bar is a charming establishment that combines a cozy atmosphere with a contemporary vibe, making it an inviting spot for both locals and visitors alike. The decor is modern yet warm, perfect for casual dining or a laid-back meal with friends. One of the standout features of Xinji Noodle Bar is its outdoor seating, available during the warmer months. This open-air option allows diners to enjoy their meals al fresco, soaking in the vibrant surroundings while savoring expertly crafted dishes.
The highlight of my visit was undoubtedly the incredible black garlic ramen. The rich, savory broth perfectly complemented by the delightful addition of the soy egg created a wonderful depth of flavor. But that’s not all; the KFC chicken was out of this world! Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, it provided a perfect balance of textures and flavors.
The staff at Xinji Noodle Bar are friendly and attentive, ensuring that your dining experience is nothing short of excellent. Whether you’re indulging in the remarkable ramen or the delicious chicken, you’re sure to leave satisfied and eager to return. The combination of exceptional food, a welcoming environment, and the option to dine outdoors makes Xinji Noodle Bar a fantastic choice for any occasion. Highly recommended!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Korean Fried Chicken, Soy Egg, Black Garlic Tonkotsu, KFC
Jared Jones
Staff was super friendly and food was top notch. Definitely recommend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pork Dumplings, Black Garlic Tonkotsu, Black Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen
Wow so yummy. Get there for the dinner menu which starts at 5p. We tried the pork bao and fried chicken bao along with the spicy pork dumplings. The dumplings sauce really makes it.. so we ended up ordering another one to add into our noodles. Each of us tried a different noodle bowl. The spicy broth wasn't too spicy but the pork belly really was well seasoned. I had the black garlic with pork belly and added the soy egg and bean sprouts. The soy egg is a whole egg cooked in soy sauce with the yolk still runny. If you enjoy that definitely add it. Thai tea was a small portion but tasty. Service was great. She was so happy and friendly answering any questions and even gave us a tip of using chopsticks for potato chips to keep your hands clean. Loved this place.
One of the worst service experiences I’ve ever had. The waitress was rude and made our party feel unwelcome. I’m not sure why a 20% gratuity was automatically added to the bill, I typically tip over 20%, but service today didn’t justify it. The food was passable…anyway I’ll make sure I won’t go back there.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Spicy Miso Ramen, Wonton Ramen, Black Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen
Visited this place sporadically over the years and wanted to give it another try. Overall the experience was enjoyable but somewhat lacking compared to the price tag.
We had the boneless KFC, which was great— perfect amount of sauce, crispy, and served with pickled daikon and cucumbers on the side. However the ramen broth was somewhat lacking in the umami department. The noodles were chewy but somewhat bland and somehow dilutes the broth’s flavor even more. Their soy egg is top notch, and definitely hands down the best in town.
We had 1 appetizer, 2 ramens (with soy egg each), 1 beverage each (1 alcohol, 1 non-alcohol) and the whole meal was almost $100 with taxes and tips. Maybe it’s the inflation? We can certainly find comparable ramen for less around town, so rating it a 4 star experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Korean Fried Chicken
I am pleasantly surprised with this spot, after previously living in a city where ramen is really popular, having moved back I was on the quest to find some good tasting ramen. After having some disappointing experiences with other places, I was super surprised by this one.
I ordered take out: Black Garlic Tonkotsu and the Chicken Bao Buns. The bao buns were pretty good, a little dry, could use more sauce, but overall good.
Initially upon tasting the tonkotsu I thought it was kind of salty, but after eating it more the flavors kind of came together - I also added a bit of chili paste!
One note: I just need them to get some take out ramen spoons!
The vibes inside look nice, I would visit again.
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Pig Head Bao, Black Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen
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.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
Xinji is our go to spot. I love their kimchi balls and wanton ramen with the soy egg. We’ve tried most of the menu and everything is delicious. Additionally, we recently went for a friends birthday and they went above and beyond to make the dinner special. I would go back for their service alone. Thank you for always taking such good care of your customers and making us feel so welcome at xinji.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kimchi Chicken and Pork Balls, Wonton Ramen, Black Garlic Tonkotsu
The service and food have been excellent every time we’ve gone. Best ramen in Cleveland, and the kimchi balls will change your life.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan Ramen, Kimchi Chicken and Pork Balls
This was mine and my boyfriends first time here and we will definitely be back ASAP! Staff was so nice and attentive, and the food was incredible. Boyfriend got spicy miso ramen, I got Korean fried chicken. It tasted incredible. We will be coming back here a lot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Korean Fried Chicken, Spicy Miso Ramen, Miso
My personal favorite ramen spot in Cleveland. The black garlic tonkotsu and the spicy miso ramen are fantastic. Definitely give the kimchi balls a try, you will not be disappointed.
Xinji Noodle Bar is a charming establishment that combines a cozy atmosphere with a contemporary vibe, making it an inviting spot for both locals and visitors alike. The decor is modern yet warm, perfect for casual dining or a laid-back meal with friends. One of the standout features of Xinji Noodle Bar is its outdoor seating, available during the warmer months. This open-air option allows diners to enjoy their meals al fresco, soaking in the vibrant surroundings while savoring expertly crafted dishes.
The highlight of my visit was undoubtedly the incredible black garlic ramen. The rich, savory broth perfectly complemented by the delightful addition of the soy egg created a wonderful depth of flavor. But that’s not all; the KFC chicken was out of this world! Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, it provided a perfect balance of textures and flavors.
The staff at Xinji Noodle Bar are friendly and attentive, ensuring that your dining experience is nothing short of excellent. Whether you’re indulging in the remarkable ramen or the delicious chicken, you’re sure to leave satisfied and eager to return. The combination of exceptional food, a welcoming environment, and the option to dine outdoors makes Xinji Noodle Bar a fantastic choice for any occasion. Highly recommended!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Korean Fried Chicken, Soy Egg, Black Garlic Tonkotsu, KFC
Staff was super friendly and food was top notch. Definitely recommend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pork Dumplings, Black Garlic Tonkotsu, Black Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen
Restaurantji Recommends
Excellent food. My dinner party collectively sampled nearly everything on the menu it was delicious. Especially recommend the bao
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Korean Fried Chicken, Spicy Miso Ramen, Kimchi Chicken and Pork Balls, Pork Dumplings, Fried Chicken, Vegetable Dumplings, Spicy Pork Dumpling, Black Garlic Tonkotsu, Miso
Delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Xinji Noodle Bar has a nice and clean environment.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fried chicken bao, spicy pork dumplings, black garlic Tonkotsu, Lucky Buddha.
Wow so yummy. Get there for the dinner menu which starts at 5p. We tried the pork bao and fried chicken bao along with the spicy pork dumplings. The dumplings sauce really makes it.. so we ended up ordering another one to add into our noodles. Each of us tried a different noodle bowl. The spicy broth wasn't too spicy but the pork belly really was well seasoned. I had the black garlic with pork belly and added the soy egg and bean sprouts. The soy egg is a whole egg cooked in soy sauce with the yolk still runny. If you enjoy that definitely add it. Thai tea was a small portion but tasty. Service was great. She was so happy and friendly answering any questions and even gave us a tip of using chopsticks for potato chips to keep your hands clean. Loved this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Miso Ramen, Soy Egg, Spicy Pork Dumpling, Black Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen
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