Fantastic little noodle shop located in the heart of downtown. We got the wonton noodle dish and I got the poor color curry Both were excellent. This is an expensive restaurant, but for the quality of service and the food. It was worth it Just to know this is a smaller join, so the large party might have difficulty or a long wait. read more

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I was thrilled when I discovered that there was a supposedly authentic ramen experience a stone's throw away from my hotel while in the area for a business trip. Unfortunately, I am a die-hard ramen aficionado and former New Yorker of over 10 years-- so I can be quite a tough critic. Points for the lovely atmosphere and cultural aesthetic... though the restaurant closes early on weekdays and I was informed of such the minute I entered the door prior to receiving a proper greeting. I had no other option but to order takeout and I would have appreciated being offered a seat, glass of water or beverage while waiting. The waitress stood next to me while I perused the menu so I definitely felt rushed to order and she was very brief in her responses regarding the most popular/tasty ramen options on account of wanting to begin closing perhaps? Overall, reception wasn't overwhelmingly warm... if it wasn't after 8 PM, I likely would have gone elsewhere simply off of the initial vibrations. Nonetheless, $40 later (OBA ramen, cucumber salad, ginger tea and I tipped $5... when I really shouldn't have)-- I dive in upon arriving to hotel to a very AVERAGE experience. The tea is not freshly brewed in-house with ginger, lemon etc... had I known I was going to receive a tea bag and hot water, I would have passed on spending the $4.50 (as the hotel has artisan teas). Cucumber salad is lacking spice, flavor profile and brine... just large, chopped chunks with a vinegar + chile concoction that lacks heat, reminds me of tajin (very salt forward) and was not marinated. It's a quick cucumber salad-- because it was prepared in this manner, the result is extremely watery because the flavor elements didn't absorb into the cucumber. I like cucumber salads almost like a kimchi... made with passion and spicy on the palette. As far as the ramen.... Nothing noteworthy. Cabbage, bamboo, corn were just naked toppings and placed on the ramen comparable to a salad bar. I like my elements flavorful and braised/sautéed. These were completely PLAIN toppings. Bamboo and shredded cabbage were likely canned/bagged respectively. Completely devoid of seasoning and umami. Tamago was cooked relatively properly but the rim was approaching hardboiled (yellowed rim with the jammy yellow center= slightly overdone). Chashu was actually lovely on the flavor scale but over-cooked as well and sliced in uniform disks, which seems as if it was pre-prepped versus made to order. Pork belly should be rich, smoky and more dense... Broth was short on miso presence but definitely edible. My favorite aspect of the whole meal was the chili oil (that I requested upon leaving... it was not provided to me without prompting even though I ordered my food at the spiciest level/5). It really elevated the flavor of the broth and I was happy that it was able to salvage the meal! Perhaps homemade? Perhaps this is an authentic ramen establishment by New Hampshire standards but it's a hard pass for me. Also, the to-go bowls should be larger to house the broth provided and to mix with ease. Bowls are too shallow so you have to pour broth, eat a bit, then add the remaining broth otherwise it will spill everywhere when you attempt to mix the ramen components. Additionally, a customer should always be asked if they would like utensils... I had to ask on my way out after checking my order for accuracy. Fair attempt but a far cry from stellar-- perhaps on account of not dining in? I just didn't taste the love and the authenticity. I've had many ramen experiences outside of metropolitan cities (and Japan) where you can still taste the craftsmanship and love in preparing all the elements. Sadly, OBA missed the mark on the flavor and execution train for me! read more

OBA Noodle Bar - Signature OBA ramen, cucumber salad and ginger tea. The picture says it's all... basic, bland and certainly not worth $40. C'est la vie. - Noodles Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

It's been a long time since I ate at OBA but I'm glad to have gone back with a friend. The space is cozy and decorated in a cute, minimalist style. Service is very friendly and attentive. I liked that the wait staff repeats your order back for confirmation. I ordered the Japanese curry with pork and my friend had the green curry. I also splurged on a Thai coffee with boba. The servings are very generous and beautifully plated. I look forward to enjoying my leftovers! read more

OBA Noodle Bar - Japanese curry with pork - Noodles Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

Leaving this review to help set the expectation. If you are expecting some authentic ramen or noodle soup, this is not the place. Beef noodle soup probably was the only decent item in our order but it's is +$20. A Japanese soda is $5.95. Pad Thai tastes like pure sugar which was not editable. Would leave this place a 0 star if I could read more

The food is amazing and fresh. They have great options to choose from. The service is speedy and the ambiance is great. Right in downtown Exeter! read more

OBA Noodle Bar - Noodles Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

Came here for lunch. There was no wait to be seated and our host was nice. Went with one of the chicken appetizers and the OBA Ramen for main course. Ambiance of the restaurant was nice, quiet, and allowed for good conversation. Having done ramen quite frequently I'm probably becoming more demanding on my expectations. The ramen itself was fine. It was not bad but also not very memorable. Not a bad option if you are looking for ramen in the area given very limited choices, I also wouldn't be going massively far out of my way to come back. read more

OBA Noodle Bar - OBA Ramen - Noodles Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

Oba was really good. Although, there were a few flaws but it's ok. The staff were really nice, the vibe was pretty good, but the thing is, the floorboards were tilted. It didn't have many tables, and the food was very filling. I still would recommend this place overall it is really good. read more

The taste was average and honestly didn't justify the high prices. The portions were okay, but for what you're paying, I expected much better flavor and overall experience. It wasn't bad, just nothing special -- definitely not worth the price point. Customer service was poor as well. If you're looking for really good ramen, I would highly recommend Ramen Club instead. Their Tan Tan noodles are excellent -- rich, flavorful, and absolutely worth it. read more

With the cooler weather, I was definitely in the mood for something broth-based. This one place definitely hit the spot just right. First and foremost, please know that if there is crab rangoon to be had, I will have it. This was the first in looooong time that wasn't just a cream cheese wonton; it actually had crab! I would have filled up on just these alone. Though we also ordered the scallion pancake, which was also delicious. I got the Wonton and Egg Noodles. If I lived near this place and needed something hot and straightforward while under the weather, it would be this. The wontons were delicious and the clear broth was a great base to spice up with some chili oil. There was also plenty of it that I had leftovers! The prices were reasonable and the service was great. I'm so happy I chose this place for lunch and will definitely return when I'm back in the area. read more

OBA Noodle Bar - Noodles Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

Second time back! First time was in 2019, back in Exeter visiting family. Was so excited to find this place! Back again and we were very happy to see the Noodle Bar survived! And the food was delicious! My wife had the Thai soup and I had the Nam Deang soup! Perfect on a cold New Hampshire day! Nady and Ruby were excellent too!!! Thank you! We will be back! read more

OBA Noodle Bar - Nam Daeng !!! So good!!!! - Noodles Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

I have all good things to say about this place! Great location with limited parking but you will find a spot nearby. Cute restaurant with great service! & everything that came out of the kitchen looked amazing! I ordered a hot tea & a beef pho bowl. I highly recommend stopping in and trying this spot! I had to order a bowl to go also it was so good! There's nothing in the area that gets close to this quality & I'm grateful to have a great spot to visit for that pho/ ramen craving! read more

OBA Noodle Bar - Beef pho - Noodles Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

The vegetable dumplings and crab rangoon were amazing. The crab rangoon was made in house with fresh crab and a lot of it. read more

OBA Noodle Bar - Vegetable Dumplings - Noodles Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

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Food and service is impressive. Small venue, they seem to do a strong takeout service. Perfect little noodle spot, with flavours that are spot on! read more

Who doesn't love a good bowl of Ramen or an awesome noodle dish? This place has it covered with a modern take on classic Thai dishes. I've been here several times now, and lots of takeout during the height of the pandemic, and the food/service is consistently good. I like to start with the shrimp chips, some of the biggest and tastiest I've ever had. Ramen, Dang Dang noodles are all good. Tonight I tried the BBQ Pork Sen Pak which was really tasty. I really need to visit more often and work deeper into the menu as everything I see coming out of the kitchen looks great. Plenty of good choices in Exeter, so be sure to put this on the list when in town. read more

OBA Noodle Bar - BBQ Pork Sen Pak - Noodles Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

Best Ramen in the area. The Duck Noodle Soup is also delicious. Also, the staff are so nice it makes it such an enjoyable experience.

So I made the drive to check out Oba and I was definitely not disappointed. Everything was delicious and the customer service was impeccable. I particularly liked the sweet chili sauce with the crab Rangoons and the pork in my ramen was amazing. I cannot wait to go back, enjoy. read more

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Some of the best ramen I have had in New Hampshire. Quality broth! Service was 10/10. I got a boba tea and a duck dish as well and couldn't be happier. Also got a cute little treat after as a "merry Christmas" from the staff. The decoration is light, fun, but also warm and cozy. I had never been to Exeter before and, it is not close for me, but I will definitely go there again for the cute downtown and the great food at Oba! read more

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Delicious pad Thai with roasted duck - what a treat to see this on a menu! Lovely little noodle restaurant with a broad selection of offerings from ramen to wonton soup, and everything in between. The place is very small so plan well, or be prepared for a short wait. The staff is excellent and has great recommendations to help you make up your mind. Food was piping hot and delicious. read more

I had the chive cakes. So good! I love how they have so many items for vegans! We will definitely be back! read more

OBA Noodle Bar - Chive cakes (vegan) - Noodles Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

Super delicious soup, but quite spicy! We've gotten takeout twice, and the first time we tried medium spicy (and we have quite the tolerance) and it was very intense. The ramen and beef noodle soups are my favorites. The takeout is preserved very well as they separate the liquid from the solids. Will continue to order from here! read more

OBA Noodle Bar - Ramen - Noodles Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

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I arrived here about 40 minutes before closing and was able to be seated for dinner. I was really hungry and feeling little weak as I had just had a 90 minute massage that busted me up. I found free parking right in front of the restaurant which was pretty lucky. The store is pretty small and cozy. Most customers I saw entering were either picking up take out or buying boba drinks. I looked at the menu and the beef noodle soup stood out and I got a side order of gyoza to go along with my meal. The service was pretty fast and friendly. I think I saw a total of three waitresses coming to my table for various reasons. The beef noodle soup came out first and looked and tasted really good. The only thing I was confused about is the amount of noodles with the soup dishes in this area. I have seen most places load the soups with meat but hardly give any noodles which is opposite from the same dishes back home in Hawaii. The gyozas were good and very much like back home with a good sauce to accompany it. Overall, the food and service was really good. The prices were a little on the high side but not outrageous in this day and age. I will definitely try this place again if I am in the area and craving noodles. read more

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This place is so amazing. The food and service is always consistent and great. You can tell the staff puts their heart into what they do. The food has much love and is home made and has never lost quality over the years like others!! read more

Great food and service. Recommend this small but friendly restaurant located in Exeter New Hampshire.

We had a phenomenal experience at OBA Noodle bar. The service was quick and excellent, and the food was absolutely delicious. They have plenty of options for vegetarians and vegans and the selections on the menu are clearly marked. To top it all off, our leftovers were boxed up in possibly the most impressive and economical way I have ever seen- and each box had cute little stickers on them that thanked us for patronizing the restaurant. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. read more

The atmosphere is vibrant. Very clean. The waitresses are very happy to serve us. We were welcomed warmly. I ordered the duck Ramen. It was exquisite. I was in heaven. The broth was extremely flavorful. The duck slices were perfectly cooked and still crunchy on the outside. The noodles were perfectly cooked. I can't say enough good things about this place. Highly recommend. I will go back each and every time I am an Exeter. read more

First time visit at lunch in Downtown Exeter. Dark, but kinda cool vibe interior. Friendly attentive service. The food is just fabulous. Cold salad arrived cold, hot food arrived hot. Fresh ingredients and beautifully spiced. So glad we checked it out and will definitely be back. read more

Tom yum soup is heavenly!!! Amazing staff-they are always so kind!!! Cozy ambiance-typically on the quiet side.

Solid food and drinks. Extremely nice staff. Cute ambiance. The space can be tight but it's also because they are pretty popular full! A bit tricky with an infant (but that's almost everywhere) but tried their best to accommodate and even made us non-marinated steamed veggies for our baby. Thank you for your kindness. read more

My first experience having authentic Ramen! It was really good, super fresh, and affordable. The ambiance is bright yet cozy. Strong drinks!! Also, the dumplings were AMAZING! read more

Wow, what a delicious meal! I had been wanting to try to this place out for a while, and decided to give it a shot on a rainy/cold day when I was craving something warm and comforting. I ordered the Oba Ramen and it was so good! Broth was spicy and flavorful. I loved the shrimp tempura. It was such a good meal. Cannot wait to go back!! read more

OBA Noodle Bar - Oba Ramen - Noodles Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

Yum! I took the advice of many previous reviewers and ordered the beef noodle soup. On a cool rainy day it hit the spot, starting with a deep inhalation of the aroma of the richly spiced broth. Lots of tender beef, with NO gristle or fat. My husband had the Drunken Noodles and loved them. Friendly service. read more

Stopped in for a quick lunch around 1 PM. They were quiet. Fast friendly service. Sat and the bar and had what I guess was the house ramen. OBA Ramen. $14. Tasty. Check out the photo. Will definitely be back. read more

OBA Noodle Bar - It's smallish. - Noodles Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

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Been wanting to try this place for a while now , and we finally did tonight. Place was packed when we walked in. The smell was amazing . Staff was friendly. Food was amazing . Appetizers were on point and the main was great . Definitely coming back here and will recommend read more

OBA Noodle Bar - Noodles Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

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food is amazing if you like powerful flavors, i'm good friends with management and waitstaff all of which are excellent people. would've given more than 5 stars if i could've. good price for a meal that will definitely not require dessert to feel completely satisfied. all in all it is perfect, and i am a very picky eater who has been in the industry. read more

Great soup. Got takeout, don't know much about the inside atmosphere. Good food at least

Delicious drunken noodle bowl with udon noodles. Cozy space, quick friendly service and in middle of beautiful Exeter.

Exeter now has a legit ramen spot. Pros: Ramen broth flavoring is best I've had in NH. Great flavor overall, they have spicy chili flakes you can add as well. Chashu pork flavor was pretty good. Attentive service and that's truly interested in what you thought of meal flavors. Cons: Really tight seating inside, limited menu. I think this place deserves 4.5 stars - with a bit more variety in the menu and as they expand their company hopefully they can tighten prices a little - $16 for ramen is a bit on the pricey side. This place will be our go to ramen take out spot in the future. read more

OBA Noodle Bar - Chasu Pork Ramen - Noodles Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

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Love the food and everyone is so friendly. We can't get enough of the pad Thai. Thank you!

First timer 5! We'll call that the NOBAR GARCIAPARRA! Great new addition to downtown Exeter! Fresh ingredients and excellent hospitality. Beef in the Beef Noodle Soup was very tender, broth was fresh, veggies had a delectably delicate crunch and the cilantro was supa dupa fresh! Don't sleep on the Thai Tea! See you again soon, OBA! P.S. logo work and neon is fantastic read more

OBA Noodle Bar - Thai Tea - Noodles Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire

This review is long overdue. My husband and I have been eating here for the past year and a half. The restaurant itself, although small, is clean and the food is always great. This review is for their vegetarian/vegan dishes. I've eaten their veggie Pad Thai, Thai noodle soup with tofu and now during my most recent visit, their Drunken Noodle with soy nuggets. Whenever we are in town, we always make time to dine here. read more

OBA Noodle Bar - Thai iced tea and Drunken Noodles with soy nuggets - Noodles Near Me - Exeter, New Hampshire