Easily the best soup dumplings I've had in CT, and might even be some of the best I've ever had.
I've been to Ramen and Bao about four times just in the month of May - early June. I don't really view Oxford, CT as a culinary destination, so I was extremely surprised at the level of quality when we discovered this place within the beautiful Quarry Walk complex.
Many of the soup dumplings we've had in the past are filled with fatty pork, with the "soup" simply tasting like the oil and grease from the fat. The soup for the pork soup dumplings here actually tasted like flavorful BROTH, and the filling inside was a lot more balanced.
The Dandan noodles, although the way they make it may not be the most authentic, receives high marks in my book. They use knife cut noodles (although I'm assuming they're store bought and not made in-house) topped off with a spicy and flavorful sauce that's not covered in oil or Sichuan peppercorns.
The same high praise goes for the red oil dumplings. The filling was perfect - a good amount of meat and not too fatty - and the sauce was authentic as can be.
We've had the same server every time we've been there, and she just gives me the impression that she's been in the business for awhile. Always prompt, attentive and professional, watchful from a distance without feeling like she's hovering over you. She lets us eat in peace and has us out in a timely manner when we're done. The whole staff in general seems organized and well trained. The only thing we would nitpick is sometimes they just have someone relaxing in the chair at the entrance when they're less busy, which takes away from what otherwise feels like a very professional atmosphere.
The inside is clean, modern, and minimal. They even have a pond in the front of the restaurant with koi fish inside!
I loved the cohesive branding - everything from custom plates to utensils felt designed specifically for enjoying their delicious soup dumplings. It feels like a franchise that specializes in soup dumplings, not just a restaurant that happens to serve them.
All that being said, we've tried the tonkatsu, curry, and braised beef noodle soup, and they've all been fairly pedestrian. The meats could be a little more tender, and the broth are all on the lighter side. The R&B ramen on the other hand does stand out, and we do recommend trying that.
Admittedly our last experience there wasn't as good as the first three times. The pork soup dumplings were average, and the Dandan noodles came drenched in a soup of sauce, drowning the dish in what previously came lightly topped with sauce to be mixed with the noodles. Maybe it was a different chef who cooked the meal this time?
We won't let this one experience deter us from coming back however, and maybe it was just a sign for us to try some other places on my list in the meantime. If only they were located a little closer to the New Haven area though! read more