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Ji Be Chuan Brings Popular Chinese Rice Noodle Franchise to CT

Restaurant Chinese Noodle Soup Noodles Asian Food

Jessica Ryan

At one end of a non-descript strip mall in Orange is a new restaurant called Ji Be Chuan — You could call it a noodle joint or a soup joint, but that’s not an altogether accurate description. Although its roots stem from China, Ji Be Chuan isn’t exactly a Chinese restaurant either. A Chinese franchise which was founded in Shuzhou, China has over 400 locations in China with a growing international presence. There are 50 restaurants in the US including one in New York City, and one here in Orange, Connecticut. 

This franchise is unique in that about 50% of the menu features original Ji Be Chuan recipes, but franchisees are allowed to supplement with their own recipes and dishes. For this reason, the Orange location features a unique blend of Asian influences and  flavors from Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, and, of course, China. This “flexible franchise,” as owner Jin Lin refers to it, allowed him to incorporate pho and ramen with the traditional Chinese dishes. There is something for everyone, and something familiar to everyone. 


25+ Spots for Great Ramen in Connecticut

Restaurant Features Asian Noodle Soup Ramen Japanese Noodles Best of CT Homepage Highlight

April Guilbault

Sluuuuuurp. Siiiip! Sip! Just a few of the sounds you might hear when consuming a steaming hot bathtub-sized bowl of delicious, noodlicious ramen. Whether you’ve got a simpler bowl of noodles and broth on the brain or one brimming with a myriad of toppers, not much is more satisfying than slurping to your heart’s content. To take the chill off these end-of-winter days, we’ve got the consummate listing for your next craving. Dive on in, the slurping is good!

Here are 25 Spots for great ramen in Connecticut.

If we missed a Ramen spot you love, please contact us.


Guide To Great Coffee in Connecticut: Happy National Coffee Day 2022!

Restaurant Features Roundup Best of CT Coffee Espresso Coffee Shop Breakfast homepage Highlight

April Guilbault

September 29th is National Coffee Day. If this listing was a coffee cup it would be a mega-super-duper-de-booper-trente. To make the (brewing) process easier for you to discover fabulous-and sometimes hidden- java joints to caffeinate or simply enjoy the velvety and multi-faced notes of a fine cup of’ Joe, we have divided this list by county. Enjoy the thrill of a new favorite spot or re-visit an old favorite.The slow pour has already begun as you read this…

Enjoy our guide to the best places to get coffee in the state of Connecticut.


Menya Gumi: Ramen, Donburi, and Epic Sandos in New Haven

Restaurant Openings New Haven Japanese Ramen Noodles Sandwich Lunch Comfort Food Homepage

Brian Lance

I lived in Japan for four years in the early 2000s. I spent much time eating my way around Tokyo and the Kanto sprawl. Surely much has changed in those 20 years since I left. Still, I long for the food I left behind. Not the flashy foods of trendy restaurants I visited (and loved). I miss the fried chicken skewers from 7-11, Circle K egg salad sandos, and the noodles of all the quick-bite ramen shops without chairs, for none of which I remember names. Yoshinoya, Pot & Pot, and sushi go-rounds that didn’t serve elaborate rolls. I miss all the places in the cavernous Shinjuku Station underground with their window displays of plastic katsu curry and oyaku-don.

Yeah. It’s the love the Japanese food culture places into even it’s fast(ish) food that I’ve sought since coming back to the states. Occasionally, some of my old friends who were there with me will send pics of some gem they found in a strip mall. I do the same. But of the handful of places that I found, none takes me back there like Menya Gumi.

Angel Cheng opened Menya Gumi in March 2020, right as the pandemic hit the U.S. Menya survived to deliver an upgraded touch to the food of my past. Cheng works somewhere between Japanese tradition and American food crazes.


jjStacks: Burgers, Fries, Shakes, Local Beer, + Mini Golf in Brookfield

Restaurant Features Burgers sandwiches ice cream Brookfield homepage Homepage

Andrew Dominick

Joe Attonito has his second act as a restaurant owner. In fact, he’s officially over a year into his next phase at jjStacks, where double cheeseburgers, hulking hot dogs, fresh cut fries, shakes, and other sandwiches are the focus.

If Attonito sounds familiar, you’re not imagining it. He owned the sports bar, Tiger’s Den, just off Ridgefield’s Main Street for 3 ½ years. “I was looking to get out of the industry,” Attonito says. “While attempting to transition out, I went to work for Jeff Taibe at Taproot, then I got into food sales at PFG (Performance Food Group). I wanted to get back in, so I started looking into getting a food truck.”

Attonito found a truck with the right price tag attached to it but his business partner at the time didn’t want the venture to be mobile. “I didn’t want to do a brick-and-mortar because I know what it takes; you gotta be there every day,” he says. “My partner told me to go look at the old Campy’s Cookout on Federal Road and to let him know what I thought. I saw the place, the property, the deck, the mini golf, and said to myself ‘Oh, man. This is perfect.’ I called the landlord hoping the rent would be too much and it’ll be crazy, and easy to say no. He was so friendly, accommodating, and the price was right.”

And just like that, from sports bar to a few stops in between, Attonito was back operating a sort of sportsy location, if you consider mini golf a sport.

jjStacks officially opened on August 23, 2020, a scary time to open a spot smack dab in a pandemic, according to Attonito, but he knew he had lots of outdoor seating on the side deck if people felt uncomfortable dining in.

The vibe at Stacks, though, is anything but uncomfortable. It’s a family friendly roadside joint with double stack burgers as its star and plenty of guilty pleasure grub.

Past patrons of Tiger’s Den will recognize his crispy, meaty chicken wings with a plethora of classic and creative sauces to choose from, and occasionally you’ll come across a Den special like mac & cheese, but with a jjStacks spin on it, like “Big Stack Mac” with chopped ground beef, bacon, and burger sauce.


Guide to Connecticut Lobster, Clambakes and Seafood Shacks: 2021 Edition

Restaurant Features Best of CT Seafood seafood boil Lobster Lobster Roll Lobster Bake Clambake Dining Guide homepage Homepage

April Guilbault

It is doubtful that, when mentioning summer eats, lobster anything wouldn’t be in the Top 3 list of foods that folks love, drive miles for, yearn for during the winter months and spiritedly debate (hot? cold? with mayo? just butter?). Well, summer is here, time to strap on that bib, lick those buttery fingers and well, get crackin’. From piled-high lobster rolls and creamy bisques, to hot fried clams and fluffy fritters, seafood rules the roost when temps rise and those ocean breezes soothe the soul. Whether you are searching for a lunch by the water or hosting a party for friends (weee! finally!), these venues will add some buttery fun to your summer days. Bon appetit! Here, let me tie that bib for you….


Dave’s Gourmet Paletas: Artisan Ice Pops Opens in Fairfield

Restaurant Openings Fairfield Ices Ice Pops Dessert Kids Kid Friendly Popsicles homepage

CTbites Team

Craving something sweet but not in the mood for the full indulgence of ice cream? Do you want something that tastes just as good without as much guilt? Have no fear, Dave’s Gourmet Paletas has just opened in downtown Fairfield serving up 20 flavors of homemade paletas…made fresh daily. These pops are far cry fro from the average popsicle as paletas are made entirely from whole ingredients, delicious things…like fresh fruit and nut butters. Dave’s Paletas also feature gluten free, dairy free and vegan options with a menu ranging from classic flavors like strawberry and banana to more unique ones like matcha and mango chamoy. Paletas are a traditional Mexican frozen treat and owner and CEO Dave Rock says,

“We wanted to offer standard flavors, traditional ones that everybody likes, but we also wanted to sprinkle in some of the more uniquely Mexican options like a mango chamoy.”


House Of Pho in Stratford Serves Up Much More Than Delicious Pho

Restaurant Asian Vietnamese Pho Soups Noodles Noodle Soup Stratford Openings Lunch Comfort Food

James Gribbon

At a hillside shopping center overlooking nothing more fashionable than the far ridge line of the Housatonic River and Sikorsky’s helicopter factory steams a great bowl of pho. It’s a standard bo vien with beef meatballs, ordered lightly rich with small convex globules of transparent oil magnifying both light and flavor in the broth. I’ve recently dosed a bite with a slice of positively infernal green pepper. A less varied quarantine diet has apparently softened my usually spice-calloused tongue. My eyes are watering, and my nose is running. I’m in heaven.


Rosie New Canaan: 16 Years of Uber Delicious Global Comfort Food

Restaurant New Canaan Global Cuisine American Baked Goods Comfort Food Mexican Dessert Breakfast Brunch Lunch homepage Homepage

Stephanie Webster

Walking in to meet the legendary “Rosie” of Rosie New Canaan, I had full clarity within 30 seconds as to what has made this uber delicious global comfort food spot so beloved for 16 years. Sure, it’s the 2 pound blueberry muffins that could make a grown man weep, and the love that goes into the 6 hour stewed black beans in Rosie’s hueveos rancheros, but truly it is Rosie Bonura herself that makes this place feel like home (but with far better fare than you’d find in your own kitchen). She herself is the perfect recipe of creative energy, passion, and love for her community. This New Canaan fixture, whom I came to realize, after sitting streetside with her, knows everyone in the town by name, came racing out of the kitchen to greet me (we’d never met in person), virtually hugged me, (cuz’ Covid), and said “I need to get a batch of cookies out of the oven, I’ll be right back.”


Locally Made Canned Cocktails We've Been Lovin' in Summer 2020

Features Ingredients Cocktails Canned Cocktails Drinks Home Delivery homepage Homepage

Kristin L. Wolfe

Not gonna lie. I’m sucked in by looks. What’s on the inside counts, sure, but when I see a sharp, sexy...wait a minute. I’m talking about my drinks. What were you thinking?

Ok, weird intro aside, there seems to be an endless list of new canned drinks out there and room for even more. And, although nothing these days seems to be “normal” we are trying to enjoy ourselves however we can; and to me, sun, water, and delicious cold drinks, certainly helps that effort. So, while some of your pandemic hobbies might have revolved around expanding your mind or being creative with activities like puzzles, knitting, or cooking grannies old recipes, mine sorta kinda included drinking on the beach; and drinking delicious, creatively designed canned beverages, in particular. I started out with the popular seltzers like White Claw, Stoli’s yada yada, then moved to a few hard ciders from the 1911 suite (from Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards), like the Rosé in a tall, gorgeous soft pink can; then my fam and I fell in love with punch of the Watermelon Mint with graphics as a bold as the taste.

But then my new “hobby” got a little more interesting, uh...well, bolder, with stronger boozish. Here are a couple of brands created in our lovely state, then a few others you just have to try, especially since there’s still at least six weeks left of sunshine. However, I gather these will still be enjoyed well beyond the end of summer.


Haruki Ramen & Izakaya Brings Authentic Japanese Pub Fare to Norwalk

Restaurant Ramen Noodles Asian Japanese Izakaya Norwalk SONO Openings Lunch Homepage Waypointe

Tiffany Tu

Amongst the bright and airy courtyard of the Waypointe Apartments resides Haruki Ramen & Izakaya.

Owners, Lily Nimonjiya and Ben Chan, first opened Haruki’s doors in February 2020. They wanted to bring a new side of the Japanese culture to Fairfield. Most importantly, they wanted to showcase what you’d normally find in an izakaya in Japan. “I want to highlight that there is more to the Japanese cuisine than sushi and ramen,” says Nimonjiya.

So, what is an izakaya? In Japanese, it directly translates to, “stay sake shop.” It is a casual drinking establishment with small bites. A more colloquial comparison for an izakaya would be a pub or a tapas bar. Alongside their izakaya offerings, there are also options for ramen and rice dishes. And of course, craft cocktails and an extensive list of sake—47 kinds to be exact.


Local Spotlight: Vita Cacciari of Vita Pasta Lab + Virtual Italian Cooking Classes

Features Interview Cooking Classes Pasta Italian Noodles

Andrew Dominick

If not for my friend Micaela, I might have never met Vita Cacciari. Micaela sent me a text one night after she attended a pasta making class at Wakeman Town Farm. She asked if I knew of any commercial kitchen spaces so the woman who teaches these classes could have more options in the area. Micaela’s text, in regard to “the woman,” were of high praise; amazing, hard worker, and nice person were all phrases she used to describe Vita. “She’s Italian” was another.

A slew of photos, video, and a website link followed. I browsed Vita’s site for her cooking class business, Vita Pasta Lab, and was instantly curious. I like to cook. I like to learn. I LOVE pasta. And Vita’s pasta looked stunningly beautiful.


Takeout Chronicles: Joe’s Pizza, bartaco, Cafe Silvium, & Twelve Percent Beer Project

Restaurant Take Out To-Go New Canaan Mexican Tacos bartaco beer ct beer homepage Pizza

Andrew Dominick

As some Connecticut restaurants begin the slow process of reopening with outdoor dining, you’ll either rush right out, ease back into it, or wait a bit longer when it comes to reintroducing yourself to your favorite eateries based on your level of comfort. Regardless of where you stand, it’s a safe bet that your dining repertoire will still include takeout.

With that said, and on the heels of James Gribbon’s takeout picks, I’ve got a bunch worth checking out.

At the very beginning of quarantine, one of my first orders came from an oldie. Joe’s Pizza has been open since 1967, almost two decades before I was born. I’ve actually had my entire life to try it, but here I am in 2020, a Joe’s newbie.


Tiger Belly Noodle Bar in Granby: Slow-Cooked Ramen Perfection (via CT Magazine)

Restaurant Granby Ramen Asian Japanese Noodles Comfort Food

Connecticut Magazine

The first sip of steaming broth at Tiger Belly Noodle Bar in Granby tells me all I need to know.

The tonkotsu (pork bone) broth is so dense and savory that it seems like it could cure a cold. Although my ramen bowl arrives a few minutes after I order it, the process of its creation clearly began much earlier. It’s easy to tell this soup was slow-cooked. The broth cooks for 20 to 25 hours, I’ll later learn.

“We slow-stew it overnight and then we blast it with high heat the next day when we come into work,” chef and owner Ki’yen Yeung says. “We get it down to the point where the bones melt into the broth.


50+ CT Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Dinner & Catering: 2019 Edition

Features Holiday Thanksgiving Catering Caterers Special Occasion homepage Homepage

Emma Jane-Doody Stetson

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and many of Connecticut’s best restaurants have Thanksgiving specials & catering worth gobbling up! From prix fixe menus to extensive buffets to family style to take-out, there are options for everyone. So don’t cry fowl– make your reservations today! Space is limited and seats fill up quickly, and get your catering orders in if you’d prefer to do Thanksgiving at home, without the work!


Yom Kippur Savory Mushroom Cheese Kugel Recipe

Features Recipe Holiday Recipe Noodles

Liz Rueven

Yom Kippur*, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, is a day of fasting and praying. When the longest day of the year ends (at least for those who haven’t eaten for 25 hours) family and friends gather around a casual buffet that often includes a sweet noodle kugel. Sure, there are bagels and cheeses, cucumber salads and fresh fruit. But it’s the kugel everyone goes for first.


Hidden Mexican Gem: Azteca Restaurant in Bridgeport

Restaurant Bridgeport Mexican Tacos Lunch Brunch Kid Friendly Openings homepage Homepage

Andrew Dominick

Hidden gems are the heart and soul of this site. I think the other CTbites writers would wholeheartedly agree that those “off the beaten path” restaurants or those that haven’t quite reached a mainstream audience yet, those are the ones that we get excited about the most. 

Azteca Restaurant in Bridgeport is exactly the kind of place that gets my blood flowing. Its family owned, and still new as it opened during the summer. It also might’ve never come to my attention if chef Bill Taibe didn’t sing its praises to us after a random night out in Bridgeport and a cell phone search for “Mexican food near me.” 

If not for a chef’s need for late night munchies, Azteca would not have been on our radar. With this information, Stephanie Webster and I rolled out to Azteca for an unforgettable midday Monday feast. 


Guide To Connecticut Caterers For Your Next Party

Features Catering Caterers Entertaining Best of CT homepage Homepage

April Guilbault

School has started. You know what that means, don’t you? The holidays are coming (sorry!). Plan now, get a jump on things. This will be your year to be…ready for it?…organized! We all love the parties and events that the holidays bring but they can also have us sighing and dreading them because, well, they are a lot of work, no matter how wonderful they are. With that in mind, maybe this is the year you opt for a caterer to help you enjoy the season and these delightful gatherings all the more. A gift to yourself, so to speak. This bunch of professionals will set up, decorate, coordinate and serve a wonderful variety of delicious morsels for you and your guests. You can rest easy as your beautiful event unfolds before your very eyes. Sometimes, we get by with a little help from our friends, and in this case, our friends who cater…


Mecha Noodle Bar Opens In Stamford!

Restaurant Noodles Asian Vietnamese Japanese Ramen Pho Stamford Openings Lunch Homepage

Andrew Dominick

Stamford, you’re about to be on the receiving end of a whole lot of noods. Get your mind out of the gutter, we’re talking about the piping hot, comforting bowls of ramen and pho by Mecha Noodle Bar, opening at the start of September on Bedford Street.

There’s no exact date as of yet, according to the team at Mecha, but they’re advising eager broth sippers to stay tuned to Facebook and Instagram for soft opening and grand opening announcements. 

Much like their other locations in Fairfield, South Norwalk, and New Haven, Stamford’s version of Tony Pham’s popular noodle shop will feature all the Mecha staples; KFC bao, a half dozen pho options, red oil dumplings, kim chi fried rice, and all the porky tonkatsu and spicy miso ramen you can handle. 

But wait! There’s more! Mecha Stamford will have a few differences from its other locations, starting with the bar. The massive U-shaped bar was made to be a focal point of the dining room because of Stamford’s bar culture, so you can pull up, have a drink (or three) from beverage director Jonathan Rodriguez’s craft cocktail program, a few bites, and call it a night if that’s what you desire. Additionally, there’s some outdoor street level seating for when the weather obeys. 

Aside from all that, there’s a little something “EXTRA” at this Mecha…

“There’s a section on the menu we’re referring to as the ‘Baller Menu,’” says Kaylyn Crawford, Mecha’s COO. “We’ll have stuff like a large pho for two with a steak, and large format cocktails like a punch bowl. We want to take it over the top for the demographic in Stamford.”