Xen Thai and Ramen — Restaurant in Conway

Whoever owns that must be a chef. This place is wonderful, haunting and lingering. I’ll be honest, you see a name like Zen Rice and Ramen and you think “ok great cheap Chinese or overpriced simple food. Then you look at the menu and you think “uh oh it looks stupid” because of the lack of options, but I really scored with my options of fried tempura Brussels sprouts and Five Spice Duck Ramen. It was actually the most interesting Ramen soup I’ve yet to see and I’m actually a pretty good food expert. You won’t find green Ramen or duck, not around here, that was one good chili enhancer for the Ramen, great Brussels sprouts with just the right amount of dipping sauce. Whoever owns that must actually be a chef or something because I’m a sous chef and certified restaurant manager manager who usually does better at home especially with rice or ramen, and that food was no joke at all, I loved it! I am looking forward to returning, service was good, store was very nice! I recommend souvenirs too like jade chopsticks for purchase or amulets or statues or onyx something or others...I happen to think you won’t get far without them simply because you’re a restaurant in Conway next to a Japanese grill I’ve never eaten at. But if you do start selling souvenirs, I recommend you not settle for stupid SSDD items you find anywhere, you’re actually five star in my book and anything I’ve already seen around the area automatically demotes a star unless it’s upscale. That was a super good job with extremely well done in presentation and in flavor, whoever made that did an extremely good job. I usually don’t eat out but I have fairly good hopes for you guys and I know you can’t find a better oriental restaurant even in Little Rock, everyone picks New China but your food was extremely good. And as leftovers it’s still really good, the bamboo flavor is strong. I’m glad your server knew the answers, she was informed on my dishes which was very important because I wanted vegetable tempura and she knew it was fish/shrimp which was still a fine choice. Id recommend a few vegetarian options but you have them, even without tofu. That’s why I think the owner’s a chef, because real chefs know that plus they have the best food. I don’t like putting it like this but that darn...

Danny, thanks for the long thoughtful reply. You can tell you really care about your business. I updated this review from a 3 to 5 stars today because since my original post 7 months ago me and my family have been to this restaurant 3 more times. It has been better every time, and the service has never been bad!

Truth be told the Ramen still does not do it for me, and having just spent the last 3 years of our life in Japan my family are Ramen fiends.

With that being said, the Thai food here is outstanding. This is still my wife's favorite Pad Thai in the area and it hasn't tasted the same (as sweet) as that first day on any of our return visits. It's been wonderful. The Tom Yum and Panang, especially, are phenomenal. Minor gripe, even at "max" spice level 4 it wasn't quiet hot enough (but the waitress let me in that they have a spice level 8 and it's what I'll be doing next time.) I tried bites from the Basil Chicken and Rice (also spice 4) and the Siam Noodles. Basic Chicken is always one of my go-to's in Thailand and this was excellent. It was noticeably hotter than the Panang (as it should be) but was spot on, tasted great. I finished it off with some Mango Sticky rice which was spot on!

Danny, any thought on adding a Green Curry and Morning glory to the menu?

Original Review: Customer Service was great. Pad Thai was very good / very sweet. Tasted very different from most pad thais I’ve had around Not only in the States but Thailand as well. Not a bad thing I just wouldn’t go expecting a familiar authentic pad thai. The ramen was pretty disappointing. The noodles were instant noodles and the eggs were hard boiled not soft, I’d highly recommend spicing it up with some chili paste. I was VERY impressed by the chashu though, easily the highlight of the meal and a 5 of 5 piece of pork :) The chicken in the chicken ramen was so-so. Not karaage. My mother loved the...

I went on a double date with my sister and her fiancé tonight (table of 4) and we were unknowingly charged 20% gratuity. There was no sign, the receipt had no break down of the different prices of meals, so I went to check out very confused on why one $11 meal and one $13 meal costed $33. The receipt was set up as usual with an option to add a tip WITHOUT ACKNOWLEDGING that they had already added the 20% gratutity to my check? I always tip when I go out to eat— but that’s my decision. This restaurant gave me no decision in the matter when I did not even receive good service (probably because the waitress knew she would be tipped anyways). I ordered spicy red curry and my water was empty for most of my meal. The food was good, but i will never go back to this restaurant that is trying to steal from me. If someone were to not pay attention to the price of their check, they would end up unknowingly tipping the waitress double what they normally would. It’s decietful and...