Junzi Kitchen

More of a 3.5, but I’ll round up. As others have mentioned, Junzi is basically an Asian style Chipotle that offers chun bings and noodle bowls.
I ordered the knife noodle bowl with the furu sesame sauce. I got half chicken and half beef and loaded it up with a bunch of veggies and garnishes. I found both the chicken and beef to be very flavorful and moist! The furu sesame sauce was okay, but I felt it was not salty enough. The noodles seem to be precooked and they just dunk it in hot water to warm it up before serving. By doing this, the texture of the noodles became a little bit too overcooked and it didn’t have that chewiness homemade noodles are known to have.
However, the flavors of everything mixed together tasted pretty good and authentic! It’s a good alternative to the other noodle places in New Haven!

Cute concept– Chipotle or Tikkaway style fast casual– but if you’re craving authentic Chinese food this is absolutely not the place for you & you’ll be better off at Basil or Ivy Noodle. I was not impressed with the lukewarm noodles or dry pork that came with my order. But I hope they’ll improve and wish them continued success with people interested in fusion food/​a new concept.

The noodles are good, especially with sesame source. They added a lot of ingredients so one plate is enough for girls. Will go back again!

Walking down the street, I stumbled on this shop. It’s located behind a bus stop (?) so keep your eyes open. It was not crowded at 2:30, and the staff was really helpful. I felt that the food was fresh and there were a good amount of choices. My friend dubbed it the Chinese Chipotle. I got the noodle bowl with tofu! Noms! I will definitely be going back.

A unique «customize-​it» answer to Asian noodles. Chipotle style, you order what base sauce, noodle type, toppings, etc. you add and come together with a wonderfully «you» dish to enjoy. As always, I was overwhelmed by the freedom of choice and just picked an amalgamation of ingredients that individually sounded delicious, without much thought to whether it’d taste good together. Turns out it did! Was I lucky or was I played by the genius of Junzi? Either way, I low-​key with Harvard had a Junzi Kitchen, too!

Came in here on a rainy February day not for dinner, but more a pre-​dinner snack.
Junzi is famous for their chun-​bings (1 for $ 4.50 and 2 for $ 8) which is essentially a spring roll made with a whole wheat pancake and stuffed with a protein (pork, chicken, tofu or beef) and all the vegetables you want. I thought it was delicious. Especially loved the garlic chives and beansprouts — so good. Flavours are so delicate and well balanced. I also really liked the chilli oil that you can throw on the side. It’s the only spicy enough condiment I’ve had, really. There is also the option of a noodle bowl ($ 9). Great alternatives to Tikkaway and the now-​failing Chipotle down the street.
I love the décor of the place. It’s small, but cozy. Would recommend more for lunch than for dinner, or take-​out at least. Healthy, affordable and delicious fast food.

Fresh ingredients and a variety of toppings makes this a nice surprise for me. I’ve been twice and I already know that I have to be here at least once a week to get my fix.
Not sure if I am crazy about the pre-​bagged portions of noodles but it does not hinder me from coming back again.
Their sesame sauce is really good. The spicy garlicky variety is super yummy on the chun bing. I’m no expert but the long lines tell me they’ll be around for a bit. Thankfully.

Been here twice. The first time I had chun bings with the whole wheat Bing, chicken and beef. They were really great; the only shortcoming is the Bing tends to stick to the crevices of the teeth when you eat. Some people might be ok, but I found it quite annoying.
The second time I tried the spring noodle bowl. Now THaT’s phenomenal !!! The noodles’ smooth and tasty with the right texture! and the sauces had just the right amount of ingredient mix, making it not too oily nor too saucy — extremely addictive!
The ambience is awesome too! I like the upbeat music though it’s more pop; it’s got a really positive vibe !
Price wise, It’s a little on the pricey side.
Overall, a great place to grab a bite.

Amazing! We came here for the first time yesterday and loved it so much that we had to go back today.
The food is fabulous. Fab-​U-​Lous. Depending on your hunger level, you can order a single chun bing or a giant bowl of noodles. Either way, there are solid options for omnivores and vegans alike.
The tofu and veggies we had were prepared perfectly — chewy things were chewy, crispy things were crispy. With the addition of sweet garlic and pickled daikon you almost don’t need a sauce. But, you’re gonna want one! The sauces are unbelievable — a great balance of spicy, salty, sweet, and tangy. I remain partial to the garlic chili and the jaja vegetable.
Added bonuses — The staff is super helpful, and the space is beautiful. I was surprised by the chill vibe given how many people must walk through their doors.
This is, without question, my new favorite place in the area! Thanks Junzi!!!

I came here for a late lunch on a Saturday afternoon. Luckily, we didn’t have to wait too long to order, though all the seats in the front were full (more on that in a minute).
Maybe it was just the time of day, but I need to dock stars for the strange, hasty service I received. When my friend, who ordered in front of me, ordered her dish, two separate people put together the final product: protein and then toppings. However, once I was ready for toppings, the person who had been there before just walked away. She didn’t even turn around. It was obvious I was there, but she started gabbing with the first person.
Luckily, a third person behind the counter saw me and stepped in — not without telling the person who was supposed to be doing this that she had a customer, to which she did not bat an eye — but he did a hasty job and didn’t give me a moment to ask for some of the final oils or sauces before flinging my bowl to the cash register.
Also, the seating area is super small and narrow. You have to time it perfectly to get a non-​cramped spot.
I will definitely give this spot props for having fresh ingredients, including egg noodles and greens. I got to try my friend’s noodles with sesame sauce and chili oil — the oil I didn’t have a chance to put on my own — which was really good.
Good idea but could have better execution.

PheNOMenal. I love that traditional Chinese food with a modern twist is becoming more mainstream. Jun Zi got both the concept and execution right!
You have the option between a regular or wheat «chun bing» (1 for $ 4.50 or 2 for $ 8.00) or a noodle bowl ($ 9.00), and much like the down-​the-​line assembly method that was made popular by Chipotle, you then get to take part in the creation of your meal and choose your protein, veggie toppings, and sauce.
Protein options include chicken, pork, steak, mushrooms, and tofu. I’ve tried the chicken, pork, and steak and absolutely love the pork and steak (the chicken is good too, and it just comes down to personal preference!) It also comes with blanched potatoes. Picking veggies is by far my favorite part of the process because there’s just SO. MANY. CHOICES. The plethora of options include bean sprouts, cooked spinach, and daikon, in addition to your more typical offerings. Then comes the sauce. There’s 4 different sauces but in my vv humble opinion, sweet bei sauce is bae.
The staff has always been helpful and friendly every time I come in (I’ve been for lunch/​mid-​afternoon snack on both weekdays and weekends). Don’t be afraid to let them know if it’s your first time here — they’ll guide you through the various options!
I’ve always had the chun bing (1 chun bing is pretty satisfying as a snack/​post-​workout snack, and I order 2 if I’m feeling really ambitiously), and I’ve been meaning to try the hand cut noodles. The chun bing wrap itself is the perfect thickness, resembling that of Peking duck, yet still thick enough to hold all the delicious additions without ripping (side note: I would absolutely die if they brought in Peking duck at some point — definitely a wish-​list item). Veggies are fresh. The meats are all perfectly seasoned and cooked.
Best fast casual Asian food joint New Haven could have ever wished for. ¹⁰⁄₁₀ would come time and time again.

Awesome Asian fast-​casual concept. Bing-​wraps made fresh in house! All natural, preservative free! Thick knife noodles or thin spring noodles. Rice noodles available upon request if you’re GF. Choose from simple, fresh, vibrant, ingredients with a tasty sauce to create your own flavorful, unique bowl or wrap. Portions are generous and appropriately priced. Location is prefect. Owner-​operator is a gracious Yale Grad who has embraced the New Haven community with his hospitality. Kudos!

Latest in the series of new themed QSR’s in the area.
Great concept, branding, and a nice space (albeit a bit cramped). I could see this place being great, but execution seemed off. Pork was dry. Noodle bowl was mostly cold to lukewarm. The wrap was a bit better, but something about the ingredients in general didn’t seem super fresh. Service was ok. Half the staff were helpful along the line, and half didn’t care at all and didn’t explain the options very well.
Rice bowls would be a great option.
I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt as it’s still pretty new, and the concept has promise.

Quickly becoming my go-​to spot when I’m in the area. The food is delicious and healthy. You get a choice of «starch» (noodles or bing, a wrap), of protein (chicken, beef, or pork), and of vegetables, including kale, beets, daikun, and many more.
The noodle dish makes for a great meal and the bing for a great snack — although you can double up on bing and make it a meal. The prices are reasonable for the amount and quality of food you get. The noodle dish runs under $ 10 and the bing under $ 5 each.
Staff are friendly and eager to help if it’s your first time visiting. Highly recommend this place if you want a bite of traditional Chinese food!

New Haven sure has changed since I did my time here. This is a simple fast-​casual assembly-​line-​style place serving noodle bowls and bing, and it is fast, reasonably healthy, and extremely delicious. I went with wide noodles, sesame sauce, tofu, and a mess of interesting vegetables, and wolfed down the results with satisfied joy.
If I had two wishes they would be for a slightly heavier hand on the vegetables and sauces, and for the mushrooms to be treated as a free vegetable rather than an expensive «protein» option. (Also, do mushrooms have much protein? I don’t think so.) And if I had a third wish, it would be for this place to have existed while I was in law school; I doubt I would have gone to Yorkside Pizza or the burrito cart … ever.

Wow. I really hope this little place takes off as a chainlet. America deserves better fast Chinese food than Panda Express. Junzi kitchen is basically a chipotle for noodle bowls and chun bing (roughly a Chinese burrito). You pick a bowl or a bing, and then add whatever ingredients you want until it’s completely stuffed. Everything is fresh, the flavors are authentic, and nicely priced for a college student’s budget. Go in, try all the flavors, and eat all of the bing! The free white rabbit candies at the counter are a nice touch too. Conjure up all sorts of childhood nostalgia.
The side dishes are OK. The smashed cucumbers could use a little more vinegar and spice, but hey, it’s a step in the right direction.
¹⁰⁄₁₀ would return.

Did you know that it’s possible to get Chinese food that’s delicious, authentic, reasonably priced, quick, AND healthy? It’s possible to have it all, and you can get it at Junzi. Even if you haven’t heard of most of the ingredients, place your trust in the capable chefs and try something new and yummy. You won’t find any fried mystery meats or soggy, greasy vegetables here!
There are so many regional nuances and flavors that aren’t represented by the usual Chinese restaurants in America, and I’m glad people can now have a taste of some of my favorite flavors in Chinese cuisine. I’ve been here about 5 times since their soft opening last week, it’s that good.
Here’s a handy reference list:
— Flavors: Authentic
— Prices: Reasonable
— Ingredients: Fresh
— Staff: Friendly
— Interior: Clean and bright
— Tastes: Delicious
— Should you try it: YES
GO BING OR GO HOME.

I can finally get my Chinese food fix. I grew up eating Northern Chinese food, and I’ve been sorely missing it in New Haven. Junzi Kitchen’s opening day did not disappoint.
The model for ordering is very familiar – the «down the line» method made popular by Chipotle. You choose your dish type: chun bing (they resemble small burritos, for lack of a better explanation – if you want to learn more you should definitely check out their website) or noodle bowl (either spring or knife noodles – one is slender the other has more of a bite). Proteins to choose between: beef, chicken, tofu, or mushrooms. The rest you fill with toppings. This is the best part, because there’s such wonderful variety. Everything from snow peas to bean sprouts to garlic to chives to chili oil or shrimp salt.
Flavors are on point. I’d expect nothing less in the expert hands of Lucas Sin, a Yale alum who spent his student career starting popular and delicious pop up restaurants all over campus. He’s quite literally cooked all over the world – I don’t know why he chose to stay in New Haven, but I’m glad. Beef was tender, snow peas were cooked perfectly (crunchy, not wilted and overcooked like most places!), sauces were flavorful without being too salty. And the tea is the perfect amount of sweet. The food arrives quickly, but it definitely isn’t «fast food” – there is apparent thought and nuance that went into every aspect of this restaurant.
The meal is also very affordable. Two chun bing for $ 8 or one noodle bowl for $ 9. Portions are large enough that they can probably last two meals (I’m saving my leftovers for lunch tomorrow).
The interior design looks like it came from Brooklyn or San Francisco. Minimalist, architectural, hipster. The attention to detail is immaculate – even their labeling stickers and their shirts cohere to the visual identity.
Advice: If you’ve never had a topping or sauce before, don’t be afraid to ask to try a bit. They were super helpful and kind about letting us sample sauces before choosing. Get tea, both are unexpected and wonderful. And like other Unilocalers have pointed out, get chun bing sauce too on your noodle bowl, (or just ask for it on the side, if you want to try new things).
Day one and everything is already running smoothly. I’m excited to see how Junzi evolves as they work out any of the hiccups they encounter. I’ll definitely be back. And where can I get a Junzi hat?

This brand new Asian fast casual spot is pretty great. The chun bing rolls are particularly excellent with a range of solid fillings, awesome sauces, and excellent optional additions. The place has a few shortcomings, but nothing major.
The noodle bowls here are also tasty, though not as straight up delicious as the chun bing, which are kind of like the pancakes that come with Mu Shu chicken, but thinner and of a better quality. Speaking of chicken, I chose the marinated chicken as my filling and it was amazing. I actually also asked for the braised mushrooms to be put in the wrap as well and this was a good call.
The sauces and optional fillings are perhaps the most absurdly great aspect of this place. 4 awesome sauces, fillings ranging from spring onion to sweet garlic to shrimp salt to chive ash (!).
I mean, you can tell this place is still getting its footing and the protein portions are definitely a little skimpy, but still, this has easily become my favorite place to eat when I am in N. New Haven.
If you do happen to go with the noodles, ask for one of the chun bing sauces on top, as the portion I got was a bit dry. Anyway, it’s amazingly awesome food and worth fighting through the never-​ending tide of Yalies to eat here.

Easily one of the best new restaurants in New Haven. It’d be unfair to call Junzi Kitchen fast casual and lump it together with peers like Chipotle. Though they are both, Junzi stands head and shoulders above the crowded fast-​cas market.
Try out their bing wraps and don’t be afraid to experiment with a whole slew of toppings, sauces and meats. Ask the staff for recommendations — they’re happy to point you in the right direction to build something tasty!.The food is fresh and brings in refreshingly new flavors.
Give it a shot!