Fresno Foodie friends, I am so excited to tell you all about the amazing restaurant a friend and I got to check out for the first time today. We have an amazing new xiao long bao spot of our very own to enjoy across from Target in the former Boston Market building on Bullard, between Blackstone and 41.
Jingle Bao just opened its doors five days ago and is technically still in a soft opening phase, but honestly, you would not be able to tell by the service, food quality, presentation, or timeliness. My friend and I went for a late lunch today (I always try to go to newer restaurants during off-peak hours, because I know it can be stressful for staff who are still getting their bearings during the lunch and dinner rushes), and there were around five other parties eating when we arrived, plus one ordering takeout.
I cannot believe the space used to be a Boston Market, because it has undergone a complete remodel inside. If you are dining in, you will receive full table service, though you can order to-go at the register if you prefer.
We were greeted warmly when we arrived, and they immediately cleaned a table for us. Everything was already very clean in the dining room, but you could tell we arrived right as the last of the lunch rush had cleared and a few tables were still waiting to be reset. We appreciated how quickly they got our table ready and spotless. The restaurant is modern, bright, and airy, but not sparse. The furniture is warm wood tones with comfortable, modern chairs and orange accents.
The menu is double-sided and offers soup dumplings (xiao long bao) in both regular and spicy varieties, spicy wontons, potstickers, egg rolls, noodle and rice dishes, a variety of meat dishes, and even chocolate strawberry dessert xiao long bao.
For lunch today, we tried the pork xiao long bao, the spicy pork and shrimp wontons, the chocolate strawberry xiao long bao, and chicken garlic noodles. Everything tasted handmade and super fresh. The broth in the xiao long bao was really flavorful, and the gingery sauce they were served with for dipping was wonderful. All tables also had black vinegar, chili oil, and soy sauce, so you can mix up your own dipping sauce, too. The spicy pork and shrimp wontons were amazing. They had a great slow burn, not-too-spicy, almost smoky kick. And the dessert bao were next level.
We also really enjoyed the texture of the garlic noodles, which were thicker than chow mein but thinner than chow fun, and super savory.
I think Jingle Bao is going to end up being extremely popular, not just for their great service, nice atmosphere, and amazing food, but also for their reasonable prices for such meticulously handmade (and special) dishes.
Jingle Bao is now open at 110 E. Bullard in Fresno, and I recommend getting there quick before they have daily lines out the door, because I think that is exactly where they are headed!
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