Isa Cruz

This summer, a new restaurant entered Brunswick’s food scene, bringing forth another option people can mull over when deciding where to grab a bite to eat.

Hug Sen Noodle Bar is an Asian-fusion restaurant located at 22 Pleasant St., where Bao Bao Dumpling House formerly resided. It is nestled across from Curtis Memorial Library and next to Brunswick’s USPS office.

Entering the restaurant, you’re met with a bright interior, lined with windows along the street-facing wall and wooden tables spaced evenly throughout.

The restaurant’s menu offers something for just about every craving, from crispy crab and lobster rangoons, chicken satay and Thai crispy rolls to fresh spring rolls, gyoza and steamed buns.

The heart of the menu, though, is its selection of noodle soups, rice dishes and house specialties. Guests can choose from favorites like Hug Sen ramen, tom yum noodle soup, kimchi noodle soup and Thai boat noodle soup, alongside stir-fried dishes such as pad kra pow, dan dan noodles and crazy mee duck. The menu includes a variety of gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian dishes.

The Orient ordered three different items from the extensive menu: fresh spring rolls, kimchi fried rice and drunken noodles.

The spring rolls were light and crunchy, but the star of the show in this classic appetizer was the peanut sauce which was not too nutty as many sauces usually are. The tanginess of the sauce brought the appetizer to a different level.

In regard to the main courses, the drunken noodles held their own as a staple dish, while the kimchi fried rice went above and beyond.

Similarly to the nuttiness of the peanut sauce, with fried rice, the kimchi flavor can easily overpower the flavor of the rice and other spices in the meal. In the case of Hug Sen Noodle Bar, the rice’s flavor was unmatched, and the kimchi only enhanced that experience, never detracting or overpowering other flavors.

The drunken noodles are nothing to rave about, but are a solid option if looking for a reliable meal. The dish serves as a classic Thai food option.

The serving sizes of the main dishes are large, making the portions suitable for family-style meals. This restaurant will be a great option for Family Weekend, a fun night out with a group of friends, date nights or just an excuse to get off campus and try some new food.