I stopped by Mecha Noodle Bar and ordered their Pho Sizzle--and wow, it did not disappoint! The broth is on the sweeter side, but still incredibly rich, bold, and packed with flavor, especially with the added marrow oil that really elevates the whole dish. The portion size was generous, and the NY strip was tender, perfectly cooked, and so satisfying. Service was quick and the waitstaff were genuinely kind and attentive, which made the experience even better. The bathrooms were clean, and there's convenient street parking nearby, so getting in and out was easy. The overall ambiance is great and they have anime playing on their tvs. Great music too. Highly recommend if you're craving a delicious, comforting bowl of pho in Columbus! read more

Mecha Noodle Bar - Pho sizzle - Vietnamese Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Came in on a slow Saturday afternoon and our server was Olivia. It was our first time here and the decor was interesting. Their seating arrangement are stools so if you need back support, you probably have to sit at the bar or booths. The Red Oil Dumplings (pork, shrimp, sichuan vinegar, cilantro) were my favorite. The dough to filling ratio was perfect. I was expecting them to be a little spicy but they didn't have any heat imo. I wasn't impressed with the ramen. It wasn't bad but I think I've had better ramen at other places in Columbus. My husband ordered the "spicy beef ramen" and that wasn't spicy either. read more

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YE Gurl's Noodle Nostalgia: Mecha Noodle Bar Mecha Noodle Bar - Columbus, OH July 5, 2025 ‍ Server: Olivia C It's YE Gurl, and this one hit me with a little bit of food and memory. Mecha Noodle Bar sits where White Castle once held court--the after-hours stop across from the dearly departed Mouton (RIP). So yes, this spot has history... now reborn as a hipster noodle bar where Slurping Turtle meets Wu-Tang aesthetics. Came in on a slow Saturday afternoon and sat down with Olivia C., our lovely server who was patient with the wandering first-timers and new guests. I stuck to my fitness goals and ordered water--except I ended up with Liquid Death. Yes, that canned water brand with a heavy metal font and a $5 price tag. I now know what it is. And I now know I never need it again. Meal Rundown: I ordered the Pho Tofu with added Greens ($13), while the beau chose the Vegan Curry Laksa with Tamago and extra noodles ($18.50 + $6). We also shared the General Tso Shrimp ($22). The Pho Tofu broth was solid, with your classic basil, sprouts, and lime setup, but let me say this--vegan broth means mushroom or veggie base, not chicken or beef bouillon. I'd love to see them venture further if they want to truly support plant-based eaters. But hey--consulting ain't free and this isn't that kind of Yelp review. The General Tso Shrimp was tasty, but more of an entrée teaser than a standalone dish. For $22, you get six stretched breaded shrimp with a pile of sticky rice. It ended up working better as a protein boost for my pho than as a full appetizer. Might I suggest they reframe it as a topping? It makes more sense that way. The Curry Laksa was beautiful and aromatic, but the extra noodles arrived late--visibly late since the broth only filled 2/3 of the bowl. Still, the dish was filling and satisfying, and the beau didn't reach for snacks later. That's a win. I see from previous posts that the price has changed to reflect the reviews. So kudos there. We've been here before with another couple when they first opened and had a good time. They had more options then and more baos - like shrimp and faux burger...which they DO NOT have now. Now that the buzz has mellowed, it seems like Mecha's leaning more on bar traffic and happy hour business. If you're thinking of trying it, I'd recommend hitting that happy hour window to explore a few dishes at half-price and see if it's date-night worthy for your rotation. Local flair, good energy, and room to grow. read more

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This evening for carry out - I grabbed some baos- steamed fluffy buns with different fillings. I got one of each: shiitake mushroom, cheeseburger, Korean fried chicken and pork belly. They weee all delicious. Next time I would get kimchi on the side as it made some of the baos soggy by the time I got home. I especially liked the pork belly and whittle mushroom baos but they were all delicious! They took less than 19 minutes to prepare and the staff was friendly and attentive. I would definitely come back for dine-in! read more

Mecha Noodle Bar - Shiitake mushroom and pork belly baos - Vietnamese Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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The restaurant is very nice and clean. The service was also fine. I tried to the Pho because I've been looking for good pho, and it definitely disappointed. One of the recommendations is to add bone marrow oil to the pho and I would NEVER recommend it to anyone. I like bone marrow, but I could not get the flavor out of my mouth and it made me feel kind of queasy. I also thought some of the food was kinda expensive for what it was. read more

Mecha Noodle Bar - Pho toppings - Vietnamese Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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I've wanted to try Mecha Noodle Bar since I heard about the burgers using Bao as a bun. I didn't realize the Smash Burger Bao is an appetizer, but that's okay. I tried that and the Korean Fried Chicken Bao appetizers with a Vietnamese Coffee. The Bao were exquisite and the coffee was flavorful and delicious. I didn't have a lot of time so I ordered the Tonkotsu 3.0 (NOT pictured) to go. I wish I did have time to eat it fresh in the restaurant, but I will say the takeout packaging is perfect. Mecha packaged the broth separate from the food. When I got home, the broth was still hot and it was also delicious for my first Ton Katsu experience. When I went to Mecha in the early afternoon, it wasn't busy, being directly between lunch and dinner and I wonder if it is hard to get a table during actual meal times. The tables were clean, the decor was cool, and the staff were pleasant. read more

Mecha Noodle Bar - Smash Burger Bao, Korean Fried Chicken Bao, and Vietnamese Coffee - Vietnamese Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Trying to keep this one as honest as possible. We came for the first time to get lunch. Our food was great. The restaurant was cute and felt clean. Service, like many others mentioned was spotty. Food came out fast, but trying to get water refills or the bill after that was near impossible. Unfortunately about 8-10 hours after we ate here, my husband came down with food sickness. He hadn't eaten anything else strange in the time frame and while I can't be positive it happened here, it feels quite likely. Between our meals, the only items I didn't consume were the egg and pork in his tonkastsu ramen. As previously stated, everything tasted great. My husband loved his ramen, but it also may have been contaminated. read more

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The restaurant is modernly designed and spacious. Our server was very friendly and shared some of his favorite dishes. We ordered all the bao buns from the menu, except for the fried chicken one since they ran out. Their Thai bubble tea was very tasty too, and they can make it an alcoholic drink as well. They have ramen and pho on the menu, and we tried both. The noodle texture was spot on, and the broth was flavorful. Don't forget to get their house-made chili oil on the side! It's not very spicy, but definitely helps add more flavor. Spicy beef ramen Bao Buns (pork belly, shiitake, shrimp, smash burger) Edamame Pho Bo Vien Tonkotsu Thai tea Mango Lassi Coconut chai hojicha read more

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I really like this spot! It's my second time here and everything is delicious. I can't wait to bring my friends. I highly recommend the spicy beef ramen. read more

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Not the best parking location but one of the best asian fusion restaurant. They offer a vast menu variety of different asian cuisine. Tonkotsu ramen was very flavorful but too salty to drink as a soup alone. The pork belly was nicely charred and the marinated egg was seasoned and cooked perfectly, one of the best egg. The red chili oil dumplings is the highlight thou. It's not spicy and the dumplings is perfectly fried and stuffed fully with meat. The sauce seasoning was perfect, making me feel like adding rice to it. Thai milk tea came out beautifully layered and was what I needed after eating the ramen. It would be better without the boba as it's a bit hard and not the best. Maybe I will get it without boba next time and try it spiked. read more

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Had been on my list for a bit, sounded good today. But it was warm, so I skipped their noodle specialties. Pho and ramen just didn't sound right today. I ended up with a couple of small plates. A lot of things looked good, among the small plates and sushi, etc. I got the hot oil dumplings and the ribs. Both were excellent. Decent portions, great taste and quality. The ribs were meaty, sweet, savory, tender, just great. A little messy but they brought big wet naps. The dumplings were big, flavorful, a nice blend of textures. Just amazing. I went fairly hungry at lunchtime and was stuffed. Service was excellent. Prices are a bit high, but for the quality and quantity, and location, not far above reasonable. The place is cool. Too cool for me, but not pretentious. The ceiling hanging like noodles, the small decorative touches, the indoor space feeling outdoor on a warm fall day, all very pleasant. Not busy at 1 on a weekday. Street parking nearby and cheap enough. I'll be back for soup and more... read more

One of my favorite foods is Ramen and Mecha didn't disappoint. While it was busy, we were still quickly seated, and the staff went above and beyond. Our food was out in a matter of minutes, and I was pleased with how the Ramen was cooked and tasted. I highly recommend this restaurant if your Ramen connoisseur like myself read more

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I met Gwen W and 2 others for lunch. The space and atmosphere is very beautiful and relaxing. We sat at a table near the bar and could look out at the opposite space and windows. There is parking in the garage behind (same as when White Castle was there). Our server Quill was fabulous and our food and drinks were very good. I had a Rose, which was out of a can but still decent flavor. I had the Coconut Shrimp Steamed Buns (2) and they were really good. I would definitely get them again. Coconut Shrimp is a favorite. They have Pho, Ramen, and Sushi so there is a lot to choose from on their menu. This was a nice first time visit. read more

This noodle bar is so cute ! Right on high street with the cutest interior, the best patio, and the best playlist (major win). Stopped by ab 2 weekends ago & loved what i ordered! The KFC buns were gone before i could take a picture.... Sorry lol. But trust that they were soo tasty. My ramen order was the spicy beef, i was in between the veggie ramen and the spicy which were both highly recommended by the bartender. The menu isn't too extensive which i lovee ! It's always overwhelming to make a decision when you're out to eat and the menu is about as long as a dictionary. Overall 4/5 ! Cute and trendy:) read more

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My new favorite Ramen spot in Columbus! Amazing flavors, fast service, delicious drinks! The atmosphere is fun and welcoming! Our server Collette was so friendly and made our dinner experience even better! 5/5 couldn't recommend this place more! read more

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A party of 2 for dinner. When we first walked in there weren't many people in the restaurant so we were able to choose where we sat. Absolutely love the aesthetic! The music was bumping the entire time. We shared the Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs, and I ordered the Smash Burger Bao and Kimchi Fried Rice. Everything was absolutely insane. The flavors were top tier. The waitress however, seemed to be trying to rush us along which was a semi-vibe kill. Other than that I will definitely be recommending this place to family and friends. Be back soon. read more

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This place wasn't too bad. It's more of a fusion then authentic. Ordered the pork belly and it was really good just not enough. Also ordered the shrimp and I would say thr shrimp was over cooked so I probably wouldn't order that again. Service was good until the food got served after that the server didn't come around until it was time for the check read more

Mecha Noodle Bar - Vietnamese Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

First off, I love the vibe of this restaurant. If you look around you'll see images of different pop stars and their playlist is always good. I recommend going for happy hour but their price points are always good. I love the pho and bao buns and their ribs. Very fresh ingredients and good service and food is seasoned perfectly! read more

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$20 for a small portion of curry laksa isn't a deal breaker if it is well done... But it wasn't. It was mid at best, spicy but somehow still bland, and had a weird off taste I can't quite put my finger on. I can cook better laksa than this. And giant chunks of raw, unseasoned tofu? Unforgivable. That's how I eat at home when I'm feeling lazy. Also the boba pearls are flavorless and the texture is terrible. They clearly use the instant kind and don't bother to put them in a sugar syrup. The friendly staff and the pleasant atmosphere are lovely, but not enough to bring me back. read more

Guys.. I have been dying to try Mecha and finally had the chance to bring my mom with me today and it was everything I could have hoped for and more. First of all, this restaurant is so cool and I love the indoor/outdoor concept. It is so beautiful and the atmosphere is awesome. Secondly, the waitstaff was above and beyond. Our server was Bella and she was one of the best waiters we've ever had. She was so welcoming, gave us her favorite recommendations and was so kind and checked-in with us frequently. Someone give this girl a raise! We got a ton of different plates to try but my favorite was the brown butter mushroom dumplings and then flank steak pho. Flavors were out of this world and all for a very reasonable price. I cannot wait to go back soon and try more of their delicious food! read more

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Pros: Beautiful, airy space Fast, friendly team service Good variety in menu - pho, ramen, bao Loved that they have a full bar and also offer Singha beer The pork belly bao was delicious and flavored/cooked perfectly. There are 2 that come with the order Cons: Didn't love the tonkotsu broth - was very thick, but loved the jammy egg Did not enjoy the spring rolls. The pink meat had an unusual flavor. On a positive note, it was fried perfectly Parking can be a challenge in the area Pro tip: Grab yourself a bubble tea to go. They have a couple of options! read more

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KFC boa buns: bun was delicious, the chicken is small and thinking butbcooked nicely. I would say the flavor are sweet and spicy with a picked carrots that had a strong picking flavor. They were tastey but not savory as I had hoped. Probably would not order them again. The ramen was good. The broth was creamy which I particularly enjoy. Full of flavor, however they charge for many add ons. The egg was perfect and the noodles are thin but there's a healthy serving of noodles. We also tried the kimchi fried rice and it's was a good portion with lots of spice and savory flavor. The service was friendly, but did take a while to put in orders. Atmosphere is nice. They have music playing and dragón Ball z playing on tv. The design is nice and looks upscale but the food does not match. read more

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Super cute new noodle place that opened in Short North! We went on a weekday evening and the place was pretty full seats-wise but we got a spot at the bar. Service was super quick and on-point. The food was pretty good - favs were definitely the red oil dumplings and the edamame (something about the roasted garlic and thyme stir fry was absolutely amazing). The drinks menu looked really cute with their Asian-inspired cocktails. Unfortunately the Hojicha Chai Coconut drink I got was a little watered down and the boba was a little tough (and got caught in their straws a lot?). Overall, a nice place to get some quick bites or a drink - would be back to try the rest of their noodles! Also, they're doing 50% off Munchies on Mondays in April, in case you needed another reason to visit! read more

Mecha Noodle Bar - Kimchi fried rice and General Tso Shrimp - Vietnamese Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

One of my favorite things about Columbus is how it is low key a ramen town with all the ramen options available. But if you are not a ramen person, fret not because mecha offers both ramen and pho, which are both solid choices. Being more of a ramen person，I got their spicy miso ramen with their shirt rib and by golly, was I impressed. Their broth is flavourful and packs a solid punch of umami while being spicy enough to slightly tingle your taste buds. Their noodles are cooked to the perfect texture but my favorite component is the egg. They actually marinated their eggs right which is huge in this town. They also have an extensive drink menu and the drinks are really curated. I love it when my cocktails have a little creativity and flair as it is the one component of my meal that is being paired with everything and they understood the assignment. If this couldn't get any better, their wait staff was attentive and fave really solid recs. The only thing that could be improved where the wings which were a little funky in how they marinated it but enjoyed the spices it was coated in! Would definitely pop by again but maybe on a Sunday when parking is free haba read more

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They have lot of variety from drinks to munchies. Plenty of option for noodles, both ramen and pho are on the menu. If I have to choose, the Red Oil Dumplings and Tonkotsu Ramen would be my favorite this time. The dumplings itself is slighted fried, topped with cilantro and fried onion. The inside is super juicy with pork and shrimp. The flavor of the sauce bring it to another level, with a hint of heat from the red chili oil and Sichuan pepper. Their broth for the Tonkotsu Ramen is thick, creamy and pack with flavor. The broth can easily cling onto the noodles. Perfectly cooked ramen egg with added side of Nori [seaweed]. Mecha is also on a mission to give back to the community via Eat Justice. 50 cents of each bowl of ramen sold would be give back to a selected local community every month. read more

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I love the vibes of this place! We started off with mushroom dumplings and kimchi fried rice- both were OUTSTANDING. To me, dumplings are dumplings are dumplings but these seriously blew me away. Same with the Kimchi Fried Rice- I was not expecting fried rice to be so good! I highly recommend both- the Fried Rice could be an entire meal. The pho was good, I wasn't as blown away like I was with the apps. I would compare the quality to Lan Viet- good! Service was so friendly and I can't wait to come back and try more things! read more

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This place is absolutely delicious. I ordered the spicy beef ramen and added corn. It was amazing. So flavorful and not too spicy. Just the right amount. I did order a spiked boba tea. I should have ordered it without boba because I know I don't like it but didn't. Drink was great but I still don't like boba. The servers and really everyone in this restaurant are super sweet and attentive. We constantly had staff stopping by our table every now and then asking if they can get us anything or if we need anything taken away. I love the vibes and decor of the restaurant. The ceiling is really cool with the wood panels hanging from it. I loved that they had classic cartoon anime playing on a tv. Super cute. read more

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Stopped by on a Sunday night to check this new spot out. First of all, the service is spectacular. Everyone was very attentive, from the servers to the bartenders, we were never waiting to grab someone's attention. Which, for a brand new restaurant is very surprising. We ordered multiple items. Standouts were the red oil dumplings and the ramen noodles themselves. The noodles tasted house made and had the perfect amount of bounce. The Kai miso ramen itself was good, but I will probably choose a different kind next time. I don't know that the amount of seafood inside was proportionate to the price and the lobster was slightly under. The broth was fantastic though. The rice in the handrolls was a tad hard, so that wasn't a favorite for us, but that's an easy fix. I've also heard they are doing 50% of munchies on Mondays, so that's the day I'll be coming back to try more things! Overall, for a brand new restaurant, they didn't seem to have most of the issues that are apparent when first opening. Definitely will be back! read more

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Love this place. Actually, adore everything about Mecha. From the white-tile ashes of this former White Castle, arises the best date night restaurant/bar in the Short North (I'd add all of Franklin County). First off, there is not one hint of White Castle. The ceiling now drips w wood stalactites, and the effect is a warm and welcoming party cave. A soft orange glow is flattering for all--or maybe everyone who eats there is radiating happiness. Cocktails are fun and original. The kale salad given its size and heft is a bargain at $10. The menu is eclectic, like Korean meets Japanese meets a bit of Americana. I've had the sliders and the noodles. Everything is maximum yum. Will say it gets crowded but their phone alert situation worked great so only about a 10 minute wait. Oh, got to say the prices are reasonable and the portions are generous. All love to Mecha. read more

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If you're from Columbus and haven't tried Mecha Noodle Bar yet, you're seriously missing out! I'm blown away by how incredible the food was--especially the pho. It's hands-down the best I've ever had, with a rich, flavorful broth that warms your soul and perfectly cooked noodles that hit all the right notes. The service? Top-notch. Every staff member was kind, welcoming, and went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. They didn't just serve us--they made us feel at home. Whether you're a pho fanatic or just dipping your toes into noodle heaven, Mecha is an absolute must-visit. From the vibrant atmosphere to the mind-blowing food, this place delivers on every level. 10/10 would slurp again! If you're visiting from Columbus, add Mecha Noodle Bar to your food bucket list. Trust me, it's worth the trip! read more

I meet Anna H. and friends for a Friday lunch. The place was not very busy for 12 pm on a Friday (pandemic result). Our server gentleman was bubbly and polite. He answered all of our menu q's and gave suggestions. Here's where my high hopes when down a tad. I ordered one of their Pork belly steamed bao buns and one Coconut shrimp (patty) boa buns. They had accidentally don't an extra shrimp bun, so the server offered it to me at no charge, a nice gesture. Spicy. This is the current trend, yes I'm aware. But I feel like places are using too much spice and the actual food items are, well, meh. The pork belly cut was quite tough, definitely on the drier side, and the spicy sauces were way to forward almost completely masking the protein and other components. The shrimp bao was mostly the same, spicy; can't tell you much more. The buns themselves also didn't have much flavor. Those are supposed to have a subtle sweep hint, but that was not present in these I tasted. Others got ramen and seemed to like their picks, so maybe the buns are just not their forte. read more

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It's nice to see a business finally takeover this old White Castle space. Mecha has really brightened up that corner on High St and it's great to see they're poppin' for having just opened recently. I haven't dined in but I have ordered takeout twice online via their website. I live close by and it's a nice, short walk away. I did this once for lunch and another time for dinner. Both times I ordered the coconut shrimp steamed baos and tofu bahn mi. The food is delicious. The tofu in the bahn mi is super flavorful and it's a nice good portion size. The bao buns were perfectly fluffy and the coconut shrimp patty was crispy. The first time when I ordered lunch, I ate it in a jiffy! The second time I ordered around dinner, even though I arrived right on time, it wasn't warm and very mushy so it was hard to finish. So they're still working out the kinks but even with some small kinks they're killing it. It's super hip inside with decor that looks like noodles hanging from the ceiling. The staff has been really nice both times I've stopped by. They also have a patio facing the street which makes for some lovely people watching. I have no doubt I'll be a repeat customer and I can't wait to dine in and try some other items off their menu. Welcome to the neighborhood! read more

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Delicious!!! The gyoza was yummy and the ramens were delicious. Friendly service in an open atmosphere. Definitely will be back and recommend. read more

GET THE KAI MISO RAMEN! It is delicious! We also tried the pho Bo which was also good. And the edamame was delicious too! read more

Mecha Noodle Bar - Edamame - Vietnamese Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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I've been anxiously awaiting for Mecha to open, and the day finally arrived! I went in for lunch just after noon and was promptly seated at the bar. The place was quite lively, with good music, smiling staff, and what appeared to be a bunch of happy customers. The space has been completely reconfigured with a nice bar area in the middle and the partially visible kitchen just behind. Other non-bar seating is plentiful. The place has a clean, modern feel with a cool vibe. One minor thing I didn't like - the bar stools were a little heavy and awkward to maneuver on the tile floor, and the hard surfaces weren't very comfortable. But, fortunately I didn't have to sit for very long as the food was prepared and delivered very quickly. Speaking of the food...I had the beef rice noodle bowl, which was very good, but next time I will ask to add fresh herbs - mint, Thai basil, cilantro - which would make the dish really pop. The nuoc cham sauce was good. My partner had the Pho Ga and really enjoyed it! We also shared a side of Vietnamese egg rolls and were pleased to see they were served with lettuce and fresh herbs. Having previously lived in Houston for a long time, that's how they're presented in all the eateries there, but I've not been to a Vietnamese restaurant in Columbus where that's the default. Overall, this is a great addition to the neighborhood, and I expect to become a regular since I only live a couple blocks away! Go check it out - you won't be disappointed!! read more

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SO SO SO GOOD The service - amazing! We sat at the bar & honestly never had such good bar service. Both bartenders took care of us and fully explained the menu. The food- UNREAL!! We had a hard time picking what to order because everything so good. For our starter, we got the general tso shrimp. It was perfectly sweet and spicy served over sticky rice. For our mains, I got the traditional beef pho & it was great. The portions were massive and I was able to make two meals out of it. My boyfriend for the spicy beef ramen and the broth was PERFECT!! He said it was the best ramen he has ever had. Ambiance - this place is a vibe! So happy White Castle is gone and this is here! 10000% happy I walked by this place to see it was open! read more

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Great location, cool interior and atmosphere, really busy and friendly vibes. The staff was extremely friendly and attentive. The seating style is "family" style in the center of the restaurant and on the outdoor courtyard. When I first looked up the restaurant and saw pictures, it seemed like it was a nicer, more finer spot, but it's actually a much more casual spot. My partner had the same thoughts. With this in mind, I think the food matched that same vibe. I ordered the mushroom dumplings and they were packed, but over-sauced. The dumplings were huge and filling. I've never had a dumpling like that, so it's unique, but not my cup of tea. We also ordered the KFC bao buns and the kimchee fried rice. We saw a lot of people ordering the rice so we gave it a try. I'm not a huge fan of kimchee and the spices so I could only have so much, but the bao buns were also a bit over-sauced. If you're into having large portion meals and a lot of flavor, then this is a good spot for you :) A little bit of waiting time for the appetizers (also packed restaurant), but the waitress mentioned they were still figuring out the staffing in the kitchen; so hopefully that'll be adjusted soon. read more

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Pretty neat atmosphere in terms of the vibe. Quick service. Restaurant is loud due to the openness of the building to patio, high ceiling and music. Nice spot to checkout with friends/date night. We didn't know this, but apparently Mondays are half off the Munchies menu items. App (Munchies): Red Oil Dumplings - 4 pcs, not spicy, typical pork dumplings served in red oil sauce with fried garlic + scallions and cilantro. Okay. Saigon Eggrolls - 5 pcs of pork eggroll, few pcs of lettuce (some pcs were old/wilted), and a single sprig of mint which had two leaves and a light sweet sauce. Eggroll was nice HOT and crispy. Hot as in fresh out the r fryer... wish server would have warned us. It was a good size eggroll packed with filling. Be sure to ask for a butter knife to break up the eggs rolls in pcs for wrapping. The eggroll by itself was okay, but definitely needs the sauce for some flavor. Sweet & Sout Spareribs - 4 pcs, SUPER saucy. I personally am not a fan of sauce, but if you are, this is for you! The meat was not fall off the bone and for me I can taste the overcooked meat + sauce. The sauce reminded me of Korean bbq sauce + hoisin, I didn't taste any tamarind. Entree: Pho Bo Vien - add on tendon and tripe. Serving was a large perhaps enough for 2 to share. Broth was flavorful, thumbs up there. The tendon was perfectly cooked, not too soft and perfectly chewy. The tripe is Honeycomb not Omasum. Most pho dishes have Omasum tripe, so be aware. Also it was not cooked properly, very raw... I'm okay with that but not sure if others would be used to it. The rare meat was sliced into small odd size, not nice cut. Tastes okay like in a typical pho but again little bits and pieces. The meatball had an odd taste, appears fresh (like processed meat was dropped in the hot pot to cook) and more liver texture than a meatball. I'm not a liver fan so it was hard to eat. Overall okay food but staff was super nice, friendly and accommodating/quick. Would like to try other menu items next visit. Not to mention my Sufi cocktail was tasty. read more

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Having been to the Mecha in Norwalk, I had some sense of what to expect when coming here with a friend. It's a great trendy place in the Short North, so plenty going on around in the area. I will preface the rest of my review with the fact that I can be a bit of a Ramen snob as it is one of my favorite dishes. With that in mind, I must say the Ramen at this Mecha was not my favorite. I ordered the Tonkotsu and while the softboiled egg was good, the broth was a bit salty and the noodles did not have the typical chew I love to have in ramen. While Hakata does typically have the straight noodle, I didn't feel that it compared well to even other Ramen noodle shops in the Columbus area. What really threw me off was the Chasu. It was almost soaked in soy sauce or something else that masked the taste of the pork itself and for a pork bone broth, was definitely not something I liked. The staff was friendly and attentive. Overall, I probably may come back to Mecha for other dishes, but for what I typically love for a noodle shop like this, I probably won't be getting the Ramen again. read more

Cool atmosphere and asthetic. Hip and also whimsical but it was very loud. The KFC and Shiitake bao were both pretty yummy. The red oil dumplings were kinda flavorless outside of the red oil. The tonkatsu was decent, but they don't have fish cake here? Kind of a ramen staple if you ask me. Anyway, the service was excellent! I feel like it's a bit overpriced for what the experience was, but hey, it's a hip downtown spot, so it wasn't suprising. Overall, it wasn't bad. read more

Mecha Noodle Bar - Thursday night crowd - Vietnamese Near Me - Columbus, Ohio