Cesar H.
Yelp
"Mecha" means mom and pop in Vietnamese--and that's exactly the kind of welcoming, community-focused vibe you'll get at Mecha Noodle Bar in RiNo. While they have multiple locations, the Denver outpost feels truly local in the best way.
First off: they give back.
* $0.50 of every ramen goes to a local nonprofit
* $2 of every Rainbow Road 2.0 cocktail benefits The Center on Colfax
* AND they just opened a super cute patio I'll definitely be living on... once it's not 100º outside
What I tried:
* Tropic Like It's Hottt - Rum, tea, citrus, pineapple... served in a fish cup. Fun and tropical.
* Rainbow Road 2.0 - A frozen vodka slushy that tastes like a boozy tropical vacation.
* Red Oil Dumplings - Pork, shrimp, Sichuan vinegar. Flavor-packed.
* Laos Crispy Pork - With sticky rice + jeow som sauce = OBSESSED.
* Spicy Miso 2.0 Ramen - Pork belly, chili oil, and braised greens. Pro tip: add corn + tamago.
* Bonnie's Banana Pudding - Made with ube and banana chips. Sweet, creamy, and not too heavy.
Bao buns (yes, I tried all of them):
* Smash Burger - American cheese + shallot bacon jam. LIFE-CHANGING.
* KFC - Korean fried chicken + gochujang. A spicy, crispy dream.
* Pork Belly - Classic and comforting with hoisin + pickled veggies.
* Shiitake - Vegetarian and surprisingly bold with hoisin + scallions.
Favorite bites?
The smash burger bao was unreal--I'll be thinking about it for days. The Laos crispy pork with jeow som sauce was a standout, and the ramen was the warm, spicy comfort food I needed. Also, do not skip the banana pudding. Just trust me.
The service was also fantastic--shoutout to Jason, Mario, and Lena for making the experience extra special. Whether you're here for cocktails, noodles, or just a cozy night out, Mecha Noodle Bar delivers on every level.