Mẹcha Noodle Bar

Noodle shop · New Haven

Mẹcha Noodle Bar

Noodle shop · New Haven

1

201 Crown St, New Haven, CT 06511

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Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null
Mẹcha Noodle Bar by null

Highlights

Flavorful ramen, pho, bao buns, and creative cocktails  

Featured in Eater
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201 Crown St, New Haven, CT 06511 Get directions

mechanoodlebar.com
@eatramen

$20–30 · Menu

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201 Crown St, New Haven, CT 06511 Get directions

+1 203 691 9671
mechanoodlebar.com
@eatramen

$20–30 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 10, 2025

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13 Essential New Haven Restaurants

"A small but growing Connecticut-based chain, Mecha is an energetic setting for snacking on roasted mushroom dumplings and grilled edamame with garlic confit and slurping Asian staples like ramen and pho. The downtown hot spot also keeps things lively with playful cocktails like the Lotus Flower Bomb Sangria with plum wine and shochu as well as a cachaça-spiked, mango lassi-inspired bubble tea." - Stasia Brewczynski

https://www.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-new-haven-connecticut
View Postcard for Mecha Noodle Bar

Mayline

Google
First of all, our server got our order wrong. We thought we read it wrong while eating and We got to know about it only after we got our bills. Server was not rude but annoyed that we asked about it. (We did not complain) We ended up ordering additional ingredients because we did not get what we wanted. Unfortunately all the meats’ quality was bad. Overall food taste is average. Not terrible but not great. Note that it’s pretty hard to mess up with noodle dish so yeah. I’d give 2/5 for NYC standard and 2.5/5 for Connecticut standard

Eva Jay

Google
Mecha Noodle never disappoints! It’s always consistent. The appetizers, drinks, and spicy ramen are great. The music, the amazing food, and service; it’s a gem! We been to the New Haven and Fairfield location but prefer the New Haven vibe.

EGKunz

Google
A wonderful spot to get some ramen, especially for vegans. The menu has one clearly marked vegan option amongst the ramen and several vegan appetizers and sides. The staff asked about allergies or dietary restrictions with no prompting. The food itself was prepared quickly and was quite delicious. The only downside is that the tofu add-on for the vegan ramen is not braised or flavored in any way. That being said, the tofu still soaks up the flavor of the rest of the dish well enough. Overall, I definitely recommend this place. It is not the cheapest Asian food in New Haven, but it is certainly one of the tastiest options!

Gretchen Ayala

Google
My FAVE!! The food is always 10/10. Everything I’ve had has been delicious! The Bao Buns are a personal favorite! But of course the ramen is fantastic as well! The service is always great. From the host at the door to the servers. They are always so friendly and helpful when we have questions.

Samantha Montes

Google
I always enjoy Mecca. I tried to go at least once a month. The food is amazing, always comes out perfect temperature and anytime I have an issue. They are very quick to fix any errors they make but normally all of my food comes out perfect. It can get busy sometimes when the girls students come back from break and or are starting this new school year. But this is definitely one of my favorite dinner spots. I would also say it’s kid friendly as well! My kids enjoy the chicken ramen and its serving size is plant to share !

Tim Smith

Google
4.5/5. Great vibes and though I usually prefer pho over ramen the SPICY BEEF ramen with tendon was the bomb (perfect amount of heat and that EGG was the tastiest egg I have ever had)! The KFC bao was delicious but I didn't love the poutine. Went for lunch and though it was a bit more expensive and took a bit too long to get the bill I left very full and happy.

Mariana Salas

Google
I visited this restaurant over the weekend traveling from DC and I’m really glad I chose it. I’m usually not a dumpling person but you must try the red oil dumplings! They were packed with flavor and I honestly could’ve ate the whole plate whole. I’m still thinking about them.The ramen was pretty okay I wish the presentation was better and the taste was pretty alright. The service was also great super nice staff.

Angel Rubio

Google
Definitely my favorite Korean spot! Always a pleasure to visit you and enjoy the beautiful food! The dumplings are delicious!!!!!

Dominik Y.

Yelp
The food was amazing but the staff looked like they didn't care but only the bartender seemed nice
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Marie R.

Yelp
After driving by this restaurant numerous times, we decided to give it a try for lunch. Everything on the menu were items we had never tried before. Our waiter was extremely helpful in making recommendations and explaining the various options. Service was impeccable, and the ambience was delightfully, updated and very conducive to a relaxing and enjoyable food experience. We tried numerous items such as the hoisin spareribs, and a mushroom dumpling with very unique seasonings. The highlight was the pho soup with a delicious blend of flavors. Parking downtown is a challenge, but we were fortunate to find a space a reasonable distance from the restaurant.
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Chassidie L.

Yelp
It is about time for my review here! Over the past year I have gone 4 times to get my ramen and pho cravings fulfilled. Definitely one of the better spots in New Haven! Don't get me wrong, this is not the best pho or ramen by far (I'm from socal), but it is the best you can get in New Haven! Trust, I've been to all the pho and ramen shops and this one is by far the best! The ramen broths are deep and rich and the pho tastes legit. This place is also fairly priced for what you get. They also have a great happy hour! Baos are a little expensive and not worth it, but nice to try if you have never had one! They are pretty busy all the time, but I have never had to wait as they have lots of seating. The service is good, not great, but good nonetheless. Since it's located in downtown New Haven you do have to park in a lot or on the street!
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Pooja S.

Yelp
Came to Mecha at 6:15 PM on a Saturday night. The place was pretty full, and we came with a group of 9. The host was incredibly kind, let us know that it would be about 30 min, we'd be texted, and then 10 min to get the full group to the table. We were still waiting for some group members so this seemed great. We got the text within the time frame, but we're still waiting for 2 members. The host came and found us, confirmed that we found the text, but said she would be willing to seat us with one more member present which luckily happened quickly. Service was really great, we got our drinks first. I didn't expect the mango lassi to have boba (unsweetened). But the drink was quite strong and I enjoyed it! The KFC bao was next served, which was well cooked and really flavorful. Last came our pho. There are three sauces including soy and sriracha at the table which is great, and we got the toppings of cilantro and sprouts a few minutes later. Overall really solid, and great service! Highly reccomend
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Missy A.

Yelp
This restaurant is awesome! The staff were extremely kind and helpful. For the app, I ordered the red oil dumplings : pork, shrimp, sichuan vinegar, and cilantro.  These bad boys were stuffed lol and so delicious!  Great flavors! I also used the hoisin and sriracha sauce for dipping.. so dang, good! Entree: spicy beef ramen: brisket,  sichuan chili beef broth, tamago,  and spinach.  I also added avocado . I enjoyed this so much! Such a yummy, flavorful dish. Such a great experience! Will definitely be back!
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Zoe S.

Yelp
What is better than ramen on a cold windy day? We came here for lunch and got seated right away. I ordered spicy beef ramen and my friend got miso ramen. I was a but disappointed with my spicy beef ramen as o was expecting creamy rich broth with ramen noodles. The broth was not creamy at all, clear and more like pho broth than ramen broth. Noodles that they used for beef ramen was also thinner and less chewier than ramen noodles. But I tried my friend's miso ramen and I instantly regretted that I didn't get that. It was very flavorful and creamy. I would get the miso ramen for sure next time I visit
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Sally A.

Yelp
Mecha Noodle Bar and its various locations are definitely a few things: consistent, delicious and fun. We frequent the West Hartford location, but happened to be in New Haven a few weeks ago and wanted to check it out. I can appreciate when a restaurant has multiple locations and they deliver the same quality and service. If I have to squeeze in any constructive feedback, it's that the service is a tiny bit slow but it's just a matter of having patience, especially when they are busy. And it's always worth the wait. One of our favorite things on the menu are their Bao buns, and I love the addition of the Smashburger bao bun. But the KFC is still my favorite. We also got to try their version of poutine and as always, we love their cocktails. We are now moving into the time of year where it's all about soup and Ramen and there's is always a good choice. Highly recommend visiting one of their locations ASAP.
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Anita J.

Yelp
We came here for lunch as a party of 2. The space is very big (a lot bigger than when I first went a few years ago!) Plenty of seating for small and large parties a like. The service was good. We started off with the Roasted Mushroom Dumplings. The reason this review is 4 stars is because these dumplings were SO SALTY. They were covered in a miso sauce that was almost inedibly salty. It was also covering the arugula so the arugula became this weird, warm, salty green with that arugula kick - not the best tasting combo to me. Fortunately, it got better from here. We got the Pho Bo Vien and the Kinoko Vegan Ramen. The ramen was still a liiiiittle bit salty but definitely not inedible. The pho was great! Loved the satisfying broth and all the toppings. I'll definitely come here again but will be avoiding the mushroom dumplings...
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Yvonne C.

Yelp
We stopped by one evening for a quick dinner and I have to say the food was absolutely delicious! We came in on a Monday night and while there were a good amount of people inside, we did not have to wait for a table at all. The waitress was attentive and helpful. Now the food, the pork belly bai buns were amazing, I had the Tonkotsu ramen and enjoyed it very much.
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Henry Y.

Yelp
Solid ramen at decent prices! There's a few of the classics to choose from: miso, tonkotsu, spicy miso, as well as a sichuan beef one. If you're feeling Vietnamese, they also have pho. We also got the herbed edamame, which is very tasty with the garlic confit and rosemary, chef's kiss. Service is good, they were pretty quick to take orders, bring out food, and bring the check. They have Naruto on the TV, if it matters, pre-Shippuden. Kae-dama!
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JohnRobert S.

Yelp
Service was quick atmosphere was wonderful. Food came as expected and more. Servers recommendations were wonderful. Also, fell in love with the cute guy with frayed cap and the cute little mustache and the juicy butt. Definitely recommend.
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Corey H.

Yelp
I've been trying all the different food spots in New Haven this summer and this is BY FAR my favorite place so far. From the absolutely amazing food to the super friendly staff. They also play anime on the big TV which is cool if you are into anime. They also have spiked bubble teas which I highly recommend. I tried the banana matcha which was super unique but a bit heavy on the banana flavoring. I will definitely be coming here often
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Angela G.

Yelp
I love the vibe. Great music, cool decor. For me, the food is consistently delicious. Always enjoy the KFC and oil dumplings and ramen. Packed with flavor! Attentive staff.
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Angela A.

Yelp
Flavorful and fantastic! The food at Mecha gets 5 stars from me! I have never been disappointed here from the bao to the pho, everything is extremely flavorful. The only thing that I didn't particularly like was the Thai Iced Tea. I would've preferred it without boba. For a restaurant that's generally filled the service has been fantastic every time. The design of the restaurant is really cool and it is super spacious. The seats have no back though which would've been nice but there's plenty of booths.
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Jeffrey C.

Yelp
Always a good meal. Now with the expanded space getting a seat is far more likely at any given time of day or night. Service can be spotty, however the food is always fresh and tasty and after all that's why you are there, for a great meal. I personally adore the Firecracker Chicken Wings, a must!
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Lydia L.

Yelp
I came in for an early dinner during happy hour and was nearly paralyzed by the number of things on the menu that looked delicious. I ended up going with the pork belly and fried chicken bao, and both were excellent. Each comes with two buns, which for $5/6 at happy hour, is a real bargain. With a wonderful spiked slushie to drink (also from the happy hour menu), I walked out stuffed for just over $20 with tax and tip. Great deal! I will definitely be back to try the ramen.

Riley S.

Yelp
Great ambience and great food. also, one piece in the background was a great touch. Clean bathrooms and well keep bar
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Soumya A.

Yelp
First asian food and noodles are one of my absolute favourites. Second, Mecha is one of the bests that I have been to which has some really amazing food. As a vegetarian, I feel like there is so many possibilities to a ramen bowl and it is full of flavour. Spicy miso is my favourite. The service and staff are so nice and inform you if any of the ramen has any chicken broth and they make it with vegetable broth instead. This was the most amazing thing that made me sure of my bowl being vegetarian. The boba tea and thai iced tea were so delicious. After all this, the roasted mushroom dumplings are the one thing that I will keep coming back g back to. Great job Mecha! I love that they are opened again after the construction. The ambiance and interiors are renewed and are very lively full of color and light and music.
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Henry D.

Yelp
Was exploring the surrounding area and stumbled upon Mecha Noodle Bar. My group came in with very low expectations and our overall experience here has left us confused? Accessing the location was quite easy. If you park at the Crown Street parking garage, the restaurant is directly next to the staircase which was nice. When we arrived, staff was quick to greet us but the vibes were a little off. Overall service was probabaly average at best. The restaurant is really spacious and has a nice modern, edgy, and woody feel to it. Since it was off peak on a Tuesday at 2pm, the restaurant was quite empty. There are a bunch of wooden planks hanging from the ceiling so I do wonder how tedious it is for them to keep those clean. Next is the menu. It's 2 laminated sheets attached to a wooden board via rubber bands. I understand the aesthetic intention but I thought whoever designed it could've been more mindful. The band itself covers the price and some of the key points of the menu. It would be great if they adjusted the menu placement so the rubberbands don't become an obstacle for guests. As for the food choices, you plenty of options like pho, ramen, hand rolls, steamed baos, alcoholic boba, and more. We ordered with the server and for some reason half of the staff that we interacted with mumbled so it was very hard to hear. Apps came out within 5 minutes of ordering whereas the mains took closer to 15-20 minutes. While waiting, our servers brought out a small bowl for our pho toppings and it was very sad looking - a pinch of bean sprouts and maybe 2-3 basil leaves that looked like it could've been leftovers from a previous guest. Like did they really think that would be okay when we ordered 2 bowls of pho? We had to request a second set of pho toppings and it was just a slight improvement. **Red Oil Dumplings - This first appetizer raised our hopes because it's honestly a pretty solid dumpling dish. It reminded me of a Vietnamese take on a spicy wonton but fried. You have a dense pork and shrimp dumpling inside a fried wrapper and it's dressed with a szechuan vinnegrette topped with a bunch of fried shallots, onions, and cilantro reminiscent of Vietnamese food. A must order dish since it's the only thing I would ever reorder here. **Saigon Egg Rolls - Served on a metal tray with poorly arranged greens that weren't properly cleaned and a large bowl for the fish sauce that was only about 1/5 full, this dish had our eyebrows LIFTED. Presentation and plating was very questionable. The taste of the eggrolls themselves were fine - it simply gets the job done. **Pho Bo Vien - Pho broth itself wasn't too bad but I'm from SoCal so I am spoiled when it comes to Vietnamese food. However, we will have to say that the texture and taste of the meatball was just off. It was very mushy and was overly salty which left an unpleasant taste in our mouths. **Pho Sizzle - The grilled flank stank for this is definitely a pass. For some reason, the texture of my pho noodles felt like it was precooked and sat around for a few minutes before it was fully plated. It reminds me of how the noodle texture tastes when I'd order pho togo and quickly slap it together at home. Trust me there is a noticeable difference in texture when the noodles are boiled and served immediately. **Shoyu Paitan Ramen - Also passable if you have a ramen craving. Noodle texture is on the firm side so just a heads up if you're not into firm noodles. To end on a positive note, I do appreciate how Mecha ramen donates a portion of their noodle bowl sales toward charity. That alone is a major green flag.
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Alvin T.

Yelp
First off ambience was at Santa nice and friendly staff while the atmosphere was just wonderful. Tables and bathroom both were very clean. The spicy miso Ramen was very aromatic with the soup being creamy, rich and umami filled. The noodle themselves were nicely made, and bouncy. The chashu was delicious full of the delicious soy sauce flavor that traditional chashu should have. Overall hidden gem in New Haven and would highly recommend everyone to stop by and check out the food!
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Matthew S.

Yelp
No no. Sorry Mecha. I am knocking this ramen spot down several notches. I did not like this ramen as much as other bowls I have eaten. The service I received was not great either. Not because they judge, but they are slow to act and are asking for problems with people who have chronic illnesses. The restaurant is scorching hot and therefore I went through three glasses of water but had to wait a long time to get that first glass. It does not help the glass they give it to you in is quite small. The ramen here is expensive, very salty, and fairly small. There are not enough noodles to partake it in, and the meat it is served in is fairly dry. There is barely any flavor to it. They also up-charge you for too many add-ons. Sure it is nice they offer noodle refill, but asking for that on top of everything else felt like I was being robbed of everything, including my dignity. In this town I will stick with the pizza unless otherwise directed.
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Peter H.

Yelp
One of my top choices in New Haven as a lively place to hang out and for good noodles. I've been thrice in two months! At happy hour, a pair of KFC baos is $5, down from $9. Crispy, pretty juicy, cut by pickles and slaw and a mayo sauce. Hardly traditional, but a fun dish. The pho was genuine and fulfilling. The raw steak they source is so, so tender! Again, speaking of great happy hour deals, a full bowl for $10 is a steal! The ramen was pretty nice too, but I preferred the pork topping to the chicken. Friendly service, and signs of a very organized restaurant group. Lively, hip interior, with stalactite-like stained 2x4s carpeting the ceiling. It's a funny look.
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Lizzy L.

Yelp
Mecha is an institution in New Haven (and Connecticut in general!) and my go-to when the weather is cold and gloomy. The New Haven location was renovated Aug 2023 and is probably more than double the size it was prior, but the service and quality have not dropped off at all despite the expansion. In terms of food, I love the shrimp bao and general tso's shrimp - so flavorful and crispy! My partner's favorites are the pho tai and pho bo vien. Unfortunately, there are not many pescatarian/vegetarian noodle options - the kinko ramen is the only vegetarian noodle soup on the menu. But with the different add-ons/toppings I never get bored!
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Danielle M.

Yelp
This was one of the coolest ramen spots that I have eaten at. I loved that the menu offers a variety of items from ramen, pho, and bao buns! It was also super cool that they not only have bubble tea but they also had hard bubble tea. The service here was great! My one complaint is that they brought my friend the wrong bao buns and I personally think they should have just let him keep them instead of taking them back. The restaurant is supposed throw them away if it goes to a table (they can't reserve it) and it was there fault not his. Also he then had to wait while we all ate our food for his correct order to come out. If they would have shown this type of kindness I would have given them 5 stars. To be fair I do NOT blame our waiter for this because someone else brought out our food and he was taking an order at another table so he didn't even know what happened until after the wrong dish was taken away. He was amazing, knew the menu well, and was very patient. I give him 10/10 for service! Now about the food...it was exceptional! Everyone loved their meals. My food was a spicy ramen and it had a great kick to it. I love how you can customize your order with all your dishes. I also love the vibe of the restaurant it's very trendy. All in all I will definitely be back here again!
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Anjali B.

Yelp
Went here for lunch, it was semi-full with college students and just locals. We started with the pork bun--it came with 2-they were delicious! Very light and airy but rich with flavor, throughly enjoyed these. Moved on to the pork belly ramen which was also very good, more than your average ramen but reliable. Our least favorite and definitely skippable item was the chili oil dumplings. They were very doughy and thick, lacked flavor since the dough was so overpowering. Service was very good, we were seated right away and perfectly accommodated. The food also arrived in a perfect timely manner after ordering. Definitely a good spot for yale students and families! Would recommend:)
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Brian S.

Yelp
We were in town visiting and looking for a good solid ramen shop and this place hits the spot. The ambiance is modern and trendy and while some people may not like that style, for us the fun lively ambiance was refreshing after a long trip. The staff were very friendly. While it was busy we were seated quickly, they were turning the tables at a good pace, and the food came out hot and quickly. We ordered the KFC bao and coconut shrimp bao as well as a tai tea boba and watermelon boba to start. The drink were excellent and refreshing and the alcohol or non-alcohol options were both enjoyable. The bao was well done. The dough was light and springy and melted in your mouth. The fry in both the chicken and shrimp were perfect meaning the oil was hot and clean. The flavors were clean and you could taste each element. The noodles were also lovely. We had the spicy beef and the vegetarian ramen. Both had deep umami broth with noodles that were perfectly prepared. Nothing was too salty and there were options to increase the spice. The add-ins were a nice options to customize the dishes. Overall, we enjoyed everything about the meal and recommend it to others who want an enjoyable ramen experience.
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Kathleen S.

Yelp
Food was fresh and fast. Order online with ease. Parking is pretty hard to find at this location.
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Myra E.

Yelp
Me, my husband, and our friend went to Mecha in New Haven on a Sunday afternoon and really enjoyed our meals. Our server was Gregory, and he was fantastic! He checked in on us regularly to make sure we had everything we needed and were enjoying our meals. When we did need something like a fork or an extra bowl and spoon, he was right on it and provided that right away. He also had a great attitude and gave helpful meal suggestions. My husband ordered the Kim Chi Fried Rice and me and our friend ordered ramen. While we both enjoyed the ramen, we all unanimously agreed that next time we come back, we're ordering the Kim Chi Fried Rice! The rice was filling and really flavorful. I also ordered the Korean Fried Chicken Boa which was super tasty, but not filling. If you get the boas, they come in pairs of two per order. Even if you get two orders of the boas and eat them all yourself, they still won't be filling enough -- but they're a very good appetizer. The restaurant was spacious with open seating and the bathroom was clean. I would come here again!
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Kristin L.

Yelp
I've been here to pick up takeout a couple of times, but when my husband told me that we were doing a date night in New Haven, I immediately suggested Mecha. Thankfully we got in early for dinner (around 5 ish) because the place got packed!! We got a cute, roomy table and were very comfortable. The decor is modern and playful without being too cutesy and is a generally cozy place to hang out. Notable mentions to the space near the bathroom to hang coats and to the very cool wallpaper near and in the bathrooms. I am always so grateful for and delighted with the gluten friendly menu and kitchen; I was able to get my ramen gluten free and it was delicious. There was such depth of flavor in the broth that I'm already thinking about the next time I can have another bowl. The sake flight was perfect and allowed me to try 4 different kinds without guessing at the menu and committing fully. I loved the descriptions that were included and found them very helpful. The boozy coconut bubble tea was incredible and not too sweet. It makes me wonder how I will ever go back to drinking bubble tea without booze again (mostly kidding). Lastly, I can honestly say that the edamame was the best I've ever had. It seems like more of an afterthought at most places (in my limited experience), but it was a true star here. Finally, our server was very friendly and accommodating with my gluten allergy, even making a note for the kitchen about the edamame. He was attentive even as the restaurant filled up and was able to come over in a reasonable amount of time when I wanted another drink and my husband wanted more noodles (kae-dama!). The man refilling the waters was a true hero and was always there with a smile when we were running low! Overall it was a great experience and I can't wait to come back.

Chrissy R.

Yelp
This place never disappoints. The flavors in their ramen is unlike any other. Staff is always great and fast even during busy times. Always big portions this is my go to ramen place!
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Mirian G.

Yelp
I absolutely love pho! It's definitely one of my all-time favorite dishes. My sister and I recently had the opportunity to try out Meccha in both Boston and West Hartford, and we had such a great time that we decided to go to the New Haven on a Friday night for a relaxing evening of drinks and pho. To start off, we indulged in some amazing appetizers that never disappoint. And while the pho broth could use a little more flavor, we simply added some sauces and chilies to enhance the taste and it was perfect. On this particular visit, we sat at the bar which was pretty crowded since it was a Friday night. However, the bartender was incredibly friendly and efficient, which was a huge relief because I was absolutely famished. Overall, the atmosphere at the bar was really pleasant and enjoyable.
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Selenia M.

Yelp
I had every intention on cooking today but the weather was gloomy and wet, so why not order out? It was the perfect day for soup and I decided to try Mecha based on their plant based options. So glad I did. I wanted to try a few things, so I ordered the Shiitake Bao, the Buddha Bahn Mi, Kinoko Vegetarian Ramen and a Temple of the Sun Bubble Tea. The broth for the ramen was highly flavorful. I requested hot oil because I love a kick. Everything was packaged well, and required assembly to avoid the ingredients from becoming mushy. The Bahn Mi was ok. I didn't taste the coconut which I'm actually fine with. The bread was soft and the ingredients outside of the tofu had great flavor but the tofu itself was a tad bland. I wish it were seasoned or marinated just a little bit more, but if you're able to get the perfect bite with everything, it's good. The Shiitake Bao was AMAZING!! There was a hint of sweetness, the mushroom was the perfect size and seasoned to perfection. With the sliced pickles, it could easily pass for a plant based BBQ slider. The Bao alone is worth going back for. I had to order a Bubble Tea. The Temple of the Sun is very citrusy. I enjoyed it and it was a great palate cleanser to sample the different items that I ordered. If you decide to visit, it's downtown New Haven, but there is a lot of street parking available. Also, I see that they have a happy hour which I may try one of these days. I highly recommend, and I will be visiting again soon.
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David C.

Yelp
Mecha is a place I want to like more than I do. The vibes are great, the drinks are fun, but the food is mediocre. The appetizers are better than the ramen. Pictured below: The Kale salad was simple but tasty with a tangy dressing and creamy avocado. 4/5 The mushroom dumplings are maybe one of the best dishes here? Packed with umami and in a luscious sauce 4.5/5. The chicken ramen (Paitan?) was disappointing and missing something despite the addition of tonkatsu and corn. 3/5. On other occasions I've had their tonkatsu and spicy miso which were equally underwhelming. I don't like Pho so someone else will have to speak on that.
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Alice M.

Yelp
This is a long overdue review for Mecha - I've been coming here for over a year and the food has been consistently excellent. I almost always get the Pho King - definitely the best pho in town, blows everyone else out the water. My husband also loves the ramen here. Service is generally fast, even if it's a busy night. Can get a little loud, but adds to the lively atmosphere. :) May be a tad expensive but you get what you pay for! Can't wait to eat here again.
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Charlie K.

Yelp
Delicious crazy good chili dumlpings, great beef pho with a marrow bone in it. Cool place with a young crowd, nice creative cocktail menu.
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Joshua T.

Yelp
My personal opinion is that this is one of the best places to eat in New Haven if you're looking for a break from pizza. Incredibly flavorful food and for a reasonable cost. Casual setting. Overall good service, our server Greg was very friendly and warm. Tried both sets of dumplings -- just fantastic. Well prepared and a nice combination of different flavors in each. Edamame was more than your standard steamed pods; they were seasoned really well and had almost a buttery flavor to it. For ramen, I got the spicy beef noodle. Major hit! I won't go so far as to say it was the absolute best ramen I've ever had, but it ranks high on the list and paired with at least one of those other apps, this is a memorable dining experience -- in all the good ways.
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Ashok J.

Yelp
Mecha is a modern noodle bar with a partial anime theme to it. Naruto was playing on their TV too. The interiors are simple but impressive. We got mushroom dumplings, a lemon-hibiscus soda and shiitake bao. I have to say that the mushroom dumplings were out of this world. The taste profile was next level, just so delicious, even the sauce that comes with it. The staff was very pleasant to talk with and gave good recommendations. We loved our food and time at Mecha.
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Len Y.

Yelp
They do it again! We came after trying the sister restaurant in West Hartford opted for 2 apps, mushroom dumplings and steamed red chili oil dumplings with pork and shrimp. A smoky tequila cocktail and lemony gin and elderflower crafted cocktail were perfect. Service was prompt and attentive, but we were scolded for seating ourselves at the bar and bypassing the hostess. Our pho arrived piping hot but awkwardly with only one bowl and spoon knowing we were sharing. Quickly remedied we enjoyed a sizzling steak bowl full of Rick broth and silky noodles covered in cilantro. Rare steak was an add on and delicious. Music played, staff danced, a fun lunch on a dreary rainy afternoon. Have to return to try 3 more entrees as the menu is extensive even though it's all noodles.
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Dang L.

Yelp
Food: 3.8/5 Drink: 3/5 Service: 4/5 Atmosphere: 5/5 What we ordered: - spicy miso ramen + eggs + corn - cha siu bao - thai tea The noodle is a little bit hard but I don't mind. If you like your ramen noodle soft, I'd suggest getting a different dish. Their spicy miso soup is a little salty but the flavor is not bad at all. I would try a different soup base next time. They have happy hour for the cha siu bao which came in 2 buns with delicious daikon radish, pork belly, and yummy sauce for only $6. Overall not bad but not the best that Ive had.

Josh S.

Yelp
Always great. I usually get a Ramon bowl, but had some time to kill before a meeting and needed a snack so I stopped in for a hand roll and a Bao Bun. Both were great and the spicy tuna hand roll was pretty special.
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Pav W.

Yelp
A big shoutout to Mecha for returning my purse intact when I left it behind after my lunch! Thank you! Apart from that, the noodles were so filling, I couldn't finish my portion. I ordered tonkotsu and the consistency of the broth was heavenly - flavorful and aromatic with the pork on top. I also loved the KFC Bao; the sauce was tangy and the chicken crisp to perfection. Last time I came here it was closed for renovation, so I made a point to return. The dining room filled up quickly, and everyone seemed happy to be enjoying their meal. The crowd was mixed and the atmosphere pleasant. The waiter was helpful when I asked questions. My drink was sweet and refreshing, exquisitely chilled. Located in the heart of New Haven with plenty of restaurants around, you have to try Mecha one day. Street parking as well as public garages are readily accessible. Enjoy!
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Fiona S.

Yelp
Friendly service. I got the Pho Bo and the bone marrow was amazing. Can't wait to go back and try more of the menu!
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Lea F.

Yelp
Perfect dinner spot for a rainy day! My friend and I started with the Iron Fist cocktail and it was so good, we get a second round. I would come back just for the Iron Fist alone. I love green tea drinks, but I never knew I would like sake and vermouth! My other friend also enjoyed the Sifu Lee drink she ordered! We all got the same ramen, Shoyu Paitan, and we loved it!! If I wasn't going to a show after, I would've ordered more noodles ("kae-dama") and saved some leftover broth to bring home for later! We sat at the bar and the staff was so nice! Everything was promptly cleared and we were often asked if we needed anything. I love the environment here as it's right in downtown New Haven and brings in an array of customers. I will be back!
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Dawn B.

Yelp
I really enjoy this place and don't go as often as I should. It's right around the corner so I have no excuse. We love the Ramen bowl and the Bao Buns are pure heaven!! Not big fan of the chicken but can't beat the Pork Belly! Prices are very good in relation to the portion size. Complaints- take out is difficult as what they use for take out drips..ALOT! It really is a mess. We solved this by bringing our own plastic bag. But, be prepared to have food smelling up your car! The order, sit down, eat food is chaos..never without chaos. They are confused and disorganized. Take out is the way to go really and even that can be chaotic. The ambiance? None.
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Panda T.

Yelp
I ordered ramen and two pork bao buns from uber eats from Mecha. The buns were pretty much inedible - they were extremely overcooked and dry. The spicy miso was salty. $50 down the drain! :(

Erika C.

Yelp
GUYS...THEY DISCONTINUED THE PHO SIZZLE!!!!!! First things first: Mecha Noodles has always been the best pho around, hands down. I'm giving this review a retroactive 5 stars to celebrate all the good times we had with the Pho Sizzle that went unreviewed. But man, what a loss! What a disappointment! My first thoughts were... 1) We are most certainly in a recession. 2) We should be doing more to save the rainforest. And, worst of all, 3) Is Mecha Noodles going out of business? What in the hail mary is happening here?! Say it ain't so! Our server, Ricky, was the best. He was super empathetic and of course, redirected us to the new *Super Pho Sizzle*, which is pho served w steak...on the side? Allegedly, it's a better quality ny strip steak served with chimichurri sauce - I assume to justify the glaring price increase. Like I said, we are certainly in a recession! Anyhow, hubby and I respectfully declined...it just didn't sound like anything close to the REAL thing. Ricky kindly pointed us to the Pho Bo Vein, which was fine but came lightly seasoned with disenchanted disappointment. It's just not the PHO SIZZLE. Never was. Never will be. Not sure if Mecha Management ever reads these things but, if so...We're begging you. Please bring back that glorious dish we all once knew and loved. We believe in you. We know you can do it. #BringBackTheSizzle
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Chris G.

Yelp
Came in to pick up an online order. The hostess Michelle was absolutely amazing! Restaurant was clearly very busy but she made sure to give personal attention to me and everyone who came in for pickup and update us on our orders. Thank you, Michelle!

Fraser F.

Yelp
Great spot for Pho, have come here a few times with parties of 2-6 and both have been accommodating. Also great for gluten free, even when ordering take out or Uber eats! Staff is super knowledgeable about allergies and the menu.
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Jade E.

Yelp
Stopped in before an appointment at YNHH and we were very happy we did! This place is cool, with anime playing on the tvs and a great menu of food and drinks. We ordered a lot and ate a lot and took very little home. Highlights were the ribs and the kimchi fried rice - don't skip either!