Connecticut-Born Mecha Brings Bouncy Ramen and Boozy Boba to D.C.

Mecha Noodle Bar, a high-energy hangout for ramen, pho, spiked bubble teas, and glass beakers full of beer, debuts in D.C. today.

Mecha/Facebook

The chain’s first mid-Atlantic locale sits at the foot of the Edison apartments in the Union Market district (387 Morse Street NE). The first 100 bowls on opening day were on the house, which prompted a lunchtime line to snake around the block. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. (and until 9 p.m. on Sundays). Founded in 2013, fast-growing Mecha operates five locations across its Connecticut home state, two in the Boston area, and one in Columbus, Ohio, with another en route to Denver.

The menu represents a melting pot of Southeast Asian comfort foods and street snacks. Customizable ramen, served in broths like 24-hour tonkotsu, spicy miso, mushroom dashi, or Sichuan beef, joins Vietnamese pho topped with brisket, bone marrow, chicken slices, and flank steak. Non-bowl options include hand rolls or steamed bao buns stuffed with Korean fried chicken, pork belly, or shiitake mushrooms. Other ways to start include sweet-and-sour spare ribs, pork-and-shrimp dumplings, and kimchi fried rice.

Mecha/Facebook

Bubble tea for grown-ups combines squishy balls and booze in one sip from a thick straw. A coconut-chai variety gets a buzz from American bourbon, while a mango lassi option loops in black tea and Brazilian cachaça. Colorful cocktails star everything from Japanese-made gin, yuzu, shochu, and plum wine to Mexican agave spirits. There’s also a solid sake selection, available on draft, by the glass, or flight form; a handful of wines and beers; Vietnamese (hot or cold) coffee; and homemade lemon-hibiscus sodas.

Each outpost features a sleek wooden look and “cheap thrills” happy hour full of weekday discounts on bao and sake bombs. The chain also gives back year-round, donating 50 cents for each bowl sold to local nonprofits serving underprivileged communities.

Mecha’s arrival kicks off a surge of slurpable options within a 1-minute walk. Mega-chain Jinya Ramen Bar is gearing up to open its latest location right across the street.

Mecha — which gets its name from the Vietnamese words for mother and father — pays homage to co-founder Tony Pham’s parents and supports the mission statement of the brand’s philanthropic arm called Eat Justice.

Another charitable restaurant is coming to the booming Northeast neighborhood this summer. M. Frances, which functions as a nonprofit through the LEE Initiative, will be led by an all-female kitchen staff (1252 4th Street NE).

Mecha Noodle Bar is open for dine-in and takeout to start, with delivery coming soon. Here’s a look at the D.C. menu: