We went looking for the best ramen in Central Ohio, and accidentally found one of the weirdest foods that’s a contender for one of the best burgers in the city…
That’s right. At Mecha Noodle Bar in the Short North, you’ll find some of the best ramen in Columbus. Savory broth, fresh ingredients, tender meat…
But you’ll also stumble upon a Smash Burger Bao Bun that has absolutely no business being as good as it is.
Hold Up… A Smash Burger at a Ramen Spot?
It sounds like a mad science experiment, but trust me — it works.
Mecha opened in the Short North in 2024 and quickly made a name for itself with flavorful, creative takes on classic noodle dishes from across Asia. Their ramen? Excellent. Their vibes? Immaculate.
But hidden on the appetizer section of the menu is something totally unexpected: two fluffy bao buns stuffed with juicy smash burger patties, American cheese, pickles, and shallot bacon jam. And I’m not exaggerating when I say I could’ve eaten eight of them.
The bao itself is soft, pillowy, and slightly sweet. Pair that with the crispy edges of the beef, melty cheese, and the tangy-sweet bacon jam, and it’s a texture and flavor combo that short-circuits your brain in the best possible way. It’s part burger, part bao, and completely addictive.
Oh, and the Ramen’s Great Too
Don’t sleep on the noodles, though. I ordered the New Hakkata Style Tonkotsu 3.0, which, yes, is a mouthful — but so is the actual dish. This bowl comes packed with 24-hour pork broth, chashu, chicharron, corn, tamago, bean sprouts, and peppered cabbage — and every single bite hit.
The pork was fall-apart tender, the broth rich and full of depth, and the toppings fresh and flavorful. It’s the kind of bowl that makes you stop mid-slurp and mutter, “Okay, they’re not f&*^ing around here.”
Final Thoughts
Look, you don’t expect to walk into a ramen bar and walk out dreaming about a burger, but that’s exactly what happens at Mecha. They’re doing things a little differently, and it’s paying off big time.
If you’re a fan of weird food mashups that actually taste amazing, or just looking for your next obsession in the Short North, you need to try these Smash Burger Bao Buns.
📍 Mecha Noodle Bar
965 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201