Mi & Yu Noodle Bar

 The Rotunda

Ramen with pork belly

This Valentine’s Day, I celebrated by eating dinner at Mi &Yu Noodle Bar with 3 of my best friends from school. Ramen has always been one of our favorite meals and we had never been to this restaurant. Mi & Yu Noodle Bar is located in The Rotunda. The Rotunda is a shopping center located in Hampden, Baltimore; just a 5 minute drive from Loyola’s campus. Last year, my friends and I used to walk to the Rotunda for Starbucks, Pure Raw Juice, Rita’s Italian Ice, or the weekly farmer’s market. Other popular shops in the center include Mod Pizza, Mom’s Organic Market, and Core Power Yoga to name a few. The Rotunda was recently renovated in 2016, elevating and enhancing the historic property. Its distinctive bell tower and clock from the original Rotunda built in 1921 still stand today, being a landmark of the Hampden community.

The Ramen Rave

When we walked into the small, fast-casual style Noodle Bar, we knew the food would be good because all the tables were full with people enjoying their food. Mi & Yu Noodle Bar is a popular place for people in Baltimore to indulge in Japanese cuisine in a warm environment. My friends and I all placed our orders and sat ourselves before our food came out hot and ready within minutes.

Friends Delaney and Avery

I ordered ramen noodles with the 5 spiced bbq pork belly, savory miso broth, soft boiled egg, and Korean radish slaw. The portions were much bigger than I expected and definitely worth it for the price and quality of the food. I loved the noodles and the rich flavor made it the perfect comfort-meal on a cold Friday night. This was my first time eating Japanese food other than Top Ramen I cook on the stove top at home. My experience at Mi & Yu Noodle Bar has given me a new appreciation for the food and has expanded my pallet for Asian-style cuisine.

Counter where you can order your food

I would definitely recommend dining here to a friend and really enjoyed my experience at Mi & Yu Noodle Bar. In the future, I could also see myself trying to recreate this meal by “spicing-up” my own version of Top Ramen by adding an egg, some veggies, and a protein of my choice for an easy at-home dinner.