I needed to post a review of Cottage Street Ramen. No, it's not the cottage of St. Ramen, patron saint of noodle soup lovers. Or is it?!?
So we're in a tiny, touristy (both negative predictors of good food) town of Bar Harbor, (pop. 5089), so I had low expectations of getting decent ramen, much less good vegetarian ramen. Very low.
But Lo and behold... (get it? Low expectations, lo and behold? No? No one? OK. Let's move on). Holy cow... so to speak. Cottage Street Ramen has amazing vegetarian and vegan ramen. In Bar Harbor, Maine, of all places.
We ordered Spicy Mushroom Miso Ramen, Vegan XO Ramen, and Rich Shoyu Ramen. And all of them were so amazing. To start, the presentation is beautiful, a treat for the eyes, topped with grilled and fresh ingredients and fried tofu, and the Rich Shoyu has generous amounts of sliced grilled garlic which is sweet and mellow. I highly recommend adding boo choy and scallions when you order. lit adds a few cents to the cost, but so much flavor; they grill the bok choy and it's super yummy. All three broths are all so flavorful, rich and full of umami. And while the whole wheat ramen noodle isn't quite as glutinous (chewy) as white ramen noodles, it's really good, and a sight more wholesome!
We're here a few more days, so before we leave, we may just have to go back another time.... or two!
There is no sit down service, and you have to bus your own table when you're done, but for this level of goodness in this place, it's totally worth it.
Also they have no hot sauce, only house-made chili oil, so if you like it spicy like I do, bring your own hot sauce.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Recommended dishes
Spicy Mushroom Miso
Definitely the best meal we had in Bar Harbor. Both ramen bowls were delicious and had strong umami taste. The XO sauce one had a delicious smokey flavor and the fall curry was more creamy taste, similar to Japanese curry sauce. The shishito peppers were very addictive. Each ingredient was fresh and prepped perfectly. Maybe one feedback is I wished the broth was a tad hotter in temperature, but everything else was perfect. My husband who doesn’t go for vegetarian food typically had no issue here.
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
So good for so many reasons.
We had a delicious vegan lunch in Bar Harbor and I’m not afraid to say that is was also the best ramen I’ve had in Maine.
The hardest thing about the ordering process was choosing from all the yummy options.
We started with the Seitan Bao Buns Ⓥ a perfect and tasty appetizer to share with a friend.
For our ramen bowls we had the XO Ⓥ, and the Spicy Mushroom Miso Ⓥ . Excellent portion sizes super hearty, fresh, and delicious.
We enjoyed iced Yuzu for our beverage and a super yummy vegan cookie for desert.
All profits from the restaurant go to support Open Table MDI and their work to build community and decrease food insecurity.
Great food, great cause, 100% vegetarian, and mostly Vegan. All great reasons to visit Cottage St. Ramen for the best food in Bar Harbor.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Spicy Mushroom Miso
I love so much about this place! As a gluten free vegan living here, I rarely ever go out. There just aren’t options. So to have a place capable (and willing) to making all entrees v/gf makes me feel more welcome than any other establishment on the island.
The food itself is beautiful and tasty. High quality ingredients, and everything is handmade (even the noodles.) For those who think the price is high - yeah, it’s an island. Nothing is cheap here, especially not ingredients which aren’t mainstream in this area. And knowing that profits are going back into the community, helping the island’s food insecurity issues, makes me more than willing to pay.
For those who think the food is bland. It probably is if your taste buds are jacked up from eating a diet of predominantly processed food. I eat a whole food diet, and found flavors of my ramen bowl to be amazing (saltier than I’m used to, but I don’t normally eat salt.)
I’m blown away by the fact that the brains behind this is two recent grads in their 20’s. Bravo!!! You’re bringing much desired quality to town.
It’s fun to eat at community tables, chat with strangers, and experience something different from the typical tourist food scene. Come with an open mind 🥰
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
We love Cottage St Ramen! Their noodles are delicious and we love how creative they've been in making filling, authentic vegan and vegetarian options.
Our son is 17 months and loves the mazemen - couldn't get it into his mouth fast enough! The location is low key and great for kids.
We also love the chili crisp - it's so much fresher and tastier than grocery store options. We're on our fifth takeout container and it keeps bringing us back to Bar Harbor
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Classic Shio
New favorite in town!!! I can’t get enough of these hearty ramen bowls packed with flavor and nutrition. The Ramyum is creamy and delicious, the Classic Shio is perfection, and my favorite so far is the Spicy Mushroom Miso. Add-on MUSTS are the Fried Tofu, Soft Boiled Egg, Chili Crisp, and Pickled Shiitakes. I can’t wait to try everything this chef creates. And for such a fantastic cause.
Delicious healthy food! Loved the reusable napkins and compost bin. Only thing that could have been better was if the ramen was hotter, but I would still highly recommend.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Spicy Mushroom Miso
By far the best food I have had in Bar Harbor. This is one of the only places with vegan options, and a wide range at that! Most dishes can be made vegan or are already, and they’re filling, full of protein, and have incredibly fresh, high quality toppings. Such a cute spot and concept as well! ❤️
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Lovely and flavourful cooking served up on folding tables like a church supper. Maybe the best vegan ramen ever. Seitan Bao Bun was masterful. Blueberry Basil coconut milk ice cream was dreamy, though a touch too sweet.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4
Living in Bar Harbor, there is an acceptance that the town is built not for the residents but for those passing through for the week. Perhaps my budget is small, but the money spent is not always worth the food consumed in a packed restaurant. However, in a shining beacon in this town is Cottage St. Ramen. With delicious ramen that satiates a craving for food found rarely anywhere else in this town, this restaurant is a niche of delight and enjoyment. I myself, do not enjoy mushrooms often. HOWEVER, the beefsteak mushrooms in the Spicy Miso Ramen are the most delicious mushrooms I've ever had and I wish that one day I may learn to cook them as yummy. Thank you to the VOLUNTEERS who run this kitchen and cook delicious meals that sponsor the Open Table Program- designed to give people free dinners on Tuesdays to build a community. I hope Cottage St. Ramen stays open in the winter and provides warm hearty meals in the cold ice.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4
