Unfortunately the food has irreparably gone down hill. They removed some of the broths we used to get and like, and the “creamy chicken broth” we’ve gotten twice is honestly just pure chicken fat. It’s gross, and refrigerates into a solid when put in the fridge. We like the atmosphere and employees have always been friendly, but cannot get over the menu changes that have ruined this place.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
Flash Gordon
This is a tough one. Right at the front, the food here is incredible. Spent a lot of time in Japan and although these flavors are not traditional they certainly compete with the best of the best in flavor, while still feeling authentic to the nature of a traditional Ramen. The seasonal Duck ramen should be a main stay, if you happen to be there when it’s there go for it, it’s truly a special bowl.
That being said sadly the food prep and quality is inconsistent. If you come on a day where they are ON it’s a 10/10 , on other days far less and sometimes almost cold on arrival. That brings me to the service, there’s no other way to say it but it’s really bad. All the employees gather in the corner farthest from the entrance and sit on their phones and completely ignore anyone coming in until they order. Not only are you serving ramen in the middle of NWA it’s unique in its flavor profiles so you should assume PEOPLE WILL HAVE QUESTIONS. When you get their attention they are kind enough but you can’t seem to get past this look that screams “I just wanna get back to whatever I was doing on my phone!” The option for a tip comes up and your first thought is “In what world would I tip and encourage this behavior”
Solution: End the casual chipotle atmosphere and switch to a regular Dine-In Restaurant atmosphere. The interior Design is incredible and it’s undercut by this middle school cafeteria style of service. Switching to a regular Restaurant atmosphere will solve all Issues. Customers will be more inclined to return as their waiters help guide them in the menu so they don’t try something that’s not for them on their first visit. Servers will be more encouraged to perform as their tips will undoubtedly Increase as they begin to actually “Work”. Then if you cut the kitchen staff in on that increase, you will most likely see an increase in the consistency of quality food the kitchen prepares.
I only write all this because this place has crazy potential, however I have sent multiple people here and they had horrible experiences and mine have been so hit or miss that I completely understand them never coming back. If your coming for the first time I still highly recommend trying them and just cross your fingers and know it’s worth another shot if your not happy the first time👍
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
Christina Smith
Compared to the other ramen restaurants I tried while in the NWA area, I will say that CO-OP was my favorite. Not only was the atmosphere great- I really loved the artwork, the privatized booth seating, and the fact that you got to order on a tablet at the front, making it all feel really Japanese- but the service that came with it was also nice. My friend who I dined with did get his order mixed up, but eventually got his order, and he enjoyed it! He got the spicy ramen while I got the Tonkotsu ramen with a pork bun. The pork belly in the bun was incredibly juicy. Whatever sauce they put in there made up for the mild flavor of the milk bun. The ramen was also incredible. I was grateful to the large pieces of pork, and the broth really deepened the flavor of the already established pork. The noodles were cooked well through but not too chewy/soggy. I was also grateful that the egg wasn't hard boiled but rather soft boiled. There is a lot of flavor packed into a soft boiled egg rather than a hard boiled egg, so that was a plus. Overall, if you want high quality ramen with a Japanese vibe, go to CO OP!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tonkotsu Ramen, Spicy Ramen
June Colleur
Great food! But they are never able to take online orders either deliver or takeout. Very disappointing.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Aubrey Fritz
No service other than someone dropped off our food. No greeting or hello and we had to figure out ordering and drinks ourselves. Nice looking restaurant and fun location. Tonkatsu ramen was so full of pepper we couldn't eat it. Fried chicken appetizer was delicious!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
Heather Wojtarowicz
It was rainy nasty outside and this was so so perfect. Will always go out of my way in Bentonville just to come here
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brianna Peterson
The food is SO good. They offer ramen bowls that can be modified to your preference. This is a big win to personalize your meal. Also, the seating has tall booths so you feel a sense of privacy. Great date night spot without breaking the bank.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Cody
Amazing ramen!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Freda Noble
Quick service ramen spot with an upscale vibe. Loved the vibe as much as the menu! There is something for everyone and the menu is clearly marked with dietary restrictions and allergens. Easy for vegetarians and vegans to find something to enjoy! Loved the vegan miso ramen with tofu as well as the tofu bao bun. Others in our party enjoyed their food—from Japanese fried chicken, pork egg rolls to crispy Brussels sprouts. Everyone left happy!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Thomas Smith
Best ramen in NWA, I don’t think it’s even close. Great flavorful broth with depth of flavor, fresh ingredients and nice atmosphere.
We took our food to go but the best tasting dishes were thoroughly enjoyed. An automated menu had the food to us in moments.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jimmy Tran
Food was over salty, no one came up to serve me and the pork was nearly raw. It was hard to eat and would not come back again.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Gazukull Thraka
Great bowl in NWA 🤙🏽
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tonkotsu Ramen
Jeff Lewis
We love Co op! I just have to give a shout out that a mistake was made and they covered and handled everything incredible. But the food is always amazing! Delicious food, great service! Thank you always.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Marco White
I love CO-OP. It's almost always a weekly trip for my family of three. I love the staff and how kind they are, the decorations have traditional influences with modern art and associated mediums, and I think the atmosphere is very soothing.
Food wise there is a number of things that just hit so different. The pork chashu is literally melt in your mouth. If you get it in a bao, the pickled onion brings it to another level. The edamame is salt well and hit with good citrus tang. The crispy brussel sprout are awesome, almost addictive. Our mainstay is the Spicy Tori Paitan Ramen. Crispy seasoned chicken, earthy bean sprouts, and a broth that really brings it all together.
Unfortunately the food has irreparably gone down hill. They removed some of the broths we used to get and like, and the “creamy chicken broth” we’ve gotten twice is honestly just pure chicken fat. It’s gross, and refrigerates into a solid when put in the fridge. We like the atmosphere and employees have always been friendly, but cannot get over the menu changes that have ruined this place.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
This is a tough one. Right at the front, the food here is incredible. Spent a lot of time in Japan and although these flavors are not traditional they certainly compete with the best of the best in flavor, while still feeling authentic to the nature of a traditional Ramen. The seasonal Duck ramen should be a main stay, if you happen to be there when it’s there go for it, it’s truly a special bowl.
That being said sadly the food prep and quality is inconsistent. If you come on a day where they are ON it’s a 10/10 , on other days far less and sometimes almost cold on arrival. That brings me to the service, there’s no other way to say it but it’s really bad. All the employees gather in the corner farthest from the entrance and sit on their phones and completely ignore anyone coming in until they order. Not only are you serving ramen in the middle of NWA it’s unique in its flavor profiles so you should assume PEOPLE WILL HAVE QUESTIONS. When you get their attention they are kind enough but you can’t seem to get past this look that screams “I just wanna get back to whatever I was doing on my phone!” The option for a tip comes up and your first thought is “In what world would I tip and encourage this behavior”
Solution: End the casual chipotle atmosphere and switch to a regular Dine-In Restaurant atmosphere. The interior Design is incredible and it’s undercut by this middle school cafeteria style of service. Switching to a regular Restaurant atmosphere will solve all Issues. Customers will be more inclined to return as their waiters help guide them in the menu so they don’t try something that’s not for them on their first visit. Servers will be more encouraged to perform as their tips will undoubtedly Increase as they begin to actually “Work”. Then if you cut the kitchen staff in on that increase, you will most likely see an increase in the consistency of quality food the kitchen prepares.
I only write all this because this place has crazy potential, however I have sent multiple people here and they had horrible experiences and mine have been so hit or miss that I completely understand them never coming back. If your coming for the first time I still highly recommend trying them and just cross your fingers and know it’s worth another shot if your not happy the first time👍
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
Compared to the other ramen restaurants I tried while in the NWA area, I will say that CO-OP was my favorite. Not only was the atmosphere great- I really loved the artwork, the privatized booth seating, and the fact that you got to order on a tablet at the front, making it all feel really Japanese- but the service that came with it was also nice. My friend who I dined with did get his order mixed up, but eventually got his order, and he enjoyed it! He got the spicy ramen while I got the Tonkotsu ramen with a pork bun. The pork belly in the bun was incredibly juicy. Whatever sauce they put in there made up for the mild flavor of the milk bun. The ramen was also incredible. I was grateful to the large pieces of pork, and the broth really deepened the flavor of the already established pork. The noodles were cooked well through but not too chewy/soggy. I was also grateful that the egg wasn't hard boiled but rather soft boiled. There is a lot of flavor packed into a soft boiled egg rather than a hard boiled egg, so that was a plus. Overall, if you want high quality ramen with a Japanese vibe, go to CO OP!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tonkotsu Ramen, Spicy Ramen
Great food! But they are never able to take online orders either deliver or takeout. Very disappointing.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
No service other than someone dropped off our food. No greeting or hello and we had to figure out ordering and drinks ourselves. Nice looking restaurant and fun location. Tonkatsu ramen was so full of pepper we couldn't eat it. Fried chicken appetizer was delicious!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
It was rainy nasty outside and this was so so perfect. Will always go out of my way in Bentonville just to come here
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food is SO good. They offer ramen bowls that can be modified to your preference. This is a big win to personalize your meal. Also, the seating has tall booths so you feel a sense of privacy. Great date night spot without breaking the bank.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Amazing ramen!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Quick service ramen spot with an upscale vibe. Loved the vibe as much as the menu! There is something for everyone and the menu is clearly marked with dietary restrictions and allergens. Easy for vegetarians and vegans to find something to enjoy! Loved the vegan miso ramen with tofu as well as the tofu bao bun. Others in our party enjoyed their food—from Japanese fried chicken, pork egg rolls to crispy Brussels sprouts. Everyone left happy!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best ramen in NWA, I don’t think it’s even close. Great flavorful broth with depth of flavor, fresh ingredients and nice atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Miso Tonkotsu
Restaurantji Recommends
We took our food to go but the best tasting dishes were thoroughly enjoyed. An automated menu had the food to us in moments.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was over salty, no one came up to serve me and the pork was nearly raw. It was hard to eat and would not come back again.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Great bowl in NWA 🤙🏽
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tonkotsu Ramen
We love Co op! I just have to give a shout out that a mistake was made and they covered and handled everything incredible. But the food is always amazing! Delicious food, great service! Thank you always.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love CO-OP. It's almost always a weekly trip for my family of three. I love the staff and how kind they are, the decorations have traditional influences with modern art and associated mediums, and I think the atmosphere is very soothing.
Food wise there is a number of things that just hit so different. The pork chashu is literally melt in your mouth. If you get it in a bao, the pickled onion brings it to another level. The edamame is salt well and hit with good citrus tang. The crispy brussel sprout are awesome, almost addictive. Our mainstay is the Spicy Tori Paitan Ramen. Crispy seasoned chicken, earthy bean sprouts, and a broth that really brings it all together.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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