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    1981 Ramen Bar

    3.8 (334 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 8:45 PM

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    1981 RAMEN BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Espresso martinis were spot on!
    Channy I.

    Haven't been here in forever & it's still a great spot! Went for some drinks and a few apps. The espresso martinis were great (thank you to our bartender Rakada). We had some edamame and cucumbers to share and they were nice and fresh. Will be back again soon!

    Ramen and their version of an Espresso Martini
    Dave D.

    Jimmy and his team delivered last night. I had the Tonkotsu Ramen with Chicken and Corn added to it. It hit the spot. Everyone was friendly, and the drinks were amazing. Must try the Lychee Martini. This was my first visit, I'll be back for sure.

    Tonkotsu miso, spicy
    Claudine R.

    Service was attentive and pleasant, quite busy on a Tuesday night, loud. Ordered the cucumber app, it was okay but definitely not worth $9 for 10 small pieces. Spicy miso was good but I've had better, pricey and it only had 2 pieces of chashu. I also asked for extra broth and was charged $2 more and it had the same amount of broth my BF had for just a regular order. Pricey ramen for this area, but if you're in a pinch and have no other choices, this place isn't bad, just expect to pay more.

    Tonkatsu miso ramen
    Peter P.

    Small and busy interior with additional seating out by the busy street. The food was nothing to write home about and service was a tad slow when I dined.

    Paula C.

    Ramen 1981 did not disappoint. The ambiance was on point with mixed of new beats and throw backs. The table service was good but the bar (drinks) was mmm yum! Lychee sake bellini!!! RAMEN! That's why we went there, of course. We had the boa flights for starters, the pork is my fav. Ramen was BOMB! I got the tonkotsu, really hit the spot. Overall great experience. For those of us on the out skirt of Boston, it's a must. We will returned.

    Duck Bao
    Dan S.

    Yummy ramen noodles and great service. The tuna tartare is outstanding, it's like ceviche with citrus and mint. Bao buns are delicious, especially the duck. The service is very friendly. I suggest that you get some apps and split a bowl of ramen. I think the miso pork is the best!!

    Koji Aged Crispy Chicken Steamed Baos

    The Steamed Baos are amazing! I've tried the Pork Belly Confit and Koji Aged Crispy Chicken ones and they both are packed with so much flavor. The Tonkotsu Ramen was so yummy the only thing I would recommend is removing the cloves from the pork belly. I chewed on a few pieces of cloves which made the for unpleasantly strong taste. Besides that it was so flavorful and the pieces of pork belly were huge!

    Marinated cucumber
    Irena K.

    So we tried marinated cucumber that not marinated. Its very fresh, and sauce pour on it. We wont try this again. My Tonkotsu Ramen tasted good with a big sliced grilled bacon (pork belly)? I typically need to order more protein but i dont hv to here its hits the spot. The only problem is w my ramen sticks together. I just dont eat it i ate the loose one only. Broth isnt as flavorful as zuru zuru but its pretty good overall

    Excellent
    Owen R.

    Smoked chicken ramen was amazing. Best part of downtown Lowell experience. Great broth with noodles and corn.

    Alice C.

    I was so excited to try this place out. Unfortunately the day I went they were understaffed in the kitchen and didn't have a full menu available otherwise I would've ordered some of their buns to try! This is really good ramen for this area. The noodles were the highlight for me. They cook the noodles al dente exactly how ramen noodles are supposed to be. The broth was decent and most importantly not too salty. It was a good portion and definitely satisfied my ramen craving.

    Tonkatsu ramen, looks like everyone else's. Lol

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    6 months ago

    Ramen wasn't amazing but it was takeout, wings were really good, everything was overpriced tho

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    3 years ago

    Eaten there many times and food is always good. Best Ramen between here and Cambridge Ma.

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    3 years ago

    The ramen is amazing here. I always go for their Tonkatsu ramen and I'm never disappointed. Highly recommend

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - 1981 Ramen Bar

    Are they open for takeout during coronavirus panic?

    Yes. They're open Tuesday-Saturday for takeout 4-8pm. I'd suggest following them on Instagram as they're keeping customers updated with any changes. The phone number for takeout is 978-970-1981.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Tea-Do - Delicious onigiri!

    Tea-Do

    (28 reviews)

    $$

    I've been to this spot a few times over the years, usually when I'm in the area for dinner. Parking…read morein downtown Lowell can be a pain, so I don't come often, but it's nice that this place is part of the bubble tea scene in the area. There are window seatings and a few tables. They offer a decent menu with teas, milk teas, specialty drinks, and smoothies. I usually opt for no sugar or low sugar, but even with that, their milk tea and smoothies are just okay. The milk tea, for instance, doesn't have enough tea flavor to balance out, even when I go light on sugar. What I do enjoy, though, are the quick bites, especially the onigiri. It's a great savory option to pair with the drinks. Overall Service: It's fine. I had a quick interaction when I was in person, but I usually order through delivery apps. The food is always packaged really well, with no spillage or mess, which I really appreciate.

    Stopped by for a quick snack on the go. It wasn't busy when I arrived, just one other person there…read more Someone quickly took my order and everything was ready soon after. We got a Pink Lady, Oolong Milk Tea, Spam Onigiri, Salmon Onigiri and Takoyaki. I think the onigiris could have been better. Some of the salmon and rice fell out while taking out the wrapper. My boyfriend mentioned that the onigiris seemed smaller than he remembered. The takoyaki was good but it was a little doughy. Oolong milk tea had a stronger tea flavor, which I didn't mind. I usually don't like popping boba, but the Pink Lady drink was good.

    Sizzling Kitchen - Sizzling Dry Hot Chicken with Spicy Sauce

    Sizzling Kitchen

    (417 reviews)

    $$

    The servers (and chef!) here go above and beyond, and the food here is delicious and plentiful; the…read more"free sample" of kimchi my dad somehow ended up with after talking to the chef about vegan food or something was not only the only kimchi that my had ever liked, it was also vegan, due to the lack of anchovies. It was also, apparently, less salty, presumably for the same reason. The amount of kimchi in the "sample" was so plentiful as to almost fill up the mini cup we used for takeout. They have a large selection of vegetarian and vegan food, as well as some gluten free items, though they lack the staff and kitchen size to accommodate celiacs, so it's really more of use for people on elimination diets or with poor digestive capabilities. The owner had prior training in Italian cuisine, which is the reason such food is on the menu, and while neither my father nor I had occasion to try it, it is apparently a passion of the chef's, and the shared discussion of their mutual interest in Italian cooking may be the reason my father was given a free "sample" of kimchi, which was larger than the paid order of kimchi at most other restaurants. The food portions, in general, are massive, with the leftovers of an order of wonton soup not fitting in a to-go canister, with other orders being similarly large. Their jasmine tea is unusual for its slight fruity flavor, and ability to "overbrew" without becoming bitter, instead maintaining its delicate flavor. Each table has condiments, which in addition to including the "normal" chili crisp, and fish sauce often found at Asian restaurants that provide table condiments, have the more western pepper grinder, as well as garlic salt. Curiously, there is no "normal" salt as often found at western restaurants, though bottles of sriracha are found at every table. Perhaps the garlic salt and sriracha are the restaurant's "unique twist"?

    Still in my rotation, and I still mostly stick with the sizzling hot items, alternating among…read morechicken, shrimp, and fish. Still excellent, still sweet (though now more noticeably spicy too), and still important to remind that the dishes here are not necessarily attempting authentic cuisine of specific regions (even though specific dishes are named), but more of a freestyle approach. The wings have improved in recent visits. More plump, more crisp, more juice, more flavor. Still good value. Still a little weak on the service (more about being young, unfocused and lacking initiative than anything approaching rudeness). Still highly recommended.

    Yujo - Moo Shi Beef

    Yujo

    (146 reviews)

    $$

    Multi-Asian cuisine and sportsbar joint overlooking the Merrimack River. Split level entry with…read moredining room upstairs, bar room downstairs (closed during lunch, I think). Wasabi Shumai: Nice nasal jolt. Softer, looser, wetter, more finely ground inner texture than typical. Not warm at all. A little below average. Egg Rolls: Crisp outside, moistly stringy inside (in a good way), with decent flavor. Could use more stuffing, and it's cabbage based (some hate, but I don't), but it worked. A little above average. Moo Shi Beef: Big, tender beef chunks in surprising abundance-- around 70% protein, which is practically unheard of. Vegetables crunchy and moist, as opposed to swimming in liquid. Four pancakes were enough. Above average. Mongolian Beef: Another surprise here, as it arrived sizzling. More big chunks of tender beef, sitting atop onions and other vegetables beneath. Not much crusting or additional flavor, but the natural beef flavor and just enough juices to keep it going were sufficient. A little above average. House Fried Rice: Light brown grains, but plenty of beef, pork, and shrimp to add both flavor and moisture, taking it to a middle ground between subgum fried and yang chow. Some egg, some peas, some carrots, some saltiness (noticeable but not problematic). Above average. Nothing hit elite, but good time for sure, and for a sushi-first restaurant merely sidelining in Chinese, more than respectable.

    Food is excellent and very good service. I would highly this place. Best chinese restaurant…read morearound. Great Mai Tai's

    Bang Na Thai Kitchen - Chicken Wings

    Bang Na Thai Kitchen

    (40 reviews)

    Zero expectations. Just me and my love for Thai food pulling into an unassuming, clearly…read morefamily-owned spot in Billerica, MA. And yes--I always root for places like this. Normally, pad Thai is my litmus test at a new restaurant. Safe. Predictable. But not today. Khao Moo Grob was calling my name, and I never say no to crispy crackling pork. Ever. Good choice. This dish absolutely delivered. Deeply comforting, rich, and soulful--the kind of plate that feels like it came from a home kitchen, not a menu. You don't make food like this without some kind of Thai grandma quietly running the show in the back. I was also talked into the curry puff, which they only make in limited quantities daily. The filling? Not my favorite. But the puff pastry itself? Buttery, impossibly flaky, and executed to perfection. Honestly, they could've filled it with sand and I still would've finished it. And look--Billerica isn't exactly known as a culinary hotspot. But Bang Na Thai is doing something right. If I'm anywhere near the area again, I'm absolutely coming back

    We ordered take out from this Thai restaurant over the weekend. Everything we ordered was…read moredelicious. 1.) Chicken Ramen Soup (huge portions, 5 stars) 2.) Scallion pancakes 3.) Chicken curry puffs (5 stars) 4.) Panang Curry (5 stars) We all fell sick with a viral cold. So, eating hot tasty Thai food was just what the doctor ordered after days of congestion. I found the portions to be a good match the food prices. Prices were honestly very reasonable for high quality Thai food. Our food was made right away, hot and ready for us within 15 minutes of ordering. I was impressed and will be ordering from here again!

    Koto Asian Fusion Restaurant

    Koto Asian Fusion Restaurant

    (2 reviews)

    Koto opened recently in Downtown Lowell, in the former Bar 74 space. This Asian fusion restaurant…read moreoffers dine-in, takeout, and DoorDash delivery, a spacious dining area with ample table seating, a full service bar with high soft seats offering 12 beers on draft, wine, and cocktails and sushi bar. For food, they offer the usual suspects such as appetizers (gyoza, spring rolls, shumai crab rangoons, edamame, skewers, chicken fingers, scallion pancake...), soup, salads, noodle soups, stir fried noodles, fried rice, bento boxes, teriyaki dinners, katsu, donburi, sushi rolls, and sashimi entrees and appetizers. The pricing is moderate here. On my way back home, I passed through Lowell and decided to stop in at Koto for takeout, later in the evening before closing time. The place wasn't too busy on a hot weeknight. I decided on the Shrimp & Veggie Yaki Udon Noodles ($16 plus tax), which was hot, ready and bagged in a nice looking sealed Koto reusable bag. The food was still hot when I arrived home about 30 minutes later. The portion seemed modest, but expected since I ordered the thick round udon noodles. This dish had a mix of soft udon noodles, carrots, broccoli, onions, red peppers, cabbage, zucchini, and tender shrimp (cleaned). Other than the noodle dish being a bit overcooked, it tasted pretty good. I will very likely order the pork katsu with rice & salad or a bento box on the next visit to Koto in Lowell.

    This place was dead at 10pm on a wednesday. I showed up at 10:30, having read the flyer stating…read morekaraoke starts at 10pm... false advertising. I am standing there while the "DJ" literally sits and eats drinks and smokes, and the excuse to sit around and do nothing is he "has no singers". I arrive half an hour after the official start time and he would not let me do karaoke. This guy does the same thing wherever he goes it's crazy. Then the angry owner protects his friend rather than hold him accountable for not doing his job.. It's no wonder the nightlife scene in Lowell is dead. These people put their delinquent friends and/or family before their customers. Hopefully some business-minded people will take these spots over where, these people are taking the location and the local people for granted. The fact that he even said, "starting at 10pm" is crazy, and shows how out of touch and uncaring these business people are, as any1 with a middleschool education can clearly see the entire problem was that karaoke...from my own FIRST HAND ACCOUNT, hadn't started at 10pm. Yes, please do as this guy says; be there at 10pm like I did and see if the karaoke isn't started by 10:33 pm (which is when I finally left) or even 10pm as he's claiming, make sure you also leave this owner a 1 Star review to prevent more uppity out-of-town business owners who think they run the place from taking advantage of local spots where good businesses would actually thrive and add value to the area instead of more smug, cynical, every man for himself, here today, gone tomorrow turn-key bullcrap. This guy is delusional... everything I stated was a first hand account, for him to flat out LIE is crazy. Also the story he is giving here doesn't match up with what he said in his own restaurant. I had a face to face convo with this guy INSIDE the restaurant.. the karaoke hadn't started and he knew that because he told me, "this DJ had a method where he waits for a bunch of singers to show up". So this guy KNEW and yet he calls out the truth on me, what a snake. What a pompous, nose-in-the-air person this guy is. Untruths, lol a word the news uses to blanket discount anything any1 says. Goes to show even people with money can be crazy, it's not just the guy strung out sitting on trash. Also, this DJ's "method" is him sitting around drinking, smoking, and ordering drinks WELL PAST the karaoke start time. I literally went to another location that "hires" him (more like a charity donation) and it was LITERALLY past 11:30 pm and this same DJ hadn't started yet despite the start time being 10pm.... These big business types want you to shut up and take it and be quiet, they care nothing of the service they provide.

    1981 Ramen Bar - chicken_wings - Updated May 2026

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