Overall, had a good experience at Bosso Ramen! The ramen was really good and flavorful, and the chicken karaage was also one of our favorites. It was crispy on the outside and really good with the ramen. We also tried some of the sushi, which was okay. Nothing particularly stood out to me, but it was still decent. I'd probably stick with the ramen and karaage next time since those were definitely the highlights for us. Service was good too! Everyone was friendly and attentive, and overall we had a nice experience. Would come back when I'm craving ramen! read more

After a long day at HBS we went back over the river to dine at Bosso Ramen. Located across the street from the Harvard Commons, Bosso is an izakaya-style restaurant featuring ramen. On a wet, rainy Boston evening we thought hot ramen would be just the thing. The menu is built around locally-sourced ingredients structured in three categories: sharable, sushi, and ramen. They also offer a slate of Japanese beers and Nihonshu. We started with hot Nihonshu but the only choice served warm is Gekkeikan. Now, Gekkeikan is a standard Nihonshu which is a good, if not great, rice wine. And while Gekkeikan started in Kyoto, anything served in the US with its label is actually brewed in California. We wanted the Nambu Bijin served warm but were told that was not an option. Nanbu Bijin is a great varietal from Iwate Prefecture which was our preference. It's odd that this is only offered chilled. We really urge the management to serve all of its Nihonshu warmed. For shareables we ordered the shishito, spicy salmon, and torotaku. The shishito were nicely roasted and served with a light ponzu. The quality of the peppers was eceptional and the serving was generous. The sushi is served as a hand held wrapped in nori and features tsukemono. The spicy salmon was an amply portioned but the torotaku was a bit lean in terms of quantity. Having said which, all three apps were tasty and of superior quality. Bosso offers a compelling number of Ramens that differentiate not on broth, which is customary, but on degree of spice and the choice of meats. The broth here is a superb tonkotsu that would pass muster in Sapporo. Bosso also offers just one size which, in the event, was a more than satisfactory serving. We both opted for the umami version which is generously portioned with scallions and kikurage. The boiled egg was done to perfection - that happy place between a hard and soft boiled yolk. The pok was tasty but was wanting in terms of quantity. Each bowl included two very thin slices. At the end of the day, a great ramen should have more pork - either chasu or kakuni - so we found this to be a disappointment. Our server is from Shizuoka and we enjoyed hearing of her journey from Japan to Cambridge. She was attentive without being obtrusive. The interior is dark and practical and somewhat reminiscent of some of the great hole in the wall ramen shops we frequented in Tokyo. Overall, despite some blemishes, Bosso was an enjoyable meal and we will definitely make our way back in the future. It is busy so we recommend making reservations. read more

This should be 3.5 stars at the very best, but there is no such option. An interesting place, really gives you a tavern feel with rustic wooden tables. However, the seating is uncomfortable, for sure for the large parties. There were 8 of us, and we were perched on the uncomfortable high chairs. Food is okay, nothing exciting. Gyoza was not bad, chicken karaage was I think made from the dark meat which I personally don't appreciate. Karami ramen was not bad, nicely spicy. Very good service, attentive, friendly and timely, which was a saving grace for this visit. Note also that the place was super loud when we got to our table at 8 pm, it was impossible to talk. read more

Bosso Ramen Tavern - Menu as of April 2026 - Ramen Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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I met a friend for lunch at Bosso Ramen Tavern which is a cozy and homey spot in Harvard Square. There was no wait so it was easy to get seated and have a quick lunch. I was totally taken with the lunch set, even though it was too much food. I got the umami ramen, the green salad and added the tuna avocado sushi (which was almost like a little hand roll). Payment and ordering occur entirely through your phone. read more

A Japanese ramenラーメン shop recommended by a friend in Guangzhou! I was so addicted that I ate there for three days straight - I have to trust the taste of Guangzhou - the food capital of China - people! Enmi Ramen: Salty. Who came up with the brilliant idea of ​​using yuzu柚子 skin and yuzu oil? The gentle bitterness and lively fragrance of citrus are subtly hidden in the aftertaste, not only softening the rich, oily tonkotsu豚骨 broth but also reducing the pungent smell of the finely chopped scallions, leaving only a crisp texture and just the right amount of aroma. I never thought I'd love scallions in soup, and I never thought that the method of using citrus skin to remove odors from the refrigerator would be applied to ramen... The noodles are Hakata博多-style thin noodles, very thin yet very chewy, even a little firm in the center, somewhat like noodles in Suzhou, coated in the already slightly sticky tonkotsu broth, creating a charming contrast in texture; the chashu叉焼(sliced pork belly) wasn't porky, ​​but it was too lean and sliced ​​too thinly, causing it a little dry. Umami Ramen: Standard Japanese tonkotsu ramen. The chashu pork was perfectly balanced between lean and fatty, stewed until tender and flavorful; the tonkotsu broth was rich and thick, bringing a satisfying feeling (and calories). However, it got a bit greasy towards the end. Actually, my favorite part was the crunchy kikurage木耳(wood ear mushrooms)! I haven't had them in ages. Sanmi Ramen: Sour. Innovative, but not very tasty. The tomato broth was like a pre-made seasoning packet from Chinese takeout - greasy and not flavorful at all; the perilla oil aroma was completely undetectable. The noodles used were Kitakata喜多方 flat noodles, which didn't absorb the broth's flavor well. As for the arugula and shredded Parmesan, they were completely out of place; the former was raw and too strong-flavored, and the latter was ruined by the broth--what a betrayal of tradition! Flavored Egg: The runny yolk wasn't very noticeable and didn't significantly affect the ramen's flavor. It felt unnecessary. Chashu Rice: Delicious! However, it seems a bit different from the hand-drawn illustration on the menu. The chashu is the same version but shredded as in the ramen, strongly suggesting it's made from recycled scraps. The main surprise was the rice itself - sticky, oily, and chewy, with even a subtle milky aroma. Mentaiko Rice: The ingredients were relatively clean, allowing you to better appreciate the aroma of the rice itself. However, the mentaiko明太子(spicy cod roe) was incredibly spicy... They have a special lunch set for $18, which includes one type of ramen (some require an extra charge) and one type of rice, making it a good value for a work lunch. read more

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Very busy place, be sure to make a reservation! When we arrived on a Saturday evening, I overheard that the wait for 4 was 1.5 hours. The vibe is very dark (maybe a little too much?) There is bar seating and tables of 4. The yuzu soda was really good and one of us got one of the cocktails which was also great. Our party of 4 got a wide range of their ramens which were all great. The noodle shapes complimented the broths. The vegan one was also very good. My only comment would be that the portion sizes seem to be on the smaller side. Overall, lovely dinner and would recommend. read more

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Significantly overpriced for what you get. The ramen itself isn't terrible, but it's not great either--and at this price point, there are better bowls not far away. I ordered the Karami ramen, which did have a solid spice profile. The ground beef was actually a nice addition, but the chashu was tough and chewy, which was disappointing. They offer a lunch add-on special with a few options. I tried the salad, which was fine but pretty lacking in vegetables, and the shrimp tempura with tartar sauce, which--while awkward to eat--was actually quite tasty. There's also a chashu rice add-on, which I found underwhelming. Also only have diet coke and not regular coke. Overall, decent in a pinch, but the value just isn't there compared to other nearby ramen spots. read more

Bosso Ramen Tavern - Karami - Ramen Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I ordered lunch from here via a catering service. Due to this, I can't comment on the ambiance so this review is solely based off the one meal I had here, which was the torched miso salmon. I whole dish was good but extremely rich and heavy. While it tasted great, I just felt gross after because how rich it was. Not the best lunch option. There are other options on the menu that I'd be open to exploring. read more

Bosso Ramen Tavern - Torched miso salmon - Ramen Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Super cute spot and the staff were so friendly. It is one of my favorite ramen places, and the sushi is solid too. Definitely recommend making a reservation so you don't have to wait read more

Bosso Ramen Tavern - Spicy Norisuke - Ramen Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Excellent ramen in a cozy setting right in Harvard square. We stopped in for lunch on a rainy/snowy Sunday and had the lunch special and the umami ramen. You can order right on your phone from the table and the food comes out very quickly. Would recommend! read more

Bosso Ramen Tavern - Umami ramen - Ramen Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

This is not your typical ramen place, i think they put an emphasis on the broth and going simple on the toppings. I had the enmi and the broth was rlly good. Topping was mid. The service was quick and nice. They get full really quick and the ambience is good enough for a normal conversation. read more

Bosso Ramen Tavern - Enmi Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Walked in on a Friday night around 7:00pm without a reservation. We had to wait a little bit got seated around 7:20pm. The service was quick and friendly. Food was good for the last minute choice. Wasn't life changing but would recommend if you're looking for a nice hot bowl of ramen in the cold weather. read more

Bosso Ramen Tavern - Ume Fried Gyoza (5pc) - Ramen Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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WOW! I was blown away by my experience here! From ambiance to the service and food quality, it truly gets 5 stars. Whether a casual lunch with a friend or a first-date, the atmosphere is unique and chic. The mood lighting was cool but not in a overly romantic way. The location is somewhat tucked away but not hidden in any means, and in a nice area where a post-meal stroll should be on the agenda. The servers were beyond helpful, friendly, and attentive! When we asked about portion sizes and spice levels they gave accurate, honest responses. One of them even overheard our conversation about movies and threw in a recommendation on the way out. My table ended up all trying the sakura saku to drink. It was a bit smaller than I thought, which is totally fine considering it was $9, but nonetheless it was great. Well-balanced and refreshing. Definitely try if you're a grapefruit lover. The food was DELISH! I started with the torotaku. Great portion size for the price. Perfect temperature. The tuna was very fresh and paired beautifully with the pickled radish, I seriously wish I got 2! After eating this my expectations for the ramen went up, and they were met. The broth was perfectly spicy, just enough for a nose drip but not enough to overpower the other flavors. The meat was so tender. The noodles were cooked well and the right amount of filling. The cilantro wasn't too overpowering. My friends and I were almost licking our bowls, such a well-balanced dish! Without a doubt, I will be coming back! read more

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Very mid ramen. For the price, I would rather make my own instant Korean ramen and add some veggies to it. It probably would have the same amount of sodium, bc my mouth was so dry after eating this. I didn't even drink most of the broth, like I typically do. read more

Bosso Ramen Tavern - Ramen Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

The place had a good Harvard square vibe - students and locals. Generally I'd recommend trying at least once. The quality of the Ramen was good, including the broth. I wanted to eat it all. Not too fatty or salty. I had the spicy version and my friend hit the basic. One or two cautions or quibbles. I had to ask again for the drink I ordered. Mostly, they make you order yourself through your phone, which can be very convenient, but doesn't really feel like service. It was also kind of pricey for lunch. Finally, we tried to order tea, but they don't serve it! I wonder about a Ramen place that can't or won't serve you hot tea. read more

Was busy around dinner time but we had a reservation so we were seated after only a few minutes. The place is in the smaller side and feels cozy. Love that the menu has vegan and vegetarian labels. We got the vegan ramen, the shiokombu kyuri (cucumber salad), and the umekyu (plum cucumber inari). I really enjoyed the inari, big fan of ume. I didn't like the pickled onions and nuts in the ramen so much but my dining partner loved it. The sake cocktails were good! read more

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Very crowded on a Friday night! Bustling dark dim intimate ambiance. Got the umami ramen and smoked salmon potesala. Wasn't a big fan of the mashed potato in the smoked salmon potesala since it overwhelmed the fish but I really enjoyed the ramen! It had very light but rich broth and great noodles and add ins. Would come back and try more things on the menu! read more

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Loved it! Would come back again. Friendly staff, very affordable. Highly recommended by friends and did not disappoint. read more

Bosso Ramen Tavern - Spicy Norisuke - Ramen Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I love ramen and wanted to give Boston ramen one more try. While I never loved Bosso Ramen, at one point I did think it was the best ramen in Boston. After trying it again, my conclusion is I won't be giving it another try. The broth, while salty, lacked depth. It does have more of a cool vibe than your typical ramen shop but not worth it for the food. read more

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Spectacular! Excellent flavor. Nice service and atmosphere. My spicy ramen was one of the best I've had ever.

Definitely the best ramen in Harvard square. The noodles are a bit thinner than expected but still perfectly bouncy. The service was a little bit slow but the food comes out quickly. There were only two other tables at 5:30 but by 7, the place was packed read more

Cozy Harvard Square Izakaya -- Perfect for Unwinding! This new Japanese izakaya in Harvard Square has quickly become one of my favorite spots to relax after work or class. The décor is warm and inviting, and sitting by the window with a gentle breeze, sipping on a drink, and enjoying a steaming bowl of ramen feels absolutely perfect. The drinks are just as impressive as the food -- I tried two sake-based cocktails, Sakura Saku and Sonic Boom, and both were fantastic in their own way. Light, fragrant, and perfectly balanced, they're great whether you want something floral or something with a little kick. Umami Ramen The "umami" salted ramen here is pure comfort in a bowl. The broth is rich, deeply savory, and full of flavor, and the noodles are wonderfully springy with just the right chew. They sometimes change the menu based on seasonal ingredients, which makes each visit feel fresh and exciting. Slurping up the noodles and sipping the broth -- pure bliss! Chicken Karaage I honestly don't think I've ever had fried chicken this juicy. Each bite bursts with flavor, the outside perfectly crispy while the inside stays incredibly tender. Absolutely a must-order for everyone at the table. Black Sesame Sweet Potato Ice Cream For dessert, I went with their signature black sesame sweet potato ice cream. It has that nostalgic caramelized sweet potato flavor, combined with the nutty richness of black sesame. It's creamy, not overly sweet, and somehow makes you feel like you've made a "healthy" choice -- a fun, satisfying way to end the meal. Between the cozy atmosphere, amazing drinks, and perfectly executed Japanese comfort food, this izakaya is the kind of place you'll want to return to again and again. read more

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Good ramen. Good sides. Good lunch. Service was fine but not the most welcoming. I might come back anyway.

Toro sushi was very good, loved the touch of daikon. The roe rice with the lunch set was a little salty. The umami ramen was not bad. I would come back again. I liked the lunch set. read more

Bosso Ramen Tavern - Umami Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Ambiance - 5 stars Customer service -5 stars Appetizers (chicken karaage and hand rolls) - 5 stars Ramen itself - 3 stars Mine the Umami ramen didn't state it would contain Chasu, the menu description was "Umami means "essence of deliciousness" Flavored egg, scallion, kikurage, red onion." But it came with huge portion of in my case, unwelcome chasu I did feel the appetizers were superior to the ramen itself, my bf agreed but our dining companions who reside in Boston felt their Karami ramen bowls were 5 star worthy To each their own.i would come back for apps and my bf for the Sapporo on tap and friendly service! read more

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I came with a friend on a Wednesday night at 5:30 and it was pretty empty but by the time we left at 7:30 it was hopping! So I definitely recommend a reservation if you come after 6:30 or so. The ambiance is very cozy - low, warm lighting. Our server was lovely. She explained the menu a bit since it was both of our first time there. I ordered the sumo rock (sake cocktail with orange and grapefruit juice) to drink and the vegan ramen to eat. The sumo rock was delicious but I don't think there was much alcohol in it. The vegan ramen was exceptional! The broth was nutty and flavorful. I wasn't sure nuts in ramen would work but they added a lovely variance in texture. My friend also loved her meal. I will definitely be back! read more

Bosso Ramen Tavern - Sumo rock - Ramen Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Bosso is where romance meets flavor We kicked things off with the fresh Scallop Carpaccio and the crispy, Chicken Namban Tartare - both addictingly flavorful. My go to is always the Umami ramen bowl with silky broth, thin and tender noodles, and a depth of flavor that leaves you satisfied Although the Torotaku sushi was lacking a bit in flavor, I 10/10 recommend the Yuzu Scallop handroll Definitely worth a visit if you're looking for tasty japanese flavors with a romantic atmosphere. read more

There wasn't anything that stood out to me from this ramen shop. I was a little disappointed that the karage only came in two pieces, if you order the combination. There are a lot of japanese restaurants around the cambridge area.But this one just didn't stand out to me too much. It's not that the food wasn't good and the service wasn't terrible (QR code service), it was just a little expensive for the amount of food that they gave as well as the taste. read more

Bosso Ramen Tavern - Ramen Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

All servers were super sweet and attentive. My friend ordered the umami ramen and I ordered two rolls. Both dishes came out relatively fast. My rolls were alright, not bad but I wouldn't go out of my way to get them again. They were bigger than anticipated so they filled me more than I thought for a reasonable price. My friend's ramen however, was really good. It felt very comfortable and had deep flavor. Very stereotypical ramen flavor but done well! read more

Bosso Ramen Tavern - Spicy Salmon and Tuna Avocado Bosso Sushi - Ramen Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Great ambience, fantastic miso, awesome sushi, friendly attentive service! What's not to like?

This is my third time going to Bosso, and I was pretty disappointed with the service we received. Having gone here on my birthday previously, I was excited to enjoy some ramen and spend time with my friends. The food was delicious as always, and served quickly. However, the three of us were crammed into a two person table for "arriving 20 minutes late." I do admit that I arrived at 6:05 and not 6, but this was pretty disappointing. In the past, my friends were given a candle to put on our ice cream for my birthday, but this time they refused. We felt rushed to order, and as soon as we finished eating (7PM) we were told we needed to leave since there was another reservation. Overall, the food and ambiance is great, but I would no longer recommend going here for a special occasion or if you would like to take your time. read more

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tl;dr with the caveat that I went as a vegetarian, Bosso was a pleasant experience that I'd recommend for carnivorous friends, but it's not something I'll personally return to I went to Bosso on a Thursday night with two friends after talking about it for a while. As a vegetarian, I'd screened the menu ahead of time and saw that they had a suitable ramen option. The atmosphere was well done, very much evoking a tavern-like feel, and it felt warm on a cold winter day. With the major caveat that I ordered Bosso's only vegetarian ramen option, I was not very impressed. The ramen is nutty and not creamy, which I expected, but not to the degree it was. I also felt like the fake meat in the ramen detracted more than it added, and the flavors weren't all too strong. I asked the server for extra chili oil which absolutely helped. I also got a marinated egg as well for an extra charge. I didn't want to order something that wasn't ramen because, well, ramen is in the name of the cafe! Outside of the food itself, we enjoyed superb table service and a warm ambiance. Usually I would hesitate before knocking off a star based on a single vegetarian item, but given the ability of other local ramen spots to craft vegetarian bowls (including Santouka, Zuru Zuru, and Ganko), I felt it was appropriate. If I return, I'll try one of the non-ramen dishes. Overall, good experience, just maybe not the area's best for vegetarian ramen. read more

Bosso Ramen Tavern - Vegan Ramen with added Flavored Egg - Ramen Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

A solid ramen. A thought the ramen portion of the menu was a bit confusing, but I got the umami which was not bad, but also not super unique. I like the holiday decor inside though! read more

Bosso Ramen Tavern - Umami Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Had such a delicious meal at Bosso. The atmosphere was charming too. The open kitchen bar area adds a unique touch, allowing guests to witness the culinary magic firsthand. The food was delicious, especially the vegan ramen. And the CHILI OIL! It was really good! The service was great as well. Super friendly and loved how they would all yell thank you to guest when they were leaving. read more

Bosso Ramen Tavern - Vegan Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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这是个避雷贴 超级不新鲜和超级腥的海鲜 请绕道走 Ok Wagyu Skewers, the sauce is pretty good BUT TERRIBLE TERRIBLE seafood quality!! The meat of cod felt like rice, apparently frozen for a long time or just the quality that the cod they are using is terrible. Had the Jumbo shrimp nigiri first, already disappointed by the rice. But the Uni My friend and I had next was the start of the nightmare. Nasty taste and made my mouth taste bitter for the next half an hour. I just have to say, I had to have enough courage to try the rest. Please find another Japanese restaurant if you are looking for nigiri or seafood overall... BTW I am now ordering stomach medicine because I am feeling sick after these stuff read more

Bosso Ramen Tavern - Ramen Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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This is not your average ramen place. The food is really next level and the atmosphere is cosy, modern tavern.

My friend and I went here for dinner a few months ago. Luckily, we were able to find metered parking near the restaurant. For appetizer, we got the chicken karaage which came in 4 large pieces with a shishito pepper. The chicken was actually pretty juicy and savory. I got the umami ramen which came with a half soft boiled egg, thinly sliced pork, scallions, red onions, and wood ears. The ramen was ok but not a wow. We also got some yuzu scallop and unagiinu hand roll. The yuzu scallop roll came with cod roe and scallop sashimi with yuzu sauce. The unagiinu one came with eel and egg. Both hand rolls were really good and fresh. read more

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Had the whale sake, umami ramen, karaage, charsu wasabi mayo sushi and sesame ice cream. You self order, so service was friendly but on the lighter side. Space was nice and simple, had a warm tavern feel with a touch of class. Ramen was good - the broth was good and flavorful, and the noodles and charsu were okay. Karaage was my favorite, came out hot and crispy - the chicken was tender and seasoned throughout. Skip the charsu wasabi mayo app, this was bland and kind of dry. Sake was nice but nothing to write home about. Sesame icecream was a good finisher, creamy and nutty. Overall the experience was good, but it's a bit pricey for what you're getting read more

Bosso Ramen Tavern - Umami ramen - Ramen Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Atmosphere OK, but seems like "fake" Japanese food (Disclosure: I've been to Japan, and lived in LA, where I went out to dine with Japanese friends often). The appetizers were kind of weird inventions... smoked salmon? Why not just have traditional izakaya options instead. There were something like the shishito peppers, but they were not roasted really well, kind of tasteless. One of the appetizers we got may have been that smoked salmon, which was actually supposed to be charred salmon (they said), but was not charred at all, but totally raw, which is fine, but it was not very good fish. It needed, for one thing to be cut thinner, and be shorter. It was too big a chunk to put into my mouth. Just kind of felt gross. Then, I got the sushi rolls or whatever they were supposed to be for dinner, it was the weirdest and most difficult way to eat sushi because it was an open roll and I had to hold it in my hand. (I'm saying literally open, not twisted into a cone.) Never in my life have I eaten sushi with my hands at a restaurant! And because it was open, it was kind of falling apart when I was trying to eat it... because again, the ingredients were kind of big chunks. Totally fake Japanese and never mind about the ingredients and the taste. The rice was definitely not flavored well, and it was too dark to see the fish, but it didn't taste right either. Then, my friends got ramen and it looked like a lot of cheap ramen noodles with very little broth. That's not really ramen. On top of that, the vegan choice had soy meat in it...! soy meat instead of tofu?! (Disclaimer I also had a Japanese roommate who specialized in making ramen.) I really don't know how they stay in business serving this fake Japanese food. Out of curiosity, I just looked up who owns it, and the person is Japanese, which was a total surprise. The owner was a banker, and went to Harvard business school before opening this restaurant, though, which maybe of explains why it's off. To be good at ramen takes many years... I know this from my roommate :). Years of studying how to make the broth, years of studying how to make the noodles. read more

I came here at the high recommendation of two Harvard students, so I said, "Why not?" Thankfully, we came early enough to avoid the dinner rush, and we were seated right away despite not having any reservations. The ambiance is dark, with moody lighting, with the scent of savory broth wafting through the air. Ramen was definitely a craving after a day of touring Boston in the rain. Cocktail: Plum wine presented in a glass cone! It was definitely super sweet, which was a nice balance to the savory dish that was to come. Sushi: Spicy Salmon and Tuna Avocado. Loved the spicy salmon! This was delicious! Ramen: Spicy Norisuke. I recommend this with thick ramen noodles since this comes with thin noodles. I like the spice of broth, which is a delicious blend of unami. The pork slices were tender, and the portion size was more than enough for one person. I tasted the vegan ramen, and this was so flavorful!!! You're not missing the meat on this one since the flavor profile carries this dish on its own. I love the fact that you can have delicious hand rolls and ramen at this establishment. It's definitely a solid ramen place to visit when you're in the area. Customer service was excellent, and the waiter and wait staff were super attentive. read more

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