What a great hole-in-the-wall Japanese food spot in the Shops at Porter food area. We came here for lunch on a weekend, and were seated with no wait. We got the veggie don and the saba miso set to share. Both came with a bowl of miso soup and were filling-but-not-stuffed portion sizes. They both had delicious flavors, which were the perfect balance of sweet and savory, but not too much so. The service was friendly and fast, with our food being made and served fresh very quickly after we placed our orders. I would definitely come back to try more of their menu items! read more

Cafe Mami - Veggie Don - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Cafe Mami is a Japanese comfort food spot that focuses on simple, hearty dishes like curry rice, katsu, hamburg steak, and donburi-style meals. We walked into a fairly small space tucked away in Porter Square, with more of a functional, casual feel rather than a polished dining room. The seating was tight and the room filled up quickly, making it clear that this was the kind of place people go for a quick, filling meal rather than a long sit-down experience. The standout here is definitely the Japanese curry and katsu combinations. We ordered the pork tonkatsu curry, a go-to for many, and found it came with a thick, crispy cutlet served over rich curry sauce and rice. The curry itself leaned comforting and slightly sweet-savory in a way that felt very classic and approachable. The portions were generous for the price, and the hamburg steak and oyakodon were also solid options if you wanted something different from fried cutlet dishes. The food came out hot and well assembled, and the flavors were consistent with what we were hoping for. Service was fast and handled by a very small staff, so things moved quickly once we ordered. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Because of how busy it can get during peak hours and how limited the seating is, there was a bit of a rush feel to the experience.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] It worked well as a quick lunch or casual dinner, but it was not really a place to linger for long. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The seating situation is probably the biggest drawback. It fills up quickly, and the space feels tight, especially when there is a line forming.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] That said, the turnover is fast enough that you usually do not have to wait too long, even when it looks crowded from outside. Overall, Cafe Mami is a reliable spot for Japanese comfort food in the Porter Square area. The value is strong, the portions are generous, and the curry dishes are consistently satisfying. It is not fancy, but it does exactly what it is meant to do well, which is serve quick, filling, and comforting Japanese meals. read more

Cafe Mami - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Fast, friendly service. Delicious curry and other Japanese street food accompanied by yummy miso soup. Staff here are always kind and accommodating. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I like to grab a seat at the counter and fill up with a quick meal before continuing on with my day.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Cafe Mami - Open kitchen. Friendly and competent staff. - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Small area with a handful of tables.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Menu is small but mighty. The curry sauce is delicious. Quick service and friendly. Willing to go back to order the curry katsu read more

Cafe Mami - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

After visiting Tufts University and getting some Tufts gear, we were hungry. We decided to catch Bus #96 and travel to Cafe Miami situated inside the Porter Exchange building (University Hall) in Porter Square, next to the Red Line. There's a few tables and service was friendly and quick. Your water cups are not left empty for long. Food is delicious and reasonably priced. I recommend it if you're in the area and want a quick taste of Asian cuisine. read more

Cafe Mami - Yaki Beef Tofu Set - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Located in the Lesley University hall, there is minimal seating but they move people along pretty quickly with brisk service. Good portions and reasonably priced set menus, comes with miso soup and salad. Simple, Japanese comfort food! read more

Delicious Japanese food! My husband ordered the Wafu Hamburg Set and I got the pork cutlet curry set. I personally preferred the curry set but the Hamburg set was still nice. Portions are huge and we were both stuffed at the end of the meal. Service is fast but friendly. As we were dining, people would come up and wait to be seated and no one waited more than a few minutes during lunch time on a weekend. read more

Cafe Mami - Cutlet Curry Rice Set - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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I think this is the best and also most reasonably priced Japanese curry in the Boston area. I find myself really full by the end of it and very happy! The curry dishes all come with miso soup and an Asian style salad starter. I usually don't like salad all that much but I really like the sesame flavored dressing on this one. It's a good palette cleanser before you get into the curry. I almost always get the chicken katsu (or cutlet) curry, and sometimes I add an egg on top. I don't think the egg is at all necessary since it's so much food. I would suggest focusing on the protein here instead of trying to demolish the rice. The curry is so well flavored and just so yummy. I've always had the same waitress every time I've gone here, and she is brisk but friendly. I don't think this place takes reservations but I've always been seated within 10min. It's a great alternative if some of the nearby restaurants are too busy! Genuinely fast service, and they keep an eye on your water too. Sometimes you might get seated out into the hallway area which is less nice of an ambiance but 2/3 of the times I've went I've gotten a table that's under the restaurant awning which is nicer. I recommend! It's so homey and hearty and cost efficient too. I wouldn't be on edge to eat here alone but I do usually come with friends. read more

Cafe Mami - Cutlet Curry Rice Set - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

My go-to comfort food place tucked away in Lesley University food court. I've been coming here for years already ever since college. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It is tiny and only has around five/six tables at most so you might have to wait during weekends.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service is fast and you get your orders fairly quickly too. They have a variety on the menu but I've only been getting pork katsu curry with a fried egg every time I come here. Their set dishes come with miso soup and salad. I am happy to say their curry has remained constant for so many years and it still gives me this homey feel. I will also crave for my comfort meal here. -8.2/10 read more

Cafe Mami - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

3 stars. Honestly pretty disappointing overall. The food was mediocre at best, and the chicken wasn't good at all. What really made the experience uncomfortable though was the staff. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's basically set up like a shared food court with tables everywhere, yet we were told we couldn't sit there because someone in our group had food from another vendor literally right next door.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The way it was handled felt rude, and then staff kept looking over at us and laughing, which just made the whole situation weird and uncomfortable. If that's the policy, fine, but there's definitely a better way to treat people. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambience is literal garbage it's like a food court.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

I decided to try this out since I've been eyeing it for a while. My friend got the beef curry set and I got the hamburg/steak curry. The curry was great! I also like the set because it's pretty well-balanced with miso soup, proteins, grains, and vegetables. I felt it was super filling and worth the price point! When my friend and I went on a weekend afternoon, there were plenty of seats so we were seated right away. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a good spot for smaller groups since it's a small place.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We didn't have much interaction with the staff but the staff members were pretty friendly! I definitely want to try some of there stir-fry the next time I visit. read more

Cafe mami was a bit of a wait but it was similar to the wait for tampopo next door. The curry set comes with salad and miso soup, so it ended up being quite filling! The katsu was cooked well and not dry, and the warmth of the curry was just what I needed. The curry was thinner than I usually like, but it was still good! read more

Cafe Mami, located in Lesley University's food court in Porter Square, is absolutely delicious! This food court is known as the "Porter Exchange" & is located in the ground floor of Lesley's University Hall. Their food court includes a couple mini restaurants that serve Japanese food! Quite a variety here. Cafe Mami serves Japanese comfort food. We decided to pop in recently and it was my first time trying their food. What we ordered: -rockin chicken -crispy shumai -yaki beef tofu set Our meal came with miso soup to start, as well! Everything we ordered tasted phenomenal & prices are fair. Our server was also super kind. Highly recommend if you want to try Japanese comfort food; I would totally come back ;) Parking: There is meter parking on Mass Ave & a parking lot in the back. read more

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I've been coming here since college, though i must admit i haven't been for along time since then. On a cold day we stopped by here and originally was trying to get Bagelsaurus but they were sold out so walked over to the Leslie plaza. We decided to try cafe mami (me for the first in along time, and the lady her very first) We decided on the rockin chicken (staff recommended) i used to get the Hamburg set. And the beef tofu set today with shumai app. The shumai was fried perfectly and we both liked that, which i had some sweet soy sauce and hot chili for it, (like Dimsum's haha) but it was good. My rockin chicken is their "spicy" but it's not spicy so don't worry if you're a mild heater like me haha. It was cooked well, thigh meat i believe, pan cooked to perfection, nice and JUICY! Get a soup and side white rice with it. The lady's beef was tender and thin cut, tofu and sauce melted in your mouth it was a good portion with the potatoe. We were full and happy and ready for desert down the street. Will return and happy to see them still thriving. read more

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04.10.26--Yoooooooooo. Amazing‼ Flavors are better than in Hawaii. Real talk. Blown away with the vegetable katsu. And the Yaki Don with beef was perfect. Good quick service. So pleasantly surprised. Definitely returning read more

This is one of my favorite spots in Cambridge. It's quick, very reasonably priced and the food is always delicious. I've been dozens of times and tried probably half the menu. I've never had something that I wouldn't get again. The waitstaff are kind and professional, and the guys in the kitchen are great. My particular favorite is the chicken tatsuta curry set. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a perfect, casual joint and I know I'll go back again and again.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The Boston area and Cambridge especially need more place like Cafe Mami. read more

Hidden gem in an Asian food hall inside Lesley college. I don't know why there was a line for another stall, this place sat me right away and I didn't have to wait long for the food was brought to my seat. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Only a few tables but if you're dining solo, you can get a spot at the bar.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I ordered by pointing at a picture in the menu. It ended up being a chili tomato chicken with lightly dressed salad, and little potato in tin foil. Meal comes with miso soup and bowl of rice. It was a perfect portion. Probably they prefer cash but take card, since that's all that I had. Server is super attending, kept my water filled and checking up on me. read more

Cafe Mami - Chili Tomato Chicken Set - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

The food is incredible in this cozy little local. I always order the Oyakodon, without the Oya part, that is without chicken as I am primarily a Vegetarian and then a Pescetarian. I requested for the Salmon to be cooked gently, to buttery consistency, medium rare and not to over cooked and not dry. The consumer service for online orders necessitates to improve. If the instructions are not understandable, the request for clarification and the intent to be accommodating and serviceable is the proper. I have placed an order several times for deliver, with proper instructions. The order was canceled without communication. I proceeded to contact them in attempt to communicate, the wait person simply said that the manager has requested to cancel the order. I will not order again as the communication was not possible. I have written to the manager that for communication not to be proper and conscious of parties that want to support the business is not of benefit. I learned that the business was experiencing complication and I have the want to order with reiteration. read more

My go to comfort food is Cafe Mami's curry set the curry set comes with a small miso soup and salad and you can add extra meat, egg, cheese, curry, or red/yellow pickles You also have meat choices: breaded chicken, breaded pork, hamburg steak, or chicken tatsuta (fried boneless chicken tenders). The curry itself is made from chicken and beef stock and is so deliciously addicting As for the yaki beef tofu set, thinly sliced beef is sautéed with onions, tofu and sweet boiled carrot and potato on the side I also love the affordability of Cafe Mami. The curry set is $11, +$2 for meat, and +$2/3 for any extra add ons. The Yaki beef tofu set is $14 Highly recommend Cafe Mami for anyone looking to try authentic japanese style curry! read more

Cafe Mami - Chicken Cutlet Curry Rice Set - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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In general it was a decent experience here. I went on a Saturday night at dinner time. The food was great, I ordered the normal chicken curry set. The curry is really rich and flavorful. You can tell from the taste that the curry is made from real meat such as chicken. I could taste chicken bits as well. The set came with miso soup and simple salad, so it felt like a balanced meal. The only thing is that there is only one server who had to run around to seat customers, take orders, serve customers, and clean the table for new people to sit. She was quite busy so I would avoid coming during the peak dinner hours. read more

Cafe Mami - Chick Cutlet Curry Rice Set - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Solid choice for Japanese Curry Cutlet. Dinner wait was about 15 mins on a Wednesday evening 7:00pm. Note that they only have small tables so I would only come if there are 4 or less in your party. It gives cafeteria vibes as it is in Lesley University. They start you off with a small bowl of miso soup and a small salad. The chicken cutlet was crispy and tender on the inside - I prefer it over the pork. I highly suggest adding the cheese and egg - The cheese is hidden under the meat. A little pricey at $22 but it is Boston/Cambridge pricing. read more

Cafe Mami - Chicken curry with sunny side up egg and cheese - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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The Pork curry katsu at Cafe Mami supported me and my family when I was a graduate student about 20 years ago. My wife and I went back there in twenty years. To our surprise, the tastes were all the same even though chefs and servers were all new. The interior maintained the same at the same building in the Porter Square. The pork curry katsu is a must try, which is served with a bowl of miso soup and salads, and rice. 5+ The Hamburg set with Wafu sauce is great also. 5+ We also like their seaweed salad as well. 5+ Probably one difference I noticed was the amount of salads and patty- they were more than I expected! read more

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Great food for the price point in a very convenient location! Definitely feels like comfort food, great portions for a dinner if you want to just get some quick food for the night. read more

Cafe Mami - Yaki Don - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

This food is simply amazing! All you need here is the chicken tatsuta set! The shrimp shumai app is also where its at. Service is always great and the cooks are super friendly. The ambiance is just no frill delicious food..its a small spot so its harder to get in with larger parties. read more

Cafe Mami - Chicken Tatsuta Set - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

The spicy beef and tofu set was incredibly delicious and brought back childhood memories. Every component was amazing - I wish I could have brought it home! (My limitation, not theirs, they offered a box.) Price extremely reasonable even in 2025. Great service, very attentive. Really positive dining experience. read more

Cafe Mami - Spicy beef and tofu set - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Always really enjoy their curries!! I typically get their hamburg steak curry as I enjoy the meat a lot with their curry over rice. My husband thinks their curry can be quite salty but I enjoy it this way! Service is typically quick and easy. [[HIGHLIGHT]]There's not a crazy amount of space so it can get crowded![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

WHAT A GEM I usually only go to this shopping center for udon, but the udon spot was on break when we went so we decided to check out cafe mami which had high reviews. I got the Hamburg steak with cheese and egg and was surprised by how big the portion size was. Everything was delicious and they even offer rice refills. read more

Cafe Mami - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Cafe Mami is located inside Lesley's student center and has yummy Japanese comfort food! I got the Chicken Katsu Curry and it was delicious. The Chicken is incredibly crispy yet juicy and the curry was really flavorful; sweet yet savory. The meal also came with a miso soup, a small potato, and a salad for ONLY $13.99!! It's such a good deal for the amount of yummy food that you get. They only have a few tables, so I imagine that there is most likely a wait during lunch and dinner hours. However, when we went, we got seated immediately and our order was basically taken right away, which was fantastic. The only downside about the location is that there seem to be tiny flies. This didn't really bother us since the flies didn't come near our food, but was a tad bit annoying. Cafe Mami also is no longer cash only! They take credit cards now, so no worries if you forgot some cash. Overall, I highly recommend this place. The food is amazing and incredibly affordable for the Boston area! read more

Cafe Mami - Chicken Katsu Curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I got the original curry set with chicken cutlet. I was going to get the pork but it was sold out. (I went towards the end of the night.) The chicken was still delicious! It was surprisingly very tender. The meal was filling and affordable. The quick service makes everything better :) read more

Cafe Mami - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Cafe mani is located inside the Leslie student center. They take credit card just incase you're wondering. The chicken cutlet curry was really good, I would order it again. I would have added more toppings. It came with a miso soup and salad so it's a pretty good deal. I can't wait to come back again. read more

Cafe Mami - Chicken Cutlet Curry Rice Set - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Hands down one of the best Japanese restaurants in Cambridge. Whenever you're craving comfort food, Cafe Mami's Curry Set always hits the spot. Their curry is flavorful, the cutlets are fried to perfection, and they serve the most photogenic sunny-side up eggs all between $10-$12! There's always a long line but it's well worth the wait. The waitress is hilarious too, she manages the front of house with pleasant service & a smile. read more

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I was swimming in creamy warm curry and the Hamburg steak is hearty, authentic tasting, if there was a curry version of the chocolate river in Willy wonka I would willingly drown in it Did not expect portion to be so reasonably big but it put me in such a trance that I cleared the entire hamburg curry and sides in 20m like it was my last meal. I would actually have this as my last meal and be executed in the curry river read more

Cafe Mami - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Looking for some Japanese comfort food like curry or miso mackerel dinner/lunch sets? Look no further. I'm sad Boston doesn't have the equivalent of a Little Tokyo, but this food hall in Porter Square/Lesley University Porter Campus is the next best thing. I find that Japanese comfort food is never too heavy on the stomach, but certainly filling (and it feels like it covers all the food groups). My miso mackerel was good; I loved the sauce. It's strange that the rice wasn't on the plate, but the salad was. Yet for the curry plate, it was the opposite-- rice on plate, salad in bowl. Their menu mentions that they offer free second helpings of rice, but we didn't take advantage of that. Service was great. The woman working was very friendly and the chefs were helpful explaining ingredients to someone who had dietary preferences. I only had a couple things I disliked: 1. I didn't like the salad dressing which tasted like salty soy sauce and slightly bitter sesame oil. Normally I've been to places with creamier sesame dressings or citrus/ginger ones. 2. My boyfriend had left a quarter of his food and didn't get a chance to ask for a box before the hostess piled up the dirty dishes when she came to clear our table. Leftovers are always good. read more

Cafe Mami - Sign for the Japanese food hall area. - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Billed as 'Japanese comfort food', Cafe Mami is a small, nondescript restaurant, one amongst many tucked away in the food count inside a Lesley University building. There aren't that many seats, and when my friend and I arrived around 12pm on a Sunday, there was around a 15 minute wait for us to get a table. The server was very attentive and helpful though, and even took our orders before we were seated so we could get our food more quickly. I ordered the original curry with pork cutlet set; curry was rich and flavourful and the thick pork cutlet was so yummy - well seasoned, juicy, and tender. The plate also came with miso soup and a side salad: the soup was really yummy - definitely freshly made with fresh/authentic ingredients - and the salad, while not fantastic, served as a good, lighter contrast to the richer flavour profile of the pork and curry. My friend's wafu hamburg set was also fantastic - the ground beef patty also wonderfully seasoned and cooked, and I particularly love both pickled radishes and potatoes, so those were nice touches. Final bill was also a pleasant surprise - it's not many places in the neighbourhood to get such a great meal, with such large portion sizes at such a low price. (NB they are cash only, I think, so do come prepared / there are definitely ATMs in the area). Anyway, overall absolutely fantastic and I cannot wait until the next time I find myself back here :) read more

Cafe Mami - Wafu Hamburg Set - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Every time I think of Japanese curry or in the area, I think of Cafe Mami. Then, I'd have to come in. It is the best I've ever had (haven't been to Japan yet). The service is quick and friendly. The ambiance is super chill. The shu mai and Hamburg curry are to die for. This is a must visit if you're in the area or a curry fan. read more

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Nothing like a reliable restaurant and Cafe Mami is at the top of the list. Tucked away in the Lesley building you'll find a nice little food court of Japanese restaurants. The Chicken Cutlet Curry at Cafe Mami is the best I've had around the area. They serve it hot and fresh, the chicken is always juicy and has a nice crisp exterior. The curry is not too spicy and has bits of meat and aromatics in it. The service is also great, the staff are friendly and food is served fairly quick. There aren't too many tables so you may have to wait if you go at a busy time. There are shared restrooms for the vendors in the area. For the price, quality, and amount of food you get, Cafe Mami is a must visit spot for anyone in the mood for a cozy curry. Not the best spot for vegetarians, the curry base has meat in it and most other dishes are meat based. read more

Cafe Mami - Cutlet Curry Rice Set and Hamburg Curry Rice Set - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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My go to curry spot in the Boston area! Comes with a good portion size and there are some tables outside you can sit to eat at if you choose. The chicken is very crispy and the curry is not too overpowering. You can't beat the price either. It is not too far of a walk from the train station and if you decide to park in the parking lot you can get your parking validated by telling the cashier when you are paying. *Edit: I came back here again recently and they started serving on actual plates now and stopped giving take out containers! I feel like the portions are now larger when served this way. The food here is still delicious and the chicken katsu is crispy as always. I also added a runny egg on top this time and it made the experience even more enjoyable. read more

Cafe Mami - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Indisputably the best curry place in Boston. The flavors of the curry are incredible but the place where the dish really shines in is the meat. The fry on the meat is nothing short of a miracle! The meat is tender juicy and thick but the batter is light and gives it a clean very non greasy taste. I could eat here every single day! read more

Cafe Mami - Cutlet Curry Rice Set (Chicken) - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Small restaurant in a shopping mall. Delicious! We came around 3:30 so there wasn't a line. The table was rather small. Only 10 people can dine-in at a time. Service was quick and the food was really good! I would definitely recommend. read more

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TLDR: The best Japanese katsu curry I've ever had. This spot in Lesley University's Common Market food hall is definitely a gem and worth making a trip for. I had to try their signature curry and I was not let down at all by the rave reviews. The curry was incredibly deep, rich, smooth, and full of savoriness from the perfect blend of spices. The katsu was perfect. The breading was seasoned, the chicken was moist and tender. It comes with miso soup and a salad tossed in a sesame sauce. The portion size is excellent for the price. My only con here would be that the curry could have used more veggies, but who cares. The waitress was nice and checked up on me during and after the meal. In terms of the ambiance, it can definitely get busy and seats are limited because of the location but I guarantee it is worth any wait. 100% coming back here soon. read more

Cafe Mami - Cutlet Curry Rice Set - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts