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    Santouka Back Bay

    4.1 (847 reviews)
    ModerateRamen, Soup, Noodles
    Open 11:00 am - 9:30 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Santouka Back Bay Takeout or Delivery

    Santouka Back Bay Photos

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    SANTOUKA BACK BAY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Kelly D.

    Really good ramen with handmade noodles and charsu. The broth is flavorful and yummy and will definitely keep you warm and full after eating. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place itself is tiny, keep that in mind when visiting.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]You will most likely be sharing a table with random customers so be open minded.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Eva G.

    Oh my deliciousness!!! I've passed by this place for years while visiting BOS ! [[HIGHLIGHT]]I noticed that there was a line outside to dine.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The foodie gods must've sent me over cause I actually waited in line Today was a bit cold and a good day for ramen! Waited for about 15ish minutes.... a spot opened up for us and we were ready to order!!!! My friend ordered the TONKOTSU CHA-SHU RAMEN Flavor choice: Shio Cha-shu Ramen comes with 5 pieces of Cha-shu (Braised pork belly). I ordered the VEGETARIAN RAMEN Soy based vegan broth with menma, kikurage mushrooms, soy sauce marinated fu (wheat gluten) and umeboshi. We both added to our ramen... AJI-TAMA* Marinated soft boiled egg. I added ... GREEN SALAD Fresh mixed greens served with original salad dressing. and SHIYAKE IKURA GOHAN Rice bowl topped with grilled salmon & salmon roe. Service was fast and friendly. You can order your ramen size bowl in small, medium and large. We both chose medium size. It was plenty! I ate my leftovers for dinner! I definitely recommend this place. The food is flavorful and delicious, service is fast and food portion for the price is great!

    ..(R) Neginanban
    Simone P.

    Love this place. The line moves very fast so don't be intimidated. Surprisingly still so good even in the summer heat. I usually get spicy miso but Thai time I tried the Neto Nambam which was spicy but definitely doable if you enjoy spicy things. It was so good and fresh but hard to explain the flavor. Definitely recommend! For sure top 3 ramen in Boston if not higher! The regular is a very healthy portion and honestly I should probably order small to not feel so stuffed.

    Lizzy M.

    The food here was amazing and very well seasoned, the black garlic ramen is very yummy - as were the soy eggs and edamame. Service was nice and didn't repeatedly check in (personal preference) other than to bring water refills and food. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I will say this place is definitely small and there's limited seating (YOU WILL LIKELY BE SEATED AT A TABLE SET FOR 6-8 WITH OTHER STRANGERS AT THE SAME TABLE IN THE SEAT NEXT TO YOU) so if that is not your thing, you have been warned![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Making so much soup can make it a little hot to sit inside so if you're thinking to call ahead, try to get seats outside at their tables.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Very clean establishment, very kind personnel.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I loved.

    Exterior
    Eric B.

    This was a really delicious ramen experience in Boston! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Be aware, though, that the interior is very small and cramped. You will very likely be sitting shoulder to shoulder with other diners.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service was very attentive and friendly. I had the large chasu ramen (you can choose from several sizes) which came with a choice of several smaller plates (I went with chasu rice). Everything was delicious!! The broth was flavorful, and the noodles were perfect. The pork was tender, and the small side of rice was delicious and not overly salty. I recommend Santouka for ramen in Boston!

    Black garlic ramen
    Ashley H.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]This restaurant is really small - fits about 18-20 people. The tables are also really close so in a table of 6, you can be sitting REALLY close to strangers eating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]We got seats at the counter top so it felt better for personal space.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Because it fits so little, there seems to be a wait outside all the time. However, the line does move fairly ok. On a Sunday night around 6:30PM, the wait was about 15 minutes. Service was friendly and quick. We ordered the miso ramen and the black garlic ramen. Both were delicious - broths were rich and full of flavor. The noodles had the perfect texture and the chasu were tasty. I do wish the chasu were more charred but nonetheless it still tastes really good. The bowls of ramen could be ordered in small, medium or large - I ordered the medium which was just right for dinner, and added a marinated egg but could've done without it.

    Shio ramen and Kara Miso ramen
    Jennifer H.

    Santouka really hits the spot when you're craving ramen, but dare I say that the California locations taste better? [[HIGHLIGHT]]This location in Back Bay is very tiny, and though hot ramen on a cold day is winning combo, I don't know if it's worth the wait outside.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Thankfully, I stopped by right when it opened on a weekday and was seated promptly with no wait. The Tonkotsu Kara Miso Ramen has a great punch of spice, with a nice creamy broth from the miso and pork bones. I'm always a big fan of the menma (bamboo shoots) and wood ear mushroom toppings that give the meal a great crunch. This is the type of place I would wait no more than 25 minutes for in bearable weather if I was in the area, but I wouldn't make a special trip out for it. Still delicious!

    Black garlic mazemen
    Lena L.

    My favorite ramen spot in North America! I've been going to santouka in Vancouver since high school and super excited that they expanded to Boston. My go to is the shio toro niku. It's made with pork cheek and it's so tender it almost melts in your mouth. I also like how you can order a small for $1 less, since I always end up too full with normal portions. Second favorite is the Negi Namban, which is their spiciest shio while the broth remains light. They come out with special items like the one I had today which is black garlic mazemen. It's served room temp and topped with shallot crisps making it a great dish for a hot summer day. There's usually a line out the door but service and turnaround is quick. Do prepare to share a table!

    ..(R) Mazemen ..(R) Toroniku Shio
    Kevin W.

    As someone who loves ramen, Santouka is arguable the best ramen in Boston. My go to is the toroniku ramen. While the tonkotsu broth isn't the most flavorful and tastiest i've had, it is consistent across all locations I've been to and definitely still the best in Boston. Noodles look to be packaged by sun noodles who are a large distributor for ramen noodles. That said, the pork tonoriku is very well made, pork is extra soft and a melt in your mouth feel. Restaurant is tiny so expect to wait and potentially share a table

    ..(R) Cha-shu Karamiso
    Kirtana S.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]My favorite place to go on a cold day.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] This location to me tastes better than the location in Cambridge. They're so quick with managing the line.

    Toriniku bento
    Lori I.

    Location: Boston, Back Bay Seating: 2 tables of 6, and 6 bar seats for total 18 seats. If you want to be seated faster, break your party up into smaller groups. The parties of 2 jumped ahead of us. Reservations: NO. Must wait in line Food: the ramen tonkotsu broth is good. You can ask for small or large portions. If you have a student ID, you can get the larger size for free at this location. They do not have GF ramen, so I ordered the Toroniku bento. The pork jowl was cold and rubbery, and nothing like what it should be. I probably should have ordered the charsiu bento instead.

    Georgette P.

    So damn good! Just coming back from Japan I have been craving some authentic ramen and this was it! I don't eat pork so my only option was the vegetarian which I wasn't sure about because I'm picky about tofu, but this did not disappoint. Absolutely incredible. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place is small so you may have to wait outside but services quick and friendly so you will be happy you waited.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Sheldon C.

    Friendly and efficient service. Nice location. Good outdoor seating options. Delicious broth! Got the black garlic ramen and it was super tasty. The salmon roe rice was also delicious. Would definitely come back again when craving ramen in Back Bay.

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    Page 1 of 22

    Santouka Back Bay Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Santouka Back Bay

    Any vegetarian options I didn't see any on there website?

    Can you get ramen to go?

    Yes & they also partner with delivery apps for delivery

    Do they have bubble tea?

    No.

    Do they have take out menu?

    Yes- they seemed to be actively doing lots of takeout when I was there!

    Easy parking access?

    It's downtown so there's not too much parking nearby.

    Do they offer chicken or beef ramen?

    Nope but they do have a veggie ramen

    Is it paid by credit card?

    Yes. They take cash or card.

    What's the wait time like for a Saturday night?

    30'

    Do they have a vegetarian broth?

    They do, however the noodles are made with egg if you're looking for vegan.

    Does this location offer gluten-free noodles?

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Tora Ramen

    Tora Ramen

    4.3
    (304 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    After a day in the cool wind, all I wanted was something hot and soupy. This ramen was perfect; one…read morebowl made my stomach feel much better. Shiro: The most classic tonkotsu ramen. The broth was rich and flavorful, the fat fragrant but not greasy; the noodles were thin and straight, firm and chewy; the wakame seaweed is crisp and refreshing, adding to the umami flavor, and the fresh green onions are just right in terms of crispness and aroma. As a Hakata ramen, everything is perfect. But for me, it would be even better if the chashu were a bit thicker and fattier. They only accept cash, and the space is cramped, which is a bit inconvenient. But it's still worth eating alone.

    I got the spicy miso ramen while my friend got the tonton. Both of us really enjoyed our orders, &…read morethere was nothing wrong with the service. However, I have to warn future customers to not bring any valuables that can absorb odors. :') I had a large plastic tote with a Coach purse & Sony headphones inside. Both were inside the tote the entire time we ate. It's been 3 days & I still can't get the smell of onion/garlic out of my headphones. The smell mostly faded from my tote & my purse after being hung outside with baking soda packets for a few days, but I think my headphones are a lost cause. I took off the ear pads, washed them, & wiped down the rest of the headphones as thoroughly as possible, but the fragrance persists. I only got the smell out of my clothes by doing an extra wash with vinegar. To be clear, I didn't spill broth on my belongings or anything -- the air in the restaurant just smells so strongly of onion/garlic that it seeps into your things. The food is great. Enjoy the food. But don't bring anything expensive or anything you love to this place. & don't plan on going anywhere else afterwards. Don't repeat my mistakes. :')

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Spicy miso ramen
    Spicy miso ramen
    Black Garlic Tonkotsu

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    Black Garlic Tonkotsu
    Somenya - Soba restaurant

    Somenya - Soba restaurant

    4.4
    (200 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    This charming little restaurant a few steps down from the sidewalk is a lovely addition to the…read morerestaurant choices in the neighborhood. The decor is bright and cheerful and the room (and restrooms) sparkling clean. The service is quick, gracious and calm. And the food is delicious! I don't care to eat meat, so it was wonderful to have several selections of vegan and pescatarian dishes to choose from. My husband and I enjoyed the soups we chose and want to come back to try the cold noodle dishes.

    Nothing beats a place where they have 12-year-old Asian kids from working. The service here can…read morerange from slow to normal considering that the place itself is not very big. The restaurant focuses mostly on soba or udon noodle dishes with a good selection between hot and cold options. It's not going to be the best udon or soba you've ever had. HOWEVER, I tried the cold ikura & uni cold soba and LOVED it. It's seasonal, so I tried that one out and was extremely surprised about how much I enjoyed the bowl. Not too much soup and the uni didn't completely obliterate when I stirred it up. They do use American wasabi though, and I found it superfluous to the dish and wished it was served on the side. But regardless, despite not having some extremely high quality noodles, the flavor and experience of the bowl itself was super pleasant. I ended up coming back the very next day because I wanted to try their clam soba. The clam soba only comes hot, which is a bit unfortunately because I actually think a cold clam soba with some lemon or yuzu would be phenomenol. I've been seeing recipes for it online so I've been wanting to try it, but their clam soba is a lot more standard and hot. They had a very good amount of clams in it, but I generally like their cold soba better. Still good, but didn't give me that feeling of needing to come back the very next day like I did with the ikura-uni combo. Overall, I'd still come back when I'm in downtown!

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Spicy snow crab meat hot soba
    Spicy snow crab meat hot soba
    Japanese Takoyaki

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    Japanese Takoyaki
    Show Malatang

    Show Malatang

    4.3
    (36 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    I'm slightly obsessed…read more Randomly ran into this place in a desperate late night hunt for noodles and since then have been there five times. Every time I'm like "where should I go in downtown" I just get stuck on this place like it's worn a groove in my brain. Like one of RFK's brain worms. It's a little confusing to order but basically you pick a soup, pick a spicy level (burn your face or burn your colon) and then add an absurd amount of toppings. Then they deliver a bowl the size of your head (or my head, I have a big head) and you kind of reconsider your life decisions. I like this over the other hot pot tech because my two greatest weaknesses are cooking and choosing. At least this takes out one of those. High marks to the sour cabbage broth - the slight vinegary tang is actually magic. Brain worm inducing magic. But don't go here. Because it's small and I want to make sure I have a seat.

    I was really disappointed with this restaurant…read more We ordered the $17.99 combo, and while the portion was large, it was mostly cabbage and bean sprouts with very little beef. The beef itself had a strange taste and wasn't enjoyable at all. When I asked for chopped green onions, they told me they had already run out. The food also lacked flavor, so I asked for chili sauce since it is only chili oil with almost no actual chili sauce. When I mentioned it, they said that's just how they make it. It got even more ridiculous. They serve Coke, but when I asked for a cup of ice, they said they didn't have any ice left!!! We also ordered the crispy pork for $8.99, and the portion was surprisingly small for the price. The service wasn't good either. Our bill came to about $44, and I still left a $6 tip even though I wasn't happy with the experience. Instead of thanking us, the server ( a lady) came over and complained that my tip was "just under 15%" and said their restaurant expects a minimum 15% tip and started to give a nasty attitude after! Honestly, after hearing that, I almost wanted to take the tip back. Tips should be earned through good food and good service, not demanded. Overall, this meal was a huge disappointment, and I would not recommend this restaurant.

    Photos
    Show Malatang
    Show Malatang
    Seafood Malatang with beef and rice cakes

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    Seafood Malatang with beef and rice cakes
    REDWHITE - Boston

    REDWHITE - Boston

    4.2
    (577 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$
    Casual dining
    Vegan friendly

    Absolutely top-notch vegan ramen. Coming from Vancouver, BC, where we have a killer…read more(vegan-friendly) ramen scene, I am a tough customer for ramen when visiting elsewhere. But this place completely lives up. 6 different ramens, $17.95 for the regular bowls. I was recommended the red hot miso ramen, a spicy option. You order up at the counter, and they give you a buzzer that buzzes when your ramen is ready to grab at the counter. The ramen was ready in under 10 minutes. First, the broth was remarkably complex and rich, with an endless depth that never became too overbearing -- perfect. The noodles were perfectly cooked as well, served up in a decent portion. Toppings-wise, you get tofu, soy crumble, corn, arugula, and sprouts, along with plenty of sesame seeds. I would've liked some proper greens (other than a few raw arugula leafs), but that's the most minor of complaints. Service was decent enough -- informative and helpful in describing the options. All in all, top-notch vegan ramen. Highest recommendation.

    I have been dreading writing this review, because as much as I wanted to love this place - I…read moreprobably had one of the worst eating experiences ever. Swung by this place on a weekday for lunch to avoid the rush - most weekends I pass by this place and the line wraps around the street! My friend and I stepped in and were immediately greeted with a sour attitude. We were confused on the menu whether our ramen included chili oil or not, and the staff did not help explain anything and just quickly dismissed our questions to get us to order quicker. Once we sat down, the food was done relatively quickly. However I was very surprised on what we had gotten. Now I admit - I am not a vegetarian. However, I have enjoyed many vegetarian meals and this was quite upsetting. We both got the garlic miso ramen. The ramen was not temperature hot at all. The chili oil was not flavorful. The "soy meat" was simply just mushed tofu with awful texture, and it soaked into the soup and created a pretty unpleasant texture (I took a picture which makes me sad and unappetized). I was unable to finish my bowl. The food combined with the service made for a pretty negative time for me. I really wanted to love it - a place with a full vegetarian menu is amazing for all my friends who have that restriction! Maybe if they tried pan frying the tofu create a better textural experience? I will not plan to come back, and will highly recommend you go to any other restaurant in Back Bay.

    Photos
    Roasted Miso Avocado Sushi
    Roasted Miso Avocado Sushi
    "S" No 7 Ginger Curry
    "S" No 7 Ginger Curry
    Proud to be named one of The Boston Globe's Best of the Best 2026. Thank you for your support!

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    Proud to be named one of The Boston Globe's Best of the Best 2026. Thank you for your support!

    Santouka Back Bay - ramen - Updated August 2026

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