There is a steady line here even when they open. The space is small and you can be seated with other people. The waitress was really nice and very knowledgeable. There seems to be a lot of take out so if you're at a nearby hotel, it would be easy to order and take it back. TONKOTSU KARA MISO RAMEN - Very tasty with a little spice, the ramen noodles seem fresh. BARA TORO CHA-SYU - pork cheek - very good and very worth the extra money to add it on. The flavor is fantastic and they put it on the side so it doesn't overcook. NEGI NAMBAN - Our favorite of the two bowls ordered. The menu says to beware of the spice, but it is not bad. I added the chili oil that was on the counter. I was very happy with my order and would order this Ramen again. We got a side of the marinated hard boiled egg, cooked perfectly and it was great. We ordered the regular sized bowl and we were both very full and ready for a walk. There was another ramen bowl that was on a limited time menu, but we didn't see it so maybe next time. read more

Santouka Back Bay - Kara miso - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Vegetarians have one choice but it's a very good choice . You won't be disappointed. We added edamame, egg, chili paste and jalapeno on the side. Service is fast and super attentive. We sat in the patio outside and the weather was on our side and couldn't be perfect. It was a dinner with my daughter and she hadn't had anything since the morning. And this is one of her favorite places. The ramen was perfect and so were the vegetables. The protein looked too real like meat but it is soy. Totally a great meal to enjoy. Will definitely be back. Service is fast and quick. read more

As someone visiting Boston from Southern California, I was surprised to come across Santouka here! Back home, Santouka is located inside a Japanese marketplace, so seeing the restaurant with its own storefront was an unexpected treat. Since we already knew the food would be good, we decided to stop in for a quick bite. We ordered our usual, the Karamiso, and it was delicious as always. The restaurant itself is on the smaller side, but we were lucky enough to get seated right away. By the time we left, there was a line forming outside. Overall, it's a solid ramen spot. I wish they offered extra noodles, but that's not a dealbreaker. read more

Santouka Back Bay - ..(R) Karamiso - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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. read more

Santouka Back Bay - ..(R) Neginanban - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Oh my deliciousness!!! I've passed by this place for years while visiting BOS ! I noticed that there was a line outside to dine. 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! read more

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This was a really delicious ramen experience in Boston! Be aware, though, that the interior is very small and cramped. You will very likely be sitting shoulder to shoulder with other diners. 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! read more

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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. We got seats at the counter top so it felt better for personal space. 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. read more

Santouka Back Bay - Black garlic ramen - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Santouka really hits the spot when you're craving ramen, but dare I say that the California locations taste better? 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. 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! read more

Santouka Back Bay - Shio ramen and Kara Miso ramen - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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. 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! 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. Very clean establishment, very kind personnel. I loved. read more

Santouka Back Bay - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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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! read more

Santouka Back Bay - Black garlic mazemen - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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 read more

Santouka Back Bay - ..(R) Mazemen ..(R) Toroniku Shio - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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

Santouka Back Bay - ..(R) Cha-shu Karamiso - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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. read more

Santouka Back Bay - Toriniku bento - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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. The place is small so you may have to wait outside but services quick and friendly so you will be happy you waited. read more

Santouka Back Bay - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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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. read more

Santouka Back Bay - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I didn't get the ramen but my friends said it was very good, it is a small place, wait was 15 min for lunch. read more

Santouka Back Bay - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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after the longest day of walking, me and my friend wanted a filling meal and so many people had recommend this ramen shop and we saw there was a huge line so we checked it out. the shop is very small given so that could have attributed to the long wait/line. the service and staff is very quick so we got our food fairly quickly however was a bit disappointed with the meal. we are originally from an area with lots of great asian cuisines especially ramen so maybe our standards are slightly raised but overall i felt it was slightly lacking in terms of flavor. i ended up adding quite a bit of chili oil and powder to my dish which u never do when eating ramen! Shio Ramen - 6/10 read more

Santouka Back Bay - ..(R) Shio and Aji-Tama - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I have been dying to try this place as I always see a long line when I walk by on Newbury. Santouka is super small, only two tables so expect to share with other customers and bar seating! I came on a Thursday night and every seat was still taken but no wait. I ordered the Kara Miso Ramen which is one of the spicy options that comes with pork belly. The pork belly was delicious, soft, and salty which I loved. I also really enjoyed the savory broth but did not find it spicy personally. The noodles are on the thinner side but have a great chew. Overall a very classic and yummy bowl of ramen! read more

Santouka Back Bay - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Very lovely customer service. The host/waiter kept checking in and I was immediately seated (I was only one so maybe that's why.) they don't have that much variety, their only meat consists of pork belly but they do have vegetarian options! Honestly pretty good ramen spot if you're around here but not the best, you know. Still, their little spot was very welcoming and couldn't resist some hot soup. read more

Santouka Back Bay - ..(R) Cha-shu Shoyu - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Santouka Back Bay is a small little ramen shop tucked away on a side street, right by Newbury St! They've got 2 others locations in MA, one in Cambridge/Harvard Sq. & another in Allston. Looks like they have a couple of other locations in other states, 2 in WA & 1 in VA. This one is VERY SMALL... I would say only two tables that are suitable for parties of 4 & ~4-5 bar seats. The line is often pretty long here & people often are already standing in line outside half an hour to an hour before opening. Sometimes you can get away with just waiting for 5-15 minutes if you show up before opening. I personally think they make a decent bowl of ramen! They've been around for quite some time now & even with the dozens of new ramen shops popping up in Boston left & right, I'd still say they are in my top 5 in the city. I'd honestly come here more often if it wasn't for the line hahaha. I think the prices are reasonable & competitive w/ nearby shops. I like that they offer three different sizes for the ramens! Typically don't see that. I love getting the black garlic ramen, tantan ramen, & the miso ramen! But you honestly can't go wrong with any of the ramens they have. Highly recommend! read more

Some of the best ramen I have ever had! The black garlic ramen on a cold rainy day in may was the perfect late lunch. Its small inside and I definitely recommend take out of possible- so if you are dining in get ready for a 15-30 min wait or longer if you go at peak times. read more

Santouka Back Bay - Limited edition black garlic ramen. Delicious. - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I haven't lived in Boston for a while, but I would probably venture out and bet that it's at the very least still top-3 ramen spots in Boston still. It's a small establishment for those that want to dine-in so the wait could take a minute if you're there for peak dining hours. Also probably shouldn't be driving to this location... Ramen was fantastic. The broth had a great texture to it. Not too light or too thick. I always wish I had more cha-syu but when is that never a problem? The Shiyaki Ikura Gohan was perfect for me. Just the right amount of soy marinated in, which for me gave me the same taste/flavor every bite. read more

SO GOOD! I got the Kara Miso ramen and it was the perfect amount of spicy. It's very intimate in here and by that I mean it's small! You'll have to share a table with other people but I didn't mind that at all. I would definitely come back :-) read more

Small tiny seating area - be comfortable sitting next to someone as if they were in your party. The food is great however and the service was super efficient. I believe we made a reservation and it helps since there is such limited seating and the place can get busy/popular. The ramen was great - the side dishes are limited unless you like fish egg/roe on rice??? I don't so I just focused on the ramen. Very yummy!. read more

Santouka Back Bay - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I got the Ramen which was so good! The noodles had a nice bounce and bite. The broth was flavorful but not overly salty or rich. The toppings were also all cooked so well. Overall such a great small meal that hit the craving well. Service was prompt and attentive. This place is super tiny and small (no reservations) so would recommend waiting in line as early as you can. read more

Santouka Back Bay - Toroniku ramen - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Located in Back bay. In general for all Backbay locations I do not recommend trying to drive here. Ramen here is not bad. I think this location is better than the harvard square location. The small for its price is sort of expensive, but I think this is one of the better ramen places that Boston has to offer. Store is pretty small, expect a wait if youre not eating on an off hour. It only seats about 20 inside and then 10 outside. read more

After a busy day shopping on Newbury, we wanted ramen and tried this place. Surprisingly, there was no line around 11am on a Saturday! The staff was friendly and greeted us upon arrival and departure. We ordered 3 bowls of ramen, all were great: Miso, Kara, Garlic. The broth for each was rich and flavorful. The ramen was cooked perfectly with expected texture from a ramen shop. The setting was clean, albeit small. You likely will have others eating next to you. Service is quick. Food is wholesome and satisfying. Portion size was just okay and the pork char siu slices were small (and on the lean side). I'd come back here again, if it is as easy to get in as it was today. I've walked by and seen long lines before. Try this place out if you haven't! It's a little gem in Copley. read more

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I had never had Ramen in my life, one bowl here and I understood why people fall in love with ramen. The broth sings, the noodles dance, and the vibes make you feel instantly at Japan. The staff was super nice to teach me how to hold chopsticks :) read more

Santouka Back Bay - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

If you're craving some good ramen, this place is the spot! I've eaten at this chain in another state, but it was many years ago, and I totally forgot how amazing their ramen is. This location is very small, with just a few tables and a small counter. I had to queue outside for a bit, but the line moved quickly. Once we were seated, I understood why--service was exceptionally fast, and our ramen arrived just minutes after ordering. We didn't feel rushed at all. I ordered the Kara Miso (spicy miso), and it was perfect for a chilly day. You can choose different sizes of ramen; I went with the regular. Since I was on a food tour and eating all day, I worried I wouldn't finish the bowl, but I did--it was just that delicious! The broth was full of umami, and the noodles tasted so fresh. I'll be thinking about this ramen for a while! read more

Santouka Back Bay - ..(R) Karamiso - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Great service and they are sooo friendly! Boston is a great city to have Ramen/Udon and you'll find many days where the weather is perfect for this We got two small bowls but should have gone with a medium.. the small bowls are tiny Student also get to upsize for free! read more

Santouka Back Bay - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The ramen is worth the wait. With a tiny dining area you'll most likely share a table with strangers but they also have some outdoor seating. We quickly ordered after being seated and the ramen came out soon after. I got the shoyu ramen which is flavorful but a little on the salty side. Definitely get the agitama egg which is soft boiled and marinated. The noodles are al dente and all ramen come in three sizes. read more

Santouka Back Bay - Shoyu ramen - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I almost never give 5 stars but this was super interesting. The pork cheeks were tender and softer than the usual pork slices at other ramen spots. The flavor was tasty and rich but not too oily. Noodles cooked nicely with some chew. Try to go when they first open for lunch to avoid long lines. Great location too as you can go shopping on Newbury after! read more

Santouka Back Bay - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I have been coming to Santouka Back Bay and the Harvard square location for years. I love this place! I've taken pretty much all my friends here and they've all enjoyed it as well. The restaurant is super small, but so charming! It can get very busy with a long wait outside due to not having lots of seating. But I would say the wait is worth a delicious bowl of hot ramen! Drinks/apps: I don't usually get anything particular to drink, sometimes I will indulge in a strawberry calpico but I stick to water. Note that alcoholic beverages are not served here. For apps I like the rice with pork (if you're feeling particularly hungry) and edamame. I tried the nato gohan (fermented soy beans) which I did enjoy but I think these might be an acquired taste and people tend to be turned off by their bitterness. Entrees: I love the shio ramen which comes with the egg noodles, bamboo shoots, a fish cake, and pork pieces. The broth is so hearty, warm, and perfectly salty. I tend to get the regular size because the large is pretty big. My bf tried the miso ramen which was also flavorful and he ordered an egg to go with it which I recommend! TL;DR: This is one of my favorite places to grab a bite to eat in Boston. Over the years it has definitely gained popularity have gotten busier, so I would advise going at a less busy time (like before dinner time?) My recommendations are the shio ramen, get the egg add on, and a rice of your choice if you are starving. You don't need to order a lot here, the portions are big and you will be super full from the ramen! read more

Santouka Back Bay - Miso ramen (large), edamame - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Go here every year when in town for some Sox games, what a jewel! Food is exemplary, cooked fresh, the chili is my favorite . My nephew experiments with your menu. This past August we even went back twice! read more

Santouka Back Bay - Spicy ramen w/pork belly - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Santouka is a close tie for first with Ganko in Brookline. Intimate atmosphere, quick service, and tasty bowls. Be sure to bring some good friends to kill the time while you wait in line outside (it usually moves pretty fast). Highly recommend for locals and tourists! read more

Expect to wait in a line outside. That's how you know it's a good place. We didn't wait long, maybe 20 minutes. It was the weekend of the Boston Marathon so the streets were busier than normal. We were seated at a communal table. Most if not all were like this so they can fit more people. Fortunately my friend and I were seated right at the window so we only had people on one side. This is a no frills restaurant, which means don't dilly dally. You never feel rushed, but the atmosphere didn't make us feel like we should stay beyond what we needed to enjoy our ramen. Speaking of, we both got small sizes. It may look tiny, but we were both very full when we finished. Broth was creamy, thick, and savory without being salty or over powering. Noodles were perfectly cooked. I loved the menma and the ume on top. It was the perfect meal for a busy Boston day of walking around the city. Don't sleep on this place! read more

Santouka Back Bay - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Here during the biggest snow storm in Boston for the past decade, coming from CA, and I couldn't have asked for much better. Broth was amazingly tasty with good spice on the Kara Miso ramen. Place is small yet very cozy. Only thing I wished they offered was hot beverage. Even simple green tea powder and hot water would be appreciated in winter months. No bother, this hit the spot. Still giving 5 stars due to the snow and ice raining down outside right now. Thank you for being open to serve your wanting customers. Much appreciated! read more

Santouka Back Bay - Kara Miso ramen. So good! - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Overall this place has some pretty good ramen that will hit the spot on a nice cold day. The seating of the restaurant is pretty minimal as they only have a few tables and a slightly longer public bar area that overlooks the kitchen. You can add additional toppings to your ramen and it comes on the side--so definitely make sure you add that good ol' gooey soft boiled egg. The ramen itself is very tasty and heart-warming. Flavor-wise it's pretty standard and good for prices that seem typical of the area. read more

Santouka Back Bay - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Good for groups of 1-2 people this cozy ramen spot is a neighborhood staple despite the tight seating. The ramen menu has all the expected fare in three sizes S/M/L depending on your preference. In particular the vegetable ramen is a standout for its complex flavors and the smooth texture of the broth. The service was prompt and forgettable. If you're in the area solo or with a partner and in the mood for ramen this is the spot to visit. read more

Santouka Back Bay - Vegetable Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

A tiny restaurant that serves some delicious ramen. I had bookmarked this restaurant for my Boston trip and coincidentally it was the same restaurant my friends whom I was visiting wanted to take me to. So it speaks for the popularity of this restaurant. I am happy to say it lived up to the expectations. I went for the Kara Miso Ramen and my husband tried the Shoyu Ramen. I found both the flavors to be distinct and comforting. But, I did notice that their quantity of noodles compared to the broth was more than what I have seen at other ramen restaurants nonetheless it was well cooked. I went for the medium size and the quantity was perfect for me. The restaurant is quite popular and my friends who brought me here said there is always a line. However, the line was moving fast and the smaller the group you have, the faster you will get seated. I think we just had to wait 10 minutes apprx for a table of 4. Their service is quick and the server was very pleasant. They have family style seating so you may end up sharing your table with other groups. read more

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