This was such a cute mom-and-pop shop run by a husband-and-wife team who were both incredibly kind and welcoming. The restaurant is located inside a shopping center and has only a small amount of seating, giving it a cozy, homey feel. We ordered the shrimp tempura udon, pork cutlet curry, and a side of vegetable tempura. My favorite part was the tempura. The batter was incredibly light and crispy without feeling greasy. The udon broth was comforting and well-made, though its flavor was fairly simple. Overall, the meal reminded me of a home-cooked dinner, making it a cozy spot if you're looking for comforting Japanese food. read more

This small Japanese husband-and-wife business, which has been running for 34 years, is closing down this June due to retirement, so I rushed over for a meal. Pork Cutlet Curry: The restaurant specializes in fried foods, with the pork cutlet being their absolute signature dish. Although the cutlets were on the thinner, leaner side, each one was fried to order, resulting in a crispy exterior and tender, juicy interior, fragrant but not greasy. The breadcrumbs were especially fluffy and light, bursting with flavor on the palate, which was incredibly satisfying. The curry was authentic Japanese curry--rich, mild, and slightly spicy with a distinct fruity aroma, perfectly suited to my taste. Unfortunately, I forgot to ask for a runny egg for the $2 additional egg; otherwise, it would have been even better. And at only $15 a serving, including a salad/miso soup, it's incredibly good value for money, perfect for lunch. Fried Oysters: Also crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the oysters were fresh and juicy. The lemon juice and salad dressing were refreshing. I felt they were even more delicious than the pork cutlet. The place is located in Lesley University's Main Hall and has only four tables, so you may have to wait. read more

See all

delicious katsu curry udon. Small shop with 3-4 tables for 2-3 people each. I came saturday around 5:50pm and thankfully beat a rush of people. They are generally fast with service but there can be a wait. You may share a table if you are solo-dining, but super fun experience to just chat with a stranger! Very sad to hear they will be closing shop in the coming months. Such an authentic and heartwarming mom & pop establishment. read more

Tampopo - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Definitely worth the visit if you like katsu, tempura, Japanese curry and udon. Everything is fried and cooked fresh and you can taste it. Came in with a couple friends and we kept talking about how everything was cooked well. Tampopo is small and tucked in a random hallway in the Leslie University building. Turn left down the hallway after Yume Ga Arukara and Cafe Mami. Come early or expect a wait since they don't have many tables. It can get a bit chaotic with just one staff member running orders but there's to be expected. I need to come back again soon as they are closing in June 2026. As an udon fan I'll miss this place so I'm looking forward to visiting more. read more

Tampopo - Shrimp Tempura or Chicken Tempura Noodle - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Got chicken katsu curry udon! There was so much food for such a reasonable price! The curry was flavorful, the katsu was very nicely crispy, and the noodles had great texture. It's hard to find a more value meal than this! Service was quick and friendly, very small restaurant in a plaza but it's cozy, clean, and homey! read more

Tampopo - Chicken katsu udon - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Sweet little restaurant with welcoming and quick service! Every dish we had was so comforting and flavorful - the udon was perfectly Q and all the parts of the curry (carrot, onion, egg, broccoli) all went beautifully together. Great portions and a chill ambiance. read more

Tampopo - Pork katsu Udon, Fried Gyoza Dumplings - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Such a comforting and delicious meal for a rainy day! The shrimp and vegetable tempura was crunchy and cooked to perfection. The curry udon was flavored well and the vegetables/egg paired nicely with the cutlet. Very small seating available, but the patrons moved very quickly in and out. You can even see the cook make your meal behind the counter. Come here for a homey and inviting meal. read more

Tampopo - Tempura - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

See all

Food was good, although portion was a little small for me. The server is super sweet tho! read more

Tampopo - Pork Cutlet Curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I lived nearby here during college so this was a favorite spot of mine! My favorite thing to order is the katsu curry udon. There is something so comforting about this dish. Chewy udon underneath a heavenly pile of curry, vegetables (carrot, green beans, broccoli), egg, and warm, crispy pork katsu. If you don't like pork you can order chicken katsu! The old couple that works here is so cute. Whenever I am back in town I always try to come visit them :) read more

yummy comfort food for an excellent price! i loved the vegetables in my pork katsu curry. my fav was the fried gyoza dumpling - perfectly crispy! the service is also wonderful and kind. read more

Tampopo - Pork Cutlet Curry, Fried Gyoza Dumplings - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

My favorite meal during our visit to Boston! My husband and I were regulars here when we lived in Cambridge over 20 years ago. It was such a delight to return for a visit and find Tampopo with the same great food (expanded menu), good service and homey atmosphere. A wonderful place to come for authentic Japanese food! read more

Tampopo - Menu - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

See all

I love everything about this place, and can confidently say it's the best tempura I've had. The chicken curry with udon noodles were also delicious. This place is family owned and the couple serving are incredibly accommodating and sweet. The ambiance is such that you feel like someone has invited you into their home. Will definitely come here every time I'm in Cambridge/Boston read more

Tampopo - Tempura - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

See all

Very nice and cozy place, only 3-5 small tables. Food was solid and the lady up front was very nice. She ran after us to give food she forget to put in the bag. read more

Tampopo - Chicken Cutlet Curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I was excited to try Tampopo because of the many good reviews. Honestly, the food was just all right. The takoyaki was probably the best dish we ordered. There was one piece of octopus in each takoyaki ball. I would rate it a 7/10, compared to other places that serve takoyaki. We also ordered two ramens, one spicy and one regular, as well as a chicken katsu don. I was curious about the ramen because I noticed not many people have reviewed about the ramen, however the ramen does seem to be popular. I definitely understood why I did not see many photo reviews of the ramen because their ramen was beyond mid. I rate the ramen 6.5/10. Nothing special about it. The chicken katsu was also nothing special and quite disappointing. It seems like many reviews made the katsu the best dish to get; I beg to differ. Overall, I would not come back here in the future... though I would most likely come back to try the other food stalls next to Tampopo. Service wise, our waitress was super kind and helpful. They get pretty busy and had a line to the side. read more

See all

I like the ambiance and location, it's cozy and feels very authentic. Staff was nice. However, the service was pretty chaotic, I was first served another table's food, then served my dish without silverware, and no water. The food was also just okay, the beef was a bit chewy and they microwaved my egg which, maybe is normal but didn't feel right. read more

Tampopo is a new go-to spot for me! Operated by a cute old Japanese couple, it felt very authentic, like I was back in Japan! I had just visited Japan during the summer, so coming back in November was reminiscent of the trip. The flavors were light and authentic. The karaage chicken was super moist with a nice crispy outside. They also offered special ingredients straight from Japan that i'd love to try next time! We were one of two tables at the time, but the service was excellent and very attentive. I can't wait to come again! read more

See all

I'd say this is the most underrated restaurant in the Lesley University complex. They have to compete with hard hitters like Cafe Mami but I'd say Tampopo holds their own. Run by the sweetest Japanese couple, every bite transported me back to a childhood of home cooked noodle bowls and I'm not even Japanese! In short, give Tampopo a try and warm your stomachs and your hearts with a home cooked feeling meal. read more

Tampopo - Soba and Takoyaki - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

This small cozy stall is run by an elderly couple. We have been there twice while visiting Boston and we love it both times. Food is very consist. My kids love their katsu dons. You have a choice with curry, over egg, or plain all over rice. Super comforting food. They only many veggie options also if you don't like fried meat. I opted for a fried tofu over mixed steamed vegetables. It comes with a brown sauce on the side for dripping if you like. The sukiyaki however was a little dry. I would not get it again as there are better choices food food to pick from. read more

Tampopo - Curry chicken katsu rice - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

See all

This place is a wonderful gem that everyone needs to know about! The pork katsu don was absolutely perfect and reminded me of the katsu don that I had at a niche spot in Japan that was tucked in a little alley and had 2 items on the menu. Don't be misled by my photo - the bowl was close to a pho-sized bowl and the pork had to be at least half an inch thick. The pork was one of the juiciest I've ever had, and the way that it combined with the runny egg and the sauce on the rice was too good to be put into words. And every grain of rice was covered in sauce! The pork cutlet was alright but a little on the drier side, especially compared to the katsu don. The fried oyster had a nice flavor but portion size was on the smaller end for the $2 price point. Miso soup had just the right amount of saltiness and the salad was fresh. The hot tea (complimentary) was fragrant and paired well with the savory notes of the main entrees. I'm not usually a fan of tea but this tea was really exceptional. Also, you can pay with a credit card now. Will go out of my way and then some to return to this place again! read more

See all

One of our favorite spots in Cambridge. When we lived in the area, we would stop by one a week or so to get takoyaki and pork curry, and it was always fresh and delicious. I have not yet found better takoyaki elsewhere. A very pleasant location inside a mall that contains a variety of excellent small restaurants. read more

Came here and it was such a cute place! Seats are limited but this would be taken to go as well! Their takoyaki halls were the best I've had thus far. Wow must try! I got their iced tea and it was delicious too! It's not too sweet and not too bitter. Perfection. Their pork curry rice bowl with vegetable was my main dish. It had a great blend of flavors and I would order that again! read more

See all

Went a few weeks ago, and it is honestly the closest food I've had to Japanese home cooking I've had in Boston. I've always missed Japanese food since moving up here from back home, but the karaage and croquet and curry were all just like the ones I ate during my childhood. I recommend it over waiting for the udon place next door if you want true, authentic, home style Japanese food. No other place is Boston in my many outings for Japanese food has compared to here, and it's the closest to home I've ever had. read more

See all

Tampopo hits every chord right for a foodie. Incredible food, great prices, and best of all its a hidden gem thats tucked in a corner of a University Building. Came here on a Saturday lunch at 12pm to eat at their outdoor dining setup. Each entree comes about ~$8-$12 tax and tip not incl. Very affordable for students since its quite convenient from Tufts university! AMBIANCE: Tampopo is hidden in a buidling that is owned by Lesley university. After meandering through the building, you see a alleyway where there are about 6-7 mom and pop shops that sell various Japanese food and fare - sushi, udon, soba, donburi, onigiri. This is an incredible hidden gem to impress someone your knowledge of the Cambridge food scene! For covid, they're only takeout but they do have two tables outside behind the building in the parking lot. The outdoor seating does tend to get loud, but considering the pros about this place and how good of a find this place is, I'm not too concerned about that. PROS: Very very authentic! Tampopo recreates the izakaya/small japanese shop experience. I ordered a Pork katsu don which was so delicious and flavorful. The katsu was big and crispy, and the runny/scrambled egg was slightly briny and sweet. Exactly how I liked it. Each entree comes with a miso soup or a salad. Miso soup was pretty standard and packed with umami flavors. No complaints right there. The menu consists of various tempuras, don buri, bento boxes, udons, and sobas. The grandma and grandfather who run this shop is so nice! They also make some incredible onigiris for $2.50. I had a cod roe onigiri and it instantly reminded me of the onigiris I had in Japan. OVERALL: I am so glad to have found this spot. I look forward to bringing more people here! read more

Tampopo - Pork katsu don - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Enjoyed the most authentic Japanese home cooked meal. Had croquette, miso soup and some tonkatsu. Will be back again.

I was in Porter Square and looking for a lunch place. I found this on yelp and tried it out. I ordered tempura combo: squid, shrimp, egg plant, white fish tempura comes with salad and rice. The dressing for the salad was super good. Tempura was very good, too. I wouldn't say fancy, but definitely authentic. It remind me of the home-style taste of Japan. As a Japanese, I cook Japanese food at home all the time, but not tempura, because it mess up my kitchen, so it was a great opportunity to have it here. read more

Tampopo - Tempura combo - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Cute little spot with great food! Ordered Tampopo to go over the phone before getting there. The food was packaged tightly. We ordered the pork katsudon, chicken curry with cheese which came with either soup or salad so we got one of each. The salad was fresh, but the sauce was not as flavorful as other places. The miso soup was great! Both entrees were really good. The curry was a bit on the sweet side. The karage had a sweet and tangy sauce on the bottom which was unique. Overall, a great experience! read more

See all

I was surprised by how delicious the food was that small stand served. At first glance, sukiyaki beef bowl looked like simple beef and onions layered over rice. That is, until I realized that the rice was coated in the sweet marinade that the beef was cooked in! Each bite had every bit flavor from the beef marinade, accompanied by the savory beef itself as well as the sweet onions. That's what I love about this dish - the rice plays just as critical of a role in providing flavor as the other compliments of the dish. And for it's given price, I would say the portion was fairly generous. read more

Tampopo - Sukiyaki Beef Rice Bowl (~$10) - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Really enjoyed my meal at Tampopo! I stopped by around 2pm on a weekday and wanted to treat myself to lunch. It was a cold day so I ordered the chicken katsu curry, hoping it would warm me up and it did! For $12 (including tip!) I got a huge bowl of curry, rice, and a chicken cutlet, as well as a small salad. The curry was delicious, and the chicken was moist and flavorful. It was a large portion but not too large for me to finish. The salad was nothing exciting, and next time I'd probably get the soup instead, but that's my fault for thinking I should eat vegetables. There are only two small tables so definitely not a place for groups, but if you want some delicious, quick and inexpensive Japanese food, it's definitely a great choice in Porter Square. read more

Tampopo - Chicken katsu curry - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

So cute. Tempera and onigiri is fantastic. Service is lovely. Try asking for spicy mayo (which usually comes out with takoyaki) when you pick up some onigiri. They taste great together. read more

One of the few places that was open back in the summer on a weekday. The host was so sweet and kind. Katsu curry chicken was very fresh, hot and delicious. Good flavor and definitely goes well with rice. Came with salad and miso soup. Fast service as well. read more

See all

Not a bad place to eat at within the Lesley University building. I got a sweet beef bowl although it's a called something different on the menu. It tasted good, wasn't super expensive, and was delivered quickly. I originally ordered something called the dynamite bowl which they didn't have. The egg and and pickled onions are a must for these bowls so I'm glad they had it. The food didn't blow me out of the water but it hit the spot for a cold day. The place is a bit cramped and there isn't too much seating but it wasn't crowded when I went since most people ate next door at the ramen/udon shop. Staff was nice and they have a lot of options on the menu. Not sure if I'll return but had a good time when I went! read more

Tampopo - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Is a very unassuming place when you first walk in, but the service and food are both A+ here. This restaurant only has two employees running it but they always provide service & food with a smile. You can really taste the love they put into every dish and despite being a fried dish it wasn't overly oily. You'll never get tired of their katsu curry and perfectly chewy udon noodles, sooo filling and addicting. Also the onigiris are really great, they don't skimp on the filling and each bite is a perfect savory bite. Would love to come back soon because once you try the food once you can't get enough. read more

Tampopo - Pork Katsu Udon - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

See all

Super Authentic, cheap, good portion, fast service . Cash only but there's a Bank of America ATM in the same building right beside the shop. I ordered the croquette curry ( one creamy, one beef croquette), my boyfriend got the pork Katsu don and we shared some Takoyaki ( fried octopus balls). Whatever sauce they put on the balls tasted AMAZING. Definitely recommend coming here to get some simple authentic japanese food! read more

See all

Good no frills place for affordable Japanese comfort food. The food is slightly on the blander side, but good value and portion size. Teriyaki Donburi: Good portion size and flavor (although could use a tad bit more sauce)- again won't blow you away but it tastes exactly how teriyaki chicken should taste. Takoyaki (Octopus balls): Good flavor and portions, but the breading:octopus ratio was higher than I would have preferred. Croquette: Blander than I would have liked. I've had both Tampopo and the similar Cafe Mami right across the hall and will confidently say I prefer Cafe Mani. That being said, if you prefer food with less strong flavor, this may be the place for you. read more

Tampopo - Teriyaki Balls + Croquettes: Breading-octopus/stuffing ratio higher than I would have liked - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

See all

They serve authentic Japanese foods - the chef is Japanese. The menu is something very common in Japan - like Katsu curry, kimpira, onigiri, etc. if you want to experience true Japanese "greasy spoon" place in Boston, this is the place for you. The resultant reminds me of one of restaurants in Shinjuku station. They have fantastic selection for carry out too. Do you miss bento in Konbini (convenience store) in Japan? They have them!! read more

Amazing Konkatsu! The service is friendly and will order again Was able to call in to submit my order read more

Delicious! Chicken curry udon for the win and also their even just their plain soba noodles is good! Plus service is exceptional! read more

Tampopo - Japanese Curry Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I love Tampopo. Their hot delicious croquettes and curry on a bed of rice hit the spot for me every time I stopped by for a meal. The place is a little small, but unlike some of their other neighboring restaurants, I never had a hard time finding a spot to sit at all. I ended up ordering different types of croquettes (you can choose from corn, veggie, etc) to go with curry rice every time...but my favorite so far had been the cream croquette with a little bit of curry...so soft, foodie dreamy...and just yum! Just thinking about it makes my mouth watered already! The service from any staff was always quick and kind. The prices are right, too...with many meals under $10...very affordable + yum quality even for students. P.S. this establishment is cash only! But if you don't have cash, there's a BoA ATM on the same floor, inside the building! read more

See all

Yumm definitely reminds me of comfort food in Japan. There are only two small tables available for dine in, which is a stark contrast to Sapporo next door with an abundance of seating, but tampopo has better food imo. Although ramen is not on the menu, the menu options are plentiful and quite delicious. I ordered the pork cutlet curry ($12) with the additional egg +vegetables ($1.5) and the teriyaki chicken donburi ($11.5). My only complaint is that the pork cutlet was a bit dry, although I did appreciate the separate packaging for take out so it didnt get soggy. Teriyaki chicken was expected; chicken was tender. Surprised that I havent tried food from here sooner. Will be back to try other menu items! read more

Tampopo is my favorite Japanese restaurant hands down. I've tried a good amount of items from their menu and it's all so delicious. My favorite item is the tampopo don, followed by their curry. And you cannot forget to order one (or several) of their korokke (croquette). My favorite is the curry. The service has always been great and the food is prepped rather quickly. Please note that the photos I've attached are from when they were doing sit down service. They are doing take out and outdoor seating . They now onigiri, like everything else it's amazing read more

See all