This place deserves better than a 4.2 rating. I ordered a pork ramen and asked that it be low on the spice side. It was perfect and delicious. Quick and friendly service. Often a small hole in the wall has the best food in town...I'll be back. read more

Cute spot out in Newton, usually pretty busy and they've been around for quite some time so overall they are doing something right! We had about a 20-30 min wait for a table and explored the area and shops on the block while we waited. When we got seated we cruised the menu and ordered the following: APPETIZERS - chicken karaage - our order came with crispy chicken however lacked seasoning and was a bit over cooked and dry. - okonomiyaki-styled tater tots - the BEST appetizer we ordered, needed a pinch of salt, but flavor wise with the bonito flakes and sauce it was a hit! - green papaya salad this needed more seasoning, mortared herbs and chilis maybe tomatoes and garlic. Pass next time. RAMEN - miso ramen for the kiddo and she enjoyed it. She can't eat spicy so this was a very mild ramen. Didn't think the miso flavor came thru but she enjoyed it. - spicy miso ramen the lady got this one and i tried a some, the broth was lacking a bit of depth today. It's not spicy so normally I'd say even the non-spicy crowd probably would be able to handle it. The broth just tasted more watery was looking for the punch of flavor. Now the noodles were chewy and had great bounce to them, the char siu pork cuts were tender and melt in your mouth! - chef's ultra ramen - this broth definitely was the better broth out of all the ramens in my opinion with plenty of proteins and more depth of flavor, umami, smokiness, smelled great too. - spicy tan tan the brother got this one, it's typically what i would normally go for, he enjoyed it, not too spicy either, could use some more crunchy garlic with the chili oil. Overall would come back to give it another go, perhaps the heavy dinner rush some things got lost in the cooking on certain dishes. read more

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Very tiny ramen shop! Expect a slight wait if you're coming for dinner. We visited around 6:30pm and experienced a 15-20 min wait for a table for 4. Walk-ins only, no reservations. They have the option of take out too! We got a couple appetizers to try & each got a different ramen. Here's what we ordered: APPETIZERS - chicken karaage - okonomiyaki-styled tater tots - green papaya salad RAMEN - miso ramen - spicy miso ramen - chef's ultra ramen - spicy tan tan ramen Thoughts: I thought the appetizer portions were pretty generous! A lot more than we were all expecting. I was pretty much already full before the ramens came out. Wasn't a big fan of the green papaya salad. It was missing some flavor. We all thought that it would be better if it had some tomatoes & garlic. Didn't seem like they used a mortar to ground the aromatics or anything, since the sauce just tasted like fish sauce and lime. The chicken karaage was okay. Wish there was more sauce to dip the chicken with. Chicken was also on the drier side. The tater tots were the best appetizer of the three we ordered, IMO. If you like takoyaki balls, you'll like this because it has similar sauces + bonito flakes. Ours needed some salt though. As for the ramens, I personally had the spicy miso ramen. It was missing a lot of depth in the broth that I would've liked to see (& taste). I didn't taste any miso to be honest. Salt was needed too. The highlights for the ramen were the chashu & corn. I loved that they used fresh corn! The chashu had the perfect amount of fattiness & almost melted in my mouth. The noodles were nice and chewy. The broth was just disappointing though. For the other ramens, everyone enjoyed the one they ordered. I tried a little of the chef's ultra ramen & the broth was much better than my spicy miso. Btw, the spicy miso ramen is not spicy at all for anyone who is hesitant & cannot do overly spicy foods. The food was a bit disappointing for me. I came in with high expectations with all the good reviews I read beforehand. Not terrible but not great. read more

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Oh yes!! Oishi, Oishi!! Yum yum yum. Nice broth, great noodles, perfect ajitama and quick yet courteous service. Satisfaction all around! read more

Little Big Diner - Ramen Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

We really enjoyed Little Big Diner! The seating area is small but that's standard for most ramen restaurants. The service was quick and attentive and the server knew what she was talking about any time we had questions. I got the Spicy Tan Tan and it was delicious. The noodles were well cooked and the broth was flavorful. My boyfriend got the Shoyu and he also really enjoyed his meal (and he's picky!). We'd go back again if we get the chance! read more

Little Big Diner - Server's station - Ramen Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

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Came here on a weekday night. Since it's a small place, there was quite a wait for seating. There was a parking nearby for easy parking. I got the chicken ramen and I have to say it was one of my favorite all time. The chicken was juicy and melted on your tongue. The broth was rice and savory. The egg was the perfect level of jammy. I would love to come again. read more

Little Big Diner - Paitan Chicken Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

It's a fun little place. Service was quick and patient. The server gave me a cheers as he dropped off my yuzu highball. What a nice gesture! The soup is flavorful and the noodle was okay. The fried chicken was just addictive or I was really hungry. Highly recommend. There is outdoor seating in the summer and limited seating inside. Typically gets packed by 7pm and a queue to be seated. I recommend going around 5pm. read more

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I was very very skeptical of a Newton Ramen spot lol, however LBD did beat my expectations. We've been twice to LBD, and it is one of the better ramen spots around the city. The noodles are cooked well and the chasiu was always really good - not too fatty and not too lean. The egg is really decent too. The miso ramen is my fave so far, however, i got the shoyu last time and it came with an overwhelmingly amount of pickled ginger? Like why? It didn't add anything to the soup, it just made it worse. The drinks and karaage are really solid as well. Overall, LBD is reasonably priced for pretty decent food and service! It is a small spot, so there will be a wait during busy times. read more

Little Big Diner - Ramen Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

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I wanted to like this place and had high expectations since I enjoy sister restaurants Jinny's Pizzeria and Sycamore and it has great reviews, but this Shoyu ramen was -extremely- salty to me. The broth's saltiness was very sharp and lacked the umami depth that I'd expect from the soy sauce. The toppings were pretty good, I liked the egg and the chashu, which was on the thicker side and not too fatty. The menma was marinated in soy and would probably be alright on its own, but in this case just magnified the saltiness. Noodles were okay, but couldn't save the bowl - I didn't finish it. I eat a lot of ramen around the Boston area and this was a first for me. Service was quick and it is a small cozy spot with ~10 small tables, and parking is pretty easy on the street or the lot across the way. Glad I tried it, but this is not a good ramen spot for me. read more

Little Big Diner - Shoyu - Ramen Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

Little Big Diner is a master class in ramen. Without fail, the noodles have the perfect bite and bounce, the broth is consistently rich and packed with flavor, and the playlist rotation is *always* a vibe. It's a small space with a big following, and for good reason. The tantan ramen is a standout and family favorite--it's a creamy sesame broth with just the right amount of heat. Adding the Heiwa tofu takes it to another level if you're a pescatarian like me! Since they don't take reservations, timing is everything. Arriving when they open (or a little before) is your best bet to avoid the inevitable wait. But even if you have to linger outside for a bit, trust me--it's worth it! read more

Little Big Diner - Spicy Tan Tan Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

I've lived in the area 3 years now and unfortunately tonight I had my worst meal out, since moving here. Got the veggie miso ramen, roasted honey corn, and papaya salad. The ramen had zero flavor and the noodles were raw... not al dente... HARD. The broth was flavorless. The corn was ok. Here's the worst part. We asked if the papaya salad could be made vegetarian. They said of course! I then, excitedly take a big bite (I'm 41 and have been vegetarian since I was 7 years old) and my mouth was immediately flooded with a foul taste. I had my husband take a bite and he said it was fish sauce. He brought it back to the restaurant and confirmed with them it was fish sauce. I'm so disgusted and disappointed that our first time trying this place was so horrible. I feel very disrespected. If you want good ramen and honest service, a few hundred yards away is Coco Ramen. It is flavorful, a respectful staff, and you aren't going to get a mouthful of (insert whatever you are allergic to or grossed out by) in your face. I'm so mad. My husband has 1 day a week off work and we wasted our evening out in this awful place. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND going elsewhere. Also, we got our food to go and we're not given napkins, spoons, forks, NOTHING. Thank goodness I had some in the glove box. They really need to get their act together. Oh! And don't bother with the grilled tofu. It tasted like a block of raw tofu with some grill marks added to it. No flavor AT ALL. read more

It took me a while to figure out what I like here, but it's the spicy tan tan and the Cold Tea. Is this the perfect meal on a cold Sunday after a cocktail at Jinny's? Yes. Service is always unequivocally perfect. Ambiance is casual and a little quirky. Get ready to wait, but you'll have fun! read more

so yummy! i got the non spicy miso vegetarian ramen and tbh i wish i got the spicy but it was still great. super cute restaurant but also super small so definitely best to go in small parties. would go back read more

Little Big Diner - miso ramen (vegetarian) - Ramen Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

The atmosphere and service were both excellent. The servers were knowledgeable, bringing the food out promptly and with a friendly attitude. They also made great recommendations for our party. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to my expectations, which were high based on all the rave reviews. I ordered the chef's ultra ramen, and in my opinion, a great ramen should be defined by its broth and ingredients, but this one fell short on both. The noodles were decent, but the rest of the ingredients didn't really complement the ramen. The broth was overly salty yet lacked depth--it just tasted like salt. The highlight of my meal was the Karaage chicken, which had great flavor and was really enjoyable. I probably wouldn't return unless I'm with friends. read more

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This is as good as it gets for Ramen in the Boston area. The ingredients are the best quality and service is great.

Simply good food and service. Fairly small place, good location, good vibe. Ramen could use more vegs even in the vegetarian option, which would get it a 5 for us. read more

My friend and I came here for an early dinner when they had just opened. We ordered Hawaiian-style burgers, karrage fried chicken, okonomiyaki-style tater tots, and chef's ultra reman to share. Their appetizer portions are enormous that we have leftovers to take home. The service was a little slow, and by the time we finished our meal, the place was packed, and there were people waiting outside. The place was worth a try but nothing really special unless you are around the area. read more

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Love it here! It's very small, so be prepared to wait. Especially when the outside seating is closed. The food is worth the wait! read more

Little Big Diner - Ramen Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

I had bookmarked this place after finding out it was owned by the same people behind Sycamore and Jinny's. Definitely didn't disappoint, though next time I'll be sure to try the ramen or some of the other rice bowls. There are a lot of Asian influences on the menu: Japanese, Thai, Korean, which usually makes me side-eye a place for trying to cover too much ground, though I thought LBD hit the right notes, taste-wise, for the most part. We started off with the chicken kara-age and the papaya salad. The chicken was fried expertly, with a nice coat of seasoning, but eat this first thing as soon as it lands on the table. Our awesome waiter provided us with some of the "as the cooks eat it" sauce on the side, so we could try that too (I preferred the one that came smeared on the bowl). Papaya salad packed a lot of crunch and heat, a must-order on these balmy summer evenings. My husband and friend ordered the chef's ultra ramen, I went with the rice bowl plus huawei tofu. In retrospect, I should have just gotten the ramen or the tuna poke bowl. The rice bowl, despite the toppings of pickled cucumber, carrots, cilantro, and the gojuchang sauce, did not have much flavor. Maybe it's just my terrible spice tolerance because after a while, my tongue was on fire. Portions are generous, we were all stuffed afterwards. Plenty of seating, both indoor and outdoor. There's a parking lot across the street with free parking after 6pm. read more

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Fall evening waiting outside a truly little "little big diner" for a table for 4. Anticipation climbed as we saw ramen bowls being served at every table. Better arrive before 6pm or after 8 to avoid waiting for 30mins like we did. The food redeemed the wait for me. Right up there with Ramen Nagi in San Jose. The chicken (substituted for pork) was so yum! I got fried garlic and pmarinated shitake on the side along with chili oil ofcourse. Highly recommend the shiitake. Relished the little leftover I had for lunch the following day. 10/10 read more

Little Big Diner - Spicy Tan Tan Ramen, sub chicken - Ramen Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

As Newton residents, we had been meaning to check this place out. Our family eats ramen all around the Boston area and this place was nothing remarkable... may be good enough for a suburban town of majority non asians? The portions were on the small side, and the broths (and egg) were very salty. We ordered 3 different types of ramen (Miso, Shoyu, and Tokyo), and none of us thought it was good enough to return. It had plenty of toppings, and even more optional toppings, but it felt like it was trying too hard... (scorched black garlic oil?!?) The server was friendly, but for a place that's trying to look like a Japanese food stall, the place charged Newton Centre prices. Waku Waku in Waltham has much better flavor. read more

The food was delicious and SO flavorful!!! The broths were both thick and had wonderful seasonings, and the proteins in our ramen was so tender!! The sausages we got for an app were also very, very good! They were perfectly cooked and the mustard gave them an extra little kick! Our server was also super nice and very attentive, and we didn't really wait long for anything during our time there. We were lucky enough that the weather was nice and we got to sit outside and enjoy the day and people watch which was goos but if you enjoy a quieter meal i would suggest eating indoors. read more

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This place is. something. special. I wasn't even going to eat here but I walked past it, saw the menu, and was greeted quickly and promptly! I'll start with the service. Dylan took my name down because it was an extremely busy night for them, a Tuesday. 15 minute wait. He was courteous and soft spoken and I'm glad he was my server too! I ordered the shoyu ramen, fried chicken, and a side of the BBQ corn. The ramen was probably 15% less salty than it should have been, but upon some reflection, maybe that's a good thing. I only finished 70% of it. The corn and the fried chicken were both BOMB. Well marinated, well cooked. I am thinking I will definitely be back. Thanks Dylan and team for such a great meal. read more

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My partner and I got the Little Big Diner (LBD) paitan ramen w chashu, chef's ultra ramen, and LBD flat patty "Hawaiian-style burger" - TASTE: 4/5 - the burger was our favorite! The patty was well seasoned and the pineapple sambal was the perfect sweetness. My paitan ramen was tasty, w the creamy broth, sweet and fatty chashu pork belly and soft boiled ajitama egg. The ultra ramen was good too, but my partner wished he got something w a little more intention, instead of all of the combined elements in this one TEXTURE: 4/5 - soft noodles, super tender chashu, crisp nori, plus the wood ear mushrooms for contrast PRICE: 4/5 - the chef's ultra ramen was steep at $20, and the appetizers were higher than expected, but otherwise decent prices for ramen SERVING SIZE: 4/5 - filled us up for dinner, w no leftovers to spare SERVICE: 4/5 - we walked in at 6pm on a Sunday and five of the six of the tables were free, with most folks sitting outside on the patio. Our order came out quickly and our waitress was friendly and attentive. Liked that there were drink options on the menu too ATMOSPHERE: 4/5 - fun, colorful, and cozy spot w additional countertop seating and murals PARKING: 4/5 - we parked at a parking lot on Cypress St, though there was plenty of street parking and more lots available nearby read more

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TLDR: Unpretentious little ramen gem in Newton Center. I'm definitely coming back to try other items on the menu, if not for the karaage alone. Atmosphere (4/5): Small, cozy, with an American gastropub aesthetic. Definitely plan ahead if you come with a group. Service (4/5): Quick and efficient. I got my drink and food in no time. Food/drinks (4/5): I ordered the chicken karaage, Chef Ultra Ramen, and a yuzu highball. Chicken karaage: The best I've ever had, without exaggeration. The chicken was cut and fried bite-size, yet somehow still remained juicy, flavorful, and tender. It wouldn't be below me to just pop by and order this as an on-the-go snack. Chef Ultra Ramen: Decent. The noodles had the right texture, chewy without being undercooked. The broth was a cut above average, but I wished it was a bit more umami (a little ironic considering the amount of meat it came with). The highlight was definitely the meat. If you're in desperate need of protein, this bowl is the way to go. The meat wasn't lacking in quality either. Yuzu highball: Very easy to drink. Affordability (3/5): I paid $51 before tips. It might seem like a lot, but my chicken karaage was definitely meant to be shared . read more

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Small gentrified ramen joint. While their bowls look great in photos, we found their ramen to be overly salty and greasy. Plenty of metered parking is available outside the restaurant. read more

Little Big Diner - Ramen Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

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Always amazing. Best ramen in New England, as far as I'm concerned. Always a few awesome side dishes like the tater tots. Surprisingly full beer and wine list. If I lived closer, I'd go weekly. Small with only a few tables and a few bar tops. Staff is friendly, and they use the toast app to manage the wait list, so you can go wait in Tatte and have a coffee or something. In warmer months outdoor seating makes it a lot easier to get a table. read more

Came here a second time as figured maybe the first time was just a one off miss...sadly we still left disappointed. Everything in the spicy miso ramen was great, but the broth tasted like water with seasoning and sauces mixed in... lacking in that feeling of joyous filth you feel when you finish a bowl of ramen... shoyu broth was a bit better but again, wasn't quite it. Is this just a different style of ramen that we're unaware of? Are we simply not the target audience here? Who knows. Others seem to love it. read more

Little Big Diner - Spicy miso ramen and shoyu ramen - Ramen Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

My visit was a special occasion as I was visiting my family in the area and my nephew and I share a ramen bond (#ramenforever). The food was so delicious, but they made us feel so welcome and treated our special occasion like it was theirs. I can't emphasize enough how great it made our night. Great ambiance and outstanding service. Thank you so much Matt & the crew. read more

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Best ramen in Massachusetts. Fresh ingredients. Amazing flavors. Super nice staff. It gets busy so you'll be likely to have to wait. That's a good sign though. I've tried so many different things here. Definitely get the ramen though. read more

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Great, knowledgeable service in a quaint, comfortable environment with 12/10 food? What more could you ask for?! read more

Little Big Diner - Chef's Ultra Ramen (minus Chashu Pork, add marinated shiitakes ) - Ramen Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

Some of the better ramen I've had. Been a staple for takeout for many years. If you are in search of good Ramen, Little Big has got your covered. read more

I have been going here for almost 4 years now ever since starting college at Boston College. Once seated the service is great, the staff is very friendly and talkative. There is one caveat that has been annoying me for a while though, you can't make reservations or add yourself to a waitlist over the phone. There has always been a decent line and wait but there is almost no way to account for it. I arrive and put my name down and then wait around the park or Starbucks for 30 minutes to an hour which is not ideal. The food is amazing. They don't have a large selection of ramen but you cannot go wrong with any of them. I have never found the soup too salty and I feel there is a good ratio of noodle to soup which allow me to always end up with an empty bowl with there not being any extra broth sitting there. They also have poke bowls which I had once and were alright but I think the ramen is the superior choice. It's nice because it's a good ramen spot near campus for me, but the variable wait times make it almost worth it to take the green line a few stops down to a place that takes reservations. I will probably come here again multiple times before I graduate but it would be a tough game time decision between going here or another ramen place. read more

Little Big Diner - Chashu Pork and Chili Crisp Oil - Ramen Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

Flavors - 4.4/5 Textures - 4.5/5 Presentation - 4/5 Value for Money - 3/5 Would return? Yes Must-try: Chef Ultra Ramen I really liked this ramen. The flavors were bold, unexpected and whimsical. The toppings provided an exciting experience since it made each bite difference, and it gave it dimension. The noodles were super thing and springy. The pork was tender and flavorful on its own - it was clearly grilled/torched separately which gave it a nice char. All the textures played well and made it easy to eat. Spicy Miso - very sweet but well balanced by the heat. The generous amount of scallions gave it a sharp kick that I loved. Chef Ultra - super creative flavors. The kimchi topping is GENIUS, and it made me want to go back for more. The presentation is beautiful but it came out warm instead of hot. The prices are a bit steep because of location, but the portions are generous. read more

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Absolutely loved up to the hype! I'm always looking for the best ramen and so far Ganko Ittetsu is my favorite and this is my second pick. I got the chefs ultra and also tried the cauliflower appetizer and karage rice bowl. The cauliflower was tasty and a lot of cauliflower for the price. The rice bowl was nice and the chicken is nice and crispy. The broth was the best part of the ramen, but the meat was so flavored and soft. Such a great place! read more

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Yes, yes, yes! Little Big Diner came through for the win! I just came from this little spot and it was perfect on a late summer eve. It's a pretty small restaurant, you can seat maybe 12 people inside. I sat outside, where you can seat another 10 people. It doesn't feel like a take out restaurant, it feels like a cute little spot where you're served. So I'm wondering how limiting seating can be during the colder months because it's so small. Anyway, the servers were friendly and I was served by two people. The food is flavorful and healthy. I ordered the Chili Ground Pork Rice Bowl, which came with brown rice, carrots, cucumbers, and fresh herbs. Fairly large portion as I had to "work" to complete my order. I poured a bit of spicy sauce to add a kick. Street parking is across the street and is free because it's Newton. My only regret is that I don't live upstairs from this place. read more

Little Big Diner - Ramen Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

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We ordered takeout on a rainy Sunday night and waited over 2 hours for ramen! That was disappointing as I've never had to wait more than 40 minutes for any kind of takeout. The food was great, but due to the wait times I'm not sure we would order here again. read more

The staff is very friendly and the restaurant is small but clean and cozy. I ordered the spicy tan tan ramen. Spice level was great, however the broth was more oily than other ramens I have had. Noodles were great though. read more

Little Big Diner - Spicy Tan Tan Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

We have been before for the ramen. I always wanted to try their burger ; so visited again . This time is was the miso ramen and a burger. I didn't realize, but they allow you to add or delete items and customize your ramen . Ramen was excellent as before ; the both was something I can't match at other Ramen spots... almost a transcendental spiritual healing on a cold winter day. The burger I did not really care for. I was expecting a nice burger with a Hawaiian teriyaki pineapple seasoning and flavors...beef was good quality The burger was cooked on rare to raw and the lettuce was limp and not crisp and should be left off of burger. Maybe a grilled thin slice pineapple would be better than the limp lettuce .The sauce was not Hawaiian enough. Roll ok, and toasted. Sorry , Lee's burgers around corner are a solid burger which is my next one visit when wanting a burger. Nice , quiet inside with few tables, but 2 counters with seating. Tatte's bakery next door a good dessert spot. read more

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This place is my FAVORITE spot for ramen. The menu is so basic and straightforward, but whatever dish you decide to get will be the best. My go-to ramen is the miso ramen (spicy & not spicy), but this time I decided to try the chef's ultra which is truly ultra! I love how they have a restating beer draft, it gives me an opportunity to try different beers. I usually get visit once it opens & wait about 30-45 minutes, so get there before you're hungry. It's a cozy little diner with limited seating but it is truly the best! read more

Little Big Diner - Ramen Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

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