I thought their signature shio broth was the best: creamy and porky. It tasted like it has been…read moresimmering for hours. As some of the other reviewers mentioned, it was greasy. The miso broth was not bad, but the miso flavor dominated the rich pork broth, so I got less of the pork flavor. The noodles were firm, but I was disappointed with the scant toppings. My bowl only had 1 thin fish cake, 3 bamboo strips, and few wood ear mushroom strings (1 star off). Even the pork piece was small, about the size of 3 bamboo strips. Most other ramen places I have been to include an abundance of toppings or even a soft-boiled egg. I guess the ramen bowl here could fill a craving, but not one I would go out of my way for. One annoying thing that happened with us is that our waiter gave us the runaround to get an advertised $1 discount with a student ID (1 star off). My son showed his student ID and then the waiter said we have to download their app too. I downloaded it, but then he said the app account needs to be in my son's name. I then changed the account to my son's name and showed him. Then the waiter said the email needs to be his school email address. Eh, nowhere on Earth does a *restaurant* marketing app requires a student's school email address. Then he started asking if my son goes to college or high school, and that he needs to clear with his manager if a high school ID is okay. At this point, it just seems like he was trying to make things extra difficult for us. He eventually said he got "permission" from his manager to apply the $1 discount for my son's high school ID. Good Lord -- this is not worth it at this point and left a negative impression about the establishment.

I tried the tsukemenつけ麺, and was a bit disappointed…read more.. Shoyu Tsukemen: The tsukemen noodles were much larger than the ramen noodles; a small portion had 200 grams of noodles, which were quite thick and chewy. The chashu叉焼 was stewed until tender, but the broth was extremely oily and had a strong porky smell, which was nauseating. Karaage: It was a little overcooked, but fresh and hot, so it was still pretty good. The sauce was a bit spicy, which was interesting. Aji-tama: The taste was neither good nor bad, but I found eggshell in it. After I reported this, the staff first asked if I had cut myself, and then readily gave me a refund, which was nice.

After a long day at HBS we went back over the river to dine at Bosso Ramen. Located across the…read morestreet from the Harvard Commons, Bosso is an izakaya-style restaurant featuring ramen. On a wet, rainy Boston evening we thought hot ramen would be just the thing. The menu is built around locally-sourced ingredients structured in three categories: sharable, sushi, and ramen. They also offer a slate of Japanese beers and Nihonshu. We started with hot Nihonshu but the only choice served warm is Gekkeikan. Now, Gekkeikan is a standard Nihonshu which is a good, if not great, rice wine. And while Gekkeikan started in Kyoto, anything served in the US with its label is actually brewed in California. We wanted the Nambu Bijin served warm but were told that was not an option. Nanbu Bijin is a great varietal from Iwate Prefecture which was our preference. It's odd that this is only offered chilled. We really urge the management to serve all of its Nihonshu warmed. For shareables we ordered the shishito, spicy salmon, and torotaku. The shishito were nicely roasted and served with a light ponzu. The quality of the peppers was eceptional and the serving was generous. The sushi is served as a hand held wrapped in nori and features tsukemono. The spicy salmon was an amply portioned but the torotaku was a bit lean in terms of quantity. Having said which, all three apps were tasty and of superior quality. Bosso offers a compelling number of Ramens that differentiate not on broth, which is customary, but on degree of spice and the choice of meats. The broth here is a superb tonkotsu that would pass muster in Sapporo. Bosso also offers just one size which, in the event, was a more than satisfactory serving. We both opted for the umami version which is generously portioned with scallions and kikurage. The boiled egg was done to perfection - that happy place between a hard and soft boiled yolk. The pok was tasty but was wanting in terms of quantity. Each bowl included two very thin slices. At the end of the day, a great ramen should have more pork - either chasu or kakuni - so we found this to be a disappointment. Our server is from Shizuoka and we enjoyed hearing of her journey from Japan to Cambridge. She was attentive without being obtrusive. The interior is dark and practical and somewhat reminiscent of some of the great hole in the wall ramen shops we frequented in Tokyo. Overall, despite some blemishes, Bosso was an enjoyable meal and we will definitely make our way back in the future. It is busy so we recommend making reservations.

This should be 3.5 stars at the very best, but there is no such option…read more An interesting place, really gives you a tavern feel with rustic wooden tables. However, the seating is uncomfortable, for sure for the large parties. There were 8 of us, and we were perched on the uncomfortable high chairs. Food is okay, nothing exciting. Gyoza was not bad, chicken karaage was I think made from the dark meat which I personally don't appreciate. Karami ramen was not bad, nicely spicy. Very good service, attentive, friendly and timely, which was a saving grace for this visit. Note also that the place was super loud when we got to our table at 8 pm, it was impossible to talk.

Waku Waku Ramen in Harvard Square is a cozy little ramen spot with a darker, more intimate interior…read morethat gives it a comfortable neighborhood feel. We walked into a space that is on the smaller side, but the layout makes it feel warm and inviting, with a nice upstairs seating area that adds a little extra charm. The lighting is soft, and the overall atmosphere encourages settling in for a warm meal rather than rushing through a quick stop. The menu has a good variety of Japanese comfort food beyond just ramen, including bao buns, karaage, gyoza, and sushi-inspired dishes. The ramen selection includes options like miso tonkotsu, signature ramen, lobster ramen, and mushroom ramen. The bowls are hearty and come with generous toppings, making it a solid choice when you are looking for something filling on a colder day. We tried the miso tonkotsu, and the broth had a rich, savory depth that paired well with the noodles and toppings, though the flavor can vary depending on what you order. Some bowls have a richer depth while others feel lighter, so choosing the right broth matters. The bao buns and appetizers are also worth exploring if you want to try more than one item, with the karaage offering a crispy, juicy contrast to the heavier ramen bowls. Service adds to the experience, with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere that makes the small space feel more personal. The staff checked in at the right moments and kept the pacing of the meal comfortable without hovering. It is the type of place that works well for a casual lunch, a quick dinner, or warming up with a bowl of ramen after walking around Cambridge. Waku Waku is a solid ramen option in Harvard Square, especially when you are craving a cozy bowl rather than a more formal dining experience. The portions are generous, the atmosphere is inviting, and the menu covers enough ground to satisfy both ramen cravings and a wider range of Japanese comfort food.

I came at 3:30 pm eating as 1. Hostess sat me at the window. Good view…read more It took about 10 minutes for the waiter tl talk to me. I ordered a spicy steak rice bowl (can't remember real name) it was bland. Tasted like steak ums over rice. Waiter never checked on my meal. And when I left he said "sorry its rush hour" 3:30 to 4:00.

Went to Ganko Ittetsu this Thursday around 7p…read more They don't take reservations but have a virtual waiting list that I found to be user-friendly and very effective. Upon arrival, we waited for a few minutes outside the restaurant (but still indoors--restaurant is in a mall-like arcade complex) and placed our orders while waiting. We were seated within 20 minutes of our arrival, which was pleasantly surprising as it's a small place and was quite busy. It's a little tight inside and kind of noisy--maybe not a great first date option. But the food was soo good. Flavor of the broth and meat was amazing. Portion size was generous and pricing was reasonable. Service was super efficient--they make quick turnovers but not in a way that made me feel rushed. I think we were probably seated for ~30 minutes total. Overall some of the best food I've had in Coolidge Corner since moving to the area.

Super duper ramen. It still holds up and the crowded space…read moreaffirms it Had the spicy vegetarian ramen. A meal unto itself, though the menu was deep. And, as a curiosity next door, endless options of eyebrows....

Finally got to try the famous cold niku udon at Yume Ga Arukara! I've heard so much about this…read moreplace, so I was really excited to finally check it out. We came around 4pm and luckily it wasn't too crowded, so we were able to get seated right away. I ordered the cold niku udon and overall it was really good! The noodles had a great chewy texture, the beef was flavorful, and everything tasted really fresh. We also tried the hot udon, which was really good too and definitely worth trying if you prefer something warm. Service was also super quick, which I appreciated. I will say I had pretty high expectations because of how hyped this place is, and personally I don't think it completely lived up to the hype for me. It was still a really good bowl of udon though, and I'm definitely glad I finally tried it. Would still recommend checking it out at least once!

Came here on a Friday at 5:30PM whilst visiting Boston with my friend. We did not have to wait and…read moregot seated right away. I ordered the Hot Niku Udon since AC's been killing me. My friend ordered the Spicy Cold Niku Udon that I did not taste since I don't handle spicy well. Honestly the udon did not take a while to come but the servers kept checking in on us, telling that our udon was coming out soon and apologizing for the wait. They made sure our water cups were never empty; I don't think my water went below 50%. The Hot Niku Udon was honestly one of the best udon's I'd ever have. There was as lot of beef. Noodles were soft. Soup was warm. Lots of scallions. I loved the addition of the crispy tempura batter. I want to come back.

My BF and I really want to love Muku given its proximity to us and that it's a family-run business,…read morebut we've gone twice and have been disappointed with the flavors. The karaage was awesome, but our ramen broths both times have felt lacking, compared to other ramen spots. The flavors are not deep and sometimes the broth feels bland. The noodles also have the texture of linguine, rather than true ramen noodles. This place isn't bad, but we probably won't be back for a ramen fix, given the other options around.

Muku is a go-to spot for casual but delicious ramen. It is a small shop in the heart of Central…read moreSquare with a homey vibe. Service is always efficient and friendly. My go-to is the veggie miso ramen. As far as veggie ramens go (and I've had many as a vegetarian), the broth is richer and creamier than most. I love the way it complements the fresh, bouncy noodles. My fiancé loves the extra crispy karaage and the kaedama (extra noodles).

Quick service simple menu , authentic ramen with much appreciated GF noodle option , highly…read morerecommend for the food. However I didn't like that the music was a bit loud and the prices are obviously not aligned with what you would pay in Japan for a similar meal but it's a good treat for ramen lovers !

I was actually thinking Mexican which was right next door! Nothing was 'clicking' so I stepped…read moreoutside, and saw this Tsurumen place so decided to check it out! Courteous, polite, welcoming...all appreciated! I enjoyed the dish I ordered, spicy pork, with onion and noodles in a tasty broth! I'd highly recommend Tsurumen if in the Davis Sq area! I thought it was delicious, and a nice comfortable atmosphere important to me!

Delicious perfect timing really nice and helpful waiters texture is perfect just everything about…read moreit is delicious

I admittedly have high standards, but this is my go-to spot for a comforting bowl of beef noodle…read moresoup + the best spiced chicken nuggets one could ask for! A few staples are the golden chicken nuggets (top with chili crisps for maximal flavor bomb), wood ear mushrooms (delightful texture and chilled flavor), and braised beef noodle soup. Come on a weekday lunch for a $20 steal! Evenings (even on weekdays) have a wait, but scan the QR code to get on the waitlist and stroll Cambridge in the meantime. Ambiance is a little rushed with tight spacing between tables, but it's prompt service and a clean place, with soft music to maximize conversation

We ended up trying out What A Soup on a whim and are glad we stopped by! It was a bit hard to tell…read moreif it was open but once we entered and ordered, everything came very quickly. We started off with our drinks - Thai iced coffee and Thai iced tea, plus the pork belly skewers. The skewers were some of the best we've had in a long time! Flavorful and juicy without being too fatty or greasy, I'd come back again and again just for the skewers alone! We also ordered the beef boat noodle soup - we've only ever had it once before at Thong Smith - and really enjoyed it. We also got the crispy basil pork which tasted great but I think I personally would want to try the minced pork next time. All in all everything was tasty with the pork belly skewers being my favorite!

Came here bc of the amazing reviews online Yelp. But must say, it was a bit of a disappointment in…read moreterms of taste, savory, etc. It markets itself as a Thai Noodle restaurant, with the emphasis seems to be the Thai Boat Noodle . But ironically, the Thai Boat Noodle wasn't even that good! Thai Boat Noodle with a better flavor can be found at RodD by Sitti (restaurant) in Brookline -- and, that place doesn't even specialize in Thai Boat Noodle!

So , I think I am a Ramen fan, I wasn't sure if it was going to me delicious however I was…read moreintroduced to this dish and love it my go to for something warm during this mixed season where the spring isn't sure it's showing up

Absolutely delicious ramen! So happy we found this place while in the area for a concert. Fast and…read morefriendly service at hole in the wall (or should I say hole in the grocery store). I would drive all the way back to eat the spicy miso ramen again. Only a few small tables but fast turnover.