Santouka Back Bay

33

483

1835

5 days ago

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

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

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Eva G.

214

1233

12107

2 months ago

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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Lizzie Y.

250

1174

6044

5 months ago

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

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Lizzy M.

6

103

28

3 days ago

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

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Jennifer H.

22

156

497

2 months ago

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

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Ashley H.

36

159

195

5 months ago

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

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

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Eric B.

224

809

5184

7 months ago

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

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

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

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Lena L.

15

127

299

9 months ago

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

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Kevin W.

77

136

310

10 months ago

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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Kirtana S.

226

391

411

5 months ago

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

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Lori I.

830

1105

8739

1 year ago

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

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Georgette P.

80

198

1268

6 months ago

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

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Sheldon C.

25

91

286

1 year ago

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

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Magda C.

61

477

1135

7 months ago

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

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Haliena H.

25

70

180

7 months ago

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

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Justyna B.

177

318

243

5 months ago

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

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Kylie B.

9

200

391

8 months ago

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

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Jaquelin F.

0

32

35

8 months ago

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

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Karissa S.

237

312

207

9 months ago

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

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John V.

414

171

81

9 months ago

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

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Greyson N.

Elite 24

252

780

5027

5 months ago

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

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Sharmane G.

260

261

365

1 year ago

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

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Audrey S.

35

188

267

11 months ago

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

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John Y.

21

323

2036

1 year ago

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

Santouka Back Bay - Self serve at the table - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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

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

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

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Prithviraj B.

0

4

3

9 months ago

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

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Ariel S.

0

59

97

2 years ago

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

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Angela L.

304

241

1780

2 years ago

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

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Emily Y.

14

140

351

2 years ago

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

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Jackie H.

1

283

394

2 years ago

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

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Lily K.

8

61

169

2 years ago

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

Santouka Back Bay - Natto Gohan, shio ramen (R) - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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D C.

2

203

267

8 months ago

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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Steven M.

1

82

12

10 months ago

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

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JOEL S.

0

21

19

4 months ago

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

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Lindsey M.

618

293

433

2 years ago

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

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Simone P.

221

127

266

1 year ago

I ordered the Kara Miso and the broth was perfect, my delicious and not too spicy. However, the noodles were undercooked no bounce at all kind of hard. Also the portion of the regular size was pretty small and charging $2 for an egg that doesn't even come sliced is a bit annoying. Pork melted in your mouth but by far the least amount of meat I've ever received. Service is very efficient. I would return for another try if there was absolutely no line, it's not really worth waiting in the cold or extreme heat for. Overall, tasty but undercooked noodles and inconvenient wait (which was expected and tolerable) make me less likely to return. You can get this level of ramen at many other places in Boston. read more

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Alvin T.

177

225

698

1 year ago

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

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Theodore M.

Elite 25

8

71

50

11 months ago

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

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Eliot S.

1

59

34

4 months ago

Perfect for a cold night. This location only has ramen, no appetizers like gyoza or karage. We had the Shoyu and Kara Miso bowls read more

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Matt R.

112

699

1160

2 years ago

Just like i remember it years ago. A tiny hole in the wall Ramen place, possibly the first time I ate Ramen in the US. Since 2010 this cuisine has been mainstream across America. Even though the weather wasn't cold, 70 degrees and sunny in late October, the Ramen was still amazing. read more

Santouka Back Bay - Tam tam with extras - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Norm C.

Elite 24

7

146

354

1 year ago

Great small little place for a hot bowl of ramen. This just hit the spot on a cold and rainy afternoon. I got there a little after 12pm, got seated at the bar right away. 15 minutes later there was a line outside. This is not fine dining. You're expected to slurp up your noodles and be on your way. Service is quick but respectful. If I didn't already have breakfast, I would get the large. Instead I settled for a regular size bowl without any extras. Don't be like me. Bring your appetite and get all the fixings. After a nice bowl of spicy cha shu ramen, walked out feeling nice and warm on a gloomy cold rainy day. read more

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

Santouka Back Bay - 10% off gift cards - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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More info about Santouka Back Bay

66 Hereford St
Boston, MA 02115
Back Bay
Directions
(857) 310-5194
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
https://www.santouka-usa.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Santouka Back Bay open?

Santouka Back Bay opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Santouka Back Bay close?

Santouka Back Bay closes at 9:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.Santouka Back Bay closes at 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.Santouka Back Bay closes at 9:30 PM on Sunday.

Mon-Thu 11:00 AM - 9:00 PMFri-Sat 11:00 AM - 10:00 PMSun 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Payment methods

Does Santouka Back Bay take Bitcoin?

No, Santouka Back Bay does not take Bitcoin.

Does Santouka Back Bay take credit cards?

Yes, Santouka Back Bay takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Santouka Back Bay have catering options?

No, Santouka Back Bay does not have catering options.

Does Santouka Back Bay have a happy hour?

No, Santouka Back Bay does not have a happy hour.

Does Santouka Back Bay serve alcohol?

No, Santouka Back Bay does not serve alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does Santouka Back Bay allow dogs?

No, Santouka Back Bay does not allow dogs.

Does Santouka Back Bay have TVs?

No, Santouka Back Bay does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Santouka Back Bay have bike parking?

No, Santouka Back Bay does not have bike parking.

Does Santouka Back Bay have outdoor seating?

Yes, Santouka Back Bay has outdoor seating options.

Does Santouka Back Bay have parking?

Yes, Santouka Back Bay has parking options. Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is Santouka Back Bay wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Santouka Back Bay is wheelchair accessible.

Does Santouka Back Bay have free WiFi?

No, Santouka Back Bay does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Established in 1988.Hokkaido Ramen Santouka began in 1988 as a nine-seat family-run ramen shop in Hokkaido, Japan.

History

Established in 1988.

Established in 1988.Hokkaido Ramen Santouka began in 1988 as a nine-seat family-run ramen shop in Hokkaido, Japan.

More Info

Health Score

Santouka Back Bay Reviews in Other Languages

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4.3(301 reviews)

1.2 mi•Chinatown

Stopped in on a chilly day shortly after they opened. The shop is small but filled with various…read morehigh and low seating options. The menu is on a qr code and it's a cash only business. I ordered and received my food quickly. The ramen was delicious and well portioned. The staff were attentive and it was also clearly liked because in the 20 or so minutes I was there the place filled up with a waitlist running. Definitely worth going back again.

Tiny hole in the wall spot, they don't take reservations, and only accept cash. Yet, I highly…read morerecommend coming here! The ramen is delicious!! We got the Tan-Tan with extra ajitama and corn and thoroughly enjoyed it. Will definitely be back!!

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4.4(941 reviews)

Came to Boston for a work trip and really wanted to eat something light and healthier. I loved it…read moreso much I came back twice! I came during lunchtime on a Monday. It was adequately busy but still had seats open. The lunch menu is very affordable! If you can, I'd highly recommend going for lunch instead of dinner. Service was really quick! Received my meal in like 5-7 mins after ordering. Fish was super fresh and I really liked the different textures in the Hoseki Don. I also added in negitoro. They gave me a big clump of it! The second time I went back, I ordered take out so I could eat it at the airport for dinner. I ordered the Sake Maguro Hamachi don, added ikura and negitoro. Again, so impressed with the quality of the fish and the size of it. They didn't skimp out and really enjoyed the thickness of the sashimi despite it only being 3 pieces. It was a very satiating bowl. Cant wait to come back next time again!

absolutely adore tora! one of the few places i'd always recommend in boston! fish quality is pretty…read moregood and they have a good variety on the menu! i'd recommend the aburi waygu don but also something more interesting is the kani-yaki tama don however that's a bit more if u like imitation crab! resturant inside is pretty casual and service once seated is usually good and quick however resturant itself is very small so wait times on weekends are ALWAYS long but again it's a given for how popular the resturant is! (p.s. i've been here soooo many times times so i'd also say quality has always been consistent)

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4.4(194 reviews)

I was really impressed with my experience here. I stopped by on a weekday evening where there was…read morebasically no wait at all. We started with a salmon yamakake ($13) which had a very fresh, delicate flavor. The grated yam adds a super gooey texture which might not be for everyone. Both of us went for hot udon dishes and tried the beef sukiyaki ($20) and roast duck ($25). I loved how the broth in each dish was unique, super savory, yet light at the same time. I was initially a little bit annoyed at the price point for these dishes, but after seeing just how much protein each udon came with, I felt that the price was very fair. The udon was bouncy, chewy, and a decent portion size. I ended up having to take some leftovers home. Of the noodle soups I've had in Boston over the past year, I think the broth at Somenya has been my favorite! I can't wait to come here again to warm up with their broth on a cold winter day.

I've been here a couple times. The soba noodles were refreshing and the broth has been umami. Had…read morethe tofu here as well. The service was pretty typical, so the wait staff were friendly and attentive. Ambiance and decor was pretty cool too. The pricing is pretty typical of Chinatown Boston restaurants. 8/10: food gets the job done. Effort was shown to the dishes but nothing was extremely mind blowing. Definitely worth a try.

Interior

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3.9(1.1k reviews)

I was staying at the Ritz and had made a reservation at Legal down the block because it seemed like…read morea right of passage after being in Boston so often and never having hit it. When we walked into Legal, the place was dead, the music was awful, and the vibe was just not there. So we sat at the bar and grabbed a drink while searching for a place to get an actual dinner where we could find last-minute reservations. Shojo in Chinatown came up with great reviews and after looking at the menu and seeing that we could get a reservation, we headed over. It was a short walk from the Ritz and Chinatown is just such a fun place with great energy. When we walked in, we knew we had made the right call and were easily able to switch our reservation from a table to bar seats, which is always an added bonus. The place is low lit and the music is on the louder side, but nothing was excessive to the point that we didn't enjoy our time there. We ordered a variety of drinks while there - a Toki Highball draft, a spicy tequila drink with lemongrass, a few different types of Japanese whiskeys as well (they have a really extensive list). As far as food goes, they categorize their menu into Snacks, Baos, and Rice, Noodles, and Dumplings. There's a lot of vegetarian friendly options, which is always a plus for me. My highlights were the 7 vegetable stir fry, fried eggplant bao, edamame dumplings, and the Thai veggie spring rolls. The salt and pepper calamari was also really great. Everything was terrific and really unique. Service was good - not great, but they took notice of empty glasses and were quick to bring out food, so I have absolutely no complaints. Shojo is somewhere I'd absolutely return to when staying in the area, I'm really happy we all turned what would have been a very touristy, depressing experience into something with a WAY better vibe and time!

This place was fun! We sat at the bar and got delicious mai tais in fun cups. For apps we got the…read moreTaiwanese Basil Popcorn Chicken and it was good but could have used more chicken, felt like too many pieces of just fried batter - the green herb aioli on the side was sooo good though! We also got the Sichuan Ribeye Bao which was good but felt too dry - could have used some type of sauce! The environment was fun.

Bar area

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4.4(32 reviews)

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

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RedWhite is a vegan Japanese restaurant on Newbury Street known for its flavorful ramen. The…read moreambiance inside is pretty cramped and dark, plus our wait time was long. We also had to wait outside since there wasn't room inside the restaurant. Additionally, they have a policy where you must order 1 dish per person or they will not seat you. You order at the front and then are seated with a beeper to pick up your food. The menu is pretty limited, but the dishes was overall seasoned nicely. The Spicy Roasted Miso Avocado Sushi Roll was better than the roasted miso avocado sushi since the best part of the dish was the spicy crumble on top. However, the sushi was oddly sized (too big for one bite, but too small and fell apart for 2 bites). The ramen was also differently flavored. The garlic was too overpowering and the texture of the noodles to other vegetables in the dish was offputting to me. However, all the dishes were presented/plated well. I probably wouldn't go back, but it was conveniently located.

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3.8(650 reviews)

1.2 mi•Chinatown

was craving hotpot after a long day while visiting boston from out of town -- came in with a group…read moreof five and three on the way, and got seated pretty much immediately. service was wonderful -- the woman serving us was super accommodating and answered all our questions, and the food came out in a timely manner. for our side of the table, we ordered a split pot with the pork bone and the cilantro broths. both were delicious; we were halfway done just drinking soup before the meat and vegetables came. meat portions were generous and quality was good, plus the vegetable offerings seemed fresh and plentiful. we also ordered a few appetizers: spicy fries, shrimp pancake, and crispy pork jowl -- all lived up to and even exceeded expectations. was a great experience all around to end the day off, and prices were affordable for the group.

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Kaze Shabu Shabu - Right outside the restaurant there is a cute walk through area, an old lady was feeding the birds when we were walking in for dinner

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Right outside the restaurant there is a cute walk through area, an old lady was feeding the birds when we were walking in for dinner

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4.2(248 reviews)

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1.4 mi•Leather District, Waterfront, South Boston

Kitchen

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4.2(148 reviews)

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Inside the restaurant

Crunch Fried Chicken Steak - $12.99 as 0f 2/2025

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Ruka

A great Japanese restaurant. We didn't have reservations but were able to secure seats in the bar…read morearea, which was totally fine. It took some time for the waiter to come by and we were ready to order as soon as he came by. Got drinks and some food. Surprisingly the food came out before the drinks. Everything was great however. The inside was lively, great place to catch up.

We dined at RUKA when we first checked into our hotel in Boston. It was adjacent to our hotel so it…read morewas super convenient as we were tired and hungry after a long flight. This place is popping! Even though it was later in the evening, the restaurant was still really full. However we didn't have to wait too long to get seated. I loved the decor in here, such neat details and even a column with a dragon on it! So cool. It's a dark restaurant so it was hard to read the menu, but otherwise, it's a very cool vibe here and feels very lounge-y. Our server was awesome, he was friendly and explained the restaurant style to us - it's like tapas, you order a few items to share and recommended 2 - 3 items per person would be sufficient. It was only 2 of us and we shared 3 items total, and that was more than enough. We apparently arrived so late that our server informed us that we only had a short time before the kitchen was closing for the night. But he said that he would return before the kitchen closed in case we wanted to order additional menu items. We were intrigued by the Japanese/Peruvian fusion menu and tried a few things: Kuromitsu Brussel Sprouts Spicy Salmon Fritas Bo Bo Chicken I was most excited about the Bo Bo Chicken a it had a sichuan chili oil and I love spicy, but it was not spicy at all (to me). But the flavor was really good. My favorite was the Brussels sprouts. I loved the char on them and the ginger black honey on it was so good. I don't eat salmon, but my friend said the Salmon Fritas was great and really enjoyed them. I would say this was the best meal we had on our trip!