One of the best ramen places around. The base was perfectly flavored and spiced for the Shio Ramen and the noodles were the right texture. There is usually a long line so order ahead for take out. Definitely recommend! read more

I've heard all the hype about this ramen chain. But I was a bit disappointed, maybe because my expectations were high. I ordered their Miso ramen, broth was ok, but the noodles were cooked perfectly, the pork though lacked seasoning although it was very tender. My husband ordered the Shio ramen and that tasted better. But I do not think it's worth the hype. read more

Santouka Back Bay - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

RAMEN SOLO I feel like a ramen Jedi because I used the force in my favor. This place is packed. I walked by on a Friday night and there were 40 people in line. I checked out the menu and I knew I had to eat here. It was now Saturday night and again there were 40 people in line at 6:30pm. It didn't help that it was January and it was a high of 68, in fact it probably made the line even longer. The best part of traveling for work is dining solo and sometimes it has its advantages. While I was in the back of the line the server was looking for just one person and I was the lucky solo that literally got to skip the line. Honestly I was only in line for about 5 minutes. This was my lucky day to Ramen. The menu is not very friendly on line and it's inconsistent because there locations can have different items. They have a great $15 deal where you pick 3 items. I decided to go for it. I wanted to go spicy and decided to order the spicy miso ramen, Cha-Shu Gohan which is Pork and Rice and Aji Tama which is a soft boiled egg marinated in soy-based sauce. The egg was cooked perfectly. The broth for the ramen was crazy good. The menu says the broth takes 18 hours to make from beef bones. The Cha-Shu Gohan was really good. I added spicy broth to it and took it back to my hotel for breakfast. I'm a lucky man. The restaurant is tiny. It literally has 18 seats located at 2 tables and 1 bar that faces the kitchen. I was seated at a table of complete strangers. I honestly felt like I was traveling around the world by sharing a community table. Those people finished and I was introduced to a whole new group that joined me. Yes a party of 5 joined me at my table. As I enjoyed my ramen I listened to the girl next to me talk about her upcoming wedding. She shared the planing, the church, the dress and much more. I wanted to jump in but kept focusing on my ramen. The cutest part was when I went to leave she told me to have a nice night. That was really sweet considering we ate dinner together but never had a conversation with each other. I felt a little bad but it's best I kept quite because they would have never got me to stop talking. It is worth the wait. They really serve fast and keep the line moving. My waiter was really nice. I've read review that the servers are mean. I have to disagree with this. Hey have a job to do and that is to move people in and out. There was a group of four that had paid their bill and were still hanging out. The waiter politely asked them to leave. He did it in a nice manner but I'm sure someone in the group will write a bad review because the lu felt rushed. I could see that my waiter hates having to do this but it's the only way he can get diners in. My advice is to know what you want, eat your food, pay your bill and get out. It's your duty to help your fellow ramen lover waiting in line. I was lucky enough to have to force in my side and I hope you have the same luck that I did when you dine read more

Santouka Back Bay - It's not a rock concert...it's Ramen! Get in line! - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Great food, small place so seating is limited. I had the Shio ramen and it was great. Well balanced broth, some of the best chasu I've ever had, and adequate toppings. Didn't come with egg, had to get that added. Great music, friendly staff. I had the "Regular" size bowl but this was a bit smaller than typical ramen set ups. Next time I'll get the large. Only give 4 stars because they had no gyoza!! That's like a hamburger joint that doesn't have fries..... just not right. read more

Santouka Back Bay - Shio ramen, regular size - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Absolutely a hit! I'm a bit of an adventure junkie and as such, I love to pick a random city and explore it without to much planning. One of the benefits of doing this is that I get to try new things and unique foods or foods unique to said city (ie.. Boston cream pie) Naturally, this adventure was no different. My visit to Boston has given me life. I've walked the freedon trails and stood on the oldest commissioned Naval ship in the United States. The USS Constitution. Now, after a full day of touring, I decided to turn to Yelp to help me pick a great place to eat. I decided on a proper ramen noodles experience. The resturant is a small space but filled with amazing eye popping bowls of noodles. The staff kept to the crowd happy by taking and filling orders swiftly. I don't think I've ever been served so fast in all my life. So if your ever in Boston and you want what I like to call a proper ramen experience, I highly recommend this ramen gem. read more

Santouka Back Bay - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

This is a solid Ramen spot that will not disappoint. I stood in line with many others for ~40 min on a cold winter day, and would have happily done it again. There is nothing like sitting down with a piping hot bowl of Ramen on a cold day. I went with their signature Tonkotsu Shio Ramen, and paired it with their combo deal which is a total no-brainer. For only a few bucks extra the Ramen came with a rice bowl (Cha-Shu Gohan) and a soft boiled egg (Aji-Tama) on the side. I thought the broth of the Ramen was complex and oh so delicious. Personally, I thought the meat in the soup was too fatty which was a distraction from the otherwise great bowl of Ramen. The side dishes were flavorful and paired perfectly with my steaming hot bowl of soup. This restaurant is pretty small, so if you plan to head this way you better be prepared to wait. That being said, the chefs move quickly and all patrons have food in front of them pretty quickly which really helps the line outdoors to move along. Santouka's location in the Back Bay is a perfect place to take a pit-stop if you are doing some shopping on Newbury or at the Prudential. I'd happily recommend this spot to anyone looking for a good bowl of Ramen. read more

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This place is super small, so expect a wait! Because there's zero space to wait inside, prepare to wait outside. They don't seat until the entire party is there. Ramen tasted great and you can ask to change the firmness if your noodles! read more

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

Well worth the wait in the cold and rain! This will always be a popular spot. Closest ramen to actual ramen you can get japan in Boston. read more

Santouka Back Bay - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

This location may be small but they pack a punch of flavor in their ramen dishes! Definitely a fan favorite so expect a wait before you can try their delicious meal! The broth will satisfy your tastebuds and warm up your tummy on a cold winter day. I usually order the Shoyu Ramen with a side of corn and a soft boiled egg. The staff here is very attentive and super friendly in their service. Always had a great experience whenever I stop by with friends. read more

Santouka Back Bay - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I haven't had proper miso ramen since Sapporo and this place definitely hit the spot. The most important part of any ramen for me is the broth and the spicy miso was incredibly rich, savory and umami AF. The spice level was perfect as well and the noodles were the perfect texture. Yelp is reminding me to talk about ambiance, it looked pretty cozy and had outside seating. The only thing that slightly marred the experience was the passive aggressive method we were presented with the check and "invited" to leave. I would totally understand this practice if there was a line going out the door, but this was nearly 3pm in the afternoon and there were more than enough spots at the bar. Never been rushed out like this, even at similar sized places in Japan. Not going to dock a star for this but I'd say the overall experience was a 4.5. read more

Really good ramen, super rich broth. Also, I ordered extra noodles but definitely did not need to... the portion sizes are pretty big. I wasn't into the natto but the soy egg on the side was really good. I went on a weekday but there was a bit of a wait. Also, the space is pretty small so sharing a table with other couples is to be expected. read more

Santouka Back Bay - Char siu Ramen, Natto , and egg topping - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I actually really enjoyed this ramen. Five stars really comes from their combo option; for $15, I got a regular size kara miso ramen, chashu gohan, and a soft boiled egg. I think the value is fantastic. The kara miso ramen was a good balance of spicy and was flavorful. The broth was rich, but not overtly heavy. I wish the chashu pieces were bigger, but the soft boiled egg was perfectly cooked and runny. I liked the texture of the noodles a lot. I've been to the location in harvard square, and that location actually has the small size ramen in the combo, whereas this location comes with the regular size (you can get the small size for $1 less or a large size for $1 more). The location is tiny and there's always a line. However, I stopped by for dinner after running some errands in the area, so I got seated pretty quickly at the bar area since I was by myself. I was asked to move down a few seats in the middle of my meal to accomodate others, which I didn't really mind because they were polite about it. I understood from a practical standpoint since space is so limited and seats should be optimized. Coming from Texas (hometown is Houston and I went to undergrad in Austin), I have a pretty high standard for food. Overall, this is a solid place for ramen. I'd definitely come back for the combo deal! read more

Santouka Back Bay - Combo: Kara Miso Ramen, Chasu Gohan, Soft boiled egg - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Everyone is waiting in a long line to get in here. It's very small inside, but the line moves pretty quickly. They have ramen in three sizes small medium and large. This is definitely an option I like because sometimes a regular bowl is too much. They had some interesting options. I got the spicy ramen, it was spicy but very tasty. I think the ramen was good, but not great. read more

Santouka Back Bay - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Struggling between 4 and 5 stars, since this is some of the best ramen I've ever had outside of Japan. The shio broth was light but flavorful, and noodles are really good. That being said, the toppings weren't anything really special, so I'd skip the egg or any other add ons. I did appreciate that you can get smaller portions for - $1.00, just like they do in Japan! read more

Santouka Back Bay - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

This is hands down probably one of the best ramen places I've had in my life. Been here multiple times (including the one in Harvard) and I've always just been blown away. Only downside is that there is ALWAYS a wait, especially in the back bay location and they require you to line up. Atleast the Harvard spot lets you leave a phone number. Regardless, the quality of the ramen is absolutely superb. The noodles are cooked to perfection and it carries the flavor of the broth extremely well. The broth itself isn't overly heavy or salty. It's perfectly balanced, as all things should be. The charsu is soft and savory, the Bamboo is crunchy yet not tough, the ear fungus give diversity to texture. Also get the charshu rice. It's very simple but pair it with the sauces and it's an absolute pleasure. I can't compliment this place enough, I really really love it. Service is also always great!! read more

Santouka Back Bay - Karamiso Tukemen - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Limited seating but really cute and delicious ramen place. Service was great, portions were perfect and broth was flavorful. Really enjoyed the spicy ramen. read more

Ambiance: very small location with limited seating. Very clean space for covid regulations. Clean bathroom. Service: quick friendly service Food: food is ok. This place didnt make my favorite list but the ramen isnt bad. Has spicy options, vegetarian option. The pork belly was good. Parking: meter parking. Back bay is typically hard to find parking so it is expected. read more

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Not suitable for vegans, misleading website Was excited to go out to ramen, chose this place because of the good reviews and vegan option (went out to eat w/ 2 vegans, 2 omnivores). We waited in line for 45 minutes and only when we got in and saw the menu did we find out the noodles have eggs in them. This was not stated on the website. It's easier to update a website then dozens of printed menus, no? There were no other vegan options except plain rice and edamame. So we got the vegetarian ramen w/o noodles. The waiter had to ask permission for this and said they don't usually allow that. It also cost more money than the meat ramen. Oisa's where it is at for mixed diet company ramen, I regret trying some place new! +1 star because omni friends enjoyed their meals read more

This is a very small place that always has a line but moves pretty quickly. I get the Cha-Shu Gohan Combo every time I'm here. I love that the food comes out really fast after you order. Ramen, toppings, and rice bowls are full of flavor! Staff has been polite and professional throughout although they are busy. Highly recommend visiting here if you are in the area. read more

When you veer from your normal ramen dish, it's bad. So with that said, I will probably do that again and then kick myself when I don't like it. I've tried both Santouka's and always love it, I usually order the Ramen with the pork cheek (tonkotsu toroniku ramen) $16.25. The 2nd time I came here, I was trying to "budget" and ended up getting the tonkotsu gomamiso ramen $11.75 thinking it was spicy..but it really said to "try it with hot chili oil" so it was not spicy and I didn't like the flavor of the soup. So stick with the pork cheeks and get the pork belly buns and you are guaranteed to have a fantastic meal! This is also the first ramen place my BF has ever been to...I had to show him what TRUE ramen was, not that fake packaged stuff. He is a big fan of ramen now!!! Come, put down your name and then go browse eataly til they text/call you! read more

Santouka Back Bay - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I finally stopped by this ever so busy Santouka earlier today and had a great bowl of kara miso ramen. I loved the option to get a small since I never finish a bowl of ramen, but it was a bit smaller than expected. Nevertheless, it's a fair price and the ramen was delicious. The broth was rich, noodles had a good chew, chasiu was tender, and egg was runny. It really hit the spot on the rainy day. If you are a spicy eater, they offer chili oil and flakes if requested. Great service, love the friendly staff. read more

The place is very small - probably seats about 20 people in total. It brings to mind the japanese ramen houses in tokyo alleyways. The service was very fast, given the small space.... but that's about where the good things end. I am used to at least half an egg coming with the ramen so I didn't expect to pay extra for it ($2) and the egg was super runny and just... not a ramen egg :( boo - one of the best parts of ramen is the egg. Also, this santouka's broth isn't as flavorful as the one back home?? Not sure how that's possible with this being a chain... the prices also seem higher... and unfortunately, i had really good ramen at another place before this that really made this place fail by comparison.... only gave one thin slice of meat.. read more

Santouka Back Bay - What's with this egg.... - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Santouka Back Bay had a long line when we initially passed by so we decided to come back the following day for dinner. We arrived at around 5 pm and there was already a line about 7 people ahead of us. We waited about 10 minutes and then we were seated. The restaurant is very small. Probably seats max 20 people. We ordered the Combo Shoyu Ramen with variations of added ingredients (such as egg, corn or pork with rice in side). Shortly later, our ramen came piping hot and steaming to our table. The broth and noodles were rich and tasty and there was a good amount of pork included. We were looking for a good place in Boston for our Ramen fix and found one! Tip: As the line gets very long to get in try and get there before the open for a reduced wait. read more

Santouka Back Bay - Line out the door to get in. - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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my co worker recommended me of this ramen place. I was told that this chain is originated from Japan, so I guess the food should be authentic. I waited in the line before allowed to enter the restaurant due to space constraint and maybe their policy. The staff are friendly, helpful and professional. I ordered Cha siu ramen with soyu flavor regular sized. it only took them less than 5 minutes to serve my order and it tasted really good. Budget wise, I'd say its standard for ramen place. read more

Santouka Back Bay - Regular Cha siu ramen with soyu flavor - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Great ramen spot with really quick service! The best ramen I've had in Boston so far although it is a bit salty so be warned there. Be prepared to wait a bit given the size of the restaurant but I think it's worth it! Always love pork belly :D read more

Santouka Back Bay - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

So good on such a cold day! The restaurant is small, so there was a line with people waiting, but they were really efficient. They have menus posted outside and sometimes pass a menu down so when you're at the front, they'll even take your order so you can get it right when you sit down! If you are planning on dining alone but see a longer line, dont worry. You might not have to wait long because they'll seat you before larger parties if they see a single seat open. They did this twice for people behind us, during our 25 minute wait on a Saturday night. I love that they have a combo option for just $15. I got a regular size shoyu ramen, chashu gohan, and a soft boiled egg. It was too much food for me, so I should've gotten a small ramen combo for $14. Food was really good and the combo was such a great value! Broth was delicious, and I didn't have to add anything to it. Speedy, friendly service. Would definitely come again. Perfect for a cold Boston night. read more

Santouka Back Bay - Shoyu Shio Ramen and Rice Topped with Char-Siu - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

This review is for the food Tf you aren't flexible in your seating, go to a sit down restaurant with tableside service and not community seating - they only have 3 tables and a bar, so you may have to move if at the bar or sit next to someone you don't know at community table . The food, however, is amazing. They make that hard to find real Japanese broth that is so hard to find. The ingredients were fresh and prepared to real Japanese style and just mouth watering delicious. It's a simple menu with a bunch of combinations of broths and ingredients plus toppings you can order. Small size bowl was plenty for lunch. If I lived there I would go often and it would be a real treat. Be prepared to wait, there is usually a line. Loved it!! read more

I had heard from multiple Boston area natives that Santouka's ramen is the best in New England - I haven't been to other places, but the ramen here is certainly great compared to shops in NYC and San Francisco! + Delicious food: the eggs, salmon ikura bowls, and ramen here are delicious. With regards to the ramen - the broth is exceptional, toppings taste great, and noodles have perfect texture. The only area that could use improvement is the chashu - it could be softer and smokier - this was a 3/5 because the meat did taste a little tough. + Great value: Ramen is super cheap at ~$10 for a bowl, though they do not come with eggs ($2 extra per egg). The food also comes out mega fast. + Wonderful service: The female server here is phenomenal at her job - I've only been here 2-3 times and she remembered all my food allergies and is just extremely friendly and absolutely exceptional at her job. I love coming here in equal parts because of the food and to catch up with a friendly face. + Nice atmosphere: ambiance is cute inside and out - it's located on a beautiful block on Hereford Street between Comm Ave & Newbury - charming airs all around! read more

Really good ramen! I was worried I wouldn't find any good ramen around Boston but I heard a lot of good things from here

Single customer is not welcomed here. I am already enjoying my noodle at the bar, and the hostess interrupted me by asking me to move one seat left so she can make room for a couple. I was shocked and speechless, she thought I can't understand what she said in English, thus, she then raise her voice and spoke slower in English " CAN U MOVE ? ". I can't believe what just happened and continue being speechless for a few seconds. Therefore, she raise her voice again and say " CAN U MOVE ?" to me again. I finally get myself back from shocking and response her gently "but...I am having my meal". For some reason, She gave up moving me and told me it is fine to sit here(?!?!). Maybe this is not a single eater friendly ramen restaurant! BTW the noodle and its meal is delicious as usual read more

Santouka Back Bay - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Rating: 4.5 stars (rounded up) The food is very good and SO reasonably priced. ~$11 for ramen is excellent, and the ramen is absolutely phenomenal- so flavorful, rich, and the meat so tender and delicious! Just FYI that just about everything including an egg costs extra ($2 for egg). The restaurant is truly tiny and as a result I wouldn't recommend coming here with a group- I came as part of a group of 4 and we unfortunately had to sit at the bar counter area :(. There are probably ~15 seats in the entire restaurant. For this reason, there is almost always a queue; we waited 45 minutes on Thursday 6pm. You will get rushed out when your party begins to finish eating as well, which is a little uncomfortable. Drink menu is limited, with no alcohol, though they do have Calpico! This overall is a good and authentic experience but best in certain settings- probably solo or as a couple, and would try for off peak times, and don't expect to be able to get a glass of wine with dinner :). read more

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

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Excellent broth- full of depth and flavor. The ramen noodles were good. The roast pork was tender and flavorful. The dishes arrived quickly. Wished the place was larger since the line was quite long. read more

An intimate dinning experience with fast service and friendly staff. The Ramen was absolutely delicious and rich in flavor. I was happy to see there was a vegetarian option. The spicy chili oil on the tables is a must. Absolutely delicious. Would happily visit again. Waited about twenty minutes to be seated after arriving around 6pm. The only downside to this location is the pressure of outside on lookers waiting for their turn to eat. Highly recommend getting take out. Definitely worth trying the full experience at least once. read more

There's always a line at this spot... b/c it's legit the best ramen spot in Boston. I always get the combo bowl with the spicy miso ramen & chasu bowl. It always hits especially when Boston gets colder! The prices are super affordable and everything just always tastes amazing :) Even though the space is very small, the service is super quick! However this is definitely not a spot to go with more than like 2+ people. 10/10 would recommend read more

Santouka Back Bay - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Broth was ok, but nothing to write home about. Service was good, but did not agree with tip recommendations that includes tax in the percent calculation. I refrained from mentioning about it. read more

Great ramen - was recommended by many friends, and was well worth the wait to try! Spicy as well!

Now listen, no one wants to wait in line to eat but at the same time, when you see a line for a restaurant you know it's probably worth the wait. Needless to say, if you decide to visit this location you will definitely be waiting in line to get your bowl of ramen. The restaurant itself is pretty small so be prepared to eat your dinner in a very close proximity to strangers. As a ramen connoisseur I can tell you that this ramen was definitely worth the wait. I ordered the miso ramen combo which was $15 and came with a side of corn and butter and a tea egg. The noodles were thinner than some of the other ramen places I have been to, but they tasted fresh and firm,but not too firm . The tea egg was also just the right amount of soft and complimented the rest of the dish. Overall you will leave with a full belly and a happy heart. It's definitely worth the wait. read more

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

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We were having a late lunch and my companion suggested Santouka. What a wonderful decision! The outdoor seating is lovely, service is prompt and the ramen -- sooo delicious! I ordered the shoyu ramen and BE ordered the miso ramen. It came promptly and we devoured it just as fast. I can't wait to go back to Boston and eat Santouka again read more

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

What a gem. We found this place on Yelp and went during an off dining hour and there was a small line. We only waited about 15-20 minutes. Note it's a small restaurant that has family table dining or bar type seating. The whole restaurant probably only sits about 18-20 people at a given time. You also wait ourside, so take that into consideration with the weather. Service was great, they were very attentive and courteous. Food was delicious and out quickly. Ramen is really good, and reminded me of being back in LA. Pork in the ramen was amazing and so was their miso broth. Price was good for Boston. read more

Everyone in Boston LOVES Santouka whether it's the Harvard Square location or the Back Bay and I was shocked to discover Santouka is a chain and I've actually had it in Fort Lee, NJ before! I will happily admit though something about Santouka in MA is way better than what I tried in NJ, maybe because the Santouka in Fort Lee is in a Mitsuwa food court. Anyway, for something like $15 you'll your choice of a bowl of ramen + char shiu + egg + either the corn and butter or 3 yakumi toppings. I got this combo - Tonkotsu Karamiso (Spicy Miso) with the 3 Yakumi. My friend got her own combo and we split the Mentaiko Gohan (seasoned cod roe) rice bowl. Both of these are REALLY good but I would say ask for less salt ramen/broth if you get the Mentaiko Gohan because roe is salty and the combo of these 2 together can be deadly. I really want to try the Tsukemen style (broth and noodles come separately) in the Cambridge location, but until I make the trip there, I'm content to try each of the rice bowls in Back Bay. Also, there's typically a long line so I'm told but if you roll in at like ~8/8:30 or later on Wednesday night after some post-work cocktails, you get prompt service and still a great bowl of noodles and there's no wait ... since it closes at 9:30. Santouka Hack? I think so! read more

Santouka Back Bay - mentaiko gohan - seasoned code roe on top of an egg mayo salad with seaweed over rice! - Ramen Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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