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.

I've been here a couple times and every time it is SOO good and reliable. Service is super fast,…read moreand guests can't really sit around and chat at the tables but the food is worth it. Last time, I got the tan tan ramen with the spicy chili oil on the side and it was delicious. I loved that I could customize the spice level. The gyoza are also delicious. Reasonably priced as well. I'd highly recommend!

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....

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.

I came here for a solo dinner recently and it was a great spot! As it's a pretty popular spot,…read morethere was a line when I came. However, the hostess takes your order while you are in line so (1) the line moves quickly and (2) you get your order pretty quickly once seated. The interior is spacious and they have both tables and bar seating. Their menu is pretty straightforward: just a bunch of udon (but there's hot and cold options!). I got their famous spicy cold niku udon with an onsen egg and it was delicious. The portions were big, noodles were perfectly chewy, and the broth/sauce was great. Onsen egg was also cooked to perfection. I can definitely see the hype of this spot and would love 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).

My partner and I got the truffle shangtang shoyu and paitan ramen w onsen egg -…read more TASTE: 4/5 - loved the bits of truffle pate in my shoyu and the savoriness of the paitan's chicken broth. Didn't think it needed the egg add-on TEXTURE: 5/5 - both the homemade thin noodles and hand squeezed wavy noodles were excellent PRICE: 4/5 - the $16-18 bowls are comparable to other ramen shops SERVING SIZE: 4/5 - satisfied us for dinner SERVICE: 4/5 - no one in line when we walked in at 5pm on a Saturday for their dinner service. The few employees there were all friendly. Sat at the counter and our bowls were ready 15min after ordering ATMOSPHERE: 4/5 - water and utensils are self-serve. Appreciate the chef's original goal of creating the best ramen within 1,000 operating days, and the fact that Tsuumen is still open. Can tell it's a local favorite PARKING: 4/5 - got a metered street spot on Highland Ave

Came in Saturday right around lunch time and the restaurant is almost full. The menu is right at…read morethe counter and you order first then grab a seat. There were no details or pictures available so we asked the server what each ramen was like and he kindly answered. We ordered the spicy pitan and truffle shoyu ramen. Ramen came pretty quickly and look very appetizing. Once mixed in, the truffle taste is overpowered by the broth but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The chashu was also super tender and thinly sliced giving an almost melt in your mouth feel. The spicy pitan has a thicker curly noodle and thick broth. I preferred the truffle clear broth. Overall great experience and looking forward to come try other flavors!

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

The chili oil beef rib noodles were fire. I got the wide noodles and the texture was good…read more The fried vegetable thing was good as well. The location is a bit snug though. Service was solid. Overall I'd come back for those chili oil noodles.

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!

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!