I came here on my last trip to Boston and liked it so much that I knew I had to come back again!…read more Tora Japanese is located in Chinatown--in the basement area of one of the buildings, so seating is pretty limited. I came for lunch with two friends, and they didn't have a table for three, but the hostess was able to quickly accommodate us by rearranging another party that just sat down, and we were able to get some seats at the bar. Service was really fast and friendly throughout our dining experience. I ordered the sake don from the lunch menu, which came with a good-sized portion of rice topped with salmon sashimi and a side of miso soup. Definitely a great spot for a quick and affordable lunch in Chinatown!

Saw this on Google Maps and was so impressed at how quickly we got seated and food came out, but…read morealso the fresheners of fish! It seems like a very popular spot, so be prepared to wait. There are so many variations of the Don, great quality and price. Saving this place for future Boston visits!

Per my previous review - I am a big Yume fan. So happy to hear about all their success. Selfishly,…read moreI live in Cambridge, so having two locations spreads the crowds out, which makes the line shorter for me at the Porter Square location! I've noticed that this location has thicker udon than the original. I personally did not mind this nor did it take away from the amazing flavor of the spicy cold niku udon, which tastes just as good as the original location.

Some places you revisit out of habit. Yume Ga Arakura you revisit out of loyalty and the yearning…read morefor that particular flavor. That distinction matters if I do say so myself. This is a 12 out of 10, and I don't just hand those ranking out willy-nilly. I came here through winters first, which is honestly the ideal origin story. The Spicy Hot Udon in Boston winter is the equivalent of someone putting a blanket on your shoulders without being asked. The broth hits deep, the udon has that perfect chew that tells you someone back there actually cares and respect their noodles, and you leave feeling genuinely restored rather than just full. Then summer came and I almost made the mistake of skipping it entirely--because soup in summer? I mean c'mon. But silly me, I should've tried the Spicy Cold Udon sooner than later. Same exceptional broth. Same gorgeous chewy noodles. But served cold in an absolutely refreshing way. I mourned all the summers I could have been eating this. Portions are generous, prices are reasonable, and the service moves at a pace that impresses you without making you feel like you're being processed; the atmosphere is nice and simple too. Anyway: hot or cold, winter or summer, just go, get some, sip some amazing broth, bask in all of it!

I'm glad to see something Japanese in this predominantly South American area of Boston…read more 4.4 stars is a lot. I ordered miso soup to stay, plastic container and spoon started to melt, with no tofu in there. The Maki rolls are pretty good, salmon and dumplings too. Vegetables are overcooked. Fried rice is not great. No wasabi or pickled ginger! I would say it's about 3.2 stars.

Door dashed and the food was piping hot. Sautéed vegetables were fresh, crispy and seasoned really…read morewell. Steak and chicken teriyaki seasoned well, tender and the noodles were soft and plentiful.

very very fresh and heaping servings of some of the best seafood i've had, period. i've never had…read moreomakase before and i don't know much about the process that goes into it, but you can tell everything's been meticulously prepared day of, from the food to the way we were served, it was incredible. we were among the first groups to try their newest seasonal menu, so that was rly cool. also cook with the glasses? so sweet and truly talented in his craft!

What a great omakase dinner. They offer service 3 times. The staff and sushi chefs offer great…read moreservice and are very friendly. It's a small restaurant that has a L-shape sushi counter service. It's an 18-course meal and you have the ability to add more before dessert is served. They offer alcohol. Please note that a 20% service fee is included in your bill. Reservations get booked quickly. My advice is to check Resy at 12pm and nab a seating before it's gone! Def will be back.

Exceptional service with high quality meats and no wait on a weekday lunch! Had the pleasure of…read moredining here with a friend today & enjoyed the basic set, which contained meat that tasted better than some premium cuts at other AYCE restaurants. Milk tea on tap, sauce bar with raw pasteurized egg. Salmon and mackerel also included in the unlimited apps menu now, too. Location is compact given it's in Boston Chinatown, but it has what you need! Restrooms have mouth wash and floss tips, which is great post meal. Been to Mikiya in CA, which has a bit more elevated ambiance & feel but the food and quality is the same. Service was phenomenally efficient, respectful, and great! Come hungry, leave happy :)

This place is delicious! The service is great and we enjoyed the sukiyaki!…read more There is unlimited soft drinks or tea, and a bar with sides, sauces and egg. The other part that I love is the bathroom has toothpicks and mouthwash.. I mean what restaurant offers this.

This place rocks the sushi world. only Michelin star restaurant in Boston. That should say it all…read more You have to try this place. Service is five

There are meals you remember because they taste good, and then there are experiences that change…read morethe way you think about food. Three 1 One Omakase was one of those experiences. It introduced me to new textures, flavors, aromas, and, most importantly, a deeper appreciation for the culture behind the food. From the moment we arrived, Chef Wei, his wife Carrie, and the staff made us feel genuinely welcome. The atmosphere felt intimate, as though we had been invited into someone's home rather than a restaurant. Every detail felt intentional, from the minimalist design and calming ambiance to the subtle aromas throughout the space. Learning that Three 1 One was originally a one-bedroom apartment made the experience even more meaningful. The evening reminded me of a trip to Phu Quoc, Vietnam, where local islanders welcomed my fiancé and eight friends into their home to share a meal prepared from that day's catch. Coincidentally, there were ten guests gathered around the counter at Three 1 One, just as there had been ten of us in Vietnam. In both places, strangers came together over exceptional food and genuine hospitality. That feeling stayed with me throughout the evening. My fiancé and I celebrated our 11th anniversary here as we began exploring Michelin-starred restaurants together. After traveling throughout North and South Vietnam, where his family is from, we returned with a renewed appreciation for food and the stories it tells. We were excited to discover such a thoughtful Michelin-starred restaurant so close to home. The 19-course omakase felt like a journey. The opening truffle sea bream with mizuna and sudachi sauce awakened the palate with bright citrus and earthy richness. The Kegani Hokkaido hairy crab with dashi jelly and tomato dashi mousse became my fiancé's favorite. Once mixed together, it was creamy, savory, delicate, and refreshing. His reaction said it all: "Wow." The tako (octopus) with house-made sweet soy sauce highlighted the natural flavor of the seafood beautifully, while the Tokobushi somen with abalone, wheat noodles, yam, okra, and cold dashi became one of my favorite courses. It was refined yet bold, layered with umami, and unexpectedly reminded me of the haenyeo women of Jeju Island, whose tradition of free-diving for seafood gave me an even greater appreciation for the ingredients. Another standout was the Amadai Uroko Yaki (crispy-scale tilefish). The contrast between the crisp scales and tender fish created a texture I'd never experienced before. Along with the abalone course, it was one of the highlights of the evening. The Aji horse mackerel with ginger, chives, sesame, and nori provided a refreshing transition before the sushi. The sushi alone deserves its own review. Every piece reflected remarkable craftsmanship and precision. Watching Chef Wei prepare each bite was part of the experience itself. The rice was beautifully seasoned, and every ingredient felt balanced. My favorite piece was the uni (sea urchin). It was incredibly smooth, rich, and almost buttery. My second favorite was the Hokkaido hotate (scallop), with its delicate smokiness, sweetness, and juicy texture that left me wanting another bite immediately. We also tried selections from the additional menu, along with a pear-toned sake that paired beautifully with the meal. More than anything, what stayed with me wasn't just the food, but the feeling of the evening. It was an experience built around craftsmanship, hospitality, culture, and sharing a meal with others. Thank you to Chef Wei, Carrie, and the entire team for making our 11th anniversary unforgettable and for giving us such a memorable first Michelin-star dining experience. We look forward to returning.

Best sushi I've had in a long time--and I try a lot of sushi restaurants!…read more Not only was everything delicious, but the seafood was incredibly fresh, especially the tuna, which is surprisingly hard to find this fresh. My dad was as a tuna fisherman when I was growing up, so I'm extra picky when it comes to tuna, and this absolutely exceeded my expectations. The staff was incredibly friendly and fun to chat with. I sat at the bar, the service was quick, and everyone made me feel welcome. It was the perfect meal after a long day of walking around the city. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in Boston!

Two of my kids thought this was the best restaurant of our weeklong trip. I thought it was good,…read morebut the sushi was pretty standard. Don't get me wrong - the quality was good. But didn't stand out. Nice dining room. Good drinks. Favorite part by far was the crispy rice appetizer.

From the gorgeous atmosphere, to the amazing food, and the best service I've ever had during a…read morerestaurant experience. This place surprised me in many ways. The food left me speechless. I'll definitely come back for the Duck Risotto, and A5 Wagyu with the best fries I've had in Boston.

Labubu dolls overhead. Why? I'm not sure. But it adds character…read more Food: We worked our way through an embarrassment of handrolls--duck foie gras, A5 Miyazaki wagyu tenderloin, miso butter cod, spicy scallops--each one a small, precise argument for why these two culinary traditions (Japanese-French) belong together. The toro and foie gras was exactly what they should be: quietly devastating. But surprisingly the dish that stopped the world for me was the duck risotto. Rich, deeply savory, the kind of thing that makes you go quiet mid-bite. I will be back for it. Probably soon. I'm mentally drooling already just thinking about it. Drinks: The wintermelon milk punch clarified cocktail is worth ordering on concept alone and then delivers on execution too. A Sancerre alongside the handrolls? Correct decision, no notes. Service was warm and attentive without hovering. The atmosphere is genuinely inviting. And then there are the Labubu dolls. Rows of them. Overhead. Staring. I have no idea what they're doing there and I respect that no one felt the need to explain it. It works, somehow, in the way that only truly confident restaurants can get away with inexplicable décor choices. One soft critique: the dessert menu felt sparse with a single macaron service. For a kitchen operating at this level, that feels like an unfinished sentence. A meal this considered deserves a proper ending. But make no mistake: Mai is exceptional. The Labubu dolls are watching, and they agree.