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!

As an Asian diner, I'm pretty picky when it comes to Asian restaurants. I always worry that…read moretraditional flavors will be toned down to appeal to a broader audience, so I walked into Yume Ga Arukara with a little hesitation. Those concerns disappeared almost immediately. Looking around the dining room, I noticed many of the customers were of Asian descent, which gave me confidence that I was in the right place. I grabbed a seat at the counter, and it ended up being the best seat in the house. Watching the cooks prepare each bowl from scratch was fascinating. They hand-cut the udon noodles, cooked every component to order, and assembled each bowl with incredible care. It felt like dinner and a show all in one. On a rainy Boston afternoon, the Spicy Hot Niku Udon with an onsen egg was exactly what I needed. The broth was deeply flavorful, with rich dried fish and beef notes that tasted comforting without being overwhelming. The thinly sliced beef was tender and perfectly cooked, while the freshly made udon noodles were the star of the bowl. They were silky, smooth, and wonderfully chewy. The tempura flakes added a satisfying salty crunch that contrasted nicely with the soft noodles. The star of the dish, onsen egg, stole the show. The white part had an almost custard-like texture and the yolk was rich and creamy, blending effortlessly into the broth to make every bite even more luxurious. My only suggestion would be to offer sliced jalapeños as an optional side garnish. As a Korean who grew up enjoying spicy foods, I found myself wanting just a little more heat. I understand that Japanese cuisine typically isn't as fiery, but having the option to add fresh jalapeños would have taken an already excellent bowl to the next level for my personal taste.

The ramen, century egg tofu and soybean milk were absolutely delicious…read more The service was excellent as well. Thanks to the ongoing World Cup matches, the restaurant got suddenly flooded with customers, yet the staff managed everything efficiently and kept everything running in perfect order. We left feeling fully refreshed and energized after the meal.

Zhi Wei Cafe was SO good The soup dumplings were easily my favorite and now I seriously need more…read moredumplings in my life after having them here The Lanzhou noodles were delicious too, but the beef pancake really surprised me. It's basically a crispy scallion pancake sandwich filled with beef, and it was ‍ Everything tasted fresh, flavorful, and comforting. There's definitely a reason this spot is Michelin recommended. Such a great little find in Boston and I'll absolutely be back for more dumplings!

Absolutely top-notch vegan ramen. Coming from Vancouver, BC, where we have a killer…read more(vegan-friendly) ramen scene, I am a tough customer for ramen when visiting elsewhere. But this place completely lives up. 6 different ramens, $17.95 for the regular bowls. I was recommended the red hot miso ramen, a spicy option. You order up at the counter, and they give you a buzzer that buzzes when your ramen is ready to grab at the counter. The ramen was ready in under 10 minutes. First, the broth was remarkably complex and rich, with an endless depth that never became too overbearing -- perfect. The noodles were perfectly cooked as well, served up in a decent portion. Toppings-wise, you get tofu, soy crumble, corn, arugula, and sprouts, along with plenty of sesame seeds. I would've liked some proper greens (other than a few raw arugula leafs), but that's the most minor of complaints. Service was decent enough -- informative and helpful in describing the options. All in all, top-notch vegan ramen. Highest recommendation.

I have been dreading writing this review, because as much as I wanted to love this place - I…read moreprobably had one of the worst eating experiences ever. Swung by this place on a weekday for lunch to avoid the rush - most weekends I pass by this place and the line wraps around the street! My friend and I stepped in and were immediately greeted with a sour attitude. We were confused on the menu whether our ramen included chili oil or not, and the staff did not help explain anything and just quickly dismissed our questions to get us to order quicker. Once we sat down, the food was done relatively quickly. However I was very surprised on what we had gotten. Now I admit - I am not a vegetarian. However, I have enjoyed many vegetarian meals and this was quite upsetting. We both got the garlic miso ramen. The ramen was not temperature hot at all. The chili oil was not flavorful. The "soy meat" was simply just mushed tofu with awful texture, and it soaked into the soup and created a pretty unpleasant texture (I took a picture which makes me sad and unappetized). I was unable to finish my bowl. The food combined with the service made for a pretty negative time for me. I really wanted to love it - a place with a full vegetarian menu is amazing for all my friends who have that restriction! Maybe if they tried pan frying the tofu create a better textural experience? I will not plan to come back, and will highly recommend you go to any other restaurant in Back Bay.

TLDR: Potentially…read moreone of my favorite Chinese restaurants in all of Massachusetts! Beautiful interior, centrally located, and delicious, high-quality food. Will definitely find a reason to come back here soon. ------ FOOD: 1. [MUST TRY] STIR-FRIED CABBAGE W/ PORK BELLY (5/5) Presentation was phenomenal (in a clay pot with its own burner underneath to keep it hot). The portion was much larger than expected, and most importantly, it tasted incredible. Generous amounts of pork in this, and the sauce was authentic and addicting. 2. SCALLION CHICKEN (5/5) Another great choice. This was a huge portion with lots of tender chicken, and the scallion was present without being overpowering. 3. CRISPY BEEF WITH FRIED DOUGH STICKS (5/5) I was expecting Chinese you tiao but these were actually the small, ultra crispy manhua twists! Paired with the beef, this was a large and unique dish that I loved. The crispiness of the mahua made this a textural delight to eat. 4. MANGO SAGO DESSERT (5/5) Big portion, wonderful assortment of toppings including grapefruit, mango, sago, and popping balls over a creamy dessert soup base. 5. PEKING DUCK (4/5) I think I'm a tough critic since I just came back from Beijing and had so much Peking duck there. We ordered the half portion here and it had a generous amount of meat for not being the full portion. There were an assortment of accompaniments, including pineapple (new to me) and sugar (like the Beijing style) which were welcome additions. The wrappers were steamed well and didn't curl up on the edges. Overall this was a solid Peking duck, but the meat wasn't as standout as I was hoping. 6. STEAMED PORK SOUP DUMPLING (4/5) Solid soup dumplings. Not the best I've ever had, but definitely hit the spot. 7. SAUTEED PEA SPROUTS (4/5) Another solid classic. 8. PORK MEATBALL IN CRAB MEAT SAUCE (4/5) This was the most unique thing we ordered. I've never had a shi zi tou meatball with crab meat sauce before. The meatball itself was large (maybe size of a tennis ball), tender, and fatty, as it should be. It was then drowned in a generous lake of traditional crab meat sauce. If you're not a fan of crab meat then this might be a bit too fishy for you, but honestly it all combined surprisingly well and I grew to like this dish more and more with each bite. I wasn't the biggest fan to start, but by the end I wouldn't have minded getting another one! ------ AMBIANCE / ENVIRONMENT: * The interior has the classic Asian style of decor, but you can tell it was recently built / renovated because everything felt new and fresh. * The ambiance also felt more new-school luxurious vs. the typical Asian establishments that are more no-frills with as many tables packed in as possible * You're still somewhat close to the tables around you, but it's not overwhelming during lunch time and we still felt like we had enough space regardless * There's a bar area at the front of the restaurant and then a large, spacious dining room in the back * This is a great place for a date or a meaningful family gathering * Right outside is Boston Common, making this restaurant very well-located for lunch before or after a nice day in the park. While there's lots of parking around the park, a spot itself can be hard to come by, so your best bet might be to use the nearby parking garage instead ------ SERVICE: * Overall the service was great and quick. They did forget our tea, but when we asked for it later they apologized profusely and were quick to bring it out for us * This place fills up quickly so be sure to come early if you don't have a reservation or if you're a big enough group, make a reservation for your desired dining time

We called at 8:30pm on Saturday to see what time their kitchen closed. They said around 9:30pm…read more We get there at 9:07pm and the hostess wouldn't seat us. I had to beg to sit at the bar since I knew I wanted the duck already. Duck was solid, not gamey. We felt so rushed and uncomfortable eating though. We couldn't order anything else besides the duck. :(

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

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

Looking for something different while visiting Boston. This place was withing walking distance of…read moreour lodging so gave it a shot. There was a small line of people waiting when we arrived, but the wait was not very long. The dining area is not huge, but the Staff hustles so it seems to turn over quick. Super friendly hostess/server who was non-stop energy and movement. She made it flow while still being personable. I have never had this type of food, so cannot base it on anything except it was delicious. I followed the instructions and added the rice at the end (nice top off). The Miso soup was good along with the Sushi roll. The Hostess gave us a new drink to try and we all enjoyed it. Definitely a great spot !!!

I've had my fair share of Japanese cuisine, but mazesoba isn't exactly in my usual lane. That's…read morewhat made my visit to Kenzoku Mazesoba in Fenway such a pleasant surprise. My first impression? Bright, modern, and incredibly welcoming. The space has an inviting energy, but what really stood out was the hostess. Since it was my first visit, she took the time to patiently explain the menu and made me feel completely at ease. Her recommendation of the Tan Tan turned out to be absolutely spot on. Loaded with spicy minced pork, minced garlic, onions, chives, sesame sauce, dried chili pepper, and a perfectly poached egg, this bowl was a beautiful marriage of flavor and texture. The savory minced pork stole the show, while the chewy hand-pulled noodles held onto every bit of that rich, nutty, spicy sauce. Just when I thought the experience was over, I learned the best part was still to come. After finishing the noodles, you're encouraged to ask for a bowl of rice and mix it into the remaining sauce. It transforms the leftovers into an entirely new dish, making sure not a single drop of flavor goes to waste. The entire meal felt like an adventure--one I genuinely didn't want to end. I've always considered myself a ramen guy, but this experience reminded me that it's worth stepping outside your comfort zone every now and then. Japanese cuisine really is the gift that keeps on giving, and I'm here for it!

This charming little restaurant a few steps down from the sidewalk is a lovely addition to the…read morerestaurant choices in the neighborhood. The decor is bright and cheerful and the room (and restrooms) sparkling clean. The service is quick, gracious and calm. And the food is delicious! I don't care to eat meat, so it was wonderful to have several selections of vegan and pescatarian dishes to choose from. My husband and I enjoyed the soups we chose and want to come back to try the cold noodle dishes.

Nothing beats a place where they have 12-year-old Asian kids from working. The service here can…read morerange from slow to normal considering that the place itself is not very big. The restaurant focuses mostly on soba or udon noodle dishes with a good selection between hot and cold options. It's not going to be the best udon or soba you've ever had. HOWEVER, I tried the cold ikura & uni cold soba and LOVED it. It's seasonal, so I tried that one out and was extremely surprised about how much I enjoyed the bowl. Not too much soup and the uni didn't completely obliterate when I stirred it up. They do use American wasabi though, and I found it superfluous to the dish and wished it was served on the side. But regardless, despite not having some extremely high quality noodles, the flavor and experience of the bowl itself was super pleasant. I ended up coming back the very next day because I wanted to try their clam soba. The clam soba only comes hot, which is a bit unfortunately because I actually think a cold clam soba with some lemon or yuzu would be phenomenol. I've been seeing recipes for it online so I've been wanting to try it, but their clam soba is a lot more standard and hot. They had a very good amount of clams in it, but I generally like their cold soba better. Still good, but didn't give me that feeling of needing to come back the very next day like I did with the ikura-uni combo. Overall, I'd still come back when I'm in downtown!

Gene's is slightly off the beaten path, but it's hard to say it is a hidden gem as word has been…read moreout now for many years that Gene's serves some terrific, authentic, Xi'an noodle dishes. While there are a few tables nestled into the cozy space, most customers opt for takeout. The quality of the plastic goods for takeout pales in comparison to the quality of the food though, so dining in vs. takeout is a bit of catch 22. I was craving the their spicy classic hand-pulled noodles today, and they were as good as I remembered. Chewy and fragrant, with enough potent garlic to ensure my coworkers would leave me alone for the afternoon. Ha! One thing that has changed is their prices. Their website is woefully out of date, as the noodles (no additions) are now $9.40 vs. the $6.87 listed on the website menu! Ordering through their website also tacks on a service fee, which is a bit annoying as ordering in the store usually comes with at least a 10 minute wait.

I brought my friends here this time, and the quality control seemed inconsistent…read more Cumin Lamb Hand-pulled Noodle孜然羊肉拌麵: The portion was really generous, especially the lamb--they were really lavish with it, and it was very fragrant. However, the noodles, soaked in the sauce, became a bit sticky, and they were too thick, as if they were just quickly stretched and cooked. Chilled Noodles涼皮: A weekend limited edition, icy cold, which was nice for summer. But the garlic flavor was too strong, extremely spicy, almost masking all the other seasonings. The presentation was just a box lid, which was a bit too perfunctory. Lamb Skewers羊肉串: Completely cold, and with an extremely strong gamey smell. I really don't understand how they dare to sell this?

No frills noodle place that serves up big portions for reasonable prices. I got a bowl of tomato…read morebased pork chop noodle for $13. The bowl kept the soup piping hot for a long time but I wish it had a stronger flavor. The skewers were $3 for an order of 2. The beef and enoki skewers were my favorite.

No frills Yunnan rice noodle shop in Chinatown. Menu lists a good amount of noodle soups with some…read morepictures but I kind of wish there was more description as to what was included in each bowl. For instance, I had gotten takeout from here before and ordered a tomato based soup with chunks of beef but the options on the menu said tomato beef and sirloin tomato. Based on that, I ordered beef this time but when I got my food, I realized I must have ordered sirloin previously (this time it was slices of beef). That being said, the food was great and came out quickly! Tomato broth wasn't sour or sweet. Noodles are added into the soup when the bowl is dropped off so they are still bouncy and not soggy. Good amount of ingredients included: beef, napa cabbage, ham, bean sprouts. You can also add additional ingredients for about $3 each (ex: enoki mushrooms, different meats, vegetables) Food is reasonably priced at around $15 a bowl. Super comforting and a perfect meal to have in the cold Boston winter. I will definitely be back again!

I loved this place. The decoration and environment was lovely, simple but homey. I got the Tai Pho,…read moreand the Cha-Shu Bao buns. All of the food was amazing! I also had the kindest server, she was very nice and attentive. Also, they have OAT MILK THAI ICED TEA. That's a very rare find!!

Love this spot! Food was incredible and worth the wait…read more Rotin Curry Dip- I could drink the dipping sauce it was that good. Edamame- too salty. Need to tone down the salt but still good Panang Curry- incredible and if I lived here it would be my go to dish.