Looking for the best ramen in Boston? After a recent trip to Japan, I made it my goal to try every single ramen in and around Boston. I accomplished my mission this past March — these are my 11 top picks!
This best ramen Boston list includes authentic, Japanese-owned ramen shops as well as creative spins on ramen. A few spots on the list are in surrounding Boston cities like Brookline, Cambridge, and Somerville.
In case anyone is new to Japanese cuisine, I included a helpful ramen-ordering guide at the end of the article.
Last Updated: January 9th, 2024
The Best Ramen in Boston: 11 Spots
Isshindo Ramen
First on the best ramen in Boston list is Isshindo in Allston. It’s a small, unassuming ramen restaurant inside the Super 88 Supermarket.
Isshindo’s ramen flavors include tonkotsu, spicy tonkotsu, miso, shio, etc. They even have a tomato-veggie broth for the vegetarians out there.
Their signature ramen is the Isshindo ramen. It has a tonkotsu broth with scallions, wood-ear mushrooms, bean sprouts, soy egg, seaweed, and three slices of chashu pork. The rich pork broth is silky and creamy. The chashu is tender and melt-in-your-mouth fatty.
I also love their chicken karaage starter! It’s a plate of juicy, deep-fried boneless chicken. The chicken is marinated in a mix of soy sauce, ginger, and sake for an intense flavor. They deep-fry the chicken with the skin on for an extra crunch.
1 Brighton Ave, Boston, MA 02134 / isshindoramen.com
Sapporo (Previously Migaku)
Sapporo is a quaint ramen restaurant in Brookline Village. It’s the only restaurant on this best ramen in Boston list specializing in champon, or seafood ramen. They have a chicken and pork broth filled with a selection of meat, vegetables, and seafood.
My favorite dish at Sapporo is the Sukiyaki Beef Yakituba Ramen. This ramen noodle soup has tender beef slices, Yu-Choy greens, bean sprouts, and scallions. The beef is slightly sweet from the sukiyaki sauce. I really like that the broth is flavorful without being overly salty!
Sapporo also sells some Japanese non-ramen dishes like Gyu-Don and Curry Don. The Gyu-Don is simple yet delicious. It includes sukiyaki beef and onions over rice.
238 Washington St, Brookline, MA 02445
Ganko Ittetsu
Also located in Brookline, Ganko Ittetsu is a cult favorite among Bostonians. They specialize in Sapporo-style ramen. The restaurant is located inside an arcade and has very limited seating. I recommend going during off-peak hours because this place is always busy.
I love garlic, so I always order the Gantetsu Shoyu. It’s my favorite ramen here. It comes with a unique, caramelized shoyu broth filled with diced onions, beansprouts, scallions, charshu pork, and crunchy garlic. The fried garlic adds a satisfying crispy texture and enhanced flavor.
I also enjoy their chicken karaage. It’s a soy-marinated, deep-fried dark chicken thigh. The chicken is crispy on the outside and juicy and meaty on the inside. You even have the option for an extra crispy version! The appetizer comes with your choice of dipping sauce – garlic ponzu, Thai curry remoulade, and Korean chili sauce. Their top sauce is Thai curry remoulade.
318 Harvard St #3, Brookline, MA 02446 / gankoramen.com
Check out my top 15+ Boston Japanese Restaurants for more Japanese cuisine!
Tsurumen
Tsurumen is an independent Davis Square shop that specializes in Osaka-style ramen. They started in 2005 with the hope of perfecting a ramen recipe in 1000 days. Compared to the other ramen shops around Boston, Tsurumen is possibly the most authentic. The very small menu includes five ramen flavors reminiscent of what you’ll find in Japan.
Their signature ramen is the Pork Shoyu Special Ramen ($18). It has a light pork broth with pork fat and shoyu tare. The broth is very simple compared to other ramen shops. There’s virtually no salt taste — just the taste of soy sauce. On top are tender sliced pork shoulder cha shu, bamboo shoots, Narutomaki fishcake, and scallions.
For ramen with a kick, get the Spicy Tan Tan ramen. The homemade noodles are thinner than the other ramen. It has a spicy tare chicken broth and the noodles are topped with seasoned ground pork, onsen egg, bok choy, and chili oil.
The restaurant is counter-service but has plenty of bar stools and table seating. I like sitting at the counter to watch the ramen-making process up close!
420 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02144 / tsurumendavis.com
Tora Ramen
Tora is a tiny corner ramen shop located in the heart of Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood.
I’ve tried a variety of their food, and I like the spicy miso ramen most. The ramen comes with wavy yellow noodles, two thick-cut slices of torched pork belly, egg, corn, and scallions in a buttery spicy miso broth. The noodles are chewy and absorb the broth well. The slice of butter adds extra creaminess and flavor to the broth. The pork slices are thick and fatty. Altogether, it’s a hearty and comforting ramen.
I also HIGHLY recommend the kuro karaage appetizer. Boneless chicken is fried in a black garlic coating for a “burnt” look. It’s extremely crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Note: It’s cash only!
99 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111 / toraboston.com
Further Reading: Check out my Foodie Boston Bucket List for a full directory of Boston’s best restaurants!
Bosso Ramen Tavern
A much lesser-known Boston ramen shop is Bosso, a modern Japanese izakaya. This restaurant puts creative spins on classic ramen.
Their umami ramen comes with black garlic oil, two thin slices of pork, wood-eared mushrooms, half an egg, and green onions. The noodles have a lovely bouncy and chewy texture that absorbs the broth well.
I’m not vegan, but I absolutely love their vegan ramen. The broth is extremely creamy. The cashews and walnuts add a crunchy texture and nutty taste!
Besides ramen, the restaurant has fun Asian fusion dishes and sushi. Must-tries include the edamame shiromisu hummus, umami chicken karaage, and smoked salmon potesala. The dishes are small, so get at least two if you want to fill up.
Bosso’s interior is modern and sleek. The great dishes and fun atmosphere would make this restaurant the perfect Boston date night spot.
24 Holyoke St, Cambridge, MA 02138 / bossoramentavern.com
Further Reading: Best 21 Vegan Restaurants in Boston
Soup Shack
Soup Shack is a local Asian noodle chain with locations in Brookline, Jamaica Plain in Boston, and Porter Square in Cambridge. Their menu has an eclectic mix of pan-Asian dishes like pho, ramen, Thai curry noodles, and rice bowls.
Admittedly, I was skeptical of Soup Shack since the restaurant doesn’t specialize in Japanese cuisine. I still gave it a try and was pleasantly surprised! My go-to ramen here is the original tonkotsu.
I’ve also tried their Chicken Katsu Curry rice bowl. The rice bowl has comforting Japanese curry, fried chicken, and cabbage. Rather than spicy, the curry is subtly sweet with a rich umami taste. The fried chicken is juicy on the inside, and the panko breading is crispy and well-seasoned.
Multiple locations / soupshacknoodles.com
Yume Wo Katare
Yume is an ideal ramen option for anyone who likes fatty and flavor-packed noodle soups. The soup base is heavy from the oily pork fat, which makes it so tasty.
They only have one ramen (excluding occasional specials). It comes with a garlicky pork broth, handmade ramen noodles, beansprouts, and thick cuts of pork. They’ll also ask if you want a handful of crunchy fried garlic on top (the answer is always yes).
The noodles here are my favorite out of every place on this best ramen Boston list. It’s thick and chewy.
The atmosphere is just as great as the food. Yume is a “Dream Workshop”, where customers are free to share their hopes and dreams with everyone in the restaurant. It’s a unique and inspiring concept. More details can be found in this YouTube video:
1923 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140
Santouka Ramen
Santouka is one of the more famous spots on this best ramen in Boston list. The Japan-based ramen chain has locations in Back Bay, Allston, and Cambridge’s Harvard Square. If you like salty ramen and large portions, Santouka is the perfect choice for you.
Their simple menu includes kara spicy, shio, shoyu, and vegetarian ramen flavors. Each bowl comes with bamboo shoots, wood-ear mushrooms, scallions, and two fatty slices of pork. I typically order miso ramen or spicy miso ramen. The miso ramen has a hint of bonito dashi for an umami flavor. The spicy miso has an intense, peppery kick.
Each ramen comes with a generous serving of wavy yellow ramen noodles. I can never finish it all!
Multiple locations / santouka-usa.com
Waku Waku
Last on the best ramen in Boston list is Waku Waku in the heart of Chinatown (and more locations now in Harvard Square and Waltham). Their ramen broths are slow-simmered for 18 hours.
A solid option for first-time visitors is the signature ramen. It has a spicy sesame pork broth with a side of fried chicken cutlet. Another top seller is the tonkotsu ramen. It has a black garlic-flavored pork broth.
2 Tyler St, Boston, MA 02111 / wakuwakuramen.com
Honorable Mentions: The Best Ramen in Boston
Pikaichi –> Although Pikaichi is a bit far out in Medford for a best ramen in Boston guide, it’s worth a mention. The spicy miso ramen comes with slices of thin-cut fatty pork and veggies. The broth isn’t too spicy, and is rich without being too oily and fatty.
Red White –> Newbury noodle shop that specializes in fully vegan ramen. This is undoubtedly the best vegetarian ramen in Boston.
Momosan –> Located inside Boston’s Hub Hall food market, Momosan Morimoto is a casual ramen-sushi spot created by Iron Chef Morimoto. They serve classic ramen offerings like tonkotsu, tsukemen, and tan tan. They also have less traditional flavors like spicy vegan miso and brothless spicy dan dan (moreso a Chinese dish).
Best Ramen in Boston Ordering Guide
There are many different types of ramen broths, so use this guide to better understand the menu.
Tonkotsu ramen –> pork bone broth
Miso ramen –> miso broth with chicken stock, veggies, and ground pork
Shio ramen –> a light, clear ramen broth with salt
Shoyu ramen –> soy sauce-based ramen
Chashu pork –> tender pork belly
Tsukemen –> dipping noodles with broth in a separate bowl.
Wrap-Up: Best Ramen in Boston
That wraps up my best ramen in Boston guide! Hopefully, this list helped you find your new favorite ramen shop!
Once you’ve filled up on Boston best ramen spots, try out more of the city’s best food:
- Best Chinese Food in Boston
- 17+ Fun Boston Restaurants
- Boston’s Best Thai Food
- Best 9 Tacos in Boston
- Boston’s Best Southern Food
- Best Breakfast in Boston: 27 Local Favorites
Or, explore Boston in other ways:
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