Best Ramen in Boston (Late 2016/Early 2017 Edition)

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Best Ramen in Boston (Late 2016/Early 2017 Edition)

Post by JeffersonLeeEng »

Back in 2015, there was thread going about the best restaurants that served ramen in the city of Boston (or at least within a decent proximity to the Hynes). Not wanting to resurrect an ancient and more or less defunct thread from about a year and a half ago, I figure I'd instigate some sort of discussion on good places to get a nice bowl of ramen. So, to kick off the discussion for possible ideas, here's a list published back in 2015...

https://www.timeout.com/boston/restaura ... -in-boston
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Re: Best Ramen in Boston (Late 2016/Early 2017 Edition)

Post by Old_School_Anime_Lover02 »

i know this goes with out saying so, but I had my cosplay dinner night (on Saturday) at Wagumama and it was so good i had to take my father back and we both loved it...

I know you either love or hate it, but that's my go to stop when ever i want Japanese food in the Pru mall...
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Re: Best Ramen in Boston (Late 2016/Early 2017 Edition)

Post by MomoMiraculous »

The only problem with Wagamama is how incredibly crowded it gets since it's right there in the Pru.
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Re: Best Ramen in Boston (Late 2016/Early 2017 Edition)

Post by Aurabolt »

...I honestly never got the hate Wagamama got from Congoers on a budget. Like it or not, they DO serve authentic ramen.

Yeah there's a line out the door during the day. Wanna know the best times to go to Wagammama during AB weekend?

Friday: During Opening Ceremony (only if you're not interested in going) there's not much of a crowd since the majority of the congoers are in the Hynes at opening ceremony. The obvious trade-off is you miss it yourself.

Saturday: After 8PM. By this point most Congoers are tied up with a contest, guest/industry panel or a concert. I commute from home each day. I drop by Wagamama before I go into the Hynes. No waiting to be seated ^_^

Sunday: During Closing Ceremony (only if you're not interested in going) or afrer 6PM most congoers from the first two days are either on their way home or in the Hynes for Closing Ceremonies. The obvious trade-off is you miss it yourself. Also take note: You will not be let back into the Hynes after Closing Ceremonies.

...Or you can just order take out if you don't want to stay. That's usually what I do during peak times.
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Re: Best Ramen in Boston (Late 2016/Early 2017 Edition)

Post by Old_School_Anime_Lover02 »

we didn't have to wait that long for a table maybe an hour or so....and for late night eating in boston i don't think that's to tarrable if you ask me there was 15 of us and for a hour (or so) wait it was pretty good food...i even took my dad back when we went in the summer time to the Marriott
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Re: Best Ramen in Boston (Late 2016/Early 2017 Edition)

Post by Aurabolt »

I typically eat alone when I dine there. Outside AB weekend I'm seated immediately.

No complaints about the food at all. They're very professional and are sensitive to dietary restrictions as well when mentioned.
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Re: Best Ramen in Boston (Late 2016/Early 2017 Edition)

Post by Old_School_Anime_Lover02 »

Aurabolt wrote: Fri Feb 24, 2017 11:49 pm I typically eat alone when I dine there. Outside AB weekend I'm seated immediately.

No complaints about the food at all. They're very professional and are sensitive to dietary restrictions as well when mentioned.
i ate there again in the summer, it was a bit slower tbh but then again we went at actual dinner time....i like it because we could all just pay our own way and not have to split the table in half...back home that's something we'd have to do for a party of the size i had...it wouldn't have been very practical to do so....which was why i may go back to wagumama with my other dinner on Saturday night....
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Re: Best Ramen in Boston (Late 2016/Early 2017 Edition)

Post by PandaCath »

Santouka Ramen used to be only in Harvard Square in Cambridge, but has expanded to Back Bay! I think it's actually very close to the Hynes as well!

https://www.yelp.com/biz/santouka-back-bay-boston-2
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Re: Best Ramen in Boston (Late 2016/Early 2017 Edition)

Post by Anna-neko »

PandaCath wrote: Mon Feb 27, 2017 5:36 pm Santouka Ramen used to be only in Harvard Square in Cambridge, but has expanded to Back Bay! I think it's actually very close to the Hynes as well!

https://www.yelp.com/biz/santouka-back-bay-boston-2
They're in the space that used to be Mentei ramen shop! So everyone should be very much familiar with the location, right across from the Hynes near the firehouse
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Re: Best Ramen in Boston (Late 2016/Early 2017 Edition)

Post by Old_School_Anime_Lover02 »

AnnaNeko wrote: Tue Feb 28, 2017 10:54 pm
PandaCath wrote: Mon Feb 27, 2017 5:36 pm Santouka Ramen used to be only in Harvard Square in Cambridge, but has expanded to Back Bay! I think it's actually very close to the Hynes as well!

https://www.yelp.com/biz/santouka-back-bay-boston-2
They're in the space that used to be Mentei ramen shop! So everyone should be very much familiar with the location, right across from the Hynes near the firehouse
it looks like a triditional roman house right? all you have to do is go down a little ali way when you go out side, and take a right, right? I remember that!
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Re: Best Ramen in Boston (Late 2016/Early 2017 Edition)

Post by Ral-Be »

Dumpling Daughter - undoubtly the best Ramen which I've ever tried in my life.
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Re: Best Ramen in Boston (Late 2016/Early 2017 Edition)

Post by Old_School_Anime_Lover02 »

Ral-Be wrote: Wed Mar 22, 2017 4:02 pm Dumpling Daughter - undoubtly the best Ramen which I've ever tried in my life.
that sounds amazing where is this place?
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Re: Best Ramen in Boston (Late 2016/Early 2017 Edition)

Post by Anna-neko »

Ral-Be wrote: Wed Mar 22, 2017 4:02 pm Dumpling Daughter - undoubtly the best Ramen which I've ever tried in my life.
we are not goin all the way to Weston!! name something closer to con

... PS: how does one get to Weston w/out a car anyway? I dunno bus routes
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Re: Best Ramen in Boston (Late 2016/Early 2017 Edition)

Post by Fetch »

AnnaNeko wrote: Thu Mar 23, 2017 2:35 am
Ral-Be wrote: Wed Mar 22, 2017 4:02 pm Dumpling Daughter - undoubtly the best Ramen which I've ever tried in my life.
we are not goin all the way to Weston!! name something closer to con

... PS: how does one get to Weston w/out a car anyway? I dunno bus routes
I just checked in Google Maps and on the MBTA site for trying to get to Dumpling Daughter. Apparently, due to the nearest station being over 1.25 miles away, they cannot calculate it.
To get to Dumpling Daughter using public transit, you'd need to take the Fitchburg commuter rail from North Station to Kendal Green Station and then walk 1.4 miles.

Yeah, that is a bit too far out of the way for food during AB.
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Re: Best Ramen in Boston (Late 2016/Early 2017 Edition)

Post by Reolkiku »

Hello there, as a native Boston resident I can say there is many enjoyable ramen places, whether closeby or a little far, they are places I have enjoyed a lot.

Pikaichi Ramen, 1 Brighton Ave, (Inside of Super88 market): 2.3 miles away, From convention center, 10 minutes by car, 42 by walking.
Some of the best ramen I have had. Pretty cheap too, with bowls being all under $10. They also offer ways you can customize what you get, like adding in extra noodles or extra vegetables/meat. The broth comes in 6 different styles, and they also offer Katsu and side dishes like Takoyaki and Shumai. The only downside is that the space is really small, meaning the wait times might be hard depending on what time and what day you go.

Yume Wo Katare, Porter Square Shopping center, 1923 Massachusetts Ave 4.5 Miles away, 21 minutes by car, 76 minutes by walking
Great ramen, it is a simple joint with simple choosing. Prices also are pretty cheap, but the distance away might be a bad walk.

Like what one person said, there's also Wagamama, but the one inside of Prudential Shopping Center gets crowded quickly. There is another Wagamama, in Faneuil Hall.

Totto ramen, 169 Brighton Ave: 2.7 miles away, 13 mins by car, 50 by walking.
This is a good alternative if you go to Pikaichi and Pikaichi is crowded. Although this place is small, it is similar to Pikaichi and has some good ramen too.

Hopefully this helps out :D
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Re: Best Ramen in Boston (Late 2016/Early 2017 Edition)

Post by Fetch »

Reolkiku wrote: Thu Mar 23, 2017 4:39 pm Hello there, as a native Boston resident I can say there is many enjoyable ramen places, whether closeby or a little far, they are places I have enjoyed a lot.

Pikaichi Ramen, 1 Brighton Ave, (Inside of Super88 market): 2.3 miles away, From convention center, 10 minutes by car, 42 by walking.
Some of the best ramen I have had. Pretty cheap too, with bowls being all under $10. They also offer ways you can customize what you get, like adding in extra noodles or extra vegetables/meat. The broth comes in 6 different styles, and they also offer Katsu and side dishes like Takoyaki and Shumai. The only downside is that the space is really small, meaning the wait times might be hard depending on what time and what day you go.

Yume Wo Katare, Porter Square Shopping center, 1923 Massachusetts Ave 4.5 Miles away, 21 minutes by car, 76 minutes by walking
Great ramen, it is a simple joint with simple choosing. Prices also are pretty cheap, but the distance away might be a bad walk.

Like what one person said, there's also Wagamama, but the one inside of Prudential Shopping Center gets crowded quickly. There is another Wagamama, in Faneuil Hall.

Totto ramen, 169 Brighton Ave: 2.7 miles away, 13 mins by car, 50 by walking.
This is a good alternative if you go to Pikaichi and Pikaichi is crowded. Although this place is small, it is similar to Pikaichi and has some good ramen too.

Hopefully this helps out :D
Here are the T stations near them:
Pikaichi Ramen: Packards Corner (Green-B line) or bus 57
Yume Wo Katare: Porter station (Red line)
Totto Ramen: Harvard Ave (Green-B line) or bus 57

To check for possible problems on the T, visit http://mbta.com/
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Re: Best Ramen in Boston (Late 2016/Early 2017 Edition)

Post by Aurabolt »

Nicely done, Fetch =O

As an aside, you can actually make your own Ramen with and without access to an Asian Supermarket like Super 88.

With access to one, you can get everything you need with assistence from an employee. Prep time is very simple. You can buy broth and stock if you want to cheat a little as well. Without access to one, you can buy substitutes. For example Linguine or Angel Hair Pasta will make a decient substutude for ramen or soba noodles.

This is further off topic but last year I attended a cool panel on how to make a Bento Lunchbox using both Asian and Western ingredients. Would be cool if it came back this year ^_^
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Re: Best Ramen in Boston (Late 2016/Early 2017 Edition)

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Reolkiku wrote: Thu Mar 23, 2017 4:39 pm Yume Wo Katare, Porter Square Shopping center, 1923 Massachusetts Ave 4.5 Miles away, 21 minutes by car, 76 minutes by walking
Great ramen, it is a simple joint with simple choosing. Prices also are pretty cheap, but the distance away might be a bad walk.
Hopefully this helps out :D
Keep in mind that Yume Wo Katare is cash only. The lines are pretty long on weekend nights since the place is so tiny.

Santouka is my personal pick for great ramen. Theirs is Hokkaido style, so the broth is very hearty in comparison to some other ramen joints. They have some really good takoyaki too if anyone's ever been curious to try takoyaki for the first time. I'll also mention that they take cards (this is a major plus for me.)
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Re: Best Ramen in Boston (Late 2016/Early 2017 Edition)

Post by Old_School_Anime_Lover02 »

NanoZero wrote: Sat Mar 25, 2017 3:48 pm
Reolkiku wrote: Thu Mar 23, 2017 4:39 pm Yume Wo Katare, Porter Square Shopping center, 1923 Massachusetts Ave 4.5 Miles away, 21 minutes by car, 76 minutes by walking
Great ramen, it is a simple joint with simple choosing. Prices also are pretty cheap, but the distance away might be a bad walk.
Hopefully this helps out :D
Keep in mind that Yume Wo Katare is cash only. The lines are pretty long on weekend nights since the place is so tiny.

Santouka is my personal pick for great ramen. Theirs is Hokkaido style, so the broth is very hearty in comparison to some other ramen joints. They have some really good takoyaki too if anyone's ever been curious to try takoyaki for the first time. I'll also mention that they take cards (this is a major plus for me.)
is santouka easy to get to?
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Re: Best Ramen in Boston (Late 2016/Early 2017 Edition)

Post by Anna-neko »

Old_School_Anime_Lover02 wrote: Mon Mar 27, 2017 12:13 am is santouka easy to get to?
I've said it before, and say it again - it's in that lil shop space that used to be Mentei Ramen!
aka, if u exit from Hynes main entrance, cross Boylston and go down that lil side street next to the firehouse

so yes, easy to get thru, all of 2 minutes of walking
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Re: Best Ramen in Boston (Late 2016/Early 2017 Edition)

Post by Old_School_Anime_Lover02 »

AnnaNeko wrote: Mon Mar 27, 2017 12:30 am
Old_School_Anime_Lover02 wrote: Mon Mar 27, 2017 12:13 am is santouka easy to get to?
I've said it before, and say it again - it's in that lil shop space that used to be Mentei Ramen!
aka, if u exit from Hynes main entrance, cross Boylston and go down that lil side street next to the firehouse

so yes, easy to get thru, all of 2 minutes of walking
OHHHHHHHHHH ok we'll go to it on Thursday
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Re: Best Ramen in Boston (Late 2016/Early 2017 Edition)

Post by Aurabolt »

Looks like we have our Pre-Con Dinner plans set ^_^

I wonder if we can put in a reservation?
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