Ramen in
Boston.

The essential list

5 bowls worth the journey.

1. 01

   Illustrated

   Yume Wo Katare

   Order: Jiro-style pork ramen

   Yume Wo Katare made ramen a participatory Porter Square ritual: diners finish a huge bowl and are invited to share a dream with the room. Its porky, garlicky Jiro-style ramen helped shape Boston's modern ramen scene.

   Order this

   Jiro-style pork ramen

   Why it matters

   Yume Wo Katare made ramen a participatory Porter Square ritual: diners finish a huge bowl and are invited to share a dream with the room. Its porky, garlicky Jiro-style ramen helped shape Boston's modern ramen scene.

   Before you go: Bring cash, arrive hungry and be ready for a substantial bowl and a first-come line.

   Read the full story Open in Google Maps
2. 02

   Illustrated

   Tsurumen Davis

   Order: The house shoyu ramen or current paitan special

   Chef-owner Tsukasa Onishi opened Tsurumen Davis with a goal of making the best ramen he could within 1,000 operating days. He later continued the project in Davis Square, making the restaurant's finite-day concept part of its story.

   Order this

   The house shoyu ramen or current paitan special

   Why it matters

   Chef-owner Tsukasa Onishi opened Tsurumen Davis with a goal of making the best ramen he could within 1,000 operating days. He later continued the project in Davis Square, making the restaurant's finite-day concept part of its story.

   Before you go: The shop does not take reservations; check its current service status and arrive with your full party.

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3. 03

   Illustrated

   Santouka Harvard Square

   Order: Shio ramen with toroniku pork cheek

   The Harvard Square branch brought Hokkaido chain Santouka's milky, long-simmered broth to Cambridge. Its salt ramen and tender pork-cheek side offer a quieter alternative to the oversized Jiro-style bowls nearby.

   Order this

   Shio ramen with toroniku pork cheek

   Why it matters

   The Harvard Square branch brought Hokkaido chain Santouka's milky, long-simmered broth to Cambridge. Its salt ramen and tender pork-cheek side offer a quieter alternative to the oversized Jiro-style bowls nearby.

   Before you go: Ask whether toroniku is available and check the Harvard Square branch hours before crossing town.

   Read the full story Open in Google Maps
4. 04

   Illustrated

   Ganko Ittetsu Ramen

   Order: Gankara spicy miso or the house Sapporo miso ramen

   Ganko Ittetsu draws on Sapporo ramen, pairing miso-based broth with noodles made for the style. Its small Coolidge Corner shop helped bring a distinctly northern Japanese bowl into Boston's ramen conversation.

   Order this

   Gankara spicy miso or the house Sapporo miso ramen

   Why it matters

   Ganko Ittetsu draws on Sapporo ramen, pairing miso-based broth with noodles made for the style. Its small Coolidge Corner shop helped bring a distinctly northern Japanese bowl into Boston's ramen conversation.

   Before you go: Choose gankara if you want chile heat, or standard miso for the clearest Sapporo-style introduction.

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5. 05

   Illustrated

   Sapporo Ramen Cambridge

   Order: Spicy miso ramen

   Sapporo Ramen gives Cambridge a direct connection to Hokkaido's miso tradition, with hearty broth designed for cold New England weather. The focused regional style is its reason to sit alongside Boston's newer independent counters.

   Order this

   Spicy miso ramen

   Why it matters

   Sapporo Ramen gives Cambridge a direct connection to Hokkaido's miso tradition, with hearty broth designed for cold New England weather. The focused regional style is its reason to sit alongside Boston's newer independent counters.

   Before you go: Start with the spicy miso if available and confirm the current Cambridge address and hours.

   Read the full story Open in Google Maps