Ramen is a staple in every college student’s life. With no time in between classes and increasing amounts of sleep debt, we resort to instant ramen for a quick, cheap meal.
And yet sometimes we long for more than a styrofoam Cup O’ Noodles, but have neither the time nor the resources for a healthier, arguably yummier option. Lucky for us hungry Bostonians, the city has upgraded its ramen potential over the past few years. Here are our favorites:
1. Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
Photo courtesy of Renee Chiu
This Japanese chain has locations all over the world and Boston is lucky to have one right in Harvard Square. They have a simple menu with various flavors of ramen and toppings. Personally, I always go for the tonkotsu shio ramen (a pork based, mildly salty broth) topped with a soft boiled egg. If you really want to treat yourself, get the bara toro cha-shu (braised pork cheek and belly) that melts in your mouth. With such beautiful presentation, Santouka’s ramen is more than worthy of that next instagram post.
2. Sapporo Ramen
Photo courtesy of yelp.com
This small restaurant is easily accessible from the Porter Square T stop on the Red Line. Sapporo is a fan favorite, so don’t be surprised if you have to wait in line for one of their few tables. But believe me, when you finally take a sip of the thick ramen broth infused with intense chicken and vegetable flavor, it’ll all be worth it.
3. Ganko Ittetsu Ramen
Photo courtesy of yelp.com
Located in Brookline, Ganko Ittetsu offers a limited menu with three types of ramen: shoyu (soy sauce broth), tan-tan (spicy sesame sauce), and miso. If you want to spice things up, you can also choose from a variety of toppings to go over your bowl of noodles. Make sure to include the 5 minute egg – a soft-boiled egg with a molten yolk that’s perfect to put over any bowl of ramen you choose.
4. Pikaichi
Photo courtesy of yelp.com
This small restaurant is located in Allston and a variety of flavorful bowls of ramen. While waiting for a seat, make sure to walk around the nearby food court and Super 88 Supermarket (the bubble tea there is to die for). Though most people come here for a rich broth and thick, chewy noodles, Pikaichi also offers curry and rice bowls that are equally as delicious.
5. Yume Wo Katare
Photo courtesy of yelp.com
Yume Wo Katare is a place you must go to at least once in your life. Located in Porter Square, this restaurant will give you the richest, fattiest, most flavorful bowl of ramen you will ever eat. The line is usually pretty long and they do not have a regular hours, but once you take that first bite of ramen, you will understand why Yume Wo Katare is so well loved.