Bosso Ramen Tavern
Izakaya restaurant · Cambridge ·
Japanese izakaya serving unique ramen, sushi, sake & small plates
Japanese izakaya serving unique ramen, sushi, sake & small plates
"I've seen Bosso Ramen Tavern quietly testing the waters in Harvard Square and preparing for a grand opening (planned for March 26, 2022). Inspired by the ocean, Bosso highlights ramen in its name but is not a casual ramen shop; it's presented as a full-service izakaya intended for dates and gatherings, with an extensive menu of options beyond ramen, according to owner Yasu Sasago." - Eater Staff
"Opened in March 2022, this new ramen shop hopes to carve a niche for itself in the already-crowded Harvard Square ramen scene with its innovative and unconventional ramen inspired by an ocean town in Japan. It offers a great selection of bowls and izakaya-style small plates that “you have not seen anywhere,” proclaims owner Yasu Sasago. For a good value, don’t miss out on the lunch specials." - Nathan Tavares
"A Japanese izakaya inspired by the sea serving unique ramen bowls, sushi, and other seafood-forward small plates alongside a sake selection; the concept blends tavern-style conviviality with chef-driven ramen and seafood preparations." - Rachel Leah Blumenthal
"Tucked in Harvard Square at 24 Holyoke Street, Cambridge, I found Bosso Ramen Tavern to be a full-service izakaya inspired by Japan’s Boso region and the ocean, more of a spot for dates and gatherings than a casual ramen shop. Owner Yasu Sasago recommends beginning by sharing tsumami—on the opening menu that includes ume fried gyoza, squid isobe tempura, edamame shiromiso hummus, and scallop carpaccio—followed by the “blessings of the ocean,” a variety of sushi and sakana such as kikumasamune steamed clams, with a few vegan sushi selections and playful creations like sushi topped with takoyaki balls. For larger plates there are okazu such as a blue cheese pork cutlet, and Sasago says their authentic ramen is the best choice to close: the main lineup uses a tonkotsu pork broth made with chicken bones as a “double soup” to heighten umami, while other bowls deviate from that base—sanmi (sour) ramen includes cherry tomatoes, charshu pork, arugula, cheese, and green shiso oil; mantaiko ramen is served without broth and tossed with cod roe; and negitoro ramen features ground tuna—offering ramen varieties I hadn’t seen before. The menu is built for relaxed, izakaya-style dining with sake and wine (Sasago notes many brewers make sake by the sea that pairs tremendously well with fresh fish). Sasago’s surf-influenced childhood in the Boso region, training at a ramen school, cooking ramen for classmates at Harvard Business School, and volunteering at the acclaimed Yume Wo Katare in Cambridge inform the restaurant’s focus on regional, ocean-inspired cuisine. Bosso celebrated its grand opening on March 26, 2022, and initially planned to be open six days a week (closed Tuesdays) from 5 to 9 p.m." - Rachel Leah Blumenthal
"I’ll find an izakaya inspired by the ocean and Japan’s Boso region offering unique ramen, sushi (including vegan options), sake, and more; it quietly opened in late winter and celebrates a grand opening at the start of spring." - Rachel Leah Blumenthal
