Hokkaido Ramen Santouka Back Bay

Hokkaido style ramen in Boston on a 95 degree day? Why yes… please When you see a line of folks lined up willing to wait 10-15 mins in 90 plus heat in humidity for a bowl. You definitely will know this place is legit. It has all the flavor of that creamy mouth watering deliciousness for you. The noodles was just right of al dente in the broth. Nothing too salty with msg nor was it too oily to enjoy. We got their salt (shio) and miso flavor. Both super tasty and on point to hit that spot of something soupy warm you will enjoy. Ps. My two kids (4 and 8 yrs old) engulfed a large and a small bowl themselves. If that adds any more kudos to this place.

Ate here twice before submitting this review, overall this place is incredibly consistent and great! Great selection very fast service, friendly & it is family style so if your solo you’ll be sat next to another patron The noodles have an excellent texture to them and each of the various styles/broth options are well executed & tasty. I do think that the combo is the best value overall. They also have a ton of options for students.

Really decent ramen from a large ramen chain originating from Hokkaido. It taste nothing like that in Hokkaido. Nevertheless, better than the average ramen you get in the states. Quick service, decent broth. Good pork slices.

Went on a rainy day, it was perfect. Lots of sizes to choose from depending on your appetite and lots of good flavors too. I always get shio flavor from santouka. Small shop but squeezed in before a line formed (reminded me just like Japan lol)

i went to Hokkaido Ramen with friends. the ramen was pretty good. the food was delicious and delivered very quickly. we were very blessed with a close parking space next to the ramen shop 🙏 would i go there again ? yes !!! it is a really good place to eat when you just want a nice bowl of ramen 2025-08-32 back again with my whole family 2025-09-03 back again. still delicious

Had Miso Ramen. Good. Taste was flavorful. It’s better if you dine in, only the seating is very limited. Outside seating is available but weather conditions might prevent it. Price is fair. Service is good. They are very fast. Would go back if in the area.

They do make a good ramen, with a deep broth that likely simmers for a couple of days. Hope they don't cut up Chasu extra topping meat. The service is quick. I'm not sure if the ramen's that amazing to justify the long queue at the restaurant, but it is definitely good. Maybe the small size is what draws people in and sparks curiosity. It's been this way since I was in grad school, so at least six years now. I would’ve come more often if it weren't for the long wait.

Very satisfied with the Hokkaido style ramen at Hakkaido Ramen Santouka. I had the Negi Nanban, which is featured as their spiciest Ramen. It will probably be mid-level spiciness for Asians, but I appreciated that the broth is still flavorful and drinkable. The chashu was pretty nice too, and the generous portion of Negi (Green onions), fried shallots, jalapeños, made this a truly unique dish. To my plesant surprise, there was a Kpop dance off outside the restaurant when I visited on a sunday! I don't think this happens everyday, but definitely made it a great experience of slurping spicy Ramen broth in the backdrop of Korean (yes not jap) music.

If you're craving some good ramen, this place is the spot! I've eaten at this chain in another state, but it was many years ago, and I totally forgot how amazing their ramen is. This location is very small, with just a few tables and a small counter. I had to queue outside for a bit, but the line moved quickly. Once we were seated, I understood why--service was exceptionally fast, and our ramen arrived just minutes after ordering. We didn't feel rushed at all. I ordered the Kara Miso (spicy miso), and it was perfect for a chilly day. You can choose different sizes of ramen; I went with the regular. Since I was on a food tour and eating all day, I worried I wouldn't finish the bowl, but I did--it was just that delicious! The broth was full of umami, and the noodles tasted so fresh. I'll be thinking about this ramen for a while!

Great service and they are sooo friendly! Boston is a great city to have Ramen/Udon and you'll find many days where the weather is perfect for this We got two small bowls but should have gone with a medium.. the small bowls are tiny Student also get to upsize for free!

The ramen is worth the wait. With a tiny dining area you'll most likely share a table with strangers but they also have some outdoor seating. We quickly ordered after being seated and the ramen came out soon after. I got the shoyu ramen which is flavorful but a little on the salty side. Definitely get the agitama egg which is soft boiled and marinated. The noodles are al dente and all ramen come in three sizes.

Ramen shop with limited seating, friendly service, and good food. Do I think the noodles were worth the 50+ minute wait? No, not really. I would go back for a quick lunch if there is no line, but I wouldn't wait in line to eat here again. I preferred Tora Ramen in Chinatown.

I almost never give 5 stars but this was super interesting. The pork cheeks were tender and softer than the usual pork slices at other ramen spots. The flavor was tasty and rich but not too oily. Noodles cooked nicely with some chew. Try to go when they first open for lunch to avoid long lines. Great location too as you can go shopping on Newbury after!

I have been coming to Santouka Back Bay and the Harvard square location for years. I love this place! I've taken pretty much all my friends here and they've all enjoyed it as well. The restaurant is super small, but so charming! It can get very busy with a long wait outside due to not having lots of seating. But I would say the wait is worth a delicious bowl of hot ramen! Drinks/apps: I don't usually get anything particular to drink, sometimes I will indulge in a strawberry calpico but I stick to water. Note that alcoholic beverages are not served here. For apps I like the rice with pork (if you're feeling particularly hungry) and edamame. I tried the nato gohan (fermented soy beans) which I did enjoy but I think these might be an acquired taste and people tend to be turned off by their bitterness. Entrees: I love the shio ramen which comes with the egg noodles, bamboo shoots, a fish cake, and pork pieces. The broth is so hearty, warm, and perfectly salty. I tend to get the regular size because the large is pretty big. My bf tried the miso ramen which was also flavorful and he ordered an egg to go with it which I recommend! TL;DR: This is one of my favorite places to grab a bite to eat in Boston. Over the years it has definitely gained popularity have gotten busier, so I would advise going at a less busy time (like before dinner time?) My recommendations are the shio ramen, get the egg add on, and a rice of your choice if you are starving. You don't need to order a lot here, the portions are big and you will be super full from the ramen!

Just like i remember it years ago. A tiny hole in the wall Ramen place, possibly the first time I ate Ramen in the US. Since 2010 this cuisine has been mainstream across America. Even though the weather wasn't cold, 70 degrees and sunny in late October, the Ramen was still amazing.

Came to Newbury Street and decided to get lunch -- ended up waiting for 45 minutes outside. Honestly, it was worth it. This location only has about two tables and a bar area - which is why the wait was so long. The service is very fast, which you kinda have to be if your location has limited seating. My party of three sat at a table with another party of three and one party in between us. They don't serve appetizers at this location, only ramen and the sides that pair with it. Nevertheless, I ordered the Chasu Kara Miso combo which came with a side of rice, egg, & extra chasu. The ramen bowls come in small, regular, & large and at first glance I thought that the regular wouldn't be enough for me, but by the end of the meal I was pretty full and satisfied. Satisfied that I even finished the broth! Prices were reasonable. I would recommend going right before they open or at a non-peak time, as there was still a huge line after I left. Would return again!

Expect to wait in a line outside. That's how you know it's a good place. We didn't wait long, maybe 20 minutes. It was the weekend of the Boston Marathon so the streets were busier than normal. We were seated at a communal table. Most if not all were like this so they can fit more people. Fortunately my friend and I were seated right at the window so we only had people on one side. This is a no frills restaurant, which means don't dilly dally. You never feel rushed, but the atmosphere didn't make us feel like we should stay beyond what we needed to enjoy our ramen. Speaking of, we both got small sizes. It may look tiny, but we were both very full when we finished. Broth was creamy, thick, and savory without being salty or over powering. Noodles were perfectly cooked. I loved the menma and the ume on top. It was the perfect meal for a busy Boston day of walking around the city. Don't sleep on this place!

This is a tiny little location in Back Bay that usually has a long line to get in. Got lucky on a weekday lunch and was seated instantly. Service was very quick and food came out super fast. I ordered their special cold ramen and the noodles weren't really cooked all the way. They were super al dente, which I don't always mind but they took a while to chew. Also, serving was kind of small for the price. This bowl of cold ramen was around $20!

A tiny restaurant that serves some delicious ramen. I had bookmarked this restaurant for my Boston trip and coincidentally it was the same restaurant my friends whom I was visiting wanted to take me to. So it speaks for the popularity of this restaurant. I am happy to say it lived up to the expectations. I went for the Kara Miso Ramen and my husband tried the Shoyu Ramen. I found both the flavors to be distinct and comforting. But, I did notice that their quantity of noodles compared to the broth was more than what I have seen at other ramen restaurants nonetheless it was well cooked. I went for the medium size and the quantity was perfect for me. The restaurant is quite popular and my friends who brought me here said there is always a line. However, the line was moving fast and the smaller the group you have, the faster you will get seated. I think we just had to wait 10 minutes apprx for a table of 4. Their service is quick and the server was very pleasant. They have family style seating so you may end up sharing your table with other groups.

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka is my favorite, if not one of my favorite ramen spots. I used to go to their location in Mitsuwa Marketplace in Edgewater, NJ so I was very excited to see they have several locations in MA. Santouka Back Bay is a very close walk to the Back Bay T station. The restaurant has a few countertop seats and 2 tables. The few times I have been here, I shared the table with other groups. There is a queue to wait outside if the restaurant is full, but usually I go close to opening and never had to wait. Service is always very quick from ordering to serving the food. They need the quick turnover since the restaurant is not big. Anything you order from the menu, you can't go wrong. Their ramen broths are delicious and toro-niku/cha-shu are smooth and tasty. I highly recommend visiting Santouka Back Bay and taste their ramen dishes.

This felt like being at home in NYC. Very good ramen served in a very cozy spot off the main thoroughfare, with a bit of a line to get in. Once inside, service is quick and friendly and the food is top notch. This is Hokkaido style ramen, which is probably the most familiar style to most people. Santouka's broth is very good, and the noodles had an exemplary texture. Possibly my favorite part was the side of cha-shu gohan that came with my lunch set--a delicious little dish of rice with scallions and pork belly on top, drizzled with a little hot broth. Fantastic. It's worth the line to get inside and try this, and nice to know it's possible to get such delicious ramen in Boston.

Solid ramen if you're in a pinch or rush. My son and I found this place while walking around Back Bay. He had a craving for ramen from SoCal and lo and behold, this is the same chain that we have in San Diego. The ramen is tasty and the meats are fresh. Price can't be beat in this part of town either!

My friend and I ordered the Kara miso ramen and the cha shu(sp?) rice bowl combo that came with edamame. Everything was delicious!! The staff were very friendly even though they were extremely busy (it is a small spot with bar/communal seating and a line out the door so keep that in mind) even with how busy they were we didn't feel rushed and it was a really enjoyable meal. The pork was tender in both meals. My only suggestion is to add one more piece of pork to the Large size ramen for a balanced ratio of noodle to substance - overall highly recommend

Santouka has been on my wish list every time I visit Boston, so I was excited to stop by right at opening on this trip. Within minutes they were at capacity, and for a valid reason. Their broth in their Shio Ramen was flavor-packed and the epitome of comfort food. This was listed as their signature dish, simply flavored with shio (salt) to enhance their Tonkotsu broth. I savored every bite and sip of this dish. The restaurant is cozy, so be prepared to be seated at a table with strangers. The queue for a seat can get long, but it's worth the wait. Highly recommend!!

Very tiny place for ramen. Service is quick and not a place really meant for a long dinner. Typically, there's a line but we came early enough on a Sunday so the wait was maybe 5-10 minutes. I got the toroniku ramen with egg on the side and it was pretty good. The soup is flavorful and the chasu pork is very tender. I often come back here if I'm looking for a quick ramen fix in Boston.

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka is a solid ramen spot with multiple locations across the United States, offering a variety of ramen flavors. The biggest downside to this particular location is its limited space, which often results in long wait times, especially if you come with a party larger than four. The service here is efficient--orders are taken quickly, and the ramen is served fresh and hot. The quality of the food is consistent with other Santouka locations in Massachusetts. I usually go for the Kara Miso, which has a nice balance of spice that adds good flavor without being overwhelming. The combo deal is a great option, as the chashu rice pairs perfectly with the ramen. Overall, it's a good spot to visit, but if you have the option, the Harvard Square location might offer a better experience in terms of space and convenience.

The restaurant is tiny so there is usually a wait. The broth was flavorful and probably the best ramen I've bad in Boston. Similar with other spicy Japanese dishes, the spicy ramen barely had a kick but had great flavor. Only downside is that the vent overhead was dripping with condensation (onto my friend's shirt? and the restaurant made no effort to wipe it down, so he had to move over to avoid droplets falling into his soup.

Santouka has some really good ramen, I will say. The broth has a really nice flavor and the noodles are very good. The only thing I have a qualm with is the amount of meat you get for what you are paying. I believe the bowl of ramen I got only came with three slices of pork. If you are on Newbury and want authentic, tasty ramen I would recommend Santouka. Also, fair warning that if you come at a popular meal time, you should be prepared to wait as they have limited seating.

Good Ramen. The place is small and usually packed, but if you're looking for consistently delicious ramen, this is the place to go.

Long time ramen lover with a seething passion for extremely traditional, in most cases imported, authentic ingredients in taste. Ive had hundreds of bowls all over the country, in all different styles from all over Japan. Those are my credentials. This spot is now in my top 3 all-time. I appreciate the menu's attention to detail and intent for authenticity. The small size of the restaurant (2 tables) means that focus and integrity in the kitchen can be preserved. The asian guy waiter was incredibly nice and handled pressure really well. I was impressed how kind he was when the restaurant was packed with a line out the door. It really made us feel welcome. The hispanic waiter seemed to not be enjoying his job at all. Luckily I was served by the former. The toroniku ramen was absurdly good.

I was so angry because food delivery was made to a public outside space where it could've been stolen. I am 90 years old and disabled. It was not OK. I can not order from you again!

**Note: there's a 20% student discount The place itself is quite small which explains the line imo. The ramen is on the saltier side and the meat was dry. The flavor was lacking.

Service is great and the ramen always comes out pretty quickly. Although the place maybe small the line does move rather quickly. One of the main reasons for that is because they serve a limited menu compared to the other locations such as Cambridge. So don't come here expecting to order Gyoza or Karaage. Also they used a different dressing for the salad here. Back Bay uses sesame dressing as the Cambridge location uses an onion dressing. They're both good!

I visited a couple more times and I have grown to really appreciate Santouka. Aside from the one bad experience I had, their noodles have been perfectly al dente during my other visits. Their broth is truly irreplaceable in my heart and I love dipping the chashu pork rice in the ramen broth. The marinated egg that they serve on the side is PERFECT every single time. The service is surprisingly fast for such a small restaurant with only one server. Santouka is just the perfect place to have a homey and hearty meal.

I stopped here while visiting Boston for a concert. The line formed outside moved pretty quickly. It was a small dining area with fast service. Seating is family style so it was a quick turnaround. Delicious and affordable!

we were kind of disappointed that there was not many if any appetizers. we knew the ramen wouldn't fill us up but wanted some appetizer but didnt believe there was any to pick from. we got the Regular size, dont want to imagine how small the small will be even if its a $1 cheaper. it was just average ramen. small space in there. miss the old days when the ramen comes with an egg.....

I finally came here and I'm so happy I did after avoiding long lines every time I pass this eatery. The place is small so the other sit at a shared table or at the bar and they also have few tables for "patio dining". I ordered the Tan Tan men and it was delicious! It had a very good flavor and portion was perfect I absolutely loved it. If you want a quick fix for lunch or just to feel your belly in the cold weather this is your spot. If you're alone and you're okay with sitting with strangest slurping noodles in front of you, you're at home!

The food is terrific and the service can't be beat. Nate is the best server in the restaurant industry, and he rotates to all 3 Santouka locations. Nate is always hospitable and happy no matter how crazy busy it gets! My favorite is the Shoyu ramen, but lately I've been ordering the Toroniku. The only negative thing I have to say is now that the Berklee, BU, Northeastern and New England Conservatory students are back in full force, I have to always wait for a seat at my favorite location in the Back Bay which has seating only for 18.

Japanese ramen is hard to mess up but there are definitely places that mess it up However santouka is not one of those places The broth is so rich the noodles are perfect The shop is small and the wait is long but definitely worth

Best ramen spot! ...Went to Santouka tonight with a few friends and had the most delicious ramen ever. The staff was also very kind and made sure our table was doing well. Overall super yummy and flavorfulll ramen, I'll definitely be back

I visited this establishment several time in the past. First off let talk about the ambiance it is a cute small cozy little place. Note if you are claustrophobic I do not recommend this place at all because there is not much elbow room and you sitting pretty close with others. The crowd is mostly college students, tourist, family or people who work around the area. I do not recommend coming to this place at night especially during the fall when all the students are in town you will be outside waiting. When i enter the restaurant I was quickly greeted by the waitstaff and seated at the counter. The menu has a list of different types of ramen in various bowl sizes. The one I ordered was the spicy miso one. The noodles were thick and broth had so much Unami that made me forgot it was snowing outside. At end I left a very full satisfying customer.

Got the spicy miso and it was soooo good! My friend and I both enjoyed it. The noodles and broth were flavorful and just the right amount of spice for me. Would recommend if you are craving ramen and in the back bay area!

I was in the area and wanted ramen so I came here. I've had Santouka at Harvard Square a couple of times and it was great so I was excited about this location. It's a franchise so it should be relatively the same. We got here at 5 PM so there wasn't a line for this super tiny establishment. The place seemed a little run down but the service was quick. The food was decent; it didn't wow me like it did when I visited the Harvard Square location many years ago. Overall, it's an alright place to get your ramen fix. Worth it if there's no line.

Ordered a bowl of neginanaban and vegetarian ramen to go. My food was ready really fast and the servers were all so nice. My food was packed in such a way that the noodles were separated from the broth to keep from getting soggy and the soup stayed hot. The broth for both was so creamy and both were so yum. Can't wait for another bowl.

Food was good not great. Service was fine. Would rather try some place new than go back.

Flavors - 4.3/5 Textures - 4/5 Presentation - 2/5 Value for Money - 2/5 Would return? No Must-try: any ramen Ok, so the ramen in this place is pretty good in terms of flavor. The broth is super flavorful and comes out at the right temperature. The noodles are super springy, thin, and cooked al dente. However, the toppings are basically non-existent, so I paid $14 for a small bowl of broth and noodles which is way too expensive. The pork topping was 2 very small, paper-thin pieces of pork... almost like a sprinkle of pork. You can get it as a "combo" and order a side and a full egg for an extra $4, which is still too expensive. The sides were ok, but the egg was perfectly soft-boiled. I tried the shio ramen and the spicy karamiso. Bottom line- great flavors but no toppings and way too expensive.

Definitely one of my favorite, go-to ramen restaurants in the Boston area. This location is perfectly centered in Back Bay, right next to many other restaurants/shops, which unfortunately means there is usually a line to get in, especially if you're visiting on a weekend. In my experience, it usually doesn't take too long to get seated, but I typically arrive early. The restaurant is VERY tiny, with only a few tables, so expect to be sitting very close (or at the same table) as strangers. If you're looking for an intimate, romantic date night spot I would not recommend this place. However, the real star of the show here is the food. I typically order their shio or shoyu ramen, but recently ordered their seasonal specialty Tan-Tan Men for the first time which had a delicious broth and flavor combinations. My biggest complaint was that this dish didn't have very much meat for the price point, so I'd probably stick to ordering one of their standard ramen next time. Still, this place will leave you feeling full and satisfied especially if you're a fan of traditional Japanese food.

Long line in rainy weather usually a good sign! Ordered ramen special with veggie ramen and egg. Wish I could order chicken instead of pork and also wanted more of a clear broth than milky Would return ! Excellent efficient service

Really good ramen! I was worried I wouldn't find any good ramen around Boston but I heard a lot of good things from here

This place did not disappoint We came on a Tuesday right after they opened at 11am. There were 4 total customers, including us, at that point. When we were there , there were two sets of tables , each set could seat 6. And 4 or 5 seats at a counter. The service was quick, attentive and welcoming. I ordered the shio ramen (large) which came with slices of chashu. It was the perfect fix for a winter time mid-day meal. Best ramen I've had in Boston. Extremely reasonable in price, for just off Newbury St, and such high quality noodles, broth, and chashu. Enjoy!

Wow, was driving through Boston and was in the total mood for ramen. I am so so so grateful my fam and I came here. Everything about this place is good, definitely would stop here again. The ramen is divine and I like how you can pick what size you want- the side of rice and meat is also so great! Really good selection of ramen. The inside is a bit small, but service is really quick and it's an intimate place. Some of the best ramen I've had outside of NYC.

This place is tiny and reminded me so much of the little ramen shops in Japan, more so than any other ramen restaurant I've eaten at in the US. It is pretty inconvenient in the winter, as there's no place to put your coat, and forget about bringing a backpack or big purse as well. Besides the claustrophobic dining experience, the ramen was good, but not quite as good as the Harvard Square location. The miso ramen had so much potential, with its perfectly cooked ramen and chashu, but the broth let it down. It was unbearably salty, and I had to leave most of it in the bowl. It was so salty that my mouth actually felt raw after my meal. I have heard good things about the tantanmen, so I'll have to come back to try that, though maybe in the summer.

I love that it's in Boston and it is much needed in a cold winter night. Broth is as good as I remembered in OC but thankfully, the store takes credit card service was quick but lack of warmth. Again, it's fine when the food is hot and delicious.

When you're looking for the restaurant, keep an eye out for a hole in the wall place - it's off of one of the main streets and you can tell you've arrived by their line outside. Thankfully, the line moved quickly enough and the ramen was so satisfying on a cooler night. The broth isn't too salty and I loved how the pork melted in my mouth. That's usually a sensation I associate with really good steak, so I was more than pleasantly surprised at how good the pork was. A friend recommended this place to me and I echo her recommendation to check this place out if you're craving ramen in Back Bay!

One of the best ramen places around. The base was perfectly flavored and spiced for the Shio Ramen and the noodles were the right texture. There is usually a long line so order ahead for take out. Definitely recommend!

Affordable and flavorful ramen! You get all the OG flavors that you want in ramen here and of course I'm basic so I went with spicy miso. Noddles - 8/10 Chewy and soft noodles, picks up the broth like a charm! Good portion, and I'm able to finish my whole bowl without still being hungry. Egg - 8/10 My favorite part about ramen is the marinated ramen egg! The egg is perfectly cooked to a runny and soft boiled egg. However, I wish that it was marinated a little longer. The flavor in its own is not very flavorful but with the soup it's pretty good. Pork - 8/10 Sort of thin but I love that it's not very fatty. The meat is soft and tender and not fat at all! I hate when other ramen shops give a slice of pork fat it's sooo gross but here the pork is juicy and flavorful. I just want more slices :) Broth - 7/10 I like the broth, it's super flavorful but it is very very oily. Not a broth you want to taste in its own because it's like drinking oil but with the noodles it's good. Spice Level - 7/10 Not too spicy, definitely what you expect from a spicy miso! You can really taste the miso and the spice is not overwhelming, which is why I love this broth. Overall, this is a 7.5/10 for me because the broth is not as smooth and refreshing as I want it to be. Normally you'd want to finish the ramen broth but the broth here is not drinkable. It is affordable and has great options so I would come again for the variety!

Most delicious Ramen I've ever had and that rice was beyond delicious. Small little place but they are quick to serve.