Little Big Diner

I'm so glad we got to try this gem in Newton Centre! We went around 6:45pm on a Friday and it was about a 30 minute wait for a table of 5 (waitlist with texts). There are only around 2-3 tables, plus around 8 counter seats, so seating is quite limited. The wait was worth it, because the food was delicious. My favorite item was the green papaya salad. Definitely my favorite papaya salad that I've had in the Boston area. Fresh crunchy papaya, umami bomb with some acidity, and really nice crispy seafood and crunchies on top. I would come back just for this! Textures and flavors were perfect. Everyone loved the karaage fried chicken as well -- would recommend! Crunchy with great flavor. I tried a couple of the ramen broths, and I can say that the shoyu broth (chicken broth) and Tokyo Basic broth (half chicken half veggie broth) taste pretty similar, while the Chef's Ultra Ramen broth tastes a bit watered down in comparison. The broths were much richer than what I am used to for shoyu (more like what I would expect from a 50/50 mix of shoyu and tonkotsu) but I really liked it! The noodles were good, though I had a big clump of hard/stuck together noodles in my bowl. The marinated egg was nice and jammy. I appreciated the char on the chashu and that it wasn't too fatty, but the texture of the meat was a bit stringy/grainy. Overall this is definitely the best ramen I've had in the Newton area, and I'll be craving the green papaya salad for a while!

Best Ramen I have ever had. Matt was awesome. The service was great. Although the place was small the atmosphere was great. If your in Newton you need to try this place… you wont eat anywhere else after trying it.

A hidden ramen gem in the Boston area! This ramen spot is an absolute gem — one of the best ramen experiences I’ve had in the Boston area. The restaurant is quite small and cozy, so don’t expect to just walk in and get a table, especially during peak hours. They don’t take reservations, but the wait system is very efficient. We were told the wait would be about 20 minutes, and exactly 20 minutes later, we received a text that our table was ready. Super smooth and well-organized. The vibe inside is warm and welcoming, with great music playing and a laid-back, yet energetic atmosphere. There’s also outdoor seating available in the summer, which is a fantastic bonus. Now, onto the food: the ramen is outstanding. The menu is not overly extensive, which I actually appreciate — they focus on a few well-crafted dishes and execute them perfectly. Every option we tried was rich in flavor and cooked with obvious care. They clearly label the spicy options (and yes, you can ask for them to make it not spicy, which is great if you’re not into heat). One cool touch is that if you’re seated at the bar, you can see straight into the kitchen through a glass panel. It’s always a good sign when a restaurant is confident enough to let customers watch the chefs at work, and everything looked clean and well-managed. Prices are very reasonable, especially considering the quality of the food. They also offer a solid selection of beers, which pairs really well with the dishes. The service was excellent: fast, friendly, and attentive without being overbearing. Everyone we interacted with was polite and seemed genuinely happy to be working there. All in all, this place nails it — from the food to the atmosphere to the service. Definitely worth the wait. Highly recommended!

Very cute Ramen place!! I had the spicy miso Ramen ($18). I typically only like mild spice levels, and this bowl was perfect! Great portions. Dining area is a bit small so I would recommend coming in before the dinner rush. Staff was incredibly nice + very attentive. We will be back here (:

The atmosphere was great, service was great as well. The servers were knowledgeable and brought the food out in a timely manner. They were also very friendly and recommended the best options for our party. Unfortunately the food wasn’t the best and I had my expectations high due to everyone raving about the place. I got the chef’s ultra ramen. My personal opinion is that a ramen is characterized by a great broth and ingredients, which unfortunately it had neither. The noodles were decent, but the rest of the ingredients didn’t really feel like it matched the ramen. The broth was salty but also felt flavorless, just salt. The best part of my meal was the Karage chicken, which did have great flavor and a good taste. I probably won’t go here again unless I am with friends.

The food was disappointing unfortunately. The only good item was ramen. We got poke bowl, rice bowl with grilled chicken, rice bowl with fried chicken and ramen. Came at 4:30pm on Saturday. Also got their shrimp tacos for appetizer. It was delicious. Rice was really bad. Felt a bit uncooked but I think it was the type of cheap rice that was used. Food didn't have much flavor imo. They could put some more vegetables in the bowl. Otherwise, it's just cucumbers and thinly sliced carrots. Flavor just wasn't there in any of the rice bowls.

We had an amazing experience at Little Big Diner! We started with the papaya salad and fried cauliflower—both were absolutely delicious and full of flavor. Ramen was rich and comforting with just the right balance of spices. The service was fantastic and staff were friendly. Highly recommend this place if you're in Newton, MA—definitely will be coming back!

Little Big Diner is a master class in ramen. Without fail, the noodles have the perfect bite and bounce, the broth is consistently rich and packed with flavor, and the playlist rotation is *always* a vibe. It’s a small space with a big following, and for good reason. The tantan ramen is a standout and family favorite—it’s a creamy sesame broth with just the right amount of heat. Adding the Heiwa tofu takes it to another level if you’re a pescatarian like me! Since they don’t take reservations, timing is everything. Arriving when they open (or a little before) is your best bet to avoid the inevitable wait. But even if you have to linger outside for a bit, trust me—it’s worth it!

This is hands down the best Ramen we have had! The Korean chicken and The Chefs Ultra Ramen were amazing!! Great beer selection and the staff is incredibly friendly and helpful in making your selection, especially Matt! The outdoor seating was comfortable and perfect for a summer night with string lights etc. Cannot wait to come back! These are the same people that own Jinnys pizza a couple doors down and those pizzas look incredible! Can't wait to try that next.

I wanted to like this place and had high expectations since I enjoy sister restaurants Jinny's Pizzeria and Sycamore and it has great reviews, but this Shoyu ramen was -extremely- salty to me. The broth's saltiness was very sharp and lacked the umami depth that I'd expect from the soy sauce. The toppings were pretty good, I liked the egg and the chashu, which was on the thicker side and not too fatty. The menma was marinated in soy and would probably be alright on its own, but in this case just magnified the saltiness. Noodles were okay, but couldn't save the bowl - I didn't finish it. I eat a lot of ramen around the Boston area and this was a first for me. Service was quick and it is a small cozy spot with ~10 small tables, and parking is pretty easy on the street or the lot across the way. Glad I tried it, but this is not a good ramen spot for me.

As Newton residents, we had been meaning to check this place out. Our family eats ramen all around the Boston area and this place was nothing remarkable... may be good enough for a suburban town of majority non asians? The portions were on the small side, and the broths (and egg) were very salty. We ordered 3 different types of ramen (Miso, Shoyu, and Tokyo), and none of us thought it was good enough to return. It had plenty of toppings, and even more optional toppings, but it felt like it was trying too hard... (scorched black garlic oil?!?) The server was friendly, but for a place that's trying to look like a Japanese food stall, the place charged Newton Centre prices. Waku Waku in Waltham has much better flavor.

The atmosphere and service were both excellent. The servers were knowledgeable, bringing the food out promptly and with a friendly attitude. They also made great recommendations for our party. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to my expectations, which were high based on all the rave reviews. I ordered the chef's ultra ramen, and in my opinion, a great ramen should be defined by its broth and ingredients, but this one fell short on both. The noodles were decent, but the rest of the ingredients didn't really complement the ramen. The broth was overly salty yet lacked depth--it just tasted like salt. The highlight of my meal was the Karaage chicken, which had great flavor and was really enjoyable. I probably wouldn't return unless I'm with friends.

Fall evening waiting outside a truly little "little big diner" for a table for 4. Anticipation climbed as we saw ramen bowls being served at every table. Better arrive before 6pm or after 8 to avoid waiting for 30mins like we did. The food redeemed the wait for me. Right up there with Ramen Nagi in San Jose. The chicken (substituted for pork) was so yum! I got fried garlic and pmarinated shitake on the side along with chili oil ofcourse. Highly recommend the shiitake. Relished the little leftover I had for lunch the following day. 10/10

The food was delicious and SO flavorful!!! The broths were both thick and had wonderful seasonings, and the proteins in our ramen was so tender!! The sausages we got for an app were also very, very good! They were perfectly cooked and the mustard gave them an extra little kick! Our server was also super nice and very attentive, and we didn't really wait long for anything during our time there. We were lucky enough that the weather was nice and we got to sit outside and enjoy the day and people watch which was goos but if you enjoy a quieter meal i would suggest eating indoors.

My friend and I came here for an early dinner when they had just opened. We ordered Hawaiian-style burgers, karrage fried chicken, okonomiyaki-style tater tots, and chef's ultra reman to share. Their appetizer portions are enormous that we have leftovers to take home. The service was a little slow, and by the time we finished our meal, the place was packed, and there were people waiting outside. The place was worth a try but nothing really special unless you are around the area.

BEST ramen in Boston. I have been coming to little big diner since 2015 and the quality is always great, the chashu pork is so tender and melts in your mouth. Other ramen shops have chewy, low quality pork. They use fresh local ingredients, always have a lovely presentation of their food, and good service. I always get extra egg because the eggs are amazing.

Worst experience in a long time. Went on a Saturday evening of Labor Day weekend. Place was 1/2 empty, but the rude "greeter" gave us a choice of sitting outside only on top of hedges, overrun with bees. We asked to move inside. Only one other table was occupied. He told us we "had to sit in the corner" practically in the kitchen, in case "other people come in!!" I've lived here my whole life & this was beyond rude, even for Newton. We decided to leave & the greeter & manager followed us down the street, "warning" other restaurants not to serve us. Hard to believe, but there's no way I could make this up!!

TLDR: Unpretentious little ramen gem in Newton Center. I'm definitely coming back to try other items on the menu, if not for the karaage alone. Atmosphere (4/5): Small, cozy, with an American gastropub aesthetic. Definitely plan ahead if you come with a group. Service (4/5): Quick and efficient. I got my drink and food in no time. Food/drinks (4/5): I ordered the chicken karaage, Chef Ultra Ramen, and a yuzu highball. Chicken karaage: The best I've ever had, without exaggeration. The chicken was cut and fried bite-size, yet somehow still remained juicy, flavorful, and tender. It wouldn't be below me to just pop by and order this as an on-the-go snack. Chef Ultra Ramen: Decent. The noodles had the right texture, chewy without being undercooked. The broth was a cut above average, but I wished it was a bit more umami (a little ironic considering the amount of meat it came with). The highlight was definitely the meat. If you're in desperate need of protein, this bowl is the way to go. The meat wasn't lacking in quality either. Yuzu highball: Very easy to drink. Affordability (3/5): I paid $51 before tips. It might seem like a lot, but my chicken karaage was definitely meant to be shared .

Absolutely loved up to the hype! I'm always looking for the best ramen and so far Ganko Ittetsu is my favorite and this is my second pick. I got the chefs ultra and also tried the cauliflower appetizer and karage rice bowl. The cauliflower was tasty and a lot of cauliflower for the price. The rice bowl was nice and the chicken is nice and crispy. The broth was the best part of the ramen, but the meat was so flavored and soft. Such a great place!

My partner and I got the Little Big Diner (LBD) paitan ramen w chashu, chef's ultra ramen, and LBD flat patty "Hawaiian-style burger" - TASTE: 4/5 - the burger was our favorite! The patty was well seasoned and the pineapple sambal was the perfect sweetness. My paitan ramen was tasty, w the creamy broth, sweet and fatty chashu pork belly and soft boiled ajitama egg. The ultra ramen was good too, but my partner wished he got something w a little more intention, instead of all of the combined elements in this one TEXTURE: 4/5 - soft noodles, super tender chashu, crisp nori, plus the wood ear mushrooms for contrast PRICE: 4/5 - the chef's ultra ramen was steep at $20, and the appetizers were higher than expected, but otherwise decent prices for ramen SERVING SIZE: 4/5 - filled us up for dinner, w no leftovers to spare SERVICE: 4/5 - we walked in at 6pm on a Sunday and five of the six of the tables were free, with most folks sitting outside on the patio. Our order came out quickly and our waitress was friendly and attentive. Liked that there were drink options on the menu too ATMOSPHERE: 4/5 - fun, colorful, and cozy spot w additional countertop seating and murals PARKING: 4/5 - we parked at a parking lot on Cypress St, though there was plenty of street parking and more lots available nearby

Came here a second time as figured maybe the first time was just a one off miss...sadly we still left disappointed. Everything in the spicy miso ramen was great, but the broth tasted like water with seasoning and sauces mixed in... lacking in that feeling of joyous filth you feel when you finish a bowl of ramen... shoyu broth was a bit better but again, wasn't quite it. Is this just a different style of ramen that we're unaware of? Are we simply not the target audience here? Who knows. Others seem to love it.

Flavors - 4.4/5 Textures - 4.5/5 Presentation - 4/5 Value for Money - 3/5 Would return? Yes Must-try: Chef Ultra Ramen I really liked this ramen. The flavors were bold, unexpected and whimsical. The toppings provided an exciting experience since it made each bite difference, and it gave it dimension. The noodles were super thing and springy. The pork was tender and flavorful on its own - it was clearly grilled/torched separately which gave it a nice char. All the textures played well and made it easy to eat. Spicy Miso - very sweet but well balanced by the heat. The generous amount of scallions gave it a sharp kick that I loved. Chef Ultra - super creative flavors. The kimchi topping is GENIUS, and it made me want to go back for more. The presentation is beautiful but it came out warm instead of hot. The prices are a bit steep because of location, but the portions are generous.

Love it here! It's very small, so be prepared to wait. Especially when the outside seating is closed. The food is worth the wait!

Ok. Ok. So in the day and age of the same old same old, with out a doubt the LITTLE BIG DINER is certainly not the same old. A wonderful little shop in Newton Center, you're immediately whisked away when the doors first open. This restaurant quickly reminded me of the Ramen places I came to love in Tokyo. Quaint, comfortable, and ohhhhh so good! Two Sapporos immediately found their way to the table (have I said the wait staff is incredible?) as an order of the Green Papya Salad ($12) appeared within minutes of ordering. Oh my, if this was a sign for what was to come, then get out of the way!! The salad was wonderful, (and hats off to the cook staff as well). The atmosphere of the space certainly lends itself to a comfortable and unassuming addition to the quality of the food. Our main course consisted of the Chili Ground Pork - Sweet ($16) and a bowl of the Chef's Ultra Ramen ($20) as recommended by Matt our waiter. He didn't steer us wrong. Both dishes were amazingly unique, and I have to say, the Ramen without a doubt blew us away. The quality of the ingredients were outstanding, and the flavor the broth left us shaking our heads (in an disbelievingly approving way I might add). And have I said the food was good? Wow. I found Little Big Diner while searching on Yelp out of the blue, and when checking out LBD's website, the photos representing their work don't lie. What you see is certainly what you get (which again is a pleasant surprise in this day and age). Service - Check plus. Ambiance - a little something for everyone, music bar none, and Food - well head on over there yourself, don't take my word for it, but I'll will tell you this, for a guy who doesn't leave too many reviews, the Little Big Diner got me to typing, and how. The icing on the cake was to run into the owner pausing outside at the end of his shift, and to be able to express the sentiment I share here, with him directly, and to see a humbled smile appear on his face. Thanks ya'll, you made the end of my bad day melt away with your quality, comfort, and left us with a strong desire to grace your doors again sometime soon.

I've been here a couple of times and I truly do not understand the hype. I don't mind that they're small and there's a long wait if the food is good, but it just isn't. The broth every time has been flavorless and boring. It's my least favorite ramen spot in the Boston area so far.

I had bookmarked this place after finding out it was owned by the same people behind Sycamore and Jinny's. Definitely didn't disappoint, though next time I'll be sure to try the ramen or some of the other rice bowls. There are a lot of Asian influences on the menu: Japanese, Thai, Korean, which usually makes me side-eye a place for trying to cover too much ground, though I thought LBD hit the right notes, taste-wise, for the most part. We started off with the chicken kara-age and the papaya salad. The chicken was fried expertly, with a nice coat of seasoning, but eat this first thing as soon as it lands on the table. Our awesome waiter provided us with some of the "as the cooks eat it" sauce on the side, so we could try that too (I preferred the one that came smeared on the bowl). Papaya salad packed a lot of crunch and heat, a must-order on these balmy summer evenings. My husband and friend ordered the chef's ultra ramen, I went with the rice bowl plus huawei tofu. In retrospect, I should have just gotten the ramen or the tuna poke bowl. The rice bowl, despite the toppings of pickled cucumber, carrots, cilantro, and the gojuchang sauce, did not have much flavor. Maybe it's just my terrible spice tolerance because after a while, my tongue was on fire. Portions are generous, we were all stuffed afterwards. Plenty of seating, both indoor and outdoor. There's a parking lot across the street with free parking after 6pm.

We have been before for the ramen. I always wanted to try their burger ; so visited again . This time is was the miso ramen and a burger. I didn't realize, but they allow you to add or delete items and customize your ramen . Ramen was excellent as before ; the both was something I can't match at other Ramen spots... almost a transcendental spiritual healing on a cold winter day. The burger I did not really care for. I was expecting a nice burger with a Hawaiian teriyaki pineapple seasoning and flavors...beef was good quality The burger was cooked on rare to raw and the lettuce was limp and not crisp and should be left off of burger. Maybe a grilled thin slice pineapple would be better than the limp lettuce .The sauce was not Hawaiian enough. Roll ok, and toasted. Sorry , Lee's burgers around corner are a solid burger which is my next one visit when wanting a burger. Nice , quiet inside with few tables, but 2 counters with seating. Tatte's bakery next door a good dessert spot.

We ordered takeout on a rainy Sunday night and waited over 2 hours for ramen! That was disappointing as I've never had to wait more than 40 minutes for any kind of takeout. The food was great, but due to the wait times I'm not sure we would order here again.

This place is. something. special. I wasn't even going to eat here but I walked past it, saw the menu, and was greeted quickly and promptly! I'll start with the service. Dylan took my name down because it was an extremely busy night for them, a Tuesday. 15 minute wait. He was courteous and soft spoken and I'm glad he was my server too! I ordered the shoyu ramen, fried chicken, and a side of the BBQ corn. The ramen was probably 15% less salty than it should have been, but upon some reflection, maybe that's a good thing. I only finished 70% of it. The corn and the fried chicken were both BOMB. Well marinated, well cooked. I am thinking I will definitely be back. Thanks Dylan and team for such a great meal.

i love the ramen at little big diner. my go to is their miso ramen - you can choose to make it spicy or not. it has the perfect amount of seasoning, and isn't too salty. portion sizes are generous. service is excellent, the waiters are nice and friendly. sometimes there's a bit of a wait, but not too long. the indoor of the restaurant is a bit small, but they have an outdoor area with a few tables. overall rating: 10/10

One of the better places for ramen in the metro area. We ordered some of the kara-age fried chicken which was crispy and satisfying. We also had the shoyu ramen. The all-important broth is excellent. They're also generous with the extras- I ordered extra noodles and it was almost another full serving. The service was quick and friendly. It's a small place so seats are hard to come by and there was a queue in front. We had to wait about 30-40 min. But it was worth it. And there are shops nearby where you can kill time. A return visit is needed.

Where to start.... Every Ramen option is top notch. Served like a bowl of art - the ingredients are all prepared beautifully and are delicious. The add-ins to the ramen are big servings and all excellent. Small touches are appreciated - like when ordering extra noodles they come on the side in just a touch of broth to make sure they don't become a huge clump. The Chef's Ultra Ramen is the best of all the things. The shoyu chicken (grilled chicken thighs) are amazing. If you like spicy - don't skip the "hot bomb" on the side (and then take the rest home and use on your eggs for breakfast.). There is a vegetarian ramen option as well. It's a Ramen shop but don't skip on the other dishes - especially the special/rotating seasonal starters and entrees. Mainstays like the Kara-age Chicken (chef style always...) is amazing. Papaya salad is unique compared to traditional Thai restaurants but no less crunchy, sweet AND sour, and a great way to cut the savory ramen. Like a good burger? You'll be shocked at how good their LBD Flat Patty, Hawaiian style burger is. If you aren't feeling soup - there are rice bowls and poke bowls - that you can order as is or with a bunch of add-ons as well. Nice drink options too with a selection of Sake and a rotating interesting list of beers. There is a cocktail menu and in the summer - a frozen adult beverage to choose from. Brain freeze at it's best. Can't end without mentioning that the people here are the best. They deal with the small space and long waits with patience and efficiency. Get there as they open or toward the end of the night - or expect to wait. There is a nice park across the street and local shopping to fill time until they give you the call to come back to the restaurant. Warmer months are a bit easier with the outdoor seating. Great service, always with a smile. Counter seat is fun (yeah! its back since COVID) to interact with Chef. We even got a lesson on how to make their 7 minute egg. We are huge LBD fans, if you couldn't tell. The only draw back for us - small space - sometimes hard to get in, the chairs hurt my butt. ;) Don't skip LBD. Slurp!

Great Ramen, Thai, and Hawaiian burger place. Cozy diner that is a little small. Probably not good for large groups but 4 could be fine. Service was quick and friendly. Solid choice for a quick eat.

Small gentrified ramen joint. While their bowls look great in photos, we found their ramen to be overly salty and greasy. Plenty of metered parking is available outside the restaurant.

This is a fusion Asian place rather than a ramen joint. The place is cute and has outdoor seating. It's definitely geared more for "Americanized" tastes and not traditional ramen. We were the only Asians in the restaurant including the workstaff. I got the Miso ramen and it was pretty lackluster. The broth had no richness or depth of flavor and really tasted like nothing but salty hot water to me. The noodles were ok, and not too soft, but again really lacking in any taste. The pork was not chasui, rather a braised pork that was very soft but kind of flavorless. For the positives, the egg was cooked well and I also appreciated that they gave you a lot of corn, where most ramen places are so stingy with for some reason. I'm just so bummed how unsatisfying it was compared to normally when I eat a great bowl of ramen. I asked for some spicy pepper or hot oil...anything to bump the taste. They gave me a hot chili oil that definitely made the bowl better, but I didn't realize I'd get charged $2 for it. My wife got the Heiwa tofu rice bowl with hot gochujang and found the sauce to be sickly sweet and wasn't a big fan. If you're kind of afraid of Asian food and want to eat something safe that won't offend your senses, this might be a good place for you. If you're in the area and want decent ramen, you're better off going to Coco Ramen down the street.

Yes, yes, yes! Little Big Diner came through for the win! I just came from this little spot and it was perfect on a late summer eve. It's a pretty small restaurant, you can seat maybe 12 people inside. I sat outside, where you can seat another 10 people. It doesn't feel like a take out restaurant, it feels like a cute little spot where you're served. So I'm wondering how limiting seating can be during the colder months because it's so small. Anyway, the servers were friendly and I was served by two people. The food is flavorful and healthy. I ordered the Chili Ground Pork Rice Bowl, which came with brown rice, carrots, cucumbers, and fresh herbs. Fairly large portion as I had to "work" to complete my order. I poured a bit of spicy sauce to add a kick. Street parking is across the street and is free because it's Newton. My only regret is that I don't live upstairs from this place.

My husband is really picky about ramen- we have only found one place he likes ramen and it's in Chicago. We tried this place on a Monday evening right after they opened and I'm glad we did. It is very small and could probably only seat maybe 20 people. I got the miso ramen with chili oil on the side and my husband got the ultra ramen. Both were very good and my husband approved it which is a big deal. I definitely recommend this place if you're looking for real good ramen with the second best pork belly I've had. The staff were friendly and provided quick service. Parking is limited metered parking.

This place is my FAVORITE spot for ramen. The menu is so basic and straightforward, but whatever dish you decide to get will be the best. My go-to ramen is the miso ramen (spicy & not spicy), but this time I decided to try the chef's ultra which is truly ultra! I love how they have a restating beer draft, it gives me an opportunity to try different beers. I usually get visit once it opens & wait about 30-45 minutes, so get there before you're hungry. It's a cozy little diner with limited seating but it is truly the best!

We have wanted to try this restaurant for 7 years and finally got the chance ! food was outstanding - chef's ultra ramen had the perf amount of umami, spice, & overall flavor. The green papaya salad was both spicy and refreshing. A special shoutout to Matt O'Keefe the general manager for many reasons - welcomed us with an excitement and enthusiasm that made our experience that much better - we had come from a rather difficult family situation and he was so thoughtful and kind. He also recommended the grilled shrimp on the papaya salad which made it a better & more fulfilling dinner. Matt has a true passion, which shows in his smile, warmth and great understanding of hospitality.

Best ramen in Massachusetts. Fresh ingredients. Amazing flavors. Super nice staff. It gets busy so you'll be likely to have to wait. That's a good sign though. I've tried so many different things here. Definitely get the ramen though.

A solid ramen pick in Newton! There was no wait when we went on a hot Saturday evening. We ordered the Paitan Ramen with chashu and the Chef's Ramen. Both were great! I liked that they were not too salty and flavor was balanced. The egg in each was the perfect texture. Prices were okay, about $16-19 per bowl. I would say this is a good place if you're in the area and craving ramen, but wouldn't necessarily make the trek out just to have ramen here. The ramen is pretty good but nothing outstanding compared to other choices in the city. Love that there is plenty of meter parking, they even had free parking when I went on a Saturday evening for dinner.

Really solid ramen with vegetarian options! The spicy miso had a good kick to it with delicious toppings. I also really enjoyed the noodle texture. Reasonably priced too!

The food was delicious. The chef accidentally put the wrong broth in my bag, but the owner called me 1 minute after I left being super apologetic and gave me the right broth when I returned. The owner was amazing!

I have been going here for almost 4 years now ever since starting college at Boston College. Once seated the service is great, the staff is very friendly and talkative. There is one caveat that has been annoying me for a while though, you can't make reservations or add yourself to a waitlist over the phone. There has always been a decent line and wait but there is almost no way to account for it. I arrive and put my name down and then wait around the park or Starbucks for 30 minutes to an hour which is not ideal. The food is amazing. They don't have a large selection of ramen but you cannot go wrong with any of them. I have never found the soup too salty and I feel there is a good ratio of noodle to soup which allow me to always end up with an empty bowl with there not being any extra broth sitting there. They also have poke bowls which I had once and were alright but I think the ramen is the superior choice. It's nice because it's a good ramen spot near campus for me, but the variable wait times make it almost worth it to take the green line a few stops down to a place that takes reservations. I will probably come here again multiple times before I graduate but it would be a tough game time decision between going here or another ramen place.

Really good reviews but I'm not really sure what the hype is about. I thought the ramen was just ok. Slow service.

I absolutely love the ramen at Little Big Diner! The atmosphere is so cozy and inviting. Whether dining in or for takeout, the staff get your order correct, the first time, every time! I always get the same thing: chicken ramen. Maybe one day I'll try something new on the menu. But for now, I will stick with my "comfort food in a bowl."

I heard about this place on instagram. And it is totally worth the hype. This is a tiny place with really warm vibe. We were here around 8. There was about 25 minutes wait. We waited in the car. There is plenty of street parking around. I think they have aptly named this restaurant "Little Big Diner" as the portions are huge. I ordered a salad and ramen bowl. I was too full. Staff is friendly and nice. Papaya salad : This was one of the best papaya salad I have ever had. It is fresh, tangy and hearty. Peanuts and dried shrimp add a lot of crunch to the salad. Miso ramen : I ordered with chicken and chicken broth. It was beautifully presented and sumptuous. Broth is extremely flavorful. This ramen is perfect for a cold evening around Massachusetts. I would come here again :)

After many, many Instagram posts I'd seen of Little Big Diner, I was looking forward to trying out this spot. It's a cute spot in Newton Centre with spunk! While I'd love to give this place 5 stars (they had a great staff, attentive service, visually aesthetic food), the ramen just didn't do it for me. It wasn't bad at all, but it wasn't great either. The broth lacked the depth I was hoping for & the noodles were rather thin. The karaage was very tasty and freshly fried though. If I'm being brutally honest, I also felt a little skeptical based on the ownership of the restaurant. As a different reviewer noted -- I'd suggest going to Ganko Ittetsu if you're looking for a good ramen experience!

Food was phenomenal. Service amazing! Very chill vibe! Green tea drink was amazing!!!!

I haven't been here in a while. Even though I've outgrown my little big diner T-shirt my experience has been wonderful; two thumbs up to the chef who served me food those days. If only you can find a way to make the price of the ramen bowls a little bit more affordable you'd be able to attract a larger audience.

Nice location with a good range of ramen and other dishes. I especially appreciated the great beer/drink pairings which some other ramen joints around Boston often lack. Nice small hole in the wall ramen joint. Relatively open to see kitchen like many of them. Good bar stools around the bar/kitchen and about 4-5 small tables inside. Outside durning pandemic with lots of seating behind some traffic blocks in what has previously been parking space. The service was solid here, and they were tremendously accommodating and supportive to us with our family with little ones. Nice to give some more kid-friendly versions of things on the menu. Food was on point. Some really great flavors in the different ramens we tried, appropriately cooked meats (not over or under), and good al dente noodles. Broths were delicious. Loved some of the appetizer options and papaya salad. Decent prices on food and drinks here. Nothing horrendous but not on the expensive side. They could charge more and likely get away with it. We'll be back!

I only want to go here now for my Ramen. It's the best! The staff is very personable and ramen is so savory and delicious! All of the sides are good and I recommend adding extra egg and vinegar mushrooms! So delicious!

I was very disappointed tonight at the Little big diner. I've been here plenty of times and like the food and vibe. I walked in, found a seat at the bar (surprised to get a seat at 8:00). Not overly busy. I sat for a few minutes without being waited on or even acknowledged. 3 people in the kitchen and one waitress, looked at me, and turned back to their chatting. I asked for a menu, I got blank stares. I asked again, silence. I said I'd like to eat, and was ignored. I left. Not sure what's going on there, I'll plan on going back, but sure hope this was an aberration. Hope they step it up.

HORRIBLE experience! Don't deserve to be treated like this. I been here so many times and I live around the corner. On 6/29 I came with friends ard 8pm, we have party of 3. Athat time the restaurant are not busy and have 3 table available inside. The waiter told us we can seat in the bar or squeeze into a 2 ppl table which small. I told her we have 3 and we want to seat on the high table. She said she not allow to combine 2 tables because we only have 3 ppl. She needs to save table for other guest. I was so shocked, come on, it's already 8pm. I have been there so many times and their table was so small, couldn't even fit 3 Raman bowl. I told her we don't want high table we want the big table. She was like "ok, fine" with very bad attitude and push the table together. Two server were both have bad attitude. Around 8:45 I was chatting with friends and I know the restaurant close at 9:30. The server trying to push us to check out. And drop the whole POS machine on our table instead of giving us the check, we didn't even know how to operate it. She was impatient to show us how to us the machine. After we check out and walking out of the restaurant, there's no greeting at all, I can a bored look on their face. I don't know if I want to come back to this Raman place anymore, don't like the experience a lot. But previous couple experiences were good.

After seeing Little Big Diner on Instagram I knew I would need to check out this cozy new ramen spot located in Newton Centre. We were warmly greeted and only had to wait a few minutes for a table to be cleared. The service was friendly and quick and the food came in a prompt manner. We were checked in on by a gentleman I assume to be the manager/ owner and he was extremely friendly and helpful. The food was spectacular, from the succulent ramen and the fusion style appetizers I don't think there's one thing on this menu I wouldn't like. If you have a chance definitely come check them out!

I was quite disappointed with this place. I had my first date at this location since a local someone recommended the Japanese ramen here. Because my date and I both like Japanese food, we decided to try here, but the food was mediocre at best, and the music was too loud that we couldn't even hear each other properly over dinner. Due to this bad first time experience, I don't think I'll go eat here again. But it seems okay place if one wants to go with friends and get lost in weird music.

Stopped in late on a Tuesday night and the place was full, but we grabbed the last few spots at the bar. We were able to see the cooks prepare all of the food which was great. The place is pretty small, but very reminiscent of a traditional ramen bar. I ordered the miso ramen and I was very happy with it. It was a large portion, and the broth was very flavorful. In addition to the ramen, the restaurant also served a variety of dishes (fried chicken, rice bowls, etc), as well alcohol. Overall, I'd say it was my favorite ramen in Boston. The bowl cost $16, which is certainly pricy, but not outrageous for ramen!