Tora Ramen

[EDIT 8/30] I’m not sure if it’s inconsistency on the restaurant’s part or I was just congested on my first review, but the broth this time was perfectly seasoned and didn’t call for any additions. (Original review) Absolutely worth a visit, especially if you like Ichiran! I ordered the Shiro Tonkotsu. - 🧂 Less salty than most ramen; if it’s not enough for you, each table is stocked with soy sauce, vinegar, chili powder and sesame. - 🍜 Strong Hakata vibes (think Ichiran)! Firm and chewy noodles, rich pork broth and plenty of thin sliced pork. - 💵 Very affordable but cash only! The restaurant does have an ATM by the entrance. Overall a super solid bowl. The broth had lots of depth but was really clean to the point where I drank the entire bowl. Quick and friendly service.

Tiny place, amazing ramen!! Also, I've never seen tempura crab stick served like chicken fingers before, and I've been craving more every day since I went here a few weeks ago! Service is great and attentive. It's definitely on my list of places to revisit.

Glad I found this nice Ramen shop with Yuzu Hayashi Chuka special during the heat. The chilled sublime broth paired well with the shrimp and noodles to cool you down. Really lile the chili and sesame condimenta. Place is clean, quiet, ramen came out relatively fast, service was quick. Btw the restaurant is cash only.

Lovely little ramen shop! The menu offers several options of ramen (they all sound delicious, it was hard to choose one!) and the staff is warm and welcoming. First visit, but definitely not my last – can't wait to come back for another bowl on a rainy day.

Compared to other ramen, this place should be at the bottom of your list of places to check out. Store is a great vibe, spacious layout for such a small spot. Service is quick and simple, QR code menu. Food is incredibly lackluster, soup is barely warm or flavorful enough to be soup, the meat seems like it’s canned or at least undercooked, egg was good, bamboo shoots tasted off may have been old or a number of other reasons. The noodles have the right texture but just no flavor at all. With all of the above considered, spot seems like it should be a quick stop for some good hearty ramen and bad food leads me to a 1 star. (Cash only also makes it little inconvenient even though they have an atm)

So many great Ramens I want to try! We stopped in for the Tan Tan and Karashiro spicy ramens but I want to come back and try the black garlic and Miso Ramens. We also tried the tempura crab and tofo. Both fantastic

Tora Ramen is a cozy little spot with solid food and great service. They, however, do lack variety on their ramen menu as the only real protein choice is pork so those with that particular food restriction won’t be leaving with a full stomach. Even some of the ramen choices that don’t have pieces of pork in them, do have pork bone broth. While they did have a single vegetarian option, I couldn’t justify paying almost $20 for a protein-less dish when I can get a braised beef ramen elsewhere for the same price. One of the other party members did have the pork belly ramen and was very satisfied with the flavor and portion size. They do have a solid appetizer menu as well, I would recommend the seaweed salad and Kani croquettes.

Make sure you write your name on the notebook when you walk up to the line, that’s how they keep up the waitlist but I missed it hoping there was a host. Very good tonkotzu ramen I got the garlic one and it was really good.

Ramen in Chinatown! If you're in Boston and craving ramen, this is one of my top recommendations. It's a small place with quick service, and good for when you're looking for a solo meal, something comforting (especially in the colder months), and/or a quick and casual catchup with a friend. It's not a place I would linger around for too long since space is limited, and it's easy for a line to form outside; that being said, it's conveniently located near everything else happening in Chinatown. Menu includes some ramen options, just as many appetizers/sides, some alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and some rotating specials. Some personal favorites among their ramen menu are the Black Tonkatsu Ramen, Spicy Miso, and Mazamen!

Though we didn't get ramen, we were pleasantly delighted with the food that was served. Everything was rich in flavor and the proteins are all cooked perfectly! Their chashu is super tender and smoky, adding a great texture/flavor to each bite. Note that they are CASH ONLY!! So prepare ahead of time (they do have an atm at the entrance too). The place is also cozy so if you come during busy times prepare for a potential wait.

Very good ramens! Small spot and cash-only. I enjoyed the Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen with thinner noodles. The broths were so nice. The Shoyu one had a hint of truffle in the broth which was a nice surprise.

I'm SO GLAD I found this place! My new favorite place for ramen in the city! So fresh and delicious. I got the black garlic, which has their famous torched pork. Perfectly meaty and fatty. Awesome flavors and just right for filling you up. If you want something different, try the lychee Japanese soda! It comes in a glass bottle and has a secret way to open the bottle. They are nice and the service is quick! I'll be coming back soon!

I enjoyed this ramen very much. The noodles were great. I really enjoyed the takoyaki a lot, the sauce had a bit of lemon flavor and it balanced very well. The waitstaff was attentive and very kind. I enjoyed the conversation and atmosphere of the restaurant. Thanks Tora Ramen!

Great price for really phenomenal food, with varieties of ramen that I have not encountered other ramen shops. Great appetizers, with the fried squid tentacles being a highlight. The Hiyashi Chuka was a daily special, and the chilled broth was perfect for a hot evening. We had to wait a short period of time before being seated, but no longer than 10 minutes. Keep in mind that the restaurant is cash only. Would return!

It's been a while since I visited boston but came here to try ramen since it's a newer place that I have yet to try since I no longer lives in Boston anymore. The place is located in corner of Chinatown. It's a small place so there was a wait although the service was very quick most likely because the place is very busy all the time. I tried the Tan tan ramen, kurokaraage and kaki fries. Kaki fries and kurokaraage were both pretty good. Crispy breading and juicy on the inside. I can tell that they were freshly made because it was piping hot. Tan tan ramen was very good. Rich and creamy sesami flavor woth deep umami from pork broth. The noodle was a bit thicker and chewer than what I liked but still good ramen. Overall, the place was solid in comparison to other competitors in Boston. Certainly good enough to make it around in Chinatown. Downside is that it was very busy and price was on higher side for ramen place, its cash only and portion was pretty small. I definitely had better ramen in another location around Boston area but would come back again if i'm around china town.

Cash only! They have an atm inside but it charged at $3 fee. Honestly wasn't wowed... I was craving ramen and the broth just wasn't as creamy and flavorful as I was hoping. $16.04 total with taxes. The service was great though! And good amount of seating for the small space they have. Glad I got to try it and maybe would consider coming back to try other things on the menu, but this particular dish just wasn't the best for me to come back to /:

Probably the best ramen I've had in Boston! The service was quick and it's cash only but they have an ATM inside. Will definitely be going back

The ambiance was warm and inviting. Our server was very friendly. He helped us figure out how to open our carbonated drink. The TanTan ramen was the best ramen I've ever had. Creamy and a hint of spice. Will be coming back for more.

Finally got to try this place and the hype definitely did not disappoint! We went pretty early so there was no wait and we got seated right away by the windows. Their area is pretty small so by the time we finished eating there were a bunch of people waiting. Overall it was a very casual atmosphere and the service was great! I tried the classic tonkatsu ramen and it was so good! Usually it's hard for me to finish en entire bowl of ramen because the broth gets too heavy but here I was able to finish the whole thing. The broth was flavorful and rich but not too heavy and didn't leave me feeling groggy. The egg was perfectly soft boiled and their noodles were a perfect texture. The chasiu was a bit on the thinner side but it was so tender and delish! Def recommend and will be back!

Ramen was amazing, and the staff were attentive and helpful. I was very happy with the menu selection being a vegetarian, and would go back anytime. Highlights included the miso ramen, the mango mochi, and the yuzu sparkling soda. The bathroom is surprisingly nice too. Music isn't too loud, and there are enough seats to feel intimate without it being cramped or too loud. Cash only isn't an issue, there's an ATM in the doorway.

Super busy and the restaurant is small, so get there early or prepare to wait. The ramen was delicious - I can see what this place is so popular! Would recommend being ready to order by the time you sit down because the servers are super busy.

Small spot on a corner in Chinatown serving delicious and fresh ramen. It's cash only, but they do have an atm. When you enter, write your name and party size down in a notebook. I came with only one other person so we didn't wait more than 5 min, even on a Saturday right around lunch time. The space is pretty small, so the wait for more than two people would probably be longer. I ordered the yuzushoyu, which had a fun citrus taste. The bowl had the perfect ratio of noodles, broth, and toppings. It's not a place to spend tons of time, as they might gently push you out by handing you the check, but it's worth stopping by for a delicious meal.

So delicious! The miso ramen ($16) was rich and flavorful, the noodles were bouncy, and the chasu was melt-in-your-mouth. The kuro karaage ($9) was juicy and paired well with the tangy sauce. A little pricey but absolutely enjoyed every bite. Service was also great. It's a little small but I liked the vibes. Definitely recommend and will be coming back.

Really enjoyed the ramen! The portion is perfect! The environment is cozy. It is great for intimate, smaller size but could fit a group of 4-6 people if you decide to go in a group. This is my go to ramen spot in chinatown! This place is cash only. Great service! Staff is attentive and quick. Usually a quick turnover so won't have to wait too long for seating. I recommend!

A filling and delicious meal today at this savory ramen shop. Had Kaki fried (two fried oysters) and juro karaage, as our appetizers selection, and they were fresh and still sizzling and hot! Aka spicy miso ramen was delicious and savory~ can't go wrong with this place. The location is on the corner, and is a small place with a long line, and you leave your name on a list to be called, but they don't call you when you're next. We waited outside, and got missed. No one can honestly wait for their turn inside because the space is limited. I had to wait another 20minutes to gain a table. It is a cash only restaurant too. ATM is at the door if you don't have cash and it has a $3 charge. Waitress was attentive and prompt with our food. If you get overwhelmed easily or are sensitive, this is a sensory nightmare because everyone is squeezed into a small shop. You enter, wait, order and then are out, to clear tables for others.

I never noticed this cute little ramen place in chinatown until I looked up to see nearby ramen places. Went on a weekday night so there wasn't a wait although it is a tiny corner restaurant. Service was great and quick as well. I got the Karashiro ramen which was great and not spicy in my opinion (I also got a taste of Black garlic ramen from my friend and it didn't disappoint). I also tried the Kani croquette which was decent. One thing to note: it's cash only.

Ate here twice during my stay in Boston. The restaurant is located in the Chinatown area. Had the spicy miso ramen (yellow noodles), & the tonkotsu ramen (white noodles). My favorite was the spicy miso, that came with torched pork belly. The pork was tender, & fatty. The tofu appetizer was also very good. A firm square of tofu with a thick sesame soy sauce. P.S., cash only.

Spicy Tonkotsu ramen was absolutely delicious. Right amount of spice and savory pork and broth. Highly recommend.

Waitstaff accused us of not paying tip. They only take cash and we didn't have the exact bills so we waited for the staff to give our change back from the check so we could give the right tip, instead the waitress came back immediately and yelled at us that we have to tip more. Maybe we missed something on the receipt that you have to pay tip with the bill but they were extremely rude and unprofessional. The service wasn't great to begin with anyways: the other waitress poured water in my cup that had soda in it. The food was subpar (little flavor but looked good) but the ambiance was nice.

Very yummy and quick turnaround! It's a little compact in there but it adds to the vibe honestly. The food was of a very high quality and seemed very fresh. Would definitely come back!

My daughter and I were craving ramen. I found this place on Yelp. And I will say it was perfect. The ramen broth was so good and you can tell it wasn't made that hour, it tasted like something that had been slow simmering for a long time. The only downfall was that I think they should give you more broth.

I don't usually post screenshots of the menu but look how close the actual item is to it. They serve excellent ramen here and I come here every once in a while. The Chashu is very melty and delicious

For a quick weeknight dinner, I went to Tora ramen. Arriving at 8:30, I waited 5 minutes before a table opened up. I ordered the karashiro ramen ($16), their spicy tonkotsu ramen with thin noodles, pork chashu, marinated egg, scallions, and bamboo shoots. The order arrived within 10 minutes. The broth seemed flavorful enough for a pork bone broth, though I would have liked it heavier. The spiciness added flavor contrast but not much heat, which seemed part for course at a Japanese restaurant. The bamboo shoots' fermentation stood out as extra umami and flavorful, able to set itself apart even from the relatively heavy tonkotsu broth. The thin noodles also possessed a springy texture, initially providing resistance on the bite. I also ordered extra noodles (kaedama, +$3). It arrived on the side. I would have preferred it to arrive after finishing the initial bowl of ramen, or have it paired with additional broth.

Cash only is the only negative. The ramen was exceptional. Best marinated egg I've ever had. It's small but functional. And service was quick and kind. Highly recommend.

A small and cramped little ramen shop on the corner of a street, Tora is a cash only establishment. Both ramens were good with flavorful broths - a star down as there was only one vegetarian ramen option and it was somehow more expensive than the some meat options despite being a smaller portion. The tofu appetizer is very flavorful and service is extremely quick!

This tiny ramen shop serves the most authentic ramen noodle in US. They have two kinds of noodles and chai sui. They use straight noodles and thin/lean char sui for tonkotsu flavor, and wavy noodle and thick/fatty char sui for miso flavor. Honestly both are great and I cannot pick which is my favorite. They have limited seating and they only have one wait staff so that part take a bit but the food comes out very quickly. Ramens are about $20-$22 with tax and tip. Cash only and there is an ATM in the store.

I came here with my Dad while we were in Boston. We wanted to eat something light, so we opted for ramen. The seats are incredibly uncomfortable, and the tables are tiny. There wasn't really an "ambiance" of the place, so we ate and didn't stay longer than needed. The service was pretty quick which was nice. The ramen was okay, nothing special in our opinions. By no means was the ramen bad, it just wasn't the best flavors I've ever had in ramen. Probably will skip this next time I visit Boston.

Ok let's start with the environment. I have been to this place a couple of times and finally decided to write this review. The environment is small and lively. If you do not like small crowded places, then this place may not be for you. Next the payment is cash only. They have an ATM in the store. However I never used it so I do not know if they charge a fee to withdraw. That said, there are a few banks around the area such as Santander Bank and Citi Bank...etc. Now the core, the food here is great! Very tasty for me. They also have verity of selection from light simple plain ramen to heavy creamy spicy ramen as you can see. For most people the portion should be ok. But for me it is a bit small so I ordered two. I started with the light original taste ramen that is light. When I almost finish, I ordered the heavy creamy Raman aka Tan Tan Ramen. That way I have a tiny break btw the meal and I won't wait too long (It takes around 5-15 minutes ish depending on how busy it is) The day I was there, it was busy. Also if you are like me that you need two bowls to satisfy you, then start with the light bowl, other wise you won't be able to taste much for the second bowl. Beside ramen they have other dishes including soupless ramen, appetizer, and sake. They have plenty of colorful interesting sake. They also have plenty of colorful none alcoholic beverages. Lastly be expect to atleast spend $20 to $25 cash per person because their cheapest ramen is $15 up to $19ish plus tips and tax. If you are like me that want to have two ramen, bring at least $45 cash. Overall I like this place. It is good for small friends gathering or by yourself. Good luck out there my fellow foodlers! Cheers!

My absolute favorite place to grab some delicious ramen. The spot is very small, however, I enjoy spaces like these. The spot is set up in a way where you could feel comfortable eating alone, too! And as an introvert, this is something I adore. the service is nice, and if you dont go on a busy day/time, you can get in and out of there in 30ish minutes!

Cash only establishment with ATM at front of restaurant. Seating for only 20 people tops: 4 tables and counter only. Clean and J-pop playing in the background. Char sui is either made sous vide (8 hour process) or charred depending on which ramen you order. Broth is very clean-tasting and ingredients are very fresh. Price of ramen is $15-17. Portions are decent but wished I had asked for an additional portion of noodles.

Food was bland and very disappointing. I recommend Soup Shack if looking for great ramen in Boston. Tora Sushi is brilliant but they need a lot of work on their ramen shop. Service was friendly and quick but the food "meh." Wouldn't go back. Also Cash only which is not ideal.

Spicy tonkotsu was very good, spicy broth had good depth and tender thin chashu with white tonkotsu noodles. I personally preferred the chashu over the torched pork belly for the leaner cuts, but still found it to be very flavorful. Great service and clean space, I was in and out under 25 mins on a weekday at 3:00.

Cute little ramen shop on a corner street in Chinatown. Great location in my opinion, it's super convenient if you're just walking around the area. It is cash only but there is an ATM as soon as you walk in. About ~$16 for a standard ramen bowl and they have a variety of the typical Japanese appetizers and a good selection of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks, which are on display along the ramen bar. They don't have many tables, and the tables that are there are very close together. There is a bar along the window and then the ramen bar for singles/small parties. I didn't think the ramen was anything special. I didn't go home hungry, but I feel like the portion sizes are possibly smaller than at other ramen places. The ramen did come out very fast though. My egg was cold but the rest of the food was piping hot. Service was friendly and efficient. Overall, I'd go again out of convenience but it's definitely not something I would crave.

Small cosy restaurant. The ramen broth was outstanding. Can really tell the difference between this and some other not so great ramen restaurants. There was only a short wait for a table and the waitress was pretty quick on getting some added items and a side bowl for kids after the food came and one decided that my ramen was better than theirs and the other only wanted fries.

Came here on a Wednesday night and it was packed. Waited around 15 minutes for a table for 3, not bad given that there's pretty limited seating for parties over 2. Ordered the Shiro tonkotsu ramen (15) with extra noodles (3). Really nice broth, very rich without being overly salty. Thin noodles were very chewy and picked up the broth well. Good chashu, its the thin kind. Very delicious ramen. Good service too but beware its cash only.

Another day, another ramen restaurant in Chinatown. Tora is cash only and they conveniently have an ATM by the door. It's small inside and gets packed quickly. There is bar seating by the kitchen, bar seating by the window, and a few tables. They can probably sit around 20 people. The service is quick and the menu is available via QR code. The Kuro Karaage was good. It does come out burnt looking, but this is intentional. The meat is tender and juicy and comes with spicy mayo sauce. For the ramen, we got the Black Garlic and Original Tonkatsu. It came with a decent portion of meat, noodles, and vegetables. The broth was flavorable and the noodles were great. The service was good and quick. Expect to take less than an hour eating here. Overall, not the best ramen place I've had, but decent for Boston.

Very solid and might be one of my favorite ramen places!! The ramen had so much flavor without being salty like some other places. With an app and ramen I was a happy camper. You can also order extra noodles too if you like for a small extra charge. You don't have to order extra noodles until the end so you don't have to order so from the beginning. The staffs were super nice and helpful so feel free to ask any questions.

The food was okay but there are better spots for ramen in Boston. However, the service was horrible. They are cash only so I paid the initial bill close to the exact amount and planned to give tip after they returned the receipt, which I have always done at restaurants. The waitress grabbed it and came back quickly with the change saying I need to tip more. She was rude and even raised her voice, then walked away before my girlfriend or I got a chance to say anything since we were both in shock. I still left the tip after but we couldn't believe how fast she was to accuse me of not paying tip, before I even got my change back for the meal. I always pay tip even if there is bad service but it struck me the wrong way how entitled she acted towards it. The waitstaff ignored us after the whole thing so we couldn't say anything. They even avoided eye contact when we walked out!

The black garlic tonkatsu ramen was delicious!!!! We also recommend the tantan ramen. Great service. We will absolutely be back.

Best ramen spot in the city! The cheesy chashu don is so so addicting. Small place, only take cash but the food makes up for literally everything. Their pork belly is so tender and flavorful!!!!

Tiny place on a corner in Chinatown. Waited about 15 minutes for a table on a Saturday night during lunar new year. Service was efficient and despite a full house, our meals came out quickly. $15-17 for a bowl, so slightly more than I had expected. Flavors were remarkable and distinct. Would definitely return.

Ramen came out really fast, ordered the shoyu which was delicious. Very much no frills ramen! Have had the richer broth ramens before through takeout and didn't love them -- think the shoyu + eating in restaurant experience is much better Takoyaki and karaage also good!

Really delicious ramen that was made with love! I got the original tonkatsu ramen and added menma (bamboo shoots) and the special chili bomb on the side. The chili bomb goes a long way and just helped deepen the delicious flavor. The egg was cooked perfectly and the pork melted in my mouth. I definitely recommend making your way over to Chinatown for this delicious and savory meal.

Alert! Cash only, but they have an ATM just inside the restaurant entrance. Very good food!

CASH ONLY!! Finally food ramen that's not all the way in Cambridge or Brookline, and it's GOOD. Get the Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen and thank me later. The broth was smooth and rich, but not to the point where it's too overwhelming, so hearty and decadent each spoon of broth. And the noodles are chewy but not to the point where it tires your jaw. I was able to finish this feeling full and satisfied!! They have a lot of different kinds of broth that I will for sure have to try again, especially since it is located in Chinatown. I heard the Black Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen was delicious so I'll try that next.

This is one of my favorite ramen places in Boston. The broth is always very rich and flavorful and the toppings are delicious. It always feels like eating a warm hug. This time we got the miso and the spicy tonkotsu. The miso is always great and the tonkotsu is the right amount of spicy. We also got the gyoza which I would also recommend. And we will for sure keep coming back. Bring cash! They do not take card here!

This ramen shop is finally getting the hype it deserves! We went on a Friday night and it was packed! They started having a wait list! The ramen is still consistently delicious and full of flavor! The pork is a perfect balance of fat and tender meat, and torched to perfection! I love their ramen guide on how to eat ramen, it truly gives you an immersive experience. 1) smell the broth 2) taste the broth 3) eat the noodles and toppings together 4) drink the rest of the soup Overall, I'm super happy that this place is getting more and more recognized and I'm glad their consistency and quality is still the same despite them being so busy!