Waku Waku Ramen

Came here on a trip to Boston and I am a huge Ramen fan. This place was tasty. I chose a cheesy Ramen since I've never had anything like that before. It was delicious, but I definitely need to go back to see what their traditional Ramen is like. The place is busy but the service is fast and efficient. I enjoyed everything my friend and I ordered. The atmosphere is a cool vibe with low lighting but beautifully done. Definitely would go back.

Delicious food and very fast service. My friend and I absolutely devoured the pork buns, they were so good. I enjoyed my ramen (black garlic beef special). Large portions, definitely filled us up! Most of the seating available is countertop space with stools, but there are a few tables with chairs that do have backs.

Eye catching red and black front on the sidewalk on a sketchy neighborhood. The two color theme continues inside, with the addition of a puzzling glittery gold wall border edging the ceiling. The fake sakura tree from a distance looked like a silver Christmas tree, in small soace where West did not quite meet East. Two young smiling waitresses added to the casual vibes. First time I spotted a vegetarian dumpling offering on a menu, which felt to me loke answered prayers. Ordered the steam version which came to the table before I could open my napkin. Speediness at the expense of hot temperature and not fully cooked, the dough showing unappetizing blistering texture on the surface. I pointed out to my friendly server that the edges around the fold were undercooked but just got an empty smile. The dumplings were followed by a vegetarian ramen which was on the greasy side, and had some considerable heat which I was not expecting. But it was tasty though it did not feel healthy. The sturdy bowl it was served on, was actual stoneware which felt like the right choice, rather than flimsy plastic which seems to be ubiquitous nowadays. Maybe there was a dessert offering which looked like fried dough on the photo. I could have used some green tea ice cream. The prices were affordable which attracted a very young crowd that likes their background music loud and trendy, and they were not disappointed.

Ramen was very good. I also ordered the tots and pork goyzas. They were good too. Staff friendly and quick. I personally would like to see maybe some more choices for appetizers but I definitely would come back for their Ramen.

The menu is small but offers a good variety of ramen options—and every one we tried was delicious and well-balanced, not too salty. The Korean fried chicken was incredibly tasty, definitely a must-try. Prices are reasonable for what you get. Just a heads-up: the place is open late and can get a bit loud due to the music, which makes it a little hard to have a conversation. Still, a great spot for flavorful food, especially if you're craving ramen at night.

Service was prompt and lovely. Able to get seated, ordered, and served with 10 minutes or so. Food was nice. I ordered the miso cheesy ramen that comes with karaage. The miso was hard to detect as the cheese aroma was very forward, but overall made a rich and non greasy broth. The karaage was very crispy even in the soup and covered in a spicy sweet and sour sauce reminiscent of better American Chinese food.

It was an amazing experience. The ramen was great. Customer service was the best that I’ve had while visiting Boston. I would visit this restaurant again if I ever returned back to Boston.

First time in Boston and first time trying Ramen and I loved it. The appetizers and ramen were delicious. Sapporo bear very nice and service was also excellent! Recommended!!!

Waku Waku is one of the many spots in Chinatown that offer ramen & Japanese inspired appetizers. They have a couple locations now, one in Cambridge & and another in Quincy. From my experience dining here a few times, I prefer to just order apps when coming here & skip on ramen. Their apps are pretty good actually...loved the takoyaki/okonomiyaki, duck + chashu buns, & fried oysters. I find that their ramen is EXTREMELY salty & nothing special. Ramen is not on the same level as their apps. For drinks, I like to the the kukai mango nigori, it's great if you're not really a sake person.

Service was attentive and helpful. I arrived late from a delayed flight and was craving Ramen. Ordered the Tonkotsu ramen and a hot sake. They served promptly and it was very good. God noodles and flavor. Great garnishing with the mushrooms. I will come back again. This is a solid ramen place. They also have fantastic tunes.

Chicken Karage 3/5 Signature Ramen w/pork Katsu 3.5/5 Grabbed dinner here before watching a show at the Boston opera house. The short of it is, it's nothing special. My friend and I ordered the chicken karage to share and I got the signature ramen w/pork katsu. The chicken karage's breading was a little too dense for my taste, but it wasn't bad. As for the ramen, not bad, but again nothing special. I think it's a fair price for the amount of food you get, if not a little on the pricey side. Service is good, no complaints about it. During dinner time the place is busy, but we didn't have to wait to be seated. The ambience of the place has a nice casual décor and can get a bit loud when busy. I would recommend using the T to get here. You'd be lucky to find a parking spot during busy times in Chinatown, unless you don't mind paying for garage parking.

I will note I rarely ever get ramen, so I don't have anything to base off of. That said, I am very satisfied with my experience! I got the classic miso with a side of the black fungus mushroom and it was very flavorful, the noodles soak up the broth well. The only thing is I wish there was more chicken. Otherwise my friend was happy with his vegetarian miso soup too. I would certainly come back to try other varieties! Service was very quick and friendly, and attentive to our water glasses which I appreciated so much.

We've been here several times. This place has always fulfilled our ramen cravings. The portions are good and a reasonable priced second serving of noodles always available for hungrier days. The ambiance is darker and more of a lounge vibe. Service usually prompt but can vary depending on how busy it is. Definitely recommend a visit.

I ordered the miso tonkotsu ramen and the spicy edamame to start. The ramen was flavorful and filling. The spicy edamame was okay but nothing to write home about. This is one of my favorite ramen spots in Chinatown and I will definitely be returning.

Came there for dinner on a Friday night, we got seats for two right away. The squid appetizer was okay. The vegetarian ramen was also okay. I wish they had a better option for non meat eaters. Usually some tofu at least, but if you don't eat meat, they don't have protein for you. Service was efficient, place seemed clean.

This place was recommended by a friend so I stopped by while in the area. It's a pretty small spot but it has a decent amount of seating available; they were able to fit our party of 8 with a wait time of ~30 minutes which wasn't bad at all. The lighting is a bit dim but they have large windows which allowed light to come in. I ordered the gyudon bowl which tasted very good -- I recommend mixing everything together to get the best flavor. We also shared the pork gyoza, which was nice and crispy. The only issue I had with this place was our server; there was a bit of a miscommunication with the ordering and she looked visibly annoyed, which kind of damped the mood for a bit. Other than that, I had a good time and the food was good!

Wanted some late night ramen and saw this place was open until midnight! We started with the Okonomiyaki which was really tasty. I had never had this before but I enjoyed it and would order it again. We then each ordered the signature ramen. It was pretty good but I think if I were to come back I'd like to try one of their other kinds. Food came out quick for being so late. The inside has nice vibes and I liked all of the lights inside. Overall good experience here!

Standard ramen restaurant, fair pricing on the ramen, and we didn't have to wait to get a table on Saturday at 12:30pm. The cauliflower didn't need to be $7. The Ramen was very nice though, one of the first times that I finished the broth because it was lighter in flavor and chicken broth. Service was nice as well! Not a standout ramen restaurant but it does nicely.

Great option for ramen in Chinatown! My friend and I were searching for something warm on a cold day and this place fit the bill. It was pretty busy, even after peak lunchtime on a Saturday. I really liked the ambiance, with the fun red accents and nice mood lighting. As for the ramen itself, I had the Tonkotsu Ramen and was pretty impressed. The noodles had the perfect chew and the egg was cooked nicely. The pork was delicious, but be warned, it's pretty fatty. I just wish the broth had a stronger umami flavor. My friend got the Original Ramen and I sampled a spoonful. The broth had a great flavor, with a hint of sesame. I especially loved the pork katsu on the side. Very solid place for a quality (and substantial) bowl of ramen!

My sister and I met up at WakuWaku before our haircuts and it hit the spot. It's a small location with super cute aesthetics. We arrived around 2pm on Saturday and were seated immediately. The servers were attentive with making sure our waters stayed filled. We ordered the okonomiyaki as an appetizer, and she ordered the tonkotsu ramen, while I got the kimchi miso ramen. I was surprised to see others getting their apps before us (that arrived after), but the okonomiyaki came out right after our ramen. The edges were crispy and it was just what we were craving. The ramen broth was flavorful, especially with the addition of kimchi in mine. Would definitely come back and can't wait to try more of their apps!

If you're a Boston resident, you already know how many restaurants Chinatown has! This restaurant offers a modern look and creative appetizers along with its list of ramen! For food, we got rainbow dumplings, duck bao buns, lobster ramen, and the signature ramen. The dumplings and lobster ramen are new menu items for the summer so act fast!! The dumplings were very unique in my opinion. The wrapper was much thicker than any dumpling I've had and it almost tasted like rice cakes!! I thought the color would just be for aesthetics but they actually had different flavors. The filling was solid but not crazy. It was also interesting it came with fish sauce instead of soy sauce. The duck bao buns were a bit disappointing. There was barely any meat and the bun wasn't as fluffy as I would like. However, the strawberries were a nice touch for the summer. Now onto the ramen. Honestly, it doesn't make my top. The broth for the lobster ramen was very thin. They probably did this to bring out the flavors of the lobster more but I wish there was more lobster flavor in the actual broth. When I had the ramen without any meat, it was pretty bland. The char siu was fine. I also didn't love the texture of the noodles- tasted low quality. The signature ramen was cool because it came with pork katsu instead of classic char siu. The katsu was actually fire but the ramen was also not great. For drinks, they gave us mango sake and a sparking peach drink. The mango sake was a bit too sweet but the peach one was delish! It was super light and refreshing on a hot day. The restaurant has multiple locations in/near Boston being Chinatown, Harvard Square, and Waltham.

Great tonkotsu ramen. I'm always on the hunt for good ramen whenever I travel. Friendly service and nice ambience.

If you're looking for delicious ramen in Chinatown Boston, this is the place to go! The service is quick and indoor seating and decorations are beautiful. The waiter was kind and attentive. Truffle Shio Ramen - (4.5 out of 5) I loved the chicken broth and the egg was cooked perfectly. I wish there was more broth because the noodle to broth ratio was off plus I think it would've been even better if they added mushroom or corn.

Ramen was alright, not much taste in flavor - just spice and oil. The food wasn't hot either but maybe that's the restaurants style. The service was super nice and the waitress are super kind.

Waku Waku is a night time ramen shop on one if the inner corners of Chinatown, very visible once you walk through the big gates. They have wax figurines of their ramen displayed on the side of the building which is cool. When you walk in, it's very dimly lit. It's nice for me but if you're a person that hates eating in the dark, I wouldn't recommend this place for you. I also like that they decorate the upper shelves with pink bottles of sake. The murals on the wall are traditional Japanese art. Space is tight, and gets filled quickly, but people eat fast and so the wait line goes by quick. I've had their Tom Yum ramen before and it was really good. I e also tried their Kaen Ramen, which was supposed to be super spicy, but it wasn't really the best in flavor. This time I got the signature Waku Waku ramen, which comes with pork katzu. I didn't try the pork katzu only bc I knew I was going to be full from the ramen so I gave it to my husband instead. But can I just say the broth for the signature ramen is so good? Even though the menu says it's spicy, it's not, so that was kind of upsetting. Regardless I love the taste of the signature so I'll be getting that from now on when I go!

Randomly saw this ramen spot while walking in China town with my boyfriend on our trip to Boston. We both loved the ramen it was so delicious! It was a very cold and snowy day and it definitely hit the spot, and warmed us up. I tried the duck bao buns and i've never had duck before, and it tasted great. We also had this delicious sake and had to order another one. If your looking for a good ramen spot this place is a must!

I recently visited Waku Waku with friends after hearing good things on TikTok. This place had a cozy ambiance, perfect for a casual dining experience. While my friends enjoyed their Truffle Shoyu Ramen, I was a bit disappointed with my Tom Yum Ramen. The flavor was overwhelmingly bitter, leaving much to be desired. Although it wasn't terrible, there are definitely better ramen options available in the area. Overall, Waku Waku provided a mixed dining experience, with room for improvement in certain dishes.

It's a nice ramen restaurant in Boston Chinatown. Servers are very attentive. The noodle is average size, with rich toppings and flavorful broth. I ordered their signature ramen that comes with chicken katsu and mochi ice cream for dessert

10/10 tried all the samples and they were chefs kiss.very nice staff ,clean would recommend and definitely coming back again!

Noooooooooodle soup is the best thing in the cooler weather! Heart warm! Yummmmmy! Healthy! So easy to be full here.

the ramen at wakuwaku isn't bad. there's nothing too special about their ramen (tastes like ramen anywhere else). we ordered their classic miso ramen and truffle shoyu ramen. both were $16. portion size was good. customer service was excellent. all the waiters were friendly and accommodating. parking is extremely difficult since the restaurant is in the heart of chinatown. there are a few garages nearby, though. overall rating: 8/10

WakuWaku Ramen, nestled in the heart of Boston's Chinatown, offered a delightful dining experience. Visited with a friend in town for a conference, we found the atmosphere welcoming and the service attentive. While the tonkatsu ramen left something to be desired, the signature ramen with its included side of pork katsu stole the show, delivering a flavorful and satisfying meal. A recommended stop for ramen enthusiasts seeking a taste of authenticity in the bustling city

A perfectly respectable bowl of ramen, service was fast and friendly, but there are certainly better options in the area. I work right next to Chinatown, and we've always seen a crowd outside of this restaurant. Granted, there weren't many asians waiting (usually my gauge for any spot here), but it still piqued our interest. The space is large compared to its competing ramen shops, the lighting is a little dark and a bit funky which is a vibe. The buns we ordered were a special for the day. Super interesting combo of flavors, crispy meat, and the sauce paired well WakuWaku signature ramen - comes w a side of katsu which was lovely and crisp. I would've liked a few more fixings on top and was left a little unsatisfied Tonkatsu ramen - a really light broth considering it's black garlic. Another solid option, but again still left needing a little something more We ended up stopping at a bakery nearby to get our fill. If you're looking for a lighter meal, this could be the spot for you. I'm not sure we'll be back, but I do recommend giving it a try!

Helpful tip: it's a small place with great late night vibez so be careful of a wait time if you bring a date here. Review: the ramen and takoyaki is always a great combination. They give a good portion of ramen leaving you satisfied. The price-flavor value is pretty accurate. They have a large selection of flavors which is nice. Their 1 pepper spice isn't too spicy either which is nice! I would probably come back and try different ramens another time

Service was poor Waitress demanded tips Food was mediocre Felt manipulated by this waitress Demanded an 18% tip Ambiance was ok If employers can't pay you leave the job Don't go demanding tips from 15 year olds

Food is a 7.5/10 pretty good selection of ramen. Service is pretty fast. the waitresses don't really check up on you too much. The vibe is pretty chill I would come back again

My friend and I stopped by Waku Waku on a Friday night at around 9 PM. The wait was a bit long, they told us 15 min but it ended up being more like 20/-25. However, I ordered the Kaen spicy ramen level 1 on a superrrr chilly night out and it was exactly what I needed. Even at level 1, the ramen definitely had a lil kick to it. It wasn't as creamy as expected, but instead was sharper and more aggressive (this probably makes no sense but idk how else to describe it LOL). Also, the ramen doesn't actually come with 2 eggs, my friend just gave me his because he didn't want it. But even so, the portion was quite hearty and super filling. Also, it was around $20 post-tip!

The food is so affordable and amazing! Like genuinely this is coming from the heart. The waiters are so nice and the food comes out quick! I got an appetizer, and two bowls of ramen and it was only $41!!!! The environment is so nice! You might feel a bit smothered but its soo worth it

Pretty good ramen overall. Portion may be on the smaller side for some. Had the tonkatsu ramen and the side of pork katsu. Both tasted great and would recommend trying. Would ask for no ginger in the ramen though.

These place serves delicious food. The ramen is so good and the broth is so flavorful. Their appetizer are also so delicious. The servers are very nice and helpful and the ambience is great. I've been there twice and definitely will be back many more times.

the duck bun wasn't bad, the strawberry added a little sourness to the appetizer. the ramen was a good portion. the half an egg was actually good, had a little sweetness to it. the chicken in the ramen was moist and wasn't dry meat. overall the ramen were pretty good. wouldn't mind trying another location with more varieties

A decent ramen place in the Chinatown area. The restaurant is quite small, but the ambiance was chill and everything was clean. The service efficient, though the appetizer ordered came out after the ramen which was a bit odd. The appetizer was a very interesting version of okonomiyaki, it definitely wasn't what I was expecting but it did taste good. It was much more takoyaki batter but made into a pancake shape as it didn't taste like there was much else mixed into the batter. The broth of my miso tonkotsu ramen was very fatty and flavorful, exactly what you'd expect for a tonkotsu ramen. It did get a bit boring after a while and definitely would have been elevated with some spice. The marinated egg was fantastic though, perfectly soft and a nice balance of sweet and salty flavors. Definitely my favorite element.

When my bf craves ramen, it usually from this Waku Waku location. When you get to the front, there's a spot light that shines down onto the sidewalk so you definitely can't miss the location. The interior is dark, with dim lighting & has some wall murals. The menu can be accessed via QR code. We usually order the signature ramen, it comes with katsu. I tried the Kaen level 1 spicy before and it was too spicy for me, I couldn't finish it. I liked that there was acidity that complemented the spice. I would rather enjoy my bowl of ramen though. The ramen bowls are a good portion, I get stuffed by the time I finish my bowl. Sometimes when we're feeling hungry, we order extra noodles, and we always get extra chashu on the side. I love their smoked egg, it is 1 whole egg cut in half ( I know some places only give you half an egg). I get to add bamboo shoots and I get the perfect ramen bowl customization. It comes up to be about $22 per person when we add our favorite toppings. The soup comes out piping hot and the broth is rich, not overly salted. It just hits the spot, especially when it's cold out. When Waku Waku gets busy, the service isn't as fast but it's understandable. We're usually able to flag down someone and get the ball rolling. I know I'll be back at Waku Waku soon!

Great ramen! I was extremely satisfied after eating a whole bowl of ramen from here, it was so yummy! It is a little pricier, but the restaurant is a little more high scale than other restaurants in the area, so it seems like you're paying for the experience. My soup wasn't too salty and had a good mix of toppings, I would go again!

I had exactly an hour before I had to catch a bus at South Station. I'm a slow eater but I really wanted to catch some ramen before my ride. The service here was fantastic and I ended up having enough time to stop at Royaltea down the street before my bus. It was hot outside but the AC here is great! Anyway, ramen. I ordered the Tonkotsu ramen and the broth had a very solid amount of flavor. The noodles were cooked well and the char siu was tender with a nice crisp around the edge. The menma and egg were marinated well and the right textures. After tip/tax it came out to $17. Sweet deal. Come check it out yourself!

Been wanting to try this place for ages and it definitely lives up to the hype! The inside of the restaurant is very clean and sleek. It's decorated very nicely and has a nice overall vibe. The staff was very friendly and attentive and very helpful answering my questions about allergies. I got the vegetable miso ramen and it was delicious. The menu lists it as spicy but I was happy to find out that it was pretty mild and the broth definitely had a nice kick to it. A great spot to try in Chinatown!

Got some take out from this place while on vacation. The staff boxed up everything nicely and the food was hot and fresh without being soggy. The only thing I wasn't a fan of was the strawberry sauce on the duck bun but everything else was fantastic! I had a vegetarian with me and they had plenty of options for her. Would totally recommend.

Came here on a whim and I had a great experience! The interior was dark with trendy/upbeat vibes, the staff was friendly and attentive, and our ramen came out pretty quickly. I ordered the miso tonkotsu ramen and I loved it! The broth was creamy and flavorful, and it came with a good amount of meat and other toppings. Bonus points for the perfectly cooked egg! I would definitely come here again!

Very disappointing. I don't see the reason to come here. The ramen was not very good. The broth lacked flavor and it never felt hot. While it's open till 11:30 it's not late enough to be a late night spot. If it were open till 3 or so itd be worth it but because there are so many better ramen places it's better to just go to one that closes at nine. The bougie interior and the disappointing food made it feel more style over substance. The service was good though.

Having walked by here many many times I thought would give it a try. Tried the duck buns. Not much duck in them. Not much flavor. Also chicken classic Ramen. OK. Food not memorable for me. Price is a little high here for what you get.

A great ramen place in Chinatown at the corner of Tyler and Beach Street. I ended up coming here on a whim because I was craving a bowl of ramen. I noticed the bold red store front sign and thought I'd try it out. I ordered a shouyu truffle ramen that took about 10 minutes. There were a few take out orders for pickup as well as 1 party in the restaurant. The interior design definitely takes you to feel like you're in a Japanese area. The ramen is packaged well with the broth separated so your noodles don't get too soggy. The broth is rich and full of flavors with the slight hint of truffle. The noodles are bouncy and the soft boiled egg adds a nice touch to the dish. The portion was perfect as it fills you up, but doesn't make you feel stuffed. Overall, a great place to grab a bowl of ramen in Chinatown!

Heard WakuWaku is the spot to try in Boston. After a windy day in Boston, the ramen absolutely hit the spot. Ordered the signature ramen which comes with a side of Pork Katsu. As someone who likes to have a little of this and a little of that when ordering, I liked having the side of katsu with savory soup. I was surprised this ramen didn't come with an egg but when ordering it as an add on, it made the combination of flavors worth it. The eggs are perfectly seasoned and soaked in with the broth. The noodles have a great bite. My husband ordered the Kaen Spicy Ramen. He thought it was good and wished it had a little more kick or was less peppery. He also agreed the egg was perfect and the noodles were delicious. We had a starter of the duck buns as well. We appreciated the kick of ginger flavor in the hoisin sauce. However we wondered if we could've made this ourselves at home. Because of my scallion allergy there were no greens since they mixed those with the cucumber already, which I thought was an odd choice. We did enjoy our food and it hit the spot. The staff was helpful but it seemed they were focused more on turning tables quickly and getting people out as fast as they can. If the experience could've been improved I would wish we weren't seated right next to the door. I'd recommend moving that table period since the wind kept blowing on us and it hindered the experience (thank goodness ramen was hot). It seemed very cramped and I could hear the next tables conversation clearly because they were so close to our table. Hoping next time it could be better!

Part of the newer wave of hip Asian restaurants in Chinatown. It opened around June 2021. They specialize in ramen and Chinese/Japanese fusiony apps. It's got the dark interior and a music playlist more at home at subterranean speakeasy than Chinatown. I ordered vegetable Miso ramen, and I had to ask for tofu as an extra, as they don't have any dishes that come with tofu, which was a demerit in my book. Got charged an extra $2 for that (!)--so it was inexplicably more expensive than any of their meat ramens. The dish was very good, a spicy umami broth, a good mix of veggies like corn, bamboo shoots, sea weed, bean sprouts, scallions, silky tofu, baby bok choy. Service really slow, new wait staff. Sake--just order the house sake at $5 for a small carafe. Overall average to above average.

Try the fried oysters!!!! Omg so delicious Everything isso good here Highly recommend if you want to eat in Chinatown

I ordered takeout from here so I can't speak to the full restaurant experience. But when we order our food online it was ready for pickup within ten minutes which is for sure a plus if you live nearby. We ordered the miso tonkotsu and the kimchi ramen. Both had a good amount of toppings and the kimchi ramen was very unique and quite good. I also liked the miso tonkotsu but wish that it had a little bit more flavor to the broth.

This was not my first choice to come to for lunch. I wanted to go to Hong Kong Eatery but still not offering dine-in service. So my mom suggested dim sum, but the queue was long and so we ended up here. This ramen place is cozy and surprisingly pretty busy. The menu is not extensive and it's got your usual suspects of ramen with a few "new" ones you may not have seen on other ramen menus. We ended up getting the fried pork chop to share and mom got the Kokonattsu Ramen and I got the Tom Yum Ramen. All in all the ramen is good and nothing really to be floored about. I've definitely had better ramen. The pork chop was very crispy and juicy. My bowl of tom yum ramen was not bad but nothing I found that made me go WOW. My moms bowl of kokonattsu ramen was ok as well. I felt that the deli slices of ham was not worth the price. I'd would have preferred maybe slices of ham steak instead. The deli slices of ham felt like something I'd add if I was making ramen at home. As always come and try it yourself and decide if you like this place. I definitely will be sticking to my go to ramen place for now.

This is a really cute little place in the heart of China town. It seemed busy so I figured it had to be good. The restaurant was clean and had a nice vibe. The service was very good and we got our food fast. We ordered appetizers and ramen, and everything tasted really good!