Santouka Hokkaido Ramen

Santouka Hokkaido Ramen is a popular ramen chain from Japan and now it finally arrives in Harvard Square, Boston. Before Santouka became a ramen chain, it began as a single ramen ship Hokkaido in 1988. Founder Hitoshi Hatanaka was inspired to open a ramen shop after watching the Japanese movie Tampopo, a comedy about a Japanese woman opens a ramen shop. Santouka began with jsut one item on the menu - the Shio Ramen and twenty seven years later, they are all over the world. 

Santouka is known for its signature Shio Ramen and the simple broth is the highlight of a meal there. the broth has a rich depth but wasn't overwhelming in its saltiness or spice level and guests love the flavors of the creamy, elegant broth with the thin noodles. Even though there are people thinks the broth is too salty, but it is a salt broth after all. 

Because it's popularity, there is no surprise that there are many waiting in sanouka. The 58 seat eatery does not accept reservations. However, the shop does employ a texting system to alert customers that their table is available. guests now can shop around Harvard Square while waiting. 

Snappy Ramen

Home to the former snappy Sushi, this restaurant became a Ramen Spot overnight. It has become one of the most popular ramen spot in the Boston area. Snappy Ramen offers more varieties of broth than other shops in the city and it is the only place in the city that serves Tuskemen- style Ramen, the noodles and vegetables are plated separately from the broth.
If a hot bowl of ramen is the choice for you to cheer up during the freezing winter in Boston, Tuskemen is the savior for all the ramen lovers on a hot summer day. Unlike Ramen that always served with hot broth and other toppings together, Tuskemen is being served with a cold noodle separated from the sauce. The way to eat Tsukemen is very simple, just take an ample amount of noodles then dipped it in the sauce that is usually placed in a tone bowl to preserve the right balance of heat and maintain the firmness of the noodle. Want to have a bowl of ramen but it is too hot during the summer? Tsukemen is your solution because it is much easier to eat without immersing tongues into a hot meal.
Just like I mentioned Snappy ramen is the only place in the Boston area that serves Tsukemen, and if you love ramen and have never tried tsukemen before Snappy ramen is the only place to go.
Beside the Tsukemen, Snappy Ramen also serves great ramen. the broth is silky and rich but not overly rich in a heavy sense. The Ramen noodles have a slightly firm texture. The chicken and pork is very flavored and moist. Snappy ramen has its own style and I definitely think it is the one of the best place to go no matter in the cold winter or hot summer.

wagamama

Wagamama is a British headquartered restaurant chain, serving Japanese food in the style of modern Japanese ramen bar. There are many Wagamama in the Boston area and they are very easy to find. In my opinion Wagamama is a very commercial restaurant because all the Wagamama taste the same and have no characteristics just like all the McDonald or KFC. 

Food is not very good compare to the other ramen spot in Boston. Their pork ramen was very disappointing. There was not much pork, or noodles, and their broth does not taste like it has been made properly, it tastes like it was made from a packet seasoning powder. Broth from Nissin's instant noodle is better than Wagamama's.  The pork I think it has been pre cooked because I has lost a lot of flavor. The ramen was that that good, but I enjoyed the side dish quite well. there were many options, even though not much of Japanese style, they were creativity. I did not try anything from the curry and donburi section because they look they are very americanized. 

Because it is a commercial restaurant, it's location and environment are always good. You can easily find a Wagamama in downtown Boston. The interior is simple, but modern. the floor and table is always clean. Waiters are nice and attentive. It is not a ramen spot I recommend, but if you are in downtown and have no idea where to eat and do not want to eat any fast food Wagamama is not a bad choice to go