As crisp air starts to flood the city, nothing quite warms the soul like a rich, creamy, flavorful bowl of ramen.
Broth choice aside, there’s nothing quite like a bowl of hot ramen to warm you up on a cold (or rainy) Boston day. If you’re looking to slurp down on a steamy bowl of noodles in a flavorful broth we know a few places you may want to check out. From creamy miso to 48-hour chicken broth all served with noodles cooked to perfection, here are some of our favorite spots to grab ramen in and around Boston!
1. Hojoko, Fenway
Known for its original take on Asian food, Hojoko offers two kinds of ramen. The most popular is Hojoko’s “funky chicken ramen” ($18) which is served in a flavorful 48-hour chicken broth with menma, robata grilled koji chicken, and a creamy soy-egg! Fun fact, instead of business cards, Hojoko, as a popular music scene, hands out custom guitar picks!
Find Hojoko at 1271 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02215
2. Ms. Cluck’s Deluxe Chicken & Dumplings, Fenway
This shop, located inside Fenway’s Time Out Market, specializes in all things chicken. They make a stellar ramen that tastes like a homemade chicken soup, and features chicken two-ways, ground on top with hot Asian chiles and incorporated into the dumplings as meatballs. It’s the perfect pick-me-up to get cozy on a cold day!
Find Ms. Cluck’s Deluxe Chicken & Dumplings at 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215
3. Ganko Ittetsu Ramen, Coolidge Corner
This Coolidge Corner outpost focuses on Sapporo-style ramen and caramelizes its veggies before letting them simmer, making their broth distinctly flavorful. Their short and sweet menu features six incredible options that will warm your soul right up!
Find Ganko Ittetsu at 318 Harvard St #3, Brookline, MA 02446
4. Isshindo Ramen, Allston
Housed inside Allston’s 88 Supermarket has an option for everyone all the way from creamy classics to vegetarian-friendly noodle soups with a sweet tomato broth.
Find Isshindo Ramen at 1 Brighton Ave, Boston, MA 02134
5. Shojo, Chinatown
Shojo might only have one option on the menu (luckily it’s vegetarian!) but that’s all they need because they’re serving up a bowl of perfection! Shojo’s “Mushroom Mazamen” features homemade ramen noodles (bonus points), soy-braised shitake mushrooms, runny egg, lots of veggies, and crispy garlic. We’re drooling!
Shojo also makes awesome calamari and chicken and waffles, so make sure to check them out while you’re there, or return for seconds!
Find Shojo at 9A Tyler St. Boston, MA 02111
6. Little Big Diner, Newton Centre
LBD isn’t in Boston, but it’s a short 20-minute drive or green line away–and it’s well worth it! Ramen is the focus of this tiny nook in Newton Centre, so they have an excellent selection that’s customizable to your dietary needs! Their homemade toppings are quite literally the cherry on top! And if someone in your party is not craving ramen, their burger is just as worth the trip!
Find Little Big Diner at 1247 Centre St, Newton, MA 02459
7. Doragon Ramen, Ashland, MA
Not too far from the start of the Boston Marathon is a hidden gem, Doragon Ramen. The joint’s focus is on traditionally handcrafted artisan ramen, with several specialty noodles ranging from Hiramen(their addicting wavey noodles) to Tonkotsu–all handmade. You can taste the difference with these noodles, they’re fresh, long, and perfectly al dente. The broths and toppings are equally as flavorful and fresh, you’ll be “oohing” and “aahing” with delight as you slurp a bowl from Doragon Ramen.
While Ashland may be a bit of a hike for Bostonians, it’s well worth it. And for those of you in the Middlesex burbs, rejoice, you finally have a stellar place to get ramen on those cold winter evenings.
Find Doragon Ramen at 1 West Union Street Ashland, MA 01721