Boston food review

🍜 Hokkaido Ramen Santouka Back Bay: Boston’s Solid Ramen Fix—Double Carbs, Double Joy Recently on a ramen kick, and this spot hit the spot. Nothing mind-blowing, but reliably satisfying—especially if you’re here for that warm, carb-loaded comfort. 🌟 My Order: Shio Ramen + Cha-shu Gohan Shio Ramen: 🥣 A classic salt-based broth that’s rich but not cloying—no heavy pork fat overload here. The broth has depth (umami + subtle sweetness) without leaving you greasy. I went for the small size (they offer small/medium/large), which was plenty. The noodles? Springy, with a good chew, and the chashu (braised pork) was tender, melt-in-your-mouth soft. Cha-shu Gohan: 🍚 The secret hack. A bowl of rice topped with more chashu and a drizzle of sauce. After finishing the ramen, I dumped this into the leftover broth—hello, hot, savory rice soup. It’s simple, but that mix of broth, rice, and pork is pure comfort. Onsen Egg: 🥚 A must-add. Runny yolk oozes into the broth, adding creaminess—elevating every slurp. ✨ Perks for Students & Regulars Deals: Show a student ID on weekdays for a discount or free size upgrade (sadly, no love for the “small pink noodles” here). Loyalty: Download their app to earn points—perfect for building that ramen loyalty. Price: My meal (ramen + rice + egg + tax) came to ~$19—not cheap, but fair for Back Bay. 🍲 What’s Next? The shio was solid, but I’m eyeing the spicy version next time. The broth’s balance (rich without being heavy) makes me think heat would complement it well. Santouka isn’t reinventing ramen, but it does the classics right. For a cozy, satisfying meal—especially with that rice-in-broth trick—it’s a great pick. 📍 Hokkaido Ramen Santouka Back Bay 66 Hereford St, Boston, MA 02115 #BostonRamen #JapaneseFood #StudentEats