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Hokkaido-style ramen chain from Japan. Rich tonkotsu broth, perfectly cooked noodles, tender pork slices. Counter seating, quick service.
The Maitre d' Recommends
The Vibe
Santouka brings Hokkaido ramen tradition to Harvard Square with the kind of precision that only comes from decades of practice. The compact space fills with steam and the rich scent of pork bone broth. Students and ramen pilgrims line up for bowls that have earned this small chain worldwide recognition.
Comfortable conversation level
Why It's Great
Hokkaido's Most Famous Ramen, Right in Harvard Square
Santouka started in 1988 as a nine-seat shop in Asahikawa, Hokkaido. The founder's obsession with perfecting tonkotsu ramen created something special—a milky, salt-based broth simmered for 20 hours with pork bones, vegetables, and dried fish. That recipe hasn't changed. The Harvard Square location, now in its second decade, serves the same bowls that made Santouka a pilgrimage destination in Japan.
The menu centers on shio (salt-based) ramen, Santouka's signature. The broth is creamy without being heavy, complex without being overwhelming. The chashu (pork cheek) is tender enough to fall apart at a chopstick's touch. The noodles have proper chew. Every element reflects the decades of refinement that separate good ramen from great.
Beyond the signature, the menu offers miso and shoyu variations, plus side dishes like gyoza and rice bowls. But regulars know: the shio ramen is why you're here. Order it, slurp loudly (it's polite in ramen culture), and appreciate what obsessive perfection tastes like.
Harvard Square has plenty of food options, but Santouka fills a specific need. When you want ramen—real ramen, not the instant kind from your dorm days—this is where you go.
The shio ramen with extra pork cheek. Slurp loudly—it's a sign of appreciation.
Shio Ramen
The signature—creamy salt-based tonkotsu broth, pork cheek, the works
Toroniku (Pork Cheek)
Extra pork cheek, melting tender—worth the addition
Miso Ramen
The heartier option with red miso and butter
Tokusen Toroniku Ramen
Premium bowl with extra toppings for the full experience
Why It's In Our Guide
Santouka brings Hokkaido ramen excellence to Cambridge. The 20-hour broth, the pork cheek, the attention to detail—it's among the best ramen in Greater Boston.
“Santouka's shio ramen is the benchmark against which all Boston ramen should be measured.”
— Boston Globe“Worth the line, worth the wait, worth every slurp.”
— Eater BostonHarvard students have adopted Santouka as their cold-weather refuge. The line forms regardless of season because the quality is consistent.
Insider Tips
Early lunch or late afternoon to avoid the rush. Rainy days are especially popular.
No reservations—expect a wait during peak times. The line moves steadily.
Counter seats offer views of the ramen preparation. Small tables accommodate groups.
Start with the shio ramen—it's the signature. Add pork cheek for the full experience. Slurp loudly.
Harvard Square parking is challenging. Harvard T station is a 5-minute walk.
Ratings & Reviews
Based on 3,447 reviews
1,876 reviews
Updated 2024-12
1,571 reviews
Updated 2024-12
Frequently Asked Questions
Santouka is known for its shio (salt-based) tonkotsu ramen, featuring a creamy, milky broth simmered for about 20 hours with pork bones, vegetables, and dried fish. The recipe comes from their original Hokkaido location, opened in 1988.
Reddit Mentions
Contact Details
1 Bow St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Daily: 11AM-9PM
3 min walk from Harvard
RedJulia Child lived on Irving Street. She would have opinions about this.
“She was my Rushmore.”
— Herman Blume, on Cambridge dining