this post is filed under Cuisine - Japanese, Location - Boston

There is a small minimall by Porter Square called Porter Exchange that is the center of a little Japanese Community. Inside, they have a variety of different food stalls. We went there for a food field trip in my food anthropology class earlier in the semester. I was anxious to try it as I'd never bothered to make the trip. We decided to eat at Sapporo Ramen, which I'd heard some decent things about. As many of you know, I'm on an ongoing hunt for good ramen anywhere I can find it. Each stall in Porter Exchange is really really tiny, with room for just a few tables each. On weekend afternoons the place gets really packed. Luckily we were there pretty early and snagged a table right when they opened.

pork gyoza - $4.25

shoyu chashu ramen - $6.25

I was very disappointed by this place. The gyoza were alright - the skins were thin and pretty light, but the filling was a bit on the bland side (and there was too much of it considering the lack of flavor). I used more dip than I would usually. The ramen was absolutely forgettable. The noodles were alright, but I'd say only marginally better than good instant noodles. The roast pork was lean and fairly tasteless, and the broth had little flavor. Men-Tei isn't great but I think it's got Sapporo beat. Or maybe that trip to actual Sapporo has just ruined ramen for me everywhere else...

Comments

Don't worry...we will go to Kintaro when you come to Van

posted by Geoff on May 21, 2005 04:50 PM

Oh Arthur, I'm sorry the ramen and gyoza weren't great... they look good to me anyway (as I'm missing Japanese food here in the UK).
Speaking of Sapporo, do you know that there is a place called Ramen Yokocho in Sapporo? It's an arcade packed with just ramen restaurants, you can't decide which one you are going to eat in, there are so many!

posted by keiko on May 22, 2005 06:34 PM

Looking forward to Vancouver as always.

Keiko - I'm fairly sure I've been there. When I was in Sapporo a couple of summers ago, we visited a notorious ramen alley... I forget the name, but it must have been the place. We ran into the exact problem you describe, of course!

posted by Arthur on May 23, 2005 02:52 PM

I have to defend this place. They make the best Ramen that I've ever had. Untill now, I still can find any place that make ramen as good as them. Too bad I'm no longer in Boston, but when I do I'm have 50 % of my meals there. I still give it a 10! MIso Ramen rocks!

posted by Jack on December 21, 2005 05:23 AM

Jack, you're certainly entitled to your opinion. :) I might check it out again if I'm in the area, but from my first visit I wouldn't make a special trip there. Maybe I was there on a bad day.

posted by Arthur on December 23, 2005 07:53 PM

I don't love the clear flavor so much there-- it is pretty bland-- but the Miso is really quite good. And while I'm not sure if it's a whole fifty cents more goodness, I do usually get the Miso with the butter cube. It's just... awesome.

posted by Piscean on April 15, 2006 08:02 PM