
Bosso Ramen Tavern is a Japanese ramen restaurant in the heart of Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA. Known for rich, flavorful broths and carefully crafted bowls, it is a favorite spot for locals and visitors seeking ramen near Harvard Square. Our menu features traditional Japanese ramen made with high-quality ingredients, offering comforting flavors that make us a go-to choice among Harvard Square restaurants. Popular with students, professionals, and ramen lovers, Bosso Ramen Tavern is recognized as one of the best places to enjoy ramen in Cambridge and Boston. If you’re looking for a Japanese restaurant near you or craving authentic ramen in Harvard Square, we invite you to visit and enjoy a satisfying bowl any day of the week.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 24 Holyoke St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Website: https://www.bossoramentavern.com/
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Order and Reservations
Reservations: resy.com
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Bosso Ramen Tavern – Cambridge, MA 02138 (Menu & Order Online)
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Reviews
Unfortunately, before we even sat down, I noticed something concerning. While waiting to use the restroom, I saw used tablecloths placed together with chopsticks that appeared to be intended for use on tables. Seeing utensils in contact with visibly dirty linens—especially before eating—was an immediate turnoff.
On a positive note, my vegan ramen was quite good. I enjoyed the nutty flavor and texture, and it was easily the best dish of the evening. My friends felt their non-vegan ramen options were just okay. One friend ordered a toro hand roll, but it did not taste like toro.
The QR-code ordering system is very convenient, allowing each person to order and pay individually without the hassle of splitting checks.
However, there was also a service issue. I asked to cancel a sparkling water after realizing it was carbonated tap water rather than bottled sparkling water—the version I had specifically said I did not want. I was told it would be canceled, but later discovered it was still charged on my bill.
Between the hygiene concern, being charged for an item I didn’t drink, and an otherwise average ramen experience (aside from the vegan option), this visit was disappointing and will likely be my last.
Enmi Ramen: Salty. Who came up with the brilliant idea of using yuzu柚子 skin and yuzu oil? The gentle bitterness and lively fragrance of citrus are subtly hidden in the aftertaste, not only softening the rich, oily tonkotsu豚骨 broth but also reducing the pungent smell of the finely chopped scallions, leaving only a crisp texture and just the right amount of aroma. I never thought I’d love scallions in soup, and I never thought that the method of using citrus skin to remove odors from the refrigerator would be applied to ramen… The noodles are Hakata博多-style thin noodles, very thin yet very chewy, even a little firm in the center, somewhat like noodles in Suzhou, coated in the already slightly sticky tonkotsu broth, creating a charming contrast in texture; the chashu叉焼(sliced pork belly) wasn’t porky, but it was too lean and sliced too thinly, causing it a little dry.
Umami Ramen: Standard Japanese tonkotsu ramen. The chashu pork was perfectly balanced between lean and fatty, stewed until tender and flavorful; the tonkotsu broth was rich and thick, bringing a satisfying feeling (and calories). However, it got a bit greasy towards the end. Actually, my favorite part was the crunchy kikurage木耳(wood ear mushrooms)! I haven’t had them in ages.
Sanmi Ramen: Sour. Innovative, but not very tasty. The tomato broth was like a pre-made seasoning packet from Chinese takeout – greasy and not flavorful at all; the perilla oil aroma was completely undetectable. The noodles used were Kitakata喜多方 flat noodles, which didn’t absorb the broth’s flavor well. As for the arugula and shredded Parmesan, they were completely out of place; the former was raw and too strong-flavored, and the latter was ruined by the broth—what a betrayal of tradition!
Flavored Egg: The runny yolk wasn’t very noticeable and didn’t significantly affect the ramen’s flavor. It felt unnecessary.
Chashu Rice: Delicious! However, it seems a bit different from the hand-drawn illustration on the menu. The chashu is the same version but shredded as in the ramen, strongly suggesting it’s made from recycled scraps. The main surprise was the rice itself – sticky, oily, and chewy, with even a subtle milky aroma.
Mentaiko Rice: The ingredients were relatively clean, allowing you to better appreciate the aroma of the rice itself. However, the mentaiko明太子(spicy cod roe) was incredibly spicy…
They have a special lunch set for $18, which includes one type of ramen (some require an extra charge) and one type of rice, making it a good value for a work lunch.
We started with the edamame shiromiso hummus and ume fried gyoza. The hummus had nice flavor and came with chips. In my opinion, it would’ve been better served with bread. The gyoza though? Absolutely killed it. Best thing we had all night.
We moved on to sushi and got the spicy salmon and tuna avocado hand rolls. The spicy salmon was so good we ordered another round. The tuna avocado was fine, nothing to write home about. Next, we ordered the karami ramen (we added an egg). This dish was a disappointment. It’s advertised as spicy, which was why we ordered it but I found it bland and not spicy at all. We even got the spicy oil on the side. Zero spice. Not even a hint. For a dish that’s supposed to have heat, this was seriously a letdown.
The atmosphere is beautiful and the staff really do make the experience enjoyable, but if you’re expecting any actual spice from the spicy dishes, you’re going to be let down. Order the gyoza and you’ll be happy.
Our party of 4 got a wide range of their ramens which were all great. The noodle shapes complimented the broths. The vegan one was also very good. My only comment would be that the portion sizes seem to be on the smaller side.
Overall, lovely dinner and would recommend.
I’d love to come back and try the other varieties next time.