Ramen and Pho Guide – Boston, MA

It’s that time of year again. Once the leaves start falling, we start slurping our noodles.

It seems like Boston keeps getting more and more ramen and pho spots– so we will be here to try them all and let you know which ones are worth your time!

Mecha Noodle Bar (Brookline, Seaport)

We all have those nights when we can’t decide between pho, ramen, or maybe some bao buns. Well, now you don’t have to, because Mecha does it all!

The vibes at Mecha are immaculate. It’s lively and vibrant with a robust Asian-inspired cocktail menu. The spicy miso ramen took the cake for us. The broth here is super rich with a more-than-decent kick to it, with mushrooms adding to the umami heartiness. The Shoyu Paitain is as close as it gets as Japanese chicken soup. For someone just dipping their toes into the world of ramen, the shoyu is the way to go.

On top of that, the bao buns here are also fire. We tried their KFC (Korean fried chicken) bao buns. The super crispiness of the chicken with the doughy sweetness of the bun was a killer combo.

If you are going for a fun date night, or are just trying to stay warm, Mecha is the spot for you.

Pho Hoa (Dorchester)

There is a ton of great pho all over Boston, but if you are looking for the best of the best, look no further than Dorchester and Pho Hoa. For all of your authentic Vietnamese favorites, this is the spot.

There is a variety of great stuff here, including an epic seven course beef meal. But make no mistake, this is the spot for top quality pho.

You don’t stick around for 30 years in the restaurant industry if you aren’t cooking up the authentic stuff. The thinly-sliced beef was the perfect amount of raw, which allowed the hot broth to bring it from pink to just under medium rare.

Wakuwaku (China Town, Cambridge)

Wakuwaku is an innovator with options spanning every corner of the ramen world.

Their wide selection comes complete with both pork and chicken-based broths. Their classic Wakuwaku comes with a side of fried pork chop if you are extra hungry.

Our favorite was the curry ramen. It was super savory, and the noodles were perfectly chewy. When it comes to ramen near downtown, this spot is a must-try.