Tampopo
1815 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA, 02140
Tampopo Menu
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Apptizers
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Donburi(Comes with Soup)
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Curry (Comes with Soup and Salad)
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Entrees (Comes with Soup Salad and Rice )
Healthy Meal suggestions for Tampopo
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Apptizers
-
Donburi(Comes with Soup)
-
Curry (Comes with Soup and Salad)
-
Entrees (Comes with Soup Salad and Rice )
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Address :
1815 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA, 02140 - Phone (617) 868-5457
- Website https://www.tampopocambridge.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :12:00 pm - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : No
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Michelle T.
Took the boyfriend here for a speedy, casual, authentic, comfort bowl of food and we got it. The lady who mans the 5 small tables here is an absolutely adorable women. So kind, polite, attentive, and enthusiastic about the food they serve. One Japanese chef mans the kitchen and does an awesome job of churning out the food quickly. I have to admit though that $9 for a bowl of rice with chicken on top ain't the cheapest thing in the world, especially since you sit 2 feet away from the stove and you're sweating like a pig as you dine. My chicken and egg over rice was delicious. So comforting, piping hot, and those caramelized onions were heavenly. The meal comes with your choice of salad or soup. GET THE SALAD because the dressing is to die for. I think I would eat salads every day if I had the recipe for this dressing. YUM. The bf got a panko crusted friend shrimp over rice dish which he loved. Only 3 pieces of shrimp, but nonetheless flavorful and fried to perfection. We can't wait to come back to try the other menu items!!
(4)Jeff M.
Really good. How can you go wrong with a bowl of noodles or rice with fried pork in it?
(4)Jolene S.
Have had the chicken kara-age many times...love it. Order it every time now (1 bowl=1.5 meals for me).
(3)Eva W.
As I walked by, the staff greeted me in Japanese. Looks like a family-run restaurant. Staff is very nice and polite. I ordered a Pork Curry and it was ready within 5-8 minutes. It was packed neatly into an aluminum container with a Miso soup packed tightly into a paper container. Utensils and napkin also provided. The pork was perfectly fried: cruchy on the outside, juicy meat inside. The rice had the right texture. Curry sauce had a hint of spiciness but very flavorful overall. Note: Cash Only. Limited seating.
(4)Daisy C.
Met up with my close friends for a casual dinner at Porter Exchange and settled on Tampopo. We started off with the Octopus Balls, crispy-style, and they were tasty (be careful not to burn your mouth -- they come piping hot!). I got the Croquette Curry with corn and beef croquettes over rice and a side salad. The salad greens were mediocre but the dressing was great. The dish itself was a bit small-sized, but filled me up as the croquettes are fried and the curry is heavy. Others got the Fried Seafood and the Udon, both of which also seemed to go over as just okay. For dessert we got two green tea and two mango mochi ice creams (standard tasty fare, although one of the green tea seemed to have undercooked mochi - totally not Tampopo's fault, of course!). The woman who is hostess/waitress is so amazingly nice! She was very helpful to us in accomodating a friend who arrived a bit later around the (small) table we had managed to snag. To make up for forgetting parts of our order (a miso soup that was provided upon request and fried oysters we didn't even end up wanting because we were too full), she gave us a complimentary mandarin orange jello dessert and free cups of hot green tea as we sat chatting after our meal! The prices are nice -- it is not quite a $ but $$ seems inaccurate as well...CASH ONLY!
(3)Kyle I.
Ii tadakimasu! Tampopo hides among a cluster of a few other tiny Japanese restaurants, tucked away in a short hallway of the Lesley University building. The people running the place were actually from Japan (or at least they spoke Japanese fluently to each other and looked Japanese, haha), which is pretty rare for Japanese restaurants these days. No offense to non-Japanese people who own and run Japanese restaurants (some of which I absolutely love), but there are subtle, but noticeable, differences in flavor when Japanese food is prepared by someone who is natively familiar with Japanese food. They just know what the food is supposed to taste like, and this was particularly true for Tampopo. The food was simple and delicious - not "the best ever" Japanese food, hence the 4 stars rather than 5. I had chicken karaage over a bowl of rice for dinner. The woman serving us was very polite, friendly, and attentive. The tiny restaurant was packed, as was the ramen place and the other Japanese restaurant on either side of Tampopo...don't be surprised if you have to wait a bit. I'd definitely recommend this place if you're in the Cambridge area!
(4)Phil C.
Had a decent bowl of tempura udon here. The portion was acceptable, but wasn't the best and the cost didn't make it more appealing. However, it gets a pass from me. The decor was a little more personable than most of the other restaurants in the mall. The service was okay...a bit rushed, but I expected it on a Saturday for lunch. If you're not in the mood to make your own udon, this spot is a passable place to get the job done.
(3)Manfred S.
Wonderful humble place for a great value lunch that actually tastes Japanese. Nothing fancy, but the spicy chicken nuggets (don't recall the exact name) were a perfect tasty meal that didn't overstuff, but touched the senses. ... and the most friendly service is very pleasant. Now my new favorite at Porter Exchange.
(4)Mahina K.
True to how many stars Tampopo already has, it was very good. The other restaurant we were going to go to was completely busy bu luckily Tampopo was able to seat us. It's relatively cheap, dinner for two with appetizers came up to 25$ each with tip. I had the karaage chicken and it came out nice and hot with a great amount of crush. I'm glad that they asked whether I wanted spicy or mild because I'm not good with spicy food. Our server was friendly, in true Japanese fashion she only came by to refill waters, take orders, and bring the check. Efficient, cheap, delicious. What more could I want? Dessert? Well they have that too but I was just too full.
(4)Kitty C.
I've eaten at this restaurant for years now and I must say they have some of the best spicy mayonnaise sauce around, usually I go with the calamari cause it has a lighter balance compared to the pork.
(5)Heather B.
Tampopo is my favorite place to eat in the Porter Exchange. It's a small but comfortable space, and the meals are delicious, casual, and cheap! I almost always get the udon, but hey, I know what I like. The restaurant is in a tiny space, so I wouldn't recommend coming with a big group. 2 people is perfect.
(4)Brian S.
I'm definitely a regular here whenever I am in the local area. This a great place for lunch or dinner and somewhere you will get the most bang for your buck for the low price. The customer service is great and the food is really good. Stop by if you're in the area!
(4)Anthony H.
First time venturing out to Porter square. It's definitely a very nice area to walk around in when the weather is nice. I have been on a mission to find a place that serves good chicken katsu curry ever since moving here two years ago. Curry House in California is amazingly delicious if you're ever out west. So here are the basics of Tampopo: It's a small hole in wall located in a strip mall. There are other spots next to it that serve Japanese food as well (including ramen - will have to try that out next). There are only 4 tables with 3 chairs each, 1 bar to sit at. The final Verdict: The chicken katsu curry here is LEGIT and it comes in a very generous portions. The chicken katsu was breaded perfectly and had a very nice crunch texture to it. Kudos on their part regarding the chicken for not skimping on the meat and the chicken was very tender. The most important attribute of the meal was the curry. It was a light flavor, not too heavy, that complimented the katsu perfectly. Perfect amount of rice with ample curry and chicken katsu to fill you up. The only beef that I have with this place, that takes away 1 star is the water. Maybe I just came on a bad day, but the water was luke warm with no ice and the cup that smell you get when you leave milk in a cup for too long. Honestly, the smell of the cup was almost bad enough to distract me from my meal. Hopefully this was a rare occurrence. All in all, this place is a definite must-try if you're a katsu/curry fan!
(4)Tiffany Z.
Very, very tiny place in the Porter Exchange Food court -- there couldn't have been more than 6 small tables. I had the udon with shrimp tempera and it was very tasty. And apparently, this is the only place in the Boston area where you can get octopus balls (I was not a fan of these, but my dining companions enjoyed them very much). Probably best for 2 people (definitely don't come with more than 4).
(4)Chris W.
Tampopo means dandelion in Japanese. Is this restaurant named after the famed ramen house in the 1985 film, Tampopo? Tampopo is not a ramen place though, they serve more rice dishes such as curry or tonkatsu. One really good dish is the Soboro Tofu Don, which is tofu with minced beef or chicken. Other than that, the fried meat dishes here are the things to get. On my last trip, I got the chicken katsu don with cheese. It came with a spicy tomato sauce. It was really good. But these kinds of dishes are what to expect at Tampopo. Nothing is too over the top, just solid, delicious food. The waitress was really nice, too. However, there is often a long wait to get a seat at Tampopo, which is probably the smallest place in the Porter Exchange Food Court. But it usually is slightly better than Cafe Mami. Tampopo is one of the reasons why Porter Exchange is the place to go to for quality, authentic Japanese food.
(4)Mandy C.
I love love love Tampopo. Before I moved out to college I used to go there every week! I've tried all different stuff in the menu until I got to the Udon Noodles with Tempura! It is the best. Another good bet are the Octopus balls. Green tea is free and they always offer after the meal. The quantity is very fair for the price, but I assure you you are gonna leave satisfied and "stuffed". The waitresses are really really nice and it id by far the best in Porter, just along with the bubble tea place.
(5)Albert J. d.
I like the tastes of their Chicken Tampopo-don and Chicken kara-age. They're both good and cooked well. It's a friendly place too.
(4)dj z.
The cold noodle salad here is the best - chinese hot mustard and lots of toppings. I mean, I must be a bastion of good taste if Ming Tsai eats here, too! :)
(4)Ed Konagaya K.
One of my favorite Japanese places!! Their food is original Japanese style like Cafe Mami! Price is around $9~10, and my recommendation is Soboro Tofu (ground chicken with fried tofu on rice)!! In any occasions except drinking!
(4)Laura T.
Amazing. Seriously. Best Japanese food I've found in the area so far, and cheap! The space is small, but I like the hole-in-the-wall feeling. Have to wait for a table sometimes, but usually not a very long wait. Love this place. Highly recommend the vegetable tempura and Buddhist Delight dish.
(5)Rob T.
Just read a one star review of this place and had to add my own to counter that :) Second place on the right (coming from the Kotobukiya market) in the strip of Japanese restaurants at Porter Square. This is our favorite place at Porter Sq. We've been eating here consistently for about 10 years. This is great everyday Japanese food, good portions, great price. My wife daughter and I eat lunch here often and for the three of us its never more than $25. I'm partial to katsu tama curry don with pork(pork cutlet served in a bowl over rice with egg and vegetables). My wife and daughter like the same but with ika (squid). Their curry is not very spicy but has a great flavor. They make the best carrots. I'll trade my broccoli to my daughter for her carrots every time. The tempura is excellent as is the karaage, these are the dishes my wife and I usually get when we're not in the mood for curry. For a treat I recommend thier takoyaki (grilled octupus in batter) or the cream corn croquettes (pronounced ko-ro-ke when ordering at a Japanese restaurant). The owners are super friendly as are the people they employ to wait tables and cook when they're not there.
(4)Daymeyn G.
Tampopo takes me back to my days in Osaka hanging with the boys after work and/or play when we need something good to eat. Tampopo is the best little jiei gyo in Boston metro. Things to try..Takoyaki (Octopus Balls) this is for those who have tried the seafood or looking for a hot adventure, Katsu-don - Pork/Tonkatsu, Chicken/Chikenkatsu are good but one cannot really go wrong with Katsu-don, croquette, Agedashi Tofu..they are all good. My last time at Tampopo I took Okasan (she missed out on Japanese life while I was there) and she loved every minute of it. I got her out of her comfort zone with Takoyaki, and reminded her how to eat with chopsticks. Although I say this is one of the best places to eat, there are a couple of challenges...1- The cooks tend to change consistently, and that can lead to a bad dining experience; 2 - The serving staff also changes consistently, I guess I am a bit of a prude with this because when I go to a Japanese eatery I expect the servers to speak Japanese and know what the foods are; that does not always happen; 3 - Because the space is small, you may not be able to eat there. However, I feel the pros of this place so outweigh the cons. If you are near the Port Exchange Mall, and want to support the Nippon community, give Tampopo a try..maybe they will add more great Japanese eating spaces to the area...
(5)Ted W.
Solid Japanese fare. This is the kind of thing where if you're craving some decent curry or soba or maybe a sukiyaki plate, you won't be let down. Nothing was particulary amazing to me but definitely a great place to grab a bite off the beaten path.
(3)Tim M.
I love Tampopo, everyone is friendly. The food is delicious I wish I could get some of their recipes... The salad dressing wow! I really recommend the chicken Katsu combo...umm I think I'm going there now. Sometimes depending on the time and date you might have to wait for a table, there are only 4 tables and a bar if you show up alone, is a bit crowded at times, the wait is very worth it.
(5)Kelly D.
My favorite stall in Porter Exchange. I'm due back in Boston next weekend and will be making a stop there to get my ever loved Healthy Bowl with tofu. Quick, no nonsense service + good food. The stall itself is a a bit grubby and I do have to wonder just what all two feet of the "kitchen" look like, but I'm willing to suspend belief if the food continues to be good.
(4)Anonymous P.
Garbage. Frozen vegetables, tasteless brown glop, soggy hijiki. Poor even for the price.
(1)Ashley F.
My personal favorite place to dine at Porter Exchange. It also had the pleasure of being my fiance's and my second date location A nice variety of food choices, and all done up right-- Tampopo specializes in rice dishes such as donburi, curry, and various 'katsus. . When I come I have a hard time not just getting my favorite, the tampopo bowl, and tasting all of the lovely varieties they serve.
(4)Stephen Y.
Not bad but would like bigger portion for the amount of $$$ they charge. I mean, rice is cheap ! A bit more rice and the delicious sauce would be much appreciated. Otherwise, the food is pretty good and sure beats McD.
(3)K. T.
I have been eating here for over a decade and I really love the home-style Japanese cooking just like what my parents make. On top of the good food, Ito-san, the owner chef, is very dedicated to improving his menu with new dishes. I highly recommend Tampopo for those who are interested in trying everyday Japanese food.
(5)S T.
I love this place. I come here every time I'm in the Cambridge area. Been coming here since I my teen years, I love the Mom & Pop feel to this place when the owners are here. I LOVE this place and the food. If you come during lunch their bento is delicious! My favorite things I order and only order are the Takoyaki, Curry Rice, and Sukiyaki. Yummy. Highly recommend this place over Cafe Mami.
(5)Herbert K.
I had the urge for udon, then started reading reviews for other places in Porter, and ended up here - fantastic service, small salad, good miso soup, and my chicken kara-age was nice, but didn't blow me away... and I still want udon. Next time...
(3)Josephine L.
Friendly service and quickly prepared tasty food. The Japanese curry udon is fantastic, though the portions weren't enough to fill my bottomless soup-loving stomach. The katsu is great too, apparently just as good as my Hawaiian boyfriend remembers it. I know it's hard to bypass the sushi and ramen (we go to Porter Sq for lunch every 1-2 weeks and took this long to make it to Tampopo), but you won't be disappointed.
(4)Mariko B.
Great don's. Over and out.
(4)Deanna D.
Small place, good food, cheap prices, and friendly service. They offer some great veggie options and the fried pork katsu bowl was delicious-- I loved the spicy sauce! The portions are very filling and everything came out pretty quickly. I haven't been to all the places in Porter Exchange yet but Tampopo was a great start. I will be back next time I need a quick, cheap, Asian food fix--which is pretty often!
(3)Raymond W.
i came here one day after staying a bit late at work and didn't feel like cooking or going to the gym so I stopped by for grab some grub. I ordered the tampopo don. The rice was nice and steamy and the tempura crust was hot and crispy. The only reason why I've giving it a 3 star review is that it's very similar to Ittyo, which I enjoyed slightly more and Cafe Mami, which I like the best. After a few more tries I could get myself to upgrade Tampopo to a 4 if the rest of the menu is as good as it looks.
(3)Dan B.
If you are near Porter Square and you are craving Udon noodles, this is the place to go.
(4)Tammy L.
I've seen Japanese celebrities eat takoyaki at least fifty times and I was dying for a try. Yesterday, my friends and I headed over to Tampopo for lunch and I finally got to taste takoyaki. My friends weren't brave enough to try octopus so I finishing the plate myself. I am planning to go back for more. I ordered sukitama, which consists of sukiyaki beef with egg. It was very filling and delicious. The beef was really, really good. I usually order chicken dishes so this was pretty new to me. Customer service was pretty good as the waitress was very patient with us. I guess the only downside is that they don't have desserts. But whatever. The entrees are good!
(4)Tom I.
I think this place is a little overrated. Food was okay. First off, curry needed veggie in it, and asking customer if I want veggie as extra doesn't make sense, that's like you serve a small rice chunk and ask if you want raw fish as extra - that wouldn't be sushi. Kinpira was waaaaay soft (sadly my own home made tasted better....) Service was outstanding, chef and waitress are Japanese and they are working hard. Maybe the whole scheme was Americanized version of their take? I will still go back, but I may try something else....
(4)Elaine L.
Not sure what the rave reviews are about. I came here once and was thoroughly unimpressed. I had the vegetable and tofu udon noodles, which was overpriced given the quantity and I wasn't a fan of the flavor either (a bit too sweet, but this might be normal. I'm not a connoisseur of Japanese noodle soups). I tried some of the fried octopus balls and thought it should've been crispier. It wasn't that good. The service was a little slow but the wait staff is nice.
(2)Lai X.
I got Karaage Curry (Fried Chicken Curry) and I have to say it hit the spot. Wasn't MIND-BLOWING, but I mean, what do you expect from a curry? If you want good curry, get the Tatsuta Curry at Cafe Mami just down the hall there. What's awesome is the decor. There's homemade signs everywhere. I know it's not everyone's thing, but I do appreciate me some kitsch. It's tight seating so don't bring your entire entourage and their grandmas.
(3)ben c.
This has been my fave spot in the Exchange for years. Note that different chefs have different styles so it can be a bit inconsistent at times. They have an AMAZING salad dressing that is to die for. My favorite dish is the Beef and egg rice bowl. The egg is put on at the last moment and by the time you mix it, it gets cooked. Very nice touch.
(5)Kirsten P.
Yay, Tampopo! After a half week of meetings and interviews and the foot or so of snow, I needed to have a meal of comfort food, as it were. So, last Thursday, I went to Porter Square, right to the left of the main Red Line entrance (on the same side of the street), and went to the Lesley mall, past the Bank of America, and went into the mall with high hopes. I ordered the Tampopo-Don, in my case an order of tempura mixed seafood over a bowl of rice, lettuce, some broccoli and carrots. I also had a side salad, which was a bit small, but the dressing of ginger, onions, tahini and soy was exactly what I remembered. I made sure to order the house green tea and extra sides of the spicy chili mayonnaise sauce and also of the salad dressing. What I love about Tampopo is the service and the atmosphere - I was able to sit and eat and relax for an hour, I got free refills on my tea, and also I spoke with the cook and the server a bit about some things. The only downside of Tampopo is the fact that they still do not take credit cards. Also, if you want to drink with your meal, bring it in an unmarked cup and leave it at that as they do not serve alcohol. Dinner is right around $10/ per person so if you want this type of experience, I can highly recommend it - it is not really any different than what I remember from 2005.
(5)Tatsu I.
As Ghetto As We Wanna Be J Mini Food Court in Porter Exchange building in Porter Sq hurt economically by Kotobukiya's closing, forced by Lesley College. Perhaps all tenants should up & leave, it's lousy building anyway. Related sushi bar up & left, replaced by some1 else. Not interested. Actually, I'm not interested at all. I still wander through occasionally, in search of properly cooked rice at Tampopo. Among all stalls, it's broadest range of J cooking, but rice bowls are bread & butter. I'd recommend starting with healthy bowl, then dynamite bowl, then hijiki bowl & then proper Donburi if u eat chicken, moving on 2 heavier Soburu (ground meat, yck) Buri's. Name was inspired by movie. No ramen. Udon, yes. I bet Kare Age (deep-fry chicken) is fair bet since deep-fry kung-fu is k here.
(4)Richard L.
Great place, I swear the same lady has been working there forever. She's the nicest thing as is and will carry on a conversation with you whenever possible. It literally reminds me of Japan whenever I talk to her. I frequently eat here, the chicken teriyaki rice bowl and the tampopo-don are what we usually get, both great great choices
(4)AD S.
In a little shopping center with lots of Asian food options, I settled at this small place with three friends. The menu does offer a lot of options, but in the end, we felt the food to be quite mediocre. The rice bowls were not particularly big (for almost $9) and really not special tasting. It wasn't "bad," per se, but it was a lot of disappointment both for the price and the expectation of something that would taste at least a full step up from the make-at-home freezer bag Asian meals. None of us got the noodles (so maybe that's a better "specialty?"), but with the other options around, I probably would not return.
(2)Alan K.
Tampopo is a quaint little restaurant inside the Porter Exchange building at Porter Square in Cambridge (well, they all are in there really, with a few exceptions) that serves a lot of variety of Japanese cuisine-from tempura to udon noodle to katsu-don, which is a rice bowl with some kind of fried cutlet of meat. What I had ordered at this time was the Soboro Tofu Bowl with Beef, which is basically a rice bowl with minced beef and fried tofu (alternative option is steamed tofu). Although, I did find my beef to be just a tad bit underseasoned for my tastes. But besides that, nom nom nom! This also comes with a side of miso soup as well. A note: this place doesn't have too much seating so if you go at peak time (which we did-around dinnertime), you will have to wait for a table to open up, which would be the norm for the other places around there as well, since they are just as equally as small.
(3)Justin Gwailo H.
Very authentic Japanese food experience. Reasonably priced and humble place. I love the Tampopo bowls!
(4)Jeff W.
A good little ramenya that serves a decent bowl and good service to boot.
(4)Wei W.
I have to say that this is a great alternative to Cafe Mami (when you can get a seat there). I love their Agemono combo (chicken cutlet with thigh meat - of course, red meat is a staple in my diet) and chicken cutlet curry. You get a choice of chicken karaage (which is deep fried chicken breaded in cornstarch) or chicken cutlet (deep fried with bread crumbs), and it comes with a side salad, miso soup, and special sauce. I'm a big fan of their shumai appetizer, octopus balls, cold tofu, and fried gyoza as well. The chicken cutlet curry isn't too bad, especially if you don't like curry to be too spicy. Tampopo has great variety, offering other katsus (pork especially) and donburi. The free hot green tea is always a plus. It's great on your wallet, too; I've never spent more than $20 (including tip) on lunch or dinner there!
(4)Bryce K.
Their specialty is the tampopo don which entails meal and veggies drizzled with Japanese mayonnaise. If that sounds like risky business to you then you're not alone. Luckily, it turned out to be quite delicious. I had mine with tonkatsu and came out of this place quite the happy customer. I would say that this place is still second place in my heart when compared to Cafe Mami(which is like, 5 and half steps away), so go here if that place is busy.
(4)Joshua M.
Another reviewer mentioned the addictive spicy mayo -- aint that the truth. I started going here in high school 10 years ago or so and have been a regular / semi-regular / vocal advocate of the place since then. The truth is I only eat one meal here: the Pork (katsu) tampopo bowl. It's so amazing. The spicy mayo, crunchy green stringy stuff, lettuce, bed of rice, tender fried pork fattiness, am I leaving any ingredient out? I'm sure, but take it from me, this meal is insanely good. Based on the pictures of the other meals and my girlfriend's assessment of her Udon, everything is very solid and tasty. The owner seems like a great guy with a good attitude. Over the years he's hired competent, quick, friendly waitstaff and cooks. I like the little knickknacks on the counter space at the barstool area. This place is perfect for either eating alone (where you won't feel as much like a weirdo as in a full blown restaurant) or for a casual date or with an old friend. It can get pretty crowded with more than three people.
(5)Lou G.
When it comes to chinese and japanese food I am used to the 4 piece meal you can find at the food courts out there for $7, but I'm starting to shake the thought that almost $10 for a rice and meat plate especially isn't too outrageous. That being said I was definitely satisfied with the quantity, but the quality was a but of a toss up. I'm kind of a harsh critic, and while the beef combo I got was spectacular, the shrimp tempura could have been a little more impressive. I've been looking to find some authentic, crispy tempura that my girlfriend could enjoy, and while it was definitely authentic (although my knowledge of authentic eastern cuisine is not vast by any means) it was definitely lacking the crisp. But i know she was satisfied and so was I.
(4)Stephen Y.
Tampopo's katsu bowls are some of the best fried food I've ever had, though that may be because their spicy mayo sauce is highly addictive. Besides the food, its really the friendly staff that makes this my favorite place to go for Japanese food in the Boston area. The chef and waitresses are always happy to chat with someone sitting at the bar.
(5)Will E.
I see a lot of good reviews here but my wife and I had an AWFUL experience. We ordered two veggie tempura udon bowls plus a dumpling appetizer. It tooks FOREVER - maybe 30 minutes to get the dumplings. And when they came they were burned brown. I asked the waitress and she said they were supposed to be that way, but my wife and I have had a lot of dumplings, here and in Japan, and these were ridiculous. The udon itself was very small, the broth was bland, and the noodles were nothing special. And the prices were actually pretty steep. No reason to go back. If you're in Porter Exchange, which is great, try eating at either of the places next to Tampopo. Particularly the Ramen place is great and you won't be disappointed.
(1)Elizabeth P.
This place is not as crowded as other lunch spots in the mall, but it's really worth trying - especially if you like pork katsu. yum.
(5)Alex B.
I go to Kotobukiya for groceries all the time, but I had never eaten anywhere in the mall. Today, my girlfriend and I ate here, and it was fantastic. We had an appetizer of takoyaki (octopus balls), she had the tampopo pork don, and I had the oyako don. Tea and miso soup were included for both of us. All were spectacular. The bowls for the don are bigger than they seem, so the meal was very, very filling. I will definitely be returning to try out some of their other donburi and some of the udon dishes. Don't miss this place.
(5)Erica S.
SO GOOD! And very veggie friendly. There are about 5 different types of tofu dishes, my favorites being the "dynamite" tofu bowl or the "healthy" tofu bowl, both of which come with tofu, veggies, a yummy sauce (made spicy if you want), and a bowl of miso. Chicken lovers rejoice-- I don't eat the stuff, but damn those are big delicious looking servings! Friends of mine swear by the chicken katsu bowls, and most can't finish them. For the adventurous, try the octopus. Mmmm... tentacles. Plan to be full for about $7-9, and to get great, friendly service. This is definitely one of my favorite spots in the wonderful, amazing, delicious little world that is the Porter Exchange. Go there.
(4)David A.
The cutlets are good and the homemade hijiki croquette is good. I ordered takoyaki expecting to get something like I do when I order takoyaki in Japan (naive, I know) and to my horror watched them open up a bag of frozen takoyaki and shake it into a vat of boiling oil. So avoid that.
(3)Shuang C.
I really want to like this place, since the waitress is super nice. The thing is tho, the food is underwhelming. kara-age chicken was too sour and meh. The Tampura Udon is a miserable bowl of sadness compared to Ittyo's. Takoyaki here is good but on the expensive side.
(3)Connie C.
Love this place! I always get the Tampopo Don chicken breast rice bowl. That has always been my go-to dish ever since my first time going here years ago and have yet stepped out and explore the rest of the menu. In the bowl it comes with some veggies, seaweed salad, and whatever meat you choose with rice. I love the wasabi mayo sauce they put over the veggies and meat. It's really delicious! It also comes with miso soup or salad. Their miso soup is average, but still tasty. The price was reasonable. The service was great. The waitress/cashier that's always there is really sweet. She was kind to offer me tea while I wait. She's very attentive and helpful. They don't have much seating so don't bring a party of 4+ with you. I believe they have 4 or 5 tables. One of my fav restaurants inside Porter Exchange!
(4)Damien P.
Tampopo is a real hidden gem. Great food, really cheap, and pretty authentic. Their katsu is simple, filling, and really tasty. They do a great Japanese curry sauce. I highly recommend the chicken katsu curry. The tiny size and small seating area takes a little getting used to, but makes the place feel that much more special. If you're feeling adventurous, try the Takoyaki... they're fried octopus dumplings... might sound weird, but they're soooo good.
(5)Courtney H.
I ate here last night with my husband and we enjoyed our food. The croquettes were delicious -- especially the cream-filled ones. Service was prompt and friendly. If you haven't eaten here in a while, I recommend giving them another try. I remembered their menu as boring, but they must have changed things recently. They have a lot of fun items on their menu now.
(4)Jenny L.
I ended up at Tampopo late one week night because the cute little chef in the open kitchen agreed to cook for us even though everyone else had already closed for the night. It felt as though I just got home from a tough day at school and mom knew I needed a nice warm dinner. The menu is a little hard to navigate because there are just way too many options and we didn't want to keep the chef waiting. Once we placed the order, we read thru the menu and saw a bunch of things we'd try the next time around. Our meal of tempura udon and pork katsu curry bowl was made fresh while we watched and came out quickly. The portions were not large but was enough to leave you satisfied. Typically tempura udon comes with one piece of shrimp and a few pieces of vegetables. Mine came with 3 pieces of shrimp on top of the normal amount of vegetables. The pork katsu came out in a giant bowl complete with vegetables and a good helping of curry. Everything was authentic and comforting. With its adorable chef, affordable prices, quick service, and extensive menu, Tampopo will keep me coming back for more.
(4)Tiffany D.
Yummy! I finally ate at Tampopo... I think it's the only place in Porter Exchange I hadn't tried yet.... I got the octopus balls - regular with cutlet sauce (next time I'm gonna try crispy with the mayo sauce) & agedashi tofu. YUMSS!!!!! edit: April 7, 2008 I came here mainly for their takoyaki!!! I like the regular ones the best with the cutlet sauce (Blue Fin has great ones too but they're more pricey and less in amount) Their chicken curry with veggies and rice was amazing as wel!!!
(4)Kenny L.
On an usual visit to Porter Exchange, I would either head to Cafe Mami or Sapporo Ramen, with reservations about Tampopo because of its less than busy business. But since I might be leaving Boston for a bit :( , I decided to give them a try today at lunch. It took me awhile to decide, even though there were pictures and whiteboards of specials. The menu was extensive is the most I have seen in Porter Exchange thus far, with Japanese accompanying all the English descriptions. I decided on the Tampopo Special with croquette as one of their lunch specials and it was delicious! The croquette is deep fried when you order and the rice, seaweed, and Japanese dressing were nice accompaniments. It also comes with miso soup and tea. The total was $5.55, which was perfect for a comforting but not overwhelming meal on a cold winter day. The Japanese chief was nice and greeted customers coming in and out of the stand. The waitress was nice and provided prompt service at the counter where I was seating. She is also a dual cooking assistant, peeling carrots while waiting for customers. A worthwhile eatery to visit again for their lunch bowls, as well as the pork katsu combo and udon noodles w/tempura. Gochisoosama.
(4)Julie J.
Hello cheap and delicious! Great food, great prices, but tiny tiny space (it's like a food stall in a mini food court). Be expected to wait for a table even on weeknights. But the wait is worth it. Loved the tampopo pork, and my roommate loved her katsu-don. Be warned though -- this isn't health food. It's deep fried fatty pork smothered in sauce (though the tampopo pork was smothered in a little TOO much of that spicy mayo...). I loved this place, and will be returning as long as my waistline will allow it.
(4)Morris R.
Went for dinner tonight, Sunday. Service was OK. Food came fast. Looked just like the pictures on the wall (i.e., totally satisfying). I could not tell you exactly what I had because I had never heard of it. It was a rice bowl with ground beef, fried tofu, eggplant, and some secret delicious sauce, which I practically inhaled. In the immortal words of the former governor of California, "I'll be back."
(4)C B.
Tampopo is, by and large, the best japanese food one can obtain this side of cambridge. I go here almost bi-weekly with my friends, feeling guilty that we arrive so late, but the wait staff is always kind, courteous and willing to serve with no problems. The food is always delicious. The question you have to ask yourself isn't, "what can I get that's good?" but, "what can I get that's different and interesting." I always feel a little bad when eating here in large groups because it is so small. We usually become very animated and vocal when eating and conversing and privacy really can be tough to maintain. But it's a small price to pay. I highly recommend the Chicken Breast Tampopo with a side order of Crispy Takoyaki. My only complaint is that they aren't open later. But even then, they still adhere to the boston standard of closing at 9:30pm. Give it a try. It's wonderful.
(5)Stephanie L.
Best place in Boston to get Japanese Style Curry! Period! I've tried all the rest of the restaurants at Porter Exchange and in my opinion this one is the best! We eat there usually once a week. I've never had a dish there I didn't like! The Takoyaki, Curry, Tampopo Bowl, and the Tempura Sushi are super delicious, definitely my fave dishes! It's good food that fills you up right!
(5)Cameron T.
Tiny place with a friendly staff. We ordered some chicken teriyaki for the kids,tempura udon, and an eggplant rice dish. Everything was good but nothing outstanding. The udon was on the small side with little broth and noodles but a generous portion of tempura. Cash Only.
(3)Henri C.
The line at Sapporo was not inviting and could not order their ramen to go so stopped by here for a quick bite at the bar. I tried the spicy karaage with rice and takoyaki. Chicken flavor was good and the sauce was yummy, I also liked the size of the chicken pieces, not too small like other places where you get too much batter. I was surprised that the takoyaki was deep dried (usually they are griddled in the takoyaki iron) but it was actually pretty good with plenty of chew from the octopus batter. Bonus points for the friendly staff.
(4)JO. C.
My roommate and I are so addicted to Japanese cousin. Porter square are known for Little Japanese. Tampopo locates in a University hall in Cambridge. The building houses many other Asian restaurants, but Tampopo is the one we looked for. The miso soup came with the order. I ordered a curry Katsu don with vegetable and egg. My friend had fried shrimp curry with rice. Both dishes are way so good than we have expected. The pork-cut is so thick and tender, covered with sweet and spicy curry, and paired with natural sweet carrots. It is the best savory choice for the cool summer. Plus the service and chef are both so nice.
(4)Becca P.
I would give this place 2.5 stars. Very small booth amongst several of small sit down shops. My friends and I came here after a long drive and the food was just so so. We started off with octopus balls which came with a spicy mayo and brown sauce. The ball was mushy on the inside and crispy on the outside. I've never had it before but I wasn't a fan of the texture and taste. The sauces were strange. The brown was vinegary. The spicy mayo was not like the typical one found on sushi. More creamy? For my entree, I got the pork tampopo Don on rice with brown sauce. The pork was made well. Crispy outside and tender on the inside. However, over rice, it felt strange to eat. Too dry? Sauce was thick. Oh, I chose the salad to start with and it was just lettuce with some ginger dressing. Nothing fancy. The portions here are great and it is cheap but my entree wasn't that great and service was okay. I had ordered tea and had to ask twice before I received it. The server had no tables at the time. I would give this place another go. They have a huge menu and this cuisine is not something that I am familiar with so I would like to see what else there is to offer.
(3)Carol W.
I was craving tempura udon but didn't want to go to a fancy sit down restaurant and ended up here through the Yelp app. I wasn't really that hungry and didn't want a full dinner. As I was sitting and waiting to be served, I read the Boston Globe article which talked about their great tempura. So, I was pretty excited to be eating here. Sadly, the meal didn't really satiate my tempura udon craving. I can't really put my finger on it, but maybe it was the scant portion. I'm used to the full on version that comes in a large bowl and has large pieces of shrimp and plenty of veggies along with other things in the broth. The udon noodles were also thinner in size, and there was less broth. Granted, my meal was less than $10. However, when I lived in NYC, there were places similar to this that served a much heartier tempura udon for about the same price. I wouldn't have minded paying an extra $5 for something a little more substantial. My guess is that when you come here, you need to order quite a few things to feel satisfied. The server was very nice though. I was sitting up at the counter in the corner seat, feeling a little cramped as there were people to the left of me. She offered me a regular table when it was available. I'm not sure if I would come back. I would rather go to one of the full-on sit down restaurants during lunch hour to get their tempura udon lunch special, which would only be about $15 with tip. Also, I think that there are other places in the food court that offer more bang for your buck.
(2)Julia R.
I really wanted to like Tampopo! Truly. I got the dynamite tampopo don, and was disappointed with both the flavor (bland) and portion size (skimpy on the veggies). It looks like there are other things on the menu that people swear by, so I would be willing to come back and try some kara-age or takoyaki. Especially because the service was so nice, and the prices are so low!
(2)Justin K.
Stopped by for a quick bite, and was pleasantly surprised! I got the chicken kara-age - super juicy with a unique and delicious sauce. Food came quickly, and the lady server is super cute and friendly. The menu says the kara-age is spicy, but I didn't think so at all. My girlfriend got the chicken katsu curry, which wasn't as good but still tasty. She complained that the outer breading wasn't crispy though since it was submerged in curry sauce. Still, it's worth checking this place out. Tasty, inexpensive food is always good in my book!
(4)Susanna L.
There are some pretty average casual Japanese dishes here, like donkatsu bowls, curry over rice, etc. The only really good thing that I've tried here is their chicken kara-age. The little pieces of fried chicken are really crispy and drizzeled with a yummy sauce, and they explode with juiciness in your mouth. The portion could have been bigger for the price. Everything else I've had here is just alright.
(3)Nancy H.
Empty at 12pm unlike the neighbors Cafe Mami and Sapporo Ramen. My friend and I stretched out at a table for two. I got the seafood Tampopo don which had two each of tempura shrimp, fish, and squid, a piece of carrot and broccoli, lettuce and seaweed, and rice with spicy mayo drizzled all around. My friend got a chicken katsu curry. For $9.95 and $8.95 respectively, our bellies were full and our taste buds were happy. To our delight we were treated with two clementine orange jello pieces. It wasn't amazing, but it was good solid food, fast service, and unrushed. They have two set lunch specials for $6.95 and one that's chosen for the day.
(3)Gigi H.
I ordered the pork katsu curry with an over easy egg What I got was bland nasty curry that was cold and gummy. The cutlet was good but as you can see in the photo, the egg was cooked solid. Won't be eating here again.
(2)Yuki S.
Good food with reasonable price. Will visit again, btw the curry Katsu don is a bit too salty
(5)Hanna G.
My mouth is watering just thinking about the last time I went to this place! One of my friends suggested we meet up here (a small tempura style Japanese restaurant), and we arrived with a group of 6 unsure if we'd be seated together. However, the woman there was very nice, and specially re-arranged all of the tables and chairs so we could all be together in such a tiny space! I ordered the Chicken Tampopo Don and shared the fried Octopus balls with a friend and they were both delicious and very filling too! Some of my friends tried the chicken teriyaki and curry that I maybe I'll try next time I go. Aside from the driving nightmare that is Porter Square, there is a private lot for parking at Lesley University with very reasonable rates if you get your ticket validated for purchase of $10+. On the weekend I think it was $1.50 for 2 hours. We had to read the fine print and run back to the restaurant to get the lady to stamp all of our parking passes.
(5)Eric C.
I'd like to say that the lady chef has improved significantly and I really do enjoy her cooking now. I'm sure it was bound to happen over time as she has had more time to perfect her dishes. Still a fan.
(4)Tin H.
FANTASTIC PLAVE !!go anytime esp on COLD ARTIC TEMP in Boston !!warm you up with their incredible and reasonable price !! Go and enjoy !!!
(5)Jack B.
Very affordable, extremely nice staff, and quite delicious. I can see how it'd get crowded at times, as there are only a dozen seats or so, but I went during off hours and had no problem getting service. The chicken kara-age with udon noodles was excellent- juicy, not too large a portion size, with a nice briny sauce and a hint of spice. I'd definitely recommend this place for a quick lunch or a date for two.
(4)Nick H.
Best place in the lot! Lunch special until 3:30pm,very affordable. Evening bowls are very filling in the best way. ok,so my usual us a Rice bowl with a chicken katsu with semi-spicy mayo and couple veggies,salad,hot tea. About 9$ dinner. Awsome. So Tampopo is authenic,a family restarant,and can make anything taste perfect. Selections include: Curry dishes(Japanese curry), rice bowls (with meats or tofu or steamed veggues), tempura(near anything), great drink and desert menu, plus for many meals-choice of salad or miso(delicious dressing...i take some home), and other new items added all the time. The staff is the friendliest in the world. They care about everything for customers. Food is NEVER tasteless or bland. It's based on what the customer feels like. Spicey? no seaweed? extra veggy? done. They give free hot green tea and/or water to everyone BASE. They cook in front of you. They do not use corn syrup,or sugar,but Agave (a tastey natural sweetener) Many people line up at normal ramen stops on either side,but I like content,not water. But it's also impossible to complain about another eat stop:they all help each other,waitress in one place might work next door the next day. They all get along very well here,but I must say Tampopo is my favorite, we became regulars 10 years ago! pictures soon
(5)Brie P.
One of my friends owed an arcade and serived japanese curry there, sadly his place closed down, but I still get a craving for curry now and againg. Thanks to Tampopo, I can satify the is craving! One of my favorite spots to go to for chicken cutlet curry. The service is always friendly, and the food is always delicious. Also, try out the crocketts and the octopus balls. Great for a quick meal and small groups, and remember it's cash only! Side note: they have updated their menus and added more delicious items to the mix. Look for the deal of the day! A different dish is on special every day, just find the arrow on the photos (a nerf arrow!)
(5)Michael W.
OK, so its on me that I didn't catch on that this is a food court place, but really the food was not worth the 4 stars this place shows on Yelp. Cheap yes, but good no. The tempura was super greasy (probably because the oil was not hot enough) and the teriyaki chicken was really bland and uninteresting. Also cash only. Do not go out of your way to eat here!
(2)Kate R.
I've been a loyal patron of Tampopo since 1999. This is definitely a hidden gem! It doesn't look like much and seating is limited, but the service is fantastic (the same waitress has been there for 15 years and she is an absolute sweetheart) and the food never disappoints. Try the steamed shumai!
(5)Dom K.
We like this place a lot. Highlights for us are anything to do with katsu, oyakodon, and the other rce bowls. This time around we had chicken kaarage, katsu curry, and oyakodon. All were awesome - will definitely be back in the near future
(5)Alexis G.
Sweet waitresses, fast service, and delicious food. The edamame is awesome and so are their soba noodles.
(5)Jonathan N.
This place is not for me. I was scrolling around Porter Sq. few weeks ago and found this small eatery place inside a building next to the T. I thought I give it a try. Big mistake!!! The menu have a small selection of Japanese foods and the price is a bit expensive. Anyway I ordered combo tempura with rice and salad dish. The foods came out in small portion and it costs me almost $20 in total. And I'm still hungry after the meal. The services was good and fast. The restaurant was small and crampy with a few tables and chairs. I don't think I would come back this place ever again.
(1)Steel B.
Absolutely hands down the best Japanese good around. HIGHLY recommend (for apps) the croquettes, their takoyaki is to die for with spicy mayo, and agedashi tofu is far too good as well. For dinner, any Katsutama curry bowls is always a heaping portion, and I'm a sucker for their Sukiyaki. If you want authentic traditional Japanese food, this is my personal favorite.
(5)Xiao Z.
I came here with my GF, after realizing I will still be waiting in line while writing this review if I had decided to eat at Cafe Mami instead. To clarify, Tampopo is not bad, but it wasn't all that great either. The salad was decent, with a thousand-island dressing married with miso taste. The chicken and egg over rice was good and my chicken cutlet was decent as well, but there were just not enough veggies to make me feel content. Furthermore, my GF had a terrible skin reaction to the cleaning material and it just kind of ruined the overall vibe.
(3)Runqiu C.
Food: - Agedashi tofu - good flavor, a little soggy - Curry pork udon with egg on top - good flavor, but oily and heavy. I wish the egg was more runny (it was pretty much a scrambled blob when it got to me) Service: - No wait time (12pm on Saturday) - Quick, no frills service! Took off 2 stars because my curry udon was way too oily. I would consider going back again, but maybe ordering something else.
(3)Rob S.
I have been eating at this place since I was in 8th grade..which is about 9-10 years now. The prices used to be around $5~6 when I started going. At first, I fell in love with their curry and now I'm obsessed with their chicken tampopo. I never deviate from this meal. I showed my friends this place and they love it as well. For an affordable, filling, and delicious meal, I would recommend this place for everybody!! The service is very good. The food is to die for. Parking is easy too since there's a parking lot with extremely cheap parking rates. I know it's $1 for an hour of parking!
(5)Pocky G.
Small place but nice and neat, need to wait a bit during rush hour. I usually go for Tampopo don with fried chicken tighh and spicy mayo. Their octopus balls are good too. Overall nice portion and reasonable price.
(5)Kuong L.
This place is good if you want a quick fix of heavy Japanese food (basically, not sushi) in the Porter Square area. The dishes are cheap and affordable. If you're looking for a healthy option in the Porter Exchange area, then Tampopo is not the place to go since most of the dishes are deep fried in some manner. The Seafood Tampopo Don is a safe bet. It comes with two pieces of shrimp tempura, small pieces of fried squid and a sizable piece of fried white fish (perhaps Cod?). The tempura is served over a bed of white rice (why they call it a Don!). The dish comes with either miso soup or salad. The salad is refreshing and the dressing is not overbearing. The Takoyaki (fried potato balls with bits of squid) were somewhat of a disappointment. The outside was hot but once you bite into the Takoyaki, the potato inside was at best warm. The light sauce that the Takoyaki balls are covered in helps but I've definitely had better Takoyaki but can't say I've had better in Boston. So there is that. The chicken kara-age (4 pieces of chicken fried) was over fried that the chicken wasn't juicy nor tender any more. Was disappointed in this and Takoyaki as appetizers. Sometimes the restaurants at Porter Exchange can be crowded and cramp because of the Japanese style atmosphere it's attempting to recreate. If you're looking for a quick and cheap fix to make you full, then Tampopo should do the trick. However, the quality of food was not the best I've had (comparatively to Japanese places in Los Angeles for example), but it might be as close as you'll get in Boston to a non-sushi authentic Japanese experience. The service was relatively good. Fast and attentive given the nature of the shop layout.
(2)Meg M.
This is my favorite "hole in the wall" authentic Japanese restaurant in Boston! Walking into the area of Porter Exchange where Tampopo is located is like walking into a different country. All the tiny restaurants that pepper this area are in open air fashion (if they were outside) as none of them have a fourth wall with a door but are instead completely open to the foot-traffic of passer-bys. Loudly colored photos of dishes adorn the walls and hang from the ceilings of all the restaurants telling you of the day's specials as well as the specialties. Although Tampopo may have the smallest square footage, this little place will prove to you that in the food business size simply does not matter! They have perhaps five or six tables spotting the front leading to a small bar area that separates the front from the kitchen where you can watch the chef prepare your meal fresh on the spot. The waitress who works most hours here is extremely friendly, always has a smile, and will remember your face. The food is superb! Everything from their homemade ginger salad dressing (that is so good I'll usually buy some to take home for my own salads), to their gyoza (small fried dumplings), to their chicken tempura served over rice in a large bowl is freshly-made and absolutely delicious. A wonderful place for authentic Japanese food for a quick lunch or dinner.
(5)Cassy H.
Ehh, I have high standards for Japanese food, so I was disappointed with Tampopo. As a California native, I think I've been spoiled and blessed with good to excellent Japanese food options. So when I discovered all these Japanese restaurants at the Porter Exchange, I was super excited. At Tampopo, I ordered the karage bowl, which is basically Japanese fried chicken with veggies and rice. I thought the chicken was simply overcooked and dry. The only exciting thing about the chicken was that hint of heat.. the veggies weren't that exciting, but rather bland. Anyway, this place is small just like all the other restaurants in Porter Exchange, so seating is limited. I would probably recommend this place if you are craving Asian food and local, but definitely not a must-try place for foodies.
(3)Christine J.
i like their tampopo don, creative. it's made with tofu and eggplant sitting on a bowl of rice. It tastes like mapo eggplant/fried tofu. yum. 3.5 stars.
(3)Simon L.
Tematama spicy chicken: breaded chicken strips deep fried with with an egg atop sticky rice ans steamed broccoli. Topped with sriracha sauce. Juicy chicken and sweet rice balance the kick of the pepper sauce. A one bowl wonder meal. Order some pickles to start and a lovely, quick, tasty and informal meal you've got!
(4)David W.
Homemade Style Japanese food, but it tastes better than most Japanese restaurant. The only problem is the rice dish's taste is a little bit too salty.
(4)Kelsey C.
I snacked on four little Crab Shumai to start, mostly because I can't resist anything that has the word crab in it...Get your mind out of the gutter, I'm talking about food! Unfortunately, these are pretty much what you get in the freezer section of a Chinese grocery store so I suggest just going to the store. Everyone raves about the Pork Katsu Curry but I'm just not seeing it. The cutlet is fried to perfection, but it's bland at best. The curry is murky and starch-thickened, and it could have used a little more of just about anything. The best thing I had at Tampopo was a udon in veggie broth flavored by a slightly briny side of wakame. The chunks of soft marinated bean curd are filling, making for the ultimate feel-good meal. Tampopo isn't ideal, but the service is friendly and the food fills an empty belly. When all these little shops of Porter Square charge a little over $10 for most things and less for others, there's really no excuse not to try them all.
(3)Alan C.
I usually have a good experience here but must be off day. I had the spicy chicken kage and the old guy cooked. It was definitely undercooked as it was way too tender. I looked and sure enough, saw some pinkness in center. I only ate the outer shell of it, paid and left. I'm willing to give them another chance but was very suprised today.
(2)Jay K.
Amazing food, good service, usually pretty fast service too. Chicken Tempura is my go-to, but everything I've tried here is delicious. Curry Udon hits the spot on those cold, cold New England days. It's fun to listen to all the different languages going on around this place too. It's like a little mini trip overseas every time.
(5)Jeremy C.
Very disappointed by the chicken teriyaki; it was a gooey mess. The water was room temperature and the cups had a bit of a soapy taste. The service was quick and friendly, and the prices were OK.
(2)Corey F.
My go-to place in Porter Exchange, or whenever I'm in the mood for Japanese food in these parts. The food is great; chicken and curry in soup with soba is one of my favorites, but the soboro and the spicy kara age (fried chicken) are both delicious as well (though the latter can be oily). Vegetarians can't go wrong with a Dynamite Bowl. Don't forget to try their homemade sweet tea. The staff is very welcoming and friendly and efficient. While this cozy nook is already delightfully inexpensive, their $6.45 daily special (look for the big foam dart on the wall!) makes it almost laughably cheap. Cash only, like most of the alley.
(4)J L.
My friend showed me this place and I am IN LOVE with their chicken tam popo! I don't get to come here often, but whenever I do I always order the same thing. Its just so hard to stray away from the chicken tam popo.
(5)Stefanie Y.
This is my favorite place in Porter Exchange. It has a cute atmosphere and the dishes are delicious and filling. The Oyako-don is a satisfying combination of teriyaki chicken, onion, and yummy egginess. I order it almost every time I come here. I've also had the sukiyaki and really enjoyed it. My friend usually gets some kind of curry, which have also all been delicious. The takoyaki here is great too. The prices are reasonable, and Tampopo has this cool "target" deal where every day they offer some random meal at a discounted price. It has encouraged my friends to try new dishes. Also, there's something about the atmosphere, or maybe it's the name, 'tampopo', but I just find the place to be absolutely adorable.
(4)Rachel L.
The food is great, especially the chicken katsu. The only downside is that the water tastes like dish soap. Their other drinks are fine though.
(4)