1815 Massachusetts Ave Cambridge; (617) 876-4805
Tip-free
An upscale noodle shop hidden inside the Porter Exchange building upstairs from the chic but high-priced Cottonwood Cafe Sapporo Ramen dishes up enormous bowls of delicious Japanese noodles. Servings come in containers as big as mixing bowls; unless you’re ravenous, it’s a safe bet to share an order with a friend, or bring your leftovers home for tomorrow’s lunch. Sapporo Ramen offers three types of noodle sauces soy sauce flavor, soy bean, or clear and it is these which determine the price. Most noodle dishes come in all three varieties.
Mine sampled his noodles with fresh vegetables and tofu ($7.25). The veggies and tofu came in huge chunks; the noodles were thin and the soy sauce flavorful. Other noodle dishes, $6-$8, feature pork slices, seaweed, vegetables, and fish cakes. Add a side dish, like fried dumplings (six for $4.25), and you’ll be full and happy. You can watch the cooks prepare your dish; then settle down for a while
Mine dares you to finish a bowl of noodles all by your lonesome!
This same area, on the second floor, boasts half a dozen other Asian fast-food shops, each specializing in different styles, including sushi. Mr.
C recommends Cafe Mami (telephone 547-9130), Kotobukiya (354-6914), and Ittyo (354-5944). Most of these serve until about 8-9 P.M.; Sundays til 6 or so.
