Ruckus + Sakura Sunakku | Ramen Noodles in Chinatown

I have been very into Ramen Noodles since college. I might go so far as to say Ramen is my favorite food. My death row meal. The Ramen Noodle bowls in Boston's Chinatown are far better than the Maruchan of my college dorm days. From humble beginnings comes a deep appreciation.

Ruckus is literally serving the best ramen noodle soup in the city. 

Pictured are two different and equally phenomenal bowls of deeply flavorful broth, bracing vegetables, tender pork, house pulled noodles, gooey egg and crisp shards of nori. An elaborate fanfare of warm comforts are captured in a single ramen bowl. 

S H O R Y U K E N ($15) | Shoyu broth, pork neck chashu, bok choy, scallion marinated yuba, furikake

S P I C Y   M I S O  L I T  R A M E N ($14) | chicken and pork broth simmered for 24 hours, house made noodles, ground pork, grilled corn, soft cooked egg, chili oil, shaved nori

Runner up best Ramen in Boston: Sakura Sunakku in the Avana Marketplace - the same Food Court as Avana Sushi so you just know it's good. It certainly presents in a similar fashion as somewhere under the radar and to discover it feels sensational.  The Vegetarian Ramen ($16) features more exotic mushrooms than you have ever seen in one dish. Shitake Mushrooms, enokitake mushrooms, beech mushrooms and wood ear mushrooms with bamboo shoots, corn, scallions, yuba and miso broth. This soup is giving so much squeaky clean earthiness and umami. It is divine. 

Ruckus

9 Tyler St

Boston, MA 02111

Sakura Sunakku

42 Beach St #101

Boston, MA 02111

prenatal dining out | Newton

We had nested all we could nest. The nursery was ready. We were ready. My induction was scheduled. We worked hard wrapping up at the office. We also worked hard putting together all the baby gear. And then, we felt like dining out all the time. These were not planned "we must eat out everywhere before baby comes!!" dinners, they were actually somewhat spontaneous outings that happened to mark special prenatal events. 

Also posting the February occasions: Valentine's Day // my 35th Birthday // Bob's birthday // [how cool that our sons birthday is right in between ours? Pisces Fam!]

I'm glad we took advantage. Postpartum, I've never been so content to be at home 24/7. It has all been so lovely. We're lucky!

Little Big Diner - Newton Centre

When you have a Ramen craving LBD is the best of the best. I enjoyed the very filling Miso Ramen topped with chashu pork, bean sprouts, sweet corn, scallions, nori + an ajitama egg

Sweet Tomatoes Pizza - West Newton 

Lunch Date before my Non Stress Test @ NWH MFM (Maternal Fetal Medicine).
This pizza is some of my favorite around. We had Garlic Spinach + Hawaiian.

COOK - Newtonville

Dinner date after getting the car seat inspected at the Newton City Police Dept.

Cook is an awesome neighborhood spot for an upscale casual meal. We shared Charred Broccoli with chimmichuri + Sticky Wings in a spicy soy glaze. A classic Burger with cheddar, LTO and crispy french fries hit the spot.

Rice Valley - Newtonville

The classic "lets go for spicy food" meal 

This was the night before my scheduled induction (Saturday 2/23). A little spicy never hurt the chances of going into labor naturally, right? 

We don't eat American Chinese food often. Rice Valley has a nice atmosphere to dine out in and the food is average. The Hot and Sour Soup was nice and spicy. We asked for the General Gao's Chicken (labeled as spicy) to actually come extra spicy. It did not, even though she assured it would, but it was still a tasty meal. The actual night of my induction (Sunday 2/24) we went for Spicy Buffalo Wings at Buffs Pub right before heading to NWH to get admitted. Talk about going all out. My water broke after one dose of the oral meds (which is considered lucky) so I honestly think the spicy wings helped me out!

West on Centre - West Roxbury

[I am postpartum now!]

Cam was still in the NICU and we were really not up for hanging out at home without him. This was another nice meal out that proved a welcome distraction. I had Pan Seared Sea Scallops in a citrus reduction over butternut squash puree + sautéed garlic spinach with roasted cauliflower. 

This neighborhood restaurant provided a terrific meal and swiftly paced (but not rushed) service. This was perfect for us as we did not want to linger, we were either eager to head back to NWH for Cam's bedtime feeding, or home to get that extra, much needed sleep! 

Saturday 3/2 ended up being Camden's last night in the hospital. On our way home we received a call from his nurse that he would likely be discharged the next day. He came home with us on his actual due date, Sunday, March 3rd! He is now 3 weeks old and I've never been happier! Being his Mom is the absolute best. 

Kailua | Oahu

We flew into Honolulu from Lihue (Farewell, Kauai) and headed to the Leeward side of the Island (east!) to a town called Kailua. Our Airbnb just a few minutes walk to Kalama Beach was incredibly underwhelming. It was teeny tiny, musty, and not what we expected based on the photos and reviews. Our hosts were the kindest most welcoming folks who greeted us with champagne and presents and thought nothing of it (like it was the best honeymoon spot and they catered to honeymooners all the time..) There were issues I won't get into with the space, but after one night sleep we knew we had to bail. 

We still enjoyed our one night and one morning in Kailua. If you wanted to check out this part of the Island, and it certainly is worth it, I'd recommend a day trip or perhaps just staying one night in passing. 

Kalama Beach is gorgeous. We took a sunset beach walk upon arrival and an early morning run the next day. I definitely felt immersed with the locals here, everyone was walking their dogs on the beach. There were good neighborhood vibes for sure! 

We had dinner at Tokaname a crowded sushi bar + restaurant where we were the only non-Hawaiians. In Kailua we truly did find a neighborhood off the beaten path, and the crowd certainly reflective of a good Japanese restaurant.

The Chashu Pork Ramen was terrific. The sake sampler hit the spot. The Yellowtail (Hamachi) Nigiri and Yellowfin Tuna Nigiri sushi were super fresh. The green tea tempura ice cream sealed the deal. 

The next morning we awkwardly bid adieu to our hosts. In search of brunch we discovered a cool couple blocks in Kailua housing trendy cafes and surf boutiques. We ate at Kono's known for their 12 hour slow roasted pig. My shredded pork buns and Bob's pork and egg biscuits were excellent. 

Our original thoughts in planning the Kailua leg of the honeymoon were to get off the beaten path - to go somewhere less touristy, perhaps somewhere up and coming? Plus, many frequent travelers warned against Waikiki and its crowds. In retrospect this seems odd to us. We love beach cities. Our dowdy Kailua accommodations inspired a change of pace and we were off to Waikiki, booking the Alohilani Resort on Hotel Tonight as we drove back into the city. 

Travel surprises you. That's what's to love!

Twelve Hours | Brighton

 Twelve Hours is my new favorite neighborhood spot for comforting and flavorful Asian inspired street noodle soups. The name is indicative of the broths twelve hour preparation + cook time and the combination of their opening hours (12hrs/day!)

The café featuring exposed brick and colorfully painted weathered wood beams is a quiet and charming self service space should you choose to dine-in, however, most of their business leans towards takeout + delivery. Besides noodle soups the large menu also includes and array of stir fry noodles, fried rice and grilled dishes. (I've only had the soups, plus a few sides.) 

The Street Noodle Soup is a must order. It's a Thai style hot and sour soup with ground pork, chicken, shrimp, crushed peanuts, bean sprouts, cilantro, fried wonton, and soft boiled egg. The broth flavor is remarkable and truly takes noodle soup to a new level of comfort. They offer excellent Ramen Noodle soups like the Sakura Falls Ramen - a Japanese shoyu style or a Red Curry Ramen which is Thai style broth - both with braised pork and all the the traditional fixings. 

Twelve Hours

559 Washington Street

Brighton, MA 02135

Strip-T's | Watertown

 

rice "tots" ($13) - blue crab, battleship curry, nori 

Von Trap Helles Lager - Stowe, Vermont

okonomiyaki ($10) hot + sour squash, pickled ginger, lomo

Pinner Throwback IPA - Brevard, North Carolina

duck oyakadon ($20)  - egg, turnip, kimchi, hots, rice  

smoked miso ramen ($15) - chashu pork, menma, soy egg, greens, scallion

wild mushroom donburi ($18) - bean sprouts, bok choy, rice

cheesecake ($7) - raspberry jam, graham cracker crumble, mint

Strip T's had its heyday comeback in 2012 when Chef Tim Maslow returned home after several years in the kitchen at NYC's famed Momofuku; ready to up the ante incorporating Asian flavors, imaginative new dishes, and a dinner menu to his Dad's neighborhood lunch joint. Soon enough, the unassuming Watertown diner received rave reviews including tons of local praise and national recognition. 

These days, it feels like Strip T's is quietly doing their thing. On a recent Saturday night the counter is empty and a few tables slurp noodles and dive into rice bowls alongside our four-top. The food is still mesmerizing. We go for the wildly inventive starters - rice tots and okonomiyaki - and are handsomely rewarded. The battleship curry in the former is dazzling, not to mention the plating is a work of art; and the latter, a hot and sour fluffy squash pancake drizzled in luscious Asian sauces is unexpectedly brilliant.

The ramen is a bowl of rich, hearty, umami laden comfort thanks to the smoked miso broth and tender char-siu pork, and we loved the nontraditional add-in of collard greens. Both the wild mushroom donburi and duck oyakadon rice bowls are met with praise. And that beautiful cheesecake dessert is pretty much perfect. Our waiter is easy going and personable while his service remains polished and extremely knowledgeable. If you haven't had a chance to visit yet, or are looking for an excuse to get back, now's the time! Parking on School Street is ample and free. 

Strip-T's
93 School Street
Watertown, MA 02472