The overall experience can be summarized as satisfactory, though not exceptional. The shrimp tempura curry udon, in particular, was a letdown with its surprisingly bland taste and lack of distinct flavors one would typically expect from such a dish.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
mlee
Absolutely delightful dining experience at this charming restaurant, expertly managed by a warm and seasoned Japanese couple. The cuisine surpassed expectations with its impeccable balance of flavors, devoid of excessive saltiness. Each dish exuded authenticity, from the tantalizing aroma to the rich, genuine flavors. I am eagerly anticipating my next visit and wholeheartedly recommend this establishment.
Ian
I highly recommend this place! The udon place next door is also great but usually has a very long line waiting to be seated. This place offers a good selection of Japanese cuisine including curry, noodles, tempura etc. It also has a very cozy feeling. The staff are very friendly too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
corwin
Been eating here since the early 90s. Still the best for Japanese food that isn’t ramen or sushi.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Grace Yang
Extremely authentic home style
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Monique Ching
Love this cute and unassuming spot! Haven't found a good katsu don in a while and this one hit the spot -- the katsu was perfectly crisp, the egg was well seasoned, and it was all served on a bed of perfectly cooked rice. We also got the Japanese curry risotto, which didn't look like much, but tasted so good. All the sides (we got hijiki, burdock root, and fried oysters) were also homemade and delicious. The couple who run this place was also very warm and friendly. And -- for the Boston area -- their prices are very low. We were shocked at how cheap the meal was for how much we ordered.
literally my favorite restaurant in Cambridge — great prices and service and food! it’s my comfort food whenever I come
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kimberly
Tampopo is located in the Lesley University Porter Campus, alongside many other fantastic Japanese restaurants. It is a small place with no frills and a simple menu, giving it that hole-in-the-wall/mom-and-pop vibe. The menu speaks for itself, as everything I’ve tried here is delicious. I recommend the katsu don, which is cheap and cooked well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Katsu
Cheyenne T.
Tampopo is a new go-to spot for me! Operated by a cute old Japanese couple, it felt very authentic, like I was back in Japan! I had just visited Japan during the summer, so coming back in November was reminiscent of the trip. The flavors were light and authentic. The karaage chicken was super moist with a nice crispy outside. They also offered special ingredients straight from Japan that i'd love to try next time! We were one of two tables at the time, but the service was excellent and very attentive. I can't wait to come again!
Great food and homely atmosphere! It's a mom and pop shop and they provide great service. The vibe is very much like a small restaurant in Japan and has very few tables. But I would say its worth the wait. Prices are also very fair and portions are plentiful.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lindsey Kapel
Lovely shop with an incredible menu. The buddha bowl curry was so warm and delicious. The people who run this place are amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Adi
UNDERRATEDGreat food, pricing, portion size.In the shadow of yume ga arukara and ittoku is the lesser known, but imo just as strong, tampopo.Their thing is fried food and they do it very dang well. The menu is unpretentious and just about everything I've tried so far is great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stormtrooper
Absolutely delicious chicken katsu. The couple who run the place are lovely. I wish more people knew about it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mike Pureka
I've been coming here for over twenty years, and it's been worth it every time. Itoh-san's tempura is better than any I've had even when visiting Japan and it's not even my favorite dish on the menu (That's the Tampopo Bowl, with the delicious fried potato croquettes.) What's more, the prices remain a bargain, even today.I am going to cry when they retire.Vegetarian options: There are some pretty good vegetarian options, either tofu-based or vegetable; The veggie tempura is great, the Tampopo Bowl with croquettes is vegetarian unless you order meat croquettes, and there are a number of other choices as well.
Lovely service great food
The overall experience can be summarized as satisfactory, though not exceptional. The shrimp tempura curry udon, in particular, was a letdown with its surprisingly bland taste and lack of distinct flavors one would typically expect from such a dish.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Absolutely delightful dining experience at this charming restaurant, expertly managed by a warm and seasoned Japanese couple. The cuisine surpassed expectations with its impeccable balance of flavors, devoid of excessive saltiness. Each dish exuded authenticity, from the tantalizing aroma to the rich, genuine flavors. I am eagerly anticipating my next visit and wholeheartedly recommend this establishment.
I highly recommend this place! The udon place next door is also great but usually has a very long line waiting to be seated. This place offers a good selection of Japanese cuisine including curry, noodles, tempura etc. It also has a very cozy feeling. The staff are very friendly too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Been eating here since the early 90s. Still the best for Japanese food that isn’t ramen or sushi.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Extremely authentic home style
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love this cute and unassuming spot! Haven't found a good katsu don in a while and this one hit the spot -- the katsu was perfectly crisp, the egg was well seasoned, and it was all served on a bed of perfectly cooked rice. We also got the Japanese curry risotto, which didn't look like much, but tasted so good. All the sides (we got hijiki, burdock root, and fried oysters) were also homemade and delicious. The couple who run this place was also very warm and friendly. And -- for the Boston area -- their prices are very low. We were shocked at how cheap the meal was for how much we ordered.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Oyster, Kara-Age Chicken, Pork Cutlet, Fried
literally my favorite restaurant in Cambridge — great prices and service and food! it’s my comfort food whenever I come
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tampopo is located in the Lesley University Porter Campus, alongside many other fantastic Japanese restaurants. It is a small place with no frills and a simple menu, giving it that hole-in-the-wall/mom-and-pop vibe. The menu speaks for itself, as everything I’ve tried here is delicious. I recommend the katsu don, which is cheap and cooked well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Katsu
Tampopo is a new go-to spot for me! Operated by a cute old Japanese couple, it felt very authentic, like I was back in Japan! I had just visited Japan during the summer, so coming back in November was reminiscent of the trip. The flavors were light and authentic. The karaage chicken was super moist with a nice crispy outside. They also offered special ingredients straight from Japan that i'd love to try next time! We were one of two tables at the time, but the service was excellent and very attentive. I can't wait to come again!
Restaurantji Recommends
Great food and homely atmosphere! It's a mom and pop shop and they provide great service. The vibe is very much like a small restaurant in Japan and has very few tables. But I would say its worth the wait. Prices are also very fair and portions are plentiful.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lovely shop with an incredible menu. The buddha bowl curry was so warm and delicious. The people who run this place are amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
UNDERRATEDGreat food, pricing, portion size.In the shadow of yume ga arukara and ittoku is the lesser known, but imo just as strong, tampopo.Their thing is fried food and they do it very dang well. The menu is unpretentious and just about everything I've tried so far is great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely delicious chicken katsu. The couple who run the place are lovely. I wish more people knew about it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I've been coming here for over twenty years, and it's been worth it every time. Itoh-san's tempura is better than any I've had even when visiting Japan and it's not even my favorite dish on the menu (That's the Tampopo Bowl, with the delicious fried potato croquettes.) What's more, the prices remain a bargain, even today.I am going to cry when they retire.Vegetarian options: There are some pretty good vegetarian options, either tofu-based or vegetable; The veggie tempura is great, the Tampopo Bowl with croquettes is vegetarian unless you order meat croquettes, and there are a number of other choices as well.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kara