Ganko Ittetsu Ramen

I don’t like it. I really wanted to like it. I gave it two whole try:
First time, by myself, when it first open. There was only me and a mother with her young son. I ordered the Tan Tan since it look to be their specialty plus I never had the Tan Tan at any other places. It was a strong taste, very distinct but it wasn’t good. There wasn’t much of the meat, but the ramen was fine. Normal. The server was very nice and attentive though. A lady come in and ask if they have vegetarian options and the server politely say the chef works very carefully on his menu and take time to master it as so there’s no current vegetarian options at the time. Although the food wasn’t fabulous, I wanted to try again maybe there will be a better flavor.
So very recently, went here with my friend. There was one party before us, and the waitress (different person this time) took my name down, then 4 more pairs come in after us. She sat the large group and then sat the people who came in after us. I was annoyed. Why bother taking my name down if you cannot even sit us in the right order. Fine, whatever — I care more about the food then service so I let it pass.
Ordered the Miso and the Shoyu + Pork. Miso from my friend perspective was bland, I tasted it too, not amazing in any way. Shoyu was too bland, pork was fine, egg was fine. Nothing special.
They only have 3 flavors, I’ve tried all 3 already and I did not like any of it.
So this place is definitely not for me.
Mind you I live really near here but I rather take my ramen needs to Cambridge: Santouka or Porter’s Sapporo (Central Sq Sapporo sucks).

Good flavored broth, just too salty towards the end. Simple menu, lovely interior. Would come again.

This place is inside the little plaza. It might look close from the outside after 5pm on weekdays but the ramen place is open. It’s a small space but the turnover is pretty fast. The menu is limited as they can only do so much in a tiny kitchen. There’s only three choices for ramen (tan tan, miso and shoyu). I wanted a spicy kick and went with tan tan. I added an egg and char siu for extra $$ as the tan tan only comes with grounded pork and some other misc things. The noodles were ok. The broth was creamy and not as salty as other places. I could barely taste the spicy garlic oil and it would be extra $$ to add even a little bit more. Meh.

Definitely hits the spot on a cold winter’s day.
Miso Ramen Broth: Good flavor, but much thicker than the average ramen broth.
Noodles: Nice thick-​cut/​curly ramen style. Has that nice al dente feel to it.
Pork: A little on the dry side for me.
Service/​wait: Service was good! Staff is attentive and friendly. It’s a small ramen joint, so be prepared to wait if you’re coming in with a party more than 2 people.
Price: Definitely on the more steep end to what I’m used to considering that as a West Coast a bowl of ramen doesn’t usually cost me more than $ 10.
Overall, I’d consider coming back but I’ll definitely continue shopping around for my go-​to ramen spot.

We got there around 8 expecting not many people, but the restaurant was full with about 8 people ahead of us, but when we went to put our name down, she said 15 – 20 mins. So we decided to wait, and she was pretty accurate. The wait was not long at all. Since they basically only serve ramen & one appetizer, it’s a quick eat.
There were only 3 choices of ramen (tan tan, shoyu, miso) and also 2 specials on the board (spicy miso, garlicky shoyu) which was an enhanced version of what’s on the menu.
I got the miso ramen ($ 13), and I couldn’t stop drinking the broth. Although it was a little salty for my taste, it still tasted very good! It is a thicker broth compare to the shoyu ramen.
Shoyu ramen ($ 11) was lighter in broth, but also doesn’t come with the sliced pork (which is the best part). I added crunchy garlic and my boyfriend added garlic oil for a kick. Additional $ 1 for each. The 5-​minute egg is amazing.
We also ordered the cucumbers, but seems to lack consistency, because last time I got this, it tasted balance with sesame oil, but this time it tasted like all soy sauce. So I can skip that.
Service was not that attentive, my water was not filled, until almost the end of our meal.

Came in on a slow Sunday afternoon while visiting Coolidge Corner.
Very friendly staff, attentive. Menu is very simple, Ramen. I had the Miso Ramen with extra pork, very good broth and noodles. I wish the egg had been a little runny, not sure if you can request that. One thing I’ve never understood is why Phở is $ 6 – 7, and Ramen is $ 12+, just shower thoughts.

Pretty good Sapporo style ramen!
I ordered the miso. Noodles were chewy and delicious. Broth was smooth and rich. Pork was excellent in flavor, and 3 slices came in mine, which was plenty for me. Lots of bean sprouts, which I love.
I didn’t order the cucumber appetizer but I wished I did when I saw the person next to me eating it.
The staff was super nice and everything came out fast.
A tiny spot for sure, but personally, I kind of like that. There is also a small bar that seats maybe 4 or 5. Nice casual atmosphere, good for a quick in and out meal.
Out of the 3 ramen places I’ve tried so far in Boston, this is #2 for me. (#1 is Snappy Ramen, #3 is Totto Ramen. No, I haven’t been to Yume Wo Katare yet, i haven’t had time to wait in that line!)
I will definitely be back.

Still on a mission to find the best ramen place. Sad to say, I am no where near Japan, so I will have to find the diamond in the rough of a place in Boston. However, this place didn’t do it for me.
My expectations for this place was rather high as the chief is both the owner of this place and Osushi restaurant in Copley Square. This place is very small– about 17 seats. A menu of about 4 different flavored ramen and a few appetizer options. The place is very dark and loud in my opinion. Definitely a place for a quick eat and run.
it was okay for me. The broth was extremely salty for me. Both miso and Tan tan ramen were small. One slurp I wouldn’t go out of my way to eat here again though. :/

Upon hearing good things about this place, decided to give it a try last night and it it did not disappoint! They only have three ramen options on their menu so you don’t have to stare at the menu for too long which I really liked since both me and my wife are extremely indecisive when it comes to food. My wife tried the Tan Tan and I tried their special ramen (miso w/​spicy garlic oil).
Cucumbers (appetizer) — Definitely not worth the $ 5 but I just really wanted to try it since it was the only appetizer on their menu. It’s pretty much cucumbers cut into pieces covered with sesame oil and maybe soy sauce.
Tan Tan — whoa. Broth has a very deep taste which I really enjoyed. However, I think you might get sick of the taste by the end of your bowl. Broth is definitely delicious, but it doesn’t have any other special kick to it. If you go with the Tan Tan, I highly recommend adding spicy garlic oil to give that extra kick.
Special — I forget the name of the Ramen but its one of their special ramen options. It’s pretty much Miso but with spicy garlic oil. I absolutely loved it. I loved the kick from the spice, that deep taste of the broth, and that ramen noodle was cooked to freaking perfection.
Definitely a great addition to the town of Brookline!

Enjoy piping hot ramen? This joint sure brings out their soup burning hot!
Tonight, I figure I’d give this place another try after a disappointing first try on their opening weekend. Second time around, my verdict is that this place is OK; but not worth the price point. Generous amount of chewy noodles and bean sprouts. Skimpy amount of meat — one thinly slice pork that’s not belly and a dollop of ground pork. The corn and seaweed wasn’t much either. The bowl gave me an impression that they are stingy since they charge high for skimping out on the meat.
The broth was on the greasy, heavy side. The flavor was ok, but it seemed like they flavored it with msg as well. My mouth and throat was dried out not too long after leaving.

BOTTOM LINE:
If you have a couple of more minutes to spare, walk towards Pikaichi in Allston! Ganko Ittetsu is good, but pales in comparison to other ramen establishments in the area. Their strength are their noodles.
THE SPACE:
In the Arcade! So, at least you get to stand inside while you wait. The waiting is likely, as the space is quite small and the tables can really only accommodate for small groups (2 – 4 people). We went on a Saturday at an off time (around 3pm) and still had to wait a couple of minutes.
FOOD:
They had special ramens on the board, which was fun. I got the tan tan ramen:
— the noodles were really tasty and had bite to it, which I love.
— they add a ton of bean sprouts in, which I also love — adds crunch and freshness into a heavy bowl of ramen.
— Soft boiled eggs are cooked to perfection (make sure to order it! It’s worth the extra $$).
— My main complaint was the lack of meat — there is ground meat sprinkled on top and I got one sheet of pork to go along with it. Felt like that was a bit stingy.
— The broth is a little lighter than other ramen places — so, if that’s your preference, this is your place! I prefer heavier, fattier broths so it was a bit of a disappointment.
Either way, it’s a great (but not fast) option for ramen in Coolidge Corner — a rarity, but not your best option if you’ve got time and steps to spare!

I normally would not like a place that only has 3 items on their menu. I was also nervous that our toddler would not like anything to eat. But I was really craving ramen and I didn’t want to go anywhere with a terrible wait or difficult parking. It’s not big, maybe six smaller tables and some bar seats. Food came out quickly.
As expected, kiddo didn’t care for the cucumber appetizer but he was happy with his small bowl of noodles sans broth. The miso is just okay, it doesn’t have that savory, meaty taste. If anything, almost a certain sweetness to it. But I loved the tan tan. I kept eating even after I was full because it was so delicious, perfectly nutty but not overwhelmingly sesame. Had I eaten the miso I would have only rated this place 3 stars but seriously, get the tan tan. It’s not impossibly spicy, just the right amount, for me at least.
It’s located in a quiet building with other tiny shops. Plenty of parking in a lot behind the building. The bathrooms are locked so you have to ask for a key. And for the ladies room, the light is turned on with a button (higher up on the wall than a normal switch) on the left hand side.

I will forever mourn the loss of M.J. Ready International Bistro, the incomparable Thai/​Italian/​Breakfast restaurant that previously occupied this space in the Coolidge Corner Arcade, but I have to admit I was pretty excited when a ramen place moved in.
That said, Ganko Ittetsu serves ramen and only ramen (unless you want to count the cucumbers they offer as an appetizer… I don’t), and these bowls of hot and savory noodle goodness are among the best I’ve had. There are quite a few delicious add-​ons you can choose to spice up your bowl however you like (I’m a big fan of black garlic), but they add up. A recent visit cost me $ 20 with tax and tip. I’d say that’s worth it every once in a while when you have a craving, but certainly not something to splurge on too often.

I have to admit — I can’t resist Ramen. Put it in front of me, and my mouth automatically has to consume it. Opening a new Ramen place in Coolidge Corner, just a few blocks away from where I live? That’s just too tempting. Definitely looking forward to giving it a shot as soon as I heard it was open.
My wife and I stopped in here to give it a try. Surprisingly, there wasn’t much of a line and we were able to get a seat fairly easily. They even had a high chair for my son, which was a huge plus. However, the menu is really very sparse. I guess it’s considered a boutique ramen place where the options are limited. My had the Tan Tan ramen and my wife had the Miso one. It was definitely on the greasier side and very rich. Overall, I enjoyed the Tan Tan, but the Miso ramen was just ok.
The space is also very limited. Other Unilocalers have mentioned that a party bigger than 4 would be hard to accommodate. This place wasn’t out of this world, but I’d definitely go back when I have a craving for ramen. So close. so tempting…

Location: This cozy little ramen spot is tucked away inside the arcade building on Harvard Street. There aren’t that many tables so expect a long wait during peak times. We arrived at 1pm on Sunday and waited about 15mins for table of 3 so it wasn’t too bad. We sat at the counter top area which only has room for 5 seats. I actually liked that seat since it let me get a little view of whats going on in the kitchen, albeit not a complete view since it obscured the actual soup and ramen pouring.
Shoyu Ramen ($ 11) 1÷17÷2016 — Soup base definitely has the saltiness and soy sauce flavor you’d expect from Shoyu style. Some folks mentioned it was too salty but I actually enjoy this level of saltiness and think it’s just right. The noodles themselves were excellent. I loved the firm texture of the noodles and you can definitely feel the bounciness of the noodles when biting into it. It was cooked just right with a bit on the al dente side so kudos. The bits of chopped pork, onion and corn was ok.
Nori was just a tiny square. Marinated egg was a bit bland.
Content and volume was a bit disappointing and I walked away from the meal feeling hungry.

The perfect ramen for winter time. Legit Sapporo ramen known for its rich, thicker broths and tastes.
Unlike a lot of ramen joints, it’s made to order and takes a few minutes. It’s also more filling than your average joint, fitting in with the Sapporo style.
The Tan-​tan is very nutty (sesame) and savory/​sweet at times. The Miso ramen is rich but not as sharply rich as other joints. Again, the ramen is more porridge like than typical thin broth due to the style.
Their 5 minute eggs are excellently done. As other said, I do wish the pork was a little more voluminous. It’s not too vegetarian-​friendly as the broths are all pork-​based though they’re happy to keep it out of the dish for you, as they did my companion.
The cucumber was very nice starter and subtly flavored though I agree it was a bit much for $ 5 – $ 3 is more reasonable.
As for additives to the broth, definitely consider either the spicy oil or black garlic oil. Worth the extra $ 1.
Service was good and the check-​to-​table time was appreciable. Attentive staff, nice quaint spot. I appreciate that it’s inside the arcade so if you have to wait in the winter time for your winter-​warmer ramen that you won’t be freezing in the cold.

Swung by here last night to check out the hype about this place. And since it was freaking freezing our, a hot bowl of ramen was calling us!
We both ended up ordering the miso ramen. I will want to come back and try the tan tan ramen next time! The miso ramen was delicious, and for $ 13, it’s a lot of food. I couldn’t even finish mine (I also have a cold so my stomach is not functioning as it normally does). I really liked the noodles, very firm and had a spring to it when biting into it. But I also think that it had too many noodles. The pork was lacking, they only give you a big slice of pork, so I was hoping there would be more in the order, other than having to do an add-​on.
Overall, really adorable place. We actually didn’t have to wait in any line, so that was a plus. But it’s definitely a small place. Seems like they make everything on the spot (we sat at the bar), and our ramen bowls were piping hot! Excited to go back and check out the other options. Like other people have said, not many options on the menu, and $ 5 for pickled cucumbers is a little excessive.

Definitely hit the spot on a winter night.
The space is tiny and the menu tinier.
Their egg was overcooked.
Noodles had a great chew.
Spicy oil was not very spicy.

Inside the Coolidge Corner Arcade, there is a beautiful noodle house. On the first floor to the left.
There is a small patio area for seating al fresco in the «outdoor» area as well as inside the stall along two banquets or at a counter against the kitchen for solo diners.
The menu hails from Sapporo, a city on the Japanese island of Hokkaido. In contrast to many styles of ramen, Ganko Ittetsu uses a wok method for preparing bowls of noodles where all of the ingredients are combined prior to serving.
The stock used at Ganko Ittetsu is a combination of chicken, pork and vegetable which is ultimately combined with dashi and the sauce flavor of each type of ramen: miso, shoyu or shio.
Ganko Ittetsu Ramen has a simple menu that lists one appetizer: pickled sesame cucumbers ($ 5), three soups: Shoyu ($ 11), Tan Tan ($ 13), Miso ($ 13) and an add-​on section ($ 1-​$ 5). Because the menu is compact, it is easy to decide what to order: the menu is anything but overwhelming.
Intricate descriptions accompany each broth that bathes the custom noodles made in a factory in Japan. The Tan Tan is a sesame based spicy broth where 4−5oz of springy, al dente noodles with plenty of bounce are immersed. These noodles are crisp in the tooth and hold the thick, creamy broth with little effort. Dunk them back down with your chopsticks and a torrent of broth will coat these springy gems.
An extra order of noodles (Kaedma, $ 2) makes this bowl of ramen perfect.
The broth is rich and thick. A light brown opaque liquid speckled with fiery chili oil creates a visually stunning bowl of noodles. The toppings: corn, ground pork, scallions, wakame — float on the edges of the nutty broth. Sesame seeds are sprinkled in the middle of the bowl.
This bowl of noodles is unique and wonderful. Multiple textures and ingredients hit at any particular moment. The noodles hold the broth. The broth brings flavor. The vegetables bring crunch.
Credit cards accepted on a tablet style device makes paying and tipping incredibly convenient and quick at the table all in one spot once the check is requested.
Service is polite and the food arrives quickly. This is a well thought out concept which is executed flawlessly. Joining the ranks of the many recent ramen entrants in the Boston market, Ganko Ittetsu Ramen is the best or very nearly so.

Ganko was too quiet on a 3pm Sunday.
I was expecting lines since ramen has been a ‘hot’ thing in Boston and NYC. We were, however, the only customers. It’s a little strange and lonely being in a ramen place with no conversation among the staff and just the background music playing. They also didn’t do the customary loud «irashaimase» to welcome all incoming people which is good practice in my opinion. My best wishes to this new business.
YES, they take credit card. They use a sophisticated tablet with an attachable credit card reader for e-​transactions and you can email yourself a receipt.
Miso ramen $ 13– they have an abundant number of different toppings– wakame seaweed used in miso soup, a half boiled egg, 1 slice of pork, corn, green onions, minced pork, with a hefty serving of minced ginger. Their miso base is sweet not salty compared to pikaichi. To each their own. Soup base was flavorful. Given the price, my man and I agreed that they should be giving atleast 1 more slice of pork.
Only appetizer they have now are pickled cucumbers. $ 5 for a small bowl of cucumbers. Gave it a try, was flavored in seasame oil and sprinkled with seasame. Was alright, but definitely not work $ 5.
$ 37.82 including tips for 2 bowls of ramen + an appetizer.
Things to work on:
–Speed. As the only pair of customers, we had to wait ~15−20 mins for our ramen to come. The waitress had even come up to us and notified us about the longer wait time. I’m sure they’ll work it out.
— Advertisement. The only reason I knew about this place was through facebook. Their location in Arcade Mall in Brookline is also quite hidden. They should be putting a sign outside the mall on the sidewalk so people know where they are. Having lived in Brookline for 6 years, only recently did I realize there even was a ‘mall’ there. It’s not a mall per se– just many small, independent shops– kumon, clothes alteration etc. Easy to miss.
–Appetizers. Granted they just opened so they’re probably working on making an expanded menu. Right now all they have is a single paper menu. How can you not have gyoza?
–Per an article on Boston Eatery– they are working on an alcohol license.
–Variety– perhaps it’d be better if they had some take out options as well given the large student population living around Brookline and Allston. Some small rice dishes would be nice to go with the ramen as a set lunch option. $ 13 is a bit too much for just 1 bowl. They need a stand out factor in order to survive.