Men Tei - Back Bay

It is sad that ramen noodles' reputation will forever be tarnished by their stereotypical consumption by college students. On the contrary, I hardly ever ate ramen while in college, yet I ate it frequently as a child. Ramen brings back fond memories for me. My mother would make it for me for lunch often and she'd crack an egg in it sometimes as well. I remember distinctly coming back from an over-night field trip in middle school and as I wearily stepped off the bus into the warm embrace of my Korean mother I requested one simple thing to coax me back into civilization: ramen.

That said, Men Tei, Back Bay's only authentic Japanese noodle restaurant holds a dear place in my heart. I discovered its glory one cold and overcast winter day. I was sick with a terrible cold and I was so congested and miserable that I was distraught. After a long shift of work at the Prudential Center I walked by Men Tei on Hereford St. and went inside after looking through the windows and seeing people enjoying large bowls of soup. After indulging myself, I felt a new man--able to take on the world again. Revitalized witht he ability to breath clearly and through my nostrils I vowed to sing praise of Men Tei to all. Now I stand before you a humbled man.

Cheap prices, large portions, Japanese fare, friendly service--what must I do to convince you? Lunch and dinner specials? Quirky Japanese owner with odd music tastes? Waiters who also form the band The Ricecookers? I'm not sure what else I can tell you. I'd imagine if you aren't willing to go there by now then you're probably the kind of person that I wouldn't want to befriend anyways. Maybe you should just stay away then.

I usually get the dinner special with pork cutlet noodle soup and broiled eel over rice. The cutlet is crispy and tender with a savory dark sauce drizzled over it. The soup itself is served hot and with a generous amount of bean sprouts and firm noodles. The broth is satisfying and sans-MSG for all you sodium-haters. The eel is soft and tastes mild without the fishiness--a popular choice considering how nuts people go over unagi sushi--it's a comparable texture and taste.

The dinner special ranges between $10.95 and $12.95 depending on which soup you get. The portion is pretty large though and a single bowl of any type of ramen here is usually enough for any one person. I tend to splurge sometimes and get the aforementioned dinner special with an order of gyoza as well. Seeing all of that food laid out before me makes me feel . . . special.

Wakarimasse des ne?

66 Hereford St., Boston, MA 02115, 617 425 0066