Cambridge’s Udon Gem Yume Ga Arukara Will Expand to Boston’s Seaport District

Cambridge’s phenomenal udon shop Yume Ga Arukara, which opened five years ago, is expanding across the river to Boston’s Seaport District this winter, opening at the in-the-works area called the Superette, which will ultimately be a “European-inspired grand piazza” full of dining options and other retail. The Cambridge location of the restaurant will remain in operation.

The new location will continue to focus on udon, per a rep for WS Development, the real estate developer behind 33 acres of retail, office space, and more in the Seaport District. But there will be additional Japanese dishes on the menu, too, as well as more toppings for the udon itself. (Aside from occasional specials, the original location offers a very simple menu of four versions of its udon — hot or cold, spicy or not. Beef is the main topping, along with scallions, crispy tempura batter, a lemon wedge, and a few other garnishes, depending on which of the versions a diner chooses.)

Diners will find seasonal specials at the new location, highlighting ingredients sourced from local farms and businesses. Also new to the menu: a selection of small plates, as well as beer, wine, and sake.

While the menu will be larger, the new location will make its noodles using the same model of noodle machine imported from Japan as its sibling in Cambridge.

Yume Ga Arukara was cofounded by Tsuyoshi Nishioka, who also founded the acclaimed Cambridge ramen shop Yume Wo Katare, and Juan Carlos Vidal of Japanese curry spot Cafe Mami and izakaya Ittoku. Nishioka sold his stake in Yume Ga Arukara to Vidal in 2020, so the two restaurants are no longer related, aside from their shared history.

As soon as it opened, Yume Ga Arukara gained plenty of attention, both locally and nationally. The bustling noodle shop, located inside a mostly Japanese food hall within Lesley University property in Porter Square, regularly draws long lines of patrons eager to sit at one of the small restaurant’s wooden counters and slurp up udon while peering into the open kitchen.

Yume Ga Arukara’s expansion to the Seaport District is one of quite a few bits of news for the neighborhood in recent weeks. Ombrello, a seasonal pop-up patio within the Superette area, just debuted, showcasing charcuterie and other snacks from Kured. Kokoda by Love Art, a fast-casual restaurant serving poke, the Fijian seafood dish kokoda, and more, also opened recently. And coming early next year: Texas-based dinner-and-a-movie chain Alamo Drafthouse and Connecticut-based tapas chain Boqueria.

Yume Ga Arukara will be located at 70 Pier 4 Boulevard, Suite #260, Boston.