Caleb P., New England Conservatory
Nestled in a crowded strip of restaurants on Boylston Street right off of Massachusetts Avenue lies a gem of Asian cuisine for college students, both in quality of food and speedy delivery. At first glance, the menu at Teriyaki House may seem like a Sino-Japanese identity crisis, but upon further exploration, the well-staffed kitchen capably presents a a variety of distinct dishes, from fresh tuna sushi to Szechuan beef lo mein. All sushi is made fresh to order, and the seafood selection is both extensive and high quality. Exquisitely presented dishes like the Rainbow Roll (tuna, salmon, and whitefish topped with avocado, cucumber, and crab) entice the student to splurge, while carryout specials (one free California Roll with an order greater than $25) seem to reward the hungry sushi-lover. Steaming udon noodle soups make any wintry Boston evening seem almost cheery, and tender soba noodles complete the Japanese portion of the menu.
Equally as impressive is Teriyaki House’s ability to serve satisfying Chinese meals while staying competitively priced with any of the several fast food chains within walking distance. Whether craving lo mein, steamed rice, or egg noodles, the extensive menu accommodates a variety of dishes with ease while staying in the single digits. With a full-time phone staff taking orders, the chefs post an impressively fast turnaround for carry-out and delivery, the latter of which is available to most colleges in the Boston area; sadly, service to Cambridge ceased as of spring 2010.
Terikyaki House falters somewhat with sluggish service for those opting to dine in. The waiters make a strong attempt to serve milk teas (with boba, of course) as soon as possible, but tend to require flagging down to deliver the check or meet any new requests, especially if the small handful of indoor tables are filled. The wait is usually enjoyable, however, as the sidewalk constantly bustles with pedestrians from Fenway Park, Berklee School of Music, or shoppers headed for the Prudential Center. Do not take offense if hurriedly tossed paper takeout menus brushed away to an outdoor table. Rather, humbly accept the restaurant’s established role in delivering to dorm-bound students across Boston, as well as the fortunate diner who walks through the door.
While there are certainly pricier locations in Boston for more authentic Chinese and Japanese food, Teriyaki House provides budget-friendly and palette-pleasing options with reliable delivery and a menu large enough to guarantee a return visit.
Teriyaki House
1110 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 236-1008
