The 7 Best Ramen Spots In Chicago
By Anthony Todd in Food on Jan 27, 2016 5:00PM
’Tis the season of rushing from one heated building to the next, of keeping our heads down and our minds trained on spring. And while it’s never easy to endure another installment of cold-weather blues, there’s a silver lining, one involving slow-simmered, slurpable, noodle-rich ramen — shining, gelatinous examples of which Chicago has in spades. Check out our faves and let them carry you through until balmy weather arrives.
By Jennifer Olvera and Anthony Todd
Strings Ramen. Photo via Facebook.
Offered at the bar each Sunday, Acadia’s under-the-radar ramen doesn’t appear on the menu. Come after 5 p.m., though, and you’ll encounter its porky broth packed with barbecue-glazed, sous vide-cooked belly and traditional accompaniments done right: house-made sambal, ’shrooms, sprouts, smoky scallions, nori and an egg. A whirl of spicy lobster butter puts things over the edge.
Acadia is at 1639 S. Wabash Ave.
Update: According to a rep, Acadia isn't doing ramen right now - and it's a darn shame. Here's hoping it comes back soon.
Cozy up to counter-service Furious Spoon for memorable, brothy bowls, served in modest, stylish storefronts. Featuring hand-made noodles — and cracked-up hip-hop beats — the Tokyo-inspired spots come courtesy of Executive Chef Shin Thompson, whose grandfather owned a ’60s-era ramen shop in the port town of Hokkaido, Japan. Our money’s on the namesake Furious Ramen, which features a miso tare-inflected tonkotsu broth crowned with pork belly, white pepper chicken and poached egg-topped, toothsome noodles, studded with garlic relish and sesame seeds. If you’re feeling flush, wash it down with sake or an ice-cold Kirin Ichiban.
Furious Spoon is at 1571 N. Milwaukee Ave. and 2410 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Yusho Sunday Noodles. Photo via Facebook.
Yusho's ramen battles (where two prominent chefs face off to create the best bowl) have become legendary, but you don't have to wait for a special occasion to chow down on their ramen. On Sunday, for just $25, guests can get a bowl of ramen (we prefer whatever variation of the mushroom ramen is available. Right now, it's a combination of trumpet, mistake and crimini shrooms, served with marinated tofu and salt plums), a cocktail and a fancy soft serve dessert—a steal at this funky Logan Square spot.
Yusho is at 2853 N. Kedzie Ave.
It’s in a grocery store food court — harried Mitsuwa Marketplace, to be exact. You have to pay in cash. Lines are ever-present. Dip one spoon into a deeply flavorful bowl at Japan transplant Santouka, though, and all is forgiven — especially if the Toroniku crowned with supple pork jowl is before you. Alternately, the spicy, tri-pepper miso and comforting salt ramen topped with a pickled plum don’t disappoint.
Santouka is at 100 E. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Heights.
It’s (almost) all about the pleasantly chewy noodles at Strings Ramen in Chinatown, where they’re made daily using an imported Japanese mixer and noodle-maker. Whether you choose the more straightforward Shoyu or Shio or the customizable Hell Ramen — level five contains wasabi oil; Thai, Tian Jing and Piquin chiles; Szechwan chili bean sauce; and Ghost and Scorpion peppers — they’re built to stand up to the broth they’re buoyed in.
Strings Ramen is located at 2141 S. Archer Ave.
Ramen San Noodles. Photo via Facebook.
Not everyone loves this hopping River North spot from Lettuce Entertain You, but the ramen (including both modern takes and traditional flavors) is solid. Grab a stool at a high table, order a frosted mug of Asahi and dig into the fried chicken and kimchi ramen, served (improbably) with buttered corn and fried garlic. Sounds strange? Trust us.
Ramen San is at 59 W. Hubbard Street.
Serving everything from sushi to skewers, modern BYOB Wasabi is most notable for its creamy Berkshire pork broth, which is simmered for 45 hours before forming the backbone of spicy garlic miso ramen, a pick-me-up with egg noodles, heritage-breed belly, marinated bamboo, sprouts, roasted garlic and garlic chips, chiles, scallions and a soft-boiled egg. Get yours with pork belly buns and house-made pork dumplings for a full-on experience.
Wasabi is at 2115 N. Milwaukee Ave.