Perhaps you know ramen from eating countless packages of the dry stuff during your college days. Maybe you know it from its presence in Japan and delicious fusion restaurants. Regardless of your definition, the hearty, meaty noodle soup makes for the perfect meal and nightcap for any true foodie, featuring some of the most unique flavors of any region.
Chicago is no different, and it boasts some delicious restaurants and ramen bars that range from underground hut to top fusion hot-spot. Does your favorite ramen place make our list? Only one way to find out.
See also: 7 Best Caesar Salads in Chicago
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916 W Fulton Market / Website
A star on the Chicago scene, Bill Kim is one of the top names in Asian cuisine, offering some of the best dumpling and noodle dishes in the area. While his first ventures focused more on Korean barbecue and other staple dishes, his namesake ramen bar is certainly not to be missed.
With flavors and broths from Korea, Vietnam and even Mexico, these ramen dishes are high in quality and variety. Some are true smorgasbords, like the phat ramen with beef, shrimp, fried dumplings and broccoli; while some offer one-of-a-kind flavors, like the spicy shrimp ramen in chicken broth. Part of the Time Out Market food court, this is the perfect stop for a fun night with friends.
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2410 N Milwaukee Ave.; 800 W Belmont Ave. / Website
With a nightlife atmosphere and some of the better ramen dishes on the North Side, Furious Spoon gets top reviews and lends itself to a perfect weekday date night. With menu item names including Mother-Clucker, Lil’ Slurper or Veggie Explosion, it's easy to see the fusion influence. Customers love the various vegetarian and pescetarian options, noting that the broth and protein offered give the dishes some of the best tastes in the city. Pair your bowl with one of Furious Spoon's numerous cocktails for a fun evening out on the town. We like the Ol’ Dirty Fashioned and the Ass Kicker.
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112 N Green Street / Website
It might be called the High Five, but there’s plenty of underground vibes in this ramen bar; literally. It’s a subterranean ramen “lair” with cement walls and a long cedar bar that creates an amazing atmosphere that can’t be found anywhere else. With an emphasis on tonkotsu-style broth and face-melting spice, High Five is one of the most authentic spots on this list, and offers a true glimpse at the process that goes into creating the delicious dishes. Spice is not the only thing on the menu, however, as guests can also partake in the Shoyu and Shio Ramen, both featuring unique broths and lighter spice intake. True to form, the restaurant offers plenty of Japanese drinks from beer to whiskey, sake and even sweet slushies. For all things authentic, this is the spot to try.
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1538 N Clybourn Ave. / Website
Technically, Kizuki offers much more than just ramen, rounding out its menu with tofu, cutlets, pork rolls and rice-based dishes. The ramen, however, is the main attraction, offering some serious variety. While other ramen bars promise perfect broths and delicious meats, Kizuki prides itself on sauces and delicious twists that take the soups to a whole new level. With tastes including spicy chili paste, Japanese citrus base, chicken chashu and specific drinking broths, the ramen here has a unique taste that can’t be found anywhere else. The ambiance is excellent for a casual hangout, missing the louder music and cedar bars, making it a good middle ground to try something new.
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1131 W Bryn Mawr Ave. / Website
For those who want to try ramen while sticking to what you know about sushi, this is the perfect mixing pot. From the minds of storied chef brothers Puje and Tuvshin Sukh, this place offers everything from traditional to modern cooking, with deliciously tight technique. The appetizers could format a list of their own, offering stuffed salmon, calamari, shishito peppers and shumai dumplings; but the ramen and sushi bar combinations are truly the spotlight. There’s multiple tonkotsu options for the noodles in spicy garlic and beef brisket flavors that give the soups a kick. The sushi, meanwhile, boasts some of the best combos in the area, with names like firecracker, moonrise and solar. Be sure to stay behind for dessert too, as the mochi and green tea ice cream are to die for.
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Various locations / Website
Like some of the others on this list, there are a few locations to try in the area. In Ramen-san’s case, however, it’s a little more specific. One location offers a whiskey bar and another is placed right in Northwestern’s city campus. Ramen-san offers plenty of rotating specials and unique dishes, giving it a kick unseen anywhere else. Definitely try the wonton soup ramen, a limited edition with Chinese broccoli, and the sumo ramen with chashu and spicy crushed egg. There’s also the option to add plenty of extra ingredients, including spicy garlic, bok choy and molten egg. Even if you go with a ramen hater, there’s plenty of other dishes to try, including chicken wings, raw tuna mantou buns and more. Make a reservation and try it now!
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2101 N Milwaukee Ave. / Website
Be warned: this is one of the most popular spots in town, so much so the line to simply put your name in the register can stretch around the building. As a result, we recommend making a reservation to try some of the tastiest ramen you’ll ever have. The Tokyo Classic Shoyu comes standard with chicken and pork, as well as a bamboo shoot; and the Spicy Roasted Garlic Miso is a sure-fire must. Most options are served with an emphasis on the offered pork belly, but there’s also a vegan option with seaweed and mushroom broth, and Hakata options offering plenty of spice. Be sure to check out the appetizers, including the sliders, dumplings and roasted brussel sprouts. Plenty of things to choose from for this public favorite!
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1385 N Milwaukee Ave. / Website
If you love garlic, this is the top spot. One of Oiistar's top options is the Paitan Shio, or “white soup.” This delicious concoction offers a rich, creamy mouth feel often unseen in other broths and offers an excellent mix for other sauces, including something called the WHA-DA-HAC sauce. No word on what that may do to your tongue beyond that it's hot and peppery! For the thrill-seeker in all of us, the menu also features a “spice level” next to each dish, with the two highest called Musclemen and Pozolmen, respectively. Ingredients include jalapeno peppers, mussels, chili peppers and more. This is a spot to test your taste buds, and try out some new flavors!
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819 W Fulton Market / Website
Fulton Market might just be the perfect spot for ramen lovers, as this is yet another bar offering some of the best ramen in the area. Barstools line the room and the menu boasts plenty of cocktails, making Takeya another excellent spot that promises the feel of the Tokyo Yokocho, or backstreet spot. Ramen Takeya is far from underground, but it does offer a unique experience. The Green Geisha cocktail looks particularly delicious—in addition to the ramen staples. This spot specializes in what’s called Chicken Paitan Ramen and offer another taste to their sister restaurant, Ramen Wasabi. Be sure to also check out the chicken karaage nuggets and fried calamari.
Photography by: Diego Lozano / Unsplash
