Are you looking for the best Ramen in Chicago? Well, as we all know, Ramen is a quick and easy dish, but it has a surprising amount of depth to it. It has only three elements, the broth, the noodles, and the toppings. The soup is what creates the primary flavor.
There are two kinds of broths: simple broth and tonkatsu (thick white broth). The broth consists of chicken bones, pork bones, fish, and vegetables. Boil it down, and the boiled broth goes on to be mixed with miso, soy sauce, or salt. These are the three primary flavors of Ramen broth.
The noodles also come in two different styles – straight and wavy. The wavy noodles suck up the broth while the straight noodles slide down the throat. Whether wavy or straight, the noodles come in a wide selection of thicknesses made to suit the broth.
Lastly, the toppings are green onions, thin slices of meat, bean sprouts, boiled eggs, and vegetables.
With a warm broth, chewy noodles, and a slew of delicious toppings, ramen is, indeed, the definition of comfort food.
Various places offer ramen. But we are not interested in just any ramen, but the best ramen in Chicago!
So, here’s is a list of some of the best Ramen in Chicago to help you find a heartwarming bowl made served by famous chefs.
Ramen Wasabi
Wasabi is a cozy, small restaurant. Located on Milwaukee Avenue, it serves traditional and modern Japanese dishes for an extraordinary dining experience.
The restaurant’s menu has everything from desserts and side dishes to delicious ramen bowls. So, if you are someone who enjoys such delicacies, you must check this place out.
Wasabi prepares a pork broth made only of high-quality pork bones. It serves one of the Best Ramen in Chicago by mixing homemade ramen noodles with a balanced broth.
Their most popular dishes are Shoryu Ramen and Spicy Garlic Ramen. They also have a wide range of sake at various price points.
With a welcoming atmosphere, delicious broth, excellent noodles, and flawless service, Wasabi is a great place to stop by!
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RAMEN-SAN
RAMEN-SAN is a busy Chicago neighborhood restaurant bar in River North that lives up to popular Japanese ramen shops’ standards. The gallery anchored by exposed brick and recycled wood creates an understated yet welcoming ambiance.
Ramen also pairs exceptionally well with the restaurant’s side dishes, such as fried chicken. If you’re a vegan looking for a satisfying bowl of ramen, the restaurant also offers vegetable-based broths. You can also add spicy chili oil, fried garlic, wontons, or braised pork belly from a menu of options.
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59 W Hubbard St #2, Chicago, IL 60654
165 E Huron St, Chicago, IL 60611
219 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607
Urban Belly
The Asian and American restaurant was founded in 2008 by award-winning Chef Bill Kim. Its unique ramen bowls, beverages, and savory dumplings have gained a reputation for serving the best Ramen in Chicago.
Also, the menu keeps changing daily to keep the dining concept unique and current. The restaurant is creative and fun but somehow familiar. Their chilled ramen noodles with peanut sauce and Kirin Ichiban Frozen Beer make for a lovely summer dinner.
If you’re looking for an upscale dining experience with incredible textures, flavors, and service, Urban Belly is the place.
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Furious Spoon
Unlike its nearby rivals, which have more large menus of foods you shouldn’t be concerned with while eating ramen. The restaurant offers four types of ramen to choose from. It also serves a wide variety of toppings to soothe your taste buds. But the ramen is the main event. It provides a few side dishes and snacks, thrown in for good measure, and Pocky for dessert.
Try the restaurant’s signature Furious Ramen, a tasty bowl of homemade noodles. It is a spicy miso broth noodle with apple-Chile sauce with chicken, pork, and poached eggs.
They also do a miso-based vegetable broth with pickled mushrooms, fresh cabbage, and fried garlic.
With 90’s hip-hop songs at every venue, Furious Spoon promises a vibrant environment with a hearty bowl of noodles.
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800 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
2410 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
205 W Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606
Kameya Ramen & Sushi
For the best ramen in Chicago, you must visit Kameya Ramen & Sushi. The restaurant offers a mix of Japanese and Korean cuisine.
Kameya, translated to English, refers to turtle, which stands for a happy and long life. Here, the chefs pay special attention to turn this belief into reality by using the medium of food.
The meat and everything designed to serve you a warm and hearty Japanese meal from the broth to sauces.
Some restaurant specials are Beef Ramen, Gyoza Ramen, and try out their in-house Kameya Cheese Balls and Shrimp Tempura.
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Kizuki Ramen and Izakaya
This multinational Japanese chain restaurant introduces the classic Japanese experience worldwide through its extensive, vast, and tasty dishes.
They prepare their broth using a unique method for cooking consomme, like drilling a stew in France. Also, each bowl can be customized, allowing you to add toppings or opt for a vegetarian option.
Therefore, we recommend you try the Garlic Tonkatsu Shoyu Ramen. It has a vibrant noodle base and is their most famous item.
If you want a quick fix of the best ramen in Chicago, look no further!
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1538 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60610
1482 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Ramen Takeya
Ramen Takeya is a ramen shop located in the Fulton Market District that will not disappoint. The ambiance is warm and inviting, and the design resembles a Japanese back alley.
Since their hallmark ramens are all chicken-based, the broth is light and not too rich. There is a selection of spicy varieties, and you can alter the broth in whatever direction you choose. You can either customize the ramen according to your personal preference or use it as is.
There’s also a selection of Japanese side dishes on their menu and Japanese beer and whiskey. But if you’re someone who’s not concerned with the sides, Takeya has everything you’ll like for a traditional meal.
That is why, even for this reason alone, Takeya serves, for many, the best ramen in Chicago.
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Conclusion
If you love Japanese ramen, this article will help you prepare your chopsticks and enjoy a few of Chicago’s best.
The tender pork belly, rich broths, handmade noodles, and gooey eggs will leave your taste bud longing for more.
Therefore, please visit and judge it for your own sake.
