Need more ramen in your life? Whether you're in the mood for ramen served spicy or on the milder side, local spots serve this Asian noodle dish at your level of heat and with everything from pork belly and fried chicken to tofu and veggies.
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top ramen hot spots in Chicago, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to venture when cravings strike.
1. Ramen Wasabi
Topping the list is Ramen Wasabi. Located at 2101 N. Milwaukee Ave. (between Francis Place and Maplewood Avenue) in Logan Square, the izakaya, which offers ramen, tapas and more, is the most popular ramen spot in Chicago, boasting four stars out of 1,586 reviews on Yelp.
This expanded space from Japanese owner Satoko Takeyama opened in May 2017 to ease long waits for its popular, authentic Japanese ramen made from boiling pork bones for days. The menu features three ramens (hakata classic tonkotsu, spicy hakata and tsukemen) as well as a gyudon beef bowl and other small plates.
2. Ramen-san
Next up is Ramen-san, situated at 59 W. Hubbard St. With four stars out of 1,539 reviews on Yelp, the spot to score ramen has proven to be a local favorite.
According to its website, this River North spot is "a neighborhood noodle joint that slings hot broth, ice-cold beer and the best ’90s hip-hop in town."
All ramen dishes come with Tokyo wavy noodles from sun noodle. Favorites include the spicy miso ramen with ground pork, kung pao chiles, napa cabbage; fried chicken ramen with fried garlic and buttered corn and the tonkotsu ramen with a rich broth and well-made noodles. Some dishes can be made to order — spicy or on the milder side.
3. Furious Spoon
Wicker Park's Furious Spoon, located at 1571 N. Milwaukee Ave. (between Damen and North avenues), is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the ramen destination four stars out of 1,101 reviews. This is one of several Chicago-area locations.
Though not everyone’s cup of tea, many appreciate eating ramen in a hip space featuring wooden communal booths and old-school rap playing.
Ramen offerings run the gamut from super spicy to no spice at all. Favorites include the chicken dumpling shio, a ramen with dumplings, green beans and corn, and the holy cow ramen with ground beef, veggies and chile noodles (egg on top is optional).
4. Oiistar
Oiistar, a New American and Asian fusion spot in Wicker Park, is another go-to, with four stars out of 848 Yelp reviews. Head over to 1385 N. Milwaukee Ave. (between Wood Street and Wolcott Avenue) to see for yourself.
Mixing traditional Japanese ramen with French and Italian influences, owner and chef Sunny Yim takes comfort food to a whole new level, according to the restaurant's website.
Ramen dishes come with noodles made in-house and can change frequently. For the meat-crazed, there's the popular classic oiimen that features a rich broth, garlic oil, tender pork and a creamy egg yolk. Veggie lovers: try the spicy vegginmen with mixed greens, tofu, peppers, mushrooms and avocado.
5. High Five Ramen
Over in West Town, check out High Five Ramen, which has earned four stars out of 689 reviews on Yelp. You can find the spot to score ramen and more at 112 N. Green St. (between Washington Boulevard and Randolph Street).
Located in a subterranean lair with concrete walls and a long cedar bar, this spot serves up ramen noodles in a creamy, spicy tonkotsu-style broth that reminded a few Yelpers of similar fare in Tokyo.
Guests are warned that with "the full spice, there may be sweating followed by pure euphoria." The signature ramen combines broth with miso, sesame, face-numbing pepper, nori and dried Japanese chiles. Guests can opt for milder offerings like the Shio Ramen with chicken broth or the maitake ramen made with a mushroom-miso broth.
