Five stars because the Level 2 Hell Ramen (higher levels are most likely beyond hot). It's hard to find a ramen place that serves this kind of spiciness. The pork rinds in the Ramen created a nice flavorful and textural add. I did try the Da Bomb Rice Bowl that I wasn't too fond of. If you're into the sweeter side that would be a good choice, but I say stick with ramen. If ever I come back to Chicago, I wouldn't mind going again considering all the plenty of other ramen restaurants. Strings Ramen Shop is on the authentic side and that's what I like about it. It lives up to the authenticity being located in the center of Chinatown. They close at midnight if you're wanting a late night food run. This location is pretty small, however I didn't have to wait coming in at 11:00 PM. Talking about this makes me crave spicy ramen. Mmmm. read more

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This place is absolutely delicious. The waiters are always very attentive, sweet, and patient. The noodles are very diverse. You should visit this place!! Ps...the spicy crab meat rice bowl? Amazing. read more

Strings Ramen Shop - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Oh, Strings... where shall I begin? Located right in Chinatown, and having heard that it has been voted best ramen in Chicago, I was super excited to check out this ramen joint. We came on a Saturday afternoon and were seated right away in their little patio area. Lots to choose from on their menu, not only limited to ramen! However, I'm sure that's what the majority of people come here for. They offer 4 different types of ramen broth: shoyu, shio, miso, and tonkotsu. All of those sounded enticing, but I went with the hell ramen level 3. Came with a shoyu based broth topped off with clams, ground pork, crispy pork skins, and 5 different types of hot peppers. It had a good amount of spice but wasn't too spicy. I'm sure if I went any higher, I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much. The broth had good flavors but it was a bit too oily for my taste. Wasn't the biggest fan of the crispy pork skins either. My friend decided to try the Hell's ramen challenge (level 5), but didn't end up finishing in the given time. You could literally smell all the peppers once it got to the table. I couldn't even imagine eating it. I was tempted to try a bite but didn't want to suffer the consequences after seeing what she went through. One of the major aspects of strings is their noodles. They are freshly made everyday and have a nice bite to them. The prices here are on the steeper end. Cost me about $20 for a bowl of ramen w/ tax & tip. And they don't include an soft boiled egg in the hell ramen, which was kind of disappointing (especially with the high price). Decent ramen, overall but wouldn't say that I was really "wowed". Also, the vibe we got from our waitress was a bit awkward/uncomfortable at times. Not sure if she was new or what. read more

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Loved the cozy ambience that reminds me of somewhere in the motherland. I loved the red and white lanterns garnishing the ceilings above the open kitchen of chefs busily making broth and noodles. I felt really sick in the Chicago cold and really wanted a nearby ramen place in chinatown. This place did the trick. Quick service. Bonus for the pitcher of water that complemented the hell ramen spice (best and favorite part). The quality of tonkotsu should be based on the pork belly, noodles, and the broth. My favorite part was the savory broth which sadly left my lips dry for hours afterward. The noodles were on the harder side, and the pork belly had a little more fat than I preferred. I think the ratio of meat to fat was 1 to 2. Overall I still stick by my first point that the soup did the trick for my sick needs. Higher rating for the broth and a little less for the noodles. Didn't quite take me to Japan but good for the experience. And I'd come back if I were sick in need of hot ramen. read more

Here with my boyfriend and decide to get ramen for dinner. We are in Chinatown so decide to check out this place. I would say not bad...love the broth and it was noodle is chewy. I would recommend friend and family to come here to have the ramen. There is street parking. read more

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Love the pork dumplings so yummy. The hell ramen 3 was perfectly spicy. It's BYOB and no extra charge for my drinks. Service was great, very attentive and the location was a cool low key vibe. Surrounding neighborhood is in China town. So much to see and do. read more

It's good ramen. I definitely want to return to this place. The soup/broth is tasty. The lava egg is a must. I ordered the miso broth and the waiter was nice enough to mention it doesnt come with an egg. So I got one on the side. It came with corn tho...which i wasnt a fan of. Service is good and they have outdoor seating. Be sure to get a pinch card to earn a 11th free bowl after 10. The ramen came out pretty quickly. My only qualm is the ramen itself isnt as soft as I would like. I'm torn between this place in Mitsuwa where the wait is long and the drive out there is a pain but the ramen itself is tastier... read more

Strings Ramen Shop - Miso pork belly ramen...kind of salty... doesnt include an egg - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Pretty good Ramen! Broth actually had flavor, which is hard sometimes with veggie Ramen. The vegetable Gyoza was also very good. Good service as well. read more

a little small but still so cozy and cute inside. ramen is served hot and fresh. they even have a vegetable ramen which is wonderful for those with with certain food allergies/dietary preferences, just as savory spicy and delicious. i ordered the hell ramen and the flavors and textures completed each other so well, i almost inhaled this and wished i had more upon finishing hahah ! read more

Strings Ramen Shop - Edamame, Hell Ramen ! - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Best Ramen Egg I have ever tasted!! But not the best ramen.. They do not do ramen take out, no matter how much you beg and plead they won't let you order ramen to go. I was feeling a little hungry after a blackpink concert and decided to try this establishment before heading back home and well as impressive as the time the food came out to the time I was able to finish it the egg was the highlight of my entire Chicago trip... I just wished I had another! The noodles are cooked with crunch, in my opinion the correct way to pair noodles to broth. But the broth was just not the best I have tried but it was still tasty. They offer 4 different categories of types of ramen, going from least flavorful to most: Shoyu, Miso, Tonkatsu, and the Hell Ramen levels ranging from 1- way too spicy!!! read more

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Actual rating: 3.5 stars Located in Chinatown, this ramen shop does the job when you're craving ramen. They have a decent selection of different types of ramen and different meats that you can add. They have "hell ramen" with 5 levels of spicy - something for the brave souls and something I'll definitely have to try when I go back to Chicago. I got the tonkatsu ramen with kuro buto (Berkshire pig). The ramen wasn't anything too special, just a typical tonkatsu ramen. The kuro buto in my ramen was 100% the highlight of my meal - melted in my mouth. SO GOOD. The atmosphere has some character, with the decorations. My favorite part was being able to see them prepare your ramen. They even had the large pots with the chunks of meat that they use to make the delicious broth. Check this place out if you're craving ramen in Chinatown! I hope I can stop back there when I'm in town again. They had a ramen special with a variety of different mushrooms that I wanted to try, but I had to go with my favorite tonkatsu ramen. read more

Strings Ramen Shop - Tonkatsu Ramen - Kuro Buta - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Pretty good ramen restaurant. The miso broth was delicious. I'm happy they offered pork loin or pork belly instead of just one. The service was fast. Chili oil is supplied on the table so you can make your own spice level. I enjoyed the corn, bamboo shoots and other free added toppings. In my opinion a bit overpriced for not anything super special, especially for being in Chinatown read more

Strings Ramen Shop - Miso ramen with pork Kuro Buto Loin - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Very very small location! There is a limited number of tables so definitely make a reservation ahead of time or get there early. My boyfriend and I came to eat here New Year's Day around 5 pm before our flight back home and we had to wait about 45 minutes for a table. You can enter the wait list through text but once your table is ready you have to arrive within about 5 minutes so stay close! There is a waiting area on the side of the restaurant but it's very small as well. I had the premium tonkotsu ramen while my boyfriend had the super premium tonkotsu. They were both super good! The broth was super rich and flavorful. There was a ton of meat. We couldn't even finish our bowls and we normally eat a lot . We also had a side of level 3 spicy to add to our ramen and the server told us it had some ghost pepper in it. It wasn't too overwhelming; however we are Asians who love soups that pack a punch. I would definitely come back here next time to try the special which was a curry ramen if they still have it! read more

Strings Ramen Shop - Premium tonkotsu - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Not bad! We came here to Strings to meet a friend while we were in Chinatown. Being a ramen fiend, I had no problem stopping in and trying this place out! We ordered the following: Edamame ($2.95 (but free...)) Wood ear salad ($3.95) Royal Milk tea ($2.95) Miso Kuro Buta Ramen ($13.95) Miso Seafood and Kuro Buta Ramen ($16.95) Tonkotsu Kuro Buta Ramen ($13.95) kae Dama ($1.95) Pop x 2 ($1.95 each) I personally tried the Tonkotsu Kuro Buta ramen, which is a pork based ramen, and came with crushed garlic, sesame seed, scallion and egg with your choice of a type of meat (pork belly for me) and noodles. To me the dish was kinda salty, and the tonkotsu ramen was just a little too rich for me, if that makes any sense. The star of the show for me was the wood ear salad, which is a cold mushroom salad. Refreshing for a hot summer day, but I liked the chewy texture and flavor of the mushrooms. Edamame was also pretty tasty, and as a perk, you got your edamame dish free if you posted a photo on social media AND showed it to them. Nice dish as well. One thing that threw me for a loop was the Royal Milk Tea. I was kinda expecting, well, Milk tea in a glass. I wasn't really expecting a can of milk tea. Was it great? Eh, it was okay. Would I order it again? Probably not. Interior was on the smaller side, yet there was some outdoor seating, but we did have to wait a bit for a place to sit. Customer service was nice, informative, and were more than happy to check and see if I was in trouble with my seafood allergy (thanks guys!). I don't know the ramen scene in Chicago, but while I know i've had both pretty bad and pretty phenomenal ramen. Strings falls square in the middle of the pack for me. Worth a visit? Sure! Just keep your eye out on all the other amazing restaurants around read more

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I've been here 3 times now & it's such a nice atmosphere! I love the ramen & the broth it's in. The tables come with a chili spice as well as crushed red peppers to add your own level of spice. They provide forks as well for those not used to using chopsticks read more

Do it. Just do it. This place is amazing but I didnt expect anything less being in Chinatown. The menu is a bit different and foriegn but ask the waitstaff and they can explain most items. We ordered 2 Japanese ramen with the snack added in...not sure on the name but it was soooooo filling. loved it! read more

Strings Ramen Shop - Soooo good. Ogden Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Popped in here to escape the rain and luckily there wasn't much of a wait. The servers are all very friendly. I ordered the pork yakisoba, and I was pleasantly surprised by all the flavors complementing each other. I've never had yakisoba with pepperoni as a topping, but it went well with the dish. I also enjoyed the miso soup on the side. The portion was large enough to feed me for another meal, and it reheated well. Service was great, and they didn't charge us for green tea! read more

Strings Ramen Shop - Pork Yakisoba - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have come here many times and I am rarely disappointed. I usually get the kura buta tonkatsu ramen and add some chili flakes to up the spiciness. The broth is so warm and comforting on a cold day and the toppings are fresh and flavorful. The reason I downgraded it a star is simply because some days the broth was so rich to the point where I would have a stomachache later in the day, but perhaps this is my fault. I look forward to exploring the menu and maybe branching out to some non-ramen dishes. read more

Strings Ramen Shop - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Got there around 8:30 pm but still had to wait for quite a while to get seated, everything on the menu looks so good but we were starved so we ordered fast. They are BYOB so bring ur fav sake to pair with the ramen! The pork in my ramen is so damn good, tender and melts right away in my mouth, the crispy pork skin is so flavorful, so crunchy, you can eat as it is or put it on top of your ramen and eat with soup! I always eat dumplings at Japanese place, most of times they are potsticker styles and not good at all, but the pork dumplings here are so authentic, the sauce is a little spicy but so good!!!!!!!!! The space in between each table is very small so it gets a little uncomfortable, but overall it's great! read more

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I used to visit Strings before it became a tourist go to. I'm a native Chicagoan and had gone recently for a nostalgic feel from its earlier days. Unfortunately the was bland and lack its authentic essence. I don't have very many words but I figured why I'd stopped visiting in the first place. Used to be a solid 4 but now a 2.5. Atmosphere is still cozy and chill but the food just isn't there anymore. read more

I eat a lot of ramen. I often make my own including tonkatsu, shoyu, miso, and various seafood versions. When I read that Strings was voted BEST ramen in Chicago I decided I needed to give it a try. I'm not sure who they polled, but it certainly wasn't anyone with strong knowledge or passion for ramen. I had the tonkatsu premium and it was not the creamy white pork bone broth that only comes with adequate solubilization of bone proteins and collagen. Instead it was clear and dark. Flavor was all top note and lacking real depth. Blah. My wife had the hell ramen with heat level one. Not good. It tasted strongly of Szechuan pepper, not of chilis or chili oil. It was also sweet. I like some sugar added to broth but not to make it sweet. They pride themselves on their noodles, but they shouldn't. They aren't very good. Decor was nice. We both really disliked the bowls used to serve the ramen. Deep, cone shaped, and challenging to access everything or to eat and drink the ramen adequately. The bowls detracted from the eating experience. On a good note the dumplings were very good (helping score overall). Nice boiled gyoza in a nice sauce with a touch of yuzu. We left feeling these were the best part of our meal. read more

Awesome flavors we tried the Hell 2 - mildly spicy but not as bad as we were expecting. Noodles were average but flavors of the broth made up for it. Only downside is majority of ramen is pork based with little vegetarian options. read more

Despite being labeled the best ramen locale in Chicago by Thrillist, I'm still not convinced Strings is worth its considerable hype. I went in with my father just this morning at around 11am, ready for some rich broth to soothe our chilled bones. The interior decor is really quite wonderful, lots of warm wooden seating lit by an array of red and white lanterns posted on the ceilings near plenty of suspended, potted plants. The kitchen is semi-open, allowing customers to peer into the inner workings of broth making and sizzling meats. I ordered the Level 2 Hell Ramen which came out in record time. Aesthetically, the bowl was gorgeous, a tubular white bowl containing strings of pepper, steamed veggies, pork, pickles, and plenty of hot pepper flakes. However, what really disappointed me was the quality of noodles. For such a high price point ($13.95), I expected higher quality noodles. The noodles here are actually handmade, but rather the yellow-ish standard you see in stores; chewy and pleasing, but not as satisfying as other handmade noodles. The broth for Hell Ramen is quite rich, though pretty spicy as the name implies. You get plenty of pickles, steamed veggies, and pork pieces though, can't complain about the quantity. Service is super prompt and friendly. Our server was very patient with us as we looked over the menu. She explained all the dishes perfectly, and we made informed decisions on the dishes we decided on. Fantastic! read more

Strings Ramen Shop - Level 2 Hell Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I LOVE Strings Ramen. I order the same dish every time - the level 2 Spicy Ramen. It's a level of spicy that enhances the flavor of the dish without being an intolerable amount of spice. (I haven't tried higher levels because I'm kind of risk-averse but maybe I'll advance to the level 3 next time I go. But the higher the level, the more expensive it gets so then again maybe not lol). They're generous with their portion of noodles, so I feel satisfied after just one bowl. If I'm feeling like a high-roller that day I might add the Sashimi bowl with uni and ikura to my order but they skimp on the uni and I usually don't have the capacity to finish both so I feel like it's #notworth. Regardless, Strings has now become my go-to ramen restaurant in Chicago. It's delicious, affordable, and has a nice ambience. What's not to love? Cons: They don't deliver their ramen. But why would you want your ramen delivered anyway? The noodles become hard and stick together and the dish doesn't even come close to what you'd get in the physical location. Might as well brew a cup of instant ramen if you don't feel bothered to leave your home. read more

Strings Ramen Shop - Level 2 Spicy Ramen - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Tonkatsu super premium dish was on point. Came here with my dad who had miso with turkey and chicken bone broth. Loved mine. Dad liked his. I liked his. Mine was a bit salty but I added water and it was perfect. Hip off the beaten path vibe. Great place for a date. Not a great place for big parties. Special shout out to the yogurt and melon flavored crepe sodas too! They were on point! Great recommendation :). read more

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great location and great food. The tea is awesome as well I'd highly recommend. the ramen was awesome

This place put a bad taste in my mouth, but it wasn't from the ramen. I came here solo for a quick bowl of ramen. When the waiter went to seat me he put me at a corner high top table without stools, only bench seating. Now, I'm not a small girl, but I'm not huge.... regardless, I could not squeeze my big behind between the tables in order to sit down. They were busy, and a few people saw me try to fit & fail, which was embarrassing, but I brushed it off. I grabbed an unused stool from the table next to me and sat down on the outside. The waiter then comes up to me & loudly exclaims that I can't use the stool. When I try to tell him that I don't fit between the tables he has the nerve to get annoyed with me and show me how easy it is for him to fit, and tells me all I have to do is squeeze! The man did not believe me until I stood up in front of the dining room full of people, who were looking at that point, and demonstrated that it was physically impossible to squeeze my lovely lady lumps between the 5 inch table gap! How embarrassing!!! FINALLY the waiter believes me and sits me at a more accommodating booth.... I ordered the tonkatsu style ramen with kamo (duck breast) and kuro buta (Berkshire pig). The noodles were thin, and cooked perfectly. The broth was delicious, and I loved the pork. The duck breast was good, but it seemed to have more fattier pieces rather than meaty. The ramen was good, but was it worth the embarrassment and rude service? Not for me. I'd pass on making the drive to the Chinatown Strings a 2nd time. read more

Strings Ramen Shop - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Was good! For some reason I remember the noodles being different last time I was there but overall everything was very tasty and came out quickly read more

Strings Ramen Shop - Shio Ramen with Turkey Miso Ramen with Seafood and Kuro Buta - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

the place is cozy and clean,very helpful staff Especially with the menu,food tas good! And the quality is best

Chicken Turkey base broth is incredible!!! Their vegetarian potstickers are also quite good.

I am a regular at Strings for ramen at the Lakeview location, however we wanted to try this location. From a friend we heard that they have small pods on their patio in the back! It was a great experience! The pod itself had a space heater, which was perfect to keep warm. We were able to take off our jackets when it was about 30 F out. They also have a button you can press if you need the server to come by. One of the best "outdoor" experience I had. Highly recommend during this COVID times. I got my regular Hell's Ramen, never tried anything else and never will :) read more

Tonight was my 4 time coming here and every time I always enjoy their food. Honestly every single time I have been here I enjoyed their food. But unfortunately for tonight they didn't bring us our drinks on time. I am guessing because it was busy but other times that we have been here they are usually very attentive. Honesta mente siempre que vengo me encanta. hoy que fuimos yo y mi fiancé no nos atendieron a tiempo. Me imagino que es porque estaban ocupados pero usual mente siempre nos traen todo. Tiempo pero está noche se tardaron en traernos los drink. read more

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Strings Ramen restaurant is cozy but comfortable and clean. The service are friendly, fast and helpful, eager to help answer any questions you have in order to help us understand the menu and what we are eating! We tried the Tonkotsu Kuro Buta ramen and the Shoyu Oden ramen today, and both were delicious with different taste profiles. The Tonkotsu had an intense flavor to it, as one would expect, being salty and had creamy pork bone & oil broth! The Oden is the exact opposite, it is balanced and sweet, cooked in delicious chicken broth, and comes with a variety of vegetable and meats. This ramen is perfect for a hot summer day, while its warm and not a cold noodle, it has a calming feel to it, being balanced in flavors. Strings is not the cheapest ramen nor the most expensive ramen restaurant in Chicago, but their ramen are unique and delicious, and worth the price! Therefore, we will be back for more! read more

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I've been here a million times and everytime I have a great experience. Everytime a friend comes to visit I take them here, and they always have the same reaction...it's the best they've ever had. We usually get the Hell Ramen Level 2 add egg and extra pork rinds. If you're at the Chinatown location add duck too. Appetizers we love are the Wasabi green beans and the Sriracha broccoli. It's byob, so bring your favorite beverage. The broth and noodles are delicious, your tastebuds will thank you. read more

Strings Ramen Shop - For me it's all about the hell ramen #2 - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is always a captivating and comfortable experience for me, from the food to the service. It's not pretentious and the music is low enough to chat quietly over. My server, Kazumi, was friendly, patient, attentive, and her food suggestions were perfect! I will definitely keep coming back! Considering the service I had, the complex and rich flavors, and the mellow atmosphere, I put Strings at the top of the list for ramen in Chicago. read more

Strings Ramen Shop - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Whaaat... a ramen shop in Chinatown!? I was instantly curious. When I came here on Sunday afternoon (during the Lunar New Year Parade) this place was bustling, as were all the Chinatown establishments during the parade. But for Strings, they just had their grand opening a few days ago. Since it was only Day 2 of their opening, they did not have a credit card machine, but our waiter gave us fair warning of that. Luckily I brought cash that day (and a good general rule if you plan to dine in Chinatown, especially the hole-in-the-wall and smaller establishments along Wentworth... bring cash!) It will save you so much hassle. The restaurant was sleek and modern, with great lighting on the walls, smooth wood paneling and lots of clear glass "walls" with printed words, to separate the cozy space of the seating area from the kitchen. Guests were seated at a mix of bench-like tables and booths. The menus were uniquely horizontal, a long laminated placard that simply listed the ramen options. There were four types of ramen soup on one side and on the other side: rice bowls, drinks and other options: simplicity when ordering. Our waiter was nice and attentive, despite the fact that it was busy and explained the menu for us. There were 4 types of ramen: 1) Shio Ramen 2) Tonkotsu Ramen 3) Shoyu Ramen 4) Miso Ramen I opted for the Tonkotsu Ramen (Kuro Buta - pork $12.95), which the waiter explained was the heavier broth, with the bones boiling for 48 hours for the pork flavors to infuse. True to his word, the broth was rich and tasty, the noodles were a great texture, made in-house daily. I'm going to cut them some slack because I am excited that new types of Asian cuisine are popping up around Chinatown... just a few blocks away from the CTA's Cermak-Chinatown Redline. Around the Archer/Cermak/Wentworth crossroads, the options range from Phoenix (dim sum) to Saint's Alps (Hong Kong-style food & teas) and Ajoohmah's Apron (Korean) to Cafe Hoang (Vietnamese). And now.... a Japanese ramen shop. You'd think there was one in Chinatown sooner, no? It's easy to be super critical at the on-set, but the "three stars" is considering the fact that literally, they just opened their doors to the public and turned on their stoves to accomodate an unusually large number of people trekking around Chinatown that weekend. While the quality of the food/experience for this particular experience got three stars, I really want to root for this place. They add a diversity of cuisine to Chinatown and I noted the diversity of their staff as well. Like any restaurant that just opened, they are smoothing out the kinks. But I would definitely come back, and by then I know their restaurant would channel more synergy and be on top of their game. read more

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Came here for a quick meal and it was pretty good! My boyfriend has the tonkotsu ramen and I had the Level 1 Hell ramen. We were both satisfied with our meals. I usually eat spicy foods, but the level 1 spicy was still very spicy for me, so you are warned! If you only like very mild spicy foods level 1 is probably was too spicy for you and you are better off ordering a different ramen and added chili paste to it. Overall I enjoyed the ramen and the service was good. I did not like the physical menu here at all. It was very hard to read, like VERY hard to read the font was dark gray on top on black background and the lamination was done poorly so you couldn't even read some things. They need to update that. I also didn't like that the menu didn't list specifically what you were getting in your ramen. I'm sure elderly people have a very hard time reading that menu since I had a hard time looking at it at night time. read more

Strings Ramen Shop - Tonkotsu ramen the most basic one - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is my second ramen restaurant visit in Chicago, but I only have two other ramen restaurants for comparison (Wasabi in Chicago and Totto Ramen in NY). My first impression upon entering the restaurant was that it had a nice modern look inside. The tables near the front of the restaurant are incredibly small though, so try to avoid headbutting your friend or significant other if you sit across from each other. The "booth" tables can seat about four people comfortably, but 5-6 was a little bit pushing it. TIP: When you check in on Yelp through your phone, you get an offer for either a free Japanese soda or oden! I ordered the Tonkotsu ramen Kuro Buta for $12.95 and spicy bamboo on the side. When I asked the server about the free Japanese soda choices, he mentioned orange, grape and American soda choices (I forget if it was Pepsi or Coke). I was surprised he didn't include Ramune, which is what I had in mind. When he brought out the Japanese orange soda can, I couldn't help but stare at the ceiling full of Ramune soda bottles as decoration. When I asked the server if Ramune was included in the free Japanese soda offer, he said yes. Ah ha!! Needless to say, I opted for Ramune. Okay, enough rambling about the Japanese soda. So back to the Tonkotsu ramen. My first bite was extremely disappointing because it tasted so bland. It wasn't until I just dumped all my spicy bamboo shoots into the ramen, that it made a HUGE difference. We ended up having to order extra noodles for the remaining soup for $1.95, but our soup was lukewarm by the time we got the extra noodles. Definitely order extra noodles in the beginning. The service was good in the beginning but went downhill towards the middle because the poor server had to cover double the tables than when we first arrived. We didn't even get a "thank you" when we got our check. I'm guessing he was overwhelmed. When visiting a ramen restaurant, here's my personal checklist: - Spicy ramen - Ramune soda - Kleenex to blow your nose Overall, I'd recommend this restaurant. read more

Strings Ramen Shop - Tonkatsu Ramen Kuro Buta - Ramen Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Love ramen don't care if it's Japanese or Korean, that being said they are a Korean ramen restaurant. Looked online first pictures looked great so I thought I'd give them a try. As you walk in the first thing you see is a touch less hand sanitizer satiation. A sign of the times but it's nice that it's there. Looking past that this place is pretty good size and seats at least 50 people comfortably. Nice wood and neutral colors with the exception of an unneeded mural. Very negative energy imo as it depicts monsters and devils. Now I get it the intent is to promote their spicy versions offering a level 1-5 depending on your preference. While I love a good spicy ramen they could have done something more welcoming or friendly to promote this. Ordered the tonaktsu ramen with pork loin which if you're on this page you probably know is a basic standard dish. Presentation was good but the broth definitely wasn't hot enough. They asked if I wanted more noodle (Kae dama is the term for more noodles) which I declined because I was only a few bites into the meal. Well that and a half order is $1.75 extra and I try to keep to a budget for lunch Mon-Thu under $15 before tip. Had the broth been hot and the bowl contained double the noodles it would have been equal to what everyone else serves. It wasn't bad but I definitely wasn't wowed to the point of thinking about coming back anytime soon. read more

Good ramen in an awesome setting in Chinatown. The lanterns above, the sound of the chefs yelling, and the decor with plants and wood make this an intimate and cozy place to enjoy your food. As other have stated, the biggest complaint is the consistency of the noodle (too hard, not easy to slurp). However, the flavor of the broth and the other ingredients are enough to still give Strings a full five stars. For many, this will be a life-altering experience as good ramen made from high quality ingredients is nothing like the cheap instant noodle packets you buy from the store. Oden Shoyu Ramen: Great mix of different seafood and mix on skewers, which were cooked perfectly and really add some variety to the dish. The broth is nice and light, savory but not too salty with some bonito and ginger to help add some depth of flavor. Turkey Shio Ramen: Nice lighter ramen with organic chicken and somi paitan as the base of the broth and served with fish cakes, bean sprouts, egg, corn, bamboo shoots and a touch of garlic and ginger. Kuro Buta Tonkotsu Ramen: Nice rich ramen with very nice slices of berkshire pork (slightly crisp on the outside but melt-in-your mouth soft meat on the inside). The broth is made from berkshire pork bone stock and flavored with garlic, garlic oil, and scallion for an extremely flavorful experience. Surprisingly, this dish is not too salty despite being very aromatic. Kamo Yaki Soba: Nice grilled noodles with a good amount of "wok-hay" on them. The runny egg mixed with the crispy fried egg do add a nice touch to this simple dish. If you're in the area and craving Japanese ramen, I don't think you'll find a better bowl anywhere else (there's still a wide gap between this and the other highly rated ramen places in the suburbs). Definitely worth a visit for the ramen enthusiast. read more

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