So here is the thing, the thing is this: Niles says we can’t go back to Japan until I sell through all of my copies of Shuteye. Which only makes sense, because that’s probably the only way we could afford that trip again, but it’s going to take me a long while. Since Shin-Yokohama’s Ramen Museum is not a regular dinner option, I have to make do with ramen here in Chicago, and because my neighborhood is so awesome, I now have three places I can walk to that serve delicious, delicious ramen. Yusho’s Sunday Noodles menu has three different ramen dishes on it now; Wasabi has an excellent and authentic tonkotsu ramen, plus a mindblowingly awesome roasted garlic ramen bowl; and Urban Belly’s got an awesome pho-based ramen, plus occasional ramen specials. The last time I was there I had a Korean BBQ beef ramen with kim chee in it, it was remarkable.
So I have plenty of options, right in my own neighborhood, to tide me over until I sell a few hundred more books. I’m okay with that.
Anyone else have any ramen recommendations in Chicago? I’d love to hear them!
I had the most delicious ramen in Vancouver a few years ago, and nothing I’ve had anywhere else has been as good. I will have to try these places you suggest! I don’t know anywhere else in the city with really good ramen… but if you are ever going to Vancouver, LET ME KNOW.
MAN lucky! We have one place that sells ramen and it’s a bit of a drive for us (but it’s an amazing Japanese restaurant so it’s worth the trip)
I’m a big fan of Urban Belly, but also of (further drive but sooo worth it) Mitsawa Market in Arlington Heights. It’s kind of near of Ikea, should you be headed that direction. And there’s an awesome supermarket with Japanese food and a branch of Kinokinoya. Closer to home, the ramen at Bon Bon on North Avenue (near Western) is phenomenal.
@Susanna: I’ve been to Mitsuwa, and it’s amazing! But I don’t have a car, and Mitsuwa’s nowhere near transit, so it’s gotta be a serious field trip to go out there. Same with H Mart in Niles… I’ll have to check out Bon Bon though!
May I just point out that I’m super envious? Real ramen is very hard to come by in my city… I went to an asian fusion restaurant with some of my friends once, and I was very happy to discover the word ramen on the menu. But apparently it had said yaki ramen. One of my friends ordered it, and I was disappointed when I saw that it was stir-fried noodles… (and with lots of chinese restaurants around, that’s not particularly new and exciting).
So yeah, I miss my days as an exchange student in Japan and being able to eat delicious Japanese food!