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Name: Ramen-san
Address: 59 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL, 60654
Telephone: (312) 377-9950
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.59

Ramen-san

59 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL, 60654

(312) 377-9950
Store is closed

Ramen-san Menu

Beverages

Yuzu Lemonade

Oi Ocha Iced Green Tea

Q Ginger Beer

Sprite

Coke

Diet Coke

Fanta

San Benedetto Water 400ml

Yuzu Lemonade

Oi Ocha Iced Green Tea

Q Ginger Beer

Sprite

Coke

Diet Coke

Fanta

San Benedetto Water 400ml
Drinks (Must be 21 to purchase and show ID at time of delivery)

Panda Cup Sake - Junmai

Chrysanthemum Water Sake - Honjozo Genshu

Sapporo

Les Silex Sauvignon Blanc, 2014

Liquid Swords Pinot Noir, 2016

Panda Cup Sake - Junmai

Chrysanthemum Water Sake - Honjozo Genshu

Sapporo

Les Silex Sauvignon Blanc, 2014

Liquid Swords Pinot Noir, 2016
San Specialties

Smoked Salmon Nigiri

Raw Tuna

Salad-San

Kale & Cashew Salad

Karaage Chicken Nuggets

Smoked Salmon Nigiri

Raw Tuna

Salad-San

Kale & Cashew Salad

Karaage Chicken Nuggets
Mantou Buns

Fried Chicken Mantou Bun

Pork Belly Mantou Bun

Shiitake Mantou Bun

Fried Chicken Mantou Bun

Pork Belly Mantou Bun

Shiitake Mantou Bun
Chicken Wings

Spicy Szechuan Chicken Wings

Sticky Thai Chicken Wings

Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings

Spicy Szechuan Chicken Wings

Sticky Thai Chicken Wings

Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings
Dumplings

Crispy Berkshire Dumplings

XOXO Shrimp & Pork Wontons

Wagyu Gyoza Dumplings

Crispy Berkshire Dumplings

XOXO Shrimp & Pork Wontons

Wagyu Gyoza Dumplings
Ramen

Imperial Shio Ramen

Tonkotsu Ramen

Kimchi and Fried Chicken Ramen

Mapo Doufu Ramen

Sumo Bowl Ramen

Spicy Miso Ramen

Chukka Ramen

Short Rib Pho

Imperial Shio Ramen

Tonkotsu Ramen

Kimchi and Fried Chicken Ramen

Mapo Doufu Ramen

Sumo Bowl Ramen

Spicy Miso Ramen

Chukka Ramen

Short Rib Pho
Cup of Broth to Go

Chicken Broth to Go

Mushroom Broth to Go

Tonkotsu Broth To Go

Chicken Broth to Go

Mushroom Broth to Go

Tonkotsu Broth To Go
Veg

Fried Brussels

Glazed Chinese Broccoli

Spicy Kimchi

Fried Brussels

Glazed Chinese Broccoli

Spicy Kimchi
Dessert

Hot Donuts

Matcha Cream Puff

Hot Donuts

Matcha Cream Puff

Healthy Meal suggestions for Ramen-san

Beverages

Yuzu Lemonade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Oi Ocha Iced Green Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Q Ginger Beer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sprite [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coke [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Diet Coke [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fanta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

San Benedetto Water 400ml [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yuzu Lemonade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Oi Ocha Iced Green Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Q Ginger Beer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sprite [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coke [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Diet Coke [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fanta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

San Benedetto Water 400ml [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Drinks (Must be 21 to purchase and show ID at time of delivery)

Panda Cup Sake - Junmai [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chrysanthemum Water Sake - Honjozo Genshu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sapporo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Les Silex Sauvignon Blanc, 2014 [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Liquid Swords Pinot Noir, 2016 [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Panda Cup Sake - Junmai [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chrysanthemum Water Sake - Honjozo Genshu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sapporo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Les Silex Sauvignon Blanc, 2014 [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Liquid Swords Pinot Noir, 2016 [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
San Specialties

Smoked Salmon Nigiri [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Raw Tuna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salad-San [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kale & Cashew Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Karaage Chicken Nuggets [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Salmon Nigiri [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Raw Tuna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salad-San [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kale & Cashew Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Karaage Chicken Nuggets [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Mantou Buns

Fried Chicken Mantou Bun [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Belly Mantou Bun [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shiitake Mantou Bun [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Chicken Mantou Bun [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Belly Mantou Bun [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shiitake Mantou Bun [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Chicken Wings

Spicy Szechuan Chicken Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sticky Thai Chicken Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Szechuan Chicken Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sticky Thai Chicken Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dumplings

Crispy Berkshire Dumplings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

XOXO Shrimp & Pork Wontons [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wagyu Gyoza Dumplings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Berkshire Dumplings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

XOXO Shrimp & Pork Wontons [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wagyu Gyoza Dumplings [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Ramen

Imperial Shio Ramen [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tonkotsu Ramen [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kimchi and Fried Chicken Ramen [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mapo Doufu Ramen [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sumo Bowl Ramen [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Miso Ramen [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chukka Ramen [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Short Rib Pho [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Imperial Shio Ramen [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tonkotsu Ramen [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kimchi and Fried Chicken Ramen [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mapo Doufu Ramen [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sumo Bowl Ramen [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Miso Ramen [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chukka Ramen [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Short Rib Pho [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Cup of Broth to Go

Chicken Broth to Go [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mushroom Broth to Go [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tonkotsu Broth To Go [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Broth to Go [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mushroom Broth to Go [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tonkotsu Broth To Go [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Veg

Fried Brussels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Glazed Chinese Broccoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Kimchi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Brussels [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Glazed Chinese Broccoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Kimchi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dessert

Hot Donuts [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Matcha Cream Puff [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hot Donuts [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Matcha Cream Puff [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Alex P.

Sometimes, looking at the menu, you order a dish that says its spicy and don't have a second thought. Now, coming from someone that loves spicy food, I will tell you that this is some insanely spicy ramen! I had to chase it with an immense amount of water. One of the things I love so much about Chicago is being able to get food like this in the middle of the night. It's right next to all the bars and clubs, so after you've had a few too many, this is an excellent spot to sober up with a filling meal. Not to mention, warming up with a hot bowl of ramen is one of the best things you can do before heading into the cold. And who knows, maybe the burn of peppers in your mouth will make you forget about the wind gust pounding into your face...
(4)
Vero Z.

Cool ambiance. Friendly staff. Highly recommended. Lunch special is a fantastic deal and portion size was perfect. You get a medium size ramen, rice & meat dish, salad, side veggies. We had the salmon option, the skirt steak option, and both had the tonkatsu ramen. Everything was cooked perfectly, flavors were delicious. We had a couple of the desserts too, a fresh made donut dish and a loaded shaved ice dish (I think they change them seasonally?), and they were delicious! If you have a little room for dessert, do it! Really cool vibe and ambiance too. Nicely designed space and they play old school hip hop, it blends in perfectly. Great place for a casual lunch or dinner, a date, or something like a birthday dinner. Cool bar too, looking forward to trying some of the drinks next time. Will definitely come back, looking forward to it!
(5)
Ken P.

Delicious! Cool ambiance. Super friendly staff. Highly recommended. Lunch special is a fantastic deal and portion size was perfect. You get a medium size ramen, rice & meat dish, salad, side veggies. We had the salmon option, the skirt steak option, and both had the tonkatsu ramen. Everything was cooked perfectly, flavors were delicious. We had a couple of the desserts too, a fresh made donut dish and a loaded shaved ice dish (I think they change them seasonally?), and they were delicious! If you have a little room for dessert, do it! Really cool vibe and ambiance too. Nicely designed space and they play old school hip hop, it blends in perfectly. Great place for a casual lunch or dinner, a date, or something like a birthday dinner. Cool bar too, looking forward to trying some of the drinks next time. Staff is very friendly and welcoming. The manager, Amarit, came over to say hello, and the rest of the staff was fantastic too. Will definitely come back, looking forward to it!
(5)
AJ K.

Lettuce Entertain You (LEYE) has created a trendy, enjoyable ambiance - as they tend to do - with food that's a bit... too safe. Not much complexity in the broth flavors, but overall serviceable execution of ramen. It's the service that distinguishes the restaurant from others though... Amarit- the manager - is incredible and should write the book on customer service in restaurants. He catered to our questions about ingredients and preparation style with an enthusiasm and expertise that cannot be equalled. We ordered 2 ramen bowls- the pork broth and the soft shell crab - which were both pretty good. I preferred the pork and my wife the crab, so it worked out nicely. Our 2 year old was with us and they catered to her very well. She loved the pork ramen as well.
(4)
Monty W.

River north hip ramen bar I've been wanting to try Ramen-San for a bit ever since they partitioned the Paris Club space. Ramen in Chicago has finally taken off with competition erupting from every Asian concept that starts up. Ramen San plays 90s hiphop music which gives it a little edge. The space is minimalist, with wooden common seating high tops and fixed stools taking up at least 70% of the restaurant's seating. Seating is what I would term Japanese efficient, utilising and maxing out the available space to comfortably jam all eaters in. Not recommended for younger children as high top seating is not ideal for children. The host and servers are quite friendly and knowledgeable, having a passion for food and hospitality. My review is based on an odd time for dinner ~4-5pm on a Saturday, with outdoor seating along the sidewalk. I highly recommend seating outside if the weather is good, as the prop up umbrellas offer enough shade and you could appreciate the vibe of Hubbard street. The server had just finished a bowl of double pork fatty ramen. His description immediately caught my attention as I saw the depth of his love for that dish. His stomach was still singing praises for his sustenance! haha The menu is fairly simple, not much to choose from, as its on simple white printed paper. If you arrive for lunch specials, you get a little more variety for the same pricing ie half bowl ramen, with a rice dish. I'm a fan of variety and trying so I regret having bypassed Ramen San for lunch time. They do have fried rice after 10pm, which is my kind of place, minimize food waste. I had the recommendation of the double pork fatty ramen. It was loaded with green onions and thinly sliced cabbage. Underwhelming as far as the topping went as it was just green onions and five pieces of crispy pork shoulder. The pork had good crispy texture, but lacked depth of flavor. The broth was and thick. But was not deserving of "I must drink it all" emotion. The tonkatsu ramen had three slices of fatty goodness, which was quite flavorful. The soft egg helped round it out. Bamboo shoots were canned, which is disappointing as there is plenty access to fresh bamboo shoots in this region. (it makes a difference to quality). Seaweed made it more authentic. An unusual addition is the chili oil which was not a welcome guest to the topping party for me (though I do enjoy spice, I rather heat it up on my own accord). The broth a bit too salty for my taste. To summarize, its a hip, trendy ramen house in River north. Depth of flavor is not there, but is still pretty good. I really like the noodles which vary from one shop to another. If I happen to have another ramen crave while walking downtown, I wouldn't mind checking it out again. Ramen-san does not make it on my all-time "my must go to list." Service is good and the atmosphere is there.
(3)
Bill S.

Honestly I felt that all of the ramen bowls I tried on the 3 times I've been here are too spicy. And even though I told the waitress to be easy on spicy I still felt it was too much. Regardless, their appetizers are weak as well, very small and unusual selection. Moreover, very confusing menu and higher end prices. I only liked the chicken tacos which I can't recall the actual name. Also music was very obnoxious its like urban rap at an Asian restaurant. Felt outta of touch. Don't see coming back in the near future.
(3)
Ann H.

I have been at this restaurant a few times and the best value is by far the lunch deal for $15.00 where you get ramen noodles, a protein on rice, salad and cucumbers. It's definitely fair portioned and gives you a good sample of of their various dishes. The first few times I ordered ramen here the noodles and broth were extremely salty. Almost as if they added MORE salt to the dish before serving. I'd have to drink a load of water after eating ramen here. I've since learned that if you say, no extra salt it comes perfect! just a small tip for the ramen in my experience. As for my favorite ramen bowl - it's the SUMO bowl. So tasty!
(4)
Adelisa L.

The pork buns were amazing! Very unique. I loved the atmosphere/feel of the restaurant. The music was underground hiphop (all songs I liked) We ordered the Kim-chi fried chicken ramen (spicy) and sumo bowl. Both were delicious. And the staff was friendly. It wasn't too busy for lunch on Saturday. Definitely going back!
(4)
Karina C.

Delicious! It was my first time eating ramen (real ramen) and I was excited! I had the duck ramen bowl that was the special that day and it was amazing! I kinda wish I had one of the spicier ones to see how spicy it really was. Service was amazing and I think the price was very true to what it is. I am definitely not a connoisseur I this topic, but I'd recommend this place.
(5)
Charlene M.

Great atmosphere and great service. The braised beef Raman contained the perfect blend of spices and adding the buttered corn really finished it off! I also ordered the crispy chicken bun which was sensational. I think I could of eaten about 4 of those and been all set for lunch.
(4)
Diane W.

Of all the ramen places that I have tried, this place is on the bottom of the list, if you can just walk a couple feet to slurping turtle. This place is very Americanized and just not flavorful. I ordered the molten egg appetizer and spicy miso ramen with an added egg. The molten egg had American cheddar cheese on it! It was literally just an omelette, but it's suppose to be this creamy, saucy, egg dish. Also the ramen soup flavor was decent but the noodles were too overcooked, my friends also thought the same thing and we all ordered different dishes. If you're looking to try ramen for the first time this would be a good starting point, but for you picky eaters, I wouldn't recommend it
(2)
Julianne Z.

Ramen Ramen Ramen Ramen - this place had decent ramen for the price. I think the best part of the spicy ramen i got was the fried chicken. If you get any ramen, definitely get one with that fried chicken because it is crispy, delicious and not oily. I also recommend getting the buns - I got the pork belly and chicken. This place is delicious and right in the north loop area!
(4)
Doug W.

. The veggies were delicious. My wife ordered the salad San and it was good, but the ginger dressing was a it salty - surprising - but good nonetheless. Highly recommend stopping in. Our server was awesome. If you go, be sure to have a look at the waving cats above the bar.
(4)
Amanda M.

I was skeptical coming here as I heard from quite a few people about their overly salty broth. However, I actually quite enjoyed my ramen. Our group of three was seated promptly Saturday evening around 6pm. Our server was great and checked on us when appropriate. He was very nice and helpful. I got the tonkotsu with fried garlic and kimchi. The prices are a little steep for ramen, especially as not much toppings are included, but it is River North. It is a part of LEYE, so always nice to be able to rack up some points. It would have been nice if they listed everything that was part of the ramen (assorted veggies). Overall, I thought it was quite tasty. I thought the chasu was very good and had a nice char on the outside while still being very tender. The broth was not too salty. The molten egg that came with it was only half, so that was annoying. The fried garlic was a nice tasty addition. I also liked the soft seaweed. While I enjoyed the ramen, the abundance of ginger strips was overpowering and kinda ruined it for me. Overall, this place was much better than I thought it would be and wouldn't mind coming back, but certainly not dying to do so.
(3)
Sawlani C.

Beyond amazing. Great service, great food. Even the salad tasted better than any other restaurant I've been to in Chicago! We had the salad, tuna, and salmon rolls for appetizers, all of us had beers (the moody tongue lemon beer is fabulous!) And then we all had 4 separate bowls of ramen, along with the late night noodles.. SO AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS! couldn't get enough of it all. Had to finish what was in my bowl because otherwise I would've been wanting more later on in the evening! After 10pm is the way to go with RamenSan and honestly I can't wait to return ... not to mention the incredible ice cream dessert comes they had! Toasted sesame seed and matcha ice creams... beyond perfect. Thank you.
(5)
Sunny W.

Love coming here for lunch! I always get their "Express Lunch" for $15 which comes with a small bowl of ramen (2 choices: pork or chicken) and small bowl of donburi rice (3 choices: skirt steak, salmon, or something else). I also add a pork belly bun for $5 which is one of their popular items and really tasty! Pros: + Fast in-and-out: whole lunch experience can take 30 min + Good seating, indoor and outdoor + Decently busy but never packed full that you need to wait + Good location in downtown + Open really late (though I've never tried dinner) + Good choices of Japanese beer like Asahi + Ramen tastes great and the food quality has been pretty consistent Cons: - Really can't think of any... Like any ramen place, the price is a bit higher than average for a "lunch" (expect to spend over $10). ** Note: Their website says the Express Lunch is only offered Mon to Fri from 11 to 2 p.m., I've gotten the express menu on weekends and was able to order it with no issues still.
(5)
Ali C.

The food was alright, nothing spectacular. Too salty. The reason for the three stars is that service was very good making up for the mediocre food quality. Not sure I would return. The XO dumplings were certainly too salty and too greasy.
(3)
Lindsley A.

I don't get why this is only 3 1/2 stars, this place is freaking AMAZING! If there were only more stars for me to like this! It was great knowing that this place was open late, I came here with my bf and friends after seeing that this was a highly recommended place on buzzfeed, this had to one of the top places for me to visit! The menu is just a page which is great, which helps indecisive individuals like me make a quicker, easier decision. The back side of the menu has a great description of everything that each soup has or something that you could add on to. I really liked that part of the menu, because I always question what certain items of the food are, so that was a great help. I ordered the Sumo Bowl which had a bit of everything. I actually wanted to order additional items with my soup, but luckily our waiter had advise me that it came in a big bowl and had everything. Whew was she right! Had pieces of pork belly, beef brisket, and of course an egg that had some a topping of spices on it. Oh my gosh, what I would do to have this again and in florida! Waah!! The broth was perfectly seasoned, noodles cooked just al dente (yeah, yeah I know it's not an italian pasta, but that's the best way to describe it :D) My bf ordered the noodle special (forgive me, I forgot the name) all I know was that it was REALLY good! It came with beef brisket, peas, and mushroom. Oh my gosh, if they still have it available order it! You won't regret it! The spicy schezuan wings were also good! If you love wings and spicy food, this is also a great hit! Now, if you read my tip, at 10pm and only 10pm order their fried rice! It's also SOOOO good! Love this place! Service was great, located on Hubbard and near to other restaurants and bars, definitely make a stop here. Awesome place!
(5)
Jonathan S.

Decent ramen, pricey sake. I've had better and worse, not very authentic Japanese but an A for effort. Nice atmosphere, clean. The noodle bar at most large casinos is WAY better.
(3)
M H.

Decided to grab some ramen to go after a long work shift, and was pretty disappointed. It had cooled off a lot by the time we made it home and not as flavorful when we mixed all the ingredients together and warmed it up. We decided to give it another go and dined in a week later. The food was amazing. We had the Kimchi and Fried Chicken ramen and Sumo Bowl with cabbage substituted for noodles. Everything was great. There was also classic hip hop playing while we were there , which no one seemed to appreciate but us and the staff, awesome vibe nonetheless.
(4)
Xia Z.

Not a kid friendly place. Luckily the couple of tables outside on the sidewalk were free because it was so humid out and we could park our strollers there. There was no handicap access that we could find. The food: not your typical ramen from the package. The noodles were hearty egg noodles. The broth was simply amazing and tasted very homey from scratch. The toppings were plenty and delish! Think carefully about the broth and what your taste preferences are. I got the braised beef ramen bowl with an egg on top as a side add on. The broth was the braised beef broth, which was too thick for my preference, but the other bowls my companions got were perfect. The service was perfect! Very friendly and helpful. Loved how everyone worked together. Very pricey for a bowl of ramen, but considering the prep time for each item, it was reasonable. A once in a long while type of experience.
(4)
Sally Y.

A group of us came here for a team dinner, and I was very happy with the location choice. The ramen was delicious (I got the kimchi fried chicken), and the various buns were amazing. I wasn't the biggest fan of my drink (matcha bees knees), but it was the first time I ever had matcha, so that could just be the reason. Service was great, and the ambiance fantastic. The space is small, which I appreciate, the lighting dim, and the ambiance of the restaurant is busy. Also, their version of spicy isn't very spicy at all if you're a regular spicy food eater, so don't be shy. Definitely a good place for ramen, and located in a fun spot if you wanted to hit up a bar afterwards.
(4)
Emily H.

It was early March. I had just gotten into Chicago. I was cold and hungry and decided to walk the block around my hotel to see what I could find (aided by the Yelp app, of course). Imagine my glee at finding a ramen restaurant right in front of me. A steaming bowl of noodle soup sounded FANTABULOUS considering I was losing feeling in my nose from the windchill. And happily, Ramen-san delivered. I left satiated, warm and happy. To start, the servers were happy to explain the menu, which, considering it was lunch time, included the Express Ramen Lunch for $15 -- a half bowl of ramen with one rice plate and small salad. I opted for the the skirt steak rice plate at the recommendation of the server and the shio ramen, which is chicken broth with an egg, tofu and nori. The skirt steak was a pleasant surprise. It was a tender piece of steak on a stick, over white rice with a large pepper on top. I'm not usually one for peppers but this gave the steak just a little kick. The rice was also soft but not overcooked. And then for the ramen, I loved the saltiness of the broth, especially on the cold winter day. The noodles were also well cooked, and I loved the egg. All in all, this was a hugely satisfying dish. I also got the pork belly bun. I'm a bit of a pork bun fanatic. That's something I wish I could find more of in Louisville. This pork bun -- considering it was made with a strip of pork belly -- was a bit fatty, but I loved the softness of the bun and the sauce they put on it. And as mentioned in some other reviews, this place definitely seemed hipster-tastic. Not sure how authentic this is. For what it's worth, the white-to-Asian ratio among the staff seemed to skew more Caucasion. That's not to say the food can't be good or authentic, but this isn't a hole-in-the-wall tiny ramen house run by some 80-year-old Japanese guy and his family, who has been making ramen for generations. This place was a bit spacious, had a cool vibe, played some great music over the speakers and, perhaps, is capitalizing on a food fad. But they're succeeding at it. I ended up walking back to my hotel with a full belly and warm from the inside out. I think I curled up with a blanket back in my room afterward and reveled in the comfort. I was definitely in a post-meal happy place.
(4)
Leen W.

A Chicago native and my best friend from college decided to take us to "noodle" place while on our first visit to Chitown. In my head I was like "Noodle" Place @$#!^_^ what in the world.... But Boy! Does this place surprise you or what!!! I had Kimchi in chicken broth Ramen with fried garlic and buttered corn. My husband had Ramen in pork broth with fried pork and fried garlic. I'm sold over their Ramen in chicken broth with kimchi. Ir's worth trying their chilled Sake.
(5)
Kris J.

As a frequent traveler to Japan, I have to say this is by far one of the best ramen places outside of Japan I've been to. The service is always courteous and attentive even when the restaurant is full (which it almost always is). The food is fresh and hearty; the noodles always with the proper firmness. An ice cold Asahi is the perfect accompaniment to the ramen, although a bit spendy at $7. The authentic Japanese condiments are much appreciated. I highly recommend the express lunch which comes with ramen, a rice dish, and salad for $15.
(5)
E. F.

I'm splitting this review on service and food. Ramen San isn't quite a three star to me, but Yelp doesn't do half stars, so I'm rounding up. Service: Spent the day running errands and shopping and walked in for a late lunch and the hostess was a bit pushy about sitting at the bar. I asked to sit elsewhere and hr pushed further about having full service at the bar. The place was empty, can't I sit where I want since I have shopping bags?! Alas, I didn't want to press further and walked over to a bar spot. The bartender was friendly and helpful, but he was busy because the bar had several patrons. Food came quickly and everyone else was helpful. Food: Ordered the tonkotsu ramen. The boiled egg was cold, like refrigerated cold at the yolk center. A bit strange for ramen. The noodles were okay (Wasabi is much better!). What people have been commenting on about salt is true. Three hours later and I'm still looking for water! Nothing great. There are so many ramen choices now, so go elsewhere if you want better ramen and dining experience.
(3)
Nicole L.

Showed up on Friday evening without a reservation. Found out they were fully committed and our only option was the communal tables. Looked a little cramped, but we were gonna go for it. Hostess worked some magic and got us into a two top table! We started with the Spicy Szechuan wings which looks amazing upon arrival. Unfortunately...they were painfully salty. We let our server know and in no time a manager was over to us apologizing/ thanking us for our feedback. Hopefully they've fixed that or it was a one night mistake, because the flavor was definitely there. She was also quick to offer us a different appetizer (tuna poke type thing) that was amazing. We both ordered ramen of course and it was so delicious. The noodles were perfect and still had a little bite instead of being mushy. I wish instead of only getting 1/2 of a molten egg it came with a fully egg. Will be back often!
(5)
Lois K.

I loved this place and I can't wait to go back. I went for dinner and ordered the spicy miso ramen with kimchee. It was delicious! Definitely hit the spot on a cold Chicago night. The portions were large and extremely filling. Even my friend with a notoriously bottomless stomach could barely finish his dinner. As far as atmosphere goes, the restaurant is very dimly lit and they played 90's rap and hiphop the entire time. I happen to like old school rap, so it didn't bother me, but I could see how some people might not love it.
(5)
Jill and Ying J.

Pros: great chicken wings, really good buns (especially the pork belly), really good service (at least our server was), great selection of Japanese whiskey Cons: Not very big portions and pretty pricey for what you get, pretty salty (as most ramen places are) Overall, this is not a bad ramen place, but there are definitely better in the city. We got the spicy miso, tonkatsu, smoked brisket, as well as one of their specials which was pretty much a stir-fry noodle - pretty unique and not bad. Overall, a pretty interesting take on ramen especially with the smoked brisket.
(3)
Sam S.

Ramen is my super food so I was thrilled when my bf said he was taking me to dinner here this past Friday! I immediately ordered us kimchi sake bombs, which were (wait for it...) Da bomb. I decided to be wild and crazy and announced that I was ordering a cocktail named The Blueprint without knowing what was in it. The server (Ilana), clearly not keen to my adventurous spirit, said with much attitude, "Wweell, I could tell you what's in it." Ummm, thanks but that defeats the purpose. I ended up loving it. When I explained a dietary restriction she basically shrugged it off and didn't offer up a suggestion. I have been here 3 times and have always gotten very helpful and knowledgeable service that was friendly. This server could use some impertinent in her bedside manor. Despite an I'm too cool for school server I still really enjoy this spot.
(4)
Steve V.

The Kimchi Ramen is on point and the Friend Chicken Buns are delicious but the Port Belly bun is incredible! Great food and great food.
(5)
Brian M.

Its easy to miss this place. I literally was not paying attention and walked by it. It has a low-key black sign and a simple beautiful wooden door. The restaurant has several smaller tables, a few communal spots and a bar that goes along the side. Holy pork belly. If the pork belly is almost worth 5 stars by itself! This bun was almost work of art. The bun itself was soft and fluffy while not be too large. The pork was this massively thick piece of goodness that was ornately topped with two asian pickles on them. Note: its surprising how many places can screw up something so simple by over doing it. Ramen-san got this right. I ordered the Spicy Miso Ramen. It was very spicy (which I like) and I did enjoy it. The only downside is it was hard to pick up the flavor of the broth and meat over the intense heat the peppers. It was my own fault and the next time I come I will definitely get something else. First this place is a must to just get the pork belly bun. Secondly, I do recommend coming here for some ramen (not the spicy one though).
(4)
Yvonne B.

Our first impression of Ramen-San was mixed. The front of the restaurant was open to the sidewalk and appeared hip and serious about their ramen. There were wooden floors, booths, and tall tables (I loved the purse hooks beneath every table). The walls were exposed brick and the bar was lined with maneki-nekos (beckoning cats that are a Japanese talisman) and Japanese whiskey. 90s smooth hip hop created a throwback, chill atmosphere. It was only 4:30, a half hour after opening, and the place was already bouncing with business. There was no host(ess) at the stand to welcome us and someone was already waiting in front of us. Two men squeezed by us. At first I thought they were churlish but then realized that they were coming to work. Next, another young woman breezed by on her way to meet her friends who were already seated at a table. When we were finally greeted and seated at a booth, we eagerly examined the menu. I appreciated the simplicity of the single-sided paper and the even smaller drink list. Despite this, I was still confused because I couldn't find items that I saw depicted on Yelp. Our server explained that what I saw was a lunch special and not available at that time. Instead, she said that there was another special: a Chilled Cucumber Ramen with Tuna. We ordered Asahi beer (which M said was surprisingly good on draft and superior to the stuff that is available in Japanese vending machines) and an Old Fashioned to start. For food we requested the Tonkotsu ramen and the special. While we waited for our food another server (Anna) genially introduced herself to us. She said that she would be taking over for the other server, a change that we welcomed but caused bewilderment. The previous server continued to serve the tables surrounding us. She did not possess as much charm as Anna. Later I saw a third server (a male) making friends with the patrons at a nearby both. I was more than a little jealous that he described the condiments on the table (something that nobody did for us) and also discussed his body art journey (something I was thankful to be spared). Near the end of our stay at Ramen-San, the general manager introduced himself to the booth behind me (visitors from New York who complimented the fare at Ramen-San) and I was bemused why he chose THAT table and not ours to cajole. We were delighted by all of our drinks at Ramen-San. As aforementioned, I ordered the Old Fashioned. Next, I got the Cilantro-Line Margarita. It was delicious, but small - especially considering that the glass was diminutive and was filled with crushed ice. The Asahi beer is definitely the best buy of our libations. M had three criticisms of her Tonkotsu ramen: 1) The portion was smaller than other ramen restaurants. 2) The broth had too much ginger. 3) The pork was tough and difficult to chew. I was surprised by my special Chilled Cucumber Ramen with Tuna. It was interesting with many different flavors - especially the fishy seaweed contrasted with the refreshing cucumber and then the noodles. The noodles had a strong butter taste and were clumped together. I couldn't taste the tuna at all - even when I tried it by itself. There was minimal broth in the bowl - so little that I didn't try it until I was nearly finished. The broth disgusted me. It tasted like seaweed - a flavor that is okay in small portions (and even enjoyable dried!) but lurid en masse. We were disappointed with our food mostly because it wasn't satisfying. We each finished our bowls and were still hungry. Normally we can share a bowl of ramen and come away surfeited. We told Anna that we were still hungry and requested the dinner menu. We ordered the Saigon Chicken Wings, five for $9. The Saigon Chicken Wings were the best food of our meal at Ramen-San. The exterior was crispy crunchy and a little sticky. The flavor was savory with a hint of sweetness. M loved them and felt as if Ramen-San should be renamed Chicken Wing-San! We had a small tiff about ordering dessert. I was STILL a little hungry and wanted more. Furthermore, M saw that Ramen-San had ice-cream and said that she wanted to try it when we first arrived. At this point, she was surly about her largely negative experience at Ramen-San and didn't want to give them anymore business. I got sesame ice-cream served in a cone and we left for home with it in hand. M thought that it tasted like cookies'n'cream but I thought it was definitely toasted sesame seeds. The bottom tip of the cone was filled with chocolate. Our bill came to $86.74 after tax but before tip. That is INSANE for a ramen joint and incredulous for a disappointing one. We normally spend $40 at Wasabi. Ajida in the Loop serves alcohol and we still spent less than what we did at Ramen-San. Furthermore, Wasabi and Ajida have far superior service than Ramen-San.
(2)
Diana P.

I LOVED this place however recently, ordered in from here and was very disappointed with the quality. They told me their vegetarian ramen dish was changed from mushroom broth to a multi veggie one. It was NOT nearly as good, hardly good actually. Way too greasy tasting and spicy. I always look forward to having this for dinner and now not sure I will be going back until they assure me they go back to their old ways. My husband also said his typical dish wasn't as good. He also ordered an appetizer of wings and they shorted him one-needless to say, a hungry man was not happy.
(2)
Louise M.

I don't know what's going on but apparently Ramen Shop is the hip thing to have nowadays. It seems a couple of ramen shops I visited lately oozed the trendy juice as soon as you opened the front door to come in. Ramen-san, next to Paris Club, I guess must keep up with the neighbor. The decor was swanky, and though the owner was definitely Asian, the whole aura of the place cater to hip people and not to Japanese people looking for a bowl of Ramen worthy of substituting mom's cooking for. Yet, I really couldn't tell you what's authentic in the world of Ramen. Maybe being hip is the authentic part now to be a ramen shop. I definitely can't say I'm an expert on Ramen either. I have never had it in Japan first off. Next, to even compare it to the pop culture of instant Ramen in college dorm late at night.... it has been awhile since then too. I am left with what I like as the review compass. It would have to make do. My friends who went with me knew the owner from previous visit. He was nice and he stopped by and said hi to us. He said it was tough being newly opened, but they just has their busiest day he said on the Friday before we came. I guess business was picking up. Good for him. I am sure it is tough to open a new restaurant. I ordered the Sumo Bowl. It looked like it had everything I wanted from the description, from the pork belly, egg, etc. When it came, it was pretty big bowl of noodle soup. The broth was nice but it was not hot enough. It was kind of luke warm. I wanted it more hot but the flavor was rich and I could tell there was a lot of pork bones used to make the broth. That broth had such a good mouthfeel of gelatinous goodness. Yummm. It was a bit salty though but I haven't found Ramen that's not salty. The noodle... mh....I can't be 100% sure but it didn't feel homemade. I think it was store bought Tokyo style noodles. It would have been good if it was homemade or freshly made in house there. However, maybe it was but it could have fooled me. The pork belly was nice though and the other meat in the soup was yum. No complaints there. I really did enjoy the Ramen. It was not bad compared to some other I tried recently. The pork belly buns had a good flavor of the spicy creamy sauce. The pork belly itself was succulent, fatty, and packed with flavor. However, I still felt it was missing something. It didn't hit me right smack in the face like I hope it would. The buns were also not made there. It tasted and felt like mass produced buns. Too bad. The outer skin already hardened a bit despite steaming. I had chubby cheeks since I was young and I got teased at times of having "Pao" cheek or Chinese steamed bun cheek as they're usually round and cushy. So, I guess I better know my pao. LOL. It was the same process like how a grill chef checks the doneness of meat using their touch. I check the pao just by touching my cheek to compare. These cheeks are losing elasticity the older I get, though. Sigh. Having Totto Ramen in NYC as the gold standard in my book, Ramen-san has a long way to improve to even compare. However, since Totto is so far away, this will do as it doesn't suck for sure. I just have to tell them to make it extra hotter next time and perhaps asks for hot water if it gets too salty.
(3)
Danielle F.

Came in for a relatively quick dinner while staying in the neighborhood for work. Walking in, the space is dark, moody, and sorta casual. There are relatively long tables and a few bar seats. On a Monday night, a reservation wasn't needed, however I could see how this place could get crowded later in the week. The place isn't enormous, so may be worth checking on reservations, particularly for a larger group, as the week's end approaches. The menu is pretty straightforward in terms of a few apps and the ramen. A cheat sheet is on the back, describing some of the Asian ingredients. Started with a cilantro-lime margarita which was cool and refreshing. Not being terribly hungry, opted to pass on any starters, though stuff that went by looked fantastic. I chose tonkotsu and added kimchi to it. Several items are available as add-ons for a nominal charge. The menu boasts locally-made ramen and the noodles do make the dish. The broth was super flavorful. The pork belly was fantastic and not super fatty which I appreciated. It's a big bowl, but was able to finish it. While you're slurping the ramen down, you'll enjoy some hop hop (old school and recent stuff too). Service was prompt and courteous. Prices were more than fair, considering the quality of the food. I'd definitely return.
(4)
Dee B.

Tasty asian cuisine in a central location. The gyoza was really unique for Chicago with a crispy veil over the pillowy soft dumplings. Each time I stop by I get something different and it never disappoints.
(4)
Lindsey S.

Kate the manager + Jared rock !! The hand towel packets are Ahmazing!! They are large and thick cloth ...they totally get the job done Tuna tar tar is top notch - sensory party in your mouth - fun crunch and freshest Avocado and tuna I personally got all "additions" .... the fried chicken is dank perfect crunch but high quality chicken in the middle of the breaded cutlet. Buttered corn wasn't even over buttery at all!!! You have to order all three chicken wings! I never drink beer and I downed TWO! BEST MUSIC I felt like I was in my own home ! The vibes and atmosphere r on pointe! If you can sit in the booth do it The ice green tea is a must it comes in a heavy can Try and find the Hello kitty at the bar ;) Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Bill B.

Had a late lunch here in the afternoon and the place was comfortably dim, server/bartender was pleasant, the Asahi ice cold, the pork bun was flavorful, if not on the sweet side, and slightly overcooked, but tasty. Gyoza were on the petit side, which was welcome since I wanted to try more food than I would typically eat, and they packed a porky punch, as well as an interesting presentation with a thin shield of fried(?) grilled(?) wrapper for lack of a better description overlaying the dumplings. Shio was light and refreshing snd the cilantro added a nice note contributing to the light flavorful broth. Would like to try their tonkotsu another time
(4)
Anna T.

My friend and I were super excited to try this place based off of looks and location. Ramen-san has nice wooden table tops and a cool, swanky vibe. Unfortunately the noodles didn't live up to expectation. I ordered the beef brisket ramen noodles at a steep $14 price. The brisket was delish, soup base was a bit salty and the seasoning was wayyyy overdone. I came into the restaurant starving and left feeling content (hunger-wise) but disappointed overall. I would not come back. To put it this way... I could have eaten a $1.19 Cup of Noodles and be equally satistified.
(2)
Tada Y.

Ramen-san is definitely a solid contender in the Chicago ramen scene. Boasting one of the nicest, largest and most refined dining areas of all of the ramen locations, it definitely makes eating this slurpy dish comfortable, which I think should be a consideration for anyone eating ramen with friends. The noodles are wavy, which is I personally like as I think it does a little more to make the noodle have a bit more bit and hold to a bit more of the delectable broth. The spicy miso is my favorite here as it actually has a bit of a kick to it, but isn't overly powerful. Mantou buns are also great, but incredibly overpriced. I'd recommend you pass on dessert - the ice creams are novelty, but not great. In river north, you'll find plenty of other places to stop by to get a better dessert. While I will agree that this place is a bit pricier than the other ramen joints, it is also located in a much nicer neighborhood and as previously mentioned provides a much more comfortable eating experience than say the basement of a meat shop (No hate - I love high five ramen too - just not the most comfortable place to eat). Bottom line, if you're into ramen, this is a place not to be missed. While they don't have my favorite broth or noodles, they have the best environment and combination of all factors as my favorites in each category (e.g., noodles, broth, toppings) don't all exist in the same ramen shop.
(4)
Michelle M.

Why do I bother? This is the second ramen house we've been to in the city... I just get frustrated when I go somewhere and it's abundantly clear to me that I can do better at home. They don't make their own noodles. Why have a noodle house and not make your own noodles? Seriously. It'ls packaged ramen... with cool add ins. The tofu and the kimchee are a plus. AND... I asked for extra heat. I literally told my waiter I wanted to be set on fire from all the spice. They dumped a ton of red pepper seeds into my bowl. It made it not good and not even spicy... Ramen-San, if you're reading this... Invest in some kochujang. It's Korean hot pepper paste and the bomb dot com. Trust me... great flavor and amazing heat. But still with the three stars. BECAUSE... just cuz I can make it better at home doesn't mean you can. It's not horrible. The atmosphere is cool and the wait staff was super cool. Would I go back personally? No. But you should try it out. =]
(3)
Rona L.

Good ramen but the waiting service we got led me to give it 3 stars. On the good note, Tonkatsu and the ambiance were great. They have a varied menu for the ramen, and the pork was yummy. Waitress seemed like she was unhappy to serve us, but the hostess was very nice and welcoming. Maybe it was her last day... I don't think I will come back anytime soon, as I think there are better ramen deals out there... From my experience in Chicago, I enjoyed santouka in Arlington Heights more. Otherwise, the ramen was quite pricey for the value of my experience...
(3)
Norm J.

I've been wanting to try Ramen-San for a while now and tonight I finally did! I came here with my Yelp buddy Matt who mentioned to me a couple weeks ago that he really liked this place. We started out with drinks and I got the Singapore Sling - made with aviation gin, pineapple, cherry heering benedictine and lime. This drink goes down easy, which is probably why I had 2; yes on a Wednesday...don't judge me! For starters I got the fried chicken bun. It was good, but I wasn't saying, "Golly Gee Wilikers I need to get this again." My ramen selection was the smoked brisket, which I found to be very good. The smoked brisket was surprising flavorful seeing how it was sitting in broth for who knows how long. The serving size is pretty decent so you are definitely getting your money's worth. I enjoy my dining experience here, though the music was a little loud, but my toes were a tappin (yes I meant to write tappin not tapping). The service was top notch, the food was good and the company was first rate. I'll be visiting Ramen-San again soon.
(3)
Kristie T.

Made reservations for 9:30 on Monday night for me and the kids. We were welcomed by the pleasant hostess and seated right away. I ordered the Asahi draft and got it quickly. There were two specials so we decided to order them both and split them. Great choice! It was the collar which is similar to yellow fin tuna and the other was the duck curry. The flavors in both were amazing! My son ordered the Szechuan wings because he's a bit picky, but he ended up loving the specials as well.
(4)
Selena L.

I came over the weekend with a friend and am HOOKED! The ambience, the music, the food, everything was on point! They truly had me at Erykah Badu and all of the old school hip hop they were playing. Oh, and the super cool sink in the bathroom! I ordered the Fatty (how fitting) Ramen and my friend had the Shio Ramen. We both devoured our bowls yet still had room for dessert. We had the black sesame mochi in a coconut sauce with tapioca that reminded me of home - we were in heaven! The restaurant itself is slightly larger than other ramen joints (thumbs up) and parking can be a hassle (comes with the territory).
(5)
CK L.

March 6, 2015 This place has a nice busy vibe (obviously being Friday). The atmosphere is definitely what I'm searching. It has a great quick and high demand feel. I can't give this place a stellar rating due to the noodles. It's definitely my first time when my stomach is not desiring this. Perhaps, I had been spoil by other Ramen location. The noodles are definitely the issue. Then again, it could be the soup stock. I'm a fanatic on Ramen. I do apologize that even though I can see it's flash chilled ramen. The mouthfeel is equivalent to regular instant ramen. There's potential for improvement! I still approve of this place since my Ramen came in a quick Japanese style speed (Ninja mode) even in a busy rush hour time. Please do try this place out regardless of my opinion. I'll try it out myself as well again depending if I'm in the area and also depending if I'll try their competitors within the area. Please, enjoy!
(4)
Jessica B.

We love the tonkatsu as well as the duck curry ramen when they have it. The kimchi / fried chicken and the szechuan wings are fantastic as well.
(5)
Alana S.

Absolutely delicious. This was my first time trying ramen and I loved the pork broth flavor of the ramen I chose. Lunch bento box came with a fresh salad and pickled zucchini. Service was quick and attentive. Ambiance was young and hip, Common was among the artists playing on the playlist. Taking my sister and boyfriend here.
(5)
Amy D.

First time here and I am a fan! Bottom line: Hello new favorite ramen joint! Definitely be back for more. Time: Late Sunday night after drinks at Three Dots and a Dash Service: Server at bar was on point! - Boy was it packed in there. Got seated right away though at the bar. - Server at the bar was great! Asked if we were first timers and explained everything! - Friendly and very helpful. Food - Get the special of the night! - Skip the appetizer and go straight to the ramen! You won't regret it! - Got the 2 mantou baos: Fried chicken and pork belly. The fried chicken was pretty good, but I guess I wasn't expecting the pork belly to be fried too. Usually when I get pork belly, its braised, so it was a surprise. The pork belly was hard to chew and way too big for the mantou bao and a bit dry for me. A little sauce wouldn't hurt. - Oh man the RAMEN! I got the special of the night, which was a crab and curry ramen while my boyfriend went the traditional route and got the Tonkotsu. There was definitely some heat to my ramen. It was balanced quite well with the sweetness of the corn and crab meat. Just writing about it makes me miss it. As for the Tonkotsu, the broth was very rich and the chashu pork just melts in your mouth. Overall, this ramen joint definitely did it for me. Hit all the right spots in terms of richness in the broth and texture with multiple components of meat and veggies. What a chill vibe this place sends from the atmosphere to the staff. On a side note, I got to see Chef Morimoto there!!!
(4)
Meg S.

Stopped in with a friend for early dinner. Tried their "ramen dujour" and the fried chicken buns as an app. The buns were flavorful with just a hint of spiciness (wasabi maybe?) and a sweet sauce that we couldn't pin down. Their special of the day was a beef ramen dish that had a kick delivered from their red chili oil. The meat was tender and the portions were just large enough to where I was full after finishing the broth. Overall, my meal was enjoyable and thought it was cool that we were serenaded by old school 90's hip hop while we ate. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that there are probably comparable places with cheaper prices ($13 per bowl) as well as the fact the noodles were a bit too similar to the instant variety. But even still, I'd definitely come back.
(4)
Ramon D.

Good ramen place. Visited twice and enjoyed it both times. The pork belly buns were excellent! I had the Sumo Bowl and the spicy miso. Both were very good. Nick at the bar provided excellent and informed service. They have a wide variety of Japanese whiskeys with decent prices and pours. Nick was able to provide good informative data for m to make my selections. Worth a try if you are in Chicago.
(4)
Jared P.

I'm going to be fair because I was just in Tokyo a few weeks ago. It was a dark and stormy night and...okay, it was chilly and I was craving ramen. The strengths of this place is definitely its decor. The TVs are projected upon the stone walls and the tables are pretty cool wooden tables. Instead of aiming for the traditional Japanese decor, they have a weird Japanese-ish vibe with hip hop music playing. I got the spicy miso ramen and an Asahi beer. My ramen actually came out pretty hot, but it wasn't spicy at all. I had to pile pepper on it. Also, there are no bean sprouts? No corn? Where are the veggies? All I had were some pieces of cabbage and ground pork. Come on. And, the noodles looked and tasted like real instant ramen noodles. Honestly, it was decent. Not the best I've had, but it served a craving. This is a dish I would pay $12 for, including 1L of Asahi, in downtown Shibuya. But, no, my bill came to $25. Seriously? $15 for some instant noodles? If you're charging that much, you better at least hand pull the noodles! Would I go there again? Possibly if I wanted to hang out in a cool atmosphere, but there is better ramen out there.
(2)
Nathan S.

I would have to say this is one of the best Ramen places I have been in a long time. Had the kimchi fried chicken ramen...talk about not needing anything in this dish. Packed so much flavor and spice. I'll be back again!
(5)
Phillip K.

This place is absolutely delicious, I used to live in Chicago over the past summer and this is somewhere I came to all the time. The ambience, the music, the vibe the people everything, I'm in love. And to top the food is fantastic. Such delicious and robust flavors people don't give ramen enough credit. I highly recommend adding the fried chicken, garlic and molten egg to any bowl you choose to get. I had gotten the lunch special ($15) which came with a small green salad, half a bowl of Ramen, And a protein on top of Japanese style rice. This meal was satisfying and delicious and not overfilling where I was too lethargic to enjoy the rest of my day. Also it came with a small plate of pickled cucumbers. Which were a crisp refreshing palate cleanser. I would recommend that anyone who is in the downtown Chicago area come and enjoy A bowl of tasty ramen!
(5)
Tia F.

Oooo so yummy. I want to swim in the pork broth. Flavors on fleek. Lunch special is the shizzzzz. R&B and hiphop music is so dope and not too loud. Loves it.
(5)
Eric C.

Great River North location, customizable menu, savory warm broth in the middle of winter? Ramen-San had tremendous potential. The result: mixed. $18 for the Sumo Bowl (brisket, pork, and egg) is kind of ridiculous for a bowl of noodles - even for its location. All of the ingredients and customizable additions, like fried garlic, smoked brisket, and xo wontons were good individually but confusing when eaten together in a bowl. They got too fancy - do I love smoked brisket? Yes. Do I like bbq in my bowl of Japanese Ramen, when I already have other good flavors? No. Note: I am biased. As a ramen aficionado, I need think simplicity beats unnecessary complexity.
(3)
Alex J.

First off, the hamachi (yellowtail) sashimi was a brilliant first course. It was fresh and practically melted in my mouth. Secondly, the ramen was pretty good, too. Best ramen in the city? No, but certainly a surprisingly good bowl for being in River North. Grab an iced green tea and dip in, this place is good.
(4)
Nishan P.

My friends Izzy and Yanyao are ramen connoisseurs; I am not. I used to think I was, having consumed significant amounts of it while in college, but I have been told (by Izzy and Yanyao) that Top Ramen doesn't count. Given their refined palates for the Japanese noodle soup, I was surprised when my friends elected to have dinner at Ramen San, an establishment operated by non-Asians. I was very curious to see what they would think of the Lettuce Entertain You interpretation of ramen. Let's start with the positives. The Hisato-San cocktail with pineapple, passion fruit, and rum was a small but tasty treat. The service was stellar throughout our meal. The appetizers, smoked salmon nigiri and raw tuna on sesame crisps, were both enjoyable. The disappointment of the evening was the "star attraction." Ramen San offers several different types of ramen. I waited for my expert friends to order before telling the waitress I'd be getting the exact same thing: toasted sesame ramen with fried shrimp and various additions like a molten egg and pork. The fried shrimp was nice and the noodles were well prepared but even I know that ramen broth is not supposed to be gray. The soup was also quite salty. That was a huge turn off for my friends, as was the lack of complexity in the ramen. I hope they don't disown me for giving Ramen San as many as three stars. I hear we will not be coming back, at least not for ramen.
(3)
Ivy Z.

Ramen-San is what you would expect of a ramen restaurant in this area of Chicago. It is overpriced and not very traditional. Still tasty, the broth of the tonkotsu ramen was good, but the depth of flavors for the ingredients was lacking. The noodles are also not house-made. The atmosphere is nice but there is usually a wait given the location and small room.
(2)
Elizabeth W.

On Tuesday, December 16th, I had the pleasure of enjoying the one night only A5 Wagyu Beef Omakase dinner here. For $65, the menu included 5 course, sake, and a beer. It was hands down my top dining experience in 2014. The service was impeccable and each course was described in detail. The preparation were expert in highlighting this very special product. The meal opened with raw presentations that introduced me to this high quality meat. The second course was the first hot items, that explored the luxurious texture of Wagyu. I have never had meat melt in my mouth the way the skirt steak did. That may have been my favorite preparation of the evening. The ramen course was perfection. The broth was addictive and the perfectly marbled rib eye was just an added perk. Started to get at this point but with the short rib and foie burger next in line I put on my big girl panties and sucked it up. The burger was just on another level. The decadence and richness of the foie with the perfectly rendered butter like patty...all burgers I have eaten up to this point have been put to shame. The dessert was the perfect end to an opulent meal. Light and refreshing to cleanse the palate, it left me completely satisfied with the whole experience. I would highly recommend keeping an eye out for future announcements of omakase meals. Reservations are very limited, I believe around 45 covers for the night, but they were incredibly responsive to reservation requests. If you can snag one, I can vouch that I was not disappointed in the least.
(5)
K P.

Was not amazed by the ramen here. I got the Tonkatsu ramen and found it to be overly salty. The noodles here were also more like instant ramen noodles than traditional ramen noodles. Prices are on the high end for ramen (~$16). I prefer Strings.
(2)
Yvonne I.

Pretty good for my first ramen experience at a restaurant. This place was a little on the small side as far as river north restaurants are concerned. I went on a Friday night at 7 with a group of 4 other people and made a reservation. If you are going at a busy time/busy day, I would suggest making a reservation as well in order to avoid the wait. Some of the appetizers looked really good, but since the bowls of ramen looked large I decided not to get one. I got the smoked brisket and burnt garlic ramen bowl. So much flavor and different ingredients. This place has inspired me to consider trying some of the other Chicago ramen places. It will be interesting to compare them to this one.
(4)
Irene K.

For once I actually finished all the noodles in a bowl of ramen - so I definitely liked the food here overall, but the broth was a little too flavorful for me. I had the smoked brisket & garlic which I would give a 7/10 and my friend had the fried chicken and kimchi ramen. We also had the smoked salmon nigri to start which I would highly recommend. To drink, we each got a hot todzilla (with japanese whiskey) - one of the yummiest hot toddies I've ever had (their secret is a couple drops of sesame oil) served in the cutest hello kitty mug! Would recommend, especially since you can make reservations here!
(4)
Susie C.

My friends and I came here for dinner after hanging out at How At the Moon. We made reservation for 4 people at 9pm. When we arrived we had to wait a little bit because the people at our table were not done yet. We were surprised this place was still so busy at 9pm. This city doesn't sleep. Ramen San is very cozy. Very modern and hip with brick walls. Our waitress was very friendly along with the host and hostess. Our food came out really quick! We were very surprised. We started with the sticky Thai chicken wings. We felt this was very good. We also had the gyozas which were good too. The hamachi sashimi were also good. All 4 of us really enjoyed the appetizers that we ordered. We read reviews that the ramen isn't as filling so we ordered 3 appetizers for 4 people. Felt that was a good number. For ramen my friend and I had the Tonkatsu ramen. We thought it was decent. My husband and another friend ordered their special of the night which was the fatty ramen..it was crispy pork shoulders with cabbage. Both my husband and friend didn't like it. My husband would give his ramen a 2 stars. My Tonkatsu was way better. We ended the night with the black sesame ice cream. It's so cute- it came in a cone. The ice cream was delish since it was also a different flavor we haven't tried before. My husband also ordered their late night fried rice which was lamb fried rice. You can only order this fried rice after 10pm, not sure why. I felt the rice was nice and soft, kind of like sticky rice, but we all felt it was a bit too salty. Overall food was decent. Appetizers and dessert were good! Ramen is good, depending on the type of ramen you order.
(3)
Saba A.

I was very excited about Ramen- san, a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant opening on Hubbard. I guess I don't know the real authentic taste of Asian foods and I feel the only way to get that is to visit Asia, so my review is based on mostly price and service. For opening week, Ramen Noodles were half off which was a great deal! But here you get a bowl of noodles (that are prepared elsewhere) and it's not a lot of noodles. This isn't a place to fill you up and that's all right. It's not shareable either. It's difficult to share. The chopsticks are cheap (which I know a few other reviewers mentioned). A lot of the sauces have Japanese writings, which make it a little authentic. I know the Melman brothers did their research, but I feel like they have to clear a few knicks out. Especially the prices (12-15 dollars) per bowl. I would rather go to a hole in the wall restaurant and get a Ramen dish which I'm sure would be just as good instead of paying that much. I liked the 6 dollar Japanese beer which was served in a frosted glass. I also enjoyed the chicken wing and boa style appetizers. The ice cream with the cone was a little delight for a small price of 2.50. I guess it depends on your taste of Asian food, but I would recommend slurping turtle instead.
(3)
Sheryle I.

Ate around 3 pm on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. The establishment is clean and pretty. The server was attentive. The food was meh. I had the brisket and garlic ramen which sounded promising. The brisket fell apart and tasted great, but the ramen as a whole left me wanting more. I wish they had offered a classic ramen dish or dressed it up with more fresh vegetables. Considering the price tag I would have expected a better delivery.
(3)
Bethany H.

Went here on a Wednesday night after work (~6pm). Was immediately seated while I waited for my girlfriends to show up. Anne (Anna? Ann?) our server was PERFECT. She was sweet, had excellent recommendations, and gave our table just the right amount of attention without being the typical, super-smiley overbearing-caricature server. It was the perfect environment to catch up with friends after the holidays; the space was small enough that it felt intimate but still had a lively bar-type atmosphere as the night went on. I drank the Asahi on draft ($7) while my friends sipped on the lime cilantro margaritas (which were pricey at $11, but gave them a nice buzz after the second round). I had the kimchi & fried chicken ramen which was flavorful but perhaps just a bit too spicy for my taste. I would've liked more chicken pieces and a helluva ton more kimchi cabbage, but c'est la vie. It wasn't super filling, so I'd recommended nomming on an appetizer if you're a big eater like me.
(4)
Telly S.

I've eaten here about 8-9 times in the past year and if I had my choice I would here everyday.
(4)
Davin L.

Ramen is a guilty pleasure to which I will almost always say yes. So when I heard the Melmans were converting the Paris Club Bar into an authentic ramen spot, I had to give it a shot, despite a mediocre experience at the club itself and especially considering it's half off on its grand opening. The interior has wooden booths, A small bar, and high tables with hooks to hang your jacket. There's chopsticks and all the necessary ramen seasonings on each tabletop. I can see this place getting crowded on a Friday night as clubgoers at Paris call it a night. According to the website, the cooks went to Japan for research. It looks like they did their homework. The smoked brisket and roasted garlic was packed with flavor and texture. Umami overload. One sip and I was back in Roppongi, ducking out if the rain and slurping down a big bowl. And even though the noodles were not house made, they still had the perfect consistency. Service was friendly and attentive. More importantly, the management greeted me personally and took feedback with sincere appreciation. If I had to nitpick, there was no naruto (is there an anti-naruto platform in this city?) and the soft-boiled egg was a bit on the cold side, but that may have been because Amarit was genuinely chatting me up about my food. It's a bit on the pricey side, but you are definitely paying for high quality ingredients and top notch service. I haven't enjoyed a bowl of ramen on the first sip this much since Menkuitei in NYC. Will definitely be back for cocktails and wings on a hot summer night.
(4)
Chris T.

Raaaaamen. Love the stuff, and could eat it everyday. So I was excited to try this place out and I brought 3 friends - 2 of whom are from Hong Kong and 1 who is from the exotic land of Minnesota and has never had ramen before. I'm somewhere in between. And it went predictably - with my 2 Asian friends being unsatisfied, the Minnesotan enjoying his first time, and me being in between. In other words, I thought it was ok. The Ramen was lacking a bit of flavor. I had the Sumo Bowl so I could try a bit of everything. I first found the Molten egg to be disappointing as it didn't add anything to the dish, whereas it's usually my favorite part of Ramen. I also had the spicy Molten egg that isn't on the menu. I'd say skip it, I could barely taste it. Everything was decent I thought, just not enough for my to crave it in the future or eagerly return for another visit. Also, don't take their advice and get appetizers first if you're having your own bowl of ramen. The ramen alone was so filling we could barely walk out of there. Good music here though, I liked the 90s hip hop.
(3)
Hana C.

I loved the atmosphere and interior. Our waitress was also very friendly and pretty efficient. However, the food was not the best, at least for me. I got the Brisket ramen and my friend got the Spicy Miso ramen. He really enjoyed his and they weren't kidding when they said it was spicy. I didn't enjoy mine as much. It was greasy and very salty. Pretty expensive for the quality as well.
(2)
AJ B.

I don't think ramen comes any better than this. While I don't see this place as a kids' restaurant per se (it's in a nightclub area), I brought my kids and the scene was just fine.
(5)
Tiffany L.

From the first time it was announced, I was really curious how Lettuce Entertain You was going to handle ramen. Their current lineup of asian food are all pretty sketch - Wow Bao, Big Bowl, Tokio Pub? Bleh. However, for Ramen-San, they definitely did their due diligence and put together a solid menu. Between slurps, BF still pledged allegiance to Santouka's ramen, claiming it was still better than the Tonkotsu here, their pork broth just not having enough depth. The Smoked Brisket and Black Garlic, however, was the shining star -- depths and depths of flavor in the broth, the melt-in-my-mouth brisket, umami being a major understatement. I also tried the shoyu, it is way too salty. The noodle itself is good, of Sun Noodle variety (famous possibly for being the ramen in the original ramen burger), it cooks quickly though in the hot broth so eat fast if you don't want gummy noodles. Special seasonings on the table include: - La-yu chili oil. The best chili oil ever. Always imitated, never duplicated. - Ramen pepper. - Togarashi. - Sesame seeds in a grinder. Need one now. Other non-ramen items we tried: - Mantou buns: house-made mantou is impressive, they're also very good. Peking duck, also house-made, is a good try, but still can't beat Sun Wah's. The crispy skin is nice, but the duck part is like a pulled duck. I enjoyed the fried chicken bun more -- panko crusted, topped with cabbage and spicy mustard. - Smoked Salmon Nigiri: it's chopped smoked salmon atop rice wrapped with cucumber, topped with wasabi caviar. BF really like the quality of the smoked salmon. Otherwise, I wouldn't say this is a must-try. - Black Sesame Ice Cream Cone: needed more black sesame flavor, but the delicoius chocolate ganache hidden at the end of the cone was the cherry on top. Oh and Kasugai gummies come with your check. Reservations accepted! Slurp loudly.
(3)
Sofia J.

Skeptical from the first week of reviews, my standards were low and thus I was pleasantly surprised. We tried the sumo bowl and the chicken broth w/brisket and black garlic. Both delicious and recommendable, depending on what you're going for. Creamy and heavy - go for the sumo (traditional tonkatsu broth), lighter desire - go for the chicken. Flavors were balanced, none too salty or in need of additional seasoning, in fact they come with a lot of contrasting ingredients that are a pleasure to taste. The sumo is also significantly larger - definitely for sharing or taking home. Yes, they're more expensive than your neighborhood ramen joint, but one would expect nothing less from River North. Pork belly bun is tasty and comes with a generous amount of meat.
(4)
Nick R.

Came in as a last minute dinner decision while Visiting the bars on Hubbard. Wow! I was not expecting to be blown away! I tried the beef brisket noodles. They were so full of flavor and perfect for a cold night in Chicago. The brisket pieces were perfectly cooked. One piece of Advice is to eat the brisket rather quickly as it cooks in the soup. I also was not expecting to be so full after the noodle soup but as you can see from the photos that the bow is huge. The decor is really cool and very well done. Modern yet cozy, cool place to bring a date. The music selection is also really cool. The waitress was very friendly and very helpful as I struggled deciding on what I should order. One bummer is that they don't serve any rice dishes except for the late night fired rice which is only available after 10pm. Of course I ended up there at 9:45. Overall Im really loping forward to trying more items from here and I regret not ordering the buns after seeing some other parties order them Id highly recommend trying at least one with your order.
(5)
Brett F.

I love ramen. I eat it on the weekly. On the daily if I'm lucky. This isn't to say "I know my ramen." I just know what I like. And Ramen-san was my least favorite ramen experience in Chicago to date. For starters, their bartender was unable to fulfill my cocktail request of subbing out their Singapore Sling's gin for vodka. When I inquired as to why, it was because the cocktails are pre-batched and he didn't know how to make a single to-order Sling. So, I asked for him to stir up something with "similar flavors" to which our server returned and again said he didn't think he could. Um.... OK. I ordered an Asahi draft and prayed he at least knew how to pour a beer? He did. Phew. But lesson learned. The bar here is pointless. With beer in hand, I was on my way from imbibe to appetizer. My group tried the hamachi sashimi which was super fresh and flavorful and a smattering of the mantou buns - pork belly and fried chicken - which were tasty, but nowhere near the creativity level and execution of the bao I love so dearly at Oiistar. Then there was the ramen. I went with the brisket and black garlic ramen. It was served lukewarm. If anything is more disappointing to me than soup that isn't hot, I can't think of it now. I hate it. Especially with ramen. It caused the molten egg to texturize oddly (think: gelatinous) and was such a turnoff. The broth was also very one note. It lacked spice and was almost syrupy. I was missing all of the savory, umami, spicy, unctuous tones you usually find in the layers of a bowl of ramen. Just not for me. I sent my bowl away almost still full and that was that. Ramen-san. Merci, non.
(2)
Jessica M.

Came here on opening week to take advantage of the half-priced menu! Have I been back ever since? No.... My friend and I over-ordered and shared: Asahi beer, pork rind, smoked salmon nigiri, sumo ramen, sesame miso ramen, and sesame ice cream. Appetizers: Pork rind was the special of the evening. As crispy and fresh as it was, I don't think I will pay the full price for this. The smoked salmon nigiri consisted of chopped salmon wrapped in cucumber slices. It had a hint of wasabi but was otherwise light. Entrees: Sumo ramen came in one enormous bowl that was heavily loaded. I would've really hated myself had I ordered that. Instead, I went with the sesame miso ramen. It was very unique with a very bold and lingering effect. The first few bites were very tasty but as I dug deeper into the bowl, I felt flavors were too powerful and I had to drown it out with some beer. The noodles were also a bit too soft and sticky in which they came in a tight bundle. I constantly had to use my spoon and chopsticks to separate them into strands. The pork belly slabs were also relatively small and a bit tough. Dessert: Few places serve sesame ice cream so we couldn't possibly let this one slip away. It was not mind-blowing but I did appreciate the chocolate chunk at the bottom of the cone. In conclusion, I was very excited with their opening and there is a chance that I will return given the location and late night hours.
(3)
Tamer A.

The Kimchi Raman bowl with the fried chicken is a must! They play really cool urban music in the background to give the experience a good city vibe ... I'm coming back!
(5)
Kayu T.

Opening day: HALF OFF RAMEN SCORE!! The atmosphere is casual and open. For an opening day, the service was very smooth, not hectic and under control. Besides the minor miscommunication that my waitress misheard my ramen order.. Amarit the manager was attentive and fixed the problem instantly. **UPDATE!!! I actually got a Tonkotsu ramen to go for my bf that couldn't come and OMG when I got home, I noticed the "molten egg" was NOT there! SO upsetting!** CHECK before you leave i guess next time??? But how am i supposed to do that when the soup is cloudy and can't see through it? MEH. *** Raw Tuna with Corn Tempura & Avocado - The guacamole was well seasoned, the tuna was fresh and the corn tempura added something different to the mix. It's a little pricey for what it is. Sumo Bowl - GIANT in size and loaded with toppings! This bowl has much more ramen noodle than the rest. The chashu pork is non-traditional.. their take of it is pork belly charred with a crispy oven finish. I have to admit that I was looking for the traditional round slice of pork, but this was not bad at all. The smoke brisket is from Bub City around the corner, it was on point. Soup flavor is seriously 90% there, just missing a sight master broth ultra rich marrow taste. I think it'll definitely get there with time. Tonkotsu - Same exact bowl as the Sumo but in regular size and no brisket and corn included. The person that got this also agreed that there's something rich missing with the broth. Kimchi & Fried Chicken- For those that love spicy & Korean flavor. The chicken was nicely done and crispy but this one don't come with an egg. Sister got this and loved it. Seasme Miso- Friend got this and killed it. The broth is the most interesting of all the ramens. The manager Amarit also claimed this is his favorite. Black Sesame ice cream cone - Super fluffy and full of sesame flavor. Not the finest that I've tried in my life time.... BUT the cone had a little hidden explosion near the last bite with some sort of chocolate or cake piece! One of us ordered extra ramen for $1.50 - it is such a deal! The bowl was not small at all. I already made a reservation to return with a group of people this Friday. Enough said. Very excited this place opened.. especially with the late night hours!
(4)
Vic L.

Reallllly good ramen !!! Good lunch deal for$15 . Great food , lots of flavor . Get the smoked brisket... It's great & with the extra!!!
(4)
Setsko H.

Being out on road for a few days in Eastcoast, I had some crave for Japanese food and found this restaurant via Yelp. Manager was very friendly and service was very nice. Gyoza was tasteful. I choose Spicy Miso Ramen and I liked their presentation. I wish the soup to be hotter because it was a bit lukewarm. Manager said that they sent their chef to Japan to study "Ramen Cooking" and it was very interesting. Price was very high but I assume that it was because of location and being in Chicago?
(4)
Tina B.

Good thing we stumble upon it! Being Asian visiting in Chicago, I thought I would be eating pizza and sandwiches all day long..thank God for Ramen San! Particularly like Miso Ramen, Pork Belly thingy and Kimchi with fried chicken was bomb too!! We loved it that we came back again (2 in 3 days hahaha!) ~ definitely a must go (especially with Chicago's freezing weather! Hahaha yes coming from Californian lady, it's freezing!)!!!
(4)
Lyn P.

This is a fancy ramen place as opposed to a traditional ramen place. The ramen menu features more traditional preparations like tonkotsu and spicy miso along with options like kimchi and smoked brisket. Whatever you order, the ingredients will be high quality and stand out on their own as components. I prefer tonkotsu ramen and their version was fine. The broth had good flavor, the noodles weren't overcooked and all of the additions were great, especially the perfectly cooked egg. My friend opted for the brisket ramen and I think they do a good job with this non-traditional preparation. We also really enjoyed the spicy szechuan wings. They were definitely spicy but not so much that you couldn't enjoy the flavor. Service was fine and the price point was what I was expecting for the area. They are busy during prime dinner hours but you can make reservations through Open Table just in case or if you are like me and am a sucker for their dining points.
(4)
Johnathan G.

I visited this place with two friends (we're all students) and we all ordered either a ramen bowl or a lunch express meal (no appetizers or sides) and the meal came out to be almost $50. The service was very quick and the waiter was patient with explaining items on the menu to us. I thought there was plenty of food and it tasted pretty good. The skirt steak was a bit burnt but my friend said the miso salmon that she chose to go along with her lunch meal was good. I didn't each too much of the cucumber that came with the meal but the ginger salad was very good especially with the addition of some hot oil. It was a bit expensive for my taste especially as a student trying to save money but it's definitely worth it if you're willing to splurge.
(4)
Christy L.

Ramen-san hit the spot on one of the first cold nights of the year (October 2014)! To start, we split the Gyoza and Sticky Thai wings. The Gyoza were the most interesting presentation I've seen with a wafer-thin noodle extending and covering the serving dish and all the dumplings. The dumplings themselves were similar to others and served with a tasty sauce. The Sticky Thai wings were good but nothing special...would have preferred a spicier sauce but my boyfriend doesn't do spicy. For Ramen, I had the Spicy Miso, and it made up for the lack of heat in our wings! Very tasty and hit the spot on a chilly night. Prices are very reasonable for this neighborhood but Ramen shouldn't be expensive. The ambiance is trendy, similar to most other Hubbard Street restaurants, but not too loud.
(4)
Laura G.

The vibe is awesome and the music is just as great. I LOVE ramen. Went to Japan a couple years ago and basically only ate ramen, so I'm a tough critic. The ramen here is good, and definitely great for River North, but I prefer Wasabi in Logan Square over this place. The price is also pretty steep. I felt like I was paying for location rather than quality. I really enjoyed the Fried Chicken Ramen. Spicy, but a good spice. I recommend getting the chicken on the side because it gets soggy getting soaked in the broth. All in all, the food is 3.5 stars, but the overall experience of ramen + environment brings it up to 4 stars. Makes for a good first date spot. It's also a Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant, so you can collect points. Be sure to make a reservation. I've been here for both lunch and dinner and it can get packed.
(4)
Tiffany L.

Sorely disappointed. I had been craving ramen for a while, so I was quite excited for Ramen-san. However, I found the broth for the tonkotsu ramen too salty for my taste, and the taste of ginger ended up overpowering the pork bone broth taste. The noodles didn't fare better--they lacked the chewy texture that is characteristic of ramen noodles, and it almost seemed as if they came from a pack of instant ramen noodles. While the three pieces of chashu were thick and generously cut, they were both extremely fatty and extremely tough to chew. I did enjoy the pork belly bun, but found the price steep for the taste--I've definitely had better at Wasabi and Enso in Wicker Park/Logan Square area, and for a lower price. I walked out of Ramen-san unsatisfied and still hungry--both the ramen and the portion sizes were subpar, and needless to say, I will not be back.
(2)
Will N.

I happened by this cool spot by pure chance as I was walking to my meeting. I chose the lunch special and was pleased. I'll definitely go back next time I'm in town
(4)
Lily Z.

Ramen-san has been on my radar since before they opened. I'm a big fan of noodles and broth and hoped this would be better than my current favorite, Wasabi. We came on Friday and we ordered the duck buns (a little dry and heavy on the hoisin/plum sauce), he ordered the tonkatsu (good broth, nice flavors) and I ordered the spicy miso (not particularly spicy nor as good as the tonkatsu, broth tasted boring). I didn't even finish nor did I want to finish my bowl. I left feeling pretty disappointed. We were in an out in less than an hour? Not bad for 8PM on a Friday night without reservations. I'm not going to let that poor bowl of ramen get me down, I'll be back to try it again!
(3)
Hua W.

Ramen-San is located in the former Paris Club lounge in the River North neighborhood. It has a hip vibe, complete with a Pac-Man video arcade, Japanese beer, and ramen connoisseurs slurping away. It is open until midnight on the weekdays (which is late for Chicago). Ramen-San's ramen and its hot flavorful broth is one of my favorite winter comfort foods.
(4)
Grace C.

noodle was perfect. soup was good. We had pork shoulder ramen, which was special for that day, donkatu ramen, and ogonomee yaki which is Japanese pancake. Service was excellent. place was clean. They have side bar as well. Interesting thing is they have 10pm menu which is fried rice. they don't serve it before 10pm..=) I wanted to try it but couldn't wait that long. They do delivery as well. I am so glad I found this place and can't wait to go back there for another bowl of ramen noodle!
(4)
Katie K.

This is where I come when I'm craving ramen. It teases so good and our waiter was very attentive and friendly. Nice deco and environment in the restaurant. I would recommend this place!
(4)
Fuji J.

7 months later, my friends convinced me to give Ramen-san another chance, I decided to revisited Ramen-san for Toshokoshi (NYE). I had Tonkotsu ramen. Soup was much improved, right amount of oil and salt and noodles are good. My boyfriend had Kimchi & Fried Chicken ramen. Right amount of heat. We both had enough soup left after noodles were gone, so we ordered and split a Kaedama. I added kimchi in Tonkotsu, which was great idea. Good kimchi. I am still a little hesitated paying $14-15 for a bowl of ramen, and I prefer hotter soup (temprature) and harder noodles. But, for the improvement of soup and service, I give 4 starts. I would appreciate your continuous improvement and live up to the name of Ramen-san.
(4)
Carolyn G.

This week was my first visit to Ramen-san, and I was blown away by the experience. There were some slightly more private booted along the wall across from the bar, but the rest of the dining room was filled with communal tables that could easily fit a party of two or ten. We started the night off with two of their signature cocktails and the pork belly steamed buns. The pork belly was perfectly crisp, and the pickle slices and sauce really made them delicious on a whole other level. At $5 for just one bun, they might not be something I regularly order, but they taste like heaven. After deciding I probably could've just eaten 10 of the buns and been in food coma bliss, our ramen arrived, and I (having a small stomach capacity) was a little intimidated by the size of it. I ordered the special-duck ramen-and while I was thrown for a loop by the idea of duck confit meatballs, but I'm glad I went with it. The ramen beat me, so I ordered some extra noodles to take the rest of the broth home with me. While our waitress did a fantastic job of tempting is with dessert, we resisted and rolled our way out. All in all, 10/10, would go again.
(5)
Susan S.

We came here with our kids after ordering the pork shoulder bao I realized they are too spicy for my kids so I ordered another shiitake bao and asked the server to request it not spicy. However, we got the order and it's still spicy!! The pork bao was just okay too. I think overall the food was great but the service was just okay.
(3)
Sammy C.

The menu is wonderful. Ramen dishes with a non-traditional twist. Flavors and textures combine to create a delicious dining experience. The staff is friendly and the service is attentive without being too much. Our waitress was wonderful and helpful when trying to navigate the menu. It was much appreciated. The only negative was the volume of the music. Too loud for a small space, making it difficult to converse with our party. Despite this we will definitely be back for some of the best ramen we've had in a long while.
(4)
Kimberly K.

As Ramen in Chicago goes, this one is pretty solid. The traditional Tonkotsu broth, house-made noodles, and limited toppings are spot on to what you'd get in Japan. Not too many choices, just simple and tasty. I also like the Kimchi and Fried Chicken option. The cocktails seem like an after thought and are too sweet for me, so just go with a beer. That's more of a traditional way to eat Ramen anyway!
(3)
Christine H.

Definitely not the best ramen I've had, but it was a good dinner nonetheless. My friend and I came here on a Wednesday night after a shopping excursion on Michigan Ave. They sat us right away, and service was prompt. I got the Tonkotsu Ramen. The broth was kind of light compared to other tonkotsu ramen I've had. The noodles are NOT the nice handmade noodles you would find in other ramen shops, instead has a harder consistency to it. The good part about Ramen-San though is that you can have add-ins like egg and corn to your ramen, even if they weren't originally included. The decor has a rustic feel, but echoing other reviewers, definitely questionable music selection. I like it better than Slurping Turtle, so if you're looking for a ramen place in River North, you should definitely try this!
(3)
Joel G.

Enjoy this place for a bowl of slurping noodles. The apps are solid including the chicken wings and the asian buns. Decent sake selection and solid but small beer list. You really come here for the ramen and that's it. They serve late night so that comes in handy from time to time as well with food available till I beileve 2AM. Staff is attentive and friendly. You can improve your ramen by adding dumplings to it in my opinion. It is a bit salty so be prepared as you feel it the next day...I'm guessing it makes your hangover even better! Overall a good experience and fun place. Drunk and slurping noodles? how can you go wrong ;)
(3)
Jennifer C.

Lets see... From misplaced neko-cat displays to rap music...This place is the poseur of trendy ramen. Only come here if you think you can't go to chipotle or handle another sandwich lunch at pret a manger--but even then pret would be cheaper! I got the shiitake ramen ($13) and it was weak. By that I meant the mushroom pieces were small and seemed to resemble resoaked cardboard. The tofu that came on top of the ramen was cold to touch and clearly had just been cut out of the packaged tofu products. Not impressed. They could have braised them or fried the tofu on both sides to give it body and flavor. My boyfriend got the pork belly ramen ($15) in what they claimed to be a tonkatsu broth, but it really tasted more like a diluted miso soup. Despite getting extra pork belly (and extra egg) the pork chunks were tough, dry and flavorless. Each additional topping of half a "molten egg" costed $1. With extra fixings his ramen cost $19. Sorry bros the price for that is way too steep considering you didn't even marinate the outside of the soft boiled egg. This place is overpriced for the quality of food they're offering. You're better staving off ramen urges with store bought Nissan noodles or Marukan yakisoba.
(1)
Katie M.

Appetizers such as porky belly buns and wings are chalk full of bold Flavors. The kimchi fried chicken ramen bowl is super spicy but not too spicy you can't taste the bold Flavors in the veggies and broth. The daily ramen specials like the duck are by far my fave not too spicy either. The other regular ramen bowls need a bit more kick; maybe my taste buds are a bit numb after having such full Flavors from the apps but they seem a tad bland. Outside of that I highly recommend checking this place out.
(4)
Laila C.

Came with co-workers during lunch. Half got the lunch express, half of us got bowls of ramen. I got the tonkotsu and it took about 15 minutes to arrive. Timing here is find but the flavors are boring, boring and too sweet. I don't like they used chasao pork rather than braised pork belly. It made the whole bowl way too sweet. They put in FAR too much pickled ginger and overpowers everything else. There were only 2 pieces of bamboo. Overall, it's River North ramen. I didn't have very high expectations and it pretty much matched reality exactly. Won't be back for my $20 mediocre, 1.5 hr lunch any time soon.
(2)
Seher D.

Ramen is literally one of the main reasons I started eating pork. I was sick of going to Ramen Tatsu-Ya in Austin only on Sundays for their veggie ramen, was disappointed by the ramen at East Side King, and curiosity was building within me about the fragrant broth, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly, and that delicious runny egg that I had heard so much about. I then happened to go on a ramen binge. I first tried Wasabi, probably the best ramen I've ever had in my life, but I'll save that for another review. However, I was still craving more. I had heard that both High Five Ramen (amazing! also for another review) and Ramen-San opened in the same week, and a friend suggested that we go to the latter for dinner. I heard the word 'ramen' and was sold, even in 80 degree weather. Sadly, the tonkotsu ramen at Ramen-San was incredibly disappointing. Picture this: take a large black bowl and fill 1/4 of it with salt. Yes, pure salt. Then, add 3/4 cup of warm water. Stir. Add 2 cups of hot vegetable broth with 2 packets of pork seasoning. Stir until smooth and blended. Add sparse vegetables. Add burnt pork belly. Add a hard boiled egg. Don't forget to add in some MSG. And, voila! Yup, that was literally my meal. I left so disappointed, parched (and not because it was hot outside, that MSG/sodium took a toll on me and my stomach), and still hungry. The broth was so less-than-average and literally just tasted like a bowl of salt with some vegetable broth. There was absolutely no real/authentic pork flavor at all and I felt like I was eating a canned soup that was just heated up. With tax and tip, the ramen itself came out to about $19 - pricier than many other ramen establishments in Chicago. Save yourself some money and a horrible stomach ache, yelpers. Still craving the real Ramen-San experience? Do the following: go to Jewel, and find the generic version of canned pork soup/broth. Purchase the canned broth, Morton's 79 cent canister of salt, and bagged vegetable medley. Go home, take all ingredients and pour in a bowl. Enjoy!
(1)
Teri Y.

SO unimpressed. The broth was flat and I couldn't make out the flavors (we got the smoked brisket with black garlic ramen and shoyu ramen). The broth was more like flavored water instead of a result of hours and hours and hours boiling like what it's supposed to be. The noodle texture was not quite there either. I'm a little perplexed at how both Ramen-san and High Five get their noodle supply rom Sun Noodle manufacturer and yet High Five manages to prepare the noodles with a nice bite texture but Ramen-san does not. It all gets down to the skills of ramen making and Ramen-san lacks that.
(2)
Jon L.

Came here for lunch today and thoroughly enjoyed everything that I ate. I had the smoked brisket and burnt garlic ramen as my main meal and started with an appetizer of the pork belly mantou bun and shrimp and pork wontons with xo sauce. Ramen noodle quality was on point, perfectly springy and tender without being mushy or too hard. Broth was delicious and flavorful and the meat was fatty and tender. Nom. Shrimp and pork wontons were great, and I love the addition of the XO sauce (Hong Kong flavorings ftw!) My least favorite part was the pork belly mantou..maybe just compared to the delicious pork buns you get at pretty much any of the major ramen places in nyc (ippudo, totto, etc.),these ones just seemed a little meh. The bread was not as soft, the pork belly was not as tender, though the sauce was decent. Decor-wise, the place is chill and minimalist and a great place to just chill with friends. I would make reservations if you can as it does appear to get quite busy. A little pricier than what I'd like to normally pay for ramen (for two of us, we got 2 appetizers, 2 main meals, and two drinks, and it came out to almost 60). That being said, if you just got the ramen it'd be like 15 which is not completely unreasonable compared to other niceish ramen places. Would I come racing back to Chicago for this..probably not, but I'l definitely stop by if I'm in the area.
(4)
Kimberly L.

Ordered $14 shittake ramen+$1 'molten egg' (soft boiled). Awesome mushroom broth and toppings! Loved it all. Nori strips, shittake, pickled ginger, wakame, scallions, sesame seeds, bamboo shoots, and tofu. They boiled the egg perfectly but I feel ripped off without the other half since it wasn't marinated, I guess. Aside from that, this spot is a little underrated. My friend said the chashu slices were good--not too fatty & not too lean. Staff is down-to-earth and helpful.
(4)
Michael C.

Wonderful experience! It's rare that a staff works together with one focus, but we had multiple interactions with staff and you could tell they all had the same concern of making sure we had a great experience. The pork belly bun and gyoza dumplings were huge hits. The ramen was excellent, but the appetizers were standouts. Our waitress Marie was attentive, answered questions, made suggestions and interacted with us with a proper balance of focus. Never had to wait for service but never felt pushed or intruded upon. Best service we have received in a long time.
(5)
Nick I.

Stopped by for lunch on a Saturday. They were busy but we were able to sit down right away. Service is good but our food took longer than expected for a dish that is already cooked. I order the tonkotsu which I enjoyed. It has a heavy Chinese influence in the flavoring witch I wasn't expecting at all. The chashu was all Chinese. None the less I enjoyed it. My co-worked had the shio/salt flavored broth and he wasn't please at all. A little disclaimer here is that we are both Japanese so the expectation is different when eating your own cuisines. Also the chop sticks and dishes were Chinese which might explain the influence of the flavoring an perhaps the ethnicity of the owners or chef. What I enjoyed most other than my food was the music selection 90's and 00's hip hop. Thanks
(4)
Theresa M.

The fried chicken and kimichi ramen is by far the best ramen I've had and I love ramen! I love Pho as well. I would definitely recommend this trendy, chill place if that's the mood you're in , you will not be disappointed. Great music, great customer service (John was excellent), great vibe, and excellent food.
(5)
Evan C.

I give Ramen-san 3.5 stars. I went for dinner on a Monday night and made reservations via OpenTable just to be safe. We started with the Pork Belly and friend Chicken Mantou. It reminded me of the same dough that Wow Bao uses. I would say the pork belly was the best out of the two even though it was a little fatty. I also had an old fashioned to wash it down, which was delicious. Now on to the ramen... I would say this is a much fancier ramen compared to most which also suits the area of River North. We ordered the Kimchi & Fried Chicken and the Smoked Brisket & Burnt Garlic Ramen. The Fried Chicken ramen was very spicy so if can't stand a little burn don't order this. The Smoked Brisket Ramen was the best. The broth was phenomenal and the smoked brisket was just right. There were only 3 slices of brisket which they could scale up the portions. The ambiance was pretty trendy and cool. The music selection was random but on point as Biggie and Jay-Z came on. Also, the Bulls were on so they turned on the projectors which played on the exposed brick. Overall a great place, but pretty pricy for what you get, hence the 3.5 stars.
(4)
Howard L.

This is a hipster ramen stop on tony Hubbard St. Service was friendly and efficient, and it's probably a cool place to meet up with someone for a bite in the area. There's probably some communal dining when it gets busy judging by the table layouts. They also serve a lot of choices of Japanese whiskeys I noticed. The ramen is pricey as one might expect for the area. I had their smoked brisket and black garlic ramen for $15. Wife had the Tonkotsu chashu pork ramen for $14. Both were ok, and on slightly salty side, as most of these places seem to be for our tastebuds. Overall, an interesting venue to try for ramen and it is a LEY restaurant. They have only been in business since May, and apparently the adjacent Paris Club (also a LEY place) was shrunk down to make room for this business. Metered street parking on Hubbard is $4 per hour fyi.
(3)
Franklin M.

We were excited to try this place since it was part of the LEYE group of restaurants but it was quite disappointing. Starter: Mantou pork belly buns - soft and creamy but overpriced at $5/bun. This was the highlight of our meal though. Main course: Tonkotsu ramen - this is a very simple dish with noodles, pork broth, half a molten egg and three pieces of pork. This has been well reviewed on here but most people submitting positive reviews probably have never tried authentic, delicious ramen before. This certainly does not meet those standards. The $14 price point is also high for the quality you receive but considering the area, it is reasonable. Dessert: Sesame and candy cane ice cream cones. For $3.50 each, these were not worth it nor were they delicious. We went here for lunch and it was about 70% empty at noon on NYE. The service was OK with my cup of water sitting empty for quite a while until I asked for more, but the food came out very fast. If you're looking for good ramen, go somewhere else. Unfortunately, the choices are quite slim in this area, though Slurping Turtle just down the street from here is a slightly better alternative.
(3)
Harry P.

Michelle, really? This is your second ramen place in the city and you ask the chef to add extra heat and complain now that it's not what you expected? Let me guess, you're the same customer who asks steak to be cooked medium to med rare to medium well? Give me a break. Judging by your limited experience with ramen places in the city, you should really visit more places that serve ramen before putting your two cents in. Also, don't bother to get ramen elsewhere, just like you said it yourself you can do it better at home. So do chefs a favor, stay home, and spend 24 hours making ramen, by then I'm sure you'll give up after finding out that even your own cooking is not up to your "standards" I am convinced that more than half of these reviewers on yelp have no idea what they are talking about when it comes to rating ramen. I've eaten at quite a few ramen places in the city and the suburbs including: Oiistar, Misoya, and Strings. However, Ramen-San is in its own league in terms of taste, quality, and presentation. The overall ambience of the place exudes swag, the dÃ©cor, music, and projectors make it a sociable atmosphere. We were promptly seated and the server was very helpful with questions we had regarding the menu. I ordered the Tonkotsu ramen, a creamier pork broth served with braised pork shoulder. In terms of taste, this is by far the most delicious broth I have tasted from all the places I've eaten ramen. The layers of flavor are spot on. What threw me off was the dried garlic chips garnished on top of the plate. The dish exudes Umami and I was pleased that the noodles mimicked the noodles of traditional ramen. The seasoning of the broth was spot on, not too salty. I've been searching, searching, and searching.... And I am convinced, that I had found one of the best ramen places in the city. For ramen lovers, stop in and grab a bite. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Vikki Y.

I've been to Slurping Turtle and I was in the mood for Tonkatsu. I decided to try Ramen-san because it's down the street and the decor and tall tables made it seem like the ideal place for some Asian comfort food post work. I've had yummy Tonkatsu before- where the broth is creamy and the noodles are that perfect texture of chewy, yet fine. I was craving Tonkatsu and my sister and I went by and ordered our noodles. Three stars because although the service was really good- the waitress was friendly and our plates were brought out on time- the Tonkatsu was subpar. What I did not like was that it was too salty. I actually had to ask them to remake it- which the waitress did- minus the sauce (that they put into the broth). The result was noodles with a super gingery-flavor- and I dislike ginger! 15 dollars for noodles was not worth it, either. To be honest, I would've been happier with my 2.99 instant Ramen Bowl from H-mart.
(3)
JT L.

Ate there last night, szechuan wings and the kimchi n fried chicken ramen. First off, the manager was great. Checked in with me on the meal, sincere and focused on making sure I was enjoying my meal... and I told her the wings were kinda bad, cooked fine but the sauce, seasoning and oil were not good even after dipping it in the ranch side. She said it was a love it or hate it kind of dish. I enjoyed the ramen, would definitely eat it again which is my version of 3 stars.
(3)
K W.

Limited menu but good food and quick service. A great place for quick fix of hunger with good food.
(4)
Lu Y.

Finding good ramen in downtown Chicago is very rare. Thankfully, Ramen-san has opened up shop on Hubbard St., and it's open late night along with lunch on weekdays! I've been there about 15 times since it's been open, and this is what I think: Ambience: For lunch, it's a nice place to meet a friend or coworker. The noise level is pretty low, and it isn't super crowded (it could get a little bit crowded on Friday lunch though). For dinner, this place is absolutely hopping! It gets packed and they have some loud music playing. The decor is pretty modern, making this place a perfectly decorated ramen restaurant. Service: Quick and efficient, yet you feel like you've been taken care of. Great staff! Food: I've had all the ramens, and they are all really good except for the vegetarian, which should be a bit more flavorful. They use Tokyo wavy noodles made by Sun Noodle, and these are honestly the best in the country! The meat-based broths are filled with flavor, and the bowls are filled with meat, noodles and other veggies! The apps are all delicious, and the drinks are pretty refreshing here. For lunch, they have a fantastic lunch deal that will keep you coming back. It consists of a large half a bowl of ramen, a salad, a rice dish with meat (salmon, chicken or steak), and kimchi all for just $15 =) Tip: Ask for the punch card - get the 10th ramen free =) LOVE Ramensan!
(5)
Masanori I.

The variety of Japanese whisky is real and I found Ichiro from Chichibu that is very rare to get even I am citizen of Saitama prefecture. As for Japanese wine, the variety is less than whisky. If dassai is ready, then it becomes better. With respect of ramen, it is acceptable level as Japanese. If ramen is served much hot temperature, it must be good
(1)
Karma K.

Let's start with their libations, shall we? They have a cilantro lime margarita. Heaven. They also make a mean Singapore Sling. OMG, I got drunk off of a few of these at my sister's wedding back in 1983. They get a few stars just for having that on their cocktail menu. The ramen and other offerings are decent but they try way too hard to be cool and cute. I like their ramen and I know the pay rent in pricy River North but a bowl of ramen with shitake shrooms and tofu shouldn't cost close to $15.
(4)
Elizabeth E.

Coming from a girl who loves her ramen noodles but is really only familiar with the kind in the orange packet at the grocery store... Went here for lunch and was really impressed. I had the express lunch special which consisted of a half bowl of ramen (which is MORE than enough), a small side of white rice with either chicken, salmon or steak (I had salmon), kimchi & a small side salad. All in, this was $15 plus any extras you might want to add- kind of a high ticket item for lunch but granted it's a ton of food. You could honestly split it with a friend if it wasn't socially unacceptable to share soup. We also split some of the buns - we had the mushroom & fried chicken ones - Fried Chicken was the best thing I have literally ever tasted... so soft and so much flavor. I'd skip the mushroom one in the future and literally eat fried chicken & soup. I will certainly go back, probably a bit too heavy for lunch IMO but on a cold winter night? bring it.
(4)
Allan C.

This place was pretty good. But honestly, the tonkatsu ramen was reminiscent of this instant tonkatsu ramen my cousin brings back on a regular basis. One big plus, however, was that they delivered through GrubHub complete with notifications that they started working on it and that it's out for delivery. Each ramen order came with two containers: a broth contain and a "stuff" container. The Stuff container came all nice and pretty - also came with pickled ginger, which I'm going to have to ask to be left out next time. The stuff container was also paper, which the wife's hippie side approves of, but unfortunately, the noodles sort of stuff to the bottom a bit. It wasn't something a little jiggering with chopsticks couldn't help after pouring the broth into it. The pork belly could have been more tender, the broth could have been a bit less salty, and man that pickled ginger was pretty annoying. Otherwise, solid ramen delivery is pretty awesome in and of itself, and the delivery process was great. I'd definitely be ordering from this place again.
(3)
J P.

great food! had the special duck and green curry. spicy and crispy with corn textures on perfect ramen noodles! great service and the bun appetizers were hot! loved it will be back
(5)
Yuko V.

We had Sumo and Tonkotsu. Tonkotsu soup was good. This restaurant is overally overpriced. Sumo costs $18!! I'm will try other ramen place next time.
(3)
Ryan F.

Love it. Ramen-san is one of my favorite restaurants downtown. I went here with some friends for dinner and although we didn't even notice our food wasn't out yet, the manager apologized for the wait and took care of our bills plus gave us a round of shots. Great food and service!
(5)
Couri T.

I have always enjoyed myself here. Staff and food is of good quality. Some bartenders are more attentive than others. I'm not sure who's watching the details. The paper menus are getting really horrible. I usually stop by on Tuesdays but tonight it was Monday and there's a farmers market dinner going on tonight. Overall good night here.
(4)
J P.

The atmosphere was electric!! I was stoked. I sat at the bar and, was let down immediately. The bartender was very inattentive. That's ok I thought the food will be good. I order a water so I would have time to look at the menu. He seemed very annoyed. I looked over the menu and order the only draft beer they had to offer. It was good. When I could get his attention I I asked some advice on the ramen, since that is what I came for. Again he seemed agitated. Ok maybe he had a bad night or other personal issues. I can get passed that. Then the food. I got the misso ramen. Was so excited. Temperature cold noodles not cooked all the way through. Flavor gets a 5!!!! Great flavor. Not sure I will ever come back. It will take more than Luke warm ramen and a MUCH BETTER BARTENDER!!! forgot to mention I had to get my own napkin and chopsticks. If you read my profile I travel for a living and this is my first 1 star. If you get bartender Trenton good luck.
(1)
Tian Y.

OOF. Tough call on the rating. First the ramen: 3 stars, if i'm being generous. The broths are pretty average. Not much depth and the flavor is really ...idk, boring? Like even if it's not delicate and rich it could be comforting, but this was neither. Not worth the city prices you have to pay... And the toppings for each broth seem kind of random to me and aren't interchangeable. For example, the shoyu doesn't come with meat randomly, and char siu is only with the tonkotsu broth, unless you pay $4 to add extra (and no swapping wtf). Tiny portions, too. But 4 stars is for the really nice ambiance and decor, and great service. They got slammed on labor day and speed of the kitchen and quality suffered, and so did service (waiters nowhere to be found for a while, food took forever, one bowl was so ridiculously salty that I sent it back for the second time in my life ever). However, the restaurant was extremely understanding, the manager was apologetic, and went to every table to make sure we left on a happy note. If you live in the area (like within walking distance), go for some convenient food in a good atmosphere - especially LATE NIGHT FRIED RICE and their late hours. But in this area, Slurping Turtle wins hands down.
(4)
Tina N.

Nice and modern place. It's simply yet efficient. I had the tonkotsu ramen and I loved it! A little pricey for a bowl of ramen, but it's expected since its smack in the middle of downtown and a 8 min walking distance from the hotel. They close at midnight, which is perfect for a late night meal!
(5)
Sarah M.

hey, ramen-san. you're pretty terrific! went with a girlfriend on a friday after work. got there around 530pm, had reservations, place was still fairly empty (but cautionary tale, it was definitely packed before we finished our meal). as a vegetarian, ramen can be tricky. as a vegetarian that does not like mushrooms very much, ramen is VERY tricky. but ramen-san, you were delightful. i had the (only) vegetarian friendly bowl, shiitake mushroom based. color me delighted, i didn't think it was very mushroom-y! service was super friendly - both our server and another employee chatted us up, asked us our opinion, and were very friendly. drink menu was great. only thing i would like to see are perhaps more vegetarian add-in options. pro tip - if any of the specials or any other bowls have add-in options that you think would be nice in your bowl, they likely can add it to your bowl as well!. one of the specials that night had pea shoots, which they were able to add to my bowl (and were a great addition). overall, great atmosphere, good food, friendly service... just make a reservation on the weekends for sure. would go back!
(4)
Heather C.

I ate here twice within 24 hours. Yes, it's good.
(5)
Melissa G.

Pork Belly Mantou Bun. Order it! SO DELISH! I have been here and ordered out a few times. The Ramen is good. Spicy at times but always flavorful, but those Buns!!!!!!! YUM!!!!!
(5)
Erwin M.

It happened to be a cold and windy day when my wife and I happened to walking along Hubbard St when we observed a ramen eatery before us. This seemed like the "perfect" meal for a late lunch in order to warm our bodies. When entering Ramen-san, the up-scale and trendy ambiance is immediately apparent. The music is a mix of hip-hop and urban soul which decibel level is a bit more than I would like as I eat a meal. Being from the greater Los Angeles county area, I've had my experiences of some excellent Ramen shops but none have the music as loud as if I'm at a Biggie Smalls concert. My wife ordered the Tonkotsu and I went for the Sumo Bowl with the pork broth. About 15 minutes later the bowls arrived: We immediately noticed the temperature of both broths were luke warm at best. I am used to the broth being ABOVE a temperature of faucet water that I would shave and wash my face; it doesn't make it bad, just different. There is no need to blow the soup for it is ready for consumption straight from the bowl. Mine did not come with the stated molten egg, but I digress. Upon first swallow of the Sumo Bowl, I am immediately hit with a combination of complex flavors. The most powerful of flavor emanating from the smokiness of the beef brisket. All items in the bowl (the noodles and charshu) become immersed in the flavor of the smoke. The tenderness of the brisket is top notch and practically melted in my mouth before I could chew it; very good. The charshu was equally as tender with a hint of sweetness on the outer edges. The noodles were made to perfection with right amount of chewiness. There is a bit of spiciness as the flavors linger on your palette. As I look back on it, I wish I could've had all the items in the bowl in separate vessels as not to mix them all together. Perhaps I could've appreciated each item better individually as opposed having the brisket dominate every facet of the ramen. It doesn't make it bad, just different. Overall, my experience at Ramen-san is of positive notes. The flavors of my ramen were intense and pleasant. The aspects of high-quality ramen are in the bowl but the experience is indeed an alternate to what I'm used to. The amount of meat in the bowl is not shy and you definitely get your money's worth. Ramen-san has some very positive influences in their food and I hope I get a chance to experience other items on my next visit.
(3)
Lynette H.

My husband and I went for the first time last night. Takes reservations! I love places that take reservations!! We ordered the buns, one of each. The pork belly was my favorite and my husband really enjoyed the fried chicken bun. I ordered a cocktail, I think it was called Hisato San? I totally spelled that wrong-- but it was delicious! ( and only $9! Amazing) My husband ordered the Singapore Sling. So good too. I ordered the Tonkotsu and my husband ordered a ramen with brisket. We were very please. The service was great and the ambiance was very nice. We will definitely come back.
(5)
Rachel C.

Love this place! My boyfriend and I go every other week. Huge fan of the decor, hip hop music everything from cocktails, noodles, and desserts-if you can find the energy order dessert! River North Must
(5)
Kat G.

My husband and I ordered take out from Ramen-san. This was our first brush with the restaurant but not with ramen. I studied abroad in Japan, visited many different noodle shops, I know me some good ramen.... Anyways, ramen is starting to become a new trend in Chicago but it seems as though this place may have missed the mark. We ordered the ton-kotsu and the brisket ramens. Noodles didn't seem like they were freshly made, if they were, they just weren't anything special for the price they charge. I appreciated the ginger in the ton-totsu but that's not exactly what I was looking to find. I couldn't put my finger on it other than it just didn't taste authentic. It tasted more like an upscale version of boxed ramen with chives, green onions, and nuts. It was almost like the chef was confused and started to make pad thai but then took a different direction and added broth to make "ramen." It just wasn't what I was expecting when I order a tonkotsu. The brisket was worse. The noodle situation was the same, nothing special. But the broth was so smokey it was unpalatable. I felt like I was drinking liquid smoke and just had to stop eating it. On a bright note: pick-up service was good, we got our order at the 30 minute promise time, they gave us utensils, but the ramen was just so underwhelming I couldn't give it more than 2 stars. I'm still on a hunt to find "the ramen spot" in Chicago (high five is next on my list of places to try) but with Slurping Turtle only being the next block over, Ramen-san has some catching up to do as far as authenticity and flavor for the top dollar price.
(2)
Marshall R.

Loved it. I grew up in Japan and this took me back to the Ramen shops there. Comfort food.
(5)
Dennis R.

I stopped in a few weeks ago on a Saturday night craving ramen from somewhere I haven't been to yet. Ramen-san did not disappoint. Coming here was a last minute decision so I did not see this was listed as not wheelchair accessible on Yelp, but there are ways around that. There is a step you can be bumped-up but if you are in a power chair you can cut through the neighboring restaurant and a kitchen to get it. The next obstacle is seating, most of which are tall bar tables but they have tables along the wall you may be able to squeeze into. Special thanks to David Lestock for his assistance. As per usual we ordered a few things. David asked if we were interested in an off-menu dish that the chef came up with, a pig ear and tofu item that seemed Asian/Greek fusion and came out wonderfully. We also tried the pekin duck and pork belly buns and to our surprise we preferred the duck. It was moist and flavorful wile the pork belly fell flat a bit. The cocktails like their take on the Singapore Sling and Margarita were good but the sake bomb I had was so refreshing I could have ordered those all night. When it came to the ramen I ordered the tonkotsu with fried garlic and shrimp wontons. It was pretty damn good, though not necessarily the best in the city. What makes this place a ramen competitor though is the extras you can add or the noodle refill for $2.50, of which I would have gotten if the appetizers hadn't pushed me over the edge of being full. Make sure this place is on your list if you enjoy sampling ramen joints around the city.
(4)
Alexandra A.

A little pricey due to the Ramen hype going around but it is delicious and the vibe inside the place is cool. They're always playing some 80s-90s hiphop, they have Asahi on draft to drink with your meal, and theres a table at the far left where you can play Galaga while you wait for your food. The smoked brisket ramen with garlic is my favorite - such a rich flavor. They have a late night fried rice (the featured meat and mixings change every week) that you can order after 10pm and they're open til 1 on weekends, so this is a solid option if you're hungry and not out too late and in the area. The hamachi appetizer is pretty good - they use the shoulder of the yellowtail - the tastiest part! And the fried chicken mantou bun comes with this horseradish sauce that has me ordering it every time.
(4)
Jessica L.

Great service, great noodles, broth was a little too rich for me but overall still really good. The broth (at least to me) would have been better if it was cut with a cup of hot water to mellow the flavors a bit but like I said, still good! The texture of the noodles were great though. The Sumo bowl is huge so share it! You can also get extra noodles for only a few dollars. The buns were okay, kind of pricey. We also had the fish collar which was good.
(4)
Li T.

We tried out this place last Friday night. I ordered the spicy miso ramen which was very delicious! My boyfriend even got a refill for his ramen. The duck in a bun (forgot the exact name) was worth trying too! I would definitely recommend this place to my friends!
(5)
Rebecca R.

So, my friends dishes could maybe get 4 stars, but I am going to go on my meal. Being confident, I ordered the spicy miso option and ended up being pretty bummed. It was so hot, which I typically enjoy, but this was mean hot. Like so hot that the cook in back meant to challenge people who think they can handle 'hot'. I lived in South Korea for a year and feel like I can really slurp down a bowl of some spicy stuff, but this just made me angry. I needed like 5 napkins to wipe the sweat off my face. The flavor wasn't even enjoyable. To try to cool off my mouth I tried my friends who ordered a few other ramen dishes and they had some more complex flavors that I appreciated. Poor ordering on my part, but I feel like that dish should have more flavor and less punch in the face spice. The buns and tostadas on special were okay. I did, however, really enjoy my cilantro-lime margarita. If I were reviewing that, it would get 5 starts. So, go, try it for yourself. If you feel like being brave and ordering the spicy miso, go when it's not 100 degrees outside and be sure someone orders something different so you can cool your mouth off.
(3)
mei s.

We came here for lunch on a weekday as it just opened. By the time we left, it was pretty full. I ordered the kimchi and fried chicken and paid an extra dollar for half an egg. Overall, I enjoyed it and for where it is, it's not bad. It was just spicy enough and the broth was good. However, for $17 though, I could do better at Ramen Misoya, but then again, that's out in Mt. Prospect. I am happy that Chicago is finally getting on the band wagon for ramen.
(3)
Barbara B.

The kimchi and fried chicken ramen is the most flavorful ramen I have ever had. Usually I add a ton of spices to my ramen but this did not need anything extra. It was spicy and perfect. I'm still thinking about this ramen and wondering when I can get it again! Unfortunately it was also the most expensive ramen I've ever had at $16. This place has a very hip vibe with loud music. A fun party atmosphere. We showed up on a Friday night without a reservation and had to wait for a bit. This was annoying because there were a ton of empty tables (the restaurant was only 2/3 full) but they said those were reserved. This seemed to be a theme that night as there were always empty tables and a bunch of people waiting at the entrance. They have long communal tables that are not my favorite and the seats were benches without backs (also not my favorite). I had the hot toddy to drink which was great for the cold weather with the addition of ginger and sesame oil. I would definitely get this again but it was pricy at $11. Go get the kimchi and fried chicken ramen with a hot toddy! Just brings lots of cash.
(4)
Patty C.

I visited this place twice now, and I'm pretty sure I would go again. That's a pretty good sign as I don't really tend to repeat places. The first time there I had their special Alaskan king crab curry ramen. It was good, but the curry was so overpowering that I could barely taste the crab. The second time I stuck to the basics. I ordered their tonkostu ramen with buttered corn. It was very tasty, and the portion was just right with 3 slices of charsiu (pork belly). I also had their pork belly bun and Thai spicy wings apps. Both were good, but for the pork belly buns, I think I like Oiistar's better. Overall, the food is solid, the service is friendly, and the atmosphere is cool.
(3)
Matthew W.

I'm a big Lettuce Entertain You fan, and find that, generally, the Melman brothers do an excellent job of capturing the spirit of a given cuisine. A series of three locales run by the LEYE empire anchor a block of Hubbard Street, and Ramen-san is the newest addition to the mix. I stopped in last night to try it out, a month after its opening. Japanese food is having a renaissance in the U.S. and in Europe right now...I've had some pretty mean udon and ramen samplings from Barcelona to Lost Angeles in the recent past, and Ramen-san is on par with some of the best. The service was prompt and polite, and my waitress steered me toward the vegetarian shiitake ramen. It was delicious, with equal parts spice and sweetness that balanced well together. The highlight, though, was the very high quality noodles swimming around in the bowl. They were incredibly well textured and had just the right amount of sturdiness to hold up against the broth. I would definitely order the same thing again. The space is quite pleasant, casual, and clean: the restaurant's seating arrangements are varied (bar areas, communal tables, booths for groups and smaller tables for more intimate meals. Overall the ambience is relaxed, simple, and comfortable. I'd give Ramen-san 5 stars if it weren't for the awful music, which with its "urban" beats and wacko rhymes (and loud volume) were a bit too forward and out of place at this spot. The noise made me miss out on what would otherwise be an absolutely perfect ramen dinner. Despite the racket, I hope to be back to enjoy Ramen-san again soon.
(4)
Shaz K.

Perfect comfort food on a snowy afternoon. Ordered kimchee and fried chicken ramen which was so delicious. A little bit on the spicy side compared to other ramen. Service is really good. I would go back for ramen fix any time.
(4)
Rebekah L.

To be fair to Slurping Turtle, this place is also overpriced. Again, Chicago is new to the Ramen Crazy Train, so this is a hot commodity right now that anyone can interpret how they choose and charge a boat load for it. Their cocktails are also expensive but mine tasted like alcohol, the bartender was wicked nice and he found me a band-aid when the bar's coat hooks sliced my finger open. Also, music way better. Tonkatsu ramen was pretty legit- it satisfied the craving I had since we left NYC and northern New Jersey, but it wasn't perfect. The eggs were cooked well, but the meat was a bit chewy and needed to cook longer. Noodles were justttt a tad overcooked, but I also didn't specify how I wanted them. I'm still waiting for Ippudo to come rescue Chicago.
(3)
Shambavi K.

We had the sumo bowl of ramen. It was pricy for not so authentic ramen. It was easily shareable given the portion. We also got the octopus which was smaller appetizer than anticipated. Overall we enjoyed our drinks and the atmosphere was energetic. I certainly liked the cilantro lime margarita. Our server was helpful and knowledgeable as well.
(3)
Anna S.

This is place is the epitome of midwestern hospitality!!!!!!! Although the ramen was o-k, could have been piping hot instead of luke-warm and the sake could have be written in phonetic english from Japanese because Otokoyama isn't the same "woodpecker" when describing a type of sake. BUT THE SERVICE WAS GREAT! We were quoted 20 mins for a table so we had a can of sake and waited, no biggie. But after 40 mins we just decided to leave bc we just didn't want to wait anymore. That being said, the GM called me the next day saying the hostess informed her we left bc of the wait ended being longer than expected and offered us a gift card (that we never picked up bc we were on a tight schedule). That was ABOVE AND BEYOND than we have ever experienced and they really know what customer service is. Thanks!
(3)
Annalise F.

I've tried most of the ramen places in the city and this one is probably the least impressive. Portions were small for the price. The shiitake ramen was ok, the broth by itself was extremely sweet. Probably wouldn't go back, especially with Slurping across the street
(3)
Maxie H.

I discovered this restaurant while looking at the reviews for the Slurping Turtle, which is located right across the street. This restaurant is far superior than the Slurping Turtle. My fiance and I came on a Friday night around 6 PM and were seated right away. We were immediately wooed by their soothing music and the fact that we didn't have to share a table with 10 other people. We ordered the tuna tartar, Duck curry ramen and Tofu ramen. The Tuna Tartar is hands down relish. It's one of the best ones we've ever tried. The Duck curry ramen broth was perfection with just the right amount of heat. However, my fiancÃ© and I both agree that the portion of protein in both ramen was mediocre and quite lacking. This might just be our go to ramen.
(4)
Christina L.

They just added lunch special and are now open for Saturday lunch. - we didn't know but we came and had a good experience. Pork ramen noodles with salmon rice/donkatsu rice with
(4)
Eileen L.

Coming from the 626/La area, I've had more than my fair share of ramen so I feel like my review might be biased. I've come here twice and both times I didnt leave with a smile and thinking "Damn, that was a friggen good meal!". The Interior looks pretty swanky, all dark and cool-looking. not too much seating, so you might have to wait if you come during busy hours. you can wait by the bar (not a lot of seats, but still. alcohol = win), or you can give them your number and they will let you know when your table is ready. One ding though---if you're going to decorate it so nicely and make it seem so fancy, why do you have disposable wooden chopsticks??? Service is a 4, quick and attentive. The shrimp and pork wontons here are actually pretty good, 5's across the board. the sauce it comes with is great and with a little bit of chili oil from the side of the table, yum! The ramen on the other hand, does not impress. I've gotten the spicy miso and the fatty pork shoulder (special). the meat doesn't have a nice, chewy, slightly-creamy texture that I would prefer, and the broth is a little lacking and too oily. But take this all with a grain of salt because I am a ramen fanatic from la. The noodles were cooked perfectly though, very "Q" and bouncy. I will say that I enjoyed this ramen better than slurping turtle though. Slurping turtle's ramen seemed too westernized and at Ramen-san I can at least taste their effort I was debating between a 3 and a 4, but since this place is "ramen-san" instead of "wonton-san", I have to give it a 3. Sorry, Ramen-san, you are way too poppin for a place with mediocre ramen. if you were a wonton house, I'd understand the hype. Or people in the loop are deprived and you are the next best thing
(3)
Stefanie A.

Saw good reviews in one of the Chicago magazines and was in the mood for this so we decided to check it out this past weekend. First off I love how small and casual it is! Reminds me of fast food but GOOD fast food. Their bar is great too. I ordered the Singapore sling and husband got the margarita one (forgot the name). Both delicious! Very tropical. If you like gin- you'll love the Singapore sling! I ordered the shoyu and husband got the spicy miso. Both were delicious but omg- spicy miso was almost TOO spicy! The red pepper bits in it were sometimes hard to avoid and when swallowed- it felt like fire going down my throat! Don't get me wrong- we like spicy food but this was a bit too much. After we left it didn't take long to feel the ramen after effect....both of us said how our blood pressure must be through the roof! Seriously the veins in my hands and arms were about to pop out, and my feet were so swollen! Yikes. Ramen san- you are delicious but is all the sodium necessary?
(4)
Adam W.

Came away from Ramen-san really liking the drinks & ambiance but the food was just alright (ok, we'll say above average)... Had the Shrimp & Pork wontons (which were alright), the tuna appetizer (probably the best thing there) and the shiitake ramen (heavy umami, but not a whole lot of actual mushrooms in my bowl). Drinks were very good - definitely try the yuzu sake & the cilantro-lime margarita. Would come back for drinks / happy hour, but High 5 does a better ramen bowl in my opinion.
(3)
Magda Z.

Continuing our Ramen quest all over the city I was curious to try this place out. I stalked the Yelp reviews and was ready to order my ramen extra hot and went in without judgement. My bf and I went on Friday night for a dinner date. Our table was ready with in minutes and the atmosphere was super cute, with a mix of 90's music playing in the back ground. We started off with a couple of drinks and got the fried chicken and pork belly buns. They are great to split and both completely amazing. The pork belly was super crispy and the fried chicken had a great sauce to accompany it! Moving on to the ramen - I got the spicy miso minus the ground pork. After reading reviews about the ramen being served luke-warm I asked for it to be piping hot. It was good, but not the best ramen I've had. Piping hot for them must mean just on the border of "hotish". My bf got the smoked brisket and burnt garlic ramen. His was much better than mine. It was served warm, which is the way he likes his soups so that was fine with him. The brisket was cooked to perfection and had a super smokey flavor.... The reason I give only 2 starts to this place was the fact that after we left I felt that I had eaten a gallon of salt for my meal. This was definitely the oiliest and saltiest ramen I've had. We both felt so bloated after and both felt like our ramens didn't have any distinct flavor to them, just saltiness, and for that reason probably wont be back here.
(2)
Donnie D.

Another LEYE hit!! The food was delicious and I haven't eaten ramen like that...ever :) I had the tofu and shiitake dish that was so good! I added the molten egg on too as it should be added to every dish. Can't wait to go back and try more! As always..customer service was perfect. Every LEYE is my home away from home!
(5)
Quynh N.

Had the Mazeman special and it was out of this world! Wide noodles cooked on a palm sugar butter with a little bit of broth at the bottom. Included shiitake, asparagus and very tender wagyu beef. Perfect salty and sweet balance.
(5)
steve h.

Fantastic ramen with reasonable prices and a great atmosphere. The music they play (90's-00's hip hop) is always on point. A bit lacking in the drinks selection. For special occasion ramen I'd suggest Slurping Turtle, but for your everyday ramen fix this is the spot.
(4)
Christine C.

Pretty delicious ramen but on the pricier side. I'm spoiled with cheap & good ramen in LA. I'm a huge fan of the vibe here. Great music selection, though I know that wouldn't be a make or break element for most patrons. The service was excellent & our waiter was super accommodating with our bill.
(4)
Richard O.

Ordered delivery from here on an app and it took them more than an hour and a half to put some noodles in a plastic bowl and send it a few miles away. Most of the noodles were stuck to the bottom of that bowl. I basically paid $15 for broth that tasted like a powdered cube dissolved in luke warm water. Searching for a decent ramen shop, and ill have to let you know when i find one another day.....
(1)
Danny W.

Ramen is slowly catching on in Chicago. Ramen-San is down the street from another well know ramen place on Hubbard. It was a very cold day so I decided to warm up with nice bowl of ramen. Nothing special about the dÃ©cor it was pretty minimal. It was early evening on a Thursday and the place was packed. I was solo on this trip so I managed to get a seat at the bar. They have a full bar with several selections of sake and Japanese whiskey. I started with some hot sake. I also had the fried chicken and a pork belly bun and the tonkatsu ramen with extra noodles. The broth was good and the noodles firm just like I like. Both the chicken and pork belly buns were great! Ramen-San is very good and I am a fan. Being from NY Ramen-San could rival some of the places there.
(4)
Kathy S.

Like many others have said, this place was just okay. I went there twice and both times, the food was mediocre to me. I don't care much for their ramen at all and if I had to choose, I would just stick to the appetizers as for the most part they were good. My favorite was the fried chicken bun...taste just like chicken katsu! The eel and foie gras dish was surprisingly disappointing (seemed like there was SO much potential for it). I do love the music they play but it would have been nice if it wasn't as loud as my friends and I had trouble hearing each other at times.
(3)
Mike W.

This place is physically on the smaller side, some of the tables are communal so if that isn't your thing ask for a booth but it may take a little longer to be seated. To start I was early so I hung out at the bar, which has maybe 10 seats total, so it's some prime real estate. I had their cold blasted beer and I though it was good but nothing to write home about. It did do the trick after about 4 thought. I think we had some sort of chicken wing appetizer (maybe-- the beers gets in the way). But I do remember they disappeared quickly so they must have been really good. As an entrÃ©e I had the kimchi and fried chicken ramen with pork belly. The ramen was great, nice robust noodles cooked perfectly. The broth was VERY spicy, I kinda wasn't expecting this. I usually eat kimchi at Korean joints and think nothing of it, but this was much spicier than expected. Again it was good but just a warning. For dessert I had the black sesame mochi and it was not my favorite, think of mealy ground up sesame seeds covered in a gooey flavorless shell. It just needed something, maybe some sugar. The best past was the coconut milk they were served in. All in all I would certainly go back!
(4)
Karen D.

The atmosphere and the ambiance were great. Came here on a Sunday night without a reservation, but they had a table to fit five of us. Very friendly service. The spicy ramen was spicy!!!- but so delicious and authentic. I also highly recommend the brisket and the kimchi-- loved the brisket broth. Pretty great ramen spot for river north!!
(4)
Miranda L.

For a major city, Chicago's ramen options are a little lackluster - there's not much comparison to be made between the Second City's establishments and, say, NYC's Ippudo/Totto, or LA's Daikokuya. But after reading about how the restauranteurs/chefs embarked on a research trip to Japan to draw inspiration for Ramen-San's food, drink, & decor, I couldn't help but get really excited that maybe this would be the real deal. So, is it? The short answer is no - while it's a fine meal that's sure to please long-standing LEYE patrons, Ramen-San may not be enough to satisfy those who have been spoiled by truly outstanding ramen shops. That said, however, Ramen-San does bring some unique flavors & offerings to the local scene - and, in my opinion, manages to hold its own. ----- The Details: DECOR: Ramen-San is all about high table tops & a 'rustic chic' atmosphere - and by that, I mean that you should expect clean wooden decor in slightly dim lighting. The vibe is cool, but pretty low key - you can have conversations without any difficulty at all, for instance - and I really appreciated the understated atmosphere. (Would make for a great no-pressure date place!) FOOD: - Pekin(g) Duck Bun: It's a quirk of my personal taste that the item I enjoyed most at Ippudo was its pork buns - so I was immensely looking forward to these. The buns all come in single servings (i.e. you buy one at a time), and we settled on the duck. Unfortunately, this didn't impress me very much. For one, the bun/meat ratio wasn't the best (not enough meat!); and for another, I was hoping for a little more flavor. It was nicely crispy, though! - Smoked Brisket & Black Garlic: We asked the waitress to recommend two of the seven available ramen choices, and this was the first she suggested. I had never before had brisket in my ramen, so I was curiously excited for the fusion. The noodles had an amazing consistency (i.e., I really liked how 'bouncy' they were, for the lack of a better term), and the brisket was tender and matched the noodles pretty well. Curiously enough, though, I felt like there were too many flavors in the bowl - and also not enough broth. Yeah, yeah, I know - not ENOUGH broth? I'm admittedly one of the weird ones who drinks nearly all of the unhealthily salty ramen broth ... but my noodles at Ramen-San started getting lonely 3/4ths of the way through. As for the too many flavors comment - that comes from the fact that there were a handful of various ingredients (many with strong flavor profiles, like garlic), which didn't quite seamlessly blend in together with everything else. - Kimchi & Fried Chicken Ramen: This was the other ramen the waitress recommended, and my roommate got it. I didn't taste it, since I have an embarrassingly low tolerance for spice (be warned: it's spicy!), but according to my roommate, she liked my ramen better. - Vanilla & Black Sesame Ice Cream Cones: This cute little thing was my hands-down favorite part of the meal. I'm generally not a black sesame kind of gal - find it a little seedy - but the blend with vanilla gives this ice cream a very subtle black sesame taste, and was absolutely delightful to eat. (Would totally get seconds!) The waitress did mention something about there being chocolate ganache in the cone somewhere, but my roommate and I couldn't find what she was talking about (roommate: "is it at the bottom of the cone??" *bites the bottom* "no ...??") Final Thoughts: Is there, as one of my friends suggested, no reason to go to Slurping Turtle ever again? (Being on the same street, it's the obvious comparison.) Mmm, I wouldn't necessarily say that. For better or for worse, I've gotten used to Slurping Turtle (there's, inexplicably, a soft spot in my heart for it), and think that I'd venture there if I wanted a comforting, big bowl of ramen (with lots of broth and simpler flavors). Of course, I have yet to try the traditional Shoyu or Tonkotsu at Ramen-San - and maybe my diagnosis will change after I've had those two (that'd be a fairer comparison, after all). Definitely will go back for them before I've completely made up my mind about this place! Bottom Line: Ramen-San serves some decent (if interestingly-flavored) ramen, but don't expect to write home about it. I'd also skip the duck bun in favor of seconds of the black sesame ice cream at the end ;)
(3)
Tzofit M.

Stopped by last night with friends after going to a concert in U of C. This choice was in one word, perfection! The place is warm and cozy. The music was on point. The sinks in the bathrooms are sooo cool! :) And each of us really enjoyed our drinks. The Ramen was just what the doctor ordered on a freezing Chicago night with portion size being perfect to leave space for dessert. The mochi in coconut sauce was 'lick the bowl clean' good! Looking forward to coming here again :D
(5)
Brea L.

Unique and delicious! Accommodating if you wanted to switch up broth or a certain ingredient (I don't eat pork and they were informative and accommodated me very easily). Not a large wine selection, but still had white and red. Portions were big and delicious. Great music and vibe.
(5)
Sunny K.

Why are Chicago's ramen options so scarce??? Is a question I'd asked myself on multiple occasions because I'm a big fan of ramen and often crave it. So when I heard about Ramen-san, conveniently located two blocks from where I live, I was so excited and went to try it out. Pros: friendly wait staff, great hip-hop music*, multiple yuzi-infused drinks Cons: pricey, they added too much pepper in my ramen, music too loud Ultimately the decor / music / ambience didn't really strike me as that of a ramen joint but a hip restaurant or bar that just happens to serve ramen. I don't know if that's what they're going for but I prefer the more traditional ramen joint that looks like a ramen joint, a quieter restaurant in which the focal point lies on the food rather than the "cool ambience", if you know what I mean. It just felt like they were trying to achieve too much at once. The wait staff was quite friendly and took the time to talk to us and give us some menu suggestions. I really enjoyed the music, but again, didn't quite think it gelled with the concept of a "ramen restaurant" and would have preferred it elsewhere. In terms of drinks, one thing that struck me was that Ramen-san offers yuzi-infused drinks. From what I remember there was yuzi sake and another yuzi-infused cocktail. I think yuzi is a great ingredient for alcoholic drinks and I have never seen it incorporated well in western bar selections before, so that was a delight to see. On the other hand, the bill went way beyond $50 for a meal with two bowls of ramen and a beer and one cocktail. For the price I didn't think the ramen was that good. Even if the bill came to around $35 I wouldn't have thought the food was worth it. It was quite salty, and on top of that they put in way too much pepper in my ramen, resulting in a weird concoction of spices. You can get much better ramen for a much lower price in any Asian city or NY / SF.
(3)
Liz C.

Awesome service and food was amazing. Great atmosphere! Manager was fantastic and friendly. My number 1spot now
(5)
Tarra T.

Great Ramen spot! I love spicy dishes and there are great ramen dishes that fit my fancy here. I ordered the Kimchi Fried Chicken ramen and it was splendid. Really spicy, I mean clear your sinus spicy, and great tender large pieces of chicken. The drinks are a little expensive (~10-13) given they are a little stingy on the alcohol, but they are neat in that the signature cocktails have a spin on Asian culture, like the Singapore Sling {A tasty, sweet gin cocktail, though I couldn't taste any gin:( }great spot for 2-6 people, didn't seem to be enough space or table flexibility for groups larger than that. Ramen away!!
(4)
Taylor M.

Neat place, cool setup and good service. The ramen was mediocre - if you're looking for ambiance, this is your place - if you're looking for great soup/noodles.... Maybe try somewhere else.
(4)
Shannon S.

I was really hyped to go. I left not feeling fully satisfied. I ordered the lime cilantro margarita. What a weird and savory combo - usually that is right up my alley. We arrived at 1230 during the week so we assumed there would be some wait. We were seated 20 mins later and our server took another 10 before taking our order; fine. Being at the end of the lunch rush, and seeing people flocking out the door at this point, I assumed that it would be quick at this point. It was another 30 mins to get the ramen. I got the spicy miso and my husband got the tonkatsu. Mine wasn't super spicy and other than the spice, was kind of ehhh. His was flavorful but both lacked 'stuff' inside. For the cost, I kind of expected LARGE bowls. They were average sized but I've had larger at almost every place I've gone to. All in all, I wouldn't go out of my way to go for food. Ambiance is great in my opinion - I like the rocking hip hop of old. Oh, also, someone else said theirs didn't look like the awesome pics on here... ours either.
(3)
Alien T.

As a big Japanese ramen fan, Alien was not satisfied with their ramen. Taste of broth was too weak, and the noodles were too soft. The interior was fancy.
(3)
Jackie M.

Probably one of the worst ramen joint. I ordered the tonkatsu ramen and the char siu (pork) was dry and thinly sliced!! For godsake, this is a ramen joint and greatly appreciate if you put more effort in the char siu, which is an important part of the ramen bowl. I didnt care for the noodles. The ice cream in the cone was quite forgettable. You are better off buying your own cones from Marianos. Rcmd strings, wasabi, or high five for ramen that is more carefully executed.
(2)
Zorin D.

Gone are the days of Ramen being relegated to being consumed out of a packet for a quarter. Today's generation steps up to the table of a classy place like this and shells out $15 bucks in order to get those perfectly tender yet toothsome noodles submerged in a broth that has an incredible depth of flavor. Before you think that you may be thinking that you will escape Ramen-San very cheaply, I must warn that the drinks will get you. Though the drinks aren't over-priced for the area and are extremely tasty, if you enjoy a couple of them with your meal you end up taking an incredibly great value and turning it into just a good deal. That aside, the service and the food here is awesome, although I didn't care too much for their Yuzu Ice Cream, which exists in that grey area of being just good enough that you don't wish to send it back. The sesame ice cream kind of made up for the bad note that this meal was ended upon. All things considered it was a good experience and I can't wait to go back.
(4)
Susie K.

Food was good, not great. Not a traditional Japanese ramen shop but a modern fusion restaurant. The menu has a modern interpretation on traditional Japanese food. Drinks were okay. Not a place to get hot green tea. The tea ware looks nice but it suck up all the heat from the tea.
(3)
Megan H.

Was visiting Chicago and found this place on yelp, the ramen looks really good in photos and it is by where we stayed, so we decided to go there for dinner. The atmosphere is nice and the interior is very modern. We ordered pork belly buns for appetizer, I wouldn't say they are excellent, the pork belly was a big piece and cooked well, I like the spicy mayo in the buns. The only thing was the pickled cucumbers made the buns even more saltier than they already were, so I picked them out. It's $5 for one bun, compares to most of the ramen places I've been where the same type of buns are 2 for $5~$6. Ramen - I really want to like it but I can't. I ordered the spicy miso, it just reminded me too much of a Chinese brand instant noodles I've had. The broth tasted nothing like miso, it's filled with chilly oil. The noodles were definitely the instant type - I have had ramen pretty much through out my whole life so I'm pretty certain about this. Come on, for a $15 bowl, let's say I don't expect these are handmade noodles, at least use the manufactured package noodles okay? Instant noodles, are you kidding me?! Cabbage and baby bok choy were chopped into small pieces and floating loosely with a little bit of ground pork in the bowl - ugh. I guess I missed the part that chasu and egg are only add-ons if you pay extra $$, they don't come with the ramen. Chasu + molten eggs are pretty standard for a ramen bowl and they should be already included especially when you're charging double the price. The presentation of the ramen - looks nothing like the pictures on yelp. The bowl looks like the ramen I cook at home in 5 minutes with instant noodles and throw in some leftover veggies that I cut in a hurry. I was fairly disappointed how the yelp photos are so misleading. I guess people will like it if all they have ever had is Top Ramen. Overall, I'm disappointed. I won't be back if I'm in town again.
(2)
Gabrielle F.

This place was delicious! They had a fabulous cocktail menu that accompanied the food perfectly. We shared pork belly buns to start and I could not recommended them more! I had the brisket ramen and added buttered corn, which was a great decision. The server was incredibly attentive and took time to explain the entire menu to us.
(5)
Kimmie A.

Loved the smoked brisket and garlic ramen! Great flavor and the molten egg was awesome. Also had the lobster ramen and it was great too. Servers were attentive and service was great. Everyone was friendly and knowledgeable.
(4)
Qin Z.

Was looking for a ramen place in downtown Chicago. I know there is santouka northwest in Arlington heights but it's way too far from the city. So here it is. There is lunch special here: half ramen and half rice. I went to order full ramen anyways. The spicy miso ramen I ordered has minced pork instead of chashu in it and the noodle tastes like instant noodle. It's not my favorite ramen and i will rate santouka way above this. It's pricy too. We end up spending 40 for two of us for a lunch.
(3)
Thongsy S.

Been there for lunch twice & I want to keep going back. Their express lunch special is awesome. You can order a bowl of ramen and a rice plate for $15! What a steal. I have tried the tonkotsu ramen with salmon and steak the next time. The steak was definitely the winner. I wouldn't say the best ramen dish I've tried but for the price and area, I wouldn't mind walking the mile from work to here during lunch.
(5)
Vina O.

One word: DISAPPOINTING. I was pretty skeptical about LEYE opening a ramen restaurant since their other Asian restaurants are pretty Americanized, and this place was no exception. For starters, we ordered the Peking duck bun and foie gras and unagi rice bowl. The Peking duck bun was a bit stingy on meat, and should have a better ratio of crispy skin to meat inside with the plum sauce. There was also NO green onion which is typical in a Peking duck bun. The foie and unagi bowl was good, but it should really be called an unagi bowl because there is BARELY any foie in it! I shared this dish with my two other friends and none of us could really taste it. Also, it's probably best to mix the bowl before splitting it because two of us got a big mouthful of wasabi, which was definitely a bit unpleasant. Now all this could be forgiven considering this is marketed as a RAMEN place, but this was quite literally the WORST ramen I've EVER had (not counting instant ramen). All three of us ordered the tonkotsu ramen. The broth was extremely disappointing, SUPER BLAND and NO yummy umami whatsoever! It tasted as though it had only been cooking for 30 minutes as opposed to hours in terms of flavor development. I had to pour extra oil and chili powder in order to extract SOME depth. And the noodles? GUMMY. I was yearning for that semi-firm texture with a nice bite, but all I tasted was gumminess. The chasu pork wasn't bad, but it wasn't the most amazing pork I've ever had in ramen. The molten egg was probably the ingredient I enjoyed most. The ginger also added a nice touch. I'm giving this place an additional star because service and waitstaff are extremely friendly and patient. The hosts were pleasant despite the chaos of opening week and our bartender (I think her name was Angela) managed to keep a smile on her face and keep our drinks filled despite being haggled by everyone else around us. Bottomline, this is overpriced, over-hyped, and underwhelming Ramen. I've come to accept the fact that Asian restaurants of Lettuce Entertain You will appeal to the "Americanized" pallet wanting to "broaden their horizons" and eat "exotic food."
(2)
Supat R.

Friendly service and Yummy ramen. Glad I walked through the rain to the place. Love it...
(5)
Erik P.

I would rate Ramen San a 7 out of 10. The options are limited, but what they have is really good. I ordered the pork ramen and had them add garlic. It was probably the second best ramen I've had stateside. Also, for about $2.50 you can have them refill your noodles... score! They have a full bar and the seating is fairly spacious. If you're in the River North area and in the mood got ramen, I'd choose this place over the Slurping Turtle, your taste buds and wallet will thank you.
(4)
Ryan B.

I'm on this ramen kick lately, so this is the first of 3 reviews of 3 different ramen places. Ramen-san is good, but not great. The fried chicken and kimchi ramen is hands down the best of the bunch. The buttered corn in the bowl is the bomb.com My main complaint is that the chicken is cooked so far in advance of the order that is actually cold. I've found this with the brisket and other meats as well. If the owners are going for an authentic ramen shop, then go all the way...not 75%. It's good, but my other 2 reviews are better....
(3)
Peter Y.

Ramen-san is a trendy, hip spot located right in downtown Chicago. I got here pretty late with some friends on a Saturday night (around 10 PM), and this place was still pretty hopping. The crowd was young and lively, and most tables had some form of liquor to imbibe. Their menu is very straight forward, focusing on the quick and simple (think of pork buns and Japanese appetizers), and obviously, ramen. While their ramen doesn't stray too far from the usual path, it does allow you to get creative with a variety of broths, seasonings, noodles and meat to choose from. My friends and I all got something different, and my personal favorite turned out to be the one I actually ordered, which was their tonkotsu ramen that came with chashu pork and molten egg. The chashu pork, marinated braised pork belly, was tender and flavorful; pairing well with the molten egg, soft-boiled egg with a cooked outside and soft, gooey inside. The tonkotsu (hearty pork broth) itself was also delicious, without being overly salty or strong (which happens often with less refined broths). However, the noodles weren't my favorite, as they lacked consistency in texture (some where hard and tough, and some were extremely soft), which tells me that they weren't the most fresh. The prices are very fair ($13-15 a bowl), especially given the downtown location. I would definitely recommend this place for its atmosphere and mostly delicious food, though they do have some interesting music choices.... I mean, I'm always down for some old school hip hop and head-banging pop, but maybe not during dinner time.
(4)
Nelson M.

Restaurant review Gourmet ramen is the next big thing. Around the corner is slurping turtle which is an admirable competitor, but one of the major downside of these restaurants are the big price you pay for your meal. I visited this location for lunch with a coupon from the LEYE scratch off which took 10 dollars off, but for 2 people + tip the lunch came to 30 dollars. I selected the tonkotsu 1/2 order of ramen. I would say that the noodles are great. Very unique texture smooth and has a bite. The soup was well balanced, not as flavorful as other places I have been. My wife had the smoke brisket and garlic ramen and she agreed that the garlic was overpowering that you could not even taste the underlying broth which was disappointing. My meal also had a choice of a rice dish with a protein which I selected the skirt steak. Presentation-wise it was spectacular, but the marinade they used on the beef somehow degraded the protein and when you bit into the steak it sort of fell apart (not in the melt in your mouth type of way...) The lunch express also came with a small side of kimchi which was a great complement to the lunch. All and all for 17 dollars for the express lunch, the food had it's ups and down. If they could scale down the price it would likely be a 4 star. Pro: friendly service, trendy Cons: high prices Hidden gem: 1. If you are a lettuce entertain you member you can earn points on your meal 2. Sign up for the summer scratch coupon offer from LEYE for coupons
(3)
Michaela D.

Great drinks (hisato san was great), great apptizers (the buns are a must!), and great ramen (lots of combinations to choose from and many optional add ons!) This place is pretty great. Low key vibe with the wooden booths, tables and benches and hip hop. A great addition to the area! My go to ramen is the Fried Chicken Kimchee one. It's spicy, and the chicken is so good. I go here often as I work nearby, and the quality does vary from day to day, maybe different chefs? Overall I do love this place though. Pork belly buns are a must too!
(5)
Lea R.

Oh River North you are getting rooked. We live in the area and I've been wanting to try you... I wish I would have just kept walking past. So for Mothers day My Mom wanted to try this place. We both got the Shiitake, vegetarian broth, mushroom (redundant as Shiitake was the only mushrooms???) tofu for $14. For an additional $5 we could get 4 slivers of gristle brisket.... YUCK, YUCK, YUCK. The bowl itself was super cheap on the Ramen. Of course this place is catering to those who haven't had better (wanna try better? Don't be scared & hit up Mitsuwa... you can thank me later). We probably would not have felt so negatively if there was a decent amount of Ramen. The bowl was basically broth and scallions, if we didn't order the gristle brisket it would have been sad. We thought that the brisket would be a nice addition. Blech. One of my hugest, grossest pet peeves is gristle. I like my meat trimmed & clean. Don't sell my your garbage at a premium. So 2 glasses of sake, 2 bowls (vegetarian bowls mind you), 2 upsells of brisket = $60. Yep... LUNCH. We didn't even get filled up or hammered. We just got a feeling of getting rooked.
(1)
LaKenya G.

Drinks were amazing! Try the Shanghai Sling! Ramen was tasty. The service was out of sight!
(4)
brittany g.

Super cool place. Neat vibe and good music that's loud enough that no one can hear you slurp your ramen;-) I had the kimchi and chicken ramen which was excellent and the perfect amount of spiciness. Was craving a margarita for some reason and off menu they happened to have an interesting yuzu and cilantro marg. Perfect! Service was friendly too. Will definitely return when back in Chicago.
(5)
Grennan K.

Good gyoza! Fried chicken kimchi ramen was probably the top choice. Ramens don't have much ingredients in it, though the buttered corn is something new for me. One of their sides they offer extra supply of noodles for 3/4 dollars extra incase you're starving for more. I don't think id come back here unless it was suggested by group of friends. Tables are communal set up probably good for small groups.
(4)
Pamela R.

4 stars for the tonkotsu ramen, 2 stars for the smoked brisket and black garlic... If I'd stuck with the tonkotsu ramen, this place would definitely had been 4-star material to me! Great ambiance, cool music, efficient service, and fabulous ramen (especially the tonkotsu!) - add all that to an accessible spot that is open all day (yes, even during that awkward not-lunch-but-not-dinner couple of hours) until late (1AM!) and you have yourself a solid neighborhood go-to. FYI, I did try the smoked brisket and black garlic based on a couple of the waiters' recommendations... Too salty for me and not as umami as the tonkotsu. Too bad!
(3)
Mel A.

LOVED the "raw tuna, sesame crisps, etc for $13", "bbq eel & foi gras, etc for $16" and a "sake bomb for $8!!" Tried a "mantou bun-pork belly for $3" for the 1st time and found it to be way over rated. Also tried the "smoked brisket ramen for $15" which was VERY flavorful but way too salty for my tastes. Young crowd. Quick & attentive service.
(3)
Kaman T.

Very pleasantly surprised by the food. Came here on opening night and all ramen were half off! Yay! What we ate: Raw tuna appetizer: Came with corn tempura, guacamole, and shishito. The corn was a litttttle dry for my liking. The guac was amazing and it went well with the little pieces of raw tuna. Very yummy. I did not really notice the shishito in this dish. Tonkotsu ramen: Although the broth was close to the authentic broth, it still lacked some depth of pork bone flavor. Although they do put the red ginger in the broth which is not something I want to taste with every bite, but overall very good and I would order it again. Kimchi Fried Chicken ramen: Just the right amount of kick and the tartness of the kimchi made the soup broth very delicious. Came with 3 pieces of bite sized fried chicken. Nicely fried and not dry at all. Sesame throughout the broth gave it extra flavor. My favorite one that I've tried so far. Sumo Ramen: This one is for all the bigger eaters out there. It came with thinly sliced brisket, chashu, and molten egg. Can't really go wrong with the molten egg on any ramen in my opinion. The soup had a hint of smokey flavor, perhaps from the brisket and chashu. Sesame miso ramen: My friend ordered this and claimed it to be amazing. I'll just take his word for it. Black sesame ice cream: Very delicious. Made in house and the ice cream tasted like toasted black sesame. The bottom of the sugar cone had a nice chocolate surprise. Service: Very nice service. Amarit came and introduced himself and asked how we were doing and asked for feedback which was nice. Overall, I would definitely come back again. Especially since they plan to open until 1:00 or 2:00am.
(4)
Kelsea D.

We must have gotten in at the switch of shifts because the leaving server thought the new server had us, while the new server thought the old server had us, and no one said a word to us for nearly 15 minutes. The manager apologized to us before we even said anything to anyone and explained what happened, and gave us serveral free apps. As an industry worker, I understand things happen and appreciate that they apologized and made things right, and everything was delicious. The atmosphere and lighting was great and prices were fair
(4)
Brett E.

Had a bit of a disappointing experience here. When we arrived there were many tables available but we were forced to stand at the bar until 1 more person in our party arrived. We got some drinks during that time. The Sling was very good, but do not order the Hisano. $9 for a half full glass of juice. We got a table and each ordered a ramen and some appetizers. The smoked salmon nigiri was just okay. And a few of us got the toasted sesame ramen. It didn't have a lot of flavor, and they forgot to include the buttered corn in each of ours. They had to bring out cups of corn for us after we asked. It didn't seem to make much of a difference. The atmosphere is dark and trendy with wooden bench style seating that got VERY uncomfortable after about 45 mins. Overall, probably will not be back until they hopefully get over these opening week jitters and mishaps.
(2)
Rose P.

The ramen was good but nothing too extraordinary. I made a reservation for 5 and were seated promptly. A nice place for ramen with a big group of friends. The place is clean and nice.
(4)
Sara K.

Had no problem with the ramen. It was delicious and filling. Service was prompt, with a couple of issues: 1) We were seated near two men who must have been famous, because groupies and restaurant employees kept surrounding their table (and, therefore, invading our personal space throughout the meal). Irritating, infuriating and unnecessary. Grow up and go accost famous people elsewhere. 2) When we got our check, a server came by and took our credit cards to charge them. In the meantime, a different server dropped off our bill. Again. The original server returned to the table with our cards and whisked the extra bill away as if this happens all the time. I certainly hope it doesn't. Overall, though, the food was worth dealing with the other issues. I may be back.
(4)
Jean C.

Not the best I've had but it was good. Went with family and kids slurped it up. I had a kimchee sake bomb and was told that it was good. Was interested so I tried it but was diasppointed. All I could taste was the kimchee juice and not much sake. I could make this at home! We also ordered chicken and it came out later than the ramen so it was on the house.
(3)
Deborah N.

Stumbled upon Ramen - San while looking for a happy, modern bar to have dinner and a drink after a very long day. This was PERFECT! Decor is clean and modern. Lightning is interesting. Beer is Asahi draft and cold just like in Japan. Food is interesting and reasonably priced. I had the special, tempura soft shell crab and asparagus served with lime and aioli. Followed by the gyoza. It was really good. Music is great, staff is great, food is great. Beer is cold Perfect.
(5)
Lisa T.

Crazy crowded! In a way that can't be fixed. I couldn't enjoy my food because the seating arrangement was just flat out awful. We came with a pretty large group and were willing to split up but it was just so crowded! We elbowed each other, some bowls of food were lukewarm by the time they came out. The food wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. Sadly, I kept thinking about how I could've spent 1/40 of the price and gotten one of those instant noodle packs instead...if I wanted to get fancy, throw in an egg, some meat, and green onions, and I wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
(3)
Ashley P.

Amazing food! I had the lunch combo with salmon and added fried chicken to my ramen. Salmon was delicious! So was the ramen. Never tried anywhere like this before but now I wish we had one back home! Will definitely return! Service was a little slow but it wS busy for a Saturday lunch
(4)
Ben N.

Service is poor! Very slow! No service basically. 0 star for service. Food is not bad hence the two star. Ordered the tonkatsu.. The broth is very rich but it's very salty! I don't think I will return...
(2)
Jessie K.

Came here on the 1st and the place was packed when we walked in, but the atmosphere seemed trendy and the smell of ramen was definitely filling the air. We are very familiar with reman since we frequently visit Raman joints in Las Vegas' Chinatown. Sat at the bar and the bartender immediately started chatting us up! Soo friendly he was, forget his name, but he was great the entire length of our stay! That guy is definitely a keeper. We ordered a couple of buns, which my partner said he loved them and were soo tasty. Not too big, but not too small either. Since we were running short on time, and had already ordered beers and my partner was starting to fill up we really only wanted one bowl of tonkotsu, and simply asked for a separate bowl. The bartender went ahead and split the bowl and put all the meat and egg in the separate bowl since I don't eat either of those two things! What a way to go above and beyond! Even making mine spicy too. The spicy chili oil they put in my bowl was actually a little overbearing I didn't know what to expect with this because in Las Vegas they do it much differently. I'm definitely giving the bartender 5 stars but the food 4. It was great, but the spicy tonkostu wasn't exactly what I expected, and it was definitely more modern ramen than truly authentic. Especially for the money for 1 bowl. However, it is Chicago. You pay for location, more so than the food.
(4)
Lili K.

I really liked the vibe of this place and how you can eat here until 1am!! It's right by all the fun clubs 'n rooftops, too. I had their kimchi fried chicken ramen, which was super delicious and spicy!! Nommmmmmm. I recommend eating all the fried chicken first before it gets too soggy, haha. Everything was great and I liked how it was unique compared to the typical ramen joints out there. I'd love to try their other ramens next time!
(4)
SS J.

I love ramen and I'm fairly easy to please. That being said I was surprised to find myself disappointed with both the service and the food on my lunchtime excursion. Although I was able to get a seat at the nearly empty bar immediately it took more than 10 minutes for the bar tender to acknowledge me. Then, she greeted and served drinks to another couple that arrived well after me before greeting me or taking my drink order. It took approximately 25 minutes for my bowl of tonkatsu ramen to arrive. While the presentation was nice the nice stopped there. The broth may have been good but there were so many sesame seeds thrown on top that was all I could taste. The pork was pure fat - maybe one bite of meat between all of the pieces. The egg could have been marinated a bit more. I left with a close to $20 bill for a bowl of ramen plus a drink and a still hungry belly. :-(
(2)
Buzz and Poxie C.

- Big serving! - Make sure you come in with an empty tummy! - Enjoyed the opening day deal (half priced ramen) - Brought our Lettuce Entertain You Card (and we're glad we did). Server said dinner was on them (explained to us that he deducted it to our poi
(4)
Grant M.

This place was pretty good but I have to say I like Slurping Turtle more. First off there isn't anywhere to wait and we had to stand in a corner despite our reservation. That wasn't so bad just a little annoying. Then we had drinks and appetizers that were pretty good. Our server was helpful. The ramen was good- we all tried something different. The menu could be more varied - I wish there were more options. I would go back but I won't make a point to go back.
(3)
Mike R.

Since this is a LEYE deal, I was very skeptical about the place. My friend and I made reservations, which we found out wasn't needed because there were only about 5-8 other people there when we arrived. The inside is rugged and minimalistic. As we ate, the place filled up and by the time we left an hour later, it was completely packed. The ambiance is fine but nothing special. You could pretty much stick this place in another trendy neighborhood like Wicker Park and it would fit in. The types of people who were in when I was were were more akin to that. For the food, I got the "nigiri" appetizer, which on the menu looked like it would be regular nigiri. It wasn't - it was basically maki but instead of rice, it was cucumber and each piece was small. Flavorful, but small. The menu was misleading, so I am holding that against them. For the ramen, I had the Tonkatsu which actually had really good flavor. Perhaps not 100% traditional, but close enough. The bowl was big enough as it actually left me full (I eat a lot) and the service was good (not amazing, but not bad either). I will admit that I had low expectations and my bowl of ramen was better than others I have had in town. I'll be back to see if other types of Ramen they have are also flavorful.
(4)
Jonathan C.

First time here ordered the Tonkotsu, the broth was ok but not warm enough. The noodle was good, good texture not too soft. The pork was good, perf et balance of fat and meat, but too small of a slice compared to the traditional ones. The place is a. It small and cramped so not much room to wait for a table to open up. My biggest issue is actually the chopsticks. I would expect at least a nicer quality of wooden chopsticks, I know how ramen supposed to be quick and they traditionally uses wooden chopsticks, but they shouldn't be the cheap ones I can get from Panda Express. Overall, a good experience but not worth the price.
(3)
Minnie K.

Went here on Friday night. We ordered Eel & Foie Gras Rice Bowl- the Foie Gras was perfectly shaped, melt in your mouth but some rice was overwhelmed by eel sauce. So I gave 3 stars for this dish because it was too salty. Then we had another appertizer but I couldn't remember what that name is .. like soft tofu and pork with some spicy sauce ..but not tasty enough, it tasted a bit bitter from spice anyhow. For our meals I got spicy ramen with ground pork. Honestly, I tried to finish it but I couldn't. My bf got Shoyu ramen because he couldn't handle any spicy. It was great though. The atmosphere and the staff were perfectly. Our sever was informative, nice and helpful. But cons--- didn't have any street parking (we went here midnight before an hour restaurant's closing) You have to pay approximately $20 for valley parking. So we paid $100 for 2 appertizers, 2 ramens and parking.
(4)
JayneNoelle T.

New favorite place for ramen! My friend and I went together for our first time on a negative degree weather day, and was so grateful it wasn't packed. Their tea was served in an adorable tea set. We ordered the bun bao's and those were worth it! We tried the brisket ramen and the tonkatsu. Definitely my favorite spot in river north! The ambience was perfect. We were expecting a Japanese sushi bar setting. But it caught us off guard and was better than we imagined. The playlist was on point, the seating and bar area was trendy and so cool! I'm short so sitting high up on benches was fun for me :D can't wait to come back!
(5)
Sheniqua F.

What I liked: I enjoyed the cocktail I had, the Singapore Sling. My friend loved the Cilantro-lime Margarita she had. The ambiance inside is really upbeat and the interior is well designed. I liked the music they played, although it might be a tad loud for conversation. What I didn't like: I was underwhelmed by the food. I had the shitake ramen, and the broth was quite watery and lacked seasoning. The tofu was too soft for my liking. I think if they used a firmer tofu (or put a light sear on the soft tofu they currently use), it would do wonders for the dish overall. The softer tofu they use just seemed to get even softer (and dare I say slimy) in texture after sitting in the broth. A firmer tofu would hold up better, I think. There weren't any appetizers for vegetarians, which was a bummer. TL;DR: Good (but small) cocktail list. Great interior decor and vibe. Not enough vegetarian options and the ones they offer lacked flavor.
(3)
Yadira R.

If you're in the Windy City in January one thing you can expect is the cold to hit you hard. So what better way to warm up than with some good ole Ramen. We just stumbled upon this River North ramen joint while walking the city and figured why not try it out, especially after reading the three age-old principles they like to abide by, which are: 1) Noodles make everything better 2) Cold beer makes life more fun, and 3) No one gets a room pumped up like Eric B & Rakim The place was packed and old school joints can be heard through the speakers that brought me back to my elementary and high school days. Projectors showed the Chicago Bulls game off of the exposed brick wall and the waitstaff consistently walked by with bowls of what looked like absolutely delicious ramen. Although I don't drink beer, I had a really nice hot toddy in a ninja mug - too cute and did I mention the music was good?. We listened to Naughty by Nature, Nas, Jay-Z and of course Eric B. and Rakim. The ramen was good (although I've had better), but combined with the ambiance, Ramen-San got a nice nich that one doesn't come across so easily. A perfect go-to place for cold winter days. You down with O.P.P....
(3)
Terry N.

Ramen-san is a solid place to get good, authentic ramen. While it's part of Rich Melman's Lettuce Entertain You empire, Ramen-san delivers on its promise of great noodles. My only complaint is their BBQ (char-su) is way too fatty and too thick. They would do better sourcing their char-su from a reputable Chinatown restaurant. The room is small and the tables are a lot like a start-up, long benches of hardwood. Lunches are a better value and offer more combos. All-in-all Ramen-san is a good choice if you're looking for real Ramen NOT from a package.
(4)
Diana Y.

4 stars for ambiance because it's great for a weekend night out. But given how trendy/hip looking a ramen shop looked.......I knew the food wouldn't be that great. And I was right. My group had 3 different types of ramen and we had 3 different complaints: 1) one soup was WAY too salty. Like so salty we had to keep drinking water. 2) Way too much noodles and no actual soup--making it really difficult to enjoy. 3) It was just meh. Their pork belly bun was pretty good and their chicken wings weren't bad though. So my consensus is DO NOT COME HERE. Plus, when the waitress explains to a Chinese person (me) what a dumpling is, you kind of want to say "Uh hello....don't you think I know what a dumpling is?" If this was a lounge, I'd totally recommend it. But for food, I would recommend NOT coming here.
(2)
Xander C.

Top ranked ramen shop in Chicago for good reason. Cool interior, on-point service, old school hip-hop that complimented the decor nicely, and classic Japanese dishes with a twist; all leading to a casual yet modern dining experience coupled with delicious and inventive food. First dishes were the Mantou Buns. Some of the best I've had. The buns themselves were exactly as they should be warm, soft, delicious. The fillings were equally as good. Pork Belly was a classic and executed well and the fried chicken was a nice modern american spin on a classic, again executed well. Second dish was a Smoked Salmon Nigiri. A clash of two classic flavor combinations: Lox and Cream Cheese and Salmon Nigiri. Wasabi caviar on top was a nice touch, paying homage to Japanese cuisine using a familiar taste and a familiar texture in one. The crunch of the cucumber wrapped it is in was a nice compliment to the soft and subtle texture of the smoked salmon and cream cheese mixture on the inside. A combination of a lot of different tastes and textures that worked together exceedingly well. The ramen was very good. Noodles were a little thinner and harder than they should have been but I am going to chalk that up to a difference in preference and style than poor execution. Broth was good, nori was very flavorful, and the pork, while a little too fatty, fell apart in your mouth. Overall, the ramen was good but the appetizers are what made this place standout. The buns were probably the best tasting dish but the Smoked Salmon Nigiri was a personal favorite for its inventiveness. Chicken wings and Gyoza also were very good. The food coupled with the service, decor, and price makes this place 5 star worthy.
(5)
Siobhan W.

The best ramen I've found in the States so far! Albeit the ramen is rather greasy and rather fatty, I don't mind so much because I certainly am not eating ramen for health reasons! The noodles itself is perfect. It's not plastic-y like at most other American ramen places. It's actually the perfect texture, soft and tender, exactly how it should be. It's dark inside, spacious, with wood booths and in the center of the room, long tables for communal eating. There's also a single very tiny table to the side that is a video-game slot-table, so you could potentially play games while waiting for your food. I personally didn't like sitting there because it's in the main pathway area where the waiters and servers go back and forth. So you feel like you don't really have a personal space. When I return here, I'd rather sit at the wood booths, which were much more spacious than the teeny tiny "kid's" video game table. We ordered a lot of food and drinks, so the teeny "kid's" table could barely fit all our food. Whereas, if they had seated us at the wood booths, there would have been plenty of space for our food. Service was prompt and casual. Everything came out quickly and on time. Be warned, it is rather pricey, but despite the price, I would definitely drop by again sometime when I've got a craving.
(4)
Elizabeth R.

First time here, we loved our lunch! The ramen was the perfect meal on a cold January day. Our waitress was attentive and gave great recommendations! The pork belly buns, sumo bowl and duck ramen special were outstanding! Can't wait to go back!!
(5)
Vincent W.

So rule of opening weekends is to keep the group as limited as possible... unfortunately we rolled in 10+ deep. Even during a incredibly hectic opening week, Ramen-san did their best to sit us into two different tables after a relatively small wait for the amount of people (we also did call ahead to "reserve" a table). The place was popping with people everywhere. Loud 90's R&B and hip hops tunes created a sweet environment with a cool decor. Since it was opening weekend, I kept my expectations a bit lower, in anticipation of a few kinks that probably still need to be sorted out. However, the service was great and the manager took the time to ask us our opinions and took criticism well. Due to the 1/2 off opening week specials, I was able to splurge and try two different types of ramen (for the price of 1! Hurray for value... definitely hitting the gym after this). Japanese Cucumber - The group decided to start off with the Uni Cucumber appetizer while we waited for the main event. It was pretty disappointing. The uni was nowhere near fresh and sweet as I was expecting, and the cucumber was dosed in sesame oil. Not a great start, I'd probably skip it next time. Sumo Bowl - The portions for the the Sumo bowl were very generous. Seemingly unending amounts of ramen, a nice pork broth, and some very tasty meats to top the whole offering. However, the ramen I received in this bowl was pretty soggy (which is a huge turnoff). The broth was OK, but not hot enough which is another pretty big strike. The chasu was ok, but the main attraction was the deliciously fat brisket that made it into the bowl (which pretty much prompted my second bowl of smoked brisket). Smoked Brisket-Black Garlic - After having a nice experience with the smoked brisket, I thought, why not another? So I decided to try out this offering with a chicken broth. The noodles turned out better than the Sumo Bowl (the varying quality isn't that surprising for opening week). However, the flavors and the broth were pretty forgettable. I'll probably stick to the pork based broths next time. Sesame Ice Cream - To complete the fatness, we all ordered the ice cream, which came in a little cone with a small scoop of unique flavors like black sesame. It was OK, nothing mind blowing. I also tried a bit of the Kim Chi soup base, it was ok, but I think a different Korean fusion ramen place does it better. Overall, the main appeal for me is the location. Being in the heart of River North and having an awesomely late closing time makes a great place to hit up when the cravings hit. The quality is probably where I would put as exactly average. I will give this place another change in the future when it isn't opening week. Hopefully they will improve their consistency issues.
(3)
Jimmy R.

Ramen soup is their signature, of course. Their pork/chicken buns are tasty- like sides order with ramen. Little less salty in their soup, it'll be perfect. Chicagoans should try at least once- I've been twice already. It's a plus when I realize they open 'til midnight. Even better if they can make it to 2am weekend because I don't sleep weekend(jk).. I'll be back for more buns and could use their ramen for hangover remedy.
(5)
Leo L.

The City badly needed more ramen spots and Ramen-San is the first of a wave of dedicated ramen bars to open in proximity to downtown, along with Brendan Sodikoff's High Five Ramen and Ramen Takeya, an offshoot of Logan Square's Wasabi. Our winters call for a hot, spicy, steaming bowl of ramen so it's about time! We experienced Ramen-San on opening night, and enjoyed half-price noodles but also a very frenetic, loud atmosphere and (perhaps understandably) spotty service. The star of the night was the Sumo Bowl, a very good tonkotsu broth with wonderful noodles and very tasty beef brisket from fellow LEYE restaurant Bub City. The Sesame Miso was a vastly different, and underwhelming, take on ramen, with a black broth and dark noodles. Rather unsatisfying. Both bowls thankfully featured delicious slices of chasu pork and a helping of corn. A complimentary appetizer of shrimp and pork wontons (to make up for the 20 min wait even though we made a reservation) was forgettable - too starchy, not delicate enough. It's hard to hear each other, or the wait staff, over the pumping Warren G so we'll have to blame that for communication issues with the server who brought the wrong ramen, then two sakes instead of one, and finally ice cream cones that we had turned down. Try to somehow ignore the music and the place is actually very comfortable. It features sturdy wooden benches and high tables bolted to the floor and a small bar that will I imagine will be respite during snowy days. All in all, Ramen-San is, along with Three Dots and a Dash, a welcome addition to the overpriced and cheesy Hubbard scene. Hats off to LEYE for bringing ramen to the Windy City masses.
(3)
Faith D.

The food here is so good that even my traditional, asian-food-hating mother who will not step foot in a sushi restaurant, let alone a ramen joint, LOVED this place. I didn't actually even come here with her. My dad was in town a few weeks ago and asked to go to a restaurant where my mom would not go since she was not going to be there. So Ramen-san it was. I've been here several times - my favorites go-tos are the mantou buns (fried chicken, pork belly - YUM!) and the smoked brisket noodles. I love the lunch-time option for a little box that has some salad, a protein, and half portion of noodles since the bowls are a little large for me. I've had drinks once which were also great - not a huge selection but I liked the bourbon drink they had. If I had a complaint it would be the seating in the majority of the restaurant. I understand it is the style they are looking for but I really hate eating at a table where the chairs don't have backs to them. They do have several booths that obviously have chair backs, but I haven't had the pleasure to sit there yet.
(4)
Grace L.

Went there for a friend 's birthday. Had a blast. For me, I was very curious because another really good ramen place is just two blocks away from it, and I thought it would be interesting to check it out. Food was really good. You really can't go wrong with any choice. The deco is quite modern, and it was a really hot spot.
(5)
Fumie K.

Noooooo. I was so excited to hear there was a new ramen joint in town... but to my disappointment, it was just 'meh'... : ( This place has everything from its awesome location in River North to its authentic ambiance (the run-down look with counters)... all except for the taste! I ordered the pork belly and duck buns for appetizers--pretty good. But the actual ramen (I tried the 'Sumo Bowl' and 'Brisket & Black Garlic') was all too disappointing. The broth was bland yet very greasy. Not a pleasant combination. I felt like I was eating my noodles out of a pot of oil... The meat was marinaded a little too heavily with what tasted like BBQ sauce. Not my choice of flavor to go with my ramen. They did a pretty good job with the egg and noodle consistency though! I'm sad I have to give this place such a poor review... it has so much potential, but the taste is just not there.. I have to say 'Wasabi' still has the best ramen in Chicago. And yes, I would call myself a ramen snob.
(2)
Tianyu W.

instant noodles are not ramen!!! Also, you need to pay extra dollars for every piece of vegetables in your blow. If you wanna pay 20 dollars for a bowl of instant noodles and vegetables, which wouldn't cost u more than 3 dollars for the material and 10 minutes for the cooking, u can try this place, otherwise, DO NOT waste ur time and money here.
(1)
James Y.

Ambiance: The music was way too loud. There was only two of us and we had to yell/lean in to talk to each other. Food: I had the toasted sesame ramen. The broth is supposed to be tonkatsu, but they use so much black sesame that it tasted like a black sesame porridge instead, very bland tasting. My gf had the mushroom ramen and I tried a bite of it. It was much tastier than mine, but it was too salty. I would much rather have the ramen from Slurping Turtle or Takashi at Macy's.
(2)
Martinique P.

After having a not-so-great experience at another ramen joint a few weeks ago, a few friends and I decided to try out Ramensan. First, the atmosphere is a small fun and hip place which is nice to separate themselves from other ramen restaurants. Old school hip hop and noodles?! The hostess was very friendly even though we did not make a reservation. I'll get to the food soon but what was probably the highlight of the evening was our server (Kaya? Or some sort of really interesting name. Sorry!). After trying not to look like an idiot for not knowing what Japanese whiskey was or my friends confused on what some of the ramens were, our server made us feel welcomed and went out of her way to explain everything even when we asked stupid questions. She even gave us a sample of a whiskey to try! So sweet and very hilarious to talk to. We all kept laughing the whole night with her. You don't find a lot of friendly people around River North so it was a breath of fresh air. Now for the ramen. We tried the buns and tuna for apps which were all great. Some of the best pork belly I've had in a long time. I ordered the brisket as recommended by our server. By the way, the brisket is from Bub City which is awesome. I must say I wasn't expecting much but it was so delicious and perfect! I tried my friends's and theirs were amazing as well. The drinks were also made perfectly and have a great range of different options. Honestly, give this place a shot. It's made me a believer that Chicago will soon be a new go to for ramen!
(5)
Rin P.

My food was tasty, but I felt a little uncomfortable with the service I received. I sat and the bar and was served by Emily. When she brought my food out, she didn't ask if there was anything else I needed, she only pulled a box of condiments/spices closer to me and then walked away. Throughout my meal she edged close to me to peer at my progress several times, but never at all asked how I was doing until I had stopped eating altogether (I figured if I tried to look as "done" as possible she would finally stop by). I ordered more noodles for my ramen and even when I resumed my meal, she never asked if I was okay until I was completely done. I was left feeling puzzled and like maybe there was something on my face because she talked to the two pairs of people next to me just fine, putting forth effort to check up on them throughout their time at the bar. Hardly any of that courtesy was extended to me. I'm a server myself and often tend to people sitting at bars, so it baffles me how she was able to almost completely ignore someone sitting right in front of her. I dunno...I like to give servers the benefit of the doubt but it wasn't busy at all in the restaurant (she said it was pretty slow herself, to the people next to me). Overall I felt a little bit unwelcome. She seemed nervous around me. I'm not raging mad or anything, just a little put-out. My prior experiences at Ramen-San were not like this at all; I've experienced very engaging, friendly service from other folks there. I like the food but I am hesitant to return now.
(3)
Rich C.

Big fan of ramen! It's always hard finding a ramen place we like because we prefer the hipper style of ramen, which this delivered! Unique recipes made up of fun ingredient combinations! The fried chicken buns were the bomb! Spicy Miso was great! Brisket was good, a little salty. Our waitress was so nice! She couldn't have been nicer! She rocked! Next time we're in Chicago we'll be going back!
(5)
Jeana C.

Expect some 90s hip hop and r&b music at this spot. I would have to say that I've finally found a ramen place that isn't supppppperrrrr salty. Tried other ramen places and Ramen-san is one of the places where the broth isn't super salty, or oily. Def plus. I ordered the Tonkastu which has the fatty pork, pork broth, mushroom, molten egg and etc and it was decent. I also had the szechaun chicken wings. I liked them as they were juicy and had all these toppings on them. I thought they should have been more flavorful, though. Kind of turned off by all that remaining oil on that wax paper after devouring the wings! I'd be hesitant to order them next time but that's just me. They were good though! I would definitely go back!
(4)
Seonah C.

Their ramen is not good. Especially when you order the spicy one, it is not spicy but salty. I just come here because they have the best Asahi beer draft!
(3)
Ollie E.

Creative ramen dishes with a good beer scene. Asahi on tap is a plus considering it's a step above a miller lite. Also a good assortment of Sake. This is a good place to come to get your buzz & noodle on at night. Simple & clean, very Japanese in essence although the menu is more Asian fusion; Thai, Japan, Korean, Chinese combine, boom! I had the fried chicken bun (kind of like a Chinese sticky bun like taco with S Korean fried chicken) along with Tonkotsu which is a pork w/peanut sauce dish Ã la chili flakes (Thai & Japan combo). Both did the trick. Bartender John did a good job explaining the complicated menu and sorting choices!
(4)
William T.

What an incredible disappointment. Had I known this was a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, I would have not set foot in it. LEY does burgers, cheap steaks and silly salads well (kinda) - NOT RAMEN!! This place sucked from top to bottom - from the music to the service to the stupid "angel wings" that ruined a simple appetizer by turning it into a stuck together muck that reminded me of something I messed up in the microwave hammered. Our server was about as informative and interesting as a napkin and looked like a long haired Yorkshire Terrier... she was miserable. She did her job fine, but was about as excited to be there as we were after eating the food. Both the Shio and Tonkotsu broths were quite boring... the noodles were no better than instant ramen and the toppings were clunky. The egg was ok, but not a true ajitsuke egg (which is not that hard to do)... and the pork was rubbed in Chinese 5 spice, which was tasty... but added nothing to the miserable soup that for the price was not even a slight value in portion size. Just sad... Honestly. There are plenty of other places to get good Ramen in Chicago - this is not one of them and as a Chicagoan I am embarrassed that this place even exists here. Its nothing more than Lettuce Entertain you jumping on the hot trend and failing miserably!!
(2)
Tadd T.

I crave ramen constantly. I haven't made it to Wasabi yet, but after eating at Santouka, Oiistar, Umai, Four Belly, and now Ramen-San, my hopes of satisfying this incessant craving in Chicago have faded. (Oiistar remains the best of them but, being heavily Korean-influenced, is the farthest from traditional.) Both the shoyu and tonkotsu ramens missed the mark, with lukewarm, underseasoned broth that possessed none of that warming, comforting, savory deliciousness that ramen should have. At least the toppings were decent (if you don't like pickled ginger, say something when you order) and the Sun Noodle noodles retained some bite, but after spending $14 for each bowl, I felt robbed. The chewy and bland gyoza were another major disappointment and, at $9 for five pieces, the worst ripoff for gyoza I've ever come across. Service is hit-and-miss, and you'll either love or hate the thumping hip-hop blaring overhead. (I hate it.) I find it sad that, in a city so esteemed for its food scene, a truly great bowl of ramen is so damn difficult to find.
(1)
Meghan G.

The atmosphere was awesome. Service was laid back (which should be taken as a good thing). The spicy szechuan chicken wings were out of this world with the lime aioli. Ramen is great, very flavorful and large portions! Would definitely visit again!
(4)
Emmanuel L.

I've had better ramen in Chicago. This place was ok. I had the beef brisket ramen. It was good but I've had better elsewhere. It was missing that tasty factor. I really liked the atmosphere and the waiter was really cool. The price was kind of expensive for what I got but whatever. They need a kick in that ramen. Some more spice of life. There's an adult video store right by it btw if your into that.
(3)
Fion C.

For the love of God, order the pork belly mantou bun. For those of you that are familiar with dim sum, you already know what a bao is and that's basically the same as this bun. For those that dont know- it's basically a Chinese style "roll", sometimes served plain sometimes with meat and sometimes with sweet/ desert filling. In this instance, it was served with a crispy, fatty, meaty delicious piece of pork belly, a zesty orange sauce, cilantro and cucumber. For $5 it's a little much. But I can assure you it is SO worth the change. That little bun alone is worth the 4 stars. We also ordered the raw tuna and avocado appetizer served with sesame crisps to start, wonderfully seasoned fresh sashimi grade ahi tuna literally melted in our mouths as we savored every last bite. I was sad to see it end. As far as the ramen- it's simply ok. I haven't had real ramen in Japan before so I can't really say if it's authentic or not, but to me, it's lacking in the flavor department. Especially for the price that we paid for lunch ($44), Ramen San could have been improved. However, I forget our servers name- she had the bright colorful hair- but she was absolutely incredible. Attentive and suggestive, she made our experience very pleasant.
(4)
Ernirose M.

Came here after a Broadway show that let out after 10pm on a Sunday. Great music and vibe. The steamed pork belly buns are awesome and so was the pork Ramen.
(4)
Meredith B.

I love big bowls of noodle soup, I could eat them every day for the rest of my life. So I was super-pumped to try Ramen-san, which is just down the street from another place I love - Slurping Turtle! Cocktails are very tasty but not strong enough. I got the Singapore Sling, but for $10 I expect to feel a little buzzed and I didn't. Went with wine next. We got spicy szechuan wings, which were quite spicy and very crispy, but my fiancÃ© didn't like how deep-fried they were. I thought they were great. I also really enjoyed my ramen, which was on the specials menu - it was something like a shrimp curry ramen? Very different than the other broths, because of the strong curry flavor. It wasn't too spicy, but had a really pleasant and comforting taste. Lots of yummy noodles and juicy shrimp. I thought it was great, but my fiancÃ© again did not like his ramen much. I tasted it - the smoked brisket and black garlic ramen - and I found it super rich and smoky. It was too much for me, and too heavy. I think he prefers the clean, more brothy taste of pho. I think it just depends on how you like your noodles! Casual, but trendy atmosphere. Huge bowls of noodle soup at prices that are pretty good for River North. I'd come back anytime, but I'd order cautiously and steer away from dishes that seem like they are too rich, because it'll probably be too much for me.
(4)
Jay L.

Atmosphere is urban and trendy, raised tables, hip music that requested I chiggity check myself befo' I wreck myself, clean. Top notch appetizers, aggressively seasoned and delicious -- but not the focal point of the meal. Terrific cocktail -- also not the focal point. The ramen was swell -- great noodles, nice mouthfeel and chew. Nice spread of ingredients, properly cooked egg with a beautiful marigold yolk. The broth, however, did not follow suit with the heavy seasoning and bold flavors I was expecting -- maybe a little flat even.
(3)
Yan W.

The place is roomy , clean and nice set up. I like the wooden tables and all . The food was just so-so, the ramen soup base is too salty .
(3)
K A.

Really good ramen, and a selection of different types to boot. Every bowl I've tried was good. However, the rest of the menu is average at best. Appetizers and salads should almost be passed up. A good tip would be to add-on to your ramen. Molten eggs are particularly rich and delicious. One star off for the continued lack of taste they show by playing obnoxious hip-hop music, and playing it too loud as well. Hipsters abound along with pop culture icons from Japan and China, making this another spot to help self esteemed challenged people feel cool. Another star off for the limited beer and alcohol selection. Most brown liquor is imported from Japan, which isn't always good. Maybe fun once for the uninitiated, but I love American spirits. Prices are just over the top as well, approaching a fine entree and not at all representative of soup. ($15-$18 for lunch) To finish off the negative criticism, some of the tables are the shared variety which I despise. Don't pass up this place. It really is some of the best ramen in the city. I've been sampling ramen globally for years and am happy to have good places to go in Chicago, now that ramen has boomed.
(3)
Jay C.

I know what good ramen tastes like and this isn't it. I don't think the chef has ever had proper ramen. I had the tonkotsu and my gf had the brisket one and the broth is so SALTY that it is borderline inedible. The portions also are on the smaller side. Good ambiance and music, this is catered to the younger crowd who don't know what good ramen tastes like. Most of the good reviews are by non Asians who don't know any better.
(2)
Anna H.

In my opinion, their spicy ramen was 1. not spicy; and 2. used szechuan peppers, which overpowered all the other flavors.
(2)
Leah C.

impressed this non-ramen fan... was off to meet a friend for lunch around the corner when i spotted this place. when i mentioned "i just passed a new ramen spot" her eyes lit up so we changed our plans. the place is small but they make good use of their space. love the high benches and love the choice of music - 80's/90's rap and hip-hop - whisked me away to a mental vacation of a time when life was a bit more carefree... i digress, back to the food... others have mentioned - heavy on the salt. i have to agree that my shitake ramen was sodium laden, however, it was packed with intricate flavors. the roasted garlic (additional .50) that i added contributed to that but honestly, the broth in itself made me change my mind about ramen! i only wished that they would offer soba noodles as well as vegetables - bok choy would've been the icing on the cake. the array of mushrooms were delicious and cooked just right with all textures intact.
(4)
Avery M.

Went here with friends late night. Enjoyed some magnificent ramen and several other delights I may have been too intoxicated to recall. I think we ate a unicorn because the flavors of the tonkotsu were mythological, rich and layered with majesty. The spicy Szechuan wings singed the hair from my face and melted my tongue Raiders of the Lost Ark style. Almost forgot we had the pork belly buns which ... had ... Pork belly 'nuff said.
(5)
Amelia Z.

One of the better lunch deals in River North. Their express lunch option is great, I prefer the Shio Ramen. Make reservations for lunch to keep your day on schedule!
(4)
Caroline Y.

We ordered the raw tuna appetizer, the Shiitake ramen, the Tonkatsu ramen, and the Sumo Bowl. Everything was good. The pork belly was super yummy but the ramen broth itself felt heavy and greasy, as expected for ordering pork broth, but it just didn't feel right. The ice cold Sapporo beer was clutch to help wash things down. What I did not like about this place was its inability for temperature control. It was around 85 degrees outside and humid that day, but they had all the windows of the restaurant open, including the giant wall/window which opened up to the street, letting the moist, hot air wash over your already sweaty, ramen-eating body. Summary: trying to eat ramen while sitting with swampass was not pleasing.
(3)
Jen P.

Not to be THAT Asian person, but I really didn't love the food. No, my grandmother doesn't make it better. I had the Tonkatsu ramen and it was pretty salty. The pork wasn't breaded and fried like I had imagined (how else does one eat Tonkatsu?!). The service was excellent. One of my co-workers noted that the ambiance was "exceptional" too. We had the sesame ice cream cones--I know it sounds strange, but it was delightful! I also recommend the wings, finger lickin' good!
(3)
Naoko T.

My standards for ramen may be high because I'm an LA native who visits Japan almost every year, but there were a few things that REALLY bothered me about Ramen-san... 1. The "chashu" is not chashu at all.... Why is the meat so hard? I have NEVER had such hard meat in my ramen before and it really just does not belong there... And chashu should be sweet and juicy.... but nope. 2. My friend ordered the special that was "double fatty tonkotsu" and the ramen came with NO toppings and the broth was just pure fat. He paid extra for it too... I mean, what? Just adding fat doesn't make the soup any better, and also he paid $17 for just noodles and inadequate soup. 3. The molten egg was not cooked in anything. Normally, the egg is cooked in a sweeter broth of sorts so it can soak up some flavor, but their egg was just cooked and mediocre. In general, it was just painfully obvious that the chefs have not had that much authentic ramen, and it was just definitely not worth the money.
(2)
Bella C.

Delicious ramen :) Arrived around 5pm on a Sunday, easily seated. Fried chicken and kimchi ramen was in front of me within ten minutes (maybe less ... the staff at the bar were friendly and I lost track of time, didn't seem like a wait at all). Ramen noodles were great, plenty of chicken, slightly spicy, wish there had been more kimchi but I'm a kimchi fiend so may not be the greatest judge when it comes to acceptable amounts of the stuff. The music was great - Old school hip hop and rap felt just like listening to KDAY back in LB :) hahaha touch of home :)
(5)
Rebecca C.

If there's one thing I despise in a restaurant, is one that doesn't know when and how to put the salt shaker down and TASTE what they're preparing, before adding another heavy handed plow sized portion into the broth and food that humans are going to eat. Seriously, if I want a full blown salt bath, I will take a leisurely bath in my soaking tub at home, which is for all intents and purposes, gratis and relaxing. My bath won't include any pork belly, but at least I won't have to gasp and gag for water. Seriously, Ramen-san is a rip-off and a venue for having a coronary. I just can't think of anything positive to say about a place that promotes salt-laden, unhealthy junk for at least 20 bucks per person.
(1)
Rocco S.

Went there for the third time with a group a few days ago. Great vibe, good music. Booth was a little on the small side for us, but we made it work. Ordered a salad, wings, and some pot stickers. All were pretty good. The sauce that went with the pot stickers was amazing. The others ordered cocktails and seemed quite happy with them. I got a beer on draft and it was absolutely delicious. Double cold filtered this or that. I loved it. The ramen came out and it was not too salty which I find many are. I got the spicy miso with pork and added crispy chicken. I wished the crispy chicken was more of the type with skin on it. It was just a breaded chicken breast. The noodles were a little thin as well. The broth was pleasantly spicy, but not over the top. My buddy didn't want his molten egg that came with his bowl, so I threw it into mine. And it was quite good. Slightly runny yolk just the way I like it. I think there are places to get a better bowl of ramen, but this place, like most lettuce entertain you spots, is pretty good. It is also hip, fun, and consistent. With great service. You won't be sorry you went.
(4)
Emily S.

I'm reviewing Ramen San again because it deserves the whole 5 stars. After a mixup with my reservation, Kate the manager showed us unreal customer service unlike I've experienced anywhere else. She really took care of us and made our dining experience excellent despite the mishap. The food was also excellent, and our server was very educated on the cocktails. Also, there is unfiltered sake! Thanks for such a great night Ramen San!
(5)
Yuki Z.

OMG literally one of the worst restaurants in Chicago. Worst service ever. Waited at the door for 5 minutes and eventually someone noticed me. AND there was only one customer in the restaurant and several waiters were just sitting there. Service very slow. Worst ramen ever. Okay. Service is not the most disappointing thing. The shoyu ramen. WORST. EVER. why is the shoyu ramen spicy and sour? I just doubt if the chef poured vinegar instead of soy sauce in the ramen. I've been to Japan for several times and also tried shoyu ramen at santouka and niu lounge before: THIS IS JUST NOT WHAT SHOYU RAMEN TASTES LIKE. Skipped lunch due to an appointment, so I was planning to get a late lunch early dinner thing and tried out this Japanese restaurant. Super disappointed. Plus, the food is over-priced. Cuz I've ordered shoyu ramen at other places for so many times, I just ordered it without reading the menu carefully. And, there's no chashu pork or any sort of meat in the ramen. Probably I was just expecting too much. The portion is also small. $13 is not super expensive for ramen, but it is definitely way too much for such poor quality and small portion. Just a warning: don't go to this place. RAMEN-SAN successfully becomes my least favorite place in the town. And the only star is for the free wifi.
(1)
Kaila B.

I love just about anything with noodles, veggies and broth so I was really excited to try this place. The atmosphere was great! Lots of tables filled with people and a few sports games projected directly on the brick wall. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. My mom had the shio and I had the shiitake. Both looked great! But both of us felt like they could be a lot more flavorful. Not a tough fix.
(4)
Matt L.

Decent ramen. The kimchi one had a great spice to it. I would have liked a little more chicken in it for the price you pay.
(4)
Leang E.

It worked out really well that I was overhungry and happened to think of coming to this place to have ramen since I hadn't had it in a while and 3 different style of wings which I had been craving. It was a low key Sunday night and it wasn't busy at all, which was nice because our food came out quickly. Our waitress was helpful in providing recommendations and we had decided on the Sticky Thai wings, the combination mantou buns, and the spicy miso ramen. The wings were simply delicious and the buns were very flavorful. My ramen was nice and spicy and yet drinkable as soup. I don't remember seeing much bamboo as it was listed as something that comes with all ramen. I didn't feel like the portions were worth the price is my only complaint. I consumed 2 wings, a bun, and a whole bowl of ramen with the soup and probably could have eaten more.
(4)
Bryan E.

Couldn't be any better. Awesome interior, great Japan like atmosphere. Love the frozen mug and Japanese whiskey options. The ramen is great and balances Americanization with the real deal. Thanks for getting good Ramen in a busy hot spot area. Open early, open late.....Just great.
(5)
Kenneth L.

It just wasn't good. It's been interesting to see the ramen train roll its way through Chicago, and this particular effort was quite disappointing. But, I figured, you shouldn't expect much from a trendy Hubbard joint. Regardless, I initially gave it the benefit of the doubt. The service was fine, the decor was hip, the food was meh. All apps aside, you're going here for the ramen, and if the ramen isn't good, you're doing it wrong. I went with the classic tonkotsu, which made two classic mistakes: too watery and too salty. There's not much to say beyond that. Though, to its credit, the pork belly was solid. When there are other options - Wasabi, Kameya, and even High Five and Yusho - that are much better (and cheaper, if not the same price), it's hard to justify coming here.
(2)
Isabella W.

This place isn't too bad. If I wanted really, really good ramen, I would have to drive out to Schaumburg. But since I live in Old Town, this place will do. I got the ramen with brisket and it was very tasty! The brisket was also delicious but they only give you like 4 smallish slices and charge you $15. Luckily, the brisket was perfectly smoked and seasoned so I will give then props for that! The broth was delicious, but it may be too salty for some. I don't notice it because I like to add red pepper seasoning to all of my ramen. The noodles were pretty good. Not too chewy or soft and I really like the texture. You can also add some other ingredients to your ramen for a little bit more. I did not get any appetizers or drinks since I was only craving ramen. One thing I noticed is that there is no naruto! Totally bogus! I love naruto! Overall, this place is not bad for downtown area. It is a little more pricier than the burbs, but only by like $2-$4. If I am craving ramen right away, I can go to this place. Check it out!
(4)
Karly K.

We had really high hopes from this place considering it's right across from Slurping Turtle but they really missed the mark. Atmosphere and setting far surpasses the food. We had the Tonkotsu and the brisket ramen, Tonkotsu broth flavor was not very deep at all and the brisket broth was just....gross. WAAAY too much ginger added to the broth. I'd rather make my own top ramen and save $16, or if you're looking for a better place go across the street, may not be as trendy but ramen is done right. Such a disappointment...:(
(2)
Rob T.

Like Strings and Ajida, Ramen-san's ramen is highly salty and highly priced. I work at the AMA Plaza nearby so I finally tried this place, but all of us at the table thought it was too salty, so this is not just one person's opinion. Other Yelpers have noted this as well. Comparisons: - Ramen-san gives more pork belly slices than Strings and Ajida - Ramen-san & Ajida's tonkotsu comes with a soft-boiled egg, unlike Strings - Strings gives the biggest quantity of soup, though not substantially more - Flavor is similar between Ramen-san and Strings; Strings is a bit better - Ramen-san is pricier than Strings and Ajida - Service was best at Ramen-san There's nothing compelling about Ramen-san that makes it stand out more than the other ramen shops. As overpriced as Strings was, Ramen-san is even more so.
(3)
LizAnne C.

I came here on a Monday evening, pretty early. I think it was about 5. It wasn't crowded at all, I think there were two other tables other than me. Which sometimes I really enjoy. Not feeling rushed is an awesome feeling when you just want to sit down and enjoy some food. Ordered 2 buns to start with, one pork belly and one fried chicken. Both were really, really good. I ordered the Tonkotsu Ramen, which was also very good. In my opinion it had too much ginger and the broth was a little under seasoned for my taste. But that is just my personal opinion and over all I still really enjoyed it. Service was really friendly, no complaints at all there.
(5)
Julia G.

Wow, thank you Yelp for helping me find this place and be the hero of my late night crew! I love this place. From the moment we walked in, the staff was incredibly friendly and engaging. The atmosphere was awesome, this would be an amazing date night spot. I found myself hypnotized watching the paw waving Fortune cats at the bar bob along to the beat of the awesome late 90's hip hop they were playing. The food was bliss. I could make a meal of their buns. I tried the fried chicken and pork belly, and now I'm craving them as I write this. I also had the brisket and black garlic ramen. It was a little salty, but amazing nonetheless. An incredibly generous portion, that's for certain! I can't wait to come back, thanks Ramen San!
(5)
Paul K.

We had the chicken wings & two types of ramen. The chicken wings were awesome. The ramen was mediocre. My noodles were slightly under cooked. I had the chicken ramen & my wife had the spicy miso. I will go back for the wings & give the ramen another try.
(3)
Xiaoyi z.

I was so hungry when I got there. The ramen is fair but the ramen soup is a little bit sweet. Less sugar next time. The pros are they have many kinds of ramen.
(3)
Rajat B.

Place has a nice vibe. Love the decor and the crowd is great too. Service is average. The food is good but overpriced in my opinion. The appetizers are great but the main Ramen is ok. Meat portions are small for a $15 Ramen bowl. Def worth a visit but I'm sure there is better Ramen in Chicago.
(3)
Greg H.

This place is all about the broth and the quality of the noodles. The broths we tried -- chicken based with kimchi, and beef based with black garlic -- were outstanding. The beef broth was a little daring -- sweet-sourish in a surprising way -- but it worked. Actually, it was better the next day for lunch, when the flavor had mellowed somewhat. The chicken broth was less rich and maybe could have had more kimchi flavor, but it was really nice. In each broth, the noodles were chewy and satisfying. Funny how a simple ramen noodle can be so good. When we went, the place was packed but we got a spot right away at one of the shared tables. The atmosphere was lively, lots of happy eaters packed into a smallish space. One thing is, I could have done without the very loud rap and rock music, but I think I understand what the owners are going for, and some will like this touch. (My wife said it reminded her of the outdoor barbecue spots in her hometown in Thailand, without the outdoor part.) Anyway, it certainly didn't hamper our pleasure over a few bowls of delicious soup one bit.
(4)
Jennifer G.

I love this place - I've been twice and it's the perfect spot for some great ramen and winter warm up! per the waiter, i tried the duck meatball ramen which was on special my first time and WOW - the duck meatballs just melted in my mouth. the second time out I tried the friend chicken and smoked corn ramen - I asked for it spicy - really spicy - and they delivered (I did have to say not white person spicy --- you have to to get people to believe you like it hot IMO) The soup had the heat but also a ton of flavor. I think next time if I get that soup I will add a molten egg to it. It was great without, but I think it would have added a little extra. to be on the safe side, i would recommend reservations as the first time I went for lunch I had to wait about 10 minutes for a table.
(5)
G A.

I am surprised with so many negative reviews. I know this place just opened two months ago so I am sure that they had few hiccups. I felt like overall the place was very good. Good service,good food,excellent drinks. Here is the stuff that I tried and thought it was excellent: APPS: Smoked salmon nigiri, bbq eel & foie gras RAMEN: smoked brisket&black garlic, kimchi&fried chicken DRINKS: cilantro-lime margarita ,hisato-san They also have asahi on draft and sake bombs! This place is a keeper!
(5)
Christina L.

ughhhh. scene-y ramen spot in river north. overall not delicious due to lack of authenticity. my fave things were the buns, which is sad for a ramen place. cocktails are sweet and lack a punch. meep!
(2)
Jennie D.

Please keep in mind that I have only eaten at two other ramen establishments before this one - Ippudo NYC & Wasabi in Logan Square. When compared to these two places, Ramen-San is mediocre at best. I ordered the Spicy Miso ramen, which really wasn't anything special. My boyfriend ordered the Shiitake Mushroom ramen, which he said was just "okay." Aside from the food, the ambience is excellent. Music is on point. Hostesses and wait staff are friendly and efficient.
(3)
Natasha F.

Went for a lunch few days ago. We were very excited to try their Ramen but couldn't be more disappointed, their ramen is a joke. At first I thought it looked cool, they have good selection of Japanese whisky which is pretty rare so we were excited to try their Ramen. Waiter came as soon as we sat down, and we ordered Okonomiyaki, Shio Ramen and Tonkotsu Ramen. We waited 15min to get our drinks and 30 min for an appetizer waited 20 more minutes for Ramen. The restaurant was about half full I don't know why it took 50 min to get our Ramen and our server didn't even check on us, when we asked her when the Ramen was coming she just said" its coming". So, 1 star for their service. Like their service their ramen was not good at all. Okonomiyaki: 4 stars. It was actually pretty good. The texture was a little softer than a traditional Okonomiyaki but other than that they did a good job. Tonkotsu Ramem: 2 stars. It tasted like Miso Ramen, I'm sure they use miso for Tonkotsu ramen. This is very strange because I used to live in Japan, being a Ramen freak, I have tried over 50 Ramen restaurants. I have never had Tonkotsu Ramen taste like Miso ramen. It even tasted like a instant Miso Ramen that you can get at a Japanese grocery store. If you think you are having Miso Ramen, it might be ok but it did not taste like Tonkotsu Ramen at all. Shio Ramen: 1 star. This is not Shio Ramen. I think the cook does not know what Shio ramen is. Tonkotsu ramen is not Tonkotsu ramen and Shio ramen is not Shio Ramen. Lol They put soy sauce in it, which makes the soup brown, Shio ramen shouldn't be brown. I didn't taste any broth, it tasted like weak soy sauce ramen. This is the worst ramen I've ever had,,,, who ever is making this does not know anything about ramen. So, we were very disappointed by their Ramen and service. Never will go back there again. Although we were very disappointed by their service and food this might be a good place to try Japanese whisky.
(1)
Yaniv K.

Good restaurant for an informal lunch or dinner. The brick-exposed walls and high bar tables give the place a residential touch. The waiters, relaxed and unpretentious, make it into the place to stop by for a fortuitous occasion. For dinner, I started with the Salmon Nigiri. It was fresh, soft and tender. A bit heavy on the sauce, but the salmon complements it by giving it a meaty, sturdy composition. The Kimchi and Chicken ramen noodle, on the other hand, was quite spicy. Maybe I had forgotten about the taste of kimchi. At one point I had to just put it on the side. It was also heavy on spices, particularly red peppers and what looked like sesame seeds. My fiancÃ© ordered the Tonkotsu Ramen packed with pork belly over a creamy, milky sauce. I compared both soups and would definitely stick with the Tonkotsu. It's much closer to its original version, ever pleasant with every spoonful. I can't say I'd come back again for its Kimchi ramen, but its Tonkotsu is worth a try. I wouldn't come here if you're looking for stellar service either. Our waitress was a bit too carefree for my taste (she only added ice to one of the two water glasses) and another bus boy kept asking if we were done - over 3 times. There's honestly nothing more irritating than when servers ask you if they can take your plates when you're still working on your food. I hope Ramen-san does a better job with the servers. As for the soups, bring it down a notch!
(3)
Scott Z.

Pork belly bun was superbly delicious - flavorful and mouth watering. Sumo ramen was crazy spicy....add the garlic for sure.
(4)
Cheryl Q.

Happened to be in Chicago staying at Hotel Palomar and was looking for a quick bite to eat by myself and found this ramen joint on Yelp. The menu had some open faced steamed buns, potstickers and ramen bowls. I ordered the pork belly bun and the Tonkotsu Ramen (added corn, tofu and eventually extra noodles). Since I had just flown in, I had a "food headache" and after a long cab ride to the River North, I needed a comforting bowl of noodles. The noodles were slightly on the thinner side, but very chewy (added one extra star just for noodle quality) and delicious. The broth was a little more gingery than I preferred, but nonetheless, very tasty. The pork belly bun was also deelish. The bun was fluffy and meat was juicy. Great combination. I will definitely return when I come back to Chicago.
(4)
Sonny P.

Another hit from Lettuce Entertain You! I have already been here 3 times and each time, I have had a good experience. This place plays great music which is a Pandora station, by the way. Since I am a vegetarian, I am limited by getting the Shittake mushroom ramen and the shittake tempura bun. I must say, both are very good and you can change your spice level to add different spices. Ordering a sake bomb is slightly expensive as I love RA sushi for its sake bombs. Definitely a place to try in River North for ramen, however, I am also sure you can find better Ramen in wicker park or west loop.
(4)
Kevin N.

Wanted ramen, and this location was hip,new,and I just wanted to try it out. Service: Good service, I accidentally left my umbrella hanging from the hooks under the table, and when I went back to get it 15 minutes later it was still there! Maybe it helps that I have a very colourful umbrella... Atmosphere/decor: Hip hop on full blast, awkward benches to sit at the awkward counters. Unfortunately, I sat facing a wall for most of dinner. A/C was also not on, on a mildly hot, but painfully humid, summer day. Food: Ramen with a salty soup base, not very brothy, if you know what I mean. I feel like these ramen places make up for the lack of a deep broth by oversalting it. Definitely edible, as I will eat anything, but definitely not the best. I'm still on the fence if I wanted to come back or not. I would come back with a group of friends though, as it seems like a fun place to hang out, drink beer, and eat some ramen on the side.
(2)
Sunshine C.

Appetizers are great, but the ramen is terrible! I really enjoyed the cucumber & uni, tempura soft shell crab and asparagus (special of the day), and the chicken wings. After having appetizers, I was really looking forward to the ramen since everything tasted so great! I ordered the tonkotsu ramen. At first look, it seemed authentic, but once I tried the broth and slurped the noodles, I couldn't even eat it. The taste of garlic in the broth was too strong. The noodles were also overcooked and had a weird starchy texture to it. I usually take left overs home, but I knew that there was no way I could ever force the ramen down my throat. Sadly, there are still NO good ramen places in downtown Chicago. I would rather stick to my Shin Ramyum and maybe go back here for some appetizers.
(2)
Dunkin B.

Good food quick, awesome music, very attentive and efficient staff,
(4)
Jenn P.

I would liken my search for good ramen in Chicago to dating. You know your future significant other is out there somewhere, but you need to have patience and go on a few (or many) dates to find him/her. Unfortunately, Ramen-San was a bad date. I came here with a few friends for a late-night meal. The design of the place is trendy, and the music and upbeat vibe makes it feel bustling and exciting. The staff here are very friendly and seem to be passionate about the food. However, the meal was not memorable. I got the Tonkotsu ramen with smoked brisket and corn. The noodles didn't have that chewy bite that I crave with ramen and the broth was salty and oily instead of having that deep, rich, and porky essence that comes from broths that have been simmered carefully for hours. The smoked brisket was a unique addition to the ramen and probably was my favorite part of my meal. For some reason, a lot of my friends rave about the ice cream here. I looked at an order and saw it was a single, small scoop of black sesame ice cream on a cone. I didn't feel like spending money on a infant-sized ice cream, but maybe it is worth a try for those with a sweet tooth. Ramen-san has potential but needs to work on execution. For now, I would go elsewhere for a ramen craving.
(3)
Shari B.

Cool atmosphere and they play fun music. The raw tuna app was yummy and so were their buns. The ramen is not really traditional. I had the tonkotsu ramen and it sure didn't taste like tonkotsu with all the extra spices and flavors they added. I also liked the black sesame ice cream. Decent place, just don't expect to be eating traditional ramen.
(3)
Austin C.

- I'm comparing this ramen shops to ramen shops in California and Japan. - not a lot of depth in flavor in the broth. you don't get the nice fatty broth that is sort of sticky - ordered the buns and thought the meat was a dry - venue was hipster but food
(3)
Ivailo D.

I lived in LA, so I am a little bit biased, forgive me. Ramen houses were always there, serving cheap, wholesome food, made from scratch to the Asian community and value oriented public. And became hip eventually, never changing much. You can still go for a "late shift" meal on your way back from your date at the lounge. And leave in 30 min finally satisfied .... Ramen San is a great place to TAKE YOUR date, sit at the bar and enjoy a cocktail. Sans ramen... You've got all the hip prerequisites- filament lighting, repurposed wood and industrial ambiance, mishmash of all styles of music and projector TV ( albeit with sports channels?!?). There are good fusion-y things on the menu for sure, the pork belly appetizer comes to mind. But as a ramen house it is definitely not perfected yet. I had the spicy miso ramen. I pride myself as being able to outdo any body in eating hot food ( possibly with the exception of Adam Richman and few Madras Indians ), but this felt like a fiery inferno. Not much else as taste, the noodles felt like instant ones, and I left most of the broth for fear of GI complications later. Ultimately a forgettable bowl. In the end we left a couple of Benjamin's for three people, one a 15 year old drinking water.
(2)
A M.

Feeling sick and really wanted some warm ramen! Unfortunately this ramen left a bad taste in my mouth and was very unfulfilling. The flavor was very bland, the ingredients ok. I wouldn't give it another try but will be looking elsewhere for my next ramen bowl.
(2)
lori c.

I love ramen and steamed buns and was so excited to eat here...finally! The food, service and atmosphere, all five stars! I had their special (duck ramen), a pork belly bun and a black sesame ice cream cone. I am a definite fan! Oh, and the music...I felt "at home"!
(5)
Stephanie S.

Ordered food for a lunch meeting. I'm not a huge fan of ramen so I got the sashimi salad. The tuna was lightly seared which surprised me. It still tasted great despite the small portion. The dessert menu isn't online but I read a review about the mango custard. I love mangos so I had to ask for it! Although I'm not a mousse or custard person, I enjoyed the dessert. My coworker recommends eating the ramen with a bib lol the plasticware was hard to use with ramen
(4)
LaLaLaLa L.

Meh. Definitely not the best Ramen I've had. We ordered 3 different bowls and all three were extremely salty (and i like salt!!!) yet had little flavor. The noodles were not good at all.. almost chewy. We had angel wing, buns for app... angel wings were not very good but the buns were spectacular. The only thing that would get me back (and the reason for 3 stars) is the ambiance and the music. They played all 90s hip hop. A lot of people reviewed it as questionable.. but I loved it. It made it a fun place for my girlfriends and me to go for an app and drinks. Keeps it young... which I'm guessing is what they're trying to do. Ramen, though, what they are supposed to specialize in, was sub-par. wouldn't order it again.
(3)
Vernon P.

Would have gotten more stars if they were not so stingy on the noodles in the ramen. Also, it would have been better with the thicker noodles. The music playing was spectacular. What saved this review ultimately from the three star realm was the bar tender. Man made me a drink that would put you in a coma. Did not skimp on the booze in my old fashioned.
(4)
Jason K.

Have been here several times. Service is always superb. All of the ramens taste different and all of them are delicious. The apps, baos, and wings are all great too. The cilantro-like margarita is a delicious take on a classic margarita with a unique yuzu flavor that comes through. The spicy miso ramen is my favorite, although I have tried almost all of them and they are all delicious. A great place for a warm bowl of soup in a nice atmosphere with great service.
(5)
Miranda G.

I LOVED the food here. They have a great vegetarian option in the shiitake broth and great add-ons for your ramen like crispy garlic and buttered corn. Shiitake bowl with tofu was great. It is deceivingly filling so try to pay more attention to your body than I did! My friend really liked her spicy miso, though she had to tell me through a runny nose and watery eyes. That means it's good though, right? Service was attentive if not the most friendly. Total for three of us (food only- we drank water) was $45 and well worth it. The space was intimate enough to understand your group without struggling but had good beats and good conversation in the background. Cool high top picnic-style benches and tables. They seemed to have an extensive bar selection of Japanese liquor.
(5)
Mark L.

Fantastic tonkotsu ramen. Egg included. Get the spicy version and add more at the table to suit your taste. Good noodles as well. Couple of unique beers. Lots of extras to add to your ramen.
(5)
Rick F.

Tuna, Gyoza and Chicken Wings appetizers all excellent! Singapore Sling and beer excellent. Ramen Special with King Crab Legs good! Noodles were just ok. Service was ok waited a little longer than normal between visits, took a while for the check to come and get returned. Tried to strike up a conversation with the server to get recommendations, not very interested, may have been too busy. We asked for the dessert menu, no menu, two items only bacon and liquorice ice cream both horrible, yuk! I loved the decor, the size and the vibe. The music was loud but we enjoyed it. This is the new hipster spot so lots of great people watching.
(3)
T S.

Delicious and heaping bowl of ramen! Super tasty veggie broth made with shiitake mushrooms. Be sure to get the fried garlic and kimchee on top!
(4)
Diana C.

One word: Ramen Two words: Pork Bun Three words: Aragoshi yuzu sake OH-MY-GOD, THIS PLACE. They nailed New York vibes. The exposed brick and lighting, the hip hop and most importantly, the amazing food. The service was great. I made reservations at 8 pm on a Saturday and was promptly seated despite the fact that it was packed. I ordered the Aragoshi Yuzu Sake first which is citrusy and refreshing and pairs perfectly with the Smoked Salmon Nigiri / Wasabi Caviar appetizer. I also had the Pork Buns which are just... I'm speechless. The buns were moist, soft and the perfect texture. The pork belly was incredible. I would eat these until I needed to be forklifted out of the restaurant. They're that good. I also had a Cilantro-Lime Margarita which was deliciously sweet and spicy. For my main course I ordered the Smoked Brisket and Black Garlic ramen. It has a dark broth but is super creamy and a little tangy. Loads of noodles and brisket. One of the best parts about this place is the kae-dama! You can order more noodles with your leftover broth! You can dress up or be casual at this place which I like. It's really chill and the service is good. Not snobby or rude at all. It is a tad pricey but I think the food is worth it, especially for downtown. I'm shocked that Slurping Turtle is still in business with this place across the street; Ramen San is WAY better than Slurping Turtle.
(5)
Hank F.

I have ate a lot of ramen in my life, had it in Tokyo, had it in Osaka, had it in a lot of places, had some great and had some crazy bad. This place's ramen was the worst I have had in my life. The soup was so salty it was bordering on inedible, and the noodles were too undercooked. On the bright side, the buns were good, and the service was prompt but when you have ramen on your signage your ramen better be good. I don't understand how this place is so packed. Maybe its the ambience or perhaps the simple fact that this is the newest ramen place by river north, who knows? However, if you are going here to eat ramen, I would certainly recommend strongly against it.
(1)
Tara M.

We decided to try Ramen-san the other night for LEYE triple point day. We expected it to be average. And average is exactly what it was. I realize that the Melman boys, though they are my age, are targeting a younger demographic. I feel old as hell when I visit their joints, but I still do because I don't care. Ramen-san will definitely be a huge hit/a total shitshow thanks to late night Studio Paris traffic, though the "kids" will probably be confused by the 90's West Coast rap/hip hop soundtrack that they have chosen to play quite loudly. Which was a little awkward in a completely silent restaurant on a Tuesday night. Nothing says Japan like bitches 'n hoes. We sat at a high table near the middle of the restaurant, which was about half full but super quiet aside from the music. I don't have back problems and can literally fall asleep anywhere, but this was one of the most uncomfortable seating arrangements I have ever experienced. Within 5 minutes I was squirming around and my back and legs hurt. The only solution I could come up with was to drink more. Which, of course, is a good solution to all problems. Service was prompt and no frills. and I actually really liked that. Our server was friendly but not overly so, prompt and didn't mess around. She knew that we knew what we were doing and respected that. We were in and out in 45 minutes, which was great considering how much my ass hurt. I had the yuzu sake cocktail. I LOVE yuzu, and it was really good. Simple, clean and refreshing. I will definitely be replicating it at home. We had the shrimp dumplings to start. They were quite salty but in a mostly balanced way. We are both pretty sensitive to salt so maybe they would be perfect to others. It was a serving of 8 dumplings which was more than I expected, but who am I to complain about MORE food!? The ramen was not overly salty. I thought the tonkotsu broth tasted like bananas (so weird, I know), and the pork in it was all fat. That one was a fail for me. The brisket and black garlic was very good. They use brisket from Bub City. Interestingly enough, I don't like the brisket AT Bub City, but in the ramen it was very tender and flavorful. I finished my bowl and I was STUFFED. Like, painfully so. The one part of our experience that is just unforgivable: cigarette smoke. People outside Paris Club were smoking (how Parisian of them!) in front of the Ramen-san door, which was open. The hostess kept going outside, I presume to ask them to move, but never thought to close the door (it was a rainy night, having the door open wasn't adding any ambiance). I guess I have been spoiled since Chicago went smoke free. Bottom line: I will stick with Slurping Turtle over Ramen-san.
(3)
Sammie B.

After having reviewed other comments from the Yelpers (which leaned on the negative side pretty much), I still decided to give Ramen San a try. My server was very friendly and attentive though she was very busy (full house). It was the food that threw off the rating. The ramen was far tooooooooooo salty and overly-priced.
(2)
Stacey A.

First off, the service is really really excellent. Second, the ramen, although made by white people, is pretty darn good. Like, much much better than I was expecting. Third, there will be indie hip hop playing. Bet on it. Fourth, when the manager comes over to your table to see how everything is and basically spends ten minutes shooting the shit with you about various ramen shops in the Chicagoland area, you know the guy has done his damn research. Fifth, I was really expecting to be "meh" about this place and I wasn't. I thought there was a tad too much sesame in the broth but it didn't keep me from eating ALL of my bowl of ramen. I was pleasantly surprised by the whole experience. Seriously and for serious.
(4)
Edward H.

Poser + Ramen = Ramen-san That pretty much sums up this new ramen restaurant. Showing up on a night during the weekend let's you experience the hype and pretentiousness full on. There's a guy at the door next to boarded up windows checking ID's - let's think about this... there, is, a, guy, checking, ID's, for, a, ramen, shop. ????? I guess this is to make people feel they're more exclusive going in as if they were being let through velvet ropes at a club. The boarded up windows and 90's rap R&B works to help some of Gold Coast ballers found inside feel more at home as if they're maybe secretly slumming it because they're having ramen instead of the usual $80 cut of steak. The service from the bartender and wait staff was great. You can tell they've had ample training and want to do their job well. There was a guy in a suit that looked like the manager (or owner?) that was trolling from table to table... interestingly enough, only tables with younger women dressed for the clubs. Regardless of how well service staff did, they were hamstrung having to serve the incredibly bland and subpar broths. The shoyu falls way off the mark - rather than a delicate broth, everything was lost in translation and drowned out by soy sauce. It could easily be confuse as straight soy sauce. The tonkotsu broth was even worse - there weren't layers of flavor found in broths that cook over the better part of the day and was so bland that you'd end up looking for salt (nowhere to be found on the table). Maybe they ran out of tonkotsu broth and had to water it down to stretch it for the rest of the night? I should note the appetizers were very good. They had fresh made pork rinds that were still crackling when they get to your table. My meal finished on a high note with some delicious black sesame ice cream cones. But I didn't walk into PorkRinds-san or IceCream-san so there was little these glimmers of brilliance could do to salvage the train wreck that was the ramen. Ramen is sacred. Hell it's Asian soul food so you better not serve it unless you do it well! Ramen-san missed the mark (and missed the point) from the pretentious ID check to the extremely poorly executed ramen. Skip this spot, there are lots of other places you can get good ramen without the wannabe atmosphere.
(2)
Ashley W.

Amazing music, a Tribe Called Quest Pandora station perfectly articulated. Spicy miso ramen with molten egg and corn hit the spot on a 2Â° day. Service was excellent.
(5)
Jeff S.

The search for phenomenal ramen in Chicago continues. Appetizers like the Cucumber-Uni and Gyoza were great, although the chicken wings fell a bit short (lack of flavor category). The black sesame ice cream is fantastic, so make sure to treat yourself to it. The service was awesome and friendly. But the main draw of this place, the reason for its existence is the ramen, and this is where it falls short: -The tonkotsu (pork) broth lacks flavor - it tastes flat, and is missing that deep richness that tonkotsu is known for -The black garlic broth is far too sweet, which made it hard to appreciate the garlicky flavor that I crave. -The shoyu was probably the most satisfying of the bunch, but I was only able to try a sip of the broth; further trials necessary before I can tell. Having tried Ramen-San during opening week can be the reason for the disappointment. I'm definitely willing to give it another shot soon to see how it fares to my first experience.
(3)
Alicia W.

I really wanted this place to be delicious. I have not eaten ramen since 2010, so my standards weren't even that high. While theoretically the ramen was cooked well, there was far too much flavor in my ramen with too much going on. Ramen should be simple with a few additional ingredients to enhance the flavor of the noodles. But this sesame ramen was far too sweet and salty for me to get through. My friends also ordered different ramen flavors and were not impressed - but got through much more of their dinner than I did. I feel like I wasted my calories! The table was also slightly awkward for 5 people and I barely fit, frequently bumping in to the person next to me. I had to yell to speak to my friends which you definitely don't want at dinner. I'm guessing that the thought of this place was good but the execution needs work, both with the food and ambience. At least the server was kind of nice.
(1)
Annie V.

Its nice that they open late. The mushroom ramen was decent. The food is not that special but still, it'll be a nice place to chill with your friends at night.
(3)
Ryan C.

I have been waiting for my local ramen shop to open for quite some time. After being disappointed I drove to Chicago with a friend to try this ramen place and it was well worth the price of admission and the 6 hour round trip. The appetizers were amazing, from their distinctive take on smoked salmon nigiri that's finished with refreshingly with a cucumber wrap to the uniquely fried dumplings. This however was just a prelude to the piece de resistance, the noodles themselves. I chose the most popular dish, the chashu pork that comes topped off with a soft boiled egg. Words can hardly described the multitude of flavors packed into this dish. The deep, rich, velvety broth was the key to this savory dish. The noodles were perfectly cooked and soaked in all the flavors of the dish. As if great food wasn't enough it was complimented by even greater service. The server was polite and friendly. You go to a restaurant for the food, but you return for the service.
(5)
Jane K.

Chicago was late to the ramen scene but attacked it with a vengeance unfortunately with mostly disappointing results. I still had to head out to Mitsuwa or Misoya for a decent bowl but I must say that Ramen-san is pretty darn okay. I'd definitely come here for the proximity. Also, the service is super friendly and the cocktails were good. I had the old fashioned and the Japanese whiskey in it was delish, it wasn't masked at all by the other ingredients. My dining companion had some girly cocktail and she looooved it. I recommend this place for the city. I ordered the shoyu with chashu pork and I loooved the molten egg. The others ordered the brisket and sumo bowl. I liked mine best because of the clean and flavored broth. The others would be great for winter when you are craving something fattier and rich.
(4)
Gwen R.

Ramen-San has vibrant atmosophere, attentive service, good food, and nice cold draft Asahi. nice to have Ramen-San around for late night.
(4)
Pablo O.

Very nice place! Exotic food with a good customer service. The only bad thing is that the menu is quite limited!
(4)
Jennie T.

I was excited to try this place out when it had 4-5 stars on Yelp. After trying it out, I can understand why the rating has gone down. I ordered the garlic and beef brisket ramen, though really, I should have probably gone with my default--the shoyu ramen. The ramen noodles itself were alright; I enjoyed it. The broth of my ramen bowl, however, was difficult for me to enjoy. I don't know what it was, and I kind of suspected some weird Chinese herbal ingredient in it because that's what it tasted like-- there was a faint Chinese medicine-y taste to my broth that was very unpleasant for me. The toppings in my bowl were alright; my only problem was that it didn't look very appetizing when presented to me. I don't believe I've ever had a bowl of ramen look so unappetizing. The briskets had a smokey flavor to it, and to be honest, I actually expected the beef briskets to taste like the ones I'd find in Chinese beef noodle soup, so it didn't quite meet my expectation but it wasn't bad either. It was just alright. I didn't quite care for the egg... it was quite disappointing because it was a bit too runny and the yolk mostly disappeared into my broth. The garlic flavor made my broth slightly spicy, which I enjoyed, but I did find the broth to be a bit on the salty side and so I couldn't finish it. Kenny ordered the tonkotsu and I sampled his broth, but I don't remember too well so I won't comment on that. The only thing I remember about it was that it was gingery and that was weird. Overall, I found the saltiness of my ramen more tolerable than Slurping Turtle's, so there's a chance I may return to try the other ramen flavors, but it is expensive here so I don't know. We'll see.
(3)
Natalie N.

Came here on a Friday night for dinner with 3 friends. FUN time:) Loved the vibe- the waitstaff was really friendly, helpful and generally in a great mood. The music was awesome- great playlist of hiphop, r&b etc Food- Delicious apps- tried the tuna and some type of sushi roll-- both very good and fresh. Ramen was also delicious- well flavored broth- great to share with someone else Wings- really good but could have been less fried, more meat *was hoping for a few gluten free options like rice noodles but the server informed me they are looking to get some options ASAP Drinks- awesome old fashioneds! In general-really fun yummy place and I'll definitely be back
(4)
Sarah K.

I came here with some friends who went to Ramen-san often. Whoever did the interior decorating for this restaurant, applaud to you because I was in love with the decor! The bathroom looked so cool. Anywho....on to the food! Three of my friends all went with the kimchi fried chicken ramen while I ordered shitake ramen. Even though the food was a bit pricey, I will say the ramen was delicious. (Kimchi ramen- $16, Shitake ramen- $13) The noodles were great, I just wish it had more mushrooms and the seaweed bits. The broth was not too oily, it was just right. I finished the entire bowl. Some ramen houses make it way too oily and salty! I had a pleasant dining experience thanks to the music, the decor, and the food of course. I also enjoyed the music playlist. They were playing some old school hip hop so the place had a different vibe. Me likey!! The service was good and I would definitely recommend this place to a friend.
(3)
Shruti K.

My boyfriend and I came here on a Friday night and we were seated promptly although there was a mix up in reservations (my fault completely, I messed up dates). We got the cilantro lime margaritas and the chicken bun and spicy schezwan wings to start of. The margaritas were one of the best I've ever had, delicious and refreshing. The bun was delicious with a zing from the horseradish(?) Mayo sauce and the wings were crispy-licious. Spicy, tasty and generous portions (5 meaty wings for $9) we both agreed it was one of the best wings we had had at a good price. We shared the vegetarian ramen (the only ramen that doesn't have pork in it) and by adding the chicken and extra garlic in it, it was the best ramen ever. The vegetarian ramen is made with chicken broth so it's not really vegetarian but I guess it doesn't have meat pieces in it, and so it's not really like the others. I was very happy to know that our server was super knowledgeable and helpful-she very promptly asked me about dietary restrictions and informed me that all the pastes/sauces had pork fat in it , when I asked which of the ramens had red meat. I thought that was really great service along with the fact that she would constantly check on us and the food came out pretty fast. Also, I say that coz I've been to places where they've failed to mention their broth is made with meat. A great experience all round, I would definitely recommend it to all ramen lovers.
(5)
Chris L.

Sooooo good. Got a reservation at 9:30pm and called them to let them know I was going to be a few mins late. They still held our table and when we got there at 9:45pm they sat us right away. Excellent service right off the bat. Food was amazing. I asked for a rec and the waitress delivered. She asked if I like spicy and I told her I eat it like Godzilla. I got the Kim chee and fried chicken ramen which is so good! Highly recommend it. My friends shoyu ramen was good too. Add the shrimp wontons and molten egg. Got the buns as well but they were just OK. Will go back again. Make a reservation! So hard to get a seat without one. Just opened up last week.
(5)
Angela G.

YUM! I got the fried chicken ramen. Very tasty, spicy, and filling. Good service, nice ambience. Everything I look for in a ramen place.
(5)
Rui L.

Stopped by Ramensan for their half price Ramen special Overall was a good experience and will definitely come back! The service was probably the best part of the night, out waiter was super nice and, patient and helpful on going over the menu and answering all the questions we have. The food: Salmon nigiri: we all thought there was really nothing special about it and probably won't order again Cucumber & uni: the cucumber is way too salty that we had to eat uni separately probably won't order again... Eel & foie gras: actually worked pretty well together and they did give pretty generous amount of eel for the order Chicken wings in sticky Thai sauce: was a bit too sweet for my taste but I do like how crispy the wings are, maybe I'll try Szechuan style next time! Sumo ramen with extra egg and fried chicken: hmm I really like my ramen with hot broth, but the ramen came with lukewarm broth and tasted very bland in the begging and turned really salty at the end, hmm maybe they have the seasoning in the bottom is the bowl and just pour in the broth? Also the broth is missing some richness for me, maybe that'll improve after they've been open for a while? Everyone else on the table enjoyed the sesame ice cream cone, I thought it was just okay, wish they will offer more dessert selections, at least more flavors of ice cream?
(4)
Sarah S.

who wants to listen to old school hip-hop while eating the best ramen in town?! Super friendly staff too!
(5)
Claire C.

Service was great but it's overpriced and the ramen is mediocre. I would recommend to go wasabi rather than this one
(3)
Miriam F.

Great food, I wished there were more vegetarian options. Server Ilana was top notch! Love the old school music and overall ambiance. Neat way to serve the draft - blast cold in a chilled mug. I also want more desserts but the ice-cream was light and delicious!
(5)
Eumi C.

I am not a particular person when it comes to food. Honestly, if you look at my reviews, I do tend to give 4 or 5 stars because it is good, or 1-2 because most likely, the service sucked balls. The food was good. My friend said that his chicken ramen could have had a deeper flavor. My huge issue (and the reason for 3 stars) was that I ordered an egg, and I was given HALF of an egg. HALF. WHAT?!?! SHA NA NA NA... The service was good, and the best part was the GM came around and asked our honest opinions. My friend told him about the ramen and I told him the horribleness of the HALF egg. He was gracious and listened to everything we had to say. Also, when I was there, there was a big plank covering the window?? Not sure, it might be different now, but that was weird.
(3)
Sir Peppermouth W.

My gf and I were in town and passed by it, thought we'd give it a shot. We were glad we did.. we were pleasantly surprised. We had tonkatsu ramen, and both the ice creams also. It was delicious. Would recommend.
(4)
Casey L.

I am in Chicago with my father from Arkansas to look at University of Chicago and Northwestern, and I was really craving some authentic ramen. When we walked in, I was a little disappointed. The place looks like a really great hipster American food or coffee place, with quasi-rap playing over the speakers. Very cool, but not really what I was looking for. Our waitress was really great, very friendly, very willing to talk about the menu, the restaurant, and their chef. She was the highlight of my meal. Both of our bowls were entirely too garlicky (I had the Brisket and my father the kimchi. Perhaps not the most traditional of their options, but the garlic was still overpowering. I definitely think I would have enjoyed my ramen much more had the garlic been more subtle. The brisket in my ramen was excellently done. Our food came very quickly. Oh garlic, curse you.
(3)
Steve O.

Tonkotsu, beef brisket, Manila clams...all awesome. My favorite is the fried chicken Kim Che ramen that is out of this world. It's familiar, crunchy, spicy and you get that pickled Napa cabbage. This was reason enough to come back two nites in a row. If you want an appetizer, ask Maggie (yes she rocks ... Go Maggie !!!) for the spicy Szechuan chicken wings... Nuff said!
(5)
Ilissa B.

I thought that this place was fantastic - and being that it's only the first week and they still don't have windows, i'm sure it's just going to improve. We had a 9pm reservation for 4. After about 15 minutes of waiting and grabbing a drink at the bar, the manager came up to us and apologized for the wait. No big deal at all, we had good company and were enjoying our drinks - but the fact that he even acknowledged it was much appreciated. After about 30 minutes, he came back again to seat us, and let us know that since we had to wait so long past our reservation, that he put in an order for some appetizers for us. The smoked salmon nigiri was awesome - smokey flavor and just the right amount of heat. We then had the pekin duck bun, the fried chicken bun, and the szechuan spicy wings. All were very good, but the wings were awesome - super spicy and delicious! We each ordered our own ramen (which i will be eating for lunch today, as well). Two of us got the black sesame with the fried shrimp - i thought it was fantastic. The two others ordered the kimchi one, which i tried and really enjoyed the flavor of that broth. They finished with the ice cream cones, but I was too full - and I usually NEVER turn down ice cream! :( Customer service on it's own receives 5 stars. Food was great, service was great, the boys enjoyed their beers, I enjoyed the cilantro lime margarita, but as the others said, the hisanto-san is just a very small cup of juice. Overall, we all enjoyed our meal and will definitely be back.
(5)
Nikki L.

This is a great place to come to if you are looking to get some soup on a cold day and chicken wings. It's a fun relaxed environment with a cool urban feel. They are open late night which is awesome and able to accommodate large parties. I'm sure they'll be seeing a lot of me this winter!
(4)
Stefanie L.

First of all - I don't really like Raman because I ate too much of it when I was in college, and if you know what I'm talking about, I'm not talking about the fancy kind. When I walked into Raman-san, I was a little bit skeptical, but decided to give it a shot. Once the ambiance of the old school rap music caught my attention, I felt a little more open. We ordered the sumo bowl, which I shared with my friend. It was seriously the best thing I have put in my mouth in a long time. The meat just sort of melted, and all of the flavors were delicious. I also had the sticky thai chicken wings - which had the most amazing garlicy sauce. The only thing I wasn't impressed with is this thing that Chicago restaurants seem to do, where they have a completely open floor but tell you that they're booked solid so you have to sit along the wall, or worse off - turn you away to keep room for the reservations. Take it from NYC, Chicago - eat what's on your plate. You'll serve more clients, you'll make more money, and you'll get better reviews because more people will have exposure to how delicious your food is.
(5)
Alex F.

To be honest, I was a bit disappointed. When I saw the name of the restaurant, I was actually hoping for the real Japanese noodle but this wasn't it. I had the Tonkotsu Ramen. It was just average. The broth was pretty good tho. Aside from the noodle, I also got the Cilantro Lime Margarita and the Pekin Duck bun. They were both very good. Aside for the food, pretty cool interior design and the bartender was exceptional.
(3)
Erica G.

The atmosphere is real cool ,at first it may have seemed like a fancy sit down fast food place but the service and food presentation was surely restaurant style . We had the Saigon chicken wings which were AMAZING ! You might need 2 orders as well as the Brisket Garlic and Spicey ramen bowls. The Vaniila Grapefruit dessert was so refreshing but way to small of a portion. However we loved it. Will be back! Btw make sure you have a server named Ana. She was awesome !
(4)
S H.

Went here since slurping turtle decided to lock its doors almost an hour early... Gyoza app was delicious- nice juicy filling with fresh well textured wrappers. The ramen was ok. Noodle to broth and toppings ratio is off. Also the soup was not hot. Noodles are really good and had nice texture. Could be really good since the flavors are nice but they seem haphazard at putting it together.
(2)
Ashley G.

Went last night, a Friday with a group of five girls. They were extremely accommodating as we were a few minutes late for our reservation. Had a great server, very attentive and helped walk us through the menu. We tried the buns and tuna appetizers, the buns are unreal. The chicken bun melts in your mouth. Everyone loved their ramen bowls. My bowl was a special Green curry and crispy duck! It is spicy but the flavors are right on key. I give this place a must try!
(5)
hanna y.

Ambiance was spot on. A very cozy spot with lots for the eye to explore. The music was great and not too loud for conversation. I got started off with the fried chicken bun Andy friend got the pork belly bun. The presentation of the buns looked promising, but I wish it tasted as good as it looked. The friend chicken bun wasn't as flavorful as I wanted it to be and the sauce that accompanied it was too overpowering. For the main course I got the brisket ramen, which it mentioned the brisket was from bub city. The ramen was too salty for my liking and the noodles seemed a tad bit undercooked. I was not impressed with the food. If I need a ramen fix I'd rather go to oiistar in wicker park. I had high hopes but was sorely disappointed.
(2)
Nick A.

Very rich flavor in the tokanatsu. The black oil garlic in the brisket was a little sweet for my taste. Next time I'll do the tokanatsu broth with the brisket meat.
(5)
Mack A.

First time in downtown having ramen, I have to say this place is a very nice place, food is great, service is awesome, price is a little high but it's in downtown so understandable. Highly recommended to give a try if you are intown!
(5)
Jo A.

As an udpate- they have fixed their once too salty broth, so now a staple lunch spot for my co-workers and I. The lunch combo at $15 is a great value.
(4)
Chris H.

Came here for lunch and liked it. I had the tonkotsu ramen with extra garlic and my friend did the express lunch (half ramen and half rice dish). The express lunch reminded of a bento box without the box. I enjoyed the ramen and thought it was very flavorful. It might have been on the small size. Normally, I feel like ramen is very filling, but this wasn't was especially true this time. I would go back.
(4)
Noble S.

As many of the reviews say, the atmosphere is great at Ramen-san. Great for a fun date, dinner with colleagues, or the start of a night out with friends. The tables are good for a group, and I'd recommend a reservation if going at dinner time. I sampled the pork and shrimp wontons, which were great, and the brisket and black garlic ramen was pretty good. I also sampled the tonkatsu, which was salty, but still a solid choice. As for drinks, the cilantro-lime margarita was a great choice. The cilantro was a nice touch--particularly refreshing on a warmer day. I definitely plan to go back, especially for the late-night fried rice.
(4)
David B.

We ordered the tonkatsu and the miso ramen. The tonkontsu tasted amazing. I finished all the soup which I never normally do. The miso was very spicy. Make sure you can handle a higher end spicy flavor. Other than that, the food was a bit pricy but tasted amazing. Will be back in the future.
(5)
Genevieve G.

I admit I was wary at first bc I think of ramen as that crappy cheap stuff you eat in college. But this was awesome! Ask for Betsy as your server! Food was high quality and very flavorful and not like every other pub and steak house in river north. Extra points for originality and 90s hip hop music.
(5)
Shardool P.

My experience at Ramen-san left me with mixed emotions and outlook on the place. I'll be blunt out the gate here.... Slurping Turtle is far better. Ramen-san is basically a tweaked Slurping Turtle in a younger, more hipster style environment. That said, I am a connoisseur of many things, but ramen is not one of them by any scale ... yet I enjoy the food at Slurping Turtle down the street better. The only reason this isn't getting 1 star is because the place is pretty cool, great music selection, the ramen isn't bad per se, and if LEYE cleans up this place, it could be a cool and trendy late night ramen spot (bonus points for being open late). I wish my review could have been more focused on the decor/ambiance but it's already too long. I do like the ambiance it's pretty cool and laid back. Me and a friend went on opening night and were able to snag a table right away in the open seating area near the door. It's a little weird if you're sitting in the first row of it though (it's set up as long rows almost like bleachers) because you're staring right at each person right when they walk in so yeah a little strange. One thing we were really impressed by was the -amazing- selection of old hip hop classics they plaid one after another. I don't think one bad song played ... we're talking Common, Q-Tip, BIG, Tupac, Mos Def ... real solid stuff! We started down a strikeout inning known as our opening night meal at Ramen-San with the curry wings. All the ramen looked so good but we finally each decided to order the classic shoyu, with me adding the fried chicken. The wings arrived fairly quickly and were quite good actually ... probably the best part of the meal. Unfortunately we didn't see how they qualified as curry wings, which was later explained on our check because they gave us the wrong wings -- Strike 1. On our last wing, upon looking at it a bit closer in the dimly lit space, I realized it was very pink inside! Strike 2. After requesting the attention of a server they did offer to replace the order but by that time I was over it. Next came the ramen, which when delivered in front of me by the runner almost completely toppled over to dump scalding hot liquid on me and down my legs (I was wearing shorts), had it not been for my expeditious reflexes! Some did manage to drop down and burn me for a second though ... not like a little burn but a pretty decent burn, fortunately there isn't any real damage. STRIKE 3, and I haven't even touched the ramen yet! The ramen was not bad, I felt like there were too many noodles packed in with not enough broth but to each their own. Again I'm not a ramen aficionado [yet]. I also would have appreciated a side of Sriracha to mix in, but our waitress was never around. The heftily priced $4 fried chicken addition was tiny and not chopped up properly so distribution amongst the dish was shoddy. So I guess you could call that strike 4, and then as I mentioned, during this entire episode our waitress was no where to be found for most of the meal. When it was all done and said I was mildly satisfied but considering that every component of the meal seemed to have a pain point, I just wanted to get the hell out of there! So I paid my bill, which was not even partially comped by the way, and left. Correct me if I'm wrong but if a restaurant almost sends you packing to the hospital, they probably shouldn't add insult to injury and make you pay for it?! Shameful. The overall experience was not ideal and they were fairly unapologetic about it which is no way to treat a customer. I've come to expect more from Lettuce Entertain You restaurants, especially being a Frequent Diner and all.
(2)
Michael S.

At 11:45 AM I was looking for reservations for two people at about noon. This place popped up and I decided to give it a try and in the end thrilled that I chose to eat at this ramen shop. I had the sump bowl, which turned out to be exactly what I was hoping I would receive, a giant bowl of flavorful soup to last me an almost 6 hour drive. The brisket and pork were cooked as I like, and the broth was delightfully flavored. The service was fast and there was plenty of seating in the restaurant. The staff was also more than helpful in guiding a fellow patrons choice in food. They even have a nice lunch special that is really a tremendous value. Overall this is one of my favorite ramen shops and I will definitely be coming back here to to try some of the other fantastic sounding items on their menu.
(5)
Carrie L.

I had the Tonkotsu - the broth was very salty and the noodles over-cooked, edible, but not great. The salad-san was excellent tho, the carrot-ginger dressing perfect.
(2)
Leoni C.

I was in Chicago last week with my husband and 2 other friends...we were there for 5 days and I have been craving Ramen the whole time! Got my Ramen fixed on our last night. They made me search for a good spot and definitely didn't regret I picked this place! Smoked brisket and burnt garlic was the best!
(4)
Russ S.

Did I just pay 90$ for two bowls of soup and 4 beers? The fuck is wrong with me
(1)
Brandt J.

Got back here from dinner a few minutes ago; This place was excellent. The service was perfect and the food was very good. The interior is a little crowded but still feels like you and your table have "Space". The decor is sparse in a good way. There isn't windows and the light is kept quite low. The Ramen was great. Very flavorful, just spicy enough to not demand more pepper, and the molten egg was fantastic. Dessert was black poppy seed ice cream, no idea where else I can get this, I may even come back just for this stuff. Drinks were pricey and seemed a little lacking in alcohol in favor of ice, that was a little disappointing. Glad I got to try this place so early in it's life, I'm curious to see where it'll go.
(3)
Mariam A.

I forgot what we ordered but it was kinda spicy Chicken ramen with boiled egg in it. It was absolutely delicious and super flavorful. I definitely attempted to 'slurp' the whole thing, but sometimes it would be so spicy I would choke on it basically haha. I'm not too great at handling spice either so that's another factor. We'd definitely come here again!
(4)
Food Spy S.

I always like a menu that is compact with a few good (and not overwhelming) selections. Atmosphere is casual and hip. Food -- I had the tonkotsu ramen. The ingredients that went into the bowl was good, BUT (sigh) it was extremely salty, to a level it didn't feel healthy (Gatorade to the rescue when I got home). Hopefully this is not the case for all their dishes all the time. The recipe should be adjusted for this.
(3)
Lani N.

If you are looking for good ramen at good price range then this is not the place. My friends and I were in town visiting and decided to go here. We had the tonkentsu ramen, the brisket ramen, and one other type, I couldn't remember but all of our broth were pretty salty. Maybe they have their bad days and their good but the ramen wasn't on point that day. The noodle was soft and chewy which we did like. I also had the mantou pork belly, first bite was very salty, the bun was very fatty... was not worth the $5 I had to split out for the bad quality of food. Side orders were tiny tiny portion and they charge $2 extra. Overall, I would go here if I was having mad mad craving for ramen and there wasn't another option but for the quality of food and the price range, not worth my money or my time. They need to improve and make their food more consistent, if they going to charge high then quality must be good.
(2)
Zip T.

Sometime in the past year, after the gourmet burger craze, and gourmet desserts had their moments, suddenly ramen had its turn in the spotlight. With numerous "Ramen spots" already established in LA/NYC it was only time until Chicago followed suit. Ramen-san is apparently one of the "premier" ramen spots in Chicago. The blasting hip-hop music, and hip River North location can't hide how horrible the actual food is at this restaurant. If you are not a fan of ramen to begin with, I wouldn't count on a bowl at this joint to change your opinion. The "Lettuce Entertain You" group is known for their sleek, cool restaurants, and they make sure you know it as soon as you step inside Ramen-San. But once you take away the vibe and atmosphere and try their lackluster ramen, anyone can tell that this place is just a scene. I tried the Sumo bowl and Tonkatsu and was horrified at how salty both bowls were. It was near inedible. At $17 a bowl, it was a complete ripoff. Service was very poor on a Friday night. I don't know what else is left to say about this place, I am willing to give Ramen another shot but maybe at a place dedicated to its food and craft. You will not find that here. If you're looking for a place to be seen and grab a bite that you'll forget before partying out in River North, this is the place for you.
(1)
David C.

I thought it was ok. It's not 100% authentic ramen but how many people know what authentic ramen tastes like? Who cares? Bottom line is is it good? Spicy tonkatsu ramen was good enough. Ordered w side of Kimchee and was better. Salt & pepper shiggin wings were good. Shoyu was ok. Service was pretty good. Ambience was nice. Typical Avec/momofuku woody design. Muzak wize, I'm not all too into hip hop parade but that's all what's going around these days. They are also open late. Overall 4 stars for me.
(4)
Robert K.

Atmosphere and the interior were the first things that caught my attention. Open-air restaurant and bar in river north Chicago; what's not to like about that? The food was amazing. Their duck ramen had a delicious broth and the first duck meatballs i've ever had in my life. I also thought the sauce on their pot stickers was great, although my friends preferred the hot wings. Overall, would definitely come again.
(5)
Dennis T.

The decor is nice but the music is distasteful. People coming in for dinner at six aren't coming to club. I got the pork belly bun app, which was overcooked and dry. The sauce on it was also not very good. The sumo bowl was the worst bowl of ramen that I've ever had at a restaurant. The broth had no flavor, and the meat in it was low-grade. If this place survives, it'll be because people can't see through the facade.
(2)
SouthSide C.

I wish I could give this place 4 and 1/2 stars. My sister and I loved this place. We had sake bombs and big bowls of savory ramen. They allow you to customize your ramen by adding ingredients. We made a reservation and still ended up standing at the crowded bar for 15 minutes but the wait didn't seem long with the music playlist. I can't wait to bring my husband.
(4)
Coleen K.

Ramen San has a great atmosphere, but the food fails to wow me. I love the hip vibe of this noodle place-- exposed brick, communal tables, very trendy. However, their ramen bowls aren't my favorite. Something just seems like it is missing. Came once for dinner, and service was spot-on. Came once for lunch, and not so much... lunch lasted about 1.5 hours, and food took FOREVER to come out. Strange that during a weekday lunch it took this long, especially considering that we ordered off their lunch special menu. Anyhow, I would choose other Ramen shops first before this one.
(3)
Patty K.

Hip and young crowd. We had ramen soups and they were tasty. Side order portions were small. $15 for a bowl of meatless noodle soup.
(3)
Alex J.

Had the smoked brisket and garlic bowl. Great food and music was awesome just played 90s hip hop Nas and Big L. Good people and service!
(4)
Mel C.

I got tonkatsu. Noodles were too hard, broth was not very hot, soup was way too spicy. Nonetheless it satisfied my ramen craving. Not the best ramen place, but not terrible. If you have a choice I'd pick a different ramen restaurant in Chicago. It does have an awesome vibe to it though - dim, projectors showing sports on red brick walls, cool communal tables.
(3)
C J.

Finally went to this place tonight and ordered the smoked brisket & black garlic noodles. Way too salty. The beef was dry as well. Disappointed that this restaurant is not up to Lettuce Entertain You's standards.
(2)
Roy P.

I stumbled across this place with a friend and I'm glad we did! The menu is not over whelming and during lunch hours they have a type of quick pre-fixed menu (you still choose what you want though) that makes it much easier to decide! I forgot our servers name but I know he was from Seattle was very informative and helpful during our lunch. Overall, a great spot especially in this cold weather! PS. they were playing Nas & Common throughout the restaurant, great food and great music. Done!
(5)
Iris L.

First off, Ramen-san has excellent service. The hostess very kindly told us that there was a wait despite our reservation. That was fine and expected for a new ramen place. Our server was also nice. He joked around with us and explained the dishes. He didn't rush us at all, and he also didn't hover. The ramen, on the other hand, was just okay. I would definitely rank Misoya and Wasabi above, then Oiistar, and then Ramen-san and Slurping Turtle. I got the shiitake ramen with an egg and with kimchi on the side. The kimchi was delicious--pungent and bold. The broth was a bit thick and 1-dimensional, like there weren't multiple layers to the flavor. The noodles were good, as was the shiitake (fresh, not dried). All in all, I am definitely glad it was half price today. My friend also felt so-so about the ramen she got. She did enjoy her margarita and duck mantou bun though. I'll probably come back to Ramen-san in 6 months or so. It's nowhere near the best ramen I've ever had, and I won't be daydreaming about it like I do with Misoya. However, I think Ramen-san could benefit from some more experience, feedback, and time. I have high hopes for this place.
(2)
Molly C.

I really like this place. The food is good, fun and upbeat atmosphere and casual. I will be returning!
(3)
Yi Y.

Almost the worst ramen restaurant I had been visited. They may focus on decoration more than the food, but I say the food (ramen) is the foundation of the whole conception. The restaurant even called itself with the name *ramen*, I won't think they deserve this name. And super pricy based on this quality. If you want to have a real ramen, DO NOT PICK THIS ONE.
(1)
Michael S.

Awesome food. Pork buns = !!! Ramen = !!! And we came in for lunch on a Friday and it was busy. Definitely good place to eat some noodles.
(4)
Casey T.

WORST RAMEN PLACE IN CHICAGO!! I always eat ramen and love it! But this was a horrible experience, would never recommend this place to anyone!!! Horrible ramen place, we sat here for 40mins waiting while 8 tables were open, the community seating which was first come first serve had a wait time also which I didn't understand. Management obviously doesn't want to make money here, reservation times are an hour and a half, which is insane for ramen who takes almost 2hrs to eat ramen?? If you want to wait 2hrs for a table that will be open the whole team then come to this otherwise you can go to a better ramen location where they won't make you wait til the reservations won't show up... WORST RAMEN LOCATION IN CHICAGO!
(1)
B S.

I ordered Tonkotsu Ramen,and was very disappointed. These are reasons I did not like. Noodle was undercooked ( was still half raw ). Soup does not have any Tonkotsu taste at all. Chilli oil is not supposed to use for Tonkotsu soup. Cha-Shu Pork smells too strong star anise. This place is "OK" for Ramen beginners, but "Absolutely NO" for Ramen experts
(1)
Rose Kz K.

I was looking for real Japanese Ramen, so very disappointment. Obviously, it's Chinese owner's ramen store which pretends Japanese. Chopsticks are cheep Chinese. Cha Shu pork is seasoned with Chinese extra herb.( terrible for me) The taste is from a ramen set from supermarkets. If you are a Japanese, you know the quality. But it's good atmosphere to have drink.
(2)
James W.

I stopped in during opening week with some friends when all the ramen dishes were half off. We didn't have reservations but were seated within 25 minutes or so. The restaurant is located next to the Paris Club and apparently was converted from the old Paris Club bistro lounge area. It definitely gives off that lounge area vibe. Conversation-dampening hip hop music blares from the speakers and the only windows are boarded up so darkness reigns. It's also a bit cramped so I wouldn't come with too large a crowd. There are tables for four lining the walls along with a bar area and communal tables squeezed into the center. I ordered the Tonkotsu ramen. To me, what separates average ramen from Tanpopo-caliber ramen is the broth. The flavor should capture the essence of pork while the texture should be almost cream-like. Unfortunately, the Tonkotsu broth at Ramen-san tasted watered down and it was much too salty. My friend ordered the Shitaake ramen and said that it was equally just as "hypertensio-licious." The ramen noodles were also a bit chewier than I would have preferred. At opening week half off prices, I could recommend the ramen at Ramen-san. However, at full price (~$13 a bowl), the bowls are bigger at Slurping Turtle nearby in River North and the ramen is much tastier at Wasabi (without any of the above-mentioned issues) if you're willing to travel to Logan Square. I ate at Wasabi a few days after going to Ramen-san and I could immediately tell that there's just a better class of ramen at Wasabi. In conclusion: Ramen-san, I was served at Wasabi. I know Wasabi. Wasabi is a friend of mine. Ramen-san, you're no Wasabi.
(3)
C C.

I was in Chicago for vacation and passed by this restaurant so thought I'd give it a try and was really disappointed. ordered the schezhwan wings and they were awful. Incredibly salty and drenched in oil. It was so bad I couldn't finish. I also had the tonkotsu Ramen. The tonkotsu pork itself was ok but the rest of the Ramen. .... SALTY. SoOoOoOooooo salty. I didn't end up finishing either dish I ordered. For the price I had to pay I would rather spend it somewhere else.
(1)
Jet S.

Pretty good, trying to do something different. Very overpriced for ramen noodles. Atmosphere is just okay.
(3)
Christine T.

We came here for dinner after happy hour at 3 dots and a dash across the street. Meh... there are better ramen (authentic or fusion) options so I would not recommend unless you are geographically limited to 1-2 blocks radius. The noodles themselves were good, but the broths were too salty and fatty.
(2)
Brandi F.

So... I had seen this place on SOSH several times and was excited to try it because of the "hip hop" vibe. I paid $8 for parking and was ready to eat. I ordered the beef brisket noodles and it was ok. This place is very expensive and they don't give you a lot of food. The entree I ordered was $15 when it should have been $10. I would say the high priced food is due to the location of the restaurant. Sadly, I won't be coming back here. Ever. Again. High Five Ramen in the west loop is CHEAPER and WAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY BETTER and the portion size is definitely worth the money (2 people could easily share a bowl of their ramen). I gave this place 2 stars simply because the music is excellent and my waiter was nice and very cute (haha). Otherwise I'd say take your $15 and go to high five ramen.
(2)
Sarah S.

EXPENSIVE ramen but good ramen. The broth is extremely flavorful-- I would recommend the brisket.
(4)
Tiva T.

Hipster ramen spot. Good music, ok ramen. My ramen was served at lukewarm temperature. I thought this may have been a fluke, but based on other reviews that does not seem to be the case. I might come here again if hungry, but there's always Slurping Turtle (better) or Strings (best).
(3)
Don G.

The meal i had here was great (i've been here twice), the service was friendly and the atmosphere was very nice. I definately enjoyed my experience.
(4)
David H.

Skip this place if you are a serious Ramen lover. The broth is mediocre. Meat and all is um ok. The place is aesthetically cool. But that's not what counts when it comes to Ramen.
(2)
Farrah W.

Been here twice and the food and service are excellent. The dishes are creative, delicious and plentiful. They also play the BEST music, I'll be back!
(4)
Reagan C.

Good noodles. They had really great service and even brought a side of noodles and chop stick helper for my little niece. I had the pork ramen and the broth was very tasty. Great place to jump of state and Michigan ave of you are down here shopping. Cocktails were very tasty. Had the cilantro margarita. It was sour and flavorful instead if sweet which was perfect.
(4)
Sara L.

LOVED this place. Cute, casual atmosphere with old hip hop playing. The ramen was delicious, and I was tempted to order another bowl! Yummy.
(5)
Maria L.

Excellent ramen !!! I'm a ramen lover and this is by far one of the best on the nation . Ordered the lunch special and it was absolutely delicious !!!
(5)
Julie L.

Good service but mediocre ramen. The sumo we got was not very tasty but the hamachi Kama and Szechuan wings were good. So go for the other food
(3)
Eddie S.

I've been to Ramen-san a handful of times since their opening, and I can tell you they have only gotten better with age. The depth of flavors in their broth have improved since day 1, but the great toothsome-ness of the noodles is still there, as is the quality of the pork. I love me some Tonkatsu ramen or, if I'm really hungry, the Sumo Bowl. Also, the late night fried rice served after 10pm sounds simple but tastes spectacular. For a great refreshing beverage on a warm summer night, the sake bomb is a must. Its super tasty and a lot of fun to see people slamming the tables to get the sake to fall into the cold Asahi. I've heard Ramen-san has a great lunch special deal now, so really you can go there for lunch, dinner, or late-night (they close at 2am on Fri and Sat) and enjoy some of the best, and most accessible, ramen in the city.
(5)
Justin R.

The whiskey, sake, ramen and sticky buns were all excellent. Living in North Florida, I'm deprived of these offerings, so my 5 star rating could be zealously overcompensating.
(5)
Bryan M.

I used to live in Chicago and was very happy to see a new Ramen spot when I came back into town for the night. Came in late night at about 11 pm on a Tuesday night and it wasn't busy at all. We got the late night fried rice and it was amazing. I got the spicy miso and I would definitely get it again. I had two revolution IPAs also a day my check was about $40. This is a cool fast service ramen joint and I would come back again. Our server Anne was friendly and was able to joke around with my friends and I which was fun. The only down fall was that it tasted better going down than when it came out the next morning.
(4)
Tanmaye B.

I found my go-to spot for ramen! Been here several times and they consistently deliver! The staff is friendly and helpful, the exposed brick and subtle lighting make for a pretty cool vibe, and you can jam out to old-school hip hop while you are waiting for your food! I usually start with the saigon style wings and an ice-cold asahi draft.. the wings are particularly awesome, lots of spicy-sweet flavor. The buns and the gyoza are also delicious. I usually stick to the shoyu broth with some chashu pork added in.. the broth is a perfect balance of tangy, salty, and savory, yet still pretty light. The tonkotsu is a great option if you want something a bit heartier & a thicker broth. Highly recommended, can't wait to go back!
(5)
Elizabeth D.

We loved this place! The food and service were wonderful. I was impressed that they had a vegetarian soup based option that was incredibly delicious! The salad and pork bun apps were great, too!
(5)
Jason P.

Late night Chicago in summer. Listening to Summer time, by Will Smith, along with other 80-90's hip hop music. Front doors open, asahi beer, crispy lamb fried rice with egg. I'm sure someone good at haiku, could make sense of this. Not me. I just enjoy the yummy food.
(5)
Cos L.

I dont love noodles/ramen. I know, I know, then why did I go to a noddle place? Well I'm glad I did! Great food, great music, great drinks and awesome service!! Even if you aren't a fan of ramen, give this place a try!
(4)
Ali B.

Got the lunch special with a group of friends on a weekday. It was awesome we all loved it! It was my first time having ramen but I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Patrick C.

Excellent ramen shop! Went there for a late night dinner and was not disappointed. The service was quick. Ordered two of the buns and they were excellent. The ramen was good and I would definitely visit again if I'm in town.
(4)
I P.

Pretty good ramen! I don't eat ramen often so I don't have many places to compare it to but their spicy szechuan chicken wings have awesome seasoning and their chicken broth ramen - shio were my favorites. I actually went 2x in the same week because I enjoyed it so much in this cold weather! I wish they had more chicken broth ramen options as usually they are beef/pork broth based usually.
(4)
Mark S.

Great neighborhood lunch spot! The music was enjoyable, the waiter was friendly and the miso salmon was delicious!
(5)
Mica G.

Noodles are important to me. They are such a comfort go-to for me and I am always happy when there are more solid options sure satiate my noodle lust. the place__ I think the interior space creates a nice setting for some casual or serious noodle slurping. Eclectic/Industrial modern with Asian accents. Wood, pipe & stone. It reminds me a bit like a place I would see in NYC. I'm a little thrown off on some of the Chinese elements in the place like the chopsticks and the tray the checks are delivered on, but maybe that's a subtle shout out to ramen's origins. It's not a big room. Very square, but it seems to accomodate couples to larger parties decently well (at least during the non-peak hours I seem to go there at). the food__ I haven't explored much of the menu outside of the ramen, but for the next time, I think I'd like to try some of their buns. The bowls I have had are the Tonkatsu, the Brisket & the Sumo. The Brisket (which uses Bub City brisket I think) has become my preferred. Overall it's a nicely balance bowl of ramen. The noodles hold the broth nicely and the other accoutrements in the dish add nice subtle textures and taste accents throughout the slurpsperience (Big yum goes out to the molten egg in the bowl!). The Tonkatsu is nice too, though I've been digging the shoyu broth lately. I do wish they served their bowls a little more steaming hot. The Sumo bowl I believe is served with extra noodles and a lot of everything. Pork & Brisket etc, etc ... I think they'll need to work on this one a bit. I like the idea of this sort of "garbage" bowl, but I'm not sure it works for me here. Additionally, I think all the extra stuff may cool of the broth a bit too quickly. the drink__ I think they may have the most Japanese Whiskeys I've seen yet in a Chicago establishment. Loads of them. I had a taste of their take on an old fashioned. I personally didn't like it that much as I felt the Yamazaki Single Malt was a little overpowering for me. I did enjoy a nice dry manhattan there. I also had a draft of asahi beer with creamy frozen foam. *sweet!* the staff__ I really dig the staff here. Helpful, knowledgeable and down to earth. All of the managers I had interactions with were really enthusiastic and genuinely excited about the place and the offerings. The barkeeps I encountered have been stellar as well. All in all, I think this is a solid concept and welcome addition. Well done Mr. Melman. Again... One thing I kind of wish they had was an open kitchen where I could see the chefs slingin' noodles into my bowl. Oh well ...
(4)
Jo E.

I am giving 5 stars to both; food and server. We had the tonkotsu ramen and fried chicken appetizer tonight and they both were excellent. Service was exceptional; the hostess' recommendations were dead on and our server, Adam S was perfect. Can't beat the price especially for its location where they are surrounded by $$$$ restaurants. Both my wife and I will be back whenever we come back to Chicago.
(5)
Meg S.

Went with a group of 6 girls and started with the raw tuna appetizer and hamachi which were both super tasty. We all got different ramen bowls and they are huge, no one came close to finishing. The spicy miso is seriously super spicy, my friend had a hard time eating it (really tasty though). I ordered the kimchi fried chicken ramen and thought it was really good and just the right amount of spicy. My roommate ordered the tonkotsu which was really savory and yummy as well.
(4)
Izzy N.

"Gray ramen: what's up with that?"-Nishan P. Agreed one of my dining companions, agreed. What IS up with that? I've made pork broth before and it comes out clear not like this gray murky shit. Perplexing to this table of Asians for sure. The only other gray stuff I can think of is fermented fish or shrimp paste but I know it isn't in this. I don't think white people in river north would be down with that. Fish sauce already scares them. I wanted to ask our server but we were ready to go and she was elsewhere. Service is great by the way, as is at most LEYE restaurants I find. We all chose the pork broth, fried shrimp, buttered corn ramen. I added in the fried garlic, molten egg, kimchi and noodle refill. Heck yes! But no, it sucked hardcore. First off, it's very salty. Blech. I poured some of my water in my bowl twice to make it tolerable. Loads of salt does not equal flavor people. The broth had no nice balance. Just salt. The molten egg is a dollar to add in. That shit better be cage free, organic happy, magical eggs because you only get half of it. So two bucks for both halves? Oh hellll no. 24 bucks for a dozen eggs? It's not even that expensive for a dozen at Whole Foods, and that's the organic, local, cage free, vegetarian diet eggs! Trust me, I buy my eggs at Whole Foods. Kimchi.. Meh. Corn?! You get like a teaspoon of it, I'm not even exaggerating here cuz I had to fish for that shit in my bowl. Bamboo shoots?! My all time favorite!! I had to fish for that too and you get two small pieces of it. Dude, it's like under 2 bucks for a huge can of bamboo shoots at an asian store or are the chefs here afraid of people not being able to handle this thing that asian people call bamboo shoots? At least they were generous with the noodles. I enjoyed the noodles but it got to be difficult for me to finish given the broth's saltiness. For the refill side I should have just ate the noodles with just a small ladle of the broth for seasoning. Thanks a lot for making me bloat hardcore tommorow morning ramen-san. We also had the smoked salmon nigiri and raw tuna with sesame crisps as apps. The smoked salmon was good but the raw tuna was regrettable. Waste of stomach space. They have great cocktails even though they are tiny. The hisato- san was a party in my mouth. I was excited to have another ramen option in the neighborhood because I'm not a fan of slurping turtle and union's is okay.. This place is about mediocre at best. Barely mediocre fushiony ramen. When people exclaim omg it's authentic.. Surely you jest. Surely. That's gotta be what you call sarcasm. Whoever is cooking this shit in the back needs a lot more practice or get some more cooking lessons. Not joking. The shame.
(2)
Tianji L.

The set is so good! If you wanna a best Japanese lunch special in downtown. You have to go Ramen-san
(5)
Marcus W.

Delicious lunch choices served quickly and piping hot. Totally affordable. Neon and brick interior reminds one of Tokyo. Only gripe: rock/pop/urban tunes are too loud!
(4)
Matt R.

Great food, great whiskey selection and great atmosphere. I cant remember specifics but I know I got a pork ramen dish with some kimchi and garlic and it was fantastic. I didn't know anything about Japanese whiskey and I was amazed at how informed my waiter Joel C. was on the topic. He recommended the Taketsuru whiskey since I wanted it on the rocks and I definitely loved this drink. Definitely a bit pricey (came out to $71.28 before tip for two entrees, appetizer and 3 drinks, but definitely worth it in my opinion. My girlfriend got one of the spicy dishes and when she found out it was too spicy for her (they actually mean it when they say spicy here so unless you really want to sweat stay away from the little devil faces) and they replaced it free of charge. Will definitely go back again.
(4)
Chris W.

Came here for my first real ramen experience, and I was not disappointed! Staff was friendly and helpful, restauraunt was nice though very unassuming from the outside (no signage to identify the restaurant, just the name on the door) I took our server's advice and had the special, and it was fantastic! If I was going to be in town longer, I would stop in again, and if I find my way back here I will. Highly recommended!
(5)
Patricia J.

Sooooooooo NOT good :( :( I stopped by here during opening week and the ramen is definitely not authentic nor tasteful. It's like slurping down a bowl of salt water - emphasis on the salt. There are much better ramen places in the city. The location is great but the food is just not up to par. *sad face* One star only goes to the cute little ice cream cones you can get for dessert.
(1)
Amanda S.

The best ramen I have had in the city, hands down! Killer cocktails, great selection of Sake, and really good 80' to 90's hiphop! The staff is super nice too!
(5)
Laura M.

Just ate at this place...we're going to be regulars! It's in River North in a trendy, exposed brick space. There was a delay with our reservation since people who had their checks were just sitting tight. The manager and host totally made up for it with a free appetizer and beer. Everyone who works here (except the mute barman) is awesome. Our server, Joel, was perfect. We got the salmon roll and gyozas to start which were delicious. We also got a chicken and pork belly bun which were ok. The ramen...oh my! So good! The special (with pork shoulder) and the brisket one, were both fantastic. The staff, and the ramen, are spot on.
(5)
Amy L.

I had really high hopes for this new Ramen joint. The noodles were good, but the broth, which should be the star of the show was so salty I couldn't finish my bowl. In many Asian cultures, a sign of a good soup is when you can lift up your bowl and drink every last drop. I could barely finish my oily, salty Tonkotsu broth. In addition there was barely in any pork. We also ordered the Saigon chicken wings which were very oily and the lemon grass and fish sauce over powered the wings themselves.
(2)
Regina F.

With the trend of ramen spots hitting up left and right, I'm definitely skeptical and don't have high expectations. Added that this restaurant is part of LEYE, my expectations were definitely nowhere near high. But, my experience was beyond disappointing and unsatisfied. Both my cousin and I ordered the shitake (veggie) ramen. When the server came, first and only thing we noticed was DARK liquid, and smelling the SALTY broth before the bowls even being placed onto the table. Everything was so salty that we couldn't even taste our noodles to our veggies, and lack there of. My cousin wanted to pour her water to mix with her broth. Aside from the sodium overload, the portion size was stingy, definitely nowhere as half the size as the other numerous ramen spots I've been to. Only had four or five small pieces of tofu and a few small pieces of shitake, which really was one whole piece of shitake, just cut up in tiny pieces. Being vegetarian, I am familiar with many chefs using salt as flavor in veggie dishes, which is cheap and annoying. But, I promise that this was so salty, you might as well drink straight from a soy sauce bottle. My cousin and I also notice the couple in front of us didn't finish their noodles and also made comments on the salty broth. One was also shitake, and the other was with chicken. Only upside was that service was nice and friendly. And since I was left dissatisfied and disappointed, I didn't want to wait for change, and ended up over tipping my server. I also want to note that since it's part of Paris Club, do not expect this place to be intimate and to converse with the loud music and possible sharing tables. I'm sure the few families with infants that were also there weren't expecting the whole clubby vibe either. With the horrible taste and cheap tiny portion, $13 a ramen was definitely not worth it. And even if this was complimentary, I'd rather grab a sandwich and chips from any convenience store down the block.
(1)
Kristin M.

Went recently with an out-of-town friend and appreciated her willingness to try something off the beaten path--(like no deep dish pizza, etc.!) Not knowing a ton about 'authentic' ramen spots in Japan, it was hard to judge Ramen-san in that respect--but it did seem that Lettuce Entertain You was going for a specific vibe and decor--very dark inside; no noticeable outdoor seating; bench-style communal seating; small space overall. We took the server's suggestions (great service) & ordered two different ramen dishes--the shoyu w/ fried chicken (sliced on top) and the vegetarian shiitake one w/ a molten egg added (next time I'd add a couple eggs vs. just one). Both were very hearty portions and delicious!! We needed to-go bags since, though we were hungry, there were still plenty of leftovers. We tried a few of the cocktails--their take on an old fashioned, a cilantro-lime margarita, and the hisanto san (FYI no wine on the menu--guessing this is in keeping with an 'authentic' menu). Next time I go, I'd like to go with a larger group to be able to sample more of the menu since the portions were pretty hearty. However, we did have room for desert (as per usual) & loved their sesame ice cream... served in cones with a chocolate ganache of sorts at the bottom. I would highly recommend saving room for the ice cream and/or stopping by just for the ice cream and a cocktail. I'd recommend Ramen-san to anyone wanting an atypical Chicago dining experience that's approachable, casual, and fun.
(4)
Tianni W.

finally, a decent ramen place in downtown chicago. tried the tonkotsu and the Peking duck mantou. texture of the duck is not quite there, but it did well to satiate my hunger as I waited for my ramen. on to the ramen: tonkotsu broth was well seasoned (a tad too much garlic imo) - but the broth itself was not stewed quite thick and flavorful enough, so there's no "I want to finish this even if it kills me" sensation that I get from some of the best tonkotsu broths I've tried. the noodles have a good texture, though it's still preferable if they were made fresh in house. chashu had a good balance of fat and lean meat, and the portion was just nice. I'm also really glad that they went with the molten egg instead of hard boiled (like santouka) overall, I'd go back to try some of their other ramen. and the pork belly mantou, since the chashu turned out well. hope they get the ramen trend rolling in Chicago! oh and please, get rid of the chopsticks.
(4)
Darrin D.

I enjoyed everything I ordered and will be going back to try a few different items. I had the spicy szechuan chicken wings, a fried chicken mantou bun, and the smoked brisket & black garlic Ramen.
(4)
M K.

I have mixed feelings about writing this review. I want to rate this high, because this city is in need of more (good) ramen places.....I kept on mentioning how a place as new as them needs ANONYMOUS FEEDBACK CARDS to improve (unfortunately, having someone ask you whether you liked your food doesn't cut it), but alas I'll resort to putting my comments here. First off, I'm so glad that I was able to score a half-off deal....but I'm not going to let that bias my overall review (e.g. I'm rating as if I spent full $$$) In order to measure up to the top ramen places, the first thing Ramen-san really needs to get absolutely right is their broth. From the very first bite, it was #1 WAY TOO SALTY, and #2 NOT THICK/COMPLEX enough (e.g. a bit on the watery side). I think they need to take a page of notes from Wasabi, who has this down almost to a T (i.e. daikokuya in DTLA is the best so far imo). For me, the biggest gripe is the saltiness. Almost every other ramen place, I can down the soup like no other.....unfortunately, this place, I stopped eating the noodles with the soup, and just ate the noodles by itself. My eating companions agreed (eventually). Fortunately, fixing this is very easy. There were a couple other little things here and there. The noodle is a tad bit chewier that I would like, but still not bad. A few of my pork slices were on the drier side, but I think that was just unique to me (so I'm not deducting for that). Eating the ramen made me crave for some dessert, so I had their vanilla and black sesame ice cream on a cone. That was actually pretty good, and I'm super glad I had that to cap my dinner. Overall, I hope this place succeeds (and incorporates my suggestions). For the immediate future though, I won't consider myself a regular. =(
(3)
Robin W.

A-OK is about all I can say here. I got the fried chicken bun and the shoyu ramen. Both were okay but nothing spectular. The ramen was a little low on broth and the noodles were more like ramen from the grocery store than authenthic ramen noodles. Regardless, I still finished my bowl, but that was more a reflection of my hunger than the quality of the ramen :) The restaurant is open late and if I were hammered, that would be some great soup. Sober? Just okay. Also the music was great! 90s hip hop BUT very loud. I was screaming at my friends to have a conversation. I think this place fits the neighborhood, but I wouldn't make it a go-to destination for my next ramen fix.
(3)
Debbie L.

I really do want to rate this place higher. The service was phenomenal but there was something lacking that makes it more unique than other ramen shops in Chicago.
(4)
Sean M.

I ordered the kimchi and fried chicken ramen along with the salmon nigiri with wasabi caviar as an appetizer. The salmon was decent. The ramen was done well. The noodles were Tokyo style (wavy noodles). The broth was spicy (more so than the spicy miso which I also tried), and the spiciness complemented rather than dominated. The kimchi was fresh and a good addition; the fried chicken didn't add much. The temperature of the soup was hot, but not as hot as one tends to find in more traditional noodle shops, where the hot soup plays into the sensory experience. I'm giving it an 8 on my 10 point (non Japan) ramen scale. Saturday afternoon was not too busy so seating was no problem. It's one of the better ramen places in or around downtown and is worth going back.
(4)
Sarah O.

Nice atmosphere -- cool, fun music, but not crazy loud. Server was attentive but didn't rush us. Menu is brief, but I really enjoyed the tonkotsu. Best of all, not overly pricey.
(5)
Jon C.

Always great to see another Ramen shop in this somewhat lacking town. Especially one in River North. I'll keep it simple with five points (I had the Sumo): Meat: AMAZING smoked brisket. Tender, overflowing with flavor. Noodles: perfect consistency and texture. Fixings: great variety of add-ins and the egg was nice and runny. Broth: pretty good, but a bit on the salty side. My FiancÃ©e (who's definitely a self-proclaimed Ramen snob) thought the pork broth was slightly lacking in flavor. All the same, I thought it was tasty, just a tad salty for my preference. Bottom line: the dÃ©cor and vibe is hip, food is a bit pricey (though you always pay more in this hood) but I was definitely satisfied with my ramen. Maybe they could tweak the broth a bit to get some more flavor infused, but overall it's worth checking out. I'll definitely be back! Side note: the manager Amarit did a great job of checking in to see how guests were enjoying their food. Seemed very open to honest feedback and making everyone's experience good. Nice to see the management care so much, cause I'd love for this place to succeed.
(4)
Margi G.

Fantastic service and great food. Ramen-San has been open for 6 days and they must be doing something right, since there is a steady flow of people just in the short time I have been sitting here. Food is served fast and hot. Best if luck to them...
(5)
Zack M.

I feel like I am beginning my ramen journey a bit backwards, as ramen-san was my first spot (meaning to go to Santouka, oistar and wasabi), so I don't think I'm fully qualified. That said, it was good. Tonkatsu was quite solid, at least broth wise. Some notes were a bit more focused in one area than another (garlic heavy on one bite, then salty) but were very good regardless. Would have liked a bit more chasu, but I wasn't shocked by that in river north. At least for the 50% ramen. Everything else I feel could be $1-2 cheaper. Meaning +corn in the ramen could be a gratis option? Bring dumplings down a dollar. 10 for a well-made old fashioned isn't terrible in the neighborhood, but that price for premade drinks not involving the otherwise friendly bartenders seems rough (especially when the knowledge is around to do a significantly better singapore sling, aka down the street at 3dots). Super cold asahi is nice at a fiver. I'd go back if I needed late night bowl of noodles in river north, which could very well happen. Yet as a spot for itself w/ non discounted prices it remains to be seen whether this could drive me here over better spots.
(4)
Gregory S.

Great experience at Ramen-san. For only being opened a few days, there were no hiccups or issues. The service was great, our server took the time to not only make recommendations on some of the smaller plates, but also discuss in detail each of the ramen soups. The drinks were great; however, I think they were a little pricey given the portion size (very small glasses). The apps were delicious, we got the peking duck buns, two of the chicken wing plates (which were awesome), and the tuna avocado (so-so). The ramen was great (miso-sesame, black garlic) but maybe could have used a bit more broth - plenty of noodles and other condiments though. Definitely will go back!
(4)
HyoJeong Jenny J.

The worst ramen I've ever had in my life!!! Please save your money and get yourself a Mcdonalds or Chipotle. The ramen is too salty that my lips hurt after eating it.
(1)
Alex H.

Best ramen I ever had!! The atmosphere was great and staff were all friendly. A great place to go after work with some friends for some good food and drinks
(5)
Leila T.

This place was great. Awesome ramen bowls. The chicken buns were amazing. Surprisingly really full after eating those two items. The ramen bowls have a ton of noodles and most of these pictures don't do it justice. Very unique place and great atmosphere too!
(4)
J C.

Interior: Love the loft space. Very cool bar with those Japanese cats and I appreciate how open it is to the street. A little hot though. Food: delicious. But Better than slurping turtle? Probably not. Service: relaxed. I like that. And I like that you get your own table. I hate communal tables. I will be back since the location is convenient for me.
(4)
Elin K.

if you are eitherJapanese or Korean ramen lover, please do not go to this place. I just had brisket ramen and it is the worst ramen I have ever had. Salmon nigiri for appetizer is very fishy and I could not eat it without wasabi.
(1)
Caroline M.

I was very excited to try out this place but won't be back. First of all, I wanted to order the lunch special, but do not eat chicken or pork so asked if I could get it with the shiitake broth instead. The server said he had seen a button for that one the micros, but that he had to go ask. He then came back to inform me that no, that was not an option. Really? They even had an option for it in the computer! Also, as a former server at a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant I know that the (at least former) policy had always been to make exceptions for dietary needs. Accordingly, I had only one option on the menu - the full bowl of Shiitake Ramen. The soup wasn't horrible, but it wasn't very good. Very salty with a random crazy amount of spice that popped up every once in awhile. Not worth the price, and there are many other places to get a solid bowl of ramen in this city.
(2)
Helen H.

My hubby and I went here on Sunday evening. We had smoked salmon nigiri which was ok and chx wings which was good and flavorful. I had brisket black garlic ramen and my hubby had sumo ramen.. Well.. Just two words.. Not good.. The broth was too thick and way salty.. There was what it seemed like pork belly .. Was just too fatty The broth was just weird.. Thick and salty and yet flavorless.. I don't think we are coming back here. The service was great though.. Our server and hostess were very pleasant
(3)
Khalil H.

Took the sumo bowl, and my brother took the tonkotsu, the broth was way too salty. The appetizer was good. Not really worth the money you pay,
(1)
Debbie I.

Wonderful service and friendly staff. Ordered the Tonkostu Ramen best I can say is it was ok. Being from the suburbs of Chicago and someone that doesn't come into the city often would I return again - no.
(3)
J. C.

Went to Ramen-san for a post work dinner with a couple of colleagues and really enjoyed it. The Raw Tuna appetizer was extremely good (and I consider us a good judge of raw tuna) and the spicy Miso Ramen was perfect. The prices are a bit higher than some Ramen places, but the atmosphere was worth the extra $1. We arrive about 8:30 on a week night and there was still plenty of people, atmosphere and energy. We also tried the Singapore Sling (good) and the Old Fashioned (great). Added bonus was that the front windows of the place open all the way up, so even though we were indoors, it had an alfresco feel. We'll be back.
(4)
Sarah Z.

Late night fried rice with the egg is legit. The appetizers were just okay. The service was lacking a bit. We were greeted promptly, but after our food was ordered we didnt see our server again until we waved her down for our check. seemed a bit pricey all things considered, but definitely not bad for a newer spot.
(3)
Stephanie L.

Overall, it's good ramen. The space is comfortable and the staff was friendly. Our server was attentive. We had drinks within minutes of getting a table. My friend and I had two different ramen bowls. He had the duck special.he broth was extremely sweet and the duck meatballs tasted dry. I don't recommend the duck ramen. Unfortunately they didn't have duck buns available. I had pork broth with brisket. The broth was so good but the brisket was more fatty than meaty. It was good and I'd recommend eating it. I've had better ramen, but I'll definitely go back. Honestly, I'd give a 3 but the pork broth is delicious so I give a 4.
(4)
So D.

Like any Lettuce restaurant they are high on design, which is always nice. Ramen is pretty decent by Chicago standards, really no better or worse than just about any other local ramen places. Pretty much same noodles, basic broth, same ingredients. Fried rice special was way to wet, not so good. Cold Asahi draft in a frosted glass, excellent, pork bun also fine. Again, no better or worse than just about any other ramen in Chicago.
(4)
Tyler P.

Surprised with some of the ratings here. Cool place. Unique atmosphere. Excellent food. Reasonably priced.
(4)
Harmon W.

Expect a long wait even if you have reservations since this place just opened up in super hot River North. Appetizers are in my opinion the highlight of the menu, definitely go for the cucumber & uni or eel & foie gras rice bowl (actually decently sized). The pekin duck mantou buns were alright but not spectacular. Asahi pints on tap for $6 probably one the best deals on Hubbard St. Got the shiitake ramen with egg and brisket additions. Additions were brought out separately and late. The mushroom broth was pretty bland and the ramen texture was not up to par. Comparable to Slurping Turtle down the street. Come here to relax at the bar or high top tables for appetizers and drafts, not if you're looking for a high quality ramen
(2)
Jocelyn W.

My first experience with real ramen was at Ramen-San. We were walking around, trying to pick a place to eat, and a couple locals pointed us in their direction. They were totally right. The ramen was great, and it was decently priced. The atmosphere was great. I mean, they were playing Wu-Tang the whole time. It was definitely a more casual restaurant. Our server was very nice and accommodating. I'm currently craving their ramen right now. Definitely a place to check out if you're in the area!
(5)
Hyunsoo S.

Good service, below average food. Pork belly buns are good, skip the wings and you really can't screw up fried dumplings. Most disappointing is the ramen. Our group of 8 ordered pretty much every ramen on the menu and reviews were either meh or not good. The problem is the broth. The beef brisket broth is bad and the kimchi one is average. I really wanted to love this place but probably won't be back.
(2)
Ogbonna H.

The music is phenomenal. The pork ramen was flavorful and the old fashion was superb!
(5)
Kevin P.

This place is pricey for the quality of ramen you get. I give the ramen 3 stars, 5 stars to the pork belly bun, 5 stars for the atmosphere (very hip place with a nice bar). The price for ramen is here is ~$18? if you add a few toppings to your ramen, which is way too much. You can get much better and cheaper ramen at Santouka. Check that place out! a large bowl is about 8-9 dollars and it's one of the best ramen you'll have in US.
(3)
Jet L.

Remember the 10 cent ramen you used to have in college ?? Now add $60 to it. Bill for two people popping in for an app and some ramen $62. Ridiculous for what you get. Not with it and will go get some pho like usual next time Pass
(3)
Eric M.

Food tasted great unfortunately the ramen was served warm and not hot . The place is rather neat but a bit cramped. My daughter enjoyed the skirt steak. Will be back soon to try other stuff that they offer
(4)
Jane A.

Took our dad here for his birthday and he loved it. There was a rowdy group that yelled at us when we walked in that was kind of rude but we were seated at our table on time without a problem. The manager was incredible and came over to us with sincere apologies and comp'd appetizers. Incredible customer service- we were really impressed and it was greatly appreciated.
(5)
Dianna S.

Went here last night with a friend of mine and was not completely impressed. The ambiance is fun and the space is kind of cool. The service was good although a little slow. The appetizers were incredible. The fried chicken bun was awesome and there was some kind of sauce with it that made it kind of sweet and tangy. The pork belly bun was also delicious. The Saigon Style wings were out of this world. Then on to the ramen...Unfortunately the buildup to the ramen was the best part of the evening and we were both sadly unimpressed with the ramen. The noodles lack that authentic Japanese flavor. I don't know how to describe it, but there is a flavor my friend descirbed as malty that we both felt like authentic Japanese ramen noodles have. I've only been able to find noodles in Waikiki that could replicate that flavor. Slurping Turtle comes close and is definitely the most authentic I've had but still lacks some of that flavor. My friend had the Tonkotsu ramen and it was aggressively salty. Not so salty that it wasn't edible but definitely pretty salty. I ordered the Spicy Miso and although the broth was pretty good it was pretty spicy which overpowered the flavor a little and there was very little pork in it. So all in all, I'd definitely go back for the buns and wings and to try some of the other apps, but probably not ordering the ramen anytime soon. I should add that someone who's never had ramen might be impressed by the ramen here, but if you've been to Japan and are looking for authentic Japanese ramen, this is not your place.
(3)
Robert Z.

i like it. 90s hip hop playing and good shitake ramen. ice cold asahi. what more could i ask for
(4)
Thomas D.

Came in a week after the grand opening on 5/12 with my fiance. We each ordered a bun and a bowl. She had the peking duck bun and I had the pork belly bun. Both were pretty good, the pork belly being fried crispy instead of steamed and with a decent meat portion on each bun, so we were both happy there and my fiance uncharacteristically enjoyed the pork belly more than her own bun. For the bowls, I got the brisket and black garlic while she got the one with the shrimp in it. The portions were not as generous as other ramen places for about the same cost ($11-&16 depending upon selection), but it is still a big bowl of noodles and broth, so you'll not go hungry. The flavors were just flat and the presentation was unappetizing. GF's ramen had a black, gritty broth that looked like it was made with black beans. This black, opaque and gritty broth discolored the ramen and the shrimp, making both look dirty and unappealing. The shrimp also had issues, being butterflied along its width instead of length, making it an overly wide piece that was difficult to neatly bite. As well, it was not breaded in tempura, so it was weird having a soggy piece of "normal" fried shrimp. For my own black garlic and brisket, the meat was very soft and tender, though the slices were balled up instead of being discretely distributed in the dish, so I had two loose meat balls instead of slices of brisket. Other than that, my dish was the better of the two though it still lacked depth. Service was very friendly and attentive -- almost too much so. Rather than having a large cloth napkin, tables have a napkin holder with small, disposable paper brown napkins that the staff would snatch from the table the instant they left your hand, even reaching around me to get a napkin I'd placed in front of me and under my arm. Total for two cocktails, two beers, two buns and two bowls? $84. Just seems a bit high priced for the quality. Overall this continues LEYE's trend of not really being able to grasp good Asian food while they obviously trail on the coattails of larger food trends.
(2)
Jessica F.

Absolutely wonderful food. Stopped here on a visit to Chicago and loved it. My wife adores the Tonkotsu. I really enjoyed the brisket bowl. The molten egg is a great addition to any bowl. Their broths are drink the whole bowl good. Will definitely come back next time I am in the area.
(5)
Yvonne O.

I really like this place, and I can be picky about my Japanese food since I grew up on it. I love the atmosphere in this place as well, with the high tables and pipes to rest your feet on. We went with the express lunch, which for $15 gets you a smaller bowl of ramen (still huge) and a rice plate along with a salad (sans nasty ginger dressing!) and small thing of kim chee. We also ordered two buns to start -which came out like tacos and were quite spicy. I had the duck one and my friend the chicken - which was slathered in spicy wasabi mayo. The ramen I got was the standard broth and I added some shrimp wonton. Then I went with the steak rice plate. My friend got the standard ramen without add-ins and the miso salmon. He thought it was all good - along with the Yuzu lemonade. I'm glad we took a cab over - and made a stop at Firecakes for dessert afterwards (across the street). This whole meal was about $60 before tip, which is not bad for the quality and quantity we had!
(4)
Jessica A.

I was very excited to try a ramen place since the husband and I love ramen, but I was left a little disappointed. Came here on Friday night to have as our wedding dinner. We decided to go with the special that night and I honestly couldn't tell you what kind of meat they used, but I nearly gagged on it and it tasted down right horrible. It was very dry and very crunchy, not something I'd expect in ramen. There wasn't much else to it but the noodles and broth were good. I might give this place another chance but it was very expensive for two people.
(3)
Bibi S.

I never met a bowl of noodles I didn't like, until Ramen-san. I was excited about this new ramen joint, even braved the long wait when it opened up. Clearly, no one would be stupid enough to open up a restaurant in River North that served bad food *and* had little to offer on the ambience side, right? Well unfortunately, Ramen-san was both. We ordered the tonkotsu and shoyu ramen, as well as the buns (pork belly and duck). Like all the other comments, yes, the tonkotsu broth was lacking body, seemed watered down, and attempted to cover this up by adding a lot of salt. The noodles had the texture of what I imagine chewing on rubber bands would be like, and the garnishment just seemed cheap and less robust than most other ramen places. My biggest issue is with the pickled ginger. It packs too much of a punch against a flavorless broth, and seemed like a cheap ploy to add something interesting to the lackluster noodle bowl. The buns were boring, lacked flavor. Some nondescript sauce was squirted on it, for no apparently purpose other than to be a "sauce" of some kind that did nothing to save the blandness of the pork belly mantou bun. as for the ambience, i get that its supposed to be trendy and different, and maybe the wood is supposed to channel real japanese ramen joints, but its hard to get away with something that looks like it took so little effort to build out, in river north, charging river north prices. I walked by a few weeks ago, the place was totally empty.
(2)
Rob S.

After just eating at a supposedly better Ramen shop nearby I have to say Ramen-San was far superior. I had the traditional tonkotsu and it was rich and creamy like it should be. The presentation was also worthy of an Instagram. The decor felt very modern n cool without trying to hard. Ramen-San is the best noodle shop in the neighborhood.
(5)
Val C.

I got the lunch combo, with a half order of ramen and a protein (marinated salmon). The combo also has a little kimchi and a salad. My companion just got the full ramen and was jealous. The ramen's broth was murkier than I like, but I will try again and maybe try a clearer broth.
(4)
Ryan F.

I went here last night with a friend, had a drink at the bar while I was waiting. The bartender was friendly but seemed like he would rather be doing something else. We were then seated at a communal table. We ordered the wings, which were delicious! We both ordered Ramen and the house beer. The Ramen was excellent, full of flavor but a bit too salty. I thought the server could have been a little friendlier - overall great place.
(4)
Lakesha C.

The ambiance was decent and the bartender was very nice, however, the ramen was terrible. The menu is limited and as a vegetarian, my only option was the shiitake ramen. The noodles tasted like the cheap ramen from the grocery store and the mushroom broth was less than flavorful. My partner ordered the tuna sesame appetizer and thought that it was decent, but had a similar experience as I with the Shoyu dish. Furthermore, the food was over priced for its quality.
(1)
Annie L.

I had a great experience at Ramen-san. The atmosphere was very lively and welcoming, and the service was on point. For the appetizer I enjoyed the pork belly mantou: a delectable balance of fatty pork, soft pillowy mantou bun, and crisp greens. The tonkatsu ramen was also solid - flavorful broth, noodles cooked just right, and served with a delicious molten egg and nicely executed char siu. However, the broth was too salty for my taste, although other commenters have complained that there needs to be more salt so it may be a personal preference. I also wish that I got a full egg instead of just half because it was such a great addition. I sampled their desserts and thought the sesame ice cream and vanilla gelato were wonderful, and the yuzu sorbet was very refreshing. I'm definitely looking forward to trying more of the menu next time I'm in town!
(5)
Madeleine D.

So, I rarely review here for many reasons, most having to do with the yelp system, but I could not hold back after my experience with Ramen-san today. My co worker and I ordered ramen to go and were blown away when it arrived. It was beautifully presented and everyone around regretted not ordering with us. I had the sumo and she had the brisket. When I opened the broth it smelled so amazing and poured over the display of meat, noodles, vegetables & garnish like silk, with little bits of tofu working their way through the noodles. Every bite was a delight. We will definitely be ordering from Ramen-san again very soon!
(5)
T L.

Went for the first time today and had the spicy miso ramen. The broth, like others have said, is too salty. The ramen is overpriced (although I can understand the higher prices because of location). Take your money and go to Wasabi or some of the other ramen joints.
(3)
K B.

Tuna appetizer was really good. Service was horrible, our server lost our order and then brought out the wrong ramen orders after we had been there for an hour. Ramen was nothing special, and way too salty. Not worth it!
(1)
Brace Y.

Beautiful day in Chicago looking for a bite before shopping. No patio but they did have open windows/doors that was a nice touch. Cilantro Lime Margarita was very good and refreshing with a sour kick. I love the crushed ice they use. Pork belly bun was good, crispy pork belly w/kimchi pickles and spicy mayo. Hamachi crudo was okay not a lot of flavor. Shrimp and pork wontons were good. They were steamed and a lot of dumplings in 1 order, like 10? We ended up putting a few in our ramen. Tonkotsu ramen and spicy miso ramen wasnt the best but it hit the spot. $1 for 1/2 an egg is ridiculous though, should at least be the full egg! I would come back here for a quick bite, the service was fast and our waitress was nice and upbeat without being annoying or too hovering. AND there's a free Ms. Pac Man, Donkey Kong, Frogger, Galaga arcade table in the back!
(3)
Mrs P.

I came in here late night right before they closed the kitchen. We had great service and ordered some awesome apps. The music and atmosphere add to the great time I had. The only complaint if even to be considered one was that the cocktails were on the smaller side, but was delicious though.
(5)
Karolina S.

Loved the decor! Great job on interior and super cool, loud music. We sat at the bar and order sesame ramen, raw tuna and sesame ice cream for our food and got asahi draft in ice cold glasses! Also Singapore sling and cilantro Margarita. Sling was little too sweet. Couple things that i didnt like and gave only 3 stars was because bartender who took care of us wasnt too friendly. As we ordered out drinks he didnt say a word and just places them in front of us... Was expecting a smile or at least some "here are your delicious drinks". Also bar stools was very unconfortable... I know that ramen places shouldnt be a hanging around place but when you spend $60+ for a ramen, one app and couple drinks you expect people to sit and enjoy it. One of the guys that worked on Sunday at the bar ( but wasnt the one taking care of us) (shorter guy) was pleasent and came twice to ask how was everything, smiled at us. Will be back and try other things on the menu and will hope staff will be more welcoming! Good luck
(3)
Zestlife V.

Funky music, ambience and amazing food! Will 've back here again and more hungry! Went in for a late lunch and it was empty, so we got lucky and special service. Had the mushroom ramen. The umami flavor was through the roof! Vegetarian friendly too.
(5)
J H.

Really disappointing experience. I tend not to order spicy food at restaurants because certain types of spiciness, chili sauce I think, just totally numb my mouth to all taste. And hurt. And later on I get sorta sick. When I want spicy I make it at home and make sure I don't run into chili sauce. Well i only saw one hot pepper option on the menu and avoided it. I ordered Shoyu ramen. I've had shoyu ramen tons of time in America and Japan, it's not generally spicy, just savory. Unfortunately I either misread the menu or they royally screwed up my order, because my ramen was literally drenched with chili sauce! My first bite, I thought uhoh, looked down and saw the red sauce...I figured they had just put in a dab. I was so starving I started wolfing it down and halfway through realized nope, the whole bowl is DRENCHED. So I didn't really taste a thing. I got to enjoy a flavorless bowl of noodles and some bathroom funkiness later on. Extremely disappointed and I wish they had put a hot pepper by this? It's not something normally spicy and I hate feeling like a wimp but chili sauce makes some people sick. Anyway maybe I will come back and try again. The service, space and appetizers were all great, I just wish I knew wtf was up with my ramen. My friend ordered another type of ramen and did not have this problem.
(3)
Nicholas K.

We had the smoked salmon nigiri, which was tasty. I prefer this kind of nigiri wrapped in nori, however, but that is easily overlooked with the flavorful salmon. The cucumber was refreshing on a warm day. The ramen was most disappointing. We had the tonkatsu ramen and the smoked brisket ramen. The tonkatsu was the better of the two. The broth was more thick than rich and way too salty. My wife and I have spent time in Japan and know ramen well. My smoked brisket ramen was not good. The broth was also quite thick and also very salty, and it simply had too much going on. The black garlic, said to add extra umami flavor, overpowered all other ingredients and left a unpleasant lingering aftertaste. The brisket really didn't add anything to the dish and I felt I should have had a ramen with pork. The other ingredients just got lost in the mix. A more simple, cleaner, broth would have been so much better. It is a nice place and has a good bar. Service was a bit slow, but not bad. However, they just don't deliver on the ramen. There are many new ramen options in Chicago now, which is a good thing. So, we probably won't return here.
(2)
Brian K.

pretty good! i got the spicy miso ramen. it was good, but surprisingly VERY spicy, more-so then authentic-szechuan-restaurant-spicy. the cocktail i ordered was a small for the pricing. nice casual atmosphere.
(3)
Ruth C.

Three and a half stars for the most hipster-chic ramen cafeteria you'll find. I wouldn't cross town to favor this spot, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy the background tunes while I slurp. Their website describes the express lunch as only being offered on weekdays, but it was available when I stopped in on a chilly Sunday. Nice list of Japanese whiskies. Overall pricing is a touch higher than I'd expect for this quality of food. Efficient service from Scott K despite the gradual lunch rush, and the potent Yamazaki old fashioned was exactly what I needed. Skip the matcha latte, milk ratio is good but too much unincorporated silt. The meats are delicious and the molten egg is on point, but that's where the good news starts tapering off. I enjoyed the portioning of the chashu add-on, and the pork belly bun despite its over-dressing of aioli. I didn't care for the flimsy ramen noodle quality, and even the reduced fatty pork broth is just okay. Light crisping of the "chorizo-style" shredded pork special. I'd come back one more time to try the sashimi salad, fried chicken buns, and either the shio or smoked brisket & burnt garlic ramen.
(3)
Rebecca N.

One of my fav ramen joints in chicago. I have had the tonoksu, brisket and garlic and duck special. I would rank them in that order. Super spicy and flavorful! Incredibly filling. Good service. Gave us free dessert when our order came out wrong. The buns are delish too. Should absolutely order some for the table.
(4)
George J.

My first Ramen experience and I'm glad I chose this spot. I loved the vibe, the ambiance, the music everything was on point. Great location cause there's a lot to do and all within walking distance. The service here was nothing less than amazing our waitress Anna F. was one of the coolest people I've ever met, very funny and quick witted. I had the brisket Ramen, now I'm not a fan of brisket but this was one the the greatest things I've ever had. Then came the mind blowing pork belly in a bun, be careful cause this can cost you big money, it's $5 and very small but it's incredible don't come here and not try it, it's a must. As for Ramen it was good but I not in with all the hype, it's a very small portion and pretty pricey at about $15. Also Ramen is very salty almost a little over whelming but I'm a huge fan of PhÃ³ and I won't be changing that, sorry Ramen.
(4)
Robby K.

I really enjoyed Ramen-san. Though their ramen is not as good as Wasabi, Stringz, or Oistar, I loved their beer selection, full bar, and inviting atmosphere. This will be a great place to hit up after the beach, or summer time Chi adventure. It's in River North, so that's going on... No joke about them having the coldest beer. Their Asahi drafts are ran through a cold chiller; amazingly refreshing on a hot, humid day. This would be an excellent date spot. A place to impress people.
(4)
Linh L.

To open across from Slurping Turtle... Someone must had a vendetta! Not saying they're the best, but dang! Decor is beautifully and thoughtfully well done. Service is decent. My old fashion made with 12 year Yamazaki was pretty good with a sweet twist. Plus, it was a good size. Ramen is not good. Nothing's memorable about the noodles or broth. I would rather go to Slurping Turtle for ramen. This place didn't hit the spot. A good Asian soup (from any country in the southeast) should only be allowed to serve as an entree when the broth has been well taken care of. Every detail matters from the water, both, meat, and toppings... There was no harmony in the two Ramens I tasted. I respect every chef has a different taste in what harmony means to them... But their broths tasted like a "quick" job. These kinds of dishes take at least 5 hours... Many take 12 hours.
(2)
Katie P.

If you work in the Loop like me, it seems tricky to make it all the way to River North just for a lunch break. Make that tricky trip, because the express lunch at Ramen-san is worth the trip. Reasonably priced at $15, it includes a decent amount of delicious ramen, and then features a small portion of delectable protein--I tried the salmon and my husband's steak, and they were both so good I couldn't choose one. The salad vinaigrette was tangy, and kept us guessing on how we could make it at home. Take the 22 bus for just a few minutes north of the Loop, and you won't regret it for a quick and tasty lunch!
(4)
Angela B.

The customer service here is excellent, as is the music and the venue. However the food is awful. We had: 1. The Spicy Szechuan Wings: greasy, not spicy, drowned in a bizarre sauce that had a strong herb aromatic that overpowered everything (maybe it was lemon grass) 2. Raw Tuna Appetizer: They ended up comping this because I thought I was order the deconstructed version they used to have. This version was not good for many reasons: The Tuna did not taste very fresh, the sesame crisp overpowered every other flavor...it just was not good 3. Kimchi Fried Chicken Ramen: Broth was ok but noodles had a bizarre texture. The small piece of fried chicken on top was very bland 4. Tonkatsu Ramen: SALTY SALTY SALTY. Omg...the broth was awful...everything else in it was decent...but the broth was incredibly over seasoned Also...they serve the ramen here very very luke warm. The manager came over to see how we were doing and I let him know the ramen was cold. he send it back and it came back the same temperature so he personally went back there and the third time it came back warm but he warned me that he was concern it would be too hot for me (FYI, this was normal ramen temperature). They ended up comping the soup too. So again, our server and the manager did an excellent job however good customer service does not make up for bad food. It's also not cheap...I am stunned that this is a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant...the flavors were really disappointing.
(2)
Michael R.

i was not super-excited to go to here; noodles just don't do it for me. But, Asian husband LOVES noodles, so off we went. Ramen-San Won me over quickly with their innovative take on the Old-fashioned cocktail--bright and lemony--it was just what I needed. The Mister had a steamy bowl of soupy ramen, which made him happy. I opted for the daily special, which was a "dry" ramen with beef, mushrooms and asparagus. Really good. Outdoor seating seems to be constructed for someone much taller; it was out of scale for shorter folk. Run across the street for Firecakes donuts!
(4)
Belle L.

My new go-to Ramen place. Portion is slightly less than its price, but you get 2 points for eating here. DUCK CURRY ($15) -- a daily special. Edible noodles (outsourced ya' know). LOL. Chef executed it's savvy skills by including crispy duck skin into the soup as a surprise add-in to duck meat. In Asia, sometimes the crispy duck skin is prized than the meat. I had my reservations about the curry broth that it might just be for dipping the noodles and duck. Surprisingly, it's a drinkable soup. :-D. I was expecting the worst case scenario that was debunked by a talented creative Chef. Way to go! ICE CREAM SESAME ($3.50) -- good to experience, delicious, but priced too high. DEALS -- (1) Punch card, and (2) Lettuce Eats Points SERVICE -- Fantabulous Red (aka Meg) with her charming side kick. Informative. Gracious. Friendly. Great timing. In this cold Chicago weather, I shall be back for more with the 'right' dessert. I am so fascinated and chasing this dessert, ridiculous! See you soon RED.
(4)
Marcus O.

/TL;DR Despite the odd 3.5 star rating for this place, it turned out to be my most favorite spot for ramen. Lots of high tops with community style seating, few booths. Twice the price I've paid for comparable ramen, but you're probably paying for location+atmosphere. /ATMOSPHERE Speaking of. The front of the restaurant is a bank of glass doors which fold up out of the way, creating an open space that extends to the al fresco seating out front. Even when you're inside, you're kind of... outside. Most of the seats are high-top style with long, butcher block type tables. There are a few booth seats if you're lucky enough to get one. The place gets packed, the lanes narrow. I'd hate to be waitstaff here trying to carry around bowls of liquid in these narrow spaces. Super chill spot. /FOOD Got a pork belly mantou buns. By "buns" they mean one. Imagine a fluffy, white, flat bun about the size of your palm with a piece of on-point pork belly cradled inside. I should have ordered two. Such a glutton. Following that, I had the smoked brisket & burnt garlic ramen. Why? To be different of course. It was awesome. Now that I think about it, I'm glad I didn't order two mantou buns. I wouldn't have finished. You get a big helping. /SERVICE It was there. There were no overtones extending beyond service. To be dime-store philosophical, it simply was. HOW TO READ MY REVIEWS: 1 Star - Does not approach edible. Enter at your own risk. 2 Stars - If I'm in the area, I'd pick something else. 3 Stars - I would stop by if I happen to be in the area. 4 Stars - I would pick this place out of other places nearby. 5 Stars - I would go out of my way to dine here.
(4)
Michelle C.

I got in late on a Sunday night and this place was just a couple of blocks from my hotel. I was thankful that they were open late on Sundays. Kimchi & fried chicken ramen was incredible. Wow. The fried chicken was out of this world good- I think I'll order extra fried chicken next time. Good broth, good ramen. I loved the simple decor.
(4)
Brian M.

Came here for lunch with my gf and we ordered the tonkotsu and the brisket and smoked garlic ramen with brisket. Honestly the smoked garlic was way to overpowering in the ramen and it made everything just a one note. The tonkotsu ramen was just ok, it was very gingery but the pork belly was cooked nicely. The noodles weren't anything to write home about either. All in all I'd say this place is just meh, I don't think I'll be back considering the other great ramen options in the city.
(3)
Dustin H.

Delicious, no question. Interesting? Absolutely not. The constant delivery of 90's hip hop was fun, but the atmosphere was otherwise kind of drab. It felt intentionally bare bones. Took quite a while to get our first round of drinks, which were unfortunately sickeningly sweet. We both tried the cilantro-lime margarita, which had zero cilantro flavor. Thankfully the bartender offered to swap them out for some whisky sodas. Thank you kind sir. We had the fried chicken buns as an appetizer. Without a doubt, that was the highlight of the meal, and if somehow we ever find ourselves at Ramen-san again, that's probably all I will get. A perfect harmony of textures with a great tangy sauce. As for the gyoza? Not much better than a store bought dumpling. Average at best. When the ramen came out, I was very excited. It looked amazing, and smelled wonderful. My wife ordered the chicken broth and tofu "shio" and I went all out and ordered the "sumo" which has a pork broth, pork belly, brisket and a spicy "smashed" egg. Don't get me wrong, both broths were delicious. The chicken broth was clean and delicate, while on the other hand the pork broth was sumptuous and deep in porky flavor. The pork belly and brisket were also really nice, with a ton of fatty flavor. But everything else? The noodles were too al dente, and there was no complexity to what was going on in each bowl. Not a lot happening, in general from a flavor perspective. All of the elements were kind of hitting the same profile. Will we seek Rame-san out again? Nope. Will we scream bloody murder if a friend wants to meet us there? Absolutely not.
(3)
Mande B.

I absolutely loved this place. I started with a pork belly pastry puff and finished with a pork broth based ramen with pork shoulder and extra garlic added. The broth was incredibly savory and the portion sizes were good. I can't wait to go back and try something else on the menu!
(5)
Jen J.

I have to agree with one reviewer before. Having traveled and eaten at quite a few ramen places in Japan, I found the Tonkotsu here quite delicious and actually better than some of the Japanese ramen I had. The broth and the pork had great flavors and they were generous with the portion. At 11 PM I had pretty much given up hope that I could get anything other than bar food for late dinner, so imagine my surprise getting food of this caliber well past dinner time.
(4)
Tavi J.

I have to start off with the service. My friend was in town visiting and we went here this past weekend for dinner. We didn't have reservations and went around 7. It was already pack, but they were able to seat us. The waitress was great with her recommendations. I went with the Brisket Ramen. I loved that the brisket wasn't fatty and loved the broth. There are tons of spices at the table to add to the flavor. You can make your ramen as spicy or garlicky as you like :). My friend enjoyed the traditional ramen and the bun she ordered. I have to say my favorite part of the experience, other than the food, was the music. Not sure if it was just the evening we went, but they played underground hip hop the whole time. I'll be back to try more Ramen, sample some buns, and relax to some good music - thank you for having Common - the light in your music rotation :)
(4)
Salas C.

Great ramen, will definitely go back again. The Pork bun was excellent. Highly recommend
(4)
Andrea B.

It was super cold yesterday so my roommate and I thought it was time to try ramen-San. It was pretty average. We ate: Hamachi sashimi- had some spice but overall it was bland. I had the shio ramen and I added fried garlic and fried chicken- the chicken was delicious, the broth was bland and I didn't have enough liquid. My roommate had the smoked brisket and burnt garlic ramen- great smokey flavor but she had significantly More liquid then my ramen had. Unfortunately the service was not on point which I'm shocked for a lettuce entertain you restaurant. The restaurant was not packed so I expected a little better service. Would I return? I guess it's close to home and it would fill the craving of soup on a cold day.
(3)
Connie H.

We had a decent meal, but I don't feel like it compared to most of the other ramen places I've been to. I had the tonkatsu ramen, which they said was the most popular. The taste was good, tasted like it had a miso-based soup. I believe the tonkatsu was the flavor of the soup base. Don't be fooled, there's no Japanese breaded meat in this dish. Came with half a soft boiled egg and 3 pieces of pork belly. The pork belly was extra fatty and the meat part was a bit tough. Not the best meat in my opinion. A similar dish at ramen misoya in mount prospect tasted much better. The soup here was a bit too salty for my taste, which didn't make it too enjoyable. We ordered a small dessert. There's no dessert menu, but they offer two types of ice cream. One was a black sesame ice cream, which we ordered. It's definitely a one person order and comes as a tiny (a bit too tiny) scoop of ice cream on the cone. It was enjoyable and tasted good, but not the best black sesame ice cream I've ever had. Atmosphere was modern and dark, a bit hipster. They had one arcade table in the corner, which didn't totally fit, but I guess they were trying to go for a hipster varcase type of feel.
(3)
Lisa H.

My go-to ramen in Chicago!! Ramen-san reminds me of the ramen places in NYC, trendy with the layered high and low seating structure. Expensive, but food, service, and ambiance are great so it off-sets the high price for me. Get the KIMCHI & CHICKEN RAMEN and any of the CHICKEN WINGS. You can skip the buns; they are way over-priced anyways. For drinks, try the aragoshi yuzu sake and old fashioned yamazaki 12 yr; the yuzu sake is SOOOOOO yummy and very affordable. You'll definitely get your money's worth from the yamazaki old fashioned. I would come here just for their drinks. They have a realllly sexy shelf stocked with Japanese whiskey. I think the ramen here is better than ones i've had at Wasabi, Slirping Turtle, Strings Ramen Shop, Noodles by Takashi...I'm looking forward to stumbling into this place after a later night for their "late night fried rice!" Warning: expensive as hell ramen, but why you gotta get me hooked?
(4)
Pete J.

This was right around the corner from my hotel and I was craving good ramen. Friday night around 6pm and they were around 2/3 full. Plenty of seats at the bar. Pork Belly Bun was excellent and well recommended. Only one for $5, so a bit pricey. Ordered the Tonkotsu ramen and it was ok. The broth was a bit of a let down and is that instant ramen? The bartender wasn't really interested in being there. Maybe it was almost time for him to go home and he was counting down. Hopefully he wasn't there for the rest of the evening! The beer was cold.
(3)
Ann K.

New modern and fun ramen shop ambiance with music. The ramen taste a bit too al dented to my liking. I tried the burnt garlic ramen. It is burnt all right, not smoke. The tonkutsu ramen is not gelatinous like Pai Mei Miyake in Portland Maine and not as fatty as others. It may not be as flavorful as the ramen Yamayada in Costa Mesa, California. I have been in search of the top ramen in the US but has not found the top contender yet. So far the one in Paris still be the top one for me. Maybe it is when you eat it not the ramen itself. When you are exhausted and hungry. Ramen soup is so energizing and uplifting. A bowl of ramen (pretty big portion) and a pork belly bun can cost over $25 pp easily.
(3)
Aimee H.

Ramen-san shares the same noodle distributor as High Five Ramen (West Loop), except Ramen-san boils its noodles longer/softer. I've been here over a dozen times and haven't been disappointed by the service, ramen (favorite is Sumo Bowl with Chasu Pork), Spicy Szechuan wings, pork belly Mantou buns and cocktails (Cilantro-Lime Margarita). Love they offer extra buttered corn for $1.00 and Kae Dama $2.50 (extra noodles). Bonus it's a part of LEYE.
(3)
mimi o.

Just the hands down the best ramen I've ever had. My husband has even had ramen in Japan and he said that Ramen-San was authentic and just amazing. Everything I had here was amazing. The pork belly bun, the tuna with chips, thai chicken wing and I had kimchee with fried chicken and it really hit home and also was amazing! Everything was amazing. Just go Try and you won't regret it!
(5)
Tracy X.

It's my favorite ramen place in Chicago! I go once every couple of months. Coming here usually takes some planning though, as it is so popular so unless you came here really early or have a reservation, you might not get a seat for a while. Good thing they use Open Table, so that's easily taken care of. The food here is awesome. For appetizers, I especially recommend the tuna tartar. I mean, how can I ever say no to the heavenly combo of avocado, sashimi, and sesame crisps! As for the ramen, I've tried almost all of them and there's not a single bad one. If you like light flavors however it might be a little bit of a challenge, as their ramen have very thick broth and a lot of spices. The sumo bowl is perfect for big appetites, and I personally love the tonkotsu the best. They usually also have daily specials - once there was a crab meat one and it was just fantastic! What makes me especially fond of this place is that they truly bend over backwards for their customers. All the servers seem very enthusiastic about working there and are highly attentive. One time I told the waitress it was my friend's birthday, and she immediately came out with a free ice cream cone. Another time we were in a little bit of a hurry and had to cancel an appetizer that was taking too long, they just ended up giving it to us for free when it came out.
(5)
Lance R.

Very nice menu salmon app and then the Shitaki tempura - had the brisket and black garlic ramen with fried Garlic and kim chi (yes I am eating alone and staying far away from any women and children as a result) I was wishing the young lady at the bar would talk to me but she has been on her cell phone for what seems like 25 minutes straight. She appears self absorbed and somewhat narcissistic but than again I am sitting here glued to typing this review on my iPhone. (Fellow Yelpers where are you?) Anyways this place is overwhelmingly crowded for a Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m with no games or other attractions to cause a crowd -both a good sign as well as a cautionary tale - come early.
(4)
Monica B.

As a big fan of the LEYE chain, Ramen-san was a huge disappoinment. Met a friend here on a chilly Saturday afternoon for lunch. We passed on cocktails and opted to share a few dishes: - Spicy Szechuan Chicken Wings: looked amazing, but were extremely underwhelming. wings were slightly spicy and extremely bland - Pork Belly Buns: looked delish, but meat was super fatty. difficult to eat. - Kimchi & Fried Chicken Ramen: good, but not great. broth was lacking flavor. although I love fried chicken and corn, not sure they go well together
(2)
Justin B.

Oiistar's place in the world is safe (admittedly, I like ramen but I don't do it regularly), but the Kimchi and Fried Chicken ramen I had last night at Ramen-san was very good. A little light on both fried chicken (???) and noodles, this made for a fine meal but it wasn't overly filling...usually I can't imagine finishing a bowl of ramen in Chicago but even my wife--all 5'3" of her--took down her entire bowl of the Smoked Brisket and Burnt Garlic, and that never happens. That should tell you that for $15-ish, you may leave a little hungry, so if you've got the cash adding a side or second entree won't hurt you at Ramen-san. We did this for takeout, which almost never happens, but the food did well being eaten 10 minutes after leaving the restaurant, so kudos to the team at the restaurant for serving the stuff piping hot.
(4)
Jimmy B.

Superb as far as authentic Ramen goes! I had a generous bowl of the tonkotsu ramen, as well as a pork belly bun. Both were fantastic. The ramen noodles was chewy and tender, and the soup was extremely savory and not too salty. The meat wasn't as memorable, but I didn't leave with any negative thoughts either, so it must have been decent. The pork belly bun was amazing - the bun was so soft, and the pork belly just melted in my mouth. GREAT! The atmosphere is also great - wooden benches and tall tables, very authentic. This place was a bit pricey though - came out to be about $25 for lunch for the two things above. Still, this is a great ramen shop in Chicago!
(4)
Dee L.

Got into town at in between time 3pm, starving no dinner plans. Saw on yelp, ramen San was opened and great reviews. So happy! Chicken wings and tonkatsu ramen! Excellent and server was great too, so sorry I do not remember her name. Warm soup & noodles hit the spot after traveling to Chicago Yum You will not be disappointed to eat here Cilantro margarita was great too!
(5)
Maggie Y.

I really liked this place, super cool atmosphere, football, old school rap, friendly service but because I have to give it 3 stars based on the ramen. Apps: Pork belly bun - delicious but overly greasy Spicy szechuan wings - also overly greasy Pearl meatballs - super tiny, not worth it hamachi - ok Ramen Smoked brisket with black garlic ramen and shoyu ramen - broth did not have enough flavor and way too much garlic
(3)
Hayley S.

Mm-mm! Had my first ramen experience here tonight (besides the college-type ramen noodles) and I was pleasantly surprised! I wasn't sure how I felt about it before but I already want more. Party of 5, reservation for 7:30, seated immediately when the whole party was there. Great atmosphere and we had a nice booth situated towards the back. I think they lowered the lighting around 8 so it was a touch too dark for my liking. It was a pretty hot day today so I was skeptical that soup was the right choice for dinner, but I regret nothing! Service was great, our waitress was fun and engaging. I ordered the fried chicken and kimchi, added an egg. Yuuuuumm. So good. I added spice (to the already spicy dish) and that was my mistake. I made it just a hint too spicy. My only qualm with the dish was there wasn't enough chicken! I love my protein, especially for dinner, and I was a little disappointed when I couldn't find any more chicken amongst my noodles. Also there was too much corn. So less corn and more chicken, please! Presentation was fabulous but simple. I'd come back, for sure, but now I want to try out all the other ramen places Chicago has to offer!
(4)
Leon T.

We came here to celebrate our anniversary had a blast! Good food great atmosphere AWESOME SAKE BOMBS!
(4)
Tnon A.

Had lunch here 2 months ago. The food was great. Went back in this time, food was terrible. Ordered lunch special that comes with ramen and beef on skillet over rice. Ramen was ok but the broth only taste salty. Only good thing was Asahi on draft.
(1)
Joan D.

Good ramen. Great service. The atmosphere was energetic and it's a nice place for dinner with friends.
(4)
Barbara W.

I came here during the opening week for Ramen-san and felt luke-warm about the experience. We had a 7:30p.m. reservation but were not seated until 8:00 p.m. My noodles were kind of stuck together which I was not pleasant, and felt salty while others at my table complained their noodles were too bland. Perhaps this is just a taste issue, but I felt they must have been rushing on that first week. Now for the good - I really enjoyed their chicken wings! They are expensive but very delicious. The service was impeccable really for such a busy night. The waitress was able to accommodate my need to leave early by giving me my noodles early, and gave the table a round of free drinks for being seated 30 min late despite having a reservation. This place has potential, but I will need to be wow-ed by the food more to give it 4 stars.
(3)
Noelle T.

Every new restaurant (LEYE or not) will have growing pains - though it took longer than I would have liked to get seated, I was impressed and surprised by the customer service of both the wait staff and management (both times I've been here) AMBIANCE: Minimalistic design, loud/fun environment, best for groups of 2-4. It's open pretty late at night, so if you're not looking to slurp down this bowl for dinner it's a great late-night option. The bar area is a bit crowded to be a waiting area (though I suppose better than the door-way), but they do serve full-food at the bar, making it a great option if the wait is long (and you're a group of 2!) FOOD: Pretty darn good - very flavorful, and a bit of a twist from your typical ramen shop. I'm from the Bay Area originally (so I've been eating ramen for years..) but here's my two cents on the food in my last two visits: Apps Get the raw tuna (great with the Avocado) and a Mantou Skip the pork-belly bun - their pork has so little fat it was like eating fat-free bacon (which should be illegal..!!) Skip the wontons (they taste like the one's i make at home from TJ's) Entrees: Kimchi & Fried Chicken - get this if you can handle hot stuff, and make sure you mix the bowl before you eat it (rookie mistake if you miss that one!). The chicken stays crispy despite being in a bowl of soup noodles. This dish goes perfectly with their Asahi draft beer! Tonkotsu Ramen - this one is less flavorful than the Kimchi bowl (obviously), but is a less-salty version of my favorite bowl of ramen. Get this if you don't want the spice! Dessert: Try the black sesame ice-cream - you can't get this at Baskin Robin's! Overall - definitely a try, and if you liked the flavorful ramen as much as me, definitely a return-visit kind of place!
(4)
Nishan P.

My friends Izzy and Yanyao are ramen connoisseurs; I am not. I used to think I was, having consumed significant amounts of it while in college, but I have been told (by Izzy and Yanyao) that Top Ramen doesn't count. Given their refined palates for the Japanese noodle soup, I was surprised when my friends elected to have dinner at Ramen San, an establishment operated by non-Asians. I was very curious to see what they would think of the Lettuce Entertain You interpretation of ramen. Let's start with the positives. The Hisato-San cocktail with pineapple, passion fruit, and rum was a small but tasty treat. The service was stellar throughout our meal. The appetizers, smoked salmon nigiri and raw tuna on sesame crisps, were both enjoyable. The disappointment of the evening was the "star attraction." Ramen San offers several different types of ramen. I waited for my expert friends to order before telling the waitress I'd be getting the exact same thing: toasted sesame ramen with fried shrimp and various additions like a molten egg and pork. The fried shrimp was nice and the noodles were well prepared but even I know that ramen broth is not supposed to be gray. The soup was also quite salty. That was a huge turn off for my friends, as was the lack of complexity in the ramen. I hope they don't disown me for giving Ramen San as many as three stars. I hear we will not be coming back, at least not for ramen.
(3)
Ivy Z.

Ramen-San is what you would expect of a ramen restaurant in this area of Chicago. It is overpriced and not very traditional. Still tasty, the broth of the tonkotsu ramen was good, but the depth of flavors for the ingredients was lacking. The noodles are also not house-made. The atmosphere is nice but there is usually a wait given the location and small room.
(2)
Elizabeth W.

On Tuesday, December 16th, I had the pleasure of enjoying the one night only A5 Wagyu Beef Omakase dinner here. For $65, the menu included 5 course, sake, and a beer. It was hands down my top dining experience in 2014. The service was impeccable and each course was described in detail. The preparation were expert in highlighting this very special product. The meal opened with raw presentations that introduced me to this high quality meat. The second course was the first hot items, that explored the luxurious texture of Wagyu. I have never had meat melt in my mouth the way the skirt steak did. That may have been my favorite preparation of the evening. The ramen course was perfection. The broth was addictive and the perfectly marbled rib eye was just an added perk. Started to get at this point but with the short rib and foie burger next in line I put on my big girl panties and sucked it up. The burger was just on another level. The decadence and richness of the foie with the perfectly rendered butter like patty...all burgers I have eaten up to this point have been put to shame. The dessert was the perfect end to an opulent meal. Light and refreshing to cleanse the palate, it left me completely satisfied with the whole experience. I would highly recommend keeping an eye out for future announcements of omakase meals. Reservations are very limited, I believe around 45 covers for the night, but they were incredibly responsive to reservation requests. If you can snag one, I can vouch that I was not disappointed in the least.
(5)
K P.

Was not amazed by the ramen here. I got the Tonkatsu ramen and found it to be overly salty. The noodles here were also more like instant ramen noodles than traditional ramen noodles. Prices are on the high end for ramen (~$16). I prefer Strings.
(2)
Ramon D.

Good ramen place. Visited twice and enjoyed it both times. The pork belly buns were excellent! I had the Sumo Bowl and the spicy miso. Both were very good. Nick at the bar provided excellent and informed service. They have a wide variety of Japanese whiskeys with decent prices and pours. Nick was able to provide good informative data for m to make my selections. Worth a try if you are in Chicago.
(4)
Yvonne I.

Pretty good for my first ramen experience at a restaurant. This place was a little on the small side as far as river north restaurants are concerned. I went on a Friday night at 7 with a group of 4 other people and made a reservation. If you are going at a busy time/busy day, I would suggest making a reservation as well in order to avoid the wait. Some of the appetizers looked really good, but since the bowls of ramen looked large I decided not to get one. I got the smoked brisket and burnt garlic ramen bowl. So much flavor and different ingredients. This place has inspired me to consider trying some of the other Chicago ramen places. It will be interesting to compare them to this one.
(4)
Irene K.

For once I actually finished all the noodles in a bowl of ramen - so I definitely liked the food here overall, but the broth was a little too flavorful for me. I had the smoked brisket & garlic which I would give a 7/10 and my friend had the fried chicken and kimchi ramen. We also had the smoked salmon nigri to start which I would highly recommend. To drink, we each got a hot todzilla (with japanese whiskey) - one of the yummiest hot toddies I've ever had (their secret is a couple drops of sesame oil) served in the cutest hello kitty mug! Would recommend, especially since you can make reservations here!
(4)
Susie C.

My friends and I came here for dinner after hanging out at How At the Moon. We made reservation for 4 people at 9pm. When we arrived we had to wait a little bit because the people at our table were not done yet. We were surprised this place was still so busy at 9pm. This city doesn't sleep. Ramen San is very cozy. Very modern and hip with brick walls. Our waitress was very friendly along with the host and hostess. Our food came out really quick! We were very surprised. We started with the sticky Thai chicken wings. We felt this was very good. We also had the gyozas which were good too. The hamachi sashimi were also good. All 4 of us really enjoyed the appetizers that we ordered. We read reviews that the ramen isn't as filling so we ordered 3 appetizers for 4 people. Felt that was a good number. For ramen my friend and I had the Tonkatsu ramen. We thought it was decent. My husband and another friend ordered their special of the night which was the fatty ramen..it was crispy pork shoulders with cabbage. Both my husband and friend didn't like it. My husband would give his ramen a 2 stars. My Tonkatsu was way better. We ended the night with the black sesame ice cream. It's so cute- it came in a cone. The ice cream was delish since it was also a different flavor we haven't tried before. My husband also ordered their late night fried rice which was lamb fried rice. You can only order this fried rice after 10pm, not sure why. I felt the rice was nice and soft, kind of like sticky rice, but we all felt it was a bit too salty. Overall food was decent. Appetizers and dessert were good! Ramen is good, depending on the type of ramen you order.
(3)
Saba A.

I was very excited about Ramen- san, a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant opening on Hubbard. I guess I don't know the real authentic taste of Asian foods and I feel the only way to get that is to visit Asia, so my review is based on mostly price and service. For opening week, Ramen Noodles were half off which was a great deal! But here you get a bowl of noodles (that are prepared elsewhere) and it's not a lot of noodles. This isn't a place to fill you up and that's all right. It's not shareable either. It's difficult to share. The chopsticks are cheap (which I know a few other reviewers mentioned). A lot of the sauces have Japanese writings, which make it a little authentic. I know the Melman brothers did their research, but I feel like they have to clear a few knicks out. Especially the prices (12-15 dollars) per bowl. I would rather go to a hole in the wall restaurant and get a Ramen dish which I'm sure would be just as good instead of paying that much. I liked the 6 dollar Japanese beer which was served in a frosted glass. I also enjoyed the chicken wing and boa style appetizers. The ice cream with the cone was a little delight for a small price of 2.50. I guess it depends on your taste of Asian food, but I would recommend slurping turtle instead.
(3)
Sheryle I.

Ate around 3 pm on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. The establishment is clean and pretty. The server was attentive. The food was meh. I had the brisket and garlic ramen which sounded promising. The brisket fell apart and tasted great, but the ramen as a whole left me wanting more. I wish they had offered a classic ramen dish or dressed it up with more fresh vegetables. Considering the price tag I would have expected a better delivery.
(3)
Bethany H.

Went here on a Wednesday night after work (~6pm). Was immediately seated while I waited for my girlfriends to show up. Anne (Anna? Ann?) our server was PERFECT. She was sweet, had excellent recommendations, and gave our table just the right amount of attention without being the typical, super-smiley overbearing-caricature server. It was the perfect environment to catch up with friends after the holidays; the space was small enough that it felt intimate but still had a lively bar-type atmosphere as the night went on. I drank the Asahi on draft ($7) while my friends sipped on the lime cilantro margaritas (which were pricey at $11, but gave them a nice buzz after the second round). I had the kimchi & fried chicken ramen which was flavorful but perhaps just a bit too spicy for my taste. I would've liked more chicken pieces and a helluva ton more kimchi cabbage, but c'est la vie. It wasn't super filling, so I'd recommended nomming on an appetizer if you're a big eater like me.
(4)
Davin L.

Ramen is a guilty pleasure to which I will almost always say yes. So when I heard the Melmans were converting the Paris Club Bar into an authentic ramen spot, I had to give it a shot, despite a mediocre experience at the club itself and especially considering it's half off on its grand opening. The interior has wooden booths, A small bar, and high tables with hooks to hang your jacket. There's chopsticks and all the necessary ramen seasonings on each tabletop. I can see this place getting crowded on a Friday night as clubgoers at Paris call it a night. According to the website, the cooks went to Japan for research. It looks like they did their homework. The smoked brisket and roasted garlic was packed with flavor and texture. Umami overload. One sip and I was back in Roppongi, ducking out if the rain and slurping down a big bowl. And even though the noodles were not house made, they still had the perfect consistency. Service was friendly and attentive. More importantly, the management greeted me personally and took feedback with sincere appreciation. If I had to nitpick, there was no naruto (is there an anti-naruto platform in this city?) and the soft-boiled egg was a bit on the cold side, but that may have been because Amarit was genuinely chatting me up about my food. It's a bit on the pricey side, but you are definitely paying for high quality ingredients and top notch service. I haven't enjoyed a bowl of ramen on the first sip this much since Menkuitei in NYC. Will definitely be back for cocktails and wings on a hot summer night.
(4)
Chris T.

Raaaaamen. Love the stuff, and could eat it everyday. So I was excited to try this place out and I brought 3 friends - 2 of whom are from Hong Kong and 1 who is from the exotic land of Minnesota and has never had ramen before. I'm somewhere in between. And it went predictably - with my 2 Asian friends being unsatisfied, the Minnesotan enjoying his first time, and me being in between. In other words, I thought it was ok. The Ramen was lacking a bit of flavor. I had the Sumo Bowl so I could try a bit of everything. I first found the Molten egg to be disappointing as it didn't add anything to the dish, whereas it's usually my favorite part of Ramen. I also had the spicy Molten egg that isn't on the menu. I'd say skip it, I could barely taste it. Everything was decent I thought, just not enough for my to crave it in the future or eagerly return for another visit. Also, don't take their advice and get appetizers first if you're having your own bowl of ramen. The ramen alone was so filling we could barely walk out of there. Good music here though, I liked the 90s hip hop.
(3)
Tiffany L.

From the first time it was announced, I was really curious how Lettuce Entertain You was going to handle ramen. Their current lineup of asian food are all pretty sketch - Wow Bao, Big Bowl, Tokio Pub? Bleh. However, for Ramen-San, they definitely did their due diligence and put together a solid menu. Between slurps, BF still pledged allegiance to Santouka's ramen, claiming it was still better than the Tonkotsu here, their pork broth just not having enough depth. The Smoked Brisket and Black Garlic, however, was the shining star -- depths and depths of flavor in the broth, the melt-in-my-mouth brisket, umami being a major understatement. I also tried the shoyu, it is way too salty. The noodle itself is good, of Sun Noodle variety (famous possibly for being the ramen in the original ramen burger), it cooks quickly though in the hot broth so eat fast if you don't want gummy noodles. Special seasonings on the table include: - La-yu chili oil. The best chili oil ever. Always imitated, never duplicated. - Ramen pepper. - Togarashi. - Sesame seeds in a grinder. Need one now. Other non-ramen items we tried: - Mantou buns: house-made mantou is impressive, they're also very good. Peking duck, also house-made, is a good try, but still can't beat Sun Wah's. The crispy skin is nice, but the duck part is like a pulled duck. I enjoyed the fried chicken bun more -- panko crusted, topped with cabbage and spicy mustard. - Smoked Salmon Nigiri: it's chopped smoked salmon atop rice wrapped with cucumber, topped with wasabi caviar. BF really like the quality of the smoked salmon. Otherwise, I wouldn't say this is a must-try. - Black Sesame Ice Cream Cone: needed more black sesame flavor, but the delicoius chocolate ganache hidden at the end of the cone was the cherry on top. Oh and Kasugai gummies come with your check. Reservations accepted! Slurp loudly.
(3)
Sofia J.

Skeptical from the first week of reviews, my standards were low and thus I was pleasantly surprised. We tried the sumo bowl and the chicken broth w/brisket and black garlic. Both delicious and recommendable, depending on what you're going for. Creamy and heavy - go for the sumo (traditional tonkatsu broth), lighter desire - go for the chicken. Flavors were balanced, none too salty or in need of additional seasoning, in fact they come with a lot of contrasting ingredients that are a pleasure to taste. The sumo is also significantly larger - definitely for sharing or taking home. Yes, they're more expensive than your neighborhood ramen joint, but one would expect nothing less from River North. Pork belly bun is tasty and comes with a generous amount of meat.
(4)
Nick R.

Came in as a last minute dinner decision while Visiting the bars on Hubbard. Wow! I was not expecting to be blown away! I tried the beef brisket noodles. They were so full of flavor and perfect for a cold night in Chicago. The brisket pieces were perfectly cooked. One piece of Advice is to eat the brisket rather quickly as it cooks in the soup. I also was not expecting to be so full after the noodle soup but as you can see from the photos that the bow is huge. The decor is really cool and very well done. Modern yet cozy, cool place to bring a date. The music selection is also really cool. The waitress was very friendly and very helpful as I struggled deciding on what I should order. One bummer is that they don't serve any rice dishes except for the late night fired rice which is only available after 10pm. Of course I ended up there at 9:45. Overall Im really loping forward to trying more items from here and I regret not ordering the buns after seeing some other parties order them Id highly recommend trying at least one with your order.
(5)
Telly S.

I've eaten here about 8-9 times in the past year and if I had my choice I would here everyday.
(4)
Brett F.

I love ramen. I eat it on the weekly. On the daily if I'm lucky. This isn't to say "I know my ramen." I just know what I like. And Ramen-san was my least favorite ramen experience in Chicago to date. For starters, their bartender was unable to fulfill my cocktail request of subbing out their Singapore Sling's gin for vodka. When I inquired as to why, it was because the cocktails are pre-batched and he didn't know how to make a single to-order Sling. So, I asked for him to stir up something with "similar flavors" to which our server returned and again said he didn't think he could. Um.... OK. I ordered an Asahi draft and prayed he at least knew how to pour a beer? He did. Phew. But lesson learned. The bar here is pointless. With beer in hand, I was on my way from imbibe to appetizer. My group tried the hamachi sashimi which was super fresh and flavorful and a smattering of the mantou buns - pork belly and fried chicken - which were tasty, but nowhere near the creativity level and execution of the bao I love so dearly at Oiistar. Then there was the ramen. I went with the brisket and black garlic ramen. It was served lukewarm. If anything is more disappointing to me than soup that isn't hot, I can't think of it now. I hate it. Especially with ramen. It caused the molten egg to texturize oddly (think: gelatinous) and was such a turnoff. The broth was also very one note. It lacked spice and was almost syrupy. I was missing all of the savory, umami, spicy, unctuous tones you usually find in the layers of a bowl of ramen. Just not for me. I sent my bowl away almost still full and that was that. Ramen-san. Merci, non.
(2)
Kayu T.

Opening day: HALF OFF RAMEN SCORE!! The atmosphere is casual and open. For an opening day, the service was very smooth, not hectic and under control. Besides the minor miscommunication that my waitress misheard my ramen order.. Amarit the manager was attentive and fixed the problem instantly. **UPDATE!!! I actually got a Tonkotsu ramen to go for my bf that couldn't come and OMG when I got home, I noticed the "molten egg" was NOT there! SO upsetting!** CHECK before you leave i guess next time??? But how am i supposed to do that when the soup is cloudy and can't see through it? MEH. *** Raw Tuna with Corn Tempura & Avocado - The guacamole was well seasoned, the tuna was fresh and the corn tempura added something different to the mix. It's a little pricey for what it is. Sumo Bowl - GIANT in size and loaded with toppings! This bowl has much more ramen noodle than the rest. The chashu pork is non-traditional.. their take of it is pork belly charred with a crispy oven finish. I have to admit that I was looking for the traditional round slice of pork, but this was not bad at all. The smoke brisket is from Bub City around the corner, it was on point. Soup flavor is seriously 90% there, just missing a sight master broth ultra rich marrow taste. I think it'll definitely get there with time. Tonkotsu - Same exact bowl as the Sumo but in regular size and no brisket and corn included. The person that got this also agreed that there's something rich missing with the broth. Kimchi & Fried Chicken- For those that love spicy & Korean flavor. The chicken was nicely done and crispy but this one don't come with an egg. Sister got this and loved it. Seasme Miso- Friend got this and killed it. The broth is the most interesting of all the ramens. The manager Amarit also claimed this is his favorite. Black Sesame ice cream cone - Super fluffy and full of sesame flavor. Not the finest that I've tried in my life time.... BUT the cone had a little hidden explosion near the last bite with some sort of chocolate or cake piece! One of us ordered extra ramen for $1.50 - it is such a deal! The bowl was not small at all. I already made a reservation to return with a group of people this Friday. Enough said. Very excited this place opened.. especially with the late night hours!
(4)
Vic L.

Reallllly good ramen !!! Good lunch deal for$15 . Great food , lots of flavor . Get the smoked brisket... It's great & with the extra!!!
(4)
Jessica M.

Came here on opening week to take advantage of the half-priced menu! Have I been back ever since? No.... My friend and I over-ordered and shared: Asahi beer, pork rind, smoked salmon nigiri, sumo ramen, sesame miso ramen, and sesame ice cream. Appetizers: Pork rind was the special of the evening. As crispy and fresh as it was, I don't think I will pay the full price for this. The smoked salmon nigiri consisted of chopped salmon wrapped in cucumber slices. It had a hint of wasabi but was otherwise light. Entrees: Sumo ramen came in one enormous bowl that was heavily loaded. I would've really hated myself had I ordered that. Instead, I went with the sesame miso ramen. It was very unique with a very bold and lingering effect. The first few bites were very tasty but as I dug deeper into the bowl, I felt flavors were too powerful and I had to drown it out with some beer. The noodles were also a bit too soft and sticky in which they came in a tight bundle. I constantly had to use my spoon and chopsticks to separate them into strands. The pork belly slabs were also relatively small and a bit tough. Dessert: Few places serve sesame ice cream so we couldn't possibly let this one slip away. It was not mind-blowing but I did appreciate the chocolate chunk at the bottom of the cone. In conclusion, I was very excited with their opening and there is a chance that I will return given the location and late night hours.
(3)
Tamer A.

The Kimchi Raman bowl with the fried chicken is a must! They play really cool urban music in the background to give the experience a good city vibe ... I'm coming back!
(5)
Setsko H.

Being out on road for a few days in Eastcoast, I had some crave for Japanese food and found this restaurant via Yelp. Manager was very friendly and service was very nice. Gyoza was tasteful. I choose Spicy Miso Ramen and I liked their presentation. I wish the soup to be hotter because it was a bit lukewarm. Manager said that they sent their chef to Japan to study "Ramen Cooking" and it was very interesting. Price was very high but I assume that it was because of location and being in Chicago?
(4)
Tina B.

Good thing we stumble upon it! Being Asian visiting in Chicago, I thought I would be eating pizza and sandwiches all day long..thank God for Ramen San! Particularly like Miso Ramen, Pork Belly thingy and Kimchi with fried chicken was bomb too!! We loved it that we came back again (2 in 3 days hahaha!) ~ definitely a must go (especially with Chicago's freezing weather! Hahaha yes coming from Californian lady, it's freezing!)!!!
(4)
Lyn P.

This is a fancy ramen place as opposed to a traditional ramen place. The ramen menu features more traditional preparations like tonkotsu and spicy miso along with options like kimchi and smoked brisket. Whatever you order, the ingredients will be high quality and stand out on their own as components. I prefer tonkotsu ramen and their version was fine. The broth had good flavor, the noodles weren't overcooked and all of the additions were great, especially the perfectly cooked egg. My friend opted for the brisket ramen and I think they do a good job with this non-traditional preparation. We also really enjoyed the spicy szechuan wings. They were definitely spicy but not so much that you couldn't enjoy the flavor. Service was fine and the price point was what I was expecting for the area. They are busy during prime dinner hours but you can make reservations through Open Table just in case or if you are like me and am a sucker for their dining points.
(4)
Johnathan G.

I visited this place with two friends (we're all students) and we all ordered either a ramen bowl or a lunch express meal (no appetizers or sides) and the meal came out to be almost $50. The service was very quick and the waiter was patient with explaining items on the menu to us. I thought there was plenty of food and it tasted pretty good. The skirt steak was a bit burnt but my friend said the miso salmon that she chose to go along with her lunch meal was good. I didn't each too much of the cucumber that came with the meal but the ginger salad was very good especially with the addition of some hot oil. It was a bit expensive for my taste especially as a student trying to save money but it's definitely worth it if you're willing to splurge.
(4)
Christy L.

Ramen-san hit the spot on one of the first cold nights of the year (October 2014)! To start, we split the Gyoza and Sticky Thai wings. The Gyoza were the most interesting presentation I've seen with a wafer-thin noodle extending and covering the serving dish and all the dumplings. The dumplings themselves were similar to others and served with a tasty sauce. The Sticky Thai wings were good but nothing special...would have preferred a spicier sauce but my boyfriend doesn't do spicy. For Ramen, I had the Spicy Miso, and it made up for the lack of heat in our wings! Very tasty and hit the spot on a chilly night. Prices are very reasonable for this neighborhood but Ramen shouldn't be expensive. The ambiance is trendy, similar to most other Hubbard Street restaurants, but not too loud.
(4)
Laura G.

The vibe is awesome and the music is just as great. I LOVE ramen. Went to Japan a couple years ago and basically only ate ramen, so I'm a tough critic. The ramen here is good, and definitely great for River North, but I prefer Wasabi in Logan Square over this place. The price is also pretty steep. I felt like I was paying for location rather than quality. I really enjoyed the Fried Chicken Ramen. Spicy, but a good spice. I recommend getting the chicken on the side because it gets soggy getting soaked in the broth. All in all, the food is 3.5 stars, but the overall experience of ramen + environment brings it up to 4 stars. Makes for a good first date spot. It's also a Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant, so you can collect points. Be sure to make a reservation. I've been here for both lunch and dinner and it can get packed.
(4)
Tiffany L.

Sorely disappointed. I had been craving ramen for a while, so I was quite excited for Ramen-san. However, I found the broth for the tonkotsu ramen too salty for my taste, and the taste of ginger ended up overpowering the pork bone broth taste. The noodles didn't fare better--they lacked the chewy texture that is characteristic of ramen noodles, and it almost seemed as if they came from a pack of instant ramen noodles. While the three pieces of chashu were thick and generously cut, they were both extremely fatty and extremely tough to chew. I did enjoy the pork belly bun, but found the price steep for the taste--I've definitely had better at Wasabi and Enso in Wicker Park/Logan Square area, and for a lower price. I walked out of Ramen-san unsatisfied and still hungry--both the ramen and the portion sizes were subpar, and needless to say, I will not be back.
(2)
Will N.

I happened by this cool spot by pure chance as I was walking to my meeting. I chose the lunch special and was pleased. I'll definitely go back next time I'm in town
(4)
Lily Z.

Ramen-san has been on my radar since before they opened. I'm a big fan of noodles and broth and hoped this would be better than my current favorite, Wasabi. We came on Friday and we ordered the duck buns (a little dry and heavy on the hoisin/plum sauce), he ordered the tonkatsu (good broth, nice flavors) and I ordered the spicy miso (not particularly spicy nor as good as the tonkatsu, broth tasted boring). I didn't even finish nor did I want to finish my bowl. I left feeling pretty disappointed. We were in an out in less than an hour? Not bad for 8PM on a Friday night without reservations. I'm not going to let that poor bowl of ramen get me down, I'll be back to try it again!
(3)
Hua W.

Ramen-San is located in the former Paris Club lounge in the River North neighborhood. It has a hip vibe, complete with a Pac-Man video arcade, Japanese beer, and ramen connoisseurs slurping away. It is open until midnight on the weekdays (which is late for Chicago). Ramen-San's ramen and its hot flavorful broth is one of my favorite winter comfort foods.
(4)
Grace C.

noodle was perfect. soup was good. We had pork shoulder ramen, which was special for that day, donkatu ramen, and ogonomee yaki which is Japanese pancake. Service was excellent. place was clean. They have side bar as well. Interesting thing is they have 10pm menu which is fried rice. they don't serve it before 10pm..=) I wanted to try it but couldn't wait that long. They do delivery as well. I am so glad I found this place and can't wait to go back there for another bowl of ramen noodle!
(4)
Katie K.

This is where I come when I'm craving ramen. It teases so good and our waiter was very attentive and friendly. Nice deco and environment in the restaurant. I would recommend this place!
(4)
Fuji J.

7 months later, my friends convinced me to give Ramen-san another chance, I decided to revisited Ramen-san for Toshokoshi (NYE). I had Tonkotsu ramen. Soup was much improved, right amount of oil and salt and noodles are good. My boyfriend had Kimchi & Fried Chicken ramen. Right amount of heat. We both had enough soup left after noodles were gone, so we ordered and split a Kaedama. I added kimchi in Tonkotsu, which was great idea. Good kimchi. I am still a little hesitated paying $14-15 for a bowl of ramen, and I prefer hotter soup (temprature) and harder noodles. But, for the improvement of soup and service, I give 4 starts. I would appreciate your continuous improvement and live up to the name of Ramen-san.
(4)
Carolyn G.

This week was my first visit to Ramen-san, and I was blown away by the experience. There were some slightly more private booted along the wall across from the bar, but the rest of the dining room was filled with communal tables that could easily fit a party of two or ten. We started the night off with two of their signature cocktails and the pork belly steamed buns. The pork belly was perfectly crisp, and the pickle slices and sauce really made them delicious on a whole other level. At $5 for just one bun, they might not be something I regularly order, but they taste like heaven. After deciding I probably could've just eaten 10 of the buns and been in food coma bliss, our ramen arrived, and I (having a small stomach capacity) was a little intimidated by the size of it. I ordered the special-duck ramen-and while I was thrown for a loop by the idea of duck confit meatballs, but I'm glad I went with it. The ramen beat me, so I ordered some extra noodles to take the rest of the broth home with me. While our waitress did a fantastic job of tempting is with dessert, we resisted and rolled our way out. All in all, 10/10, would go again.
(5)
Susan S.

We came here with our kids after ordering the pork shoulder bao I realized they are too spicy for my kids so I ordered another shiitake bao and asked the server to request it not spicy. However, we got the order and it's still spicy!! The pork bao was just okay too. I think overall the food was great but the service was just okay.
(3)
Sammy C.

The menu is wonderful. Ramen dishes with a non-traditional twist. Flavors and textures combine to create a delicious dining experience. The staff is friendly and the service is attentive without being too much. Our waitress was wonderful and helpful when trying to navigate the menu. It was much appreciated. The only negative was the volume of the music. Too loud for a small space, making it difficult to converse with our party. Despite this we will definitely be back for some of the best ramen we've had in a long while.
(4)
Kimberly K.

As Ramen in Chicago goes, this one is pretty solid. The traditional Tonkotsu broth, house-made noodles, and limited toppings are spot on to what you'd get in Japan. Not too many choices, just simple and tasty. I also like the Kimchi and Fried Chicken option. The cocktails seem like an after thought and are too sweet for me, so just go with a beer. That's more of a traditional way to eat Ramen anyway!
(3)
Christine H.

Definitely not the best ramen I've had, but it was a good dinner nonetheless. My friend and I came here on a Wednesday night after a shopping excursion on Michigan Ave. They sat us right away, and service was prompt. I got the Tonkotsu Ramen. The broth was kind of light compared to other tonkotsu ramen I've had. The noodles are NOT the nice handmade noodles you would find in other ramen shops, instead has a harder consistency to it. The good part about Ramen-San though is that you can have add-ins like egg and corn to your ramen, even if they weren't originally included. The decor has a rustic feel, but echoing other reviewers, definitely questionable music selection. I like it better than Slurping Turtle, so if you're looking for a ramen place in River North, you should definitely try this!
(3)
Joel G.

Enjoy this place for a bowl of slurping noodles. The apps are solid including the chicken wings and the asian buns. Decent sake selection and solid but small beer list. You really come here for the ramen and that's it. They serve late night so that comes in handy from time to time as well with food available till I beileve 2AM. Staff is attentive and friendly. You can improve your ramen by adding dumplings to it in my opinion. It is a bit salty so be prepared as you feel it the next day...I'm guessing it makes your hangover even better! Overall a good experience and fun place. Drunk and slurping noodles? how can you go wrong ;)
(3)
Jennifer C.

Lets see... From misplaced neko-cat displays to rap music...This place is the poseur of trendy ramen. Only come here if you think you can't go to chipotle or handle another sandwich lunch at pret a manger--but even then pret would be cheaper! I got the shiitake ramen ($13) and it was weak. By that I meant the mushroom pieces were small and seemed to resemble resoaked cardboard. The tofu that came on top of the ramen was cold to touch and clearly had just been cut out of the packaged tofu products. Not impressed. They could have braised them or fried the tofu on both sides to give it body and flavor. My boyfriend got the pork belly ramen ($15) in what they claimed to be a tonkatsu broth, but it really tasted more like a diluted miso soup. Despite getting extra pork belly (and extra egg) the pork chunks were tough, dry and flavorless. Each additional topping of half a "molten egg" costed $1. With extra fixings his ramen cost $19. Sorry bros the price for that is way too steep considering you didn't even marinate the outside of the soft boiled egg. This place is overpriced for the quality of food they're offering. You're better staving off ramen urges with store bought Nissan noodles or Marukan yakisoba.
(1)
Katie M.

Appetizers such as porky belly buns and wings are chalk full of bold Flavors. The kimchi fried chicken ramen bowl is super spicy but not too spicy you can't taste the bold Flavors in the veggies and broth. The daily ramen specials like the duck are by far my fave not too spicy either. The other regular ramen bowls need a bit more kick; maybe my taste buds are a bit numb after having such full Flavors from the apps but they seem a tad bland. Outside of that I highly recommend checking this place out.
(4)
Hana C.

I loved the atmosphere and interior. Our waitress was also very friendly and pretty efficient. However, the food was not the best, at least for me. I got the Brisket ramen and my friend got the Spicy Miso ramen. He really enjoyed his and they weren't kidding when they said it was spicy. I didn't enjoy mine as much. It was greasy and very salty. Pretty expensive for the quality as well.
(2)
AJ B.

I don't think ramen comes any better than this. While I don't see this place as a kids' restaurant per se (it's in a nightclub area), I brought my kids and the scene was just fine.
(5)
Laila C.

Came with co-workers during lunch. Half got the lunch express, half of us got bowls of ramen. I got the tonkotsu and it took about 15 minutes to arrive. Timing here is find but the flavors are boring, boring and too sweet. I don't like they used chasao pork rather than braised pork belly. It made the whole bowl way too sweet. They put in FAR too much pickled ginger and overpowers everything else. There were only 2 pieces of bamboo. Overall, it's River North ramen. I didn't have very high expectations and it pretty much matched reality exactly. Won't be back for my $20 mediocre, 1.5 hr lunch any time soon.
(2)
Seher D.

Ramen is literally one of the main reasons I started eating pork. I was sick of going to Ramen Tatsu-Ya in Austin only on Sundays for their veggie ramen, was disappointed by the ramen at East Side King, and curiosity was building within me about the fragrant broth, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly, and that delicious runny egg that I had heard so much about. I then happened to go on a ramen binge. I first tried Wasabi, probably the best ramen I've ever had in my life, but I'll save that for another review. However, I was still craving more. I had heard that both High Five Ramen (amazing! also for another review) and Ramen-San opened in the same week, and a friend suggested that we go to the latter for dinner. I heard the word 'ramen' and was sold, even in 80 degree weather. Sadly, the tonkotsu ramen at Ramen-San was incredibly disappointing. Picture this: take a large black bowl and fill 1/4 of it with salt. Yes, pure salt. Then, add 3/4 cup of warm water. Stir. Add 2 cups of hot vegetable broth with 2 packets of pork seasoning. Stir until smooth and blended. Add sparse vegetables. Add burnt pork belly. Add a hard boiled egg. Don't forget to add in some MSG. And, voila! Yup, that was literally my meal. I left so disappointed, parched (and not because it was hot outside, that MSG/sodium took a toll on me and my stomach), and still hungry. The broth was so less-than-average and literally just tasted like a bowl of salt with some vegetable broth. There was absolutely no real/authentic pork flavor at all and I felt like I was eating a canned soup that was just heated up. With tax and tip, the ramen itself came out to about $19 - pricier than many other ramen establishments in Chicago. Save yourself some money and a horrible stomach ache, yelpers. Still craving the real Ramen-San experience? Do the following: go to Jewel, and find the generic version of canned pork soup/broth. Purchase the canned broth, Morton's 79 cent canister of salt, and bagged vegetable medley. Go home, take all ingredients and pour in a bowl. Enjoy!
(1)
Teri Y.

SO unimpressed. The broth was flat and I couldn't make out the flavors (we got the smoked brisket with black garlic ramen and shoyu ramen). The broth was more like flavored water instead of a result of hours and hours and hours boiling like what it's supposed to be. The noodle texture was not quite there either. I'm a little perplexed at how both Ramen-san and High Five get their noodle supply rom Sun Noodle manufacturer and yet High Five manages to prepare the noodles with a nice bite texture but Ramen-san does not. It all gets down to the skills of ramen making and Ramen-san lacks that.
(2)
Jon L.

Came here for lunch today and thoroughly enjoyed everything that I ate. I had the smoked brisket and burnt garlic ramen as my main meal and started with an appetizer of the pork belly mantou bun and shrimp and pork wontons with xo sauce. Ramen noodle quality was on point, perfectly springy and tender without being mushy or too hard. Broth was delicious and flavorful and the meat was fatty and tender. Nom. Shrimp and pork wontons were great, and I love the addition of the XO sauce (Hong Kong flavorings ftw!) My least favorite part was the pork belly mantou..maybe just compared to the delicious pork buns you get at pretty much any of the major ramen places in nyc (ippudo, totto, etc.),these ones just seemed a little meh. The bread was not as soft, the pork belly was not as tender, though the sauce was decent. Decor-wise, the place is chill and minimalist and a great place to just chill with friends. I would make reservations if you can as it does appear to get quite busy. A little pricier than what I'd like to normally pay for ramen (for two of us, we got 2 appetizers, 2 main meals, and two drinks, and it came out to almost 60). That being said, if you just got the ramen it'd be like 15 which is not completely unreasonable compared to other niceish ramen places. Would I come racing back to Chicago for this..probably not, but I'l definitely stop by if I'm in the area.
(4)
Kimberly L.

Ordered $14 shittake ramen+$1 'molten egg' (soft boiled). Awesome mushroom broth and toppings! Loved it all. Nori strips, shittake, pickled ginger, wakame, scallions, sesame seeds, bamboo shoots, and tofu. They boiled the egg perfectly but I feel ripped off without the other half since it wasn't marinated, I guess. Aside from that, this spot is a little underrated. My friend said the chashu slices were good--not too fatty & not too lean. Staff is down-to-earth and helpful.
(4)
Michael C.

Wonderful experience! It's rare that a staff works together with one focus, but we had multiple interactions with staff and you could tell they all had the same concern of making sure we had a great experience. The pork belly bun and gyoza dumplings were huge hits. The ramen was excellent, but the appetizers were standouts. Our waitress Marie was attentive, answered questions, made suggestions and interacted with us with a proper balance of focus. Never had to wait for service but never felt pushed or intruded upon. Best service we have received in a long time.
(5)
Nick I.

Stopped by for lunch on a Saturday. They were busy but we were able to sit down right away. Service is good but our food took longer than expected for a dish that is already cooked. I order the tonkotsu which I enjoyed. It has a heavy Chinese influence in the flavoring witch I wasn't expecting at all. The chashu was all Chinese. None the less I enjoyed it. My co-worked had the shio/salt flavored broth and he wasn't please at all. A little disclaimer here is that we are both Japanese so the expectation is different when eating your own cuisines. Also the chop sticks and dishes were Chinese which might explain the influence of the flavoring an perhaps the ethnicity of the owners or chef. What I enjoyed most other than my food was the music selection 90's and 00's hip hop. Thanks
(4)
Theresa M.

The fried chicken and kimichi ramen is by far the best ramen I've had and I love ramen! I love Pho as well. I would definitely recommend this trendy, chill place if that's the mood you're in , you will not be disappointed. Great music, great customer service (John was excellent), great vibe, and excellent food.
(5)
Evan C.

I give Ramen-san 3.5 stars. I went for dinner on a Monday night and made reservations via OpenTable just to be safe. We started with the Pork Belly and friend Chicken Mantou. It reminded me of the same dough that Wow Bao uses. I would say the pork belly was the best out of the two even though it was a little fatty. I also had an old fashioned to wash it down, which was delicious. Now on to the ramen... I would say this is a much fancier ramen compared to most which also suits the area of River North. We ordered the Kimchi & Fried Chicken and the Smoked Brisket & Burnt Garlic Ramen. The Fried Chicken ramen was very spicy so if can't stand a little burn don't order this. The Smoked Brisket Ramen was the best. The broth was phenomenal and the smoked brisket was just right. There were only 3 slices of brisket which they could scale up the portions. The ambiance was pretty trendy and cool. The music selection was random but on point as Biggie and Jay-Z came on. Also, the Bulls were on so they turned on the projectors which played on the exposed brick. Overall a great place, but pretty pricy for what you get, hence the 3.5 stars.
(4)
Howard L.

This is a hipster ramen stop on tony Hubbard St. Service was friendly and efficient, and it's probably a cool place to meet up with someone for a bite in the area. There's probably some communal dining when it gets busy judging by the table layouts. They also serve a lot of choices of Japanese whiskeys I noticed. The ramen is pricey as one might expect for the area. I had their smoked brisket and black garlic ramen for $15. Wife had the Tonkotsu chashu pork ramen for $14. Both were ok, and on slightly salty side, as most of these places seem to be for our tastebuds. Overall, an interesting venue to try for ramen and it is a LEY restaurant. They have only been in business since May, and apparently the adjacent Paris Club (also a LEY place) was shrunk down to make room for this business. Metered street parking on Hubbard is $4 per hour fyi.
(3)
Franklin M.

We were excited to try this place since it was part of the LEYE group of restaurants but it was quite disappointing. Starter: Mantou pork belly buns - soft and creamy but overpriced at $5/bun. This was the highlight of our meal though. Main course: Tonkotsu ramen - this is a very simple dish with noodles, pork broth, half a molten egg and three pieces of pork. This has been well reviewed on here but most people submitting positive reviews probably have never tried authentic, delicious ramen before. This certainly does not meet those standards. The $14 price point is also high for the quality you receive but considering the area, it is reasonable. Dessert: Sesame and candy cane ice cream cones. For $3.50 each, these were not worth it nor were they delicious. We went here for lunch and it was about 70% empty at noon on NYE. The service was OK with my cup of water sitting empty for quite a while until I asked for more, but the food came out very fast. If you're looking for good ramen, go somewhere else. Unfortunately, the choices are quite slim in this area, though Slurping Turtle just down the street from here is a slightly better alternative.
(3)
Harry P.

Michelle, really? This is your second ramen place in the city and you ask the chef to add extra heat and complain now that it's not what you expected? Let me guess, you're the same customer who asks steak to be cooked medium to med rare to medium well? Give me a break. Judging by your limited experience with ramen places in the city, you should really visit more places that serve ramen before putting your two cents in. Also, don't bother to get ramen elsewhere, just like you said it yourself you can do it better at home. So do chefs a favor, stay home, and spend 24 hours making ramen, by then I'm sure you'll give up after finding out that even your own cooking is not up to your "standards" I am convinced that more than half of these reviewers on yelp have no idea what they are talking about when it comes to rating ramen. I've eaten at quite a few ramen places in the city and the suburbs including: Oiistar, Misoya, and Strings. However, Ramen-San is in its own league in terms of taste, quality, and presentation. The overall ambience of the place exudes swag, the dÃ©cor, music, and projectors make it a sociable atmosphere. We were promptly seated and the server was very helpful with questions we had regarding the menu. I ordered the Tonkotsu ramen, a creamier pork broth served with braised pork shoulder. In terms of taste, this is by far the most delicious broth I have tasted from all the places I've eaten ramen. The layers of flavor are spot on. What threw me off was the dried garlic chips garnished on top of the plate. The dish exudes Umami and I was pleased that the noodles mimicked the noodles of traditional ramen. The seasoning of the broth was spot on, not too salty. I've been searching, searching, and searching.... And I am convinced, that I had found one of the best ramen places in the city. For ramen lovers, stop in and grab a bite. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Vikki Y.

I've been to Slurping Turtle and I was in the mood for Tonkatsu. I decided to try Ramen-san because it's down the street and the decor and tall tables made it seem like the ideal place for some Asian comfort food post work. I've had yummy Tonkatsu before- where the broth is creamy and the noodles are that perfect texture of chewy, yet fine. I was craving Tonkatsu and my sister and I went by and ordered our noodles. Three stars because although the service was really good- the waitress was friendly and our plates were brought out on time- the Tonkatsu was subpar. What I did not like was that it was too salty. I actually had to ask them to remake it- which the waitress did- minus the sauce (that they put into the broth). The result was noodles with a super gingery-flavor- and I dislike ginger! 15 dollars for noodles was not worth it, either. To be honest, I would've been happier with my 2.99 instant Ramen Bowl from H-mart.
(3)
Lu Y.

Finding good ramen in downtown Chicago is very rare. Thankfully, Ramen-san has opened up shop on Hubbard St., and it's open late night along with lunch on weekdays! I've been there about 15 times since it's been open, and this is what I think: Ambience: For lunch, it's a nice place to meet a friend or coworker. The noise level is pretty low, and it isn't super crowded (it could get a little bit crowded on Friday lunch though). For dinner, this place is absolutely hopping! It gets packed and they have some loud music playing. The decor is pretty modern, making this place a perfectly decorated ramen restaurant. Service: Quick and efficient, yet you feel like you've been taken care of. Great staff! Food: I've had all the ramens, and they are all really good except for the vegetarian, which should be a bit more flavorful. They use Tokyo wavy noodles made by Sun Noodle, and these are honestly the best in the country! The meat-based broths are filled with flavor, and the bowls are filled with meat, noodles and other veggies! The apps are all delicious, and the drinks are pretty refreshing here. For lunch, they have a fantastic lunch deal that will keep you coming back. It consists of a large half a bowl of ramen, a salad, a rice dish with meat (salmon, chicken or steak), and kimchi all for just $15 =) Tip: Ask for the punch card - get the 10th ramen free =) LOVE Ramensan!
(5)
Masanori I.

The variety of Japanese whisky is real and I found Ichiro from Chichibu that is very rare to get even I am citizen of Saitama prefecture. As for Japanese wine, the variety is less than whisky. If dassai is ready, then it becomes better. With respect of ramen, it is acceptable level as Japanese. If ramen is served much hot temperature, it must be good
(1)
Karma K.

Let's start with their libations, shall we? They have a cilantro lime margarita. Heaven. They also make a mean Singapore Sling. OMG, I got drunk off of a few of these at my sister's wedding back in 1983. They get a few stars just for having that on their cocktail menu. The ramen and other offerings are decent but they try way too hard to be cool and cute. I like their ramen and I know the pay rent in pricy River North but a bowl of ramen with shitake shrooms and tofu shouldn't cost close to $15.
(4)
Elizabeth E.

Coming from a girl who loves her ramen noodles but is really only familiar with the kind in the orange packet at the grocery store... Went here for lunch and was really impressed. I had the express lunch special which consisted of a half bowl of ramen (which is MORE than enough), a small side of white rice with either chicken, salmon or steak (I had salmon), kimchi & a small side salad. All in, this was $15 plus any extras you might want to add- kind of a high ticket item for lunch but granted it's a ton of food. You could honestly split it with a friend if it wasn't socially unacceptable to share soup. We also split some of the buns - we had the mushroom & fried chicken ones - Fried Chicken was the best thing I have literally ever tasted... so soft and so much flavor. I'd skip the mushroom one in the future and literally eat fried chicken & soup. I will certainly go back, probably a bit too heavy for lunch IMO but on a cold winter night? bring it.
(4)
Allan C.

This place was pretty good. But honestly, the tonkatsu ramen was reminiscent of this instant tonkatsu ramen my cousin brings back on a regular basis. One big plus, however, was that they delivered through GrubHub complete with notifications that they started working on it and that it's out for delivery. Each ramen order came with two containers: a broth contain and a "stuff" container. The Stuff container came all nice and pretty - also came with pickled ginger, which I'm going to have to ask to be left out next time. The stuff container was also paper, which the wife's hippie side approves of, but unfortunately, the noodles sort of stuff to the bottom a bit. It wasn't something a little jiggering with chopsticks couldn't help after pouring the broth into it. The pork belly could have been more tender, the broth could have been a bit less salty, and man that pickled ginger was pretty annoying. Otherwise, solid ramen delivery is pretty awesome in and of itself, and the delivery process was great. I'd definitely be ordering from this place again.
(3)
J P.

great food! had the special duck and green curry. spicy and crispy with corn textures on perfect ramen noodles! great service and the bun appetizers were hot! loved it will be back
(5)
Yuko V.

We had Sumo and Tonkotsu. Tonkotsu soup was good. This restaurant is overally overpriced. Sumo costs $18!! I'm will try other ramen place next time.
(3)
Ryan F.

Love it. Ramen-san is one of my favorite restaurants downtown. I went here with some friends for dinner and although we didn't even notice our food wasn't out yet, the manager apologized for the wait and took care of our bills plus gave us a round of shots. Great food and service!
(5)
Couri T.

I have always enjoyed myself here. Staff and food is of good quality. Some bartenders are more attentive than others. I'm not sure who's watching the details. The paper menus are getting really horrible. I usually stop by on Tuesdays but tonight it was Monday and there's a farmers market dinner going on tonight. Overall good night here.
(4)
J P.

The atmosphere was electric!! I was stoked. I sat at the bar and, was let down immediately. The bartender was very inattentive. That's ok I thought the food will be good. I order a water so I would have time to look at the menu. He seemed very annoyed. I looked over the menu and order the only draft beer they had to offer. It was good. When I could get his attention I I asked some advice on the ramen, since that is what I came for. Again he seemed agitated. Ok maybe he had a bad night or other personal issues. I can get passed that. Then the food. I got the misso ramen. Was so excited. Temperature cold noodles not cooked all the way through. Flavor gets a 5!!!! Great flavor. Not sure I will ever come back. It will take more than Luke warm ramen and a MUCH BETTER BARTENDER!!! forgot to mention I had to get my own napkin and chopsticks. If you read my profile I travel for a living and this is my first 1 star. If you get bartender Trenton good luck.
(1)
Tian Y.

OOF. Tough call on the rating. First the ramen: 3 stars, if i'm being generous. The broths are pretty average. Not much depth and the flavor is really ...idk, boring? Like even if it's not delicate and rich it could be comforting, but this was neither. Not worth the city prices you have to pay... And the toppings for each broth seem kind of random to me and aren't interchangeable. For example, the shoyu doesn't come with meat randomly, and char siu is only with the tonkotsu broth, unless you pay $4 to add extra (and no swapping wtf). Tiny portions, too. But 4 stars is for the really nice ambiance and decor, and great service. They got slammed on labor day and speed of the kitchen and quality suffered, and so did service (waiters nowhere to be found for a while, food took forever, one bowl was so ridiculously salty that I sent it back for the second time in my life ever). However, the restaurant was extremely understanding, the manager was apologetic, and went to every table to make sure we left on a happy note. If you live in the area (like within walking distance), go for some convenient food in a good atmosphere - especially LATE NIGHT FRIED RICE and their late hours. But in this area, Slurping Turtle wins hands down.
(4)
Tina N.

Nice and modern place. It's simply yet efficient. I had the tonkotsu ramen and I loved it! A little pricey for a bowl of ramen, but it's expected since its smack in the middle of downtown and a 8 min walking distance from the hotel. They close at midnight, which is perfect for a late night meal!
(5)
Sarah M.

hey, ramen-san. you're pretty terrific! went with a girlfriend on a friday after work. got there around 530pm, had reservations, place was still fairly empty (but cautionary tale, it was definitely packed before we finished our meal). as a vegetarian, ramen can be tricky. as a vegetarian that does not like mushrooms very much, ramen is VERY tricky. but ramen-san, you were delightful. i had the (only) vegetarian friendly bowl, shiitake mushroom based. color me delighted, i didn't think it was very mushroom-y! service was super friendly - both our server and another employee chatted us up, asked us our opinion, and were very friendly. drink menu was great. only thing i would like to see are perhaps more vegetarian add-in options. pro tip - if any of the specials or any other bowls have add-in options that you think would be nice in your bowl, they likely can add it to your bowl as well!. one of the specials that night had pea shoots, which they were able to add to my bowl (and were a great addition). overall, great atmosphere, good food, friendly service... just make a reservation on the weekends for sure. would go back!
(4)
Heather C.

I ate here twice within 24 hours. Yes, it's good.
(5)
Erwin M.

It happened to be a cold and windy day when my wife and I happened to walking along Hubbard St when we observed a ramen eatery before us. This seemed like the "perfect" meal for a late lunch in order to warm our bodies. When entering Ramen-san, the up-scale and trendy ambiance is immediately apparent. The music is a mix of hip-hop and urban soul which decibel level is a bit more than I would like as I eat a meal. Being from the greater Los Angeles county area, I've had my experiences of some excellent Ramen shops but none have the music as loud as if I'm at a Biggie Smalls concert. My wife ordered the Tonkotsu and I went for the Sumo Bowl with the pork broth. About 15 minutes later the bowls arrived: We immediately noticed the temperature of both broths were luke warm at best. I am used to the broth being ABOVE a temperature of faucet water that I would shave and wash my face; it doesn't make it bad, just different. There is no need to blow the soup for it is ready for consumption straight from the bowl. Mine did not come with the stated molten egg, but I digress. Upon first swallow of the Sumo Bowl, I am immediately hit with a combination of complex flavors. The most powerful of flavor emanating from the smokiness of the beef brisket. All items in the bowl (the noodles and charshu) become immersed in the flavor of the smoke. The tenderness of the brisket is top notch and practically melted in my mouth before I could chew it; very good. The charshu was equally as tender with a hint of sweetness on the outer edges. The noodles were made to perfection with right amount of chewiness. There is a bit of spiciness as the flavors linger on your palette. As I look back on it, I wish I could've had all the items in the bowl in separate vessels as not to mix them all together. Perhaps I could've appreciated each item better individually as opposed having the brisket dominate every facet of the ramen. It doesn't make it bad, just different. Overall, my experience at Ramen-san is of positive notes. The flavors of my ramen were intense and pleasant. The aspects of high-quality ramen are in the bowl but the experience is indeed an alternate to what I'm used to. The amount of meat in the bowl is not shy and you definitely get your money's worth. Ramen-san has some very positive influences in their food and I hope I get a chance to experience other items on my next visit.
(3)
Lynette H.

My husband and I went for the first time last night. Takes reservations! I love places that take reservations!! We ordered the buns, one of each. The pork belly was my favorite and my husband really enjoyed the fried chicken bun. I ordered a cocktail, I think it was called Hisato San? I totally spelled that wrong-- but it was delicious! ( and only $9! Amazing) My husband ordered the Singapore Sling. So good too. I ordered the Tonkotsu and my husband ordered a ramen with brisket. We were very please. The service was great and the ambiance was very nice. We will definitely come back.
(5)
Rachel C.

Love this place! My boyfriend and I go every other week. Huge fan of the decor, hip hop music everything from cocktails, noodles, and desserts-if you can find the energy order dessert! River North Must
(5)
Kat G.

My husband and I ordered take out from Ramen-san. This was our first brush with the restaurant but not with ramen. I studied abroad in Japan, visited many different noodle shops, I know me some good ramen.... Anyways, ramen is starting to become a new trend in Chicago but it seems as though this place may have missed the mark. We ordered the ton-kotsu and the brisket ramens. Noodles didn't seem like they were freshly made, if they were, they just weren't anything special for the price they charge. I appreciated the ginger in the ton-totsu but that's not exactly what I was looking to find. I couldn't put my finger on it other than it just didn't taste authentic. It tasted more like an upscale version of boxed ramen with chives, green onions, and nuts. It was almost like the chef was confused and started to make pad thai but then took a different direction and added broth to make "ramen." It just wasn't what I was expecting when I order a tonkotsu. The brisket was worse. The noodle situation was the same, nothing special. But the broth was so smokey it was unpalatable. I felt like I was drinking liquid smoke and just had to stop eating it. On a bright note: pick-up service was good, we got our order at the 30 minute promise time, they gave us utensils, but the ramen was just so underwhelming I couldn't give it more than 2 stars. I'm still on a hunt to find "the ramen spot" in Chicago (high five is next on my list of places to try) but with Slurping Turtle only being the next block over, Ramen-san has some catching up to do as far as authenticity and flavor for the top dollar price.
(2)
Marshall R.

Loved it. I grew up in Japan and this took me back to the Ramen shops there. Comfort food.
(5)
Dennis R.

I stopped in a few weeks ago on a Saturday night craving ramen from somewhere I haven't been to yet. Ramen-san did not disappoint. Coming here was a last minute decision so I did not see this was listed as not wheelchair accessible on Yelp, but there are ways around that. There is a step you can be bumped-up but if you are in a power chair you can cut through the neighboring restaurant and a kitchen to get it. The next obstacle is seating, most of which are tall bar tables but they have tables along the wall you may be able to squeeze into. Special thanks to David Lestock for his assistance. As per usual we ordered a few things. David asked if we were interested in an off-menu dish that the chef came up with, a pig ear and tofu item that seemed Asian/Greek fusion and came out wonderfully. We also tried the pekin duck and pork belly buns and to our surprise we preferred the duck. It was moist and flavorful wile the pork belly fell flat a bit. The cocktails like their take on the Singapore Sling and Margarita were good but the sake bomb I had was so refreshing I could have ordered those all night. When it came to the ramen I ordered the tonkotsu with fried garlic and shrimp wontons. It was pretty damn good, though not necessarily the best in the city. What makes this place a ramen competitor though is the extras you can add or the noodle refill for $2.50, of which I would have gotten if the appetizers hadn't pushed me over the edge of being full. Make sure this place is on your list if you enjoy sampling ramen joints around the city.
(4)
Alexandra A.

A little pricey due to the Ramen hype going around but it is delicious and the vibe inside the place is cool. They're always playing some 80s-90s hiphop, they have Asahi on draft to drink with your meal, and theres a table at the far left where you can play Galaga while you wait for your food. The smoked brisket ramen with garlic is my favorite - such a rich flavor. They have a late night fried rice (the featured meat and mixings change every week) that you can order after 10pm and they're open til 1 on weekends, so this is a solid option if you're hungry and not out too late and in the area. The hamachi appetizer is pretty good - they use the shoulder of the yellowtail - the tastiest part! And the fried chicken mantou bun comes with this horseradish sauce that has me ordering it every time.
(4)
Jessica L.

Great service, great noodles, broth was a little too rich for me but overall still really good. The broth (at least to me) would have been better if it was cut with a cup of hot water to mellow the flavors a bit but like I said, still good! The texture of the noodles were great though. The Sumo bowl is huge so share it! You can also get extra noodles for only a few dollars. The buns were okay, kind of pricey. We also had the fish collar which was good.
(4)
Li T.

We tried out this place last Friday night. I ordered the spicy miso ramen which was very delicious! My boyfriend even got a refill for his ramen. The duck in a bun (forgot the exact name) was worth trying too! I would definitely recommend this place to my friends!
(5)
Rebecca R.

So, my friends dishes could maybe get 4 stars, but I am going to go on my meal. Being confident, I ordered the spicy miso option and ended up being pretty bummed. It was so hot, which I typically enjoy, but this was mean hot. Like so hot that the cook in back meant to challenge people who think they can handle 'hot'. I lived in South Korea for a year and feel like I can really slurp down a bowl of some spicy stuff, but this just made me angry. I needed like 5 napkins to wipe the sweat off my face. The flavor wasn't even enjoyable. To try to cool off my mouth I tried my friends who ordered a few other ramen dishes and they had some more complex flavors that I appreciated. Poor ordering on my part, but I feel like that dish should have more flavor and less punch in the face spice. The buns and tostadas on special were okay. I did, however, really enjoy my cilantro-lime margarita. If I were reviewing that, it would get 5 starts. So, go, try it for yourself. If you feel like being brave and ordering the spicy miso, go when it's not 100 degrees outside and be sure someone orders something different so you can cool your mouth off.
(3)
mei s.

We came here for lunch on a weekday as it just opened. By the time we left, it was pretty full. I ordered the kimchi and fried chicken and paid an extra dollar for half an egg. Overall, I enjoyed it and for where it is, it's not bad. It was just spicy enough and the broth was good. However, for $17 though, I could do better at Ramen Misoya, but then again, that's out in Mt. Prospect. I am happy that Chicago is finally getting on the band wagon for ramen.
(3)
JT L.

Ate there last night, szechuan wings and the kimchi n fried chicken ramen. First off, the manager was great. Checked in with me on the meal, sincere and focused on making sure I was enjoying my meal... and I told her the wings were kinda bad, cooked fine but the sauce, seasoning and oil were not good even after dipping it in the ranch side. She said it was a love it or hate it kind of dish. I enjoyed the ramen, would definitely eat it again which is my version of 3 stars.
(3)
K W.

Limited menu but good food and quick service. A great place for quick fix of hunger with good food.
(4)
Melissa G.

Pork Belly Mantou Bun. Order it! SO DELISH! I have been here and ordered out a few times. The Ramen is good. Spicy at times but always flavorful, but those Buns!!!!!!! YUM!!!!!
(5)
Barbara B.

The kimchi and fried chicken ramen is the most flavorful ramen I have ever had. Usually I add a ton of spices to my ramen but this did not need anything extra. It was spicy and perfect. I'm still thinking about this ramen and wondering when I can get it again! Unfortunately it was also the most expensive ramen I've ever had at $16. This place has a very hip vibe with loud music. A fun party atmosphere. We showed up on a Friday night without a reservation and had to wait for a bit. This was annoying because there were a ton of empty tables (the restaurant was only 2/3 full) but they said those were reserved. This seemed to be a theme that night as there were always empty tables and a bunch of people waiting at the entrance. They have long communal tables that are not my favorite and the seats were benches without backs (also not my favorite). I had the hot toddy to drink which was great for the cold weather with the addition of ginger and sesame oil. I would definitely get this again but it was pricy at $11. Go get the kimchi and fried chicken ramen with a hot toddy! Just brings lots of cash.
(4)
Patty C.

I visited this place twice now, and I'm pretty sure I would go again. That's a pretty good sign as I don't really tend to repeat places. The first time there I had their special Alaskan king crab curry ramen. It was good, but the curry was so overpowering that I could barely taste the crab. The second time I stuck to the basics. I ordered their tonkostu ramen with buttered corn. It was very tasty, and the portion was just right with 3 slices of charsiu (pork belly). I also had their pork belly bun and Thai spicy wings apps. Both were good, but for the pork belly buns, I think I like Oiistar's better. Overall, the food is solid, the service is friendly, and the atmosphere is cool.
(3)
Matthew W.

I'm a big Lettuce Entertain You fan, and find that, generally, the Melman brothers do an excellent job of capturing the spirit of a given cuisine. A series of three locales run by the LEYE empire anchor a block of Hubbard Street, and Ramen-san is the newest addition to the mix. I stopped in last night to try it out, a month after its opening. Japanese food is having a renaissance in the U.S. and in Europe right now...I've had some pretty mean udon and ramen samplings from Barcelona to Lost Angeles in the recent past, and Ramen-san is on par with some of the best. The service was prompt and polite, and my waitress steered me toward the vegetarian shiitake ramen. It was delicious, with equal parts spice and sweetness that balanced well together. The highlight, though, was the very high quality noodles swimming around in the bowl. They were incredibly well textured and had just the right amount of sturdiness to hold up against the broth. I would definitely order the same thing again. The space is quite pleasant, casual, and clean: the restaurant's seating arrangements are varied (bar areas, communal tables, booths for groups and smaller tables for more intimate meals. Overall the ambience is relaxed, simple, and comfortable. I'd give Ramen-san 5 stars if it weren't for the awful music, which with its "urban" beats and wacko rhymes (and loud volume) were a bit too forward and out of place at this spot. The noise made me miss out on what would otherwise be an absolutely perfect ramen dinner. Despite the racket, I hope to be back to enjoy Ramen-san again soon.
(4)
Shaz K.

Perfect comfort food on a snowy afternoon. Ordered kimchee and fried chicken ramen which was so delicious. A little bit on the spicy side compared to other ramen. Service is really good. I would go back for ramen fix any time.
(4)
Rebekah L.

To be fair to Slurping Turtle, this place is also overpriced. Again, Chicago is new to the Ramen Crazy Train, so this is a hot commodity right now that anyone can interpret how they choose and charge a boat load for it. Their cocktails are also expensive but mine tasted like alcohol, the bartender was wicked nice and he found me a band-aid when the bar's coat hooks sliced my finger open. Also, music way better. Tonkatsu ramen was pretty legit- it satisfied the craving I had since we left NYC and northern New Jersey, but it wasn't perfect. The eggs were cooked well, but the meat was a bit chewy and needed to cook longer. Noodles were justttt a tad overcooked, but I also didn't specify how I wanted them. I'm still waiting for Ippudo to come rescue Chicago.
(3)
Shambavi K.

We had the sumo bowl of ramen. It was pricy for not so authentic ramen. It was easily shareable given the portion. We also got the octopus which was smaller appetizer than anticipated. Overall we enjoyed our drinks and the atmosphere was energetic. I certainly liked the cilantro lime margarita. Our server was helpful and knowledgeable as well.
(3)
Anna S.

This is place is the epitome of midwestern hospitality!!!!!!! Although the ramen was o-k, could have been piping hot instead of luke-warm and the sake could have be written in phonetic english from Japanese because Otokoyama isn't the same "woodpecker" when describing a type of sake. BUT THE SERVICE WAS GREAT! We were quoted 20 mins for a table so we had a can of sake and waited, no biggie. But after 40 mins we just decided to leave bc we just didn't want to wait anymore. That being said, the GM called me the next day saying the hostess informed her we left bc of the wait ended being longer than expected and offered us a gift card (that we never picked up bc we were on a tight schedule). That was ABOVE AND BEYOND than we have ever experienced and they really know what customer service is. Thanks!
(3)
Annalise F.

I've tried most of the ramen places in the city and this one is probably the least impressive. Portions were small for the price. The shiitake ramen was ok, the broth by itself was extremely sweet. Probably wouldn't go back, especially with Slurping across the street
(3)
Maxie H.

I discovered this restaurant while looking at the reviews for the Slurping Turtle, which is located right across the street. This restaurant is far superior than the Slurping Turtle. My fiance and I came on a Friday night around 6 PM and were seated right away. We were immediately wooed by their soothing music and the fact that we didn't have to share a table with 10 other people. We ordered the tuna tartar, Duck curry ramen and Tofu ramen. The Tuna Tartar is hands down relish. It's one of the best ones we've ever tried. The Duck curry ramen broth was perfection with just the right amount of heat. However, my fiancÃ© and I both agree that the portion of protein in both ramen was mediocre and quite lacking. This might just be our go to ramen.
(4)
Christina L.

They just added lunch special and are now open for Saturday lunch. - we didn't know but we came and had a good experience. Pork ramen noodles with salmon rice/donkatsu rice with
(4)
Eileen L.

Coming from the 626/La area, I've had more than my fair share of ramen so I feel like my review might be biased. I've come here twice and both times I didnt leave with a smile and thinking "Damn, that was a friggen good meal!". The Interior looks pretty swanky, all dark and cool-looking. not too much seating, so you might have to wait if you come during busy hours. you can wait by the bar (not a lot of seats, but still. alcohol = win), or you can give them your number and they will let you know when your table is ready. One ding though---if you're going to decorate it so nicely and make it seem so fancy, why do you have disposable wooden chopsticks??? Service is a 4, quick and attentive. The shrimp and pork wontons here are actually pretty good, 5's across the board. the sauce it comes with is great and with a little bit of chili oil from the side of the table, yum! The ramen on the other hand, does not impress. I've gotten the spicy miso and the fatty pork shoulder (special). the meat doesn't have a nice, chewy, slightly-creamy texture that I would prefer, and the broth is a little lacking and too oily. But take this all with a grain of salt because I am a ramen fanatic from la. The noodles were cooked perfectly though, very "Q" and bouncy. I will say that I enjoyed this ramen better than slurping turtle though. Slurping turtle's ramen seemed too westernized and at Ramen-san I can at least taste their effort I was debating between a 3 and a 4, but since this place is "ramen-san" instead of "wonton-san", I have to give it a 3. Sorry, Ramen-san, you are way too poppin for a place with mediocre ramen. if you were a wonton house, I'd understand the hype. Or people in the loop are deprived and you are the next best thing
(3)
Stefanie A.

Saw good reviews in one of the Chicago magazines and was in the mood for this so we decided to check it out this past weekend. First off I love how small and casual it is! Reminds me of fast food but GOOD fast food. Their bar is great too. I ordered the Singapore sling and husband got the margarita one (forgot the name). Both delicious! Very tropical. If you like gin- you'll love the Singapore sling! I ordered the shoyu and husband got the spicy miso. Both were delicious but omg- spicy miso was almost TOO spicy! The red pepper bits in it were sometimes hard to avoid and when swallowed- it felt like fire going down my throat! Don't get me wrong- we like spicy food but this was a bit too much. After we left it didn't take long to feel the ramen after effect....both of us said how our blood pressure must be through the roof! Seriously the veins in my hands and arms were about to pop out, and my feet were so swollen! Yikes. Ramen san- you are delicious but is all the sodium necessary?
(4)
Adam W.

Came away from Ramen-san really liking the drinks & ambiance but the food was just alright (ok, we'll say above average)... Had the Shrimp & Pork wontons (which were alright), the tuna appetizer (probably the best thing there) and the shiitake ramen (heavy umami, but not a whole lot of actual mushrooms in my bowl). Drinks were very good - definitely try the yuzu sake & the cilantro-lime margarita. Would come back for drinks / happy hour, but High 5 does a better ramen bowl in my opinion.
(3)
Magda Z.

Continuing our Ramen quest all over the city I was curious to try this place out. I stalked the Yelp reviews and was ready to order my ramen extra hot and went in without judgement. My bf and I went on Friday night for a dinner date. Our table was ready with in minutes and the atmosphere was super cute, with a mix of 90's music playing in the back ground. We started off with a couple of drinks and got the fried chicken and pork belly buns. They are great to split and both completely amazing. The pork belly was super crispy and the fried chicken had a great sauce to accompany it! Moving on to the ramen - I got the spicy miso minus the ground pork. After reading reviews about the ramen being served luke-warm I asked for it to be piping hot. It was good, but not the best ramen I've had. Piping hot for them must mean just on the border of "hotish". My bf got the smoked brisket and burnt garlic ramen. His was much better than mine. It was served warm, which is the way he likes his soups so that was fine with him. The brisket was cooked to perfection and had a super smokey flavor.... The reason I give only 2 starts to this place was the fact that after we left I felt that I had eaten a gallon of salt for my meal. This was definitely the oiliest and saltiest ramen I've had. We both felt so bloated after and both felt like our ramens didn't have any distinct flavor to them, just saltiness, and for that reason probably wont be back here.
(2)
Donnie D.

Another LEYE hit!! The food was delicious and I haven't eaten ramen like that...ever :) I had the tofu and shiitake dish that was so good! I added the molten egg on too as it should be added to every dish. Can't wait to go back and try more! As always..customer service was perfect. Every LEYE is my home away from home!
(5)
Quynh N.

Had the Mazeman special and it was out of this world! Wide noodles cooked on a palm sugar butter with a little bit of broth at the bottom. Included shiitake, asparagus and very tender wagyu beef. Perfect salty and sweet balance.
(5)
steve h.

Fantastic ramen with reasonable prices and a great atmosphere. The music they play (90's-00's hip hop) is always on point. A bit lacking in the drinks selection. For special occasion ramen I'd suggest Slurping Turtle, but for your everyday ramen fix this is the spot.
(4)
Christine C.

Pretty delicious ramen but on the pricier side. I'm spoiled with cheap & good ramen in LA. I'm a huge fan of the vibe here. Great music selection, though I know that wouldn't be a make or break element for most patrons. The service was excellent & our waiter was super accommodating with our bill.
(4)
Richard O.

Ordered delivery from here on an app and it took them more than an hour and a half to put some noodles in a plastic bowl and send it a few miles away. Most of the noodles were stuck to the bottom of that bowl. I basically paid $15 for broth that tasted like a powdered cube dissolved in luke warm water. Searching for a decent ramen shop, and ill have to let you know when i find one another day.....
(1)
Danny W.

Ramen is slowly catching on in Chicago. Ramen-San is down the street from another well know ramen place on Hubbard. It was a very cold day so I decided to warm up with nice bowl of ramen. Nothing special about the dÃ©cor it was pretty minimal. It was early evening on a Thursday and the place was packed. I was solo on this trip so I managed to get a seat at the bar. They have a full bar with several selections of sake and Japanese whiskey. I started with some hot sake. I also had the fried chicken and a pork belly bun and the tonkatsu ramen with extra noodles. The broth was good and the noodles firm just like I like. Both the chicken and pork belly buns were great! Ramen-San is very good and I am a fan. Being from NY Ramen-San could rival some of the places there.
(4)
Kathy S.

Like many others have said, this place was just okay. I went there twice and both times, the food was mediocre to me. I don't care much for their ramen at all and if I had to choose, I would just stick to the appetizers as for the most part they were good. My favorite was the fried chicken bun...taste just like chicken katsu! The eel and foie gras dish was surprisingly disappointing (seemed like there was SO much potential for it). I do love the music they play but it would have been nice if it wasn't as loud as my friends and I had trouble hearing each other at times.
(3)
Mike W.

This place is physically on the smaller side, some of the tables are communal so if that isn't your thing ask for a booth but it may take a little longer to be seated. To start I was early so I hung out at the bar, which has maybe 10 seats total, so it's some prime real estate. I had their cold blasted beer and I though it was good but nothing to write home about. It did do the trick after about 4 thought. I think we had some sort of chicken wing appetizer (maybe-- the beers gets in the way). But I do remember they disappeared quickly so they must have been really good. As an entrÃ©e I had the kimchi and fried chicken ramen with pork belly. The ramen was great, nice robust noodles cooked perfectly. The broth was VERY spicy, I kinda wasn't expecting this. I usually eat kimchi at Korean joints and think nothing of it, but this was much spicier than expected. Again it was good but just a warning. For dessert I had the black sesame mochi and it was not my favorite, think of mealy ground up sesame seeds covered in a gooey flavorless shell. It just needed something, maybe some sugar. The best past was the coconut milk they were served in. All in all I would certainly go back!
(4)
Karen D.

The atmosphere and the ambiance were great. Came here on a Sunday night without a reservation, but they had a table to fit five of us. Very friendly service. The spicy ramen was spicy!!!- but so delicious and authentic. I also highly recommend the brisket and the kimchi-- loved the brisket broth. Pretty great ramen spot for river north!!
(4)
Miranda L.

For a major city, Chicago's ramen options are a little lackluster - there's not much comparison to be made between the Second City's establishments and, say, NYC's Ippudo/Totto, or LA's Daikokuya. But after reading about how the restauranteurs/chefs embarked on a research trip to Japan to draw inspiration for Ramen-San's food, drink, & decor, I couldn't help but get really excited that maybe this would be the real deal. So, is it? The short answer is no - while it's a fine meal that's sure to please long-standing LEYE patrons, Ramen-San may not be enough to satisfy those who have been spoiled by truly outstanding ramen shops. That said, however, Ramen-San does bring some unique flavors & offerings to the local scene - and, in my opinion, manages to hold its own. ----- The Details: DECOR: Ramen-San is all about high table tops & a 'rustic chic' atmosphere - and by that, I mean that you should expect clean wooden decor in slightly dim lighting. The vibe is cool, but pretty low key - you can have conversations without any difficulty at all, for instance - and I really appreciated the understated atmosphere. (Would make for a great no-pressure date place!) FOOD: - Pekin(g) Duck Bun: It's a quirk of my personal taste that the item I enjoyed most at Ippudo was its pork buns - so I was immensely looking forward to these. The buns all come in single servings (i.e. you buy one at a time), and we settled on the duck. Unfortunately, this didn't impress me very much. For one, the bun/meat ratio wasn't the best (not enough meat!); and for another, I was hoping for a little more flavor. It was nicely crispy, though! - Smoked Brisket & Black Garlic: We asked the waitress to recommend two of the seven available ramen choices, and this was the first she suggested. I had never before had brisket in my ramen, so I was curiously excited for the fusion. The noodles had an amazing consistency (i.e., I really liked how 'bouncy' they were, for the lack of a better term), and the brisket was tender and matched the noodles pretty well. Curiously enough, though, I felt like there were too many flavors in the bowl - and also not enough broth. Yeah, yeah, I know - not ENOUGH broth? I'm admittedly one of the weird ones who drinks nearly all of the unhealthily salty ramen broth ... but my noodles at Ramen-San started getting lonely 3/4ths of the way through. As for the too many flavors comment - that comes from the fact that there were a handful of various ingredients (many with strong flavor profiles, like garlic), which didn't quite seamlessly blend in together with everything else. - Kimchi & Fried Chicken Ramen: This was the other ramen the waitress recommended, and my roommate got it. I didn't taste it, since I have an embarrassingly low tolerance for spice (be warned: it's spicy!), but according to my roommate, she liked my ramen better. - Vanilla & Black Sesame Ice Cream Cones: This cute little thing was my hands-down favorite part of the meal. I'm generally not a black sesame kind of gal - find it a little seedy - but the blend with vanilla gives this ice cream a very subtle black sesame taste, and was absolutely delightful to eat. (Would totally get seconds!) The waitress did mention something about there being chocolate ganache in the cone somewhere, but my roommate and I couldn't find what she was talking about (roommate: "is it at the bottom of the cone??" *bites the bottom* "no ...??") Final Thoughts: Is there, as one of my friends suggested, no reason to go to Slurping Turtle ever again? (Being on the same street, it's the obvious comparison.) Mmm, I wouldn't necessarily say that. For better or for worse, I've gotten used to Slurping Turtle (there's, inexplicably, a soft spot in my heart for it), and think that I'd venture there if I wanted a comforting, big bowl of ramen (with lots of broth and simpler flavors). Of course, I have yet to try the traditional Shoyu or Tonkotsu at Ramen-San - and maybe my diagnosis will change after I've had those two (that'd be a fairer comparison, after all). Definitely will go back for them before I've completely made up my mind about this place! Bottom Line: Ramen-San serves some decent (if interestingly-flavored) ramen, but don't expect to write home about it. I'd also skip the duck bun in favor of seconds of the black sesame ice cream at the end ;)
(3)
Tzofit M.

Stopped by last night with friends after going to a concert in U of C. This choice was in one word, perfection! The place is warm and cozy. The music was on point. The sinks in the bathrooms are sooo cool! :) And each of us really enjoyed our drinks. The Ramen was just what the doctor ordered on a freezing Chicago night with portion size being perfect to leave space for dessert. The mochi in coconut sauce was 'lick the bowl clean' good! Looking forward to coming here again :D
(5)
Brea L.

Unique and delicious! Accommodating if you wanted to switch up broth or a certain ingredient (I don't eat pork and they were informative and accommodated me very easily). Not a large wine selection, but still had white and red. Portions were big and delicious. Great music and vibe.
(5)
Sunny K.

Why are Chicago's ramen options so scarce??? Is a question I'd asked myself on multiple occasions because I'm a big fan of ramen and often crave it. So when I heard about Ramen-san, conveniently located two blocks from where I live, I was so excited and went to try it out. Pros: friendly wait staff, great hip-hop music*, multiple yuzi-infused drinks Cons: pricey, they added too much pepper in my ramen, music too loud Ultimately the decor / music / ambience didn't really strike me as that of a ramen joint but a hip restaurant or bar that just happens to serve ramen. I don't know if that's what they're going for but I prefer the more traditional ramen joint that looks like a ramen joint, a quieter restaurant in which the focal point lies on the food rather than the "cool ambience", if you know what I mean. It just felt like they were trying to achieve too much at once. The wait staff was quite friendly and took the time to talk to us and give us some menu suggestions. I really enjoyed the music, but again, didn't quite think it gelled with the concept of a "ramen restaurant" and would have preferred it elsewhere. In terms of drinks, one thing that struck me was that Ramen-san offers yuzi-infused drinks. From what I remember there was yuzi sake and another yuzi-infused cocktail. I think yuzi is a great ingredient for alcoholic drinks and I have never seen it incorporated well in western bar selections before, so that was a delight to see. On the other hand, the bill went way beyond $50 for a meal with two bowls of ramen and a beer and one cocktail. For the price I didn't think the ramen was that good. Even if the bill came to around $35 I wouldn't have thought the food was worth it. It was quite salty, and on top of that they put in way too much pepper in my ramen, resulting in a weird concoction of spices. You can get much better ramen for a much lower price in any Asian city or NY / SF.
(3)
Liz C.

Awesome service and food was amazing. Great atmosphere! Manager was fantastic and friendly. My number 1spot now
(5)
Tarra T.

Great Ramen spot! I love spicy dishes and there are great ramen dishes that fit my fancy here. I ordered the Kimchi Fried Chicken ramen and it was splendid. Really spicy, I mean clear your sinus spicy, and great tender large pieces of chicken. The drinks are a little expensive (~10-13) given they are a little stingy on the alcohol, but they are neat in that the signature cocktails have a spin on Asian culture, like the Singapore Sling {A tasty, sweet gin cocktail, though I couldn't taste any gin:( }great spot for 2-6 people, didn't seem to be enough space or table flexibility for groups larger than that. Ramen away!!
(4)
Taylor M.

Neat place, cool setup and good service. The ramen was mediocre - if you're looking for ambiance, this is your place - if you're looking for great soup/noodles.... Maybe try somewhere else.
(4)
Shannon S.

I was really hyped to go. I left not feeling fully satisfied. I ordered the lime cilantro margarita. What a weird and savory combo - usually that is right up my alley. We arrived at 1230 during the week so we assumed there would be some wait. We were seated 20 mins later and our server took another 10 before taking our order; fine. Being at the end of the lunch rush, and seeing people flocking out the door at this point, I assumed that it would be quick at this point. It was another 30 mins to get the ramen. I got the spicy miso and my husband got the tonkatsu. Mine wasn't super spicy and other than the spice, was kind of ehhh. His was flavorful but both lacked 'stuff' inside. For the cost, I kind of expected LARGE bowls. They were average sized but I've had larger at almost every place I've gone to. All in all, I wouldn't go out of my way to go for food. Ambiance is great in my opinion - I like the rocking hip hop of old. Oh, also, someone else said theirs didn't look like the awesome pics on here... ours either.
(3)
Alien T.

As a big Japanese ramen fan, Alien was not satisfied with their ramen. Taste of broth was too weak, and the noodles were too soft. The interior was fancy.
(3)
Jackie M.

Probably one of the worst ramen joint. I ordered the tonkatsu ramen and the char siu (pork) was dry and thinly sliced!! For godsake, this is a ramen joint and greatly appreciate if you put more effort in the char siu, which is an important part of the ramen bowl. I didnt care for the noodles. The ice cream in the cone was quite forgettable. You are better off buying your own cones from Marianos. Rcmd strings, wasabi, or high five for ramen that is more carefully executed.
(2)
Zorin D.

Gone are the days of Ramen being relegated to being consumed out of a packet for a quarter. Today's generation steps up to the table of a classy place like this and shells out $15 bucks in order to get those perfectly tender yet toothsome noodles submerged in a broth that has an incredible depth of flavor. Before you think that you may be thinking that you will escape Ramen-San very cheaply, I must warn that the drinks will get you. Though the drinks aren't over-priced for the area and are extremely tasty, if you enjoy a couple of them with your meal you end up taking an incredibly great value and turning it into just a good deal. That aside, the service and the food here is awesome, although I didn't care too much for their Yuzu Ice Cream, which exists in that grey area of being just good enough that you don't wish to send it back. The sesame ice cream kind of made up for the bad note that this meal was ended upon. All things considered it was a good experience and I can't wait to go back.
(4)
Megan H.

Was visiting Chicago and found this place on yelp, the ramen looks really good in photos and it is by where we stayed, so we decided to go there for dinner. The atmosphere is nice and the interior is very modern. We ordered pork belly buns for appetizer, I wouldn't say they are excellent, the pork belly was a big piece and cooked well, I like the spicy mayo in the buns. The only thing was the pickled cucumbers made the buns even more saltier than they already were, so I picked them out. It's $5 for one bun, compares to most of the ramen places I've been where the same type of buns are 2 for $5~$6. Ramen - I really want to like it but I can't. I ordered the spicy miso, it just reminded me too much of a Chinese brand instant noodles I've had. The broth tasted nothing like miso, it's filled with chilly oil. The noodles were definitely the instant type - I have had ramen pretty much through out my whole life so I'm pretty certain about this. Come on, for a $15 bowl, let's say I don't expect these are handmade noodles, at least use the manufactured package noodles okay? Instant noodles, are you kidding me?! Cabbage and baby bok choy were chopped into small pieces and floating loosely with a little bit of ground pork in the bowl - ugh. I guess I missed the part that chasu and egg are only add-ons if you pay extra $$, they don't come with the ramen. Chasu + molten eggs are pretty standard for a ramen bowl and they should be already included especially when you're charging double the price. The presentation of the ramen - looks nothing like the pictures on yelp. The bowl looks like the ramen I cook at home in 5 minutes with instant noodles and throw in some leftover veggies that I cut in a hurry. I was fairly disappointed how the yelp photos are so misleading. I guess people will like it if all they have ever had is Top Ramen. Overall, I'm disappointed. I won't be back if I'm in town again.
(2)
Gabrielle F.

This place was delicious! They had a fabulous cocktail menu that accompanied the food perfectly. We shared pork belly buns to start and I could not recommended them more! I had the brisket ramen and added buttered corn, which was a great decision. The server was incredibly attentive and took time to explain the entire menu to us.
(5)
Vina O.

One word: DISAPPOINTING. I was pretty skeptical about LEYE opening a ramen restaurant since their other Asian restaurants are pretty Americanized, and this place was no exception. For starters, we ordered the Peking duck bun and foie gras and unagi rice bowl. The Peking duck bun was a bit stingy on meat, and should have a better ratio of crispy skin to meat inside with the plum sauce. There was also NO green onion which is typical in a Peking duck bun. The foie and unagi bowl was good, but it should really be called an unagi bowl because there is BARELY any foie in it! I shared this dish with my two other friends and none of us could really taste it. Also, it's probably best to mix the bowl before splitting it because two of us got a big mouthful of wasabi, which was definitely a bit unpleasant. Now all this could be forgiven considering this is marketed as a RAMEN place, but this was quite literally the WORST ramen I've EVER had (not counting instant ramen). All three of us ordered the tonkotsu ramen. The broth was extremely disappointing, SUPER BLAND and NO yummy umami whatsoever! It tasted as though it had only been cooking for 30 minutes as opposed to hours in terms of flavor development. I had to pour extra oil and chili powder in order to extract SOME depth. And the noodles? GUMMY. I was yearning for that semi-firm texture with a nice bite, but all I tasted was gumminess. The chasu pork wasn't bad, but it wasn't the most amazing pork I've ever had in ramen. The molten egg was probably the ingredient I enjoyed most. The ginger also added a nice touch. I'm giving this place an additional star because service and waitstaff are extremely friendly and patient. The hosts were pleasant despite the chaos of opening week and our bartender (I think her name was Angela) managed to keep a smile on her face and keep our drinks filled despite being haggled by everyone else around us. Bottomline, this is overpriced, over-hyped, and underwhelming Ramen. I've come to accept the fact that Asian restaurants of Lettuce Entertain You will appeal to the "Americanized" pallet wanting to "broaden their horizons" and eat "exotic food."
(2)
Supat R.

Friendly service and Yummy ramen. Glad I walked through the rain to the place. Love it...
(5)
Peter Y.

Ramen-san is a trendy, hip spot located right in downtown Chicago. I got here pretty late with some friends on a Saturday night (around 10 PM), and this place was still pretty hopping. The crowd was young and lively, and most tables had some form of liquor to imbibe. Their menu is very straight forward, focusing on the quick and simple (think of pork buns and Japanese appetizers), and obviously, ramen. While their ramen doesn't stray too far from the usual path, it does allow you to get creative with a variety of broths, seasonings, noodles and meat to choose from. My friends and I all got something different, and my personal favorite turned out to be the one I actually ordered, which was their tonkotsu ramen that came with chashu pork and molten egg. The chashu pork, marinated braised pork belly, was tender and flavorful; pairing well with the molten egg, soft-boiled egg with a cooked outside and soft, gooey inside. The tonkotsu (hearty pork broth) itself was also delicious, without being overly salty or strong (which happens often with less refined broths). However, the noodles weren't my favorite, as they lacked consistency in texture (some where hard and tough, and some were extremely soft), which tells me that they weren't the most fresh. The prices are very fair ($13-15 a bowl), especially given the downtown location. I would definitely recommend this place for its atmosphere and mostly delicious food, though they do have some interesting music choices.... I mean, I'm always down for some old school hip hop and head-banging pop, but maybe not during dinner time.
(4)
Nelson M.

Restaurant review Gourmet ramen is the next big thing. Around the corner is slurping turtle which is an admirable competitor, but one of the major downside of these restaurants are the big price you pay for your meal. I visited this location for lunch with a coupon from the LEYE scratch off which took 10 dollars off, but for 2 people + tip the lunch came to 30 dollars. I selected the tonkotsu 1/2 order of ramen. I would say that the noodles are great. Very unique texture smooth and has a bite. The soup was well balanced, not as flavorful as other places I have been. My wife had the smoke brisket and garlic ramen and she agreed that the garlic was overpowering that you could not even taste the underlying broth which was disappointing. My meal also had a choice of a rice dish with a protein which I selected the skirt steak. Presentation-wise it was spectacular, but the marinade they used on the beef somehow degraded the protein and when you bit into the steak it sort of fell apart (not in the melt in your mouth type of way...) The lunch express also came with a small side of kimchi which was a great complement to the lunch. All and all for 17 dollars for the express lunch, the food had it's ups and down. If they could scale down the price it would likely be a 4 star. Pro: friendly service, trendy Cons: high prices Hidden gem: 1. If you are a lettuce entertain you member you can earn points on your meal 2. Sign up for the summer scratch coupon offer from LEYE for coupons
(3)
Michaela D.

Great drinks (hisato san was great), great apptizers (the buns are a must!), and great ramen (lots of combinations to choose from and many optional add ons!) This place is pretty great. Low key vibe with the wooden booths, tables and benches and hip hop. A great addition to the area! My go to ramen is the Fried Chicken Kimchee one. It's spicy, and the chicken is so good. I go here often as I work nearby, and the quality does vary from day to day, maybe different chefs? Overall I do love this place though. Pork belly buns are a must too!
(5)
Lea R.

Oh River North you are getting rooked. We live in the area and I've been wanting to try you... I wish I would have just kept walking past. So for Mothers day My Mom wanted to try this place. We both got the Shiitake, vegetarian broth, mushroom (redundant as Shiitake was the only mushrooms???) tofu for $14. For an additional $5 we could get 4 slivers of gristle brisket.... YUCK, YUCK, YUCK. The bowl itself was super cheap on the Ramen. Of course this place is catering to those who haven't had better (wanna try better? Don't be scared & hit up Mitsuwa... you can thank me later). We probably would not have felt so negatively if there was a decent amount of Ramen. The bowl was basically broth and scallions, if we didn't order the gristle brisket it would have been sad. We thought that the brisket would be a nice addition. Blech. One of my hugest, grossest pet peeves is gristle. I like my meat trimmed & clean. Don't sell my your garbage at a premium. So 2 glasses of sake, 2 bowls (vegetarian bowls mind you), 2 upsells of brisket = $60. Yep... LUNCH. We didn't even get filled up or hammered. We just got a feeling of getting rooked.
(1)
LaKenya G.

Drinks were amazing! Try the Shanghai Sling! Ramen was tasty. The service was out of sight!
(4)
brittany g.

Super cool place. Neat vibe and good music that's loud enough that no one can hear you slurp your ramen;-) I had the kimchi and chicken ramen which was excellent and the perfect amount of spiciness. Was craving a margarita for some reason and off menu they happened to have an interesting yuzu and cilantro marg. Perfect! Service was friendly too. Will definitely return when back in Chicago.
(5)
Grennan K.

Good gyoza! Fried chicken kimchi ramen was probably the top choice. Ramens don't have much ingredients in it, though the buttered corn is something new for me. One of their sides they offer extra supply of noodles for 3/4 dollars extra incase you're starving for more. I don't think id come back here unless it was suggested by group of friends. Tables are communal set up probably good for small groups.
(4)
Kaman T.

Very pleasantly surprised by the food. Came here on opening night and all ramen were half off! Yay! What we ate: Raw tuna appetizer: Came with corn tempura, guacamole, and shishito. The corn was a litttttle dry for my liking. The guac was amazing and it went well with the little pieces of raw tuna. Very yummy. I did not really notice the shishito in this dish. Tonkotsu ramen: Although the broth was close to the authentic broth, it still lacked some depth of pork bone flavor. Although they do put the red ginger in the broth which is not something I want to taste with every bite, but overall very good and I would order it again. Kimchi Fried Chicken ramen: Just the right amount of kick and the tartness of the kimchi made the soup broth very delicious. Came with 3 pieces of bite sized fried chicken. Nicely fried and not dry at all. Sesame throughout the broth gave it extra flavor. My favorite one that I've tried so far. Sumo Ramen: This one is for all the bigger eaters out there. It came with thinly sliced brisket, chashu, and molten egg. Can't really go wrong with the molten egg on any ramen in my opinion. The soup had a hint of smokey flavor, perhaps from the brisket and chashu. Sesame miso ramen: My friend ordered this and claimed it to be amazing. I'll just take his word for it. Black sesame ice cream: Very delicious. Made in house and the ice cream tasted like toasted black sesame. The bottom of the sugar cone had a nice chocolate surprise. Service: Very nice service. Amarit came and introduced himself and asked how we were doing and asked for feedback which was nice. Overall, I would definitely come back again. Especially since they plan to open until 1:00 or 2:00am.
(4)
Kelsea D.

We must have gotten in at the switch of shifts because the leaving server thought the new server had us, while the new server thought the old server had us, and no one said a word to us for nearly 15 minutes. The manager apologized to us before we even said anything to anyone and explained what happened, and gave us serveral free apps. As an industry worker, I understand things happen and appreciate that they apologized and made things right, and everything was delicious. The atmosphere and lighting was great and prices were fair
(4)
Brett E.

Had a bit of a disappointing experience here. When we arrived there were many tables available but we were forced to stand at the bar until 1 more person in our party arrived. We got some drinks during that time. The Sling was very good, but do not order the Hisano. $9 for a half full glass of juice. We got a table and each ordered a ramen and some appetizers. The smoked salmon nigiri was just okay. And a few of us got the toasted sesame ramen. It didn't have a lot of flavor, and they forgot to include the buttered corn in each of ours. They had to bring out cups of corn for us after we asked. It didn't seem to make much of a difference. The atmosphere is dark and trendy with wooden bench style seating that got VERY uncomfortable after about 45 mins. Overall, probably will not be back until they hopefully get over these opening week jitters and mishaps.
(2)
Rose P.

The ramen was good but nothing too extraordinary. I made a reservation for 5 and were seated promptly. A nice place for ramen with a big group of friends. The place is clean and nice.
(4)
Erik P.

I would rate Ramen San a 7 out of 10. The options are limited, but what they have is really good. I ordered the pork ramen and had them add garlic. It was probably the second best ramen I've had stateside. Also, for about $2.50 you can have them refill your noodles... score! They have a full bar and the seating is fairly spacious. If you're in the River North area and in the mood got ramen, I'd choose this place over the Slurping Turtle, your taste buds and wallet will thank you.
(4)
Ryan B.

I'm on this ramen kick lately, so this is the first of 3 reviews of 3 different ramen places. Ramen-san is good, but not great. The fried chicken and kimchi ramen is hands down the best of the bunch. The buttered corn in the bowl is the bomb.com My main complaint is that the chicken is cooked so far in advance of the order that is actually cold. I've found this with the brisket and other meats as well. If the owners are going for an authentic ramen shop, then go all the way...not 75%. It's good, but my other 2 reviews are better....
(3)
Susie K.

Food was good, not great. Not a traditional Japanese ramen shop but a modern fusion restaurant. The menu has a modern interpretation on traditional Japanese food. Drinks were okay. Not a place to get hot green tea. The tea ware looks nice but it suck up all the heat from the tea.
(3)
Sara K.

Had no problem with the ramen. It was delicious and filling. Service was prompt, with a couple of issues: 1) We were seated near two men who must have been famous, because groupies and restaurant employees kept surrounding their table (and, therefore, invading our personal space throughout the meal). Irritating, infuriating and unnecessary. Grow up and go accost famous people elsewhere. 2) When we got our check, a server came by and took our credit cards to charge them. In the meantime, a different server dropped off our bill. Again. The original server returned to the table with our cards and whisked the extra bill away as if this happens all the time. I certainly hope it doesn't. Overall, though, the food was worth dealing with the other issues. I may be back.
(4)
Jean C.

Not the best I've had but it was good. Went with family and kids slurped it up. I had a kimchee sake bomb and was told that it was good. Was interested so I tried it but was diasppointed. All I could taste was the kimchee juice and not much sake. I could make this at home! We also ordered chicken and it came out later than the ramen so it was on the house.
(3)
Deborah N.

Stumbled upon Ramen - San while looking for a happy, modern bar to have dinner and a drink after a very long day. This was PERFECT! Decor is clean and modern. Lightning is interesting. Beer is Asahi draft and cold just like in Japan. Food is interesting and reasonably priced. I had the special, tempura soft shell crab and asparagus served with lime and aioli. Followed by the gyoza. It was really good. Music is great, staff is great, food is great. Beer is cold Perfect.
(5)
Lisa T.

Crazy crowded! In a way that can't be fixed. I couldn't enjoy my food because the seating arrangement was just flat out awful. We came with a pretty large group and were willing to split up but it was just so crowded! We elbowed each other, some bowls of food were lukewarm by the time they came out. The food wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. Sadly, I kept thinking about how I could've spent 1/40 of the price and gotten one of those instant noodle packs instead...if I wanted to get fancy, throw in an egg, some meat, and green onions, and I wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
(3)
Ashley P.

Amazing food! I had the lunch combo with salmon and added fried chicken to my ramen. Salmon was delicious! So was the ramen. Never tried anywhere like this before but now I wish we had one back home! Will definitely return! Service was a little slow but it wS busy for a Saturday lunch
(4)
Jessie K.

Came here on the 1st and the place was packed when we walked in, but the atmosphere seemed trendy and the smell of ramen was definitely filling the air. We are very familiar with reman since we frequently visit Raman joints in Las Vegas' Chinatown. Sat at the bar and the bartender immediately started chatting us up! Soo friendly he was, forget his name, but he was great the entire length of our stay! That guy is definitely a keeper. We ordered a couple of buns, which my partner said he loved them and were soo tasty. Not too big, but not too small either. Since we were running short on time, and had already ordered beers and my partner was starting to fill up we really only wanted one bowl of tonkotsu, and simply asked for a separate bowl. The bartender went ahead and split the bowl and put all the meat and egg in the separate bowl since I don't eat either of those two things! What a way to go above and beyond! Even making mine spicy too. The spicy chili oil they put in my bowl was actually a little overbearing I didn't know what to expect with this because in Las Vegas they do it much differently. I'm definitely giving the bartender 5 stars but the food 4. It was great, but the spicy tonkostu wasn't exactly what I expected, and it was definitely more modern ramen than truly authentic. Especially for the money for 1 bowl. However, it is Chicago. You pay for location, more so than the food.
(4)
Lili K.

I really liked the vibe of this place and how you can eat here until 1am!! It's right by all the fun clubs 'n rooftops, too. I had their kimchi fried chicken ramen, which was super delicious and spicy!! Nommmmmmm. I recommend eating all the fried chicken first before it gets too soggy, haha. Everything was great and I liked how it was unique compared to the typical ramen joints out there. I'd love to try their other ramens next time!
(4)
SS J.

I love ramen and I'm fairly easy to please. That being said I was surprised to find myself disappointed with both the service and the food on my lunchtime excursion. Although I was able to get a seat at the nearly empty bar immediately it took more than 10 minutes for the bar tender to acknowledge me. Then, she greeted and served drinks to another couple that arrived well after me before greeting me or taking my drink order. It took approximately 25 minutes for my bowl of tonkatsu ramen to arrive. While the presentation was nice the nice stopped there. The broth may have been good but there were so many sesame seeds thrown on top that was all I could taste. The pork was pure fat - maybe one bite of meat between all of the pieces. The egg could have been marinated a bit more. I left with a close to $20 bill for a bowl of ramen plus a drink and a still hungry belly. :-(
(2)
Buzz and Poxie C.

- Big serving! - Make sure you come in with an empty tummy! - Enjoyed the opening day deal (half priced ramen) - Brought our Lettuce Entertain You Card (and we're glad we did). Server said dinner was on them (explained to us that he deducted it to our poi
(4)
Grant M.

This place was pretty good but I have to say I like Slurping Turtle more. First off there isn't anywhere to wait and we had to stand in a corner despite our reservation. That wasn't so bad just a little annoying. Then we had drinks and appetizers that were pretty good. Our server was helpful. The ramen was good- we all tried something different. The menu could be more varied - I wish there were more options. I would go back but I won't make a point to go back.
(3)
Mike R.

Since this is a LEYE deal, I was very skeptical about the place. My friend and I made reservations, which we found out wasn't needed because there were only about 5-8 other people there when we arrived. The inside is rugged and minimalistic. As we ate, the place filled up and by the time we left an hour later, it was completely packed. The ambiance is fine but nothing special. You could pretty much stick this place in another trendy neighborhood like Wicker Park and it would fit in. The types of people who were in when I was were were more akin to that. For the food, I got the "nigiri" appetizer, which on the menu looked like it would be regular nigiri. It wasn't - it was basically maki but instead of rice, it was cucumber and each piece was small. Flavorful, but small. The menu was misleading, so I am holding that against them. For the ramen, I had the Tonkatsu which actually had really good flavor. Perhaps not 100% traditional, but close enough. The bowl was big enough as it actually left me full (I eat a lot) and the service was good (not amazing, but not bad either). I will admit that I had low expectations and my bowl of ramen was better than others I have had in town. I'll be back to see if other types of Ramen they have are also flavorful.
(4)
Jonathan C.

First time here ordered the Tonkotsu, the broth was ok but not warm enough. The noodle was good, good texture not too soft. The pork was good, perf et balance of fat and meat, but too small of a slice compared to the traditional ones. The place is a. It small and cramped so not much room to wait for a table to open up. My biggest issue is actually the chopsticks. I would expect at least a nicer quality of wooden chopsticks, I know how ramen supposed to be quick and they traditionally uses wooden chopsticks, but they shouldn't be the cheap ones I can get from Panda Express. Overall, a good experience but not worth the price.
(3)
Minnie K.

Went here on Friday night. We ordered Eel & Foie Gras Rice Bowl- the Foie Gras was perfectly shaped, melt in your mouth but some rice was overwhelmed by eel sauce. So I gave 3 stars for this dish because it was too salty. Then we had another appertizer but I couldn't remember what that name is .. like soft tofu and pork with some spicy sauce ..but not tasty enough, it tasted a bit bitter from spice anyhow. For our meals I got spicy ramen with ground pork. Honestly, I tried to finish it but I couldn't. My bf got Shoyu ramen because he couldn't handle any spicy. It was great though. The atmosphere and the staff were perfectly. Our sever was informative, nice and helpful. But cons--- didn't have any street parking (we went here midnight before an hour restaurant's closing) You have to pay approximately $20 for valley parking. So we paid $100 for 2 appertizers, 2 ramens and parking.
(4)
Sheniqua F.

What I liked: I enjoyed the cocktail I had, the Singapore Sling. My friend loved the Cilantro-lime Margarita she had. The ambiance inside is really upbeat and the interior is well designed. I liked the music they played, although it might be a tad loud for conversation. What I didn't like: I was underwhelmed by the food. I had the shitake ramen, and the broth was quite watery and lacked seasoning. The tofu was too soft for my liking. I think if they used a firmer tofu (or put a light sear on the soft tofu they currently use), it would do wonders for the dish overall. The softer tofu they use just seemed to get even softer (and dare I say slimy) in texture after sitting in the broth. A firmer tofu would hold up better, I think. There weren't any appetizers for vegetarians, which was a bummer. TL;DR: Good (but small) cocktail list. Great interior decor and vibe. Not enough vegetarian options and the ones they offer lacked flavor.
(3)
Yadira R.

If you're in the Windy City in January one thing you can expect is the cold to hit you hard. So what better way to warm up than with some good ole Ramen. We just stumbled upon this River North ramen joint while walking the city and figured why not try it out, especially after reading the three age-old principles they like to abide by, which are: 1) Noodles make everything better 2) Cold beer makes life more fun, and 3) No one gets a room pumped up like Eric B & Rakim The place was packed and old school joints can be heard through the speakers that brought me back to my elementary and high school days. Projectors showed the Chicago Bulls game off of the exposed brick wall and the waitstaff consistently walked by with bowls of what looked like absolutely delicious ramen. Although I don't drink beer, I had a really nice hot toddy in a ninja mug - too cute and did I mention the music was good?. We listened to Naughty by Nature, Nas, Jay-Z and of course Eric B. and Rakim. The ramen was good (although I've had better), but combined with the ambiance, Ramen-San got a nice nich that one doesn't come across so easily. A perfect go-to place for cold winter days. You down with O.P.P....
(3)
Xander C.

Top ranked ramen shop in Chicago for good reason. Cool interior, on-point service, old school hip-hop that complimented the decor nicely, and classic Japanese dishes with a twist; all leading to a casual yet modern dining experience coupled with delicious and inventive food. First dishes were the Mantou Buns. Some of the best I've had. The buns themselves were exactly as they should be warm, soft, delicious. The fillings were equally as good. Pork Belly was a classic and executed well and the fried chicken was a nice modern american spin on a classic, again executed well. Second dish was a Smoked Salmon Nigiri. A clash of two classic flavor combinations: Lox and Cream Cheese and Salmon Nigiri. Wasabi caviar on top was a nice touch, paying homage to Japanese cuisine using a familiar taste and a familiar texture in one. The crunch of the cucumber wrapped it is in was a nice compliment to the soft and subtle texture of the smoked salmon and cream cheese mixture on the inside. A combination of a lot of different tastes and textures that worked together exceedingly well. The ramen was very good. Noodles were a little thinner and harder than they should have been but I am going to chalk that up to a difference in preference and style than poor execution. Broth was good, nori was very flavorful, and the pork, while a little too fatty, fell apart in your mouth. Overall, the ramen was good but the appetizers are what made this place standout. The buns were probably the best tasting dish but the Smoked Salmon Nigiri was a personal favorite for its inventiveness. Chicken wings and Gyoza also were very good. The food coupled with the service, decor, and price makes this place 5 star worthy.
(5)
Siobhan W.

The best ramen I've found in the States so far! Albeit the ramen is rather greasy and rather fatty, I don't mind so much because I certainly am not eating ramen for health reasons! The noodles itself is perfect. It's not plastic-y like at most other American ramen places. It's actually the perfect texture, soft and tender, exactly how it should be. It's dark inside, spacious, with wood booths and in the center of the room, long tables for communal eating. There's also a single very tiny table to the side that is a video-game slot-table, so you could potentially play games while waiting for your food. I personally didn't like sitting there because it's in the main pathway area where the waiters and servers go back and forth. So you feel like you don't really have a personal space. When I return here, I'd rather sit at the wood booths, which were much more spacious than the teeny tiny "kid's" video game table. We ordered a lot of food and drinks, so the teeny "kid's" table could barely fit all our food. Whereas, if they had seated us at the wood booths, there would have been plenty of space for our food. Service was prompt and casual. Everything came out quickly and on time. Be warned, it is rather pricey, but despite the price, I would definitely drop by again sometime when I've got a craving.
(4)
Elizabeth R.

First time here, we loved our lunch! The ramen was the perfect meal on a cold January day. Our waitress was attentive and gave great recommendations! The pork belly buns, sumo bowl and duck ramen special were outstanding! Can't wait to go back!!
(5)
Vincent W.

So rule of opening weekends is to keep the group as limited as possible... unfortunately we rolled in 10+ deep. Even during a incredibly hectic opening week, Ramen-san did their best to sit us into two different tables after a relatively small wait for the amount of people (we also did call ahead to "reserve" a table). The place was popping with people everywhere. Loud 90's R&B and hip hops tunes created a sweet environment with a cool decor. Since it was opening weekend, I kept my expectations a bit lower, in anticipation of a few kinks that probably still need to be sorted out. However, the service was great and the manager took the time to ask us our opinions and took criticism well. Due to the 1/2 off opening week specials, I was able to splurge and try two different types of ramen (for the price of 1! Hurray for value... definitely hitting the gym after this). Japanese Cucumber - The group decided to start off with the Uni Cucumber appetizer while we waited for the main event. It was pretty disappointing. The uni was nowhere near fresh and sweet as I was expecting, and the cucumber was dosed in sesame oil. Not a great start, I'd probably skip it next time. Sumo Bowl - The portions for the the Sumo bowl were very generous. Seemingly unending amounts of ramen, a nice pork broth, and some very tasty meats to top the whole offering. However, the ramen I received in this bowl was pretty soggy (which is a huge turnoff). The broth was OK, but not hot enough which is another pretty big strike. The chasu was ok, but the main attraction was the deliciously fat brisket that made it into the bowl (which pretty much prompted my second bowl of smoked brisket). Smoked Brisket-Black Garlic - After having a nice experience with the smoked brisket, I thought, why not another? So I decided to try out this offering with a chicken broth. The noodles turned out better than the Sumo Bowl (the varying quality isn't that surprising for opening week). However, the flavors and the broth were pretty forgettable. I'll probably stick to the pork based broths next time. Sesame Ice Cream - To complete the fatness, we all ordered the ice cream, which came in a little cone with a small scoop of unique flavors like black sesame. It was OK, nothing mind blowing. I also tried a bit of the Kim Chi soup base, it was ok, but I think a different Korean fusion ramen place does it better. Overall, the main appeal for me is the location. Being in the heart of River North and having an awesomely late closing time makes a great place to hit up when the cravings hit. The quality is probably where I would put as exactly average. I will give this place another change in the future when it isn't opening week. Hopefully they will improve their consistency issues.
(3)
Jimmy R.

Ramen soup is their signature, of course. Their pork/chicken buns are tasty- like sides order with ramen. Little less salty in their soup, it'll be perfect. Chicagoans should try at least once- I've been twice already. It's a plus when I realize they open 'til midnight. Even better if they can make it to 2am weekend because I don't sleep weekend(jk).. I'll be back for more buns and could use their ramen for hangover remedy.
(5)
Terry N.

Ramen-san is a solid place to get good, authentic ramen. While it's part of Rich Melman's Lettuce Entertain You empire, Ramen-san delivers on its promise of great noodles. My only complaint is their BBQ (char-su) is way too fatty and too thick. They would do better sourcing their char-su from a reputable Chinatown restaurant. The room is small and the tables are a lot like a start-up, long benches of hardwood. Lunches are a better value and offer more combos. All-in-all Ramen-san is a good choice if you're looking for real Ramen NOT from a package.
(4)
Diana Y.

4 stars for ambiance because it's great for a weekend night out. But given how trendy/hip looking a ramen shop looked.......I knew the food wouldn't be that great. And I was right. My group had 3 different types of ramen and we had 3 different complaints: 1) one soup was WAY too salty. Like so salty we had to keep drinking water. 2) Way too much noodles and no actual soup--making it really difficult to enjoy. 3) It was just meh. Their pork belly bun was pretty good and their chicken wings weren't bad though. So my consensus is DO NOT COME HERE. Plus, when the waitress explains to a Chinese person (me) what a dumpling is, you kind of want to say "Uh hello....don't you think I know what a dumpling is?" If this was a lounge, I'd totally recommend it. But for food, I would recommend NOT coming here.
(2)
Leo L.

The City badly needed more ramen spots and Ramen-San is the first of a wave of dedicated ramen bars to open in proximity to downtown, along with Brendan Sodikoff's High Five Ramen and Ramen Takeya, an offshoot of Logan Square's Wasabi. Our winters call for a hot, spicy, steaming bowl of ramen so it's about time! We experienced Ramen-San on opening night, and enjoyed half-price noodles but also a very frenetic, loud atmosphere and (perhaps understandably) spotty service. The star of the night was the Sumo Bowl, a very good tonkotsu broth with wonderful noodles and very tasty beef brisket from fellow LEYE restaurant Bub City. The Sesame Miso was a vastly different, and underwhelming, take on ramen, with a black broth and dark noodles. Rather unsatisfying. Both bowls thankfully featured delicious slices of chasu pork and a helping of corn. A complimentary appetizer of shrimp and pork wontons (to make up for the 20 min wait even though we made a reservation) was forgettable - too starchy, not delicate enough. It's hard to hear each other, or the wait staff, over the pumping Warren G so we'll have to blame that for communication issues with the server who brought the wrong ramen, then two sakes instead of one, and finally ice cream cones that we had turned down. Try to somehow ignore the music and the place is actually very comfortable. It features sturdy wooden benches and high tables bolted to the floor and a small bar that will I imagine will be respite during snowy days. All in all, Ramen-San is, along with Three Dots and a Dash, a welcome addition to the overpriced and cheesy Hubbard scene. Hats off to LEYE for bringing ramen to the Windy City masses.
(3)
Faith D.

The food here is so good that even my traditional, asian-food-hating mother who will not step foot in a sushi restaurant, let alone a ramen joint, LOVED this place. I didn't actually even come here with her. My dad was in town a few weeks ago and asked to go to a restaurant where my mom would not go since she was not going to be there. So Ramen-san it was. I've been here several times - my favorites go-tos are the mantou buns (fried chicken, pork belly - YUM!) and the smoked brisket noodles. I love the lunch-time option for a little box that has some salad, a protein, and half portion of noodles since the bowls are a little large for me. I've had drinks once which were also great - not a huge selection but I liked the bourbon drink they had. If I had a complaint it would be the seating in the majority of the restaurant. I understand it is the style they are looking for but I really hate eating at a table where the chairs don't have backs to them. They do have several booths that obviously have chair backs, but I haven't had the pleasure to sit there yet.
(4)
Grace L.

Went there for a friend 's birthday. Had a blast. For me, I was very curious because another really good ramen place is just two blocks away from it, and I thought it would be interesting to check it out. Food was really good. You really can't go wrong with any choice. The deco is quite modern, and it was a really hot spot.
(5)
JayneNoelle T.

New favorite place for ramen! My friend and I went together for our first time on a negative degree weather day, and was so grateful it wasn't packed. Their tea was served in an adorable tea set. We ordered the bun bao's and those were worth it! We tried the brisket ramen and the tonkatsu. Definitely my favorite spot in river north! The ambience was perfect. We were expecting a Japanese sushi bar setting. But it caught us off guard and was better than we imagined. The playlist was on point, the seating and bar area was trendy and so cool! I'm short so sitting high up on benches was fun for me :D can't wait to come back!
(5)
Kimmie A.

Loved the smoked brisket and garlic ramen! Great flavor and the molten egg was awesome. Also had the lobster ramen and it was great too. Servers were attentive and service was great. Everyone was friendly and knowledgeable.
(4)
Qin Z.

Was looking for a ramen place in downtown Chicago. I know there is santouka northwest in Arlington heights but it's way too far from the city. So here it is. There is lunch special here: half ramen and half rice. I went to order full ramen anyways. The spicy miso ramen I ordered has minced pork instead of chashu in it and the noodle tastes like instant noodle. It's not my favorite ramen and i will rate santouka way above this. It's pricy too. We end up spending 40 for two of us for a lunch.
(3)
Thongsy S.

Been there for lunch twice & I want to keep going back. Their express lunch special is awesome. You can order a bowl of ramen and a rice plate for $15! What a steal. I have tried the tonkotsu ramen with salmon and steak the next time. The steak was definitely the winner. I wouldn't say the best ramen dish I've tried but for the price and area, I wouldn't mind walking the mile from work to here during lunch.
(5)
Fumie K.

Noooooo. I was so excited to hear there was a new ramen joint in town... but to my disappointment, it was just 'meh'... : ( This place has everything from its awesome location in River North to its authentic ambiance (the run-down look with counters)... all except for the taste! I ordered the pork belly and duck buns for appetizers--pretty good. But the actual ramen (I tried the 'Sumo Bowl' and 'Brisket & Black Garlic') was all too disappointing. The broth was bland yet very greasy. Not a pleasant combination. I felt like I was eating my noodles out of a pot of oil... The meat was marinaded a little too heavily with what tasted like BBQ sauce. Not my choice of flavor to go with my ramen. They did a pretty good job with the egg and noodle consistency though! I'm sad I have to give this place such a poor review... it has so much potential, but the taste is just not there.. I have to say 'Wasabi' still has the best ramen in Chicago. And yes, I would call myself a ramen snob.
(2)
Tianyu W.

instant noodles are not ramen!!! Also, you need to pay extra dollars for every piece of vegetables in your blow. If you wanna pay 20 dollars for a bowl of instant noodles and vegetables, which wouldn't cost u more than 3 dollars for the material and 10 minutes for the cooking, u can try this place, otherwise, DO NOT waste ur time and money here.
(1)
James Y.

Ambiance: The music was way too loud. There was only two of us and we had to yell/lean in to talk to each other. Food: I had the toasted sesame ramen. The broth is supposed to be tonkatsu, but they use so much black sesame that it tasted like a black sesame porridge instead, very bland tasting. My gf had the mushroom ramen and I tried a bite of it. It was much tastier than mine, but it was too salty. I would much rather have the ramen from Slurping Turtle or Takashi at Macy's.
(2)
Martinique P.

After having a not-so-great experience at another ramen joint a few weeks ago, a few friends and I decided to try out Ramensan. First, the atmosphere is a small fun and hip place which is nice to separate themselves from other ramen restaurants. Old school hip hop and noodles?! The hostess was very friendly even though we did not make a reservation. I'll get to the food soon but what was probably the highlight of the evening was our server (Kaya? Or some sort of really interesting name. Sorry!). After trying not to look like an idiot for not knowing what Japanese whiskey was or my friends confused on what some of the ramens were, our server made us feel welcomed and went out of her way to explain everything even when we asked stupid questions. She even gave us a sample of a whiskey to try! So sweet and very hilarious to talk to. We all kept laughing the whole night with her. You don't find a lot of friendly people around River North so it was a breath of fresh air. Now for the ramen. We tried the buns and tuna for apps which were all great. Some of the best pork belly I've had in a long time. I ordered the brisket as recommended by our server. By the way, the brisket is from Bub City which is awesome. I must say I wasn't expecting much but it was so delicious and perfect! I tried my friends's and theirs were amazing as well. The drinks were also made perfectly and have a great range of different options. Honestly, give this place a shot. It's made me a believer that Chicago will soon be a new go to for ramen!
(5)
Rin P.

My food was tasty, but I felt a little uncomfortable with the service I received. I sat and the bar and was served by Emily. When she brought my food out, she didn't ask if there was anything else I needed, she only pulled a box of condiments/spices closer to me and then walked away. Throughout my meal she edged close to me to peer at my progress several times, but never at all asked how I was doing until I had stopped eating altogether (I figured if I tried to look as "done" as possible she would finally stop by). I ordered more noodles for my ramen and even when I resumed my meal, she never asked if I was okay until I was completely done. I was left feeling puzzled and like maybe there was something on my face because she talked to the two pairs of people next to me just fine, putting forth effort to check up on them throughout their time at the bar. Hardly any of that courtesy was extended to me. I'm a server myself and often tend to people sitting at bars, so it baffles me how she was able to almost completely ignore someone sitting right in front of her. I dunno...I like to give servers the benefit of the doubt but it wasn't busy at all in the restaurant (she said it was pretty slow herself, to the people next to me). Overall I felt a little bit unwelcome. She seemed nervous around me. I'm not raging mad or anything, just a little put-out. My prior experiences at Ramen-San were not like this at all; I've experienced very engaging, friendly service from other folks there. I like the food but I am hesitant to return now.
(3)
Rich C.

Big fan of ramen! It's always hard finding a ramen place we like because we prefer the hipper style of ramen, which this delivered! Unique recipes made up of fun ingredient combinations! The fried chicken buns were the bomb! Spicy Miso was great! Brisket was good, a little salty. Our waitress was so nice! She couldn't have been nicer! She rocked! Next time we're in Chicago we'll be going back!
(5)
Jeana C.

Expect some 90s hip hop and r&b music at this spot. I would have to say that I've finally found a ramen place that isn't supppppperrrrr salty. Tried other ramen places and Ramen-san is one of the places where the broth isn't super salty, or oily. Def plus. I ordered the Tonkastu which has the fatty pork, pork broth, mushroom, molten egg and etc and it was decent. I also had the szechaun chicken wings. I liked them as they were juicy and had all these toppings on them. I thought they should have been more flavorful, though. Kind of turned off by all that remaining oil on that wax paper after devouring the wings! I'd be hesitant to order them next time but that's just me. They were good though! I would definitely go back!
(4)
William T.

What an incredible disappointment. Had I known this was a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, I would have not set foot in it. LEY does burgers, cheap steaks and silly salads well (kinda) - NOT RAMEN!! This place sucked from top to bottom - from the music to the service to the stupid "angel wings" that ruined a simple appetizer by turning it into a stuck together muck that reminded me of something I messed up in the microwave hammered. Our server was about as informative and interesting as a napkin and looked like a long haired Yorkshire Terrier... she was miserable. She did her job fine, but was about as excited to be there as we were after eating the food. Both the Shio and Tonkotsu broths were quite boring... the noodles were no better than instant ramen and the toppings were clunky. The egg was ok, but not a true ajitsuke egg (which is not that hard to do)... and the pork was rubbed in Chinese 5 spice, which was tasty... but added nothing to the miserable soup that for the price was not even a slight value in portion size. Just sad... Honestly. There are plenty of other places to get good Ramen in Chicago - this is not one of them and as a Chicagoan I am embarrassed that this place even exists here. Its nothing more than Lettuce Entertain you jumping on the hot trend and failing miserably!!
(2)
Tadd T.

I crave ramen constantly. I haven't made it to Wasabi yet, but after eating at Santouka, Oiistar, Umai, Four Belly, and now Ramen-San, my hopes of satisfying this incessant craving in Chicago have faded. (Oiistar remains the best of them but, being heavily Korean-influenced, is the farthest from traditional.) Both the shoyu and tonkotsu ramens missed the mark, with lukewarm, underseasoned broth that possessed none of that warming, comforting, savory deliciousness that ramen should have. At least the toppings were decent (if you don't like pickled ginger, say something when you order) and the Sun Noodle noodles retained some bite, but after spending $14 for each bowl, I felt robbed. The chewy and bland gyoza were another major disappointment and, at $9 for five pieces, the worst ripoff for gyoza I've ever come across. Service is hit-and-miss, and you'll either love or hate the thumping hip-hop blaring overhead. (I hate it.) I find it sad that, in a city so esteemed for its food scene, a truly great bowl of ramen is so damn difficult to find.
(1)
Meghan G.

The atmosphere was awesome. Service was laid back (which should be taken as a good thing). The spicy szechuan chicken wings were out of this world with the lime aioli. Ramen is great, very flavorful and large portions! Would definitely visit again!
(4)
Emmanuel L.

I've had better ramen in Chicago. This place was ok. I had the beef brisket ramen. It was good but I've had better elsewhere. It was missing that tasty factor. I really liked the atmosphere and the waiter was really cool. The price was kind of expensive for what I got but whatever. They need a kick in that ramen. Some more spice of life. There's an adult video store right by it btw if your into that.
(3)
Fion C.

For the love of God, order the pork belly mantou bun. For those of you that are familiar with dim sum, you already know what a bao is and that's basically the same as this bun. For those that dont know- it's basically a Chinese style "roll", sometimes served plain sometimes with meat and sometimes with sweet/ desert filling. In this instance, it was served with a crispy, fatty, meaty delicious piece of pork belly, a zesty orange sauce, cilantro and cucumber. For $5 it's a little much. But I can assure you it is SO worth the change. That little bun alone is worth the 4 stars. We also ordered the raw tuna and avocado appetizer served with sesame crisps to start, wonderfully seasoned fresh sashimi grade ahi tuna literally melted in our mouths as we savored every last bite. I was sad to see it end. As far as the ramen- it's simply ok. I haven't had real ramen in Japan before so I can't really say if it's authentic or not, but to me, it's lacking in the flavor department. Especially for the price that we paid for lunch ($44), Ramen San could have been improved. However, I forget our servers name- she had the bright colorful hair- but she was absolutely incredible. Attentive and suggestive, she made our experience very pleasant.
(4)
Ernirose M.

Came here after a Broadway show that let out after 10pm on a Sunday. Great music and vibe. The steamed pork belly buns are awesome and so was the pork Ramen.
(4)
Meredith B.

I love big bowls of noodle soup, I could eat them every day for the rest of my life. So I was super-pumped to try Ramen-san, which is just down the street from another place I love - Slurping Turtle! Cocktails are very tasty but not strong enough. I got the Singapore Sling, but for $10 I expect to feel a little buzzed and I didn't. Went with wine next. We got spicy szechuan wings, which were quite spicy and very crispy, but my fiancÃ© didn't like how deep-fried they were. I thought they were great. I also really enjoyed my ramen, which was on the specials menu - it was something like a shrimp curry ramen? Very different than the other broths, because of the strong curry flavor. It wasn't too spicy, but had a really pleasant and comforting taste. Lots of yummy noodles and juicy shrimp. I thought it was great, but my fiancÃ© again did not like his ramen much. I tasted it - the smoked brisket and black garlic ramen - and I found it super rich and smoky. It was too much for me, and too heavy. I think he prefers the clean, more brothy taste of pho. I think it just depends on how you like your noodles! Casual, but trendy atmosphere. Huge bowls of noodle soup at prices that are pretty good for River North. I'd come back anytime, but I'd order cautiously and steer away from dishes that seem like they are too rich, because it'll probably be too much for me.
(4)
K A.

Really good ramen, and a selection of different types to boot. Every bowl I've tried was good. However, the rest of the menu is average at best. Appetizers and salads should almost be passed up. A good tip would be to add-on to your ramen. Molten eggs are particularly rich and delicious. One star off for the continued lack of taste they show by playing obnoxious hip-hop music, and playing it too loud as well. Hipsters abound along with pop culture icons from Japan and China, making this another spot to help self esteemed challenged people feel cool. Another star off for the limited beer and alcohol selection. Most brown liquor is imported from Japan, which isn't always good. Maybe fun once for the uninitiated, but I love American spirits. Prices are just over the top as well, approaching a fine entree and not at all representative of soup. ($15-$18 for lunch) To finish off the negative criticism, some of the tables are the shared variety which I despise. Don't pass up this place. It really is some of the best ramen in the city. I've been sampling ramen globally for years and am happy to have good places to go in Chicago, now that ramen has boomed.
(3)
Jay C.

I know what good ramen tastes like and this isn't it. I don't think the chef has ever had proper ramen. I had the tonkotsu and my gf had the brisket one and the broth is so SALTY that it is borderline inedible. The portions also are on the smaller side. Good ambiance and music, this is catered to the younger crowd who don't know what good ramen tastes like. Most of the good reviews are by non Asians who don't know any better.
(2)
Anna H.

In my opinion, their spicy ramen was 1. not spicy; and 2. used szechuan peppers, which overpowered all the other flavors.
(2)
Leah C.

impressed this non-ramen fan... was off to meet a friend for lunch around the corner when i spotted this place. when i mentioned "i just passed a new ramen spot" her eyes lit up so we changed our plans. the place is small but they make good use of their space. love the high benches and love the choice of music - 80's/90's rap and hip-hop - whisked me away to a mental vacation of a time when life was a bit more carefree... i digress, back to the food... others have mentioned - heavy on the salt. i have to agree that my shitake ramen was sodium laden, however, it was packed with intricate flavors. the roasted garlic (additional .50) that i added contributed to that but honestly, the broth in itself made me change my mind about ramen! i only wished that they would offer soba noodles as well as vegetables - bok choy would've been the icing on the cake. the array of mushrooms were delicious and cooked just right with all textures intact.
(4)
Avery M.

Went here with friends late night. Enjoyed some magnificent ramen and several other delights I may have been too intoxicated to recall. I think we ate a unicorn because the flavors of the tonkotsu were mythological, rich and layered with majesty. The spicy Szechuan wings singed the hair from my face and melted my tongue Raiders of the Lost Ark style. Almost forgot we had the pork belly buns which ... had ... Pork belly 'nuff said.
(5)
Amelia Z.

One of the better lunch deals in River North. Their express lunch option is great, I prefer the Shio Ramen. Make reservations for lunch to keep your day on schedule!
(4)
Jay L.

Atmosphere is urban and trendy, raised tables, hip music that requested I chiggity check myself befo' I wreck myself, clean. Top notch appetizers, aggressively seasoned and delicious -- but not the focal point of the meal. Terrific cocktail -- also not the focal point. The ramen was swell -- great noodles, nice mouthfeel and chew. Nice spread of ingredients, properly cooked egg with a beautiful marigold yolk. The broth, however, did not follow suit with the heavy seasoning and bold flavors I was expecting -- maybe a little flat even.
(3)
Yan W.

The place is roomy , clean and nice set up. I like the wooden tables and all . The food was just so-so, the ramen soup base is too salty .
(3)
Seonah C.

Their ramen is not good. Especially when you order the spicy one, it is not spicy but salty. I just come here because they have the best Asahi beer draft!
(3)
Ollie E.

Creative ramen dishes with a good beer scene. Asahi on tap is a plus considering it's a step above a miller lite. Also a good assortment of Sake. This is a good place to come to get your buzz & noodle on at night. Simple & clean, very Japanese in essence although the menu is more Asian fusion; Thai, Japan, Korean, Chinese combine, boom! I had the fried chicken bun (kind of like a Chinese sticky bun like taco with S Korean fried chicken) along with Tonkotsu which is a pork w/peanut sauce dish Ã la chili flakes (Thai & Japan combo). Both did the trick. Bartender John did a good job explaining the complicated menu and sorting choices!
(4)
Ben N.

Service is poor! Very slow! No service basically. 0 star for service. Food is not bad hence the two star. Ordered the tonkatsu.. The broth is very rich but it's very salty! I don't think I will return...
(2)
Caroline Y.

We ordered the raw tuna appetizer, the Shiitake ramen, the Tonkatsu ramen, and the Sumo Bowl. Everything was good. The pork belly was super yummy but the ramen broth itself felt heavy and greasy, as expected for ordering pork broth, but it just didn't feel right. The ice cold Sapporo beer was clutch to help wash things down. What I did not like about this place was its inability for temperature control. It was around 85 degrees outside and humid that day, but they had all the windows of the restaurant open, including the giant wall/window which opened up to the street, letting the moist, hot air wash over your already sweaty, ramen-eating body. Summary: trying to eat ramen while sitting with swampass was not pleasing.
(3)
Jen P.

Not to be THAT Asian person, but I really didn't love the food. No, my grandmother doesn't make it better. I had the Tonkatsu ramen and it was pretty salty. The pork wasn't breaded and fried like I had imagined (how else does one eat Tonkatsu?!). The service was excellent. One of my co-workers noted that the ambiance was "exceptional" too. We had the sesame ice cream cones--I know it sounds strange, but it was delightful! I also recommend the wings, finger lickin' good!
(3)
Naoko T.

My standards for ramen may be high because I'm an LA native who visits Japan almost every year, but there were a few things that REALLY bothered me about Ramen-san... 1. The "chashu" is not chashu at all.... Why is the meat so hard? I have NEVER had such hard meat in my ramen before and it really just does not belong there... And chashu should be sweet and juicy.... but nope. 2. My friend ordered the special that was "double fatty tonkotsu" and the ramen came with NO toppings and the broth was just pure fat. He paid extra for it too... I mean, what? Just adding fat doesn't make the soup any better, and also he paid $17 for just noodles and inadequate soup. 3. The molten egg was not cooked in anything. Normally, the egg is cooked in a sweeter broth of sorts so it can soak up some flavor, but their egg was just cooked and mediocre. In general, it was just painfully obvious that the chefs have not had that much authentic ramen, and it was just definitely not worth the money.
(2)
Bella C.

Delicious ramen :) Arrived around 5pm on a Sunday, easily seated. Fried chicken and kimchi ramen was in front of me within ten minutes (maybe less ... the staff at the bar were friendly and I lost track of time, didn't seem like a wait at all). Ramen noodles were great, plenty of chicken, slightly spicy, wish there had been more kimchi but I'm a kimchi fiend so may not be the greatest judge when it comes to acceptable amounts of the stuff. The music was great - Old school hip hop and rap felt just like listening to KDAY back in LB :) hahaha touch of home :)
(5)
Rebecca C.

If there's one thing I despise in a restaurant, is one that doesn't know when and how to put the salt shaker down and TASTE what they're preparing, before adding another heavy handed plow sized portion into the broth and food that humans are going to eat. Seriously, if I want a full blown salt bath, I will take a leisurely bath in my soaking tub at home, which is for all intents and purposes, gratis and relaxing. My bath won't include any pork belly, but at least I won't have to gasp and gag for water. Seriously, Ramen-san is a rip-off and a venue for having a coronary. I just can't think of anything positive to say about a place that promotes salt-laden, unhealthy junk for at least 20 bucks per person.
(1)
Pamela R.

4 stars for the tonkotsu ramen, 2 stars for the smoked brisket and black garlic... If I'd stuck with the tonkotsu ramen, this place would definitely had been 4-star material to me! Great ambiance, cool music, efficient service, and fabulous ramen (especially the tonkotsu!) - add all that to an accessible spot that is open all day (yes, even during that awkward not-lunch-but-not-dinner couple of hours) until late (1AM!) and you have yourself a solid neighborhood go-to. FYI, I did try the smoked brisket and black garlic based on a couple of the waiters' recommendations... Too salty for me and not as umami as the tonkotsu. Too bad!
(3)
Rocco S.

Went there for the third time with a group a few days ago. Great vibe, good music. Booth was a little on the small side for us, but we made it work. Ordered a salad, wings, and some pot stickers. All were pretty good. The sauce that went with the pot stickers was amazing. The others ordered cocktails and seemed quite happy with them. I got a beer on draft and it was absolutely delicious. Double cold filtered this or that. I loved it. The ramen came out and it was not too salty which I find many are. I got the spicy miso with pork and added crispy chicken. I wished the crispy chicken was more of the type with skin on it. It was just a breaded chicken breast. The noodles were a little thin as well. The broth was pleasantly spicy, but not over the top. My buddy didn't want his molten egg that came with his bowl, so I threw it into mine. And it was quite good. Slightly runny yolk just the way I like it. I think there are places to get a better bowl of ramen, but this place, like most lettuce entertain you spots, is pretty good. It is also hip, fun, and consistent. With great service. You won't be sorry you went.
(4)
Emily S.

I'm reviewing Ramen San again because it deserves the whole 5 stars. After a mixup with my reservation, Kate the manager showed us unreal customer service unlike I've experienced anywhere else. She really took care of us and made our dining experience excellent despite the mishap. The food was also excellent, and our server was very educated on the cocktails. Also, there is unfiltered sake! Thanks for such a great night Ramen San!
(5)
Yuki Z.

OMG literally one of the worst restaurants in Chicago. Worst service ever. Waited at the door for 5 minutes and eventually someone noticed me. AND there was only one customer in the restaurant and several waiters were just sitting there. Service very slow. Worst ramen ever. Okay. Service is not the most disappointing thing. The shoyu ramen. WORST. EVER. why is the shoyu ramen spicy and sour? I just doubt if the chef poured vinegar instead of soy sauce in the ramen. I've been to Japan for several times and also tried shoyu ramen at santouka and niu lounge before: THIS IS JUST NOT WHAT SHOYU RAMEN TASTES LIKE. Skipped lunch due to an appointment, so I was planning to get a late lunch early dinner thing and tried out this Japanese restaurant. Super disappointed. Plus, the food is over-priced. Cuz I've ordered shoyu ramen at other places for so many times, I just ordered it without reading the menu carefully. And, there's no chashu pork or any sort of meat in the ramen. Probably I was just expecting too much. The portion is also small. $13 is not super expensive for ramen, but it is definitely way too much for such poor quality and small portion. Just a warning: don't go to this place. RAMEN-SAN successfully becomes my least favorite place in the town. And the only star is for the free wifi.
(1)
Leang E.

It worked out really well that I was overhungry and happened to think of coming to this place to have ramen since I hadn't had it in a while and 3 different style of wings which I had been craving. It was a low key Sunday night and it wasn't busy at all, which was nice because our food came out quickly. Our waitress was helpful in providing recommendations and we had decided on the Sticky Thai wings, the combination mantou buns, and the spicy miso ramen. The wings were simply delicious and the buns were very flavorful. My ramen was nice and spicy and yet drinkable as soup. I don't remember seeing much bamboo as it was listed as something that comes with all ramen. I didn't feel like the portions were worth the price is my only complaint. I consumed 2 wings, a bun, and a whole bowl of ramen with the soup and probably could have eaten more.
(4)
Bryan E.

Couldn't be any better. Awesome interior, great Japan like atmosphere. Love the frozen mug and Japanese whiskey options. The ramen is great and balances Americanization with the real deal. Thanks for getting good Ramen in a busy hot spot area. Open early, open late.....Just great.
(5)
Kenneth L.

It just wasn't good. It's been interesting to see the ramen train roll its way through Chicago, and this particular effort was quite disappointing. But, I figured, you shouldn't expect much from a trendy Hubbard joint. Regardless, I initially gave it the benefit of the doubt. The service was fine, the decor was hip, the food was meh. All apps aside, you're going here for the ramen, and if the ramen isn't good, you're doing it wrong. I went with the classic tonkotsu, which made two classic mistakes: too watery and too salty. There's not much to say beyond that. Though, to its credit, the pork belly was solid. When there are other options - Wasabi, Kameya, and even High Five and Yusho - that are much better (and cheaper, if not the same price), it's hard to justify coming here.
(2)
Isabella W.

This place isn't too bad. If I wanted really, really good ramen, I would have to drive out to Schaumburg. But since I live in Old Town, this place will do. I got the ramen with brisket and it was very tasty! The brisket was also delicious but they only give you like 4 smallish slices and charge you $15. Luckily, the brisket was perfectly smoked and seasoned so I will give then props for that! The broth was delicious, but it may be too salty for some. I don't notice it because I like to add red pepper seasoning to all of my ramen. The noodles were pretty good. Not too chewy or soft and I really like the texture. You can also add some other ingredients to your ramen for a little bit more. I did not get any appetizers or drinks since I was only craving ramen. One thing I noticed is that there is no naruto! Totally bogus! I love naruto! Overall, this place is not bad for downtown area. It is a little more pricier than the burbs, but only by like $2-$4. If I am craving ramen right away, I can go to this place. Check it out!
(4)
Karly K.

We had really high hopes from this place considering it's right across from Slurping Turtle but they really missed the mark. Atmosphere and setting far surpasses the food. We had the Tonkotsu and the brisket ramen, Tonkotsu broth flavor was not very deep at all and the brisket broth was just....gross. WAAAY too much ginger added to the broth. I'd rather make my own top ramen and save $16, or if you're looking for a better place go across the street, may not be as trendy but ramen is done right. Such a disappointment...:(
(2)
Rob T.

Like Strings and Ajida, Ramen-san's ramen is highly salty and highly priced. I work at the AMA Plaza nearby so I finally tried this place, but all of us at the table thought it was too salty, so this is not just one person's opinion. Other Yelpers have noted this as well. Comparisons: - Ramen-san gives more pork belly slices than Strings and Ajida - Ramen-san & Ajida's tonkotsu comes with a soft-boiled egg, unlike Strings - Strings gives the biggest quantity of soup, though not substantially more - Flavor is similar between Ramen-san and Strings; Strings is a bit better - Ramen-san is pricier than Strings and Ajida - Service was best at Ramen-san There's nothing compelling about Ramen-san that makes it stand out more than the other ramen shops. As overpriced as Strings was, Ramen-san is even more so.
(3)
LizAnne C.

I came here on a Monday evening, pretty early. I think it was about 5. It wasn't crowded at all, I think there were two other tables other than me. Which sometimes I really enjoy. Not feeling rushed is an awesome feeling when you just want to sit down and enjoy some food. Ordered 2 buns to start with, one pork belly and one fried chicken. Both were really, really good. I ordered the Tonkotsu Ramen, which was also very good. In my opinion it had too much ginger and the broth was a little under seasoned for my taste. But that is just my personal opinion and over all I still really enjoyed it. Service was really friendly, no complaints at all there.
(5)
Julia G.

Wow, thank you Yelp for helping me find this place and be the hero of my late night crew! I love this place. From the moment we walked in, the staff was incredibly friendly and engaging. The atmosphere was awesome, this would be an amazing date night spot. I found myself hypnotized watching the paw waving Fortune cats at the bar bob along to the beat of the awesome late 90's hip hop they were playing. The food was bliss. I could make a meal of their buns. I tried the fried chicken and pork belly, and now I'm craving them as I write this. I also had the brisket and black garlic ramen. It was a little salty, but amazing nonetheless. An incredibly generous portion, that's for certain! I can't wait to come back, thanks Ramen San!
(5)
Paul K.

We had the chicken wings & two types of ramen. The chicken wings were awesome. The ramen was mediocre. My noodles were slightly under cooked. I had the chicken ramen & my wife had the spicy miso. I will go back for the wings & give the ramen another try.
(3)
Xiaoyi z.

I was so hungry when I got there. The ramen is fair but the ramen soup is a little bit sweet. Less sugar next time. The pros are they have many kinds of ramen.
(3)
Rajat B.

Place has a nice vibe. Love the decor and the crowd is great too. Service is average. The food is good but overpriced in my opinion. The appetizers are great but the main Ramen is ok. Meat portions are small for a $15 Ramen bowl. Def worth a visit but I'm sure there is better Ramen in Chicago.
(3)
Greg H.

This place is all about the broth and the quality of the noodles. The broths we tried -- chicken based with kimchi, and beef based with black garlic -- were outstanding. The beef broth was a little daring -- sweet-sourish in a surprising way -- but it worked. Actually, it was better the next day for lunch, when the flavor had mellowed somewhat. The chicken broth was less rich and maybe could have had more kimchi flavor, but it was really nice. In each broth, the noodles were chewy and satisfying. Funny how a simple ramen noodle can be so good. When we went, the place was packed but we got a spot right away at one of the shared tables. The atmosphere was lively, lots of happy eaters packed into a smallish space. One thing is, I could have done without the very loud rap and rock music, but I think I understand what the owners are going for, and some will like this touch. (My wife said it reminded her of the outdoor barbecue spots in her hometown in Thailand, without the outdoor part.) Anyway, it certainly didn't hamper our pleasure over a few bowls of delicious soup one bit.
(4)
Jennifer G.

I love this place - I've been twice and it's the perfect spot for some great ramen and winter warm up! per the waiter, i tried the duck meatball ramen which was on special my first time and WOW - the duck meatballs just melted in my mouth. the second time out I tried the friend chicken and smoked corn ramen - I asked for it spicy - really spicy - and they delivered (I did have to say not white person spicy --- you have to to get people to believe you like it hot IMO) The soup had the heat but also a ton of flavor. I think next time if I get that soup I will add a molten egg to it. It was great without, but I think it would have added a little extra. to be on the safe side, i would recommend reservations as the first time I went for lunch I had to wait about 10 minutes for a table.
(5)
Natasha F.

Went for a lunch few days ago. We were very excited to try their Ramen but couldn't be more disappointed, their ramen is a joke. At first I thought it looked cool, they have good selection of Japanese whisky which is pretty rare so we were excited to try their Ramen. Waiter came as soon as we sat down, and we ordered Okonomiyaki, Shio Ramen and Tonkotsu Ramen. We waited 15min to get our drinks and 30 min for an appetizer waited 20 more minutes for Ramen. The restaurant was about half full I don't know why it took 50 min to get our Ramen and our server didn't even check on us, when we asked her when the Ramen was coming she just said" its coming". So, 1 star for their service. Like their service their ramen was not good at all. Okonomiyaki: 4 stars. It was actually pretty good. The texture was a little softer than a traditional Okonomiyaki but other than that they did a good job. Tonkotsu Ramem: 2 stars. It tasted like Miso Ramen, I'm sure they use miso for Tonkotsu ramen. This is very strange because I used to live in Japan, being a Ramen freak, I have tried over 50 Ramen restaurants. I have never had Tonkotsu Ramen taste like Miso ramen. It even tasted like a instant Miso Ramen that you can get at a Japanese grocery store. If you think you are having Miso Ramen, it might be ok but it did not taste like Tonkotsu Ramen at all. Shio Ramen: 1 star. This is not Shio Ramen. I think the cook does not know what Shio ramen is. Tonkotsu ramen is not Tonkotsu ramen and Shio ramen is not Shio Ramen. Lol They put soy sauce in it, which makes the soup brown, Shio ramen shouldn't be brown. I didn't taste any broth, it tasted like weak soy sauce ramen. This is the worst ramen I've ever had,,,, who ever is making this does not know anything about ramen. So, we were very disappointed by their Ramen and service. Never will go back there again. Although we were very disappointed by their service and food this might be a good place to try Japanese whisky.
(1)
Yaniv K.

Good restaurant for an informal lunch or dinner. The brick-exposed walls and high bar tables give the place a residential touch. The waiters, relaxed and unpretentious, make it into the place to stop by for a fortuitous occasion. For dinner, I started with the Salmon Nigiri. It was fresh, soft and tender. A bit heavy on the sauce, but the salmon complements it by giving it a meaty, sturdy composition. The Kimchi and Chicken ramen noodle, on the other hand, was quite spicy. Maybe I had forgotten about the taste of kimchi. At one point I had to just put it on the side. It was also heavy on spices, particularly red peppers and what looked like sesame seeds. My fiancÃ© ordered the Tonkotsu Ramen packed with pork belly over a creamy, milky sauce. I compared both soups and would definitely stick with the Tonkotsu. It's much closer to its original version, ever pleasant with every spoonful. I can't say I'd come back again for its Kimchi ramen, but its Tonkotsu is worth a try. I wouldn't come here if you're looking for stellar service either. Our waitress was a bit too carefree for my taste (she only added ice to one of the two water glasses) and another bus boy kept asking if we were done - over 3 times. There's honestly nothing more irritating than when servers ask you if they can take your plates when you're still working on your food. I hope Ramen-san does a better job with the servers. As for the soups, bring it down a notch!
(3)
Scott Z.

Pork belly bun was superbly delicious - flavorful and mouth watering. Sumo ramen was crazy spicy....add the garlic for sure.
(4)
Kaila B.

I love just about anything with noodles, veggies and broth so I was really excited to try this place. The atmosphere was great! Lots of tables filled with people and a few sports games projected directly on the brick wall. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. My mom had the shio and I had the shiitake. Both looked great! But both of us felt like they could be a lot more flavorful. Not a tough fix.
(4)
Matt L.

Decent ramen. The kimchi one had a great spice to it. I would have liked a little more chicken in it for the price you pay.
(4)
G A.

I am surprised with so many negative reviews. I know this place just opened two months ago so I am sure that they had few hiccups. I felt like overall the place was very good. Good service,good food,excellent drinks. Here is the stuff that I tried and thought it was excellent: APPS: Smoked salmon nigiri, bbq eel & foie gras RAMEN: smoked brisket&black garlic, kimchi&fried chicken DRINKS: cilantro-lime margarita ,hisato-san They also have asahi on draft and sake bombs! This place is a keeper!
(5)
Christina L.

ughhhh. scene-y ramen spot in river north. overall not delicious due to lack of authenticity. my fave things were the buns, which is sad for a ramen place. cocktails are sweet and lack a punch. meep!
(2)
Jennie D.

Please keep in mind that I have only eaten at two other ramen establishments before this one - Ippudo NYC & Wasabi in Logan Square. When compared to these two places, Ramen-San is mediocre at best. I ordered the Spicy Miso ramen, which really wasn't anything special. My boyfriend ordered the Shiitake Mushroom ramen, which he said was just "okay." Aside from the food, the ambience is excellent. Music is on point. Hostesses and wait staff are friendly and efficient.
(3)
Mel A.

LOVED the "raw tuna, sesame crisps, etc for $13", "bbq eel & foi gras, etc for $16" and a "sake bomb for $8!!" Tried a "mantou bun-pork belly for $3" for the 1st time and found it to be way over rated. Also tried the "smoked brisket ramen for $15" which was VERY flavorful but way too salty for my tastes. Young crowd. Quick & attentive service.
(3)
Cheryl Q.

Happened to be in Chicago staying at Hotel Palomar and was looking for a quick bite to eat by myself and found this ramen joint on Yelp. The menu had some open faced steamed buns, potstickers and ramen bowls. I ordered the pork belly bun and the Tonkotsu Ramen (added corn, tofu and eventually extra noodles). Since I had just flown in, I had a "food headache" and after a long cab ride to the River North, I needed a comforting bowl of noodles. The noodles were slightly on the thinner side, but very chewy (added one extra star just for noodle quality) and delicious. The broth was a little more gingery than I preferred, but nonetheless, very tasty. The pork belly bun was also deelish. The bun was fluffy and meat was juicy. Great combination. I will definitely return when I come back to Chicago.
(4)
Sonny P.

Another hit from Lettuce Entertain You! I have already been here 3 times and each time, I have had a good experience. This place plays great music which is a Pandora station, by the way. Since I am a vegetarian, I am limited by getting the Shittake mushroom ramen and the shittake tempura bun. I must say, both are very good and you can change your spice level to add different spices. Ordering a sake bomb is slightly expensive as I love RA sushi for its sake bombs. Definitely a place to try in River North for ramen, however, I am also sure you can find better Ramen in wicker park or west loop.
(4)
Kevin N.

Wanted ramen, and this location was hip,new,and I just wanted to try it out. Service: Good service, I accidentally left my umbrella hanging from the hooks under the table, and when I went back to get it 15 minutes later it was still there! Maybe it helps that I have a very colourful umbrella... Atmosphere/decor: Hip hop on full blast, awkward benches to sit at the awkward counters. Unfortunately, I sat facing a wall for most of dinner. A/C was also not on, on a mildly hot, but painfully humid, summer day. Food: Ramen with a salty soup base, not very brothy, if you know what I mean. I feel like these ramen places make up for the lack of a deep broth by oversalting it. Definitely edible, as I will eat anything, but definitely not the best. I'm still on the fence if I wanted to come back or not. I would come back with a group of friends though, as it seems like a fun place to hang out, drink beer, and eat some ramen on the side.
(2)
Sunshine C.

Appetizers are great, but the ramen is terrible! I really enjoyed the cucumber & uni, tempura soft shell crab and asparagus (special of the day), and the chicken wings. After having appetizers, I was really looking forward to the ramen since everything tasted so great! I ordered the tonkotsu ramen. At first look, it seemed authentic, but once I tried the broth and slurped the noodles, I couldn't even eat it. The taste of garlic in the broth was too strong. The noodles were also overcooked and had a weird starchy texture to it. I usually take left overs home, but I knew that there was no way I could ever force the ramen down my throat. Sadly, there are still NO good ramen places in downtown Chicago. I would rather stick to my Shin Ramyum and maybe go back here for some appetizers.
(2)
Jenn P.

I would liken my search for good ramen in Chicago to dating. You know your future significant other is out there somewhere, but you need to have patience and go on a few (or many) dates to find him/her. Unfortunately, Ramen-San was a bad date. I came here with a few friends for a late-night meal. The design of the place is trendy, and the music and upbeat vibe makes it feel bustling and exciting. The staff here are very friendly and seem to be passionate about the food. However, the meal was not memorable. I got the Tonkotsu ramen with smoked brisket and corn. The noodles didn't have that chewy bite that I crave with ramen and the broth was salty and oily instead of having that deep, rich, and porky essence that comes from broths that have been simmered carefully for hours. The smoked brisket was a unique addition to the ramen and probably was my favorite part of my meal. For some reason, a lot of my friends rave about the ice cream here. I looked at an order and saw it was a single, small scoop of black sesame ice cream on a cone. I didn't feel like spending money on a infant-sized ice cream, but maybe it is worth a try for those with a sweet tooth. Ramen-san has potential but needs to work on execution. For now, I would go elsewhere for a ramen craving.
(3)
Shari B.

Cool atmosphere and they play fun music. The raw tuna app was yummy and so were their buns. The ramen is not really traditional. I had the tonkotsu ramen and it sure didn't taste like tonkotsu with all the extra spices and flavors they added. I also liked the black sesame ice cream. Decent place, just don't expect to be eating traditional ramen.
(3)
Austin C.

- I'm comparing this ramen shops to ramen shops in California and Japan. - not a lot of depth in flavor in the broth. you don't get the nice fatty broth that is sort of sticky - ordered the buns and thought the meat was a dry - venue was hipster but food
(3)
Ivailo D.

I lived in LA, so I am a little bit biased, forgive me. Ramen houses were always there, serving cheap, wholesome food, made from scratch to the Asian community and value oriented public. And became hip eventually, never changing much. You can still go for a "late shift" meal on your way back from your date at the lounge. And leave in 30 min finally satisfied .... Ramen San is a great place to TAKE YOUR date, sit at the bar and enjoy a cocktail. Sans ramen... You've got all the hip prerequisites- filament lighting, repurposed wood and industrial ambiance, mishmash of all styles of music and projector TV ( albeit with sports channels?!?). There are good fusion-y things on the menu for sure, the pork belly appetizer comes to mind. But as a ramen house it is definitely not perfected yet. I had the spicy miso ramen. I pride myself as being able to outdo any body in eating hot food ( possibly with the exception of Adam Richman and few Madras Indians ), but this felt like a fiery inferno. Not much else as taste, the noodles felt like instant ones, and I left most of the broth for fear of GI complications later. Ultimately a forgettable bowl. In the end we left a couple of Benjamin's for three people, one a 15 year old drinking water.
(2)
A M.

Feeling sick and really wanted some warm ramen! Unfortunately this ramen left a bad taste in my mouth and was very unfulfilling. The flavor was very bland, the ingredients ok. I wouldn't give it another try but will be looking elsewhere for my next ramen bowl.
(2)
Dunkin B.

Good food quick, awesome music, very attentive and efficient staff,
(4)
lori c.

I love ramen and steamed buns and was so excited to eat here...finally! The food, service and atmosphere, all five stars! I had their special (duck ramen), a pork belly bun and a black sesame ice cream cone. I am a definite fan! Oh, and the music...I felt "at home"!
(5)
Stephanie S.

Ordered food for a lunch meeting. I'm not a huge fan of ramen so I got the sashimi salad. The tuna was lightly seared which surprised me. It still tasted great despite the small portion. The dessert menu isn't online but I read a review about the mango custard. I love mangos so I had to ask for it! Although I'm not a mousse or custard person, I enjoyed the dessert. My coworker recommends eating the ramen with a bib lol the plasticware was hard to use with ramen
(4)
LaLaLaLa L.

Meh. Definitely not the best Ramen I've had. We ordered 3 different bowls and all three were extremely salty (and i like salt!!!) yet had little flavor. The noodles were not good at all.. almost chewy. We had angel wing, buns for app... angel wings were not very good but the buns were spectacular. The only thing that would get me back (and the reason for 3 stars) is the ambiance and the music. They played all 90s hip hop. A lot of people reviewed it as questionable.. but I loved it. It made it a fun place for my girlfriends and me to go for an app and drinks. Keeps it young... which I'm guessing is what they're trying to do. Ramen, though, what they are supposed to specialize in, was sub-par. wouldn't order it again.
(3)
Vernon P.

Would have gotten more stars if they were not so stingy on the noodles in the ramen. Also, it would have been better with the thicker noodles. The music playing was spectacular. What saved this review ultimately from the three star realm was the bar tender. Man made me a drink that would put you in a coma. Did not skimp on the booze in my old fashioned.
(4)
Jason K.

Have been here several times. Service is always superb. All of the ramens taste different and all of them are delicious. The apps, baos, and wings are all great too. The cilantro-like margarita is a delicious take on a classic margarita with a unique yuzu flavor that comes through. The spicy miso ramen is my favorite, although I have tried almost all of them and they are all delicious. A great place for a warm bowl of soup in a nice atmosphere with great service.
(5)
Miranda G.

I LOVED the food here. They have a great vegetarian option in the shiitake broth and great add-ons for your ramen like crispy garlic and buttered corn. Shiitake bowl with tofu was great. It is deceivingly filling so try to pay more attention to your body than I did! My friend really liked her spicy miso, though she had to tell me through a runny nose and watery eyes. That means it's good though, right? Service was attentive if not the most friendly. Total for three of us (food only- we drank water) was $45 and well worth it. The space was intimate enough to understand your group without struggling but had good beats and good conversation in the background. Cool high top picnic-style benches and tables. They seemed to have an extensive bar selection of Japanese liquor.
(5)
Mark L.

Fantastic tonkotsu ramen. Egg included. Get the spicy version and add more at the table to suit your taste. Good noodles as well. Couple of unique beers. Lots of extras to add to your ramen.
(5)
Rick F.

Tuna, Gyoza and Chicken Wings appetizers all excellent! Singapore Sling and beer excellent. Ramen Special with King Crab Legs good! Noodles were just ok. Service was ok waited a little longer than normal between visits, took a while for the check to come and get returned. Tried to strike up a conversation with the server to get recommendations, not very interested, may have been too busy. We asked for the dessert menu, no menu, two items only bacon and liquorice ice cream both horrible, yuk! I loved the decor, the size and the vibe. The music was loud but we enjoyed it. This is the new hipster spot so lots of great people watching.
(3)
T S.

Delicious and heaping bowl of ramen! Super tasty veggie broth made with shiitake mushrooms. Be sure to get the fried garlic and kimchee on top!
(4)
Diana C.

One word: Ramen Two words: Pork Bun Three words: Aragoshi yuzu sake OH-MY-GOD, THIS PLACE. They nailed New York vibes. The exposed brick and lighting, the hip hop and most importantly, the amazing food. The service was great. I made reservations at 8 pm on a Saturday and was promptly seated despite the fact that it was packed. I ordered the Aragoshi Yuzu Sake first which is citrusy and refreshing and pairs perfectly with the Smoked Salmon Nigiri / Wasabi Caviar appetizer. I also had the Pork Buns which are just... I'm speechless. The buns were moist, soft and the perfect texture. The pork belly was incredible. I would eat these until I needed to be forklifted out of the restaurant. They're that good. I also had a Cilantro-Lime Margarita which was deliciously sweet and spicy. For my main course I ordered the Smoked Brisket and Black Garlic ramen. It has a dark broth but is super creamy and a little tangy. Loads of noodles and brisket. One of the best parts about this place is the kae-dama! You can order more noodles with your leftover broth! You can dress up or be casual at this place which I like. It's really chill and the service is good. Not snobby or rude at all. It is a tad pricey but I think the food is worth it, especially for downtown. I'm shocked that Slurping Turtle is still in business with this place across the street; Ramen San is WAY better than Slurping Turtle.
(5)
Tara M.

We decided to try Ramen-san the other night for LEYE triple point day. We expected it to be average. And average is exactly what it was. I realize that the Melman boys, though they are my age, are targeting a younger demographic. I feel old as hell when I visit their joints, but I still do because I don't care. Ramen-san will definitely be a huge hit/a total shitshow thanks to late night Studio Paris traffic, though the "kids" will probably be confused by the 90's West Coast rap/hip hop soundtrack that they have chosen to play quite loudly. Which was a little awkward in a completely silent restaurant on a Tuesday night. Nothing says Japan like bitches 'n hoes. We sat at a high table near the middle of the restaurant, which was about half full but super quiet aside from the music. I don't have back problems and can literally fall asleep anywhere, but this was one of the most uncomfortable seating arrangements I have ever experienced. Within 5 minutes I was squirming around and my back and legs hurt. The only solution I could come up with was to drink more. Which, of course, is a good solution to all problems. Service was prompt and no frills. and I actually really liked that. Our server was friendly but not overly so, prompt and didn't mess around. She knew that we knew what we were doing and respected that. We were in and out in 45 minutes, which was great considering how much my ass hurt. I had the yuzu sake cocktail. I LOVE yuzu, and it was really good. Simple, clean and refreshing. I will definitely be replicating it at home. We had the shrimp dumplings to start. They were quite salty but in a mostly balanced way. We are both pretty sensitive to salt so maybe they would be perfect to others. It was a serving of 8 dumplings which was more than I expected, but who am I to complain about MORE food!? The ramen was not overly salty. I thought the tonkotsu broth tasted like bananas (so weird, I know), and the pork in it was all fat. That one was a fail for me. The brisket and black garlic was very good. They use brisket from Bub City. Interestingly enough, I don't like the brisket AT Bub City, but in the ramen it was very tender and flavorful. I finished my bowl and I was STUFFED. Like, painfully so. The one part of our experience that is just unforgivable: cigarette smoke. People outside Paris Club were smoking (how Parisian of them!) in front of the Ramen-san door, which was open. The hostess kept going outside, I presume to ask them to move, but never thought to close the door (it was a rainy night, having the door open wasn't adding any ambiance). I guess I have been spoiled since Chicago went smoke free. Bottom line: I will stick with Slurping Turtle over Ramen-san.
(3)
Sammie B.

After having reviewed other comments from the Yelpers (which leaned on the negative side pretty much), I still decided to give Ramen San a try. My server was very friendly and attentive though she was very busy (full house). It was the food that threw off the rating. The ramen was far tooooooooooo salty and overly-priced.
(2)
Stacey A.

First off, the service is really really excellent. Second, the ramen, although made by white people, is pretty darn good. Like, much much better than I was expecting. Third, there will be indie hip hop playing. Bet on it. Fourth, when the manager comes over to your table to see how everything is and basically spends ten minutes shooting the shit with you about various ramen shops in the Chicagoland area, you know the guy has done his damn research. Fifth, I was really expecting to be "meh" about this place and I wasn't. I thought there was a tad too much sesame in the broth but it didn't keep me from eating ALL of my bowl of ramen. I was pleasantly surprised by the whole experience. Seriously and for serious.
(4)
Edward H.

Poser + Ramen = Ramen-san That pretty much sums up this new ramen restaurant. Showing up on a night during the weekend let's you experience the hype and pretentiousness full on. There's a guy at the door next to boarded up windows checking ID's - let's think about this... there, is, a, guy, checking, ID's, for, a, ramen, shop. ????? I guess this is to make people feel they're more exclusive going in as if they were being let through velvet ropes at a club. The boarded up windows and 90's rap R&B works to help some of Gold Coast ballers found inside feel more at home as if they're maybe secretly slumming it because they're having ramen instead of the usual $80 cut of steak. The service from the bartender and wait staff was great. You can tell they've had ample training and want to do their job well. There was a guy in a suit that looked like the manager (or owner?) that was trolling from table to table... interestingly enough, only tables with younger women dressed for the clubs. Regardless of how well service staff did, they were hamstrung having to serve the incredibly bland and subpar broths. The shoyu falls way off the mark - rather than a delicate broth, everything was lost in translation and drowned out by soy sauce. It could easily be confuse as straight soy sauce. The tonkotsu broth was even worse - there weren't layers of flavor found in broths that cook over the better part of the day and was so bland that you'd end up looking for salt (nowhere to be found on the table). Maybe they ran out of tonkotsu broth and had to water it down to stretch it for the rest of the night? I should note the appetizers were very good. They had fresh made pork rinds that were still crackling when they get to your table. My meal finished on a high note with some delicious black sesame ice cream cones. But I didn't walk into PorkRinds-san or IceCream-san so there was little these glimmers of brilliance could do to salvage the train wreck that was the ramen. Ramen is sacred. Hell it's Asian soul food so you better not serve it unless you do it well! Ramen-san missed the mark (and missed the point) from the pretentious ID check to the extremely poorly executed ramen. Skip this spot, there are lots of other places you can get good ramen without the wannabe atmosphere.
(2)
Ashley W.

Amazing music, a Tribe Called Quest Pandora station perfectly articulated. Spicy miso ramen with molten egg and corn hit the spot on a 2Â° day. Service was excellent.
(5)
Jeff S.

The search for phenomenal ramen in Chicago continues. Appetizers like the Cucumber-Uni and Gyoza were great, although the chicken wings fell a bit short (lack of flavor category). The black sesame ice cream is fantastic, so make sure to treat yourself to it. The service was awesome and friendly. But the main draw of this place, the reason for its existence is the ramen, and this is where it falls short: -The tonkotsu (pork) broth lacks flavor - it tastes flat, and is missing that deep richness that tonkotsu is known for -The black garlic broth is far too sweet, which made it hard to appreciate the garlicky flavor that I crave. -The shoyu was probably the most satisfying of the bunch, but I was only able to try a sip of the broth; further trials necessary before I can tell. Having tried Ramen-San during opening week can be the reason for the disappointment. I'm definitely willing to give it another shot soon to see how it fares to my first experience.
(3)
Alicia W.

I really wanted this place to be delicious. I have not eaten ramen since 2010, so my standards weren't even that high. While theoretically the ramen was cooked well, there was far too much flavor in my ramen with too much going on. Ramen should be simple with a few additional ingredients to enhance the flavor of the noodles. But this sesame ramen was far too sweet and salty for me to get through. My friends also ordered different ramen flavors and were not impressed - but got through much more of their dinner than I did. I feel like I wasted my calories! The table was also slightly awkward for 5 people and I barely fit, frequently bumping in to the person next to me. I had to yell to speak to my friends which you definitely don't want at dinner. I'm guessing that the thought of this place was good but the execution needs work, both with the food and ambience. At least the server was kind of nice.
(1)
Annie V.

Its nice that they open late. The mushroom ramen was decent. The food is not that special but still, it'll be a nice place to chill with your friends at night.
(3)
Ryan C.

I have been waiting for my local ramen shop to open for quite some time. After being disappointed I drove to Chicago with a friend to try this ramen place and it was well worth the price of admission and the 6 hour round trip. The appetizers were amazing, from their distinctive take on smoked salmon nigiri that's finished with refreshingly with a cucumber wrap to the uniquely fried dumplings. This however was just a prelude to the piece de resistance, the noodles themselves. I chose the most popular dish, the chashu pork that comes topped off with a soft boiled egg. Words can hardly described the multitude of flavors packed into this dish. The deep, rich, velvety broth was the key to this savory dish. The noodles were perfectly cooked and soaked in all the flavors of the dish. As if great food wasn't enough it was complimented by even greater service. The server was polite and friendly. You go to a restaurant for the food, but you return for the service.
(5)
Hank F.

I have ate a lot of ramen in my life, had it in Tokyo, had it in Osaka, had it in a lot of places, had some great and had some crazy bad. This place's ramen was the worst I have had in my life. The soup was so salty it was bordering on inedible, and the noodles were too undercooked. On the bright side, the buns were good, and the service was prompt but when you have ramen on your signage your ramen better be good. I don't understand how this place is so packed. Maybe its the ambience or perhaps the simple fact that this is the newest ramen place by river north, who knows? However, if you are going here to eat ramen, I would certainly recommend strongly against it.
(1)
Jane K.

Chicago was late to the ramen scene but attacked it with a vengeance unfortunately with mostly disappointing results. I still had to head out to Mitsuwa or Misoya for a decent bowl but I must say that Ramen-san is pretty darn okay. I'd definitely come here for the proximity. Also, the service is super friendly and the cocktails were good. I had the old fashioned and the Japanese whiskey in it was delish, it wasn't masked at all by the other ingredients. My dining companion had some girly cocktail and she looooved it. I recommend this place for the city. I ordered the shoyu with chashu pork and I loooved the molten egg. The others ordered the brisket and sumo bowl. I liked mine best because of the clean and flavored broth. The others would be great for winter when you are craving something fattier and rich.
(4)
Gwen R.

Ramen-San has vibrant atmosophere, attentive service, good food, and nice cold draft Asahi. nice to have Ramen-San around for late night.
(4)
Pablo O.

Very nice place! Exotic food with a good customer service. The only bad thing is that the menu is quite limited!
(4)
Jennie T.

I was excited to try this place out when it had 4-5 stars on Yelp. After trying it out, I can understand why the rating has gone down. I ordered the garlic and beef brisket ramen, though really, I should have probably gone with my default--the shoyu ramen. The ramen noodles itself were alright; I enjoyed it. The broth of my ramen bowl, however, was difficult for me to enjoy. I don't know what it was, and I kind of suspected some weird Chinese herbal ingredient in it because that's what it tasted like-- there was a faint Chinese medicine-y taste to my broth that was very unpleasant for me. The toppings in my bowl were alright; my only problem was that it didn't look very appetizing when presented to me. I don't believe I've ever had a bowl of ramen look so unappetizing. The briskets had a smokey flavor to it, and to be honest, I actually expected the beef briskets to taste like the ones I'd find in Chinese beef noodle soup, so it didn't quite meet my expectation but it wasn't bad either. It was just alright. I didn't quite care for the egg... it was quite disappointing because it was a bit too runny and the yolk mostly disappeared into my broth. The garlic flavor made my broth slightly spicy, which I enjoyed, but I did find the broth to be a bit on the salty side and so I couldn't finish it. Kenny ordered the tonkotsu and I sampled his broth, but I don't remember too well so I won't comment on that. The only thing I remember about it was that it was gingery and that was weird. Overall, I found the saltiness of my ramen more tolerable than Slurping Turtle's, so there's a chance I may return to try the other ramen flavors, but it is expensive here so I don't know. We'll see.
(3)
Natalie N.

Came here on a Friday night for dinner with 3 friends. FUN time:) Loved the vibe- the waitstaff was really friendly, helpful and generally in a great mood. The music was awesome- great playlist of hiphop, r&b etc Food- Delicious apps- tried the tuna and some type of sushi roll-- both very good and fresh. Ramen was also delicious- well flavored broth- great to share with someone else Wings- really good but could have been less fried, more meat *was hoping for a few gluten free options like rice noodles but the server informed me they are looking to get some options ASAP Drinks- awesome old fashioneds! In general-really fun yummy place and I'll definitely be back
(4)
Sarah K.

I came here with some friends who went to Ramen-san often. Whoever did the interior decorating for this restaurant, applaud to you because I was in love with the decor! The bathroom looked so cool. Anywho....on to the food! Three of my friends all went with the kimchi fried chicken ramen while I ordered shitake ramen. Even though the food was a bit pricey, I will say the ramen was delicious. (Kimchi ramen- $16, Shitake ramen- $13) The noodles were great, I just wish it had more mushrooms and the seaweed bits. The broth was not too oily, it was just right. I finished the entire bowl. Some ramen houses make it way too oily and salty! I had a pleasant dining experience thanks to the music, the decor, and the food of course. I also enjoyed the music playlist. They were playing some old school hip hop so the place had a different vibe. Me likey!! The service was good and I would definitely recommend this place to a friend.
(3)
Shruti K.

My boyfriend and I came here on a Friday night and we were seated promptly although there was a mix up in reservations (my fault completely, I messed up dates). We got the cilantro lime margaritas and the chicken bun and spicy schezwan wings to start of. The margaritas were one of the best I've ever had, delicious and refreshing. The bun was delicious with a zing from the horseradish(?) Mayo sauce and the wings were crispy-licious. Spicy, tasty and generous portions (5 meaty wings for $9) we both agreed it was one of the best wings we had had at a good price. We shared the vegetarian ramen (the only ramen that doesn't have pork in it) and by adding the chicken and extra garlic in it, it was the best ramen ever. The vegetarian ramen is made with chicken broth so it's not really vegetarian but I guess it doesn't have meat pieces in it, and so it's not really like the others. I was very happy to know that our server was super knowledgeable and helpful-she very promptly asked me about dietary restrictions and informed me that all the pastes/sauces had pork fat in it , when I asked which of the ramens had red meat. I thought that was really great service along with the fact that she would constantly check on us and the food came out pretty fast. Also, I say that coz I've been to places where they've failed to mention their broth is made with meat. A great experience all round, I would definitely recommend it to all ramen lovers.
(5)
Rui L.

Stopped by Ramensan for their half price Ramen special Overall was a good experience and will definitely come back! The service was probably the best part of the night, out waiter was super nice and, patient and helpful on going over the menu and answering all the questions we have. The food: Salmon nigiri: we all thought there was really nothing special about it and probably won't order again Cucumber & uni: the cucumber is way too salty that we had to eat uni separately probably won't order again... Eel & foie gras: actually worked pretty well together and they did give pretty generous amount of eel for the order Chicken wings in sticky Thai sauce: was a bit too sweet for my taste but I do like how crispy the wings are, maybe I'll try Szechuan style next time! Sumo ramen with extra egg and fried chicken: hmm I really like my ramen with hot broth, but the ramen came with lukewarm broth and tasted very bland in the begging and turned really salty at the end, hmm maybe they have the seasoning in the bottom is the bowl and just pour in the broth? Also the broth is missing some richness for me, maybe that'll improve after they've been open for a while? Everyone else on the table enjoyed the sesame ice cream cone, I thought it was just okay, wish they will offer more dessert selections, at least more flavors of ice cream?
(4)
Sarah S.

who wants to listen to old school hip-hop while eating the best ramen in town?! Super friendly staff too!
(5)
Claire C.

Service was great but it's overpriced and the ramen is mediocre. I would recommend to go wasabi rather than this one
(3)
Miriam F.

Great food, I wished there were more vegetarian options. Server Ilana was top notch! Love the old school music and overall ambiance. Neat way to serve the draft - blast cold in a chilled mug. I also want more desserts but the ice-cream was light and delicious!
(5)
Eumi C.

I am not a particular person when it comes to food. Honestly, if you look at my reviews, I do tend to give 4 or 5 stars because it is good, or 1-2 because most likely, the service sucked balls. The food was good. My friend said that his chicken ramen could have had a deeper flavor. My huge issue (and the reason for 3 stars) was that I ordered an egg, and I was given HALF of an egg. HALF. WHAT?!?! SHA NA NA NA... The service was good, and the best part was the GM came around and asked our honest opinions. My friend told him about the ramen and I told him the horribleness of the HALF egg. He was gracious and listened to everything we had to say. Also, when I was there, there was a big plank covering the window?? Not sure, it might be different now, but that was weird.
(3)
Sir Peppermouth W.

My gf and I were in town and passed by it, thought we'd give it a shot. We were glad we did.. we were pleasantly surprised. We had tonkatsu ramen, and both the ice creams also. It was delicious. Would recommend.
(4)
Casey L.

I am in Chicago with my father from Arkansas to look at University of Chicago and Northwestern, and I was really craving some authentic ramen. When we walked in, I was a little disappointed. The place looks like a really great hipster American food or coffee place, with quasi-rap playing over the speakers. Very cool, but not really what I was looking for. Our waitress was really great, very friendly, very willing to talk about the menu, the restaurant, and their chef. She was the highlight of my meal. Both of our bowls were entirely too garlicky (I had the Brisket and my father the kimchi. Perhaps not the most traditional of their options, but the garlic was still overpowering. I definitely think I would have enjoyed my ramen much more had the garlic been more subtle. The brisket in my ramen was excellently done. Our food came very quickly. Oh garlic, curse you.
(3)
Steve O.

Tonkotsu, beef brisket, Manila clams...all awesome. My favorite is the fried chicken Kim Che ramen that is out of this world. It's familiar, crunchy, spicy and you get that pickled Napa cabbage. This was reason enough to come back two nites in a row. If you want an appetizer, ask Maggie (yes she rocks ... Go Maggie !!!) for the spicy Szechuan chicken wings... Nuff said!
(5)
Ilissa B.

I thought that this place was fantastic - and being that it's only the first week and they still don't have windows, i'm sure it's just going to improve. We had a 9pm reservation for 4. After about 15 minutes of waiting and grabbing a drink at the bar, the manager came up to us and apologized for the wait. No big deal at all, we had good company and were enjoying our drinks - but the fact that he even acknowledged it was much appreciated. After about 30 minutes, he came back again to seat us, and let us know that since we had to wait so long past our reservation, that he put in an order for some appetizers for us. The smoked salmon nigiri was awesome - smokey flavor and just the right amount of heat. We then had the pekin duck bun, the fried chicken bun, and the szechuan spicy wings. All were very good, but the wings were awesome - super spicy and delicious! We each ordered our own ramen (which i will be eating for lunch today, as well). Two of us got the black sesame with the fried shrimp - i thought it was fantastic. The two others ordered the kimchi one, which i tried and really enjoyed the flavor of that broth. They finished with the ice cream cones, but I was too full - and I usually NEVER turn down ice cream! :( Customer service on it's own receives 5 stars. Food was great, service was great, the boys enjoyed their beers, I enjoyed the cilantro lime margarita, but as the others said, the hisanto-san is just a very small cup of juice. Overall, we all enjoyed our meal and will definitely be back.
(5)
Nikki L.

This is a great place to come to if you are looking to get some soup on a cold day and chicken wings. It's a fun relaxed environment with a cool urban feel. They are open late night which is awesome and able to accommodate large parties. I'm sure they'll be seeing a lot of me this winter!
(4)
Chris L.

Sooooo good. Got a reservation at 9:30pm and called them to let them know I was going to be a few mins late. They still held our table and when we got there at 9:45pm they sat us right away. Excellent service right off the bat. Food was amazing. I asked for a rec and the waitress delivered. She asked if I like spicy and I told her I eat it like Godzilla. I got the Kim chee and fried chicken ramen which is so good! Highly recommend it. My friends shoyu ramen was good too. Add the shrimp wontons and molten egg. Got the buns as well but they were just OK. Will go back again. Make a reservation! So hard to get a seat without one. Just opened up last week.
(5)
Angela G.

YUM! I got the fried chicken ramen. Very tasty, spicy, and filling. Good service, nice ambience. Everything I look for in a ramen place.
(5)
Stefanie L.

First of all - I don't really like Raman because I ate too much of it when I was in college, and if you know what I'm talking about, I'm not talking about the fancy kind. When I walked into Raman-san, I was a little bit skeptical, but decided to give it a shot. Once the ambiance of the old school rap music caught my attention, I felt a little more open. We ordered the sumo bowl, which I shared with my friend. It was seriously the best thing I have put in my mouth in a long time. The meat just sort of melted, and all of the flavors were delicious. I also had the sticky thai chicken wings - which had the most amazing garlicy sauce. The only thing I wasn't impressed with is this thing that Chicago restaurants seem to do, where they have a completely open floor but tell you that they're booked solid so you have to sit along the wall, or worse off - turn you away to keep room for the reservations. Take it from NYC, Chicago - eat what's on your plate. You'll serve more clients, you'll make more money, and you'll get better reviews because more people will have exposure to how delicious your food is.
(5)
Alex F.

To be honest, I was a bit disappointed. When I saw the name of the restaurant, I was actually hoping for the real Japanese noodle but this wasn't it. I had the Tonkotsu Ramen. It was just average. The broth was pretty good tho. Aside from the noodle, I also got the Cilantro Lime Margarita and the Pekin Duck bun. They were both very good. Aside for the food, pretty cool interior design and the bartender was exceptional.
(3)
Erica G.

The atmosphere is real cool ,at first it may have seemed like a fancy sit down fast food place but the service and food presentation was surely restaurant style . We had the Saigon chicken wings which were AMAZING ! You might need 2 orders as well as the Brisket Garlic and Spicey ramen bowls. The Vaniila Grapefruit dessert was so refreshing but way to small of a portion. However we loved it. Will be back! Btw make sure you have a server named Ana. She was awesome !
(4)
S H.

Went here since slurping turtle decided to lock its doors almost an hour early... Gyoza app was delicious- nice juicy filling with fresh well textured wrappers. The ramen was ok. Noodle to broth and toppings ratio is off. Also the soup was not hot. Noodles are really good and had nice texture. Could be really good since the flavors are nice but they seem haphazard at putting it together.
(2)
Ashley G.

Went last night, a Friday with a group of five girls. They were extremely accommodating as we were a few minutes late for our reservation. Had a great server, very attentive and helped walk us through the menu. We tried the buns and tuna appetizers, the buns are unreal. The chicken bun melts in your mouth. Everyone loved their ramen bowls. My bowl was a special Green curry and crispy duck! It is spicy but the flavors are right on key. I give this place a must try!
(5)
hanna y.

Ambiance was spot on. A very cozy spot with lots for the eye to explore. The music was great and not too loud for conversation. I got started off with the fried chicken bun Andy friend got the pork belly bun. The presentation of the buns looked promising, but I wish it tasted as good as it looked. The friend chicken bun wasn't as flavorful as I wanted it to be and the sauce that accompanied it was too overpowering. For the main course I got the brisket ramen, which it mentioned the brisket was from bub city. The ramen was too salty for my liking and the noodles seemed a tad bit undercooked. I was not impressed with the food. If I need a ramen fix I'd rather go to oiistar in wicker park. I had high hopes but was sorely disappointed.
(2)
Nick A.

Very rich flavor in the tokanatsu. The black oil garlic in the brisket was a little sweet for my taste. Next time I'll do the tokanatsu broth with the brisket meat.
(5)
Mack A.

First time in downtown having ramen, I have to say this place is a very nice place, food is great, service is awesome, price is a little high but it's in downtown so understandable. Highly recommended to give a try if you are intown!
(5)
Jo A.

As an udpate- they have fixed their once too salty broth, so now a staple lunch spot for my co-workers and I. The lunch combo at $15 is a great value.
(4)
Chris H.

Came here for lunch and liked it. I had the tonkotsu ramen with extra garlic and my friend did the express lunch (half ramen and half rice dish). The express lunch reminded of a bento box without the box. I enjoyed the ramen and thought it was very flavorful. It might have been on the small size. Normally, I feel like ramen is very filling, but this wasn't was especially true this time. I would go back.
(4)
Noble S.

As many of the reviews say, the atmosphere is great at Ramen-san. Great for a fun date, dinner with colleagues, or the start of a night out with friends. The tables are good for a group, and I'd recommend a reservation if going at dinner time. I sampled the pork and shrimp wontons, which were great, and the brisket and black garlic ramen was pretty good. I also sampled the tonkatsu, which was salty, but still a solid choice. As for drinks, the cilantro-lime margarita was a great choice. The cilantro was a nice touch--particularly refreshing on a warmer day. I definitely plan to go back, especially for the late-night fried rice.
(4)
Shardool P.

My experience at Ramen-san left me with mixed emotions and outlook on the place. I'll be blunt out the gate here.... Slurping Turtle is far better. Ramen-san is basically a tweaked Slurping Turtle in a younger, more hipster style environment. That said, I am a connoisseur of many things, but ramen is not one of them by any scale ... yet I enjoy the food at Slurping Turtle down the street better. The only reason this isn't getting 1 star is because the place is pretty cool, great music selection, the ramen isn't bad per se, and if LEYE cleans up this place, it could be a cool and trendy late night ramen spot (bonus points for being open late). I wish my review could have been more focused on the decor/ambiance but it's already too long. I do like the ambiance it's pretty cool and laid back. Me and a friend went on opening night and were able to snag a table right away in the open seating area near the door. It's a little weird if you're sitting in the first row of it though (it's set up as long rows almost like bleachers) because you're staring right at each person right when they walk in so yeah a little strange. One thing we were really impressed by was the -amazing- selection of old hip hop classics they plaid one after another. I don't think one bad song played ... we're talking Common, Q-Tip, BIG, Tupac, Mos Def ... real solid stuff! We started down a strikeout inning known as our opening night meal at Ramen-San with the curry wings. All the ramen looked so good but we finally each decided to order the classic shoyu, with me adding the fried chicken. The wings arrived fairly quickly and were quite good actually ... probably the best part of the meal. Unfortunately we didn't see how they qualified as curry wings, which was later explained on our check because they gave us the wrong wings -- Strike 1. On our last wing, upon looking at it a bit closer in the dimly lit space, I realized it was very pink inside! Strike 2. After requesting the attention of a server they did offer to replace the order but by that time I was over it. Next came the ramen, which when delivered in front of me by the runner almost completely toppled over to dump scalding hot liquid on me and down my legs (I was wearing shorts), had it not been for my expeditious reflexes! Some did manage to drop down and burn me for a second though ... not like a little burn but a pretty decent burn, fortunately there isn't any real damage. STRIKE 3, and I haven't even touched the ramen yet! The ramen was not bad, I felt like there were too many noodles packed in with not enough broth but to each their own. Again I'm not a ramen aficionado [yet]. I also would have appreciated a side of Sriracha to mix in, but our waitress was never around. The heftily priced $4 fried chicken addition was tiny and not chopped up properly so distribution amongst the dish was shoddy. So I guess you could call that strike 4, and then as I mentioned, during this entire episode our waitress was no where to be found for most of the meal. When it was all done and said I was mildly satisfied but considering that every component of the meal seemed to have a pain point, I just wanted to get the hell out of there! So I paid my bill, which was not even partially comped by the way, and left. Correct me if I'm wrong but if a restaurant almost sends you packing to the hospital, they probably shouldn't add insult to injury and make you pay for it?! Shameful. The overall experience was not ideal and they were fairly unapologetic about it which is no way to treat a customer. I've come to expect more from Lettuce Entertain You restaurants, especially being a Frequent Diner and all.
(2)
Michael S.

At 11:45 AM I was looking for reservations for two people at about noon. This place popped up and I decided to give it a try and in the end thrilled that I chose to eat at this ramen shop. I had the sump bowl, which turned out to be exactly what I was hoping I would receive, a giant bowl of flavorful soup to last me an almost 6 hour drive. The brisket and pork were cooked as I like, and the broth was delightfully flavored. The service was fast and there was plenty of seating in the restaurant. The staff was also more than helpful in guiding a fellow patrons choice in food. They even have a nice lunch special that is really a tremendous value. Overall this is one of my favorite ramen shops and I will definitely be coming back here to to try some of the other fantastic sounding items on their menu.
(5)
Carrie L.

I had the Tonkotsu - the broth was very salty and the noodles over-cooked, edible, but not great. The salad-san was excellent tho, the carrot-ginger dressing perfect.
(2)
Leoni C.

I was in Chicago last week with my husband and 2 other friends...we were there for 5 days and I have been craving Ramen the whole time! Got my Ramen fixed on our last night. They made me search for a good spot and definitely didn't regret I picked this place! Smoked brisket and burnt garlic was the best!
(4)
Russ S.

Did I just pay 90$ for two bowls of soup and 4 beers? The fuck is wrong with me
(1)
Brandt J.

Got back here from dinner a few minutes ago; This place was excellent. The service was perfect and the food was very good. The interior is a little crowded but still feels like you and your table have "Space". The decor is sparse in a good way. There isn't windows and the light is kept quite low. The Ramen was great. Very flavorful, just spicy enough to not demand more pepper, and the molten egg was fantastic. Dessert was black poppy seed ice cream, no idea where else I can get this, I may even come back just for this stuff. Drinks were pricey and seemed a little lacking in alcohol in favor of ice, that was a little disappointing. Glad I got to try this place so early in it's life, I'm curious to see where it'll go.
(3)
Mariam A.

I forgot what we ordered but it was kinda spicy Chicken ramen with boiled egg in it. It was absolutely delicious and super flavorful. I definitely attempted to 'slurp' the whole thing, but sometimes it would be so spicy I would choke on it basically haha. I'm not too great at handling spice either so that's another factor. We'd definitely come here again!
(4)
Food Spy S.

I always like a menu that is compact with a few good (and not overwhelming) selections. Atmosphere is casual and hip. Food -- I had the tonkotsu ramen. The ingredients that went into the bowl was good, BUT (sigh) it was extremely salty, to a level it didn't feel healthy (Gatorade to the rescue when I got home). Hopefully this is not the case for all their dishes all the time. The recipe should be adjusted for this.
(3)
David B.

We ordered the tonkatsu and the miso ramen. The tonkontsu tasted amazing. I finished all the soup which I never normally do. The miso was very spicy. Make sure you can handle a higher end spicy flavor. Other than that, the food was a bit pricy but tasted amazing. Will be back in the future.
(5)
Genevieve G.

I admit I was wary at first bc I think of ramen as that crappy cheap stuff you eat in college. But this was awesome! Ask for Betsy as your server! Food was high quality and very flavorful and not like every other pub and steak house in river north. Extra points for originality and 90s hip hop music.
(5)
Lani N.

If you are looking for good ramen at good price range then this is not the place. My friends and I were in town visiting and decided to go here. We had the tonkentsu ramen, the brisket ramen, and one other type, I couldn't remember but all of our broth were pretty salty. Maybe they have their bad days and their good but the ramen wasn't on point that day. The noodle was soft and chewy which we did like. I also had the mantou pork belly, first bite was very salty, the bun was very fatty... was not worth the $5 I had to split out for the bad quality of food. Side orders were tiny tiny portion and they charge $2 extra. Overall, I would go here if I was having mad mad craving for ramen and there wasn't another option but for the quality of food and the price range, not worth my money or my time. They need to improve and make their food more consistent, if they going to charge high then quality must be good.
(2)
Zip T.

Sometime in the past year, after the gourmet burger craze, and gourmet desserts had their moments, suddenly ramen had its turn in the spotlight. With numerous "Ramen spots" already established in LA/NYC it was only time until Chicago followed suit. Ramen-san is apparently one of the "premier" ramen spots in Chicago. The blasting hip-hop music, and hip River North location can't hide how horrible the actual food is at this restaurant. If you are not a fan of ramen to begin with, I wouldn't count on a bowl at this joint to change your opinion. The "Lettuce Entertain You" group is known for their sleek, cool restaurants, and they make sure you know it as soon as you step inside Ramen-San. But once you take away the vibe and atmosphere and try their lackluster ramen, anyone can tell that this place is just a scene. I tried the Sumo bowl and Tonkatsu and was horrified at how salty both bowls were. It was near inedible. At $17 a bowl, it was a complete ripoff. Service was very poor on a Friday night. I don't know what else is left to say about this place, I am willing to give Ramen another shot but maybe at a place dedicated to its food and craft. You will not find that here. If you're looking for a place to be seen and grab a bite that you'll forget before partying out in River North, this is the place for you.
(1)
David C.

I thought it was ok. It's not 100% authentic ramen but how many people know what authentic ramen tastes like? Who cares? Bottom line is is it good? Spicy tonkatsu ramen was good enough. Ordered w side of Kimchee and was better. Salt & pepper shiggin wings were good. Shoyu was ok. Service was pretty good. Ambience was nice. Typical Avec/momofuku woody design. Muzak wize, I'm not all too into hip hop parade but that's all what's going around these days. They are also open late. Overall 4 stars for me.
(4)
Robert K.

Atmosphere and the interior were the first things that caught my attention. Open-air restaurant and bar in river north Chicago; what's not to like about that? The food was amazing. Their duck ramen had a delicious broth and the first duck meatballs i've ever had in my life. I also thought the sauce on their pot stickers was great, although my friends preferred the hot wings. Overall, would definitely come again.
(5)
Dennis T.

The decor is nice but the music is distasteful. People coming in for dinner at six aren't coming to club. I got the pork belly bun app, which was overcooked and dry. The sauce on it was also not very good. The sumo bowl was the worst bowl of ramen that I've ever had at a restaurant. The broth had no flavor, and the meat in it was low-grade. If this place survives, it'll be because people can't see through the facade.
(2)
SouthSide C.

I wish I could give this place 4 and 1/2 stars. My sister and I loved this place. We had sake bombs and big bowls of savory ramen. They allow you to customize your ramen by adding ingredients. We made a reservation and still ended up standing at the crowded bar for 15 minutes but the wait didn't seem long with the music playlist. I can't wait to bring my husband.
(4)
Coleen K.

Ramen San has a great atmosphere, but the food fails to wow me. I love the hip vibe of this noodle place-- exposed brick, communal tables, very trendy. However, their ramen bowls aren't my favorite. Something just seems like it is missing. Came once for dinner, and service was spot-on. Came once for lunch, and not so much... lunch lasted about 1.5 hours, and food took FOREVER to come out. Strange that during a weekday lunch it took this long, especially considering that we ordered off their lunch special menu. Anyhow, I would choose other Ramen shops first before this one.
(3)
Patty K.

Hip and young crowd. We had ramen soups and they were tasty. Side order portions were small. $15 for a bowl of meatless noodle soup.
(3)
Alex J.

Had the smoked brisket and garlic bowl. Great food and music was awesome just played 90s hip hop Nas and Big L. Good people and service!
(4)
Mel C.

I got tonkatsu. Noodles were too hard, broth was not very hot, soup was way too spicy. Nonetheless it satisfied my ramen craving. Not the best ramen place, but not terrible. If you have a choice I'd pick a different ramen restaurant in Chicago. It does have an awesome vibe to it though - dim, projectors showing sports on red brick walls, cool communal tables.
(3)
C J.

Finally went to this place tonight and ordered the smoked brisket & black garlic noodles. Way too salty. The beef was dry as well. Disappointed that this restaurant is not up to Lettuce Entertain You's standards.
(2)
Iris L.

First off, Ramen-san has excellent service. The hostess very kindly told us that there was a wait despite our reservation. That was fine and expected for a new ramen place. Our server was also nice. He joked around with us and explained the dishes. He didn't rush us at all, and he also didn't hover. The ramen, on the other hand, was just okay. I would definitely rank Misoya and Wasabi above, then Oiistar, and then Ramen-san and Slurping Turtle. I got the shiitake ramen with an egg and with kimchi on the side. The kimchi was delicious--pungent and bold. The broth was a bit thick and 1-dimensional, like there weren't multiple layers to the flavor. The noodles were good, as was the shiitake (fresh, not dried). All in all, I am definitely glad it was half price today. My friend also felt so-so about the ramen she got. She did enjoy her margarita and duck mantou bun though. I'll probably come back to Ramen-san in 6 months or so. It's nowhere near the best ramen I've ever had, and I won't be daydreaming about it like I do with Misoya. However, I think Ramen-san could benefit from some more experience, feedback, and time. I have high hopes for this place.
(2)
Molly C.

I really like this place. The food is good, fun and upbeat atmosphere and casual. I will be returning!
(3)
Yi Y.

Almost the worst ramen restaurant I had been visited. They may focus on decoration more than the food, but I say the food (ramen) is the foundation of the whole conception. The restaurant even called itself with the name *ramen*, I won't think they deserve this name. And super pricy based on this quality. If you want to have a real ramen, DO NOT PICK THIS ONE.
(1)
Michael S.

Awesome food. Pork buns = !!! Ramen = !!! And we came in for lunch on a Friday and it was busy. Definitely good place to eat some noodles.
(4)
Casey T.

WORST RAMEN PLACE IN CHICAGO!! I always eat ramen and love it! But this was a horrible experience, would never recommend this place to anyone!!! Horrible ramen place, we sat here for 40mins waiting while 8 tables were open, the community seating which was first come first serve had a wait time also which I didn't understand. Management obviously doesn't want to make money here, reservation times are an hour and a half, which is insane for ramen who takes almost 2hrs to eat ramen?? If you want to wait 2hrs for a table that will be open the whole team then come to this otherwise you can go to a better ramen location where they won't make you wait til the reservations won't show up... WORST RAMEN LOCATION IN CHICAGO!
(1)
James W.

I stopped in during opening week with some friends when all the ramen dishes were half off. We didn't have reservations but were seated within 25 minutes or so. The restaurant is located next to the Paris Club and apparently was converted from the old Paris Club bistro lounge area. It definitely gives off that lounge area vibe. Conversation-dampening hip hop music blares from the speakers and the only windows are boarded up so darkness reigns. It's also a bit cramped so I wouldn't come with too large a crowd. There are tables for four lining the walls along with a bar area and communal tables squeezed into the center. I ordered the Tonkotsu ramen. To me, what separates average ramen from Tanpopo-caliber ramen is the broth. The flavor should capture the essence of pork while the texture should be almost cream-like. Unfortunately, the Tonkotsu broth at Ramen-san tasted watered down and it was much too salty. My friend ordered the Shitaake ramen and said that it was equally just as "hypertensio-licious." The ramen noodles were also a bit chewier than I would have preferred. At opening week half off prices, I could recommend the ramen at Ramen-san. However, at full price (~$13 a bowl), the bowls are bigger at Slurping Turtle nearby in River North and the ramen is much tastier at Wasabi (without any of the above-mentioned issues) if you're willing to travel to Logan Square. I ate at Wasabi a few days after going to Ramen-san and I could immediately tell that there's just a better class of ramen at Wasabi. In conclusion: Ramen-san, I was served at Wasabi. I know Wasabi. Wasabi is a friend of mine. Ramen-san, you're no Wasabi.
(3)
C C.

I was in Chicago for vacation and passed by this restaurant so thought I'd give it a try and was really disappointed. ordered the schezhwan wings and they were awful. Incredibly salty and drenched in oil. It was so bad I couldn't finish. I also had the tonkotsu Ramen. The tonkotsu pork itself was ok but the rest of the Ramen. .... SALTY. SoOoOoOooooo salty. I didn't end up finishing either dish I ordered. For the price I had to pay I would rather spend it somewhere else.
(1)
Jet S.

Pretty good, trying to do something different. Very overpriced for ramen noodles. Atmosphere is just okay.
(3)
Christine T.

We came here for dinner after happy hour at 3 dots and a dash across the street. Meh... there are better ramen (authentic or fusion) options so I would not recommend unless you are geographically limited to 1-2 blocks radius. The noodles themselves were good, but the broths were too salty and fatty.
(2)
Brandi F.

So... I had seen this place on SOSH several times and was excited to try it because of the "hip hop" vibe. I paid $8 for parking and was ready to eat. I ordered the beef brisket noodles and it was ok. This place is very expensive and they don't give you a lot of food. The entree I ordered was $15 when it should have been $10. I would say the high priced food is due to the location of the restaurant. Sadly, I won't be coming back here. Ever. Again. High Five Ramen in the west loop is CHEAPER and WAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY BETTER and the portion size is definitely worth the money (2 people could easily share a bowl of their ramen). I gave this place 2 stars simply because the music is excellent and my waiter was nice and very cute (haha). Otherwise I'd say take your $15 and go to high five ramen.
(2)
Roy P.

I stumbled across this place with a friend and I'm glad we did! The menu is not over whelming and during lunch hours they have a type of quick pre-fixed menu (you still choose what you want though) that makes it much easier to decide! I forgot our servers name but I know he was from Seattle was very informative and helpful during our lunch. Overall, a great spot especially in this cold weather! PS. they were playing Nas & Common throughout the restaurant, great food and great music. Done!
(5)
B S.

I ordered Tonkotsu Ramen,and was very disappointed. These are reasons I did not like. Noodle was undercooked ( was still half raw ). Soup does not have any Tonkotsu taste at all. Chilli oil is not supposed to use for Tonkotsu soup. Cha-Shu Pork smells too strong star anise. This place is "OK" for Ramen beginners, but "Absolutely NO" for Ramen experts
(1)
Rose Kz K.

I was looking for real Japanese Ramen, so very disappointment. Obviously, it's Chinese owner's ramen store which pretends Japanese. Chopsticks are cheep Chinese. Cha Shu pork is seasoned with Chinese extra herb.( terrible for me) The taste is from a ramen set from supermarkets. If you are a Japanese, you know the quality. But it's good atmosphere to have drink.
(2)
Sarah S.

EXPENSIVE ramen but good ramen. The broth is extremely flavorful-- I would recommend the brisket.
(4)
Tiva T.

Hipster ramen spot. Good music, ok ramen. My ramen was served at lukewarm temperature. I thought this may have been a fluke, but based on other reviews that does not seem to be the case. I might come here again if hungry, but there's always Slurping Turtle (better) or Strings (best).
(3)
Don G.

The meal i had here was great (i've been here twice), the service was friendly and the atmosphere was very nice. I definately enjoyed my experience.
(4)
David H.

Skip this place if you are a serious Ramen lover. The broth is mediocre. Meat and all is um ok. The place is aesthetically cool. But that's not what counts when it comes to Ramen.
(2)
Farrah W.

Been here twice and the food and service are excellent. The dishes are creative, delicious and plentiful. They also play the BEST music, I'll be back!
(4)
Reagan C.

Good noodles. They had really great service and even brought a side of noodles and chop stick helper for my little niece. I had the pork ramen and the broth was very tasty. Great place to jump of state and Michigan ave of you are down here shopping. Cocktails were very tasty. Had the cilantro margarita. It was sour and flavorful instead if sweet which was perfect.
(4)
Sara L.

LOVED this place. Cute, casual atmosphere with old hip hop playing. The ramen was delicious, and I was tempted to order another bowl! Yummy.
(5)
Maria L.

Excellent ramen !!! I'm a ramen lover and this is by far one of the best on the nation . Ordered the lunch special and it was absolutely delicious !!!
(5)
Julie L.

Good service but mediocre ramen. The sumo we got was not very tasty but the hamachi Kama and Szechuan wings were good. So go for the other food
(3)
Eddie S.

I've been to Ramen-san a handful of times since their opening, and I can tell you they have only gotten better with age. The depth of flavors in their broth have improved since day 1, but the great toothsome-ness of the noodles is still there, as is the quality of the pork. I love me some Tonkatsu ramen or, if I'm really hungry, the Sumo Bowl. Also, the late night fried rice served after 10pm sounds simple but tastes spectacular. For a great refreshing beverage on a warm summer night, the sake bomb is a must. Its super tasty and a lot of fun to see people slamming the tables to get the sake to fall into the cold Asahi. I've heard Ramen-san has a great lunch special deal now, so really you can go there for lunch, dinner, or late-night (they close at 2am on Fri and Sat) and enjoy some of the best, and most accessible, ramen in the city.
(5)
Justin R.

The whiskey, sake, ramen and sticky buns were all excellent. Living in North Florida, I'm deprived of these offerings, so my 5 star rating could be zealously overcompensating.
(5)
Bryan M.

I used to live in Chicago and was very happy to see a new Ramen spot when I came back into town for the night. Came in late night at about 11 pm on a Tuesday night and it wasn't busy at all. We got the late night fried rice and it was amazing. I got the spicy miso and I would definitely get it again. I had two revolution IPAs also a day my check was about $40. This is a cool fast service ramen joint and I would come back again. Our server Anne was friendly and was able to joke around with my friends and I which was fun. The only down fall was that it tasted better going down than when it came out the next morning.
(4)
Tanmaye B.

I found my go-to spot for ramen! Been here several times and they consistently deliver! The staff is friendly and helpful, the exposed brick and subtle lighting make for a pretty cool vibe, and you can jam out to old-school hip hop while you are waiting for your food! I usually start with the saigon style wings and an ice-cold asahi draft.. the wings are particularly awesome, lots of spicy-sweet flavor. The buns and the gyoza are also delicious. I usually stick to the shoyu broth with some chashu pork added in.. the broth is a perfect balance of tangy, salty, and savory, yet still pretty light. The tonkotsu is a great option if you want something a bit heartier & a thicker broth. Highly recommended, can't wait to go back!
(5)
Elizabeth D.

We loved this place! The food and service were wonderful. I was impressed that they had a vegetarian soup based option that was incredibly delicious! The salad and pork bun apps were great, too!
(5)
Jason P.

Late night Chicago in summer. Listening to Summer time, by Will Smith, along with other 80-90's hip hop music. Front doors open, asahi beer, crispy lamb fried rice with egg. I'm sure someone good at haiku, could make sense of this. Not me. I just enjoy the yummy food.
(5)
Cos L.

I dont love noodles/ramen. I know, I know, then why did I go to a noddle place? Well I'm glad I did! Great food, great music, great drinks and awesome service!! Even if you aren't a fan of ramen, give this place a try!
(4)
Ali B.

Got the lunch special with a group of friends on a weekday. It was awesome we all loved it! It was my first time having ramen but I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Mica G.

Noodles are important to me. They are such a comfort go-to for me and I am always happy when there are more solid options sure satiate my noodle lust. the place__ I think the interior space creates a nice setting for some casual or serious noodle slurping. Eclectic/Industrial modern with Asian accents. Wood, pipe & stone. It reminds me a bit like a place I would see in NYC. I'm a little thrown off on some of the Chinese elements in the place like the chopsticks and the tray the checks are delivered on, but maybe that's a subtle shout out to ramen's origins. It's not a big room. Very square, but it seems to accomodate couples to larger parties decently well (at least during the non-peak hours I seem to go there at). the food__ I haven't explored much of the menu outside of the ramen, but for the next time, I think I'd like to try some of their buns. The bowls I have had are the Tonkatsu, the Brisket & the Sumo. The Brisket (which uses Bub City brisket I think) has become my preferred. Overall it's a nicely balance bowl of ramen. The noodles hold the broth nicely and the other accoutrements in the dish add nice subtle textures and taste accents throughout the slurpsperience (Big yum goes out to the molten egg in the bowl!). The Tonkatsu is nice too, though I've been digging the shoyu broth lately. I do wish they served their bowls a little more steaming hot. The Sumo bowl I believe is served with extra noodles and a lot of everything. Pork & Brisket etc, etc ... I think they'll need to work on this one a bit. I like the idea of this sort of "garbage" bowl, but I'm not sure it works for me here. Additionally, I think all the extra stuff may cool of the broth a bit too quickly. the drink__ I think they may have the most Japanese Whiskeys I've seen yet in a Chicago establishment. Loads of them. I had a taste of their take on an old fashioned. I personally didn't like it that much as I felt the Yamazaki Single Malt was a little overpowering for me. I did enjoy a nice dry manhattan there. I also had a draft of asahi beer with creamy frozen foam. *sweet!* the staff__ I really dig the staff here. Helpful, knowledgeable and down to earth. All of the managers I had interactions with were really enthusiastic and genuinely excited about the place and the offerings. The barkeeps I encountered have been stellar as well. All in all, I think this is a solid concept and welcome addition. Well done Mr. Melman. Again... One thing I kind of wish they had was an open kitchen where I could see the chefs slingin' noodles into my bowl. Oh well ...
(4)
Jo E.

I am giving 5 stars to both; food and server. We had the tonkotsu ramen and fried chicken appetizer tonight and they both were excellent. Service was exceptional; the hostess' recommendations were dead on and our server, Adam S was perfect. Can't beat the price especially for its location where they are surrounded by $$$$ restaurants. Both my wife and I will be back whenever we come back to Chicago.
(5)
Meg S.

Went with a group of 6 girls and started with the raw tuna appetizer and hamachi which were both super tasty. We all got different ramen bowls and they are huge, no one came close to finishing. The spicy miso is seriously super spicy, my friend had a hard time eating it (really tasty though). I ordered the kimchi fried chicken ramen and thought it was really good and just the right amount of spicy. My roommate ordered the tonkotsu which was really savory and yummy as well.
(4)
Patrick C.

Excellent ramen shop! Went there for a late night dinner and was not disappointed. The service was quick. Ordered two of the buns and they were excellent. The ramen was good and I would definitely visit again if I'm in town.
(4)
Izzy N.

"Gray ramen: what's up with that?"-Nishan P. Agreed one of my dining companions, agreed. What IS up with that? I've made pork broth before and it comes out clear not like this gray murky shit. Perplexing to this table of Asians for sure. The only other gray stuff I can think of is fermented fish or shrimp paste but I know it isn't in this. I don't think white people in river north would be down with that. Fish sauce already scares them. I wanted to ask our server but we were ready to go and she was elsewhere. Service is great by the way, as is at most LEYE restaurants I find. We all chose the pork broth, fried shrimp, buttered corn ramen. I added in the fried garlic, molten egg, kimchi and noodle refill. Heck yes! But no, it sucked hardcore. First off, it's very salty. Blech. I poured some of my water in my bowl twice to make it tolerable. Loads of salt does not equal flavor people. The broth had no nice balance. Just salt. The molten egg is a dollar to add in. That shit better be cage free, organic happy, magical eggs because you only get half of it. So two bucks for both halves? Oh hellll no. 24 bucks for a dozen eggs? It's not even that expensive for a dozen at Whole Foods, and that's the organic, local, cage free, vegetarian diet eggs! Trust me, I buy my eggs at Whole Foods. Kimchi.. Meh. Corn?! You get like a teaspoon of it, I'm not even exaggerating here cuz I had to fish for that shit in my bowl. Bamboo shoots?! My all time favorite!! I had to fish for that too and you get two small pieces of it. Dude, it's like under 2 bucks for a huge can of bamboo shoots at an asian store or are the chefs here afraid of people not being able to handle this thing that asian people call bamboo shoots? At least they were generous with the noodles. I enjoyed the noodles but it got to be difficult for me to finish given the broth's saltiness. For the refill side I should have just ate the noodles with just a small ladle of the broth for seasoning. Thanks a lot for making me bloat hardcore tommorow morning ramen-san. We also had the smoked salmon nigiri and raw tuna with sesame crisps as apps. The smoked salmon was good but the raw tuna was regrettable. Waste of stomach space. They have great cocktails even though they are tiny. The hisato- san was a party in my mouth. I was excited to have another ramen option in the neighborhood because I'm not a fan of slurping turtle and union's is okay.. This place is about mediocre at best. Barely mediocre fushiony ramen. When people exclaim omg it's authentic.. Surely you jest. Surely. That's gotta be what you call sarcasm. Whoever is cooking this shit in the back needs a lot more practice or get some more cooking lessons. Not joking. The shame.
(2)
Tianji L.

The set is so good! If you wanna a best Japanese lunch special in downtown. You have to go Ramen-san
(5)
Marcus W.

Delicious lunch choices served quickly and piping hot. Totally affordable. Neon and brick interior reminds one of Tokyo. Only gripe: rock/pop/urban tunes are too loud!
(4)
Matt R.

Great food, great whiskey selection and great atmosphere. I cant remember specifics but I know I got a pork ramen dish with some kimchi and garlic and it was fantastic. I didn't know anything about Japanese whiskey and I was amazed at how informed my waiter Joel C. was on the topic. He recommended the Taketsuru whiskey since I wanted it on the rocks and I definitely loved this drink. Definitely a bit pricey (came out to $71.28 before tip for two entrees, appetizer and 3 drinks, but definitely worth it in my opinion. My girlfriend got one of the spicy dishes and when she found out it was too spicy for her (they actually mean it when they say spicy here so unless you really want to sweat stay away from the little devil faces) and they replaced it free of charge. Will definitely go back again.
(4)
Chris W.

Came here for my first real ramen experience, and I was not disappointed! Staff was friendly and helpful, restauraunt was nice though very unassuming from the outside (no signage to identify the restaurant, just the name on the door) I took our server's advice and had the special, and it was fantastic! If I was going to be in town longer, I would stop in again, and if I find my way back here I will. Highly recommended!
(5)
Patricia J.

Sooooooooo NOT good :( :( I stopped by here during opening week and the ramen is definitely not authentic nor tasteful. It's like slurping down a bowl of salt water - emphasis on the salt. There are much better ramen places in the city. The location is great but the food is just not up to par. *sad face* One star only goes to the cute little ice cream cones you can get for dessert.
(1)
Amanda S.

The best ramen I have had in the city, hands down! Killer cocktails, great selection of Sake, and really good 80' to 90's hiphop! The staff is super nice too!
(5)
Regina F.

With the trend of ramen spots hitting up left and right, I'm definitely skeptical and don't have high expectations. Added that this restaurant is part of LEYE, my expectations were definitely nowhere near high. But, my experience was beyond disappointing and unsatisfied. Both my cousin and I ordered the shitake (veggie) ramen. When the server came, first and only thing we noticed was DARK liquid, and smelling the SALTY broth before the bowls even being placed onto the table. Everything was so salty that we couldn't even taste our noodles to our veggies, and lack there of. My cousin wanted to pour her water to mix with her broth. Aside from the sodium overload, the portion size was stingy, definitely nowhere as half the size as the other numerous ramen spots I've been to. Only had four or five small pieces of tofu and a few small pieces of shitake, which really was one whole piece of shitake, just cut up in tiny pieces. Being vegetarian, I am familiar with many chefs using salt as flavor in veggie dishes, which is cheap and annoying. But, I promise that this was so salty, you might as well drink straight from a soy sauce bottle. My cousin and I also notice the couple in front of us didn't finish their noodles and also made comments on the salty broth. One was also shitake, and the other was with chicken. Only upside was that service was nice and friendly. And since I was left dissatisfied and disappointed, I didn't want to wait for change, and ended up over tipping my server. I also want to note that since it's part of Paris Club, do not expect this place to be intimate and to converse with the loud music and possible sharing tables. I'm sure the few families with infants that were also there weren't expecting the whole clubby vibe either. With the horrible taste and cheap tiny portion, $13 a ramen was definitely not worth it. And even if this was complimentary, I'd rather grab a sandwich and chips from any convenience store down the block.
(1)
Kristin M.

Went recently with an out-of-town friend and appreciated her willingness to try something off the beaten path--(like no deep dish pizza, etc.!) Not knowing a ton about 'authentic' ramen spots in Japan, it was hard to judge Ramen-san in that respect--but it did seem that Lettuce Entertain You was going for a specific vibe and decor--very dark inside; no noticeable outdoor seating; bench-style communal seating; small space overall. We took the server's suggestions (great service) & ordered two different ramen dishes--the shoyu w/ fried chicken (sliced on top) and the vegetarian shiitake one w/ a molten egg added (next time I'd add a couple eggs vs. just one). Both were very hearty portions and delicious!! We needed to-go bags since, though we were hungry, there were still plenty of leftovers. We tried a few of the cocktails--their take on an old fashioned, a cilantro-lime margarita, and the hisanto san (FYI no wine on the menu--guessing this is in keeping with an 'authentic' menu). Next time I go, I'd like to go with a larger group to be able to sample more of the menu since the portions were pretty hearty. However, we did have room for desert (as per usual) & loved their sesame ice cream... served in cones with a chocolate ganache of sorts at the bottom. I would highly recommend saving room for the ice cream and/or stopping by just for the ice cream and a cocktail. I'd recommend Ramen-san to anyone wanting an atypical Chicago dining experience that's approachable, casual, and fun.
(4)
Laura M.

Just ate at this place...we're going to be regulars! It's in River North in a trendy, exposed brick space. There was a delay with our reservation since people who had their checks were just sitting tight. The manager and host totally made up for it with a free appetizer and beer. Everyone who works here (except the mute barman) is awesome. Our server, Joel, was perfect. We got the salmon roll and gyozas to start which were delicious. We also got a chicken and pork belly bun which were ok. The ramen...oh my! So good! The special (with pork shoulder) and the brisket one, were both fantastic. The staff, and the ramen, are spot on.
(5)
Amy L.

I had really high hopes for this new Ramen joint. The noodles were good, but the broth, which should be the star of the show was so salty I couldn't finish my bowl. In many Asian cultures, a sign of a good soup is when you can lift up your bowl and drink every last drop. I could barely finish my oily, salty Tonkotsu broth. In addition there was barely in any pork. We also ordered the Saigon chicken wings which were very oily and the lemon grass and fish sauce over powered the wings themselves.
(2)
I P.

Pretty good ramen! I don't eat ramen often so I don't have many places to compare it to but their spicy szechuan chicken wings have awesome seasoning and their chicken broth ramen - shio were my favorites. I actually went 2x in the same week because I enjoyed it so much in this cold weather! I wish they had more chicken broth ramen options as usually they are beef/pork broth based usually.
(4)
Mark S.

Great neighborhood lunch spot! The music was enjoyable, the waiter was friendly and the miso salmon was delicious!
(5)
Tianni W.

finally, a decent ramen place in downtown chicago. tried the tonkotsu and the Peking duck mantou. texture of the duck is not quite there, but it did well to satiate my hunger as I waited for my ramen. on to the ramen: tonkotsu broth was well seasoned (a tad too much garlic imo) - but the broth itself was not stewed quite thick and flavorful enough, so there's no "I want to finish this even if it kills me" sensation that I get from some of the best tonkotsu broths I've tried. the noodles have a good texture, though it's still preferable if they were made fresh in house. chashu had a good balance of fat and lean meat, and the portion was just nice. I'm also really glad that they went with the molten egg instead of hard boiled (like santouka) overall, I'd go back to try some of their other ramen. and the pork belly mantou, since the chashu turned out well. hope they get the ramen trend rolling in Chicago! oh and please, get rid of the chopsticks.
(4)
Darrin D.

I enjoyed everything I ordered and will be going back to try a few different items. I had the spicy szechuan chicken wings, a fried chicken mantou bun, and the smoked brisket & black garlic Ramen.
(4)
M K.

I have mixed feelings about writing this review. I want to rate this high, because this city is in need of more (good) ramen places.....I kept on mentioning how a place as new as them needs ANONYMOUS FEEDBACK CARDS to improve (unfortunately, having someone ask you whether you liked your food doesn't cut it), but alas I'll resort to putting my comments here. First off, I'm so glad that I was able to score a half-off deal....but I'm not going to let that bias my overall review (e.g. I'm rating as if I spent full $$$) In order to measure up to the top ramen places, the first thing Ramen-san really needs to get absolutely right is their broth. From the very first bite, it was #1 WAY TOO SALTY, and #2 NOT THICK/COMPLEX enough (e.g. a bit on the watery side). I think they need to take a page of notes from Wasabi, who has this down almost to a T (i.e. daikokuya in DTLA is the best so far imo). For me, the biggest gripe is the saltiness. Almost every other ramen place, I can down the soup like no other.....unfortunately, this place, I stopped eating the noodles with the soup, and just ate the noodles by itself. My eating companions agreed (eventually). Fortunately, fixing this is very easy. There were a couple other little things here and there. The noodle is a tad bit chewier that I would like, but still not bad. A few of my pork slices were on the drier side, but I think that was just unique to me (so I'm not deducting for that). Eating the ramen made me crave for some dessert, so I had their vanilla and black sesame ice cream on a cone. That was actually pretty good, and I'm super glad I had that to cap my dinner. Overall, I hope this place succeeds (and incorporates my suggestions). For the immediate future though, I won't consider myself a regular. =(
(3)
Robin W.

A-OK is about all I can say here. I got the fried chicken bun and the shoyu ramen. Both were okay but nothing spectular. The ramen was a little low on broth and the noodles were more like ramen from the grocery store than authenthic ramen noodles. Regardless, I still finished my bowl, but that was more a reflection of my hunger than the quality of the ramen :) The restaurant is open late and if I were hammered, that would be some great soup. Sober? Just okay. Also the music was great! 90s hip hop BUT very loud. I was screaming at my friends to have a conversation. I think this place fits the neighborhood, but I wouldn't make it a go-to destination for my next ramen fix.
(3)
Debbie L.

I really do want to rate this place higher. The service was phenomenal but there was something lacking that makes it more unique than other ramen shops in Chicago.
(4)
Sean M.

I ordered the kimchi and fried chicken ramen along with the salmon nigiri with wasabi caviar as an appetizer. The salmon was decent. The ramen was done well. The noodles were Tokyo style (wavy noodles). The broth was spicy (more so than the spicy miso which I also tried), and the spiciness complemented rather than dominated. The kimchi was fresh and a good addition; the fried chicken didn't add much. The temperature of the soup was hot, but not as hot as one tends to find in more traditional noodle shops, where the hot soup plays into the sensory experience. I'm giving it an 8 on my 10 point (non Japan) ramen scale. Saturday afternoon was not too busy so seating was no problem. It's one of the better ramen places in or around downtown and is worth going back.
(4)
Sarah O.

Nice atmosphere -- cool, fun music, but not crazy loud. Server was attentive but didn't rush us. Menu is brief, but I really enjoyed the tonkotsu. Best of all, not overly pricey.
(5)
Jon C.

Always great to see another Ramen shop in this somewhat lacking town. Especially one in River North. I'll keep it simple with five points (I had the Sumo): Meat: AMAZING smoked brisket. Tender, overflowing with flavor. Noodles: perfect consistency and texture. Fixings: great variety of add-ins and the egg was nice and runny. Broth: pretty good, but a bit on the salty side. My FiancÃ©e (who's definitely a self-proclaimed Ramen snob) thought the pork broth was slightly lacking in flavor. All the same, I thought it was tasty, just a tad salty for my preference. Bottom line: the dÃ©cor and vibe is hip, food is a bit pricey (though you always pay more in this hood) but I was definitely satisfied with my ramen. Maybe they could tweak the broth a bit to get some more flavor infused, but overall it's worth checking out. I'll definitely be back! Side note: the manager Amarit did a great job of checking in to see how guests were enjoying their food. Seemed very open to honest feedback and making everyone's experience good. Nice to see the management care so much, cause I'd love for this place to succeed.
(4)
Margi G.

Fantastic service and great food. Ramen-San has been open for 6 days and they must be doing something right, since there is a steady flow of people just in the short time I have been sitting here. Food is served fast and hot. Best if luck to them...
(5)
Zack M.

I feel like I am beginning my ramen journey a bit backwards, as ramen-san was my first spot (meaning to go to Santouka, oistar and wasabi), so I don't think I'm fully qualified. That said, it was good. Tonkatsu was quite solid, at least broth wise. Some notes were a bit more focused in one area than another (garlic heavy on one bite, then salty) but were very good regardless. Would have liked a bit more chasu, but I wasn't shocked by that in river north. At least for the 50% ramen. Everything else I feel could be $1-2 cheaper. Meaning +corn in the ramen could be a gratis option? Bring dumplings down a dollar. 10 for a well-made old fashioned isn't terrible in the neighborhood, but that price for premade drinks not involving the otherwise friendly bartenders seems rough (especially when the knowledge is around to do a significantly better singapore sling, aka down the street at 3dots). Super cold asahi is nice at a fiver. I'd go back if I needed late night bowl of noodles in river north, which could very well happen. Yet as a spot for itself w/ non discounted prices it remains to be seen whether this could drive me here over better spots.
(4)
Gregory S.

Great experience at Ramen-san. For only being opened a few days, there were no hiccups or issues. The service was great, our server took the time to not only make recommendations on some of the smaller plates, but also discuss in detail each of the ramen soups. The drinks were great; however, I think they were a little pricey given the portion size (very small glasses). The apps were delicious, we got the peking duck buns, two of the chicken wing plates (which were awesome), and the tuna avocado (so-so). The ramen was great (miso-sesame, black garlic) but maybe could have used a bit more broth - plenty of noodles and other condiments though. Definitely will go back!
(4)
HyoJeong Jenny J.

The worst ramen I've ever had in my life!!! Please save your money and get yourself a Mcdonalds or Chipotle. The ramen is too salty that my lips hurt after eating it.
(1)
Alex H.

Best ramen I ever had!! The atmosphere was great and staff were all friendly. A great place to go after work with some friends for some good food and drinks
(5)
Leila T.

This place was great. Awesome ramen bowls. The chicken buns were amazing. Surprisingly really full after eating those two items. The ramen bowls have a ton of noodles and most of these pictures don't do it justice. Very unique place and great atmosphere too!
(4)
J C.

Interior: Love the loft space. Very cool bar with those Japanese cats and I appreciate how open it is to the street. A little hot though. Food: delicious. But Better than slurping turtle? Probably not. Service: relaxed. I like that. And I like that you get your own table. I hate communal tables. I will be back since the location is convenient for me.
(4)
Elin K.

if you are eitherJapanese or Korean ramen lover, please do not go to this place. I just had brisket ramen and it is the worst ramen I have ever had. Salmon nigiri for appetizer is very fishy and I could not eat it without wasabi.
(1)
Caroline M.

I was very excited to try out this place but won't be back. First of all, I wanted to order the lunch special, but do not eat chicken or pork so asked if I could get it with the shiitake broth instead. The server said he had seen a button for that one the micros, but that he had to go ask. He then came back to inform me that no, that was not an option. Really? They even had an option for it in the computer! Also, as a former server at a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant I know that the (at least former) policy had always been to make exceptions for dietary needs. Accordingly, I had only one option on the menu - the full bowl of Shiitake Ramen. The soup wasn't horrible, but it wasn't very good. Very salty with a random crazy amount of spice that popped up every once in awhile. Not worth the price, and there are many other places to get a solid bowl of ramen in this city.
(2)
Helen H.

My hubby and I went here on Sunday evening. We had smoked salmon nigiri which was ok and chx wings which was good and flavorful. I had brisket black garlic ramen and my hubby had sumo ramen.. Well.. Just two words.. Not good.. The broth was too thick and way salty.. There was what it seemed like pork belly .. Was just too fatty The broth was just weird.. Thick and salty and yet flavorless.. I don't think we are coming back here. The service was great though.. Our server and hostess were very pleasant
(3)
Khalil H.

Took the sumo bowl, and my brother took the tonkotsu, the broth was way too salty. The appetizer was good. Not really worth the money you pay,
(1)
Debbie I.

Wonderful service and friendly staff. Ordered the Tonkostu Ramen best I can say is it was ok. Being from the suburbs of Chicago and someone that doesn't come into the city often would I return again - no.
(3)
J. C.

Went to Ramen-san for a post work dinner with a couple of colleagues and really enjoyed it. The Raw Tuna appetizer was extremely good (and I consider us a good judge of raw tuna) and the spicy Miso Ramen was perfect. The prices are a bit higher than some Ramen places, but the atmosphere was worth the extra $1. We arrive about 8:30 on a week night and there was still plenty of people, atmosphere and energy. We also tried the Singapore Sling (good) and the Old Fashioned (great). Added bonus was that the front windows of the place open all the way up, so even though we were indoors, it had an alfresco feel. We'll be back.
(4)
Sarah Z.

Late night fried rice with the egg is legit. The appetizers were just okay. The service was lacking a bit. We were greeted promptly, but after our food was ordered we didnt see our server again until we waved her down for our check. seemed a bit pricey all things considered, but definitely not bad for a newer spot.
(3)
Stephanie L.

Overall, it's good ramen. The space is comfortable and the staff was friendly. Our server was attentive. We had drinks within minutes of getting a table. My friend and I had two different ramen bowls. He had the duck special.he broth was extremely sweet and the duck meatballs tasted dry. I don't recommend the duck ramen. Unfortunately they didn't have duck buns available. I had pork broth with brisket. The broth was so good but the brisket was more fatty than meaty. It was good and I'd recommend eating it. I've had better ramen, but I'll definitely go back. Honestly, I'd give a 3 but the pork broth is delicious so I give a 4.
(4)
So D.

Like any Lettuce restaurant they are high on design, which is always nice. Ramen is pretty decent by Chicago standards, really no better or worse than just about any other local ramen places. Pretty much same noodles, basic broth, same ingredients. Fried rice special was way to wet, not so good. Cold Asahi draft in a frosted glass, excellent, pork bun also fine. Again, no better or worse than just about any other ramen in Chicago.
(4)
Tyler P.

Surprised with some of the ratings here. Cool place. Unique atmosphere. Excellent food. Reasonably priced.
(4)
Harmon W.

Expect a long wait even if you have reservations since this place just opened up in super hot River North. Appetizers are in my opinion the highlight of the menu, definitely go for the cucumber & uni or eel & foie gras rice bowl (actually decently sized). The pekin duck mantou buns were alright but not spectacular. Asahi pints on tap for $6 probably one the best deals on Hubbard St. Got the shiitake ramen with egg and brisket additions. Additions were brought out separately and late. The mushroom broth was pretty bland and the ramen texture was not up to par. Comparable to Slurping Turtle down the street. Come here to relax at the bar or high top tables for appetizers and drafts, not if you're looking for a high quality ramen
(2)
Jocelyn W.

My first experience with real ramen was at Ramen-San. We were walking around, trying to pick a place to eat, and a couple locals pointed us in their direction. They were totally right. The ramen was great, and it was decently priced. The atmosphere was great. I mean, they were playing Wu-Tang the whole time. It was definitely a more casual restaurant. Our server was very nice and accommodating. I'm currently craving their ramen right now. Definitely a place to check out if you're in the area!
(5)
Hyunsoo S.

Good service, below average food. Pork belly buns are good, skip the wings and you really can't screw up fried dumplings. Most disappointing is the ramen. Our group of 8 ordered pretty much every ramen on the menu and reviews were either meh or not good. The problem is the broth. The beef brisket broth is bad and the kimchi one is average. I really wanted to love this place but probably won't be back.
(2)
Ogbonna H.

The music is phenomenal. The pork ramen was flavorful and the old fashion was superb!
(5)
Kevin P.

This place is pricey for the quality of ramen you get. I give the ramen 3 stars, 5 stars to the pork belly bun, 5 stars for the atmosphere (very hip place with a nice bar). The price for ramen is here is ~$18? if you add a few toppings to your ramen, which is way too much. You can get much better and cheaper ramen at Santouka. Check that place out! a large bowl is about 8-9 dollars and it's one of the best ramen you'll have in US.
(3)
Jet L.

Remember the 10 cent ramen you used to have in college ?? Now add $60 to it. Bill for two people popping in for an app and some ramen $62. Ridiculous for what you get. Not with it and will go get some pho like usual next time Pass
(3)
Eric M.

Food tasted great unfortunately the ramen was served warm and not hot . The place is rather neat but a bit cramped. My daughter enjoyed the skirt steak. Will be back soon to try other stuff that they offer
(4)
Jane A.

Took our dad here for his birthday and he loved it. There was a rowdy group that yelled at us when we walked in that was kind of rude but we were seated at our table on time without a problem. The manager was incredible and came over to us with sincere apologies and comp'd appetizers. Incredible customer service- we were really impressed and it was greatly appreciated.
(5)
Dianna S.

Went here last night with a friend of mine and was not completely impressed. The ambiance is fun and the space is kind of cool. The service was good although a little slow. The appetizers were incredible. The fried chicken bun was awesome and there was some kind of sauce with it that made it kind of sweet and tangy. The pork belly bun was also delicious. The Saigon Style wings were out of this world. Then on to the ramen...Unfortunately the buildup to the ramen was the best part of the evening and we were both sadly unimpressed with the ramen. The noodles lack that authentic Japanese flavor. I don't know how to describe it, but there is a flavor my friend descirbed as malty that we both felt like authentic Japanese ramen noodles have. I've only been able to find noodles in Waikiki that could replicate that flavor. Slurping Turtle comes close and is definitely the most authentic I've had but still lacks some of that flavor. My friend had the Tonkotsu ramen and it was aggressively salty. Not so salty that it wasn't edible but definitely pretty salty. I ordered the Spicy Miso and although the broth was pretty good it was pretty spicy which overpowered the flavor a little and there was very little pork in it. So all in all, I'd definitely go back for the buns and wings and to try some of the other apps, but probably not ordering the ramen anytime soon. I should add that someone who's never had ramen might be impressed by the ramen here, but if you've been to Japan and are looking for authentic Japanese ramen, this is not your place.
(3)
Robert Z.

i like it. 90s hip hop playing and good shitake ramen. ice cold asahi. what more could i ask for
(4)
Thomas D.

Came in a week after the grand opening on 5/12 with my fiance. We each ordered a bun and a bowl. She had the peking duck bun and I had the pork belly bun. Both were pretty good, the pork belly being fried crispy instead of steamed and with a decent meat portion on each bun, so we were both happy there and my fiance uncharacteristically enjoyed the pork belly more than her own bun. For the bowls, I got the brisket and black garlic while she got the one with the shrimp in it. The portions were not as generous as other ramen places for about the same cost ($11-&16 depending upon selection), but it is still a big bowl of noodles and broth, so you'll not go hungry. The flavors were just flat and the presentation was unappetizing. GF's ramen had a black, gritty broth that looked like it was made with black beans. This black, opaque and gritty broth discolored the ramen and the shrimp, making both look dirty and unappealing. The shrimp also had issues, being butterflied along its width instead of length, making it an overly wide piece that was difficult to neatly bite. As well, it was not breaded in tempura, so it was weird having a soggy piece of "normal" fried shrimp. For my own black garlic and brisket, the meat was very soft and tender, though the slices were balled up instead of being discretely distributed in the dish, so I had two loose meat balls instead of slices of brisket. Other than that, my dish was the better of the two though it still lacked depth. Service was very friendly and attentive -- almost too much so. Rather than having a large cloth napkin, tables have a napkin holder with small, disposable paper brown napkins that the staff would snatch from the table the instant they left your hand, even reaching around me to get a napkin I'd placed in front of me and under my arm. Total for two cocktails, two beers, two buns and two bowls? $84. Just seems a bit high priced for the quality. Overall this continues LEYE's trend of not really being able to grasp good Asian food while they obviously trail on the coattails of larger food trends.
(2)
Jessica F.

Absolutely wonderful food. Stopped here on a visit to Chicago and loved it. My wife adores the Tonkotsu. I really enjoyed the brisket bowl. The molten egg is a great addition to any bowl. Their broths are drink the whole bowl good. Will definitely come back next time I am in the area.
(5)
Yvonne O.

I really like this place, and I can be picky about my Japanese food since I grew up on it. I love the atmosphere in this place as well, with the high tables and pipes to rest your feet on. We went with the express lunch, which for $15 gets you a smaller bowl of ramen (still huge) and a rice plate along with a salad (sans nasty ginger dressing!) and small thing of kim chee. We also ordered two buns to start -which came out like tacos and were quite spicy. I had the duck one and my friend the chicken - which was slathered in spicy wasabi mayo. The ramen I got was the standard broth and I added some shrimp wonton. Then I went with the steak rice plate. My friend got the standard ramen without add-ins and the miso salmon. He thought it was all good - along with the Yuzu lemonade. I'm glad we took a cab over - and made a stop at Firecakes for dessert afterwards (across the street). This whole meal was about $60 before tip, which is not bad for the quality and quantity we had!
(4)
Jessica A.

I was very excited to try a ramen place since the husband and I love ramen, but I was left a little disappointed. Came here on Friday night to have as our wedding dinner. We decided to go with the special that night and I honestly couldn't tell you what kind of meat they used, but I nearly gagged on it and it tasted down right horrible. It was very dry and very crunchy, not something I'd expect in ramen. There wasn't much else to it but the noodles and broth were good. I might give this place another chance but it was very expensive for two people.
(3)
Bibi S.

I never met a bowl of noodles I didn't like, until Ramen-san. I was excited about this new ramen joint, even braved the long wait when it opened up. Clearly, no one would be stupid enough to open up a restaurant in River North that served bad food *and* had little to offer on the ambience side, right? Well unfortunately, Ramen-san was both. We ordered the tonkotsu and shoyu ramen, as well as the buns (pork belly and duck). Like all the other comments, yes, the tonkotsu broth was lacking body, seemed watered down, and attempted to cover this up by adding a lot of salt. The noodles had the texture of what I imagine chewing on rubber bands would be like, and the garnishment just seemed cheap and less robust than most other ramen places. My biggest issue is with the pickled ginger. It packs too much of a punch against a flavorless broth, and seemed like a cheap ploy to add something interesting to the lackluster noodle bowl. The buns were boring, lacked flavor. Some nondescript sauce was squirted on it, for no apparently purpose other than to be a "sauce" of some kind that did nothing to save the blandness of the pork belly mantou bun. as for the ambience, i get that its supposed to be trendy and different, and maybe the wood is supposed to channel real japanese ramen joints, but its hard to get away with something that looks like it took so little effort to build out, in river north, charging river north prices. I walked by a few weeks ago, the place was totally empty.
(2)
Rob S.

After just eating at a supposedly better Ramen shop nearby I have to say Ramen-San was far superior. I had the traditional tonkotsu and it was rich and creamy like it should be. The presentation was also worthy of an Instagram. The decor felt very modern n cool without trying to hard. Ramen-San is the best noodle shop in the neighborhood.
(5)
Val C.

I got the lunch combo, with a half order of ramen and a protein (marinated salmon). The combo also has a little kimchi and a salad. My companion just got the full ramen and was jealous. The ramen's broth was murkier than I like, but I will try again and maybe try a clearer broth.
(4)
Ryan F.

I went here last night with a friend, had a drink at the bar while I was waiting. The bartender was friendly but seemed like he would rather be doing something else. We were then seated at a communal table. We ordered the wings, which were delicious! We both ordered Ramen and the house beer. The Ramen was excellent, full of flavor but a bit too salty. I thought the server could have been a little friendlier - overall great place.
(4)
Lakesha C.

The ambiance was decent and the bartender was very nice, however, the ramen was terrible. The menu is limited and as a vegetarian, my only option was the shiitake ramen. The noodles tasted like the cheap ramen from the grocery store and the mushroom broth was less than flavorful. My partner ordered the tuna sesame appetizer and thought that it was decent, but had a similar experience as I with the Shoyu dish. Furthermore, the food was over priced for its quality.
(1)
Annie L.

I had a great experience at Ramen-san. The atmosphere was very lively and welcoming, and the service was on point. For the appetizer I enjoyed the pork belly mantou: a delectable balance of fatty pork, soft pillowy mantou bun, and crisp greens. The tonkatsu ramen was also solid - flavorful broth, noodles cooked just right, and served with a delicious molten egg and nicely executed char siu. However, the broth was too salty for my taste, although other commenters have complained that there needs to be more salt so it may be a personal preference. I also wish that I got a full egg instead of just half because it was such a great addition. I sampled their desserts and thought the sesame ice cream and vanilla gelato were wonderful, and the yuzu sorbet was very refreshing. I'm definitely looking forward to trying more of the menu next time I'm in town!
(5)
Madeleine D.

So, I rarely review here for many reasons, most having to do with the yelp system, but I could not hold back after my experience with Ramen-san today. My co worker and I ordered ramen to go and were blown away when it arrived. It was beautifully presented and everyone around regretted not ordering with us. I had the sumo and she had the brisket. When I opened the broth it smelled so amazing and poured over the display of meat, noodles, vegetables & garnish like silk, with little bits of tofu working their way through the noodles. Every bite was a delight. We will definitely be ordering from Ramen-san again very soon!
(5)
T L.

Went for the first time today and had the spicy miso ramen. The broth, like others have said, is too salty. The ramen is overpriced (although I can understand the higher prices because of location). Take your money and go to Wasabi or some of the other ramen joints.
(3)
K B.

Tuna appetizer was really good. Service was horrible, our server lost our order and then brought out the wrong ramen orders after we had been there for an hour. Ramen was nothing special, and way too salty. Not worth it!
(1)
Brace Y.

Beautiful day in Chicago looking for a bite before shopping. No patio but they did have open windows/doors that was a nice touch. Cilantro Lime Margarita was very good and refreshing with a sour kick. I love the crushed ice they use. Pork belly bun was good, crispy pork belly w/kimchi pickles and spicy mayo. Hamachi crudo was okay not a lot of flavor. Shrimp and pork wontons were good. They were steamed and a lot of dumplings in 1 order, like 10? We ended up putting a few in our ramen. Tonkotsu ramen and spicy miso ramen wasnt the best but it hit the spot. $1 for 1/2 an egg is ridiculous though, should at least be the full egg! I would come back here for a quick bite, the service was fast and our waitress was nice and upbeat without being annoying or too hovering. AND there's a free Ms. Pac Man, Donkey Kong, Frogger, Galaga arcade table in the back!
(3)
Mrs P.

I came in here late night right before they closed the kitchen. We had great service and ordered some awesome apps. The music and atmosphere add to the great time I had. The only complaint if even to be considered one was that the cocktails were on the smaller side, but was delicious though.
(5)
Karolina S.

Loved the decor! Great job on interior and super cool, loud music. We sat at the bar and order sesame ramen, raw tuna and sesame ice cream for our food and got asahi draft in ice cold glasses! Also Singapore sling and cilantro Margarita. Sling was little too sweet. Couple things that i didnt like and gave only 3 stars was because bartender who took care of us wasnt too friendly. As we ordered out drinks he didnt say a word and just places them in front of us... Was expecting a smile or at least some "here are your delicious drinks". Also bar stools was very unconfortable... I know that ramen places shouldnt be a hanging around place but when you spend $60+ for a ramen, one app and couple drinks you expect people to sit and enjoy it. One of the guys that worked on Sunday at the bar ( but wasnt the one taking care of us) (shorter guy) was pleasent and came twice to ask how was everything, smiled at us. Will be back and try other things on the menu and will hope staff will be more welcoming! Good luck
(3)
Zestlife V.

Funky music, ambience and amazing food! Will 've back here again and more hungry! Went in for a late lunch and it was empty, so we got lucky and special service. Had the mushroom ramen. The umami flavor was through the roof! Vegetarian friendly too.
(5)
J H.

Really disappointing experience. I tend not to order spicy food at restaurants because certain types of spiciness, chili sauce I think, just totally numb my mouth to all taste. And hurt. And later on I get sorta sick. When I want spicy I make it at home and make sure I don't run into chili sauce. Well i only saw one hot pepper option on the menu and avoided it. I ordered Shoyu ramen. I've had shoyu ramen tons of time in America and Japan, it's not generally spicy, just savory. Unfortunately I either misread the menu or they royally screwed up my order, because my ramen was literally drenched with chili sauce! My first bite, I thought uhoh, looked down and saw the red sauce...I figured they had just put in a dab. I was so starving I started wolfing it down and halfway through realized nope, the whole bowl is DRENCHED. So I didn't really taste a thing. I got to enjoy a flavorless bowl of noodles and some bathroom funkiness later on. Extremely disappointed and I wish they had put a hot pepper by this? It's not something normally spicy and I hate feeling like a wimp but chili sauce makes some people sick. Anyway maybe I will come back and try again. The service, space and appetizers were all great, I just wish I knew wtf was up with my ramen. My friend ordered another type of ramen and did not have this problem.
(3)
Nicholas K.

We had the smoked salmon nigiri, which was tasty. I prefer this kind of nigiri wrapped in nori, however, but that is easily overlooked with the flavorful salmon. The cucumber was refreshing on a warm day. The ramen was most disappointing. We had the tonkatsu ramen and the smoked brisket ramen. The tonkatsu was the better of the two. The broth was more thick than rich and way too salty. My wife and I have spent time in Japan and know ramen well. My smoked brisket ramen was not good. The broth was also quite thick and also very salty, and it simply had too much going on. The black garlic, said to add extra umami flavor, overpowered all other ingredients and left a unpleasant lingering aftertaste. The brisket really didn't add anything to the dish and I felt I should have had a ramen with pork. The other ingredients just got lost in the mix. A more simple, cleaner, broth would have been so much better. It is a nice place and has a good bar. Service was a bit slow, but not bad. However, they just don't deliver on the ramen. There are many new ramen options in Chicago now, which is a good thing. So, we probably won't return here.
(2)
Alex P.

Sometimes, looking at the menu, you order a dish that says its spicy and don't have a second thought. Now, coming from someone that loves spicy food, I will tell you that this is some insanely spicy ramen! I had to chase it with an immense amount of water. One of the things I love so much about Chicago is being able to get food like this in the middle of the night. It's right next to all the bars and clubs, so after you've had a few too many, this is an excellent spot to sober up with a filling meal. Not to mention, warming up with a hot bowl of ramen is one of the best things you can do before heading into the cold. And who knows, maybe the burn of peppers in your mouth will make you forget about the wind gust pounding into your face...
(4)
Vero Z.

Cool ambiance. Friendly staff. Highly recommended. Lunch special is a fantastic deal and portion size was perfect. You get a medium size ramen, rice & meat dish, salad, side veggies. We had the salmon option, the skirt steak option, and both had the tonkatsu ramen. Everything was cooked perfectly, flavors were delicious. We had a couple of the desserts too, a fresh made donut dish and a loaded shaved ice dish (I think they change them seasonally?), and they were delicious! If you have a little room for dessert, do it! Really cool vibe and ambiance too. Nicely designed space and they play old school hip hop, it blends in perfectly. Great place for a casual lunch or dinner, a date, or something like a birthday dinner. Cool bar too, looking forward to trying some of the drinks next time. Will definitely come back, looking forward to it!
(5)
Ken P.

Delicious! Cool ambiance. Super friendly staff. Highly recommended. Lunch special is a fantastic deal and portion size was perfect. You get a medium size ramen, rice & meat dish, salad, side veggies. We had the salmon option, the skirt steak option, and both had the tonkatsu ramen. Everything was cooked perfectly, flavors were delicious. We had a couple of the desserts too, a fresh made donut dish and a loaded shaved ice dish (I think they change them seasonally?), and they were delicious! If you have a little room for dessert, do it! Really cool vibe and ambiance too. Nicely designed space and they play old school hip hop, it blends in perfectly. Great place for a casual lunch or dinner, a date, or something like a birthday dinner. Cool bar too, looking forward to trying some of the drinks next time. Staff is very friendly and welcoming. The manager, Amarit, came over to say hello, and the rest of the staff was fantastic too. Will definitely come back, looking forward to it!
(5)
AJ K.

Lettuce Entertain You (LEYE) has created a trendy, enjoyable ambiance - as they tend to do - with food that's a bit... too safe. Not much complexity in the broth flavors, but overall serviceable execution of ramen. It's the service that distinguishes the restaurant from others though... Amarit- the manager - is incredible and should write the book on customer service in restaurants. He catered to our questions about ingredients and preparation style with an enthusiasm and expertise that cannot be equalled. We ordered 2 ramen bowls- the pork broth and the soft shell crab - which were both pretty good. I preferred the pork and my wife the crab, so it worked out nicely. Our 2 year old was with us and they catered to her very well. She loved the pork ramen as well.
(4)
Monty W.

River north hip ramen bar I've been wanting to try Ramen-San for a bit ever since they partitioned the Paris Club space. Ramen in Chicago has finally taken off with competition erupting from every Asian concept that starts up. Ramen San plays 90s hiphop music which gives it a little edge. The space is minimalist, with wooden common seating high tops and fixed stools taking up at least 70% of the restaurant's seating. Seating is what I would term Japanese efficient, utilising and maxing out the available space to comfortably jam all eaters in. Not recommended for younger children as high top seating is not ideal for children. The host and servers are quite friendly and knowledgeable, having a passion for food and hospitality. My review is based on an odd time for dinner ~4-5pm on a Saturday, with outdoor seating along the sidewalk. I highly recommend seating outside if the weather is good, as the prop up umbrellas offer enough shade and you could appreciate the vibe of Hubbard street. The server had just finished a bowl of double pork fatty ramen. His description immediately caught my attention as I saw the depth of his love for that dish. His stomach was still singing praises for his sustenance! haha The menu is fairly simple, not much to choose from, as its on simple white printed paper. If you arrive for lunch specials, you get a little more variety for the same pricing ie half bowl ramen, with a rice dish. I'm a fan of variety and trying so I regret having bypassed Ramen San for lunch time. They do have fried rice after 10pm, which is my kind of place, minimize food waste. I had the recommendation of the double pork fatty ramen. It was loaded with green onions and thinly sliced cabbage. Underwhelming as far as the topping went as it was just green onions and five pieces of crispy pork shoulder. The pork had good crispy texture, but lacked depth of flavor. The broth was and thick. But was not deserving of "I must drink it all" emotion. The tonkatsu ramen had three slices of fatty goodness, which was quite flavorful. The soft egg helped round it out. Bamboo shoots were canned, which is disappointing as there is plenty access to fresh bamboo shoots in this region. (it makes a difference to quality). Seaweed made it more authentic. An unusual addition is the chili oil which was not a welcome guest to the topping party for me (though I do enjoy spice, I rather heat it up on my own accord). The broth a bit too salty for my taste. To summarize, its a hip, trendy ramen house in River north. Depth of flavor is not there, but is still pretty good. I really like the noodles which vary from one shop to another. If I happen to have another ramen crave while walking downtown, I wouldn't mind checking it out again. Ramen-san does not make it on my all-time "my must go to list." Service is good and the atmosphere is there.
(3)
Bill S.

Honestly I felt that all of the ramen bowls I tried on the 3 times I've been here are too spicy. And even though I told the waitress to be easy on spicy I still felt it was too much. Regardless, their appetizers are weak as well, very small and unusual selection. Moreover, very confusing menu and higher end prices. I only liked the chicken tacos which I can't recall the actual name. Also music was very obnoxious its like urban rap at an Asian restaurant. Felt outta of touch. Don't see coming back in the near future.
(3)
Ann H.

I have been at this restaurant a few times and the best value is by far the lunch deal for $15.00 where you get ramen noodles, a protein on rice, salad and cucumbers. It's definitely fair portioned and gives you a good sample of of their various dishes. The first few times I ordered ramen here the noodles and broth were extremely salty. Almost as if they added MORE salt to the dish before serving. I'd have to drink a load of water after eating ramen here. I've since learned that if you say, no extra salt it comes perfect! just a small tip for the ramen in my experience. As for my favorite ramen bowl - it's the SUMO bowl. So tasty!
(4)
Adelisa L.

The pork buns were amazing! Very unique. I loved the atmosphere/feel of the restaurant. The music was underground hiphop (all songs I liked) We ordered the Kim-chi fried chicken ramen (spicy) and sumo bowl. Both were delicious. And the staff was friendly. It wasn't too busy for lunch on Saturday. Definitely going back!
(4)
Karina C.

Delicious! It was my first time eating ramen (real ramen) and I was excited! I had the duck ramen bowl that was the special that day and it was amazing! I kinda wish I had one of the spicier ones to see how spicy it really was. Service was amazing and I think the price was very true to what it is. I am definitely not a connoisseur I this topic, but I'd recommend this place.
(5)
Charlene M.

Great atmosphere and great service. The braised beef Raman contained the perfect blend of spices and adding the buttered corn really finished it off! I also ordered the crispy chicken bun which was sensational. I think I could of eaten about 4 of those and been all set for lunch.
(4)
Diane W.

Of all the ramen places that I have tried, this place is on the bottom of the list, if you can just walk a couple feet to slurping turtle. This place is very Americanized and just not flavorful. I ordered the molten egg appetizer and spicy miso ramen with an added egg. The molten egg had American cheddar cheese on it! It was literally just an omelette, but it's suppose to be this creamy, saucy, egg dish. Also the ramen soup flavor was decent but the noodles were too overcooked, my friends also thought the same thing and we all ordered different dishes. If you're looking to try ramen for the first time this would be a good starting point, but for you picky eaters, I wouldn't recommend it
(2)
Julianne Z.

Ramen Ramen Ramen Ramen - this place had decent ramen for the price. I think the best part of the spicy ramen i got was the fried chicken. If you get any ramen, definitely get one with that fried chicken because it is crispy, delicious and not oily. I also recommend getting the buns - I got the pork belly and chicken. This place is delicious and right in the north loop area!
(4)
Doug W.

. The veggies were delicious. My wife ordered the salad San and it was good, but the ginger dressing was a it salty - surprising - but good nonetheless. Highly recommend stopping in. Our server was awesome. If you go, be sure to have a look at the waving cats above the bar.
(4)
Amanda M.

I was skeptical coming here as I heard from quite a few people about their overly salty broth. However, I actually quite enjoyed my ramen. Our group of three was seated promptly Saturday evening around 6pm. Our server was great and checked on us when appropriate. He was very nice and helpful. I got the tonkotsu with fried garlic and kimchi. The prices are a little steep for ramen, especially as not much toppings are included, but it is River North. It is a part of LEYE, so always nice to be able to rack up some points. It would have been nice if they listed everything that was part of the ramen (assorted veggies). Overall, I thought it was quite tasty. I thought the chasu was very good and had a nice char on the outside while still being very tender. The broth was not too salty. The molten egg that came with it was only half, so that was annoying. The fried garlic was a nice tasty addition. I also liked the soft seaweed. While I enjoyed the ramen, the abundance of ginger strips was overpowering and kinda ruined it for me. Overall, this place was much better than I thought it would be and wouldn't mind coming back, but certainly not dying to do so.
(3)
Sawlani C.

Beyond amazing. Great service, great food. Even the salad tasted better than any other restaurant I've been to in Chicago! We had the salad, tuna, and salmon rolls for appetizers, all of us had beers (the moody tongue lemon beer is fabulous!) And then we all had 4 separate bowls of ramen, along with the late night noodles.. SO AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS! couldn't get enough of it all. Had to finish what was in my bowl because otherwise I would've been wanting more later on in the evening! After 10pm is the way to go with RamenSan and honestly I can't wait to return ... not to mention the incredible ice cream dessert comes they had! Toasted sesame seed and matcha ice creams... beyond perfect. Thank you.
(5)
Sunny W.

Love coming here for lunch! I always get their "Express Lunch" for $15 which comes with a small bowl of ramen (2 choices: pork or chicken) and small bowl of donburi rice (3 choices: skirt steak, salmon, or something else). I also add a pork belly bun for $5 which is one of their popular items and really tasty! Pros: + Fast in-and-out: whole lunch experience can take 30 min + Good seating, indoor and outdoor + Decently busy but never packed full that you need to wait + Good location in downtown + Open really late (though I've never tried dinner) + Good choices of Japanese beer like Asahi + Ramen tastes great and the food quality has been pretty consistent Cons: - Really can't think of any... Like any ramen place, the price is a bit higher than average for a "lunch" (expect to spend over $10). ** Note: Their website says the Express Lunch is only offered Mon to Fri from 11 to 2 p.m., I've gotten the express menu on weekends and was able to order it with no issues still.
(5)
Ali C.

The food was alright, nothing spectacular. Too salty. The reason for the three stars is that service was very good making up for the mediocre food quality. Not sure I would return. The XO dumplings were certainly too salty and too greasy.
(3)
Lindsley A.

I don't get why this is only 3 1/2 stars, this place is freaking AMAZING! If there were only more stars for me to like this! It was great knowing that this place was open late, I came here with my bf and friends after seeing that this was a highly recommended place on buzzfeed, this had to one of the top places for me to visit! The menu is just a page which is great, which helps indecisive individuals like me make a quicker, easier decision. The back side of the menu has a great description of everything that each soup has or something that you could add on to. I really liked that part of the menu, because I always question what certain items of the food are, so that was a great help. I ordered the Sumo Bowl which had a bit of everything. I actually wanted to order additional items with my soup, but luckily our waiter had advise me that it came in a big bowl and had everything. Whew was she right! Had pieces of pork belly, beef brisket, and of course an egg that had some a topping of spices on it. Oh my gosh, what I would do to have this again and in florida! Waah!! The broth was perfectly seasoned, noodles cooked just al dente (yeah, yeah I know it's not an italian pasta, but that's the best way to describe it :D) My bf ordered the noodle special (forgive me, I forgot the name) all I know was that it was REALLY good! It came with beef brisket, peas, and mushroom. Oh my gosh, if they still have it available order it! You won't regret it! The spicy schezuan wings were also good! If you love wings and spicy food, this is also a great hit! Now, if you read my tip, at 10pm and only 10pm order their fried rice! It's also SOOOO good! Love this place! Service was great, located on Hubbard and near to other restaurants and bars, definitely make a stop here. Awesome place!
(5)
Jonathan S.

Decent ramen, pricey sake. I've had better and worse, not very authentic Japanese but an A for effort. Nice atmosphere, clean. The noodle bar at most large casinos is WAY better.
(3)
M H.

Decided to grab some ramen to go after a long work shift, and was pretty disappointed. It had cooled off a lot by the time we made it home and not as flavorful when we mixed all the ingredients together and warmed it up. We decided to give it another go and dined in a week later. The food was amazing. We had the Kimchi and Fried Chicken ramen and Sumo Bowl with cabbage substituted for noodles. Everything was great. There was also classic hip hop playing while we were there , which no one seemed to appreciate but us and the staff, awesome vibe nonetheless.
(4)
Xia Z.

Not a kid friendly place. Luckily the couple of tables outside on the sidewalk were free because it was so humid out and we could park our strollers there. There was no handicap access that we could find. The food: not your typical ramen from the package. The noodles were hearty egg noodles. The broth was simply amazing and tasted very homey from scratch. The toppings were plenty and delish! Think carefully about the broth and what your taste preferences are. I got the braised beef ramen bowl with an egg on top as a side add on. The broth was the braised beef broth, which was too thick for my preference, but the other bowls my companions got were perfect. The service was perfect! Very friendly and helpful. Loved how everyone worked together. Very pricey for a bowl of ramen, but considering the prep time for each item, it was reasonable. A once in a long while type of experience.
(4)
Sally Y.

A group of us came here for a team dinner, and I was very happy with the location choice. The ramen was delicious (I got the kimchi fried chicken), and the various buns were amazing. I wasn't the biggest fan of my drink (matcha bees knees), but it was the first time I ever had matcha, so that could just be the reason. Service was great, and the ambiance fantastic. The space is small, which I appreciate, the lighting dim, and the ambiance of the restaurant is busy. Also, their version of spicy isn't very spicy at all if you're a regular spicy food eater, so don't be shy. Definitely a good place for ramen, and located in a fun spot if you wanted to hit up a bar afterwards.
(4)
Emily H.

It was early March. I had just gotten into Chicago. I was cold and hungry and decided to walk the block around my hotel to see what I could find (aided by the Yelp app, of course). Imagine my glee at finding a ramen restaurant right in front of me. A steaming bowl of noodle soup sounded FANTABULOUS considering I was losing feeling in my nose from the windchill. And happily, Ramen-san delivered. I left satiated, warm and happy. To start, the servers were happy to explain the menu, which, considering it was lunch time, included the Express Ramen Lunch for $15 -- a half bowl of ramen with one rice plate and small salad. I opted for the the skirt steak rice plate at the recommendation of the server and the shio ramen, which is chicken broth with an egg, tofu and nori. The skirt steak was a pleasant surprise. It was a tender piece of steak on a stick, over white rice with a large pepper on top. I'm not usually one for peppers but this gave the steak just a little kick. The rice was also soft but not overcooked. And then for the ramen, I loved the saltiness of the broth, especially on the cold winter day. The noodles were also well cooked, and I loved the egg. All in all, this was a hugely satisfying dish. I also got the pork belly bun. I'm a bit of a pork bun fanatic. That's something I wish I could find more of in Louisville. This pork bun -- considering it was made with a strip of pork belly -- was a bit fatty, but I loved the softness of the bun and the sauce they put on it. And as mentioned in some other reviews, this place definitely seemed hipster-tastic. Not sure how authentic this is. For what it's worth, the white-to-Asian ratio among the staff seemed to skew more Caucasion. That's not to say the food can't be good or authentic, but this isn't a hole-in-the-wall tiny ramen house run by some 80-year-old Japanese guy and his family, who has been making ramen for generations. This place was a bit spacious, had a cool vibe, played some great music over the speakers and, perhaps, is capitalizing on a food fad. But they're succeeding at it. I ended up walking back to my hotel with a full belly and warm from the inside out. I think I curled up with a blanket back in my room afterward and reveled in the comfort. I was definitely in a post-meal happy place.
(4)
Leen W.

A Chicago native and my best friend from college decided to take us to "noodle" place while on our first visit to Chitown. In my head I was like "Noodle" Place @$#!^_^ what in the world.... But Boy! Does this place surprise you or what!!! I had Kimchi in chicken broth Ramen with fried garlic and buttered corn. My husband had Ramen in pork broth with fried pork and fried garlic. I'm sold over their Ramen in chicken broth with kimchi. Ir's worth trying their chilled Sake.
(5)
Kris J.

As a frequent traveler to Japan, I have to say this is by far one of the best ramen places outside of Japan I've been to. The service is always courteous and attentive even when the restaurant is full (which it almost always is). The food is fresh and hearty; the noodles always with the proper firmness. An ice cold Asahi is the perfect accompaniment to the ramen, although a bit spendy at $7. The authentic Japanese condiments are much appreciated. I highly recommend the express lunch which comes with ramen, a rice dish, and salad for $15.
(5)
E. F.

I'm splitting this review on service and food. Ramen San isn't quite a three star to me, but Yelp doesn't do half stars, so I'm rounding up. Service: Spent the day running errands and shopping and walked in for a late lunch and the hostess was a bit pushy about sitting at the bar. I asked to sit elsewhere and hr pushed further about having full service at the bar. The place was empty, can't I sit where I want since I have shopping bags?! Alas, I didn't want to press further and walked over to a bar spot. The bartender was friendly and helpful, but he was busy because the bar had several patrons. Food came quickly and everyone else was helpful. Food: Ordered the tonkotsu ramen. The boiled egg was cold, like refrigerated cold at the yolk center. A bit strange for ramen. The noodles were okay (Wasabi is much better!). What people have been commenting on about salt is true. Three hours later and I'm still looking for water! Nothing great. There are so many ramen choices now, so go elsewhere if you want better ramen and dining experience.
(3)
Nicole L.

Showed up on Friday evening without a reservation. Found out they were fully committed and our only option was the communal tables. Looked a little cramped, but we were gonna go for it. Hostess worked some magic and got us into a two top table! We started with the Spicy Szechuan wings which looks amazing upon arrival. Unfortunately...they were painfully salty. We let our server know and in no time a manager was over to us apologizing/ thanking us for our feedback. Hopefully they've fixed that or it was a one night mistake, because the flavor was definitely there. She was also quick to offer us a different appetizer (tuna poke type thing) that was amazing. We both ordered ramen of course and it was so delicious. The noodles were perfect and still had a little bite instead of being mushy. I wish instead of only getting 1/2 of a molten egg it came with a fully egg. Will be back often!
(5)
Lois K.

I loved this place and I can't wait to go back. I went for dinner and ordered the spicy miso ramen with kimchee. It was delicious! Definitely hit the spot on a cold Chicago night. The portions were large and extremely filling. Even my friend with a notoriously bottomless stomach could barely finish his dinner. As far as atmosphere goes, the restaurant is very dimly lit and they played 90's rap and hiphop the entire time. I happen to like old school rap, so it didn't bother me, but I could see how some people might not love it.
(5)
Jill and Ying J.

Pros: great chicken wings, really good buns (especially the pork belly), really good service (at least our server was), great selection of Japanese whiskey Cons: Not very big portions and pretty pricey for what you get, pretty salty (as most ramen places are) Overall, this is not a bad ramen place, but there are definitely better in the city. We got the spicy miso, tonkatsu, smoked brisket, as well as one of their specials which was pretty much a stir-fry noodle - pretty unique and not bad. Overall, a pretty interesting take on ramen especially with the smoked brisket.
(3)
Louise M.

I don't know what's going on but apparently Ramen Shop is the hip thing to have nowadays. It seems a couple of ramen shops I visited lately oozed the trendy juice as soon as you opened the front door to come in. Ramen-san, next to Paris Club, I guess must keep up with the neighbor. The decor was swanky, and though the owner was definitely Asian, the whole aura of the place cater to hip people and not to Japanese people looking for a bowl of Ramen worthy of substituting mom's cooking for. Yet, I really couldn't tell you what's authentic in the world of Ramen. Maybe being hip is the authentic part now to be a ramen shop. I definitely can't say I'm an expert on Ramen either. I have never had it in Japan first off. Next, to even compare it to the pop culture of instant Ramen in college dorm late at night.... it has been awhile since then too. I am left with what I like as the review compass. It would have to make do. My friends who went with me knew the owner from previous visit. He was nice and he stopped by and said hi to us. He said it was tough being newly opened, but they just has their busiest day he said on the Friday before we came. I guess business was picking up. Good for him. I am sure it is tough to open a new restaurant. I ordered the Sumo Bowl. It looked like it had everything I wanted from the description, from the pork belly, egg, etc. When it came, it was pretty big bowl of noodle soup. The broth was nice but it was not hot enough. It was kind of luke warm. I wanted it more hot but the flavor was rich and I could tell there was a lot of pork bones used to make the broth. That broth had such a good mouthfeel of gelatinous goodness. Yummm. It was a bit salty though but I haven't found Ramen that's not salty. The noodle... mh....I can't be 100% sure but it didn't feel homemade. I think it was store bought Tokyo style noodles. It would have been good if it was homemade or freshly made in house there. However, maybe it was but it could have fooled me. The pork belly was nice though and the other meat in the soup was yum. No complaints there. I really did enjoy the Ramen. It was not bad compared to some other I tried recently. The pork belly buns had a good flavor of the spicy creamy sauce. The pork belly itself was succulent, fatty, and packed with flavor. However, I still felt it was missing something. It didn't hit me right smack in the face like I hope it would. The buns were also not made there. It tasted and felt like mass produced buns. Too bad. The outer skin already hardened a bit despite steaming. I had chubby cheeks since I was young and I got teased at times of having "Pao" cheek or Chinese steamed bun cheek as they're usually round and cushy. So, I guess I better know my pao. LOL. It was the same process like how a grill chef checks the doneness of meat using their touch. I check the pao just by touching my cheek to compare. These cheeks are losing elasticity the older I get, though. Sigh. Having Totto Ramen in NYC as the gold standard in my book, Ramen-san has a long way to improve to even compare. However, since Totto is so far away, this will do as it doesn't suck for sure. I just have to tell them to make it extra hotter next time and perhaps asks for hot water if it gets too salty.
(3)
Sam S.

Ramen is my super food so I was thrilled when my bf said he was taking me to dinner here this past Friday! I immediately ordered us kimchi sake bombs, which were (wait for it...) Da bomb. I decided to be wild and crazy and announced that I was ordering a cocktail named The Blueprint without knowing what was in it. The server (Ilana), clearly not keen to my adventurous spirit, said with much attitude, "Wweell, I could tell you what's in it." Ummm, thanks but that defeats the purpose. I ended up loving it. When I explained a dietary restriction she basically shrugged it off and didn't offer up a suggestion. I have been here 3 times and have always gotten very helpful and knowledgeable service that was friendly. This server could use some impertinent in her bedside manor. Despite an I'm too cool for school server I still really enjoy this spot.
(4)
Steve V.

The Kimchi Ramen is on point and the Friend Chicken Buns are delicious but the Port Belly bun is incredible! Great food and great food.
(5)
Brian M.

Its easy to miss this place. I literally was not paying attention and walked by it. It has a low-key black sign and a simple beautiful wooden door. The restaurant has several smaller tables, a few communal spots and a bar that goes along the side. Holy pork belly. If the pork belly is almost worth 5 stars by itself! This bun was almost work of art. The bun itself was soft and fluffy while not be too large. The pork was this massively thick piece of goodness that was ornately topped with two asian pickles on them. Note: its surprising how many places can screw up something so simple by over doing it. Ramen-san got this right. I ordered the Spicy Miso Ramen. It was very spicy (which I like) and I did enjoy it. The only downside is it was hard to pick up the flavor of the broth and meat over the intense heat the peppers. It was my own fault and the next time I come I will definitely get something else. First this place is a must to just get the pork belly bun. Secondly, I do recommend coming here for some ramen (not the spicy one though).
(4)
Yvonne B.

Our first impression of Ramen-San was mixed. The front of the restaurant was open to the sidewalk and appeared hip and serious about their ramen. There were wooden floors, booths, and tall tables (I loved the purse hooks beneath every table). The walls were exposed brick and the bar was lined with maneki-nekos (beckoning cats that are a Japanese talisman) and Japanese whiskey. 90s smooth hip hop created a throwback, chill atmosphere. It was only 4:30, a half hour after opening, and the place was already bouncing with business. There was no host(ess) at the stand to welcome us and someone was already waiting in front of us. Two men squeezed by us. At first I thought they were churlish but then realized that they were coming to work. Next, another young woman breezed by on her way to meet her friends who were already seated at a table. When we were finally greeted and seated at a booth, we eagerly examined the menu. I appreciated the simplicity of the single-sided paper and the even smaller drink list. Despite this, I was still confused because I couldn't find items that I saw depicted on Yelp. Our server explained that what I saw was a lunch special and not available at that time. Instead, she said that there was another special: a Chilled Cucumber Ramen with Tuna. We ordered Asahi beer (which M said was surprisingly good on draft and superior to the stuff that is available in Japanese vending machines) and an Old Fashioned to start. For food we requested the Tonkotsu ramen and the special. While we waited for our food another server (Anna) genially introduced herself to us. She said that she would be taking over for the other server, a change that we welcomed but caused bewilderment. The previous server continued to serve the tables surrounding us. She did not possess as much charm as Anna. Later I saw a third server (a male) making friends with the patrons at a nearby both. I was more than a little jealous that he described the condiments on the table (something that nobody did for us) and also discussed his body art journey (something I was thankful to be spared). Near the end of our stay at Ramen-San, the general manager introduced himself to the booth behind me (visitors from New York who complimented the fare at Ramen-San) and I was bemused why he chose THAT table and not ours to cajole. We were delighted by all of our drinks at Ramen-San. As aforementioned, I ordered the Old Fashioned. Next, I got the Cilantro-Line Margarita. It was delicious, but small - especially considering that the glass was diminutive and was filled with crushed ice. The Asahi beer is definitely the best buy of our libations. M had three criticisms of her Tonkotsu ramen: 1) The portion was smaller than other ramen restaurants. 2) The broth had too much ginger. 3) The pork was tough and difficult to chew. I was surprised by my special Chilled Cucumber Ramen with Tuna. It was interesting with many different flavors - especially the fishy seaweed contrasted with the refreshing cucumber and then the noodles. The noodles had a strong butter taste and were clumped together. I couldn't taste the tuna at all - even when I tried it by itself. There was minimal broth in the bowl - so little that I didn't try it until I was nearly finished. The broth disgusted me. It tasted like seaweed - a flavor that is okay in small portions (and even enjoyable dried!) but lurid en masse. We were disappointed with our food mostly because it wasn't satisfying. We each finished our bowls and were still hungry. Normally we can share a bowl of ramen and come away surfeited. We told Anna that we were still hungry and requested the dinner menu. We ordered the Saigon Chicken Wings, five for $9. The Saigon Chicken Wings were the best food of our meal at Ramen-San. The exterior was crispy crunchy and a little sticky. The flavor was savory with a hint of sweetness. M loved them and felt as if Ramen-San should be renamed Chicken Wing-San! We had a small tiff about ordering dessert. I was STILL a little hungry and wanted more. Furthermore, M saw that Ramen-San had ice-cream and said that she wanted to try it when we first arrived. At this point, she was surly about her largely negative experience at Ramen-San and didn't want to give them anymore business. I got sesame ice-cream served in a cone and we left for home with it in hand. M thought that it tasted like cookies'n'cream but I thought it was definitely toasted sesame seeds. The bottom tip of the cone was filled with chocolate. Our bill came to $86.74 after tax but before tip. That is INSANE for a ramen joint and incredulous for a disappointing one. We normally spend $40 at Wasabi. Ajida in the Loop serves alcohol and we still spent less than what we did at Ramen-San. Furthermore, Wasabi and Ajida have far superior service than Ramen-San.
(2)
Diana P.

I LOVED this place however recently, ordered in from here and was very disappointed with the quality. They told me their vegetarian ramen dish was changed from mushroom broth to a multi veggie one. It was NOT nearly as good, hardly good actually. Way too greasy tasting and spicy. I always look forward to having this for dinner and now not sure I will be going back until they assure me they go back to their old ways. My husband also said his typical dish wasn't as good. He also ordered an appetizer of wings and they shorted him one-needless to say, a hungry man was not happy.
(2)
Danielle F.

Came in for a relatively quick dinner while staying in the neighborhood for work. Walking in, the space is dark, moody, and sorta casual. There are relatively long tables and a few bar seats. On a Monday night, a reservation wasn't needed, however I could see how this place could get crowded later in the week. The place isn't enormous, so may be worth checking on reservations, particularly for a larger group, as the week's end approaches. The menu is pretty straightforward in terms of a few apps and the ramen. A cheat sheet is on the back, describing some of the Asian ingredients. Started with a cilantro-lime margarita which was cool and refreshing. Not being terribly hungry, opted to pass on any starters, though stuff that went by looked fantastic. I chose tonkotsu and added kimchi to it. Several items are available as add-ons for a nominal charge. The menu boasts locally-made ramen and the noodles do make the dish. The broth was super flavorful. The pork belly was fantastic and not super fatty which I appreciated. It's a big bowl, but was able to finish it. While you're slurping the ramen down, you'll enjoy some hop hop (old school and recent stuff too). Service was prompt and courteous. Prices were more than fair, considering the quality of the food. I'd definitely return.
(4)
Dee B.

Tasty asian cuisine in a central location. The gyoza was really unique for Chicago with a crispy veil over the pillowy soft dumplings. Each time I stop by I get something different and it never disappoints.
(4)
Lindsey S.

Kate the manager + Jared rock !! The hand towel packets are Ahmazing!! They are large and thick cloth ...they totally get the job done Tuna tar tar is top notch - sensory party in your mouth - fun crunch and freshest Avocado and tuna I personally got all "additions" .... the fried chicken is dank perfect crunch but high quality chicken in the middle of the breaded cutlet. Buttered corn wasn't even over buttery at all!!! You have to order all three chicken wings! I never drink beer and I downed TWO! BEST MUSIC I felt like I was in my own home ! The vibes and atmosphere r on pointe! If you can sit in the booth do it The ice green tea is a must it comes in a heavy can Try and find the Hello kitty at the bar ;) Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Bill B.

Had a late lunch here in the afternoon and the place was comfortably dim, server/bartender was pleasant, the Asahi ice cold, the pork bun was flavorful, if not on the sweet side, and slightly overcooked, but tasty. Gyoza were on the petit side, which was welcome since I wanted to try more food than I would typically eat, and they packed a porky punch, as well as an interesting presentation with a thin shield of fried(?) grilled(?) wrapper for lack of a better description overlaying the dumplings. Shio was light and refreshing snd the cilantro added a nice note contributing to the light flavorful broth. Would like to try their tonkotsu another time
(4)
Anna T.

My friend and I were super excited to try this place based off of looks and location. Ramen-san has nice wooden table tops and a cool, swanky vibe. Unfortunately the noodles didn't live up to expectation. I ordered the beef brisket ramen noodles at a steep $14 price. The brisket was delish, soup base was a bit salty and the seasoning was wayyyy overdone. I came into the restaurant starving and left feeling content (hunger-wise) but disappointed overall. I would not come back. To put it this way... I could have eaten a $1.19 Cup of Noodles and be equally satistified.
(2)
Tada Y.

Ramen-san is definitely a solid contender in the Chicago ramen scene. Boasting one of the nicest, largest and most refined dining areas of all of the ramen locations, it definitely makes eating this slurpy dish comfortable, which I think should be a consideration for anyone eating ramen with friends. The noodles are wavy, which is I personally like as I think it does a little more to make the noodle have a bit more bit and hold to a bit more of the delectable broth. The spicy miso is my favorite here as it actually has a bit of a kick to it, but isn't overly powerful. Mantou buns are also great, but incredibly overpriced. I'd recommend you pass on dessert - the ice creams are novelty, but not great. In river north, you'll find plenty of other places to stop by to get a better dessert. While I will agree that this place is a bit pricier than the other ramen joints, it is also located in a much nicer neighborhood and as previously mentioned provides a much more comfortable eating experience than say the basement of a meat shop (No hate - I love high five ramen too - just not the most comfortable place to eat). Bottom line, if you're into ramen, this is a place not to be missed. While they don't have my favorite broth or noodles, they have the best environment and combination of all factors as my favorites in each category (e.g., noodles, broth, toppings) don't all exist in the same ramen shop.
(4)
Michelle M.

Why do I bother? This is the second ramen house we've been to in the city... I just get frustrated when I go somewhere and it's abundantly clear to me that I can do better at home. They don't make their own noodles. Why have a noodle house and not make your own noodles? Seriously. It'ls packaged ramen... with cool add ins. The tofu and the kimchee are a plus. AND... I asked for extra heat. I literally told my waiter I wanted to be set on fire from all the spice. They dumped a ton of red pepper seeds into my bowl. It made it not good and not even spicy... Ramen-San, if you're reading this... Invest in some kochujang. It's Korean hot pepper paste and the bomb dot com. Trust me... great flavor and amazing heat. But still with the three stars. BECAUSE... just cuz I can make it better at home doesn't mean you can. It's not horrible. The atmosphere is cool and the wait staff was super cool. Would I go back personally? No. But you should try it out. =]
(3)
Rona L.

Good ramen but the waiting service we got led me to give it 3 stars. On the good note, Tonkatsu and the ambiance were great. They have a varied menu for the ramen, and the pork was yummy. Waitress seemed like she was unhappy to serve us, but the hostess was very nice and welcoming. Maybe it was her last day... I don't think I will come back anytime soon, as I think there are better ramen deals out there... From my experience in Chicago, I enjoyed santouka in Arlington Heights more. Otherwise, the ramen was quite pricey for the value of my experience...
(3)
Norm J.

I've been wanting to try Ramen-San for a while now and tonight I finally did! I came here with my Yelp buddy Matt who mentioned to me a couple weeks ago that he really liked this place. We started out with drinks and I got the Singapore Sling - made with aviation gin, pineapple, cherry heering benedictine and lime. This drink goes down easy, which is probably why I had 2; yes on a Wednesday...don't judge me! For starters I got the fried chicken bun. It was good, but I wasn't saying, "Golly Gee Wilikers I need to get this again." My ramen selection was the smoked brisket, which I found to be very good. The smoked brisket was surprising flavorful seeing how it was sitting in broth for who knows how long. The serving size is pretty decent so you are definitely getting your money's worth. I enjoy my dining experience here, though the music was a little loud, but my toes were a tappin (yes I meant to write tappin not tapping). The service was top notch, the food was good and the company was first rate. I'll be visiting Ramen-San again soon.
(3)
Kristie T.

Made reservations for 9:30 on Monday night for me and the kids. We were welcomed by the pleasant hostess and seated right away. I ordered the Asahi draft and got it quickly. There were two specials so we decided to order them both and split them. Great choice! It was the collar which is similar to yellow fin tuna and the other was the duck curry. The flavors in both were amazing! My son ordered the Szechuan wings because he's a bit picky, but he ended up loving the specials as well.
(4)
Selena L.

I came over the weekend with a friend and am HOOKED! The ambience, the music, the food, everything was on point! They truly had me at Erykah Badu and all of the old school hip hop they were playing. Oh, and the super cool sink in the bathroom! I ordered the Fatty (how fitting) Ramen and my friend had the Shio Ramen. We both devoured our bowls yet still had room for dessert. We had the black sesame mochi in a coconut sauce with tapioca that reminded me of home - we were in heaven! The restaurant itself is slightly larger than other ramen joints (thumbs up) and parking can be a hassle (comes with the territory).
(5)
CK L.

March 6, 2015 This place has a nice busy vibe (obviously being Friday). The atmosphere is definitely what I'm searching. It has a great quick and high demand feel. I can't give this place a stellar rating due to the noodles. It's definitely my first time when my stomach is not desiring this. Perhaps, I had been spoil by other Ramen location. The noodles are definitely the issue. Then again, it could be the soup stock. I'm a fanatic on Ramen. I do apologize that even though I can see it's flash chilled ramen. The mouthfeel is equivalent to regular instant ramen. There's potential for improvement! I still approve of this place since my Ramen came in a quick Japanese style speed (Ninja mode) even in a busy rush hour time. Please do try this place out regardless of my opinion. I'll try it out myself as well again depending if I'm in the area and also depending if I'll try their competitors within the area. Please, enjoy!
(4)
Jessica B.

We love the tonkatsu as well as the duck curry ramen when they have it. The kimchi / fried chicken and the szechuan wings are fantastic as well.
(5)
Alana S.

Absolutely delicious. This was my first time trying ramen and I loved the pork broth flavor of the ramen I chose. Lunch bento box came with a fresh salad and pickled zucchini. Service was quick and attentive. Ambiance was young and hip, Common was among the artists playing on the playlist. Taking my sister and boyfriend here.
(5)
Amy D.

First time here and I am a fan! Bottom line: Hello new favorite ramen joint! Definitely be back for more. Time: Late Sunday night after drinks at Three Dots and a Dash Service: Server at bar was on point! - Boy was it packed in there. Got seated right away though at the bar. - Server at the bar was great! Asked if we were first timers and explained everything! - Friendly and very helpful. Food - Get the special of the night! - Skip the appetizer and go straight to the ramen! You won't regret it! - Got the 2 mantou baos: Fried chicken and pork belly. The fried chicken was pretty good, but I guess I wasn't expecting the pork belly to be fried too. Usually when I get pork belly, its braised, so it was a surprise. The pork belly was hard to chew and way too big for the mantou bao and a bit dry for me. A little sauce wouldn't hurt. - Oh man the RAMEN! I got the special of the night, which was a crab and curry ramen while my boyfriend went the traditional route and got the Tonkotsu. There was definitely some heat to my ramen. It was balanced quite well with the sweetness of the corn and crab meat. Just writing about it makes me miss it. As for the Tonkotsu, the broth was very rich and the chashu pork just melts in your mouth. Overall, this ramen joint definitely did it for me. Hit all the right spots in terms of richness in the broth and texture with multiple components of meat and veggies. What a chill vibe this place sends from the atmosphere to the staff. On a side note, I got to see Chef Morimoto there!!!
(4)
Meg S.

Stopped in with a friend for early dinner. Tried their "ramen dujour" and the fried chicken buns as an app. The buns were flavorful with just a hint of spiciness (wasabi maybe?) and a sweet sauce that we couldn't pin down. Their special of the day was a beef ramen dish that had a kick delivered from their red chili oil. The meat was tender and the portions were just large enough to where I was full after finishing the broth. Overall, my meal was enjoyable and thought it was cool that we were serenaded by old school 90's hip hop while we ate. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that there are probably comparable places with cheaper prices ($13 per bowl) as well as the fact the noodles were a bit too similar to the instant variety. But even still, I'd definitely come back.
(4)
Jared P.

I'm going to be fair because I was just in Tokyo a few weeks ago. It was a dark and stormy night and...okay, it was chilly and I was craving ramen. The strengths of this place is definitely its decor. The TVs are projected upon the stone walls and the tables are pretty cool wooden tables. Instead of aiming for the traditional Japanese decor, they have a weird Japanese-ish vibe with hip hop music playing. I got the spicy miso ramen and an Asahi beer. My ramen actually came out pretty hot, but it wasn't spicy at all. I had to pile pepper on it. Also, there are no bean sprouts? No corn? Where are the veggies? All I had were some pieces of cabbage and ground pork. Come on. And, the noodles looked and tasted like real instant ramen noodles. Honestly, it was decent. Not the best I've had, but it served a craving. This is a dish I would pay $12 for, including 1L of Asahi, in downtown Shibuya. But, no, my bill came to $25. Seriously? $15 for some instant noodles? If you're charging that much, you better at least hand pull the noodles! Would I go there again? Possibly if I wanted to hang out in a cool atmosphere, but there is better ramen out there.
(2)
Nathan S.

I would have to say this is one of the best Ramen places I have been in a long time. Had the kimchi fried chicken ramen...talk about not needing anything in this dish. Packed so much flavor and spice. I'll be back again!
(5)
Phillip K.

This place is absolutely delicious, I used to live in Chicago over the past summer and this is somewhere I came to all the time. The ambience, the music, the vibe the people everything, I'm in love. And to top the food is fantastic. Such delicious and robust flavors people don't give ramen enough credit. I highly recommend adding the fried chicken, garlic and molten egg to any bowl you choose to get. I had gotten the lunch special ($15) which came with a small green salad, half a bowl of Ramen, And a protein on top of Japanese style rice. This meal was satisfying and delicious and not overfilling where I was too lethargic to enjoy the rest of my day. Also it came with a small plate of pickled cucumbers. Which were a crisp refreshing palate cleanser. I would recommend that anyone who is in the downtown Chicago area come and enjoy A bowl of tasty ramen!
(5)
Tia F.

Oooo so yummy. I want to swim in the pork broth. Flavors on fleek. Lunch special is the shizzzzz. R&B and hiphop music is so dope and not too loud. Loves it.
(5)
Eric C.

Great River North location, customizable menu, savory warm broth in the middle of winter? Ramen-San had tremendous potential. The result: mixed. $18 for the Sumo Bowl (brisket, pork, and egg) is kind of ridiculous for a bowl of noodles - even for its location. All of the ingredients and customizable additions, like fried garlic, smoked brisket, and xo wontons were good individually but confusing when eaten together in a bowl. They got too fancy - do I love smoked brisket? Yes. Do I like bbq in my bowl of Japanese Ramen, when I already have other good flavors? No. Note: I am biased. As a ramen aficionado, I need think simplicity beats unnecessary complexity.
(3)
Alex J.

First off, the hamachi (yellowtail) sashimi was a brilliant first course. It was fresh and practically melted in my mouth. Secondly, the ramen was pretty good, too. Best ramen in the city? No, but certainly a surprisingly good bowl for being in River North. Grab an iced green tea and dip in, this place is good.
(4)
Ruth C.

Three and a half stars for the most hipster-chic ramen cafeteria you'll find. I wouldn't cross town to favor this spot, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy the background tunes while I slurp. Their website describes the express lunch as only being offered on weekdays, but it was available when I stopped in on a chilly Sunday. Nice list of Japanese whiskies. Overall pricing is a touch higher than I'd expect for this quality of food. Efficient service from Scott K despite the gradual lunch rush, and the potent Yamazaki old fashioned was exactly what I needed. Skip the matcha latte, milk ratio is good but too much unincorporated silt. The meats are delicious and the molten egg is on point, but that's where the good news starts tapering off. I enjoyed the portioning of the chashu add-on, and the pork belly bun despite its over-dressing of aioli. I didn't care for the flimsy ramen noodle quality, and even the reduced fatty pork broth is just okay. Light crisping of the "chorizo-style" shredded pork special. I'd come back one more time to try the sashimi salad, fried chicken buns, and either the shio or smoked brisket & burnt garlic ramen.
(3)
Rebecca N.

One of my fav ramen joints in chicago. I have had the tonoksu, brisket and garlic and duck special. I would rank them in that order. Super spicy and flavorful! Incredibly filling. Good service. Gave us free dessert when our order came out wrong. The buns are delish too. Should absolutely order some for the table.
(4)
George J.

My first Ramen experience and I'm glad I chose this spot. I loved the vibe, the ambiance, the music everything was on point. Great location cause there's a lot to do and all within walking distance. The service here was nothing less than amazing our waitress Anna F. was one of the coolest people I've ever met, very funny and quick witted. I had the brisket Ramen, now I'm not a fan of brisket but this was one the the greatest things I've ever had. Then came the mind blowing pork belly in a bun, be careful cause this can cost you big money, it's $5 and very small but it's incredible don't come here and not try it, it's a must. As for Ramen it was good but I not in with all the hype, it's a very small portion and pretty pricey at about $15. Also Ramen is very salty almost a little over whelming but I'm a huge fan of PhÃ³ and I won't be changing that, sorry Ramen.
(4)
Robby K.

I really enjoyed Ramen-san. Though their ramen is not as good as Wasabi, Stringz, or Oistar, I loved their beer selection, full bar, and inviting atmosphere. This will be a great place to hit up after the beach, or summer time Chi adventure. It's in River North, so that's going on... No joke about them having the coldest beer. Their Asahi drafts are ran through a cold chiller; amazingly refreshing on a hot, humid day. This would be an excellent date spot. A place to impress people.
(4)
Linh L.

To open across from Slurping Turtle... Someone must had a vendetta! Not saying they're the best, but dang! Decor is beautifully and thoughtfully well done. Service is decent. My old fashion made with 12 year Yamazaki was pretty good with a sweet twist. Plus, it was a good size. Ramen is not good. Nothing's memorable about the noodles or broth. I would rather go to Slurping Turtle for ramen. This place didn't hit the spot. A good Asian soup (from any country in the southeast) should only be allowed to serve as an entree when the broth has been well taken care of. Every detail matters from the water, both, meat, and toppings... There was no harmony in the two Ramens I tasted. I respect every chef has a different taste in what harmony means to them... But their broths tasted like a "quick" job. These kinds of dishes take at least 5 hours... Many take 12 hours.
(2)
Katie P.

If you work in the Loop like me, it seems tricky to make it all the way to River North just for a lunch break. Make that tricky trip, because the express lunch at Ramen-san is worth the trip. Reasonably priced at $15, it includes a decent amount of delicious ramen, and then features a small portion of delectable protein--I tried the salmon and my husband's steak, and they were both so good I couldn't choose one. The salad vinaigrette was tangy, and kept us guessing on how we could make it at home. Take the 22 bus for just a few minutes north of the Loop, and you won't regret it for a quick and tasty lunch!
(4)
Angela B.

The customer service here is excellent, as is the music and the venue. However the food is awful. We had: 1. The Spicy Szechuan Wings: greasy, not spicy, drowned in a bizarre sauce that had a strong herb aromatic that overpowered everything (maybe it was lemon grass) 2. Raw Tuna Appetizer: They ended up comping this because I thought I was order the deconstructed version they used to have. This version was not good for many reasons: The Tuna did not taste very fresh, the sesame crisp overpowered every other flavor...it just was not good 3. Kimchi Fried Chicken Ramen: Broth was ok but noodles had a bizarre texture. The small piece of fried chicken on top was very bland 4. Tonkatsu Ramen: SALTY SALTY SALTY. Omg...the broth was awful...everything else in it was decent...but the broth was incredibly over seasoned Also...they serve the ramen here very very luke warm. The manager came over to see how we were doing and I let him know the ramen was cold. he send it back and it came back the same temperature so he personally went back there and the third time it came back warm but he warned me that he was concern it would be too hot for me (FYI, this was normal ramen temperature). They ended up comping the soup too. So again, our server and the manager did an excellent job however good customer service does not make up for bad food. It's also not cheap...I am stunned that this is a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant...the flavors were really disappointing.
(2)
Michael R.

i was not super-excited to go to here; noodles just don't do it for me. But, Asian husband LOVES noodles, so off we went. Ramen-San Won me over quickly with their innovative take on the Old-fashioned cocktail--bright and lemony--it was just what I needed. The Mister had a steamy bowl of soupy ramen, which made him happy. I opted for the daily special, which was a "dry" ramen with beef, mushrooms and asparagus. Really good. Outdoor seating seems to be constructed for someone much taller; it was out of scale for shorter folk. Run across the street for Firecakes donuts!
(4)
Belle L.

My new go-to Ramen place. Portion is slightly less than its price, but you get 2 points for eating here. DUCK CURRY ($15) -- a daily special. Edible noodles (outsourced ya' know). LOL. Chef executed it's savvy skills by including crispy duck skin into the soup as a surprise add-in to duck meat. In Asia, sometimes the crispy duck skin is prized than the meat. I had my reservations about the curry broth that it might just be for dipping the noodles and duck. Surprisingly, it's a drinkable soup. :-D. I was expecting the worst case scenario that was debunked by a talented creative Chef. Way to go! ICE CREAM SESAME ($3.50) -- good to experience, delicious, but priced too high. DEALS -- (1) Punch card, and (2) Lettuce Eats Points SERVICE -- Fantabulous Red (aka Meg) with her charming side kick. Informative. Gracious. Friendly. Great timing. In this cold Chicago weather, I shall be back for more with the 'right' dessert. I am so fascinated and chasing this dessert, ridiculous! See you soon RED.
(4)
Marcus O.

/TL;DR Despite the odd 3.5 star rating for this place, it turned out to be my most favorite spot for ramen. Lots of high tops with community style seating, few booths. Twice the price I've paid for comparable ramen, but you're probably paying for location+atmosphere. /ATMOSPHERE Speaking of. The front of the restaurant is a bank of glass doors which fold up out of the way, creating an open space that extends to the al fresco seating out front. Even when you're inside, you're kind of... outside. Most of the seats are high-top style with long, butcher block type tables. There are a few booth seats if you're lucky enough to get one. The place gets packed, the lanes narrow. I'd hate to be waitstaff here trying to carry around bowls of liquid in these narrow spaces. Super chill spot. /FOOD Got a pork belly mantou buns. By "buns" they mean one. Imagine a fluffy, white, flat bun about the size of your palm with a piece of on-point pork belly cradled inside. I should have ordered two. Such a glutton. Following that, I had the smoked brisket & burnt garlic ramen. Why? To be different of course. It was awesome. Now that I think about it, I'm glad I didn't order two mantou buns. I wouldn't have finished. You get a big helping. /SERVICE It was there. There were no overtones extending beyond service. To be dime-store philosophical, it simply was. HOW TO READ MY REVIEWS: 1 Star - Does not approach edible. Enter at your own risk. 2 Stars - If I'm in the area, I'd pick something else. 3 Stars - I would stop by if I happen to be in the area. 4 Stars - I would pick this place out of other places nearby. 5 Stars - I would go out of my way to dine here.
(4)
Michelle C.

I got in late on a Sunday night and this place was just a couple of blocks from my hotel. I was thankful that they were open late on Sundays. Kimchi & fried chicken ramen was incredible. Wow. The fried chicken was out of this world good- I think I'll order extra fried chicken next time. Good broth, good ramen. I loved the simple decor.
(4)
Brian M.

Came here for lunch with my gf and we ordered the tonkotsu and the brisket and smoked garlic ramen with brisket. Honestly the smoked garlic was way to overpowering in the ramen and it made everything just a one note. The tonkotsu ramen was just ok, it was very gingery but the pork belly was cooked nicely. The noodles weren't anything to write home about either. All in all I'd say this place is just meh, I don't think I'll be back considering the other great ramen options in the city.
(3)
Dustin H.

Delicious, no question. Interesting? Absolutely not. The constant delivery of 90's hip hop was fun, but the atmosphere was otherwise kind of drab. It felt intentionally bare bones. Took quite a while to get our first round of drinks, which were unfortunately sickeningly sweet. We both tried the cilantro-lime margarita, which had zero cilantro flavor. Thankfully the bartender offered to swap them out for some whisky sodas. Thank you kind sir. We had the fried chicken buns as an appetizer. Without a doubt, that was the highlight of the meal, and if somehow we ever find ourselves at Ramen-san again, that's probably all I will get. A perfect harmony of textures with a great tangy sauce. As for the gyoza? Not much better than a store bought dumpling. Average at best. When the ramen came out, I was very excited. It looked amazing, and smelled wonderful. My wife ordered the chicken broth and tofu "shio" and I went all out and ordered the "sumo" which has a pork broth, pork belly, brisket and a spicy "smashed" egg. Don't get me wrong, both broths were delicious. The chicken broth was clean and delicate, while on the other hand the pork broth was sumptuous and deep in porky flavor. The pork belly and brisket were also really nice, with a ton of fatty flavor. But everything else? The noodles were too al dente, and there was no complexity to what was going on in each bowl. Not a lot happening, in general from a flavor perspective. All of the elements were kind of hitting the same profile. Will we seek Rame-san out again? Nope. Will we scream bloody murder if a friend wants to meet us there? Absolutely not.
(3)
Mande B.

I absolutely loved this place. I started with a pork belly pastry puff and finished with a pork broth based ramen with pork shoulder and extra garlic added. The broth was incredibly savory and the portion sizes were good. I can't wait to go back and try something else on the menu!
(5)
Jen J.

I have to agree with one reviewer before. Having traveled and eaten at quite a few ramen places in Japan, I found the Tonkotsu here quite delicious and actually better than some of the Japanese ramen I had. The broth and the pork had great flavors and they were generous with the portion. At 11 PM I had pretty much given up hope that I could get anything other than bar food for late dinner, so imagine my surprise getting food of this caliber well past dinner time.
(4)
Tavi J.

I have to start off with the service. My friend was in town visiting and we went here this past weekend for dinner. We didn't have reservations and went around 7. It was already pack, but they were able to seat us. The waitress was great with her recommendations. I went with the Brisket Ramen. I loved that the brisket wasn't fatty and loved the broth. There are tons of spices at the table to add to the flavor. You can make your ramen as spicy or garlicky as you like :). My friend enjoyed the traditional ramen and the bun she ordered. I have to say my favorite part of the experience, other than the food, was the music. Not sure if it was just the evening we went, but they played underground hip hop the whole time. I'll be back to try more Ramen, sample some buns, and relax to some good music - thank you for having Common - the light in your music rotation :)
(4)
Salas C.

Great ramen, will definitely go back again. The Pork bun was excellent. Highly recommend
(4)
Andrea B.

It was super cold yesterday so my roommate and I thought it was time to try ramen-San. It was pretty average. We ate: Hamachi sashimi- had some spice but overall it was bland. I had the shio ramen and I added fried garlic and fried chicken- the chicken was delicious, the broth was bland and I didn't have enough liquid. My roommate had the smoked brisket and burnt garlic ramen- great smokey flavor but she had significantly More liquid then my ramen had. Unfortunately the service was not on point which I'm shocked for a lettuce entertain you restaurant. The restaurant was not packed so I expected a little better service. Would I return? I guess it's close to home and it would fill the craving of soup on a cold day.
(3)
Connie H.

We had a decent meal, but I don't feel like it compared to most of the other ramen places I've been to. I had the tonkatsu ramen, which they said was the most popular. The taste was good, tasted like it had a miso-based soup. I believe the tonkatsu was the flavor of the soup base. Don't be fooled, there's no Japanese breaded meat in this dish. Came with half a soft boiled egg and 3 pieces of pork belly. The pork belly was extra fatty and the meat part was a bit tough. Not the best meat in my opinion. A similar dish at ramen misoya in mount prospect tasted much better. The soup here was a bit too salty for my taste, which didn't make it too enjoyable. We ordered a small dessert. There's no dessert menu, but they offer two types of ice cream. One was a black sesame ice cream, which we ordered. It's definitely a one person order and comes as a tiny (a bit too tiny) scoop of ice cream on the cone. It was enjoyable and tasted good, but not the best black sesame ice cream I've ever had. Atmosphere was modern and dark, a bit hipster. They had one arcade table in the corner, which didn't totally fit, but I guess they were trying to go for a hipster varcase type of feel.
(3)
Lisa H.

My go-to ramen in Chicago!! Ramen-san reminds me of the ramen places in NYC, trendy with the layered high and low seating structure. Expensive, but food, service, and ambiance are great so it off-sets the high price for me. Get the KIMCHI & CHICKEN RAMEN and any of the CHICKEN WINGS. You can skip the buns; they are way over-priced anyways. For drinks, try the aragoshi yuzu sake and old fashioned yamazaki 12 yr; the yuzu sake is SOOOOOO yummy and very affordable. You'll definitely get your money's worth from the yamazaki old fashioned. I would come here just for their drinks. They have a realllly sexy shelf stocked with Japanese whiskey. I think the ramen here is better than ones i've had at Wasabi, Slirping Turtle, Strings Ramen Shop, Noodles by Takashi...I'm looking forward to stumbling into this place after a later night for their "late night fried rice!" Warning: expensive as hell ramen, but why you gotta get me hooked?
(4)
Pete J.

This was right around the corner from my hotel and I was craving good ramen. Friday night around 6pm and they were around 2/3 full. Plenty of seats at the bar. Pork Belly Bun was excellent and well recommended. Only one for $5, so a bit pricey. Ordered the Tonkotsu ramen and it was ok. The broth was a bit of a let down and is that instant ramen? The bartender wasn't really interested in being there. Maybe it was almost time for him to go home and he was counting down. Hopefully he wasn't there for the rest of the evening! The beer was cold.
(3)
Brian K.

pretty good! i got the spicy miso ramen. it was good, but surprisingly VERY spicy, more-so then authentic-szechuan-restaurant-spicy. the cocktail i ordered was a small for the pricing. nice casual atmosphere.
(3)
Ann K.

New modern and fun ramen shop ambiance with music. The ramen taste a bit too al dented to my liking. I tried the burnt garlic ramen. It is burnt all right, not smoke. The tonkutsu ramen is not gelatinous like Pai Mei Miyake in Portland Maine and not as fatty as others. It may not be as flavorful as the ramen Yamayada in Costa Mesa, California. I have been in search of the top ramen in the US but has not found the top contender yet. So far the one in Paris still be the top one for me. Maybe it is when you eat it not the ramen itself. When you are exhausted and hungry. Ramen soup is so energizing and uplifting. A bowl of ramen (pretty big portion) and a pork belly bun can cost over $25 pp easily.
(3)
Aimee H.

Ramen-san shares the same noodle distributor as High Five Ramen (West Loop), except Ramen-san boils its noodles longer/softer. I've been here over a dozen times and haven't been disappointed by the service, ramen (favorite is Sumo Bowl with Chasu Pork), Spicy Szechuan wings, pork belly Mantou buns and cocktails (Cilantro-Lime Margarita). Love they offer extra buttered corn for $1.00 and Kae Dama $2.50 (extra noodles). Bonus it's a part of LEYE.
(3)
mimi o.

Just the hands down the best ramen I've ever had. My husband has even had ramen in Japan and he said that Ramen-San was authentic and just amazing. Everything I had here was amazing. The pork belly bun, the tuna with chips, thai chicken wing and I had kimchee with fried chicken and it really hit home and also was amazing! Everything was amazing. Just go Try and you won't regret it!
(5)
Tracy X.

It's my favorite ramen place in Chicago! I go once every couple of months. Coming here usually takes some planning though, as it is so popular so unless you came here really early or have a reservation, you might not get a seat for a while. Good thing they use Open Table, so that's easily taken care of. The food here is awesome. For appetizers, I especially recommend the tuna tartar. I mean, how can I ever say no to the heavenly combo of avocado, sashimi, and sesame crisps! As for the ramen, I've tried almost all of them and there's not a single bad one. If you like light flavors however it might be a little bit of a challenge, as their ramen have very thick broth and a lot of spices. The sumo bowl is perfect for big appetites, and I personally love the tonkotsu the best. They usually also have daily specials - once there was a crab meat one and it was just fantastic! What makes me especially fond of this place is that they truly bend over backwards for their customers. All the servers seem very enthusiastic about working there and are highly attentive. One time I told the waitress it was my friend's birthday, and she immediately came out with a free ice cream cone. Another time we were in a little bit of a hurry and had to cancel an appetizer that was taking too long, they just ended up giving it to us for free when it came out.
(5)
Lance R.

Very nice menu salmon app and then the Shitaki tempura - had the brisket and black garlic ramen with fried Garlic and kim chi (yes I am eating alone and staying far away from any women and children as a result) I was wishing the young lady at the bar would talk to me but she has been on her cell phone for what seems like 25 minutes straight. She appears self absorbed and somewhat narcissistic but than again I am sitting here glued to typing this review on my iPhone. (Fellow Yelpers where are you?) Anyways this place is overwhelmingly crowded for a Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m with no games or other attractions to cause a crowd -both a good sign as well as a cautionary tale - come early.
(4)
Monica B.

As a big fan of the LEYE chain, Ramen-san was a huge disappoinment. Met a friend here on a chilly Saturday afternoon for lunch. We passed on cocktails and opted to share a few dishes: - Spicy Szechuan Chicken Wings: looked amazing, but were extremely underwhelming. wings were slightly spicy and extremely bland - Pork Belly Buns: looked delish, but meat was super fatty. difficult to eat. - Kimchi & Fried Chicken Ramen: good, but not great. broth was lacking flavor. although I love fried chicken and corn, not sure they go well together
(2)
Justin B.

Oiistar's place in the world is safe (admittedly, I like ramen but I don't do it regularly), but the Kimchi and Fried Chicken ramen I had last night at Ramen-san was very good. A little light on both fried chicken (???) and noodles, this made for a fine meal but it wasn't overly filling...usually I can't imagine finishing a bowl of ramen in Chicago but even my wife--all 5'3" of her--took down her entire bowl of the Smoked Brisket and Burnt Garlic, and that never happens. That should tell you that for $15-ish, you may leave a little hungry, so if you've got the cash adding a side or second entree won't hurt you at Ramen-san. We did this for takeout, which almost never happens, but the food did well being eaten 10 minutes after leaving the restaurant, so kudos to the team at the restaurant for serving the stuff piping hot.
(4)
Jimmy B.

Superb as far as authentic Ramen goes! I had a generous bowl of the tonkotsu ramen, as well as a pork belly bun. Both were fantastic. The ramen noodles was chewy and tender, and the soup was extremely savory and not too salty. The meat wasn't as memorable, but I didn't leave with any negative thoughts either, so it must have been decent. The pork belly bun was amazing - the bun was so soft, and the pork belly just melted in my mouth. GREAT! The atmosphere is also great - wooden benches and tall tables, very authentic. This place was a bit pricey though - came out to be about $25 for lunch for the two things above. Still, this is a great ramen shop in Chicago!
(4)
Dee L.

Got into town at in between time 3pm, starving no dinner plans. Saw on yelp, ramen San was opened and great reviews. So happy! Chicken wings and tonkatsu ramen! Excellent and server was great too, so sorry I do not remember her name. Warm soup & noodles hit the spot after traveling to Chicago Yum You will not be disappointed to eat here Cilantro margarita was great too!
(5)
Maggie Y.

I really liked this place, super cool atmosphere, football, old school rap, friendly service but because I have to give it 3 stars based on the ramen. Apps: Pork belly bun - delicious but overly greasy Spicy szechuan wings - also overly greasy Pearl meatballs - super tiny, not worth it hamachi - ok Ramen Smoked brisket with black garlic ramen and shoyu ramen - broth did not have enough flavor and way too much garlic
(3)
Hayley S.

Mm-mm! Had my first ramen experience here tonight (besides the college-type ramen noodles) and I was pleasantly surprised! I wasn't sure how I felt about it before but I already want more. Party of 5, reservation for 7:30, seated immediately when the whole party was there. Great atmosphere and we had a nice booth situated towards the back. I think they lowered the lighting around 8 so it was a touch too dark for my liking. It was a pretty hot day today so I was skeptical that soup was the right choice for dinner, but I regret nothing! Service was great, our waitress was fun and engaging. I ordered the fried chicken and kimchi, added an egg. Yuuuuumm. So good. I added spice (to the already spicy dish) and that was my mistake. I made it just a hint too spicy. My only qualm with the dish was there wasn't enough chicken! I love my protein, especially for dinner, and I was a little disappointed when I couldn't find any more chicken amongst my noodles. Also there was too much corn. So less corn and more chicken, please! Presentation was fabulous but simple. I'd come back, for sure, but now I want to try out all the other ramen places Chicago has to offer!
(4)
Leon T.

We came here to celebrate our anniversary had a blast! Good food great atmosphere AWESOME SAKE BOMBS!
(4)
Tnon A.

Had lunch here 2 months ago. The food was great. Went back in this time, food was terrible. Ordered lunch special that comes with ramen and beef on skillet over rice. Ramen was ok but the broth only taste salty. Only good thing was Asahi on draft.
(1)
Joan D.

Good ramen. Great service. The atmosphere was energetic and it's a nice place for dinner with friends.
(4)
Barbara W.

I came here during the opening week for Ramen-san and felt luke-warm about the experience. We had a 7:30p.m. reservation but were not seated until 8:00 p.m. My noodles were kind of stuck together which I was not pleasant, and felt salty while others at my table complained their noodles were too bland. Perhaps this is just a taste issue, but I felt they must have been rushing on that first week. Now for the good - I really enjoyed their chicken wings! They are expensive but very delicious. The service was impeccable really for such a busy night. The waitress was able to accommodate my need to leave early by giving me my noodles early, and gave the table a round of free drinks for being seated 30 min late despite having a reservation. This place has potential, but I will need to be wow-ed by the food more to give it 4 stars.
(3)
Noelle T.

Every new restaurant (LEYE or not) will have growing pains - though it took longer than I would have liked to get seated, I was impressed and surprised by the customer service of both the wait staff and management (both times I've been here) AMBIANCE: Minimalistic design, loud/fun environment, best for groups of 2-4. It's open pretty late at night, so if you're not looking to slurp down this bowl for dinner it's a great late-night option. The bar area is a bit crowded to be a waiting area (though I suppose better than the door-way), but they do serve full-food at the bar, making it a great option if the wait is long (and you're a group of 2!) FOOD: Pretty darn good - very flavorful, and a bit of a twist from your typical ramen shop. I'm from the Bay Area originally (so I've been eating ramen for years..) but here's my two cents on the food in my last two visits: Apps Get the raw tuna (great with the Avocado) and a Mantou Skip the pork-belly bun - their pork has so little fat it was like eating fat-free bacon (which should be illegal..!!) Skip the wontons (they taste like the one's i make at home from TJ's) Entrees: Kimchi & Fried Chicken - get this if you can handle hot stuff, and make sure you mix the bowl before you eat it (rookie mistake if you miss that one!). The chicken stays crispy despite being in a bowl of soup noodles. This dish goes perfectly with their Asahi draft beer! Tonkotsu Ramen - this one is less flavorful than the Kimchi bowl (obviously), but is a less-salty version of my favorite bowl of ramen. Get this if you don't want the spice! Dessert: Try the black sesame ice-cream - you can't get this at Baskin Robin's! Overall - definitely a try, and if you liked the flavorful ramen as much as me, definitely a return-visit kind of place!
(4)

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Address : 59 W. Hubbard St.
Chicago, IL, 60654
Phone (312) 377-9950
Website https://www.ramensan.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 12

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Dinner, Late Night
Parking : Valet, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Hipster
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Ramen-san

59 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL, 60654

Ramen-san Menu

Beverages

Drinks (Must be 21 to purchase and show ID at time of delivery)

San Specialties

Mantou Buns

Chicken Wings

Dumplings

Ramen

Cup of Broth to Go

Veg

Dessert

Healthy Meal suggestions for Ramen-san

Beverages

Drinks (Must be 21 to purchase and show ID at time of delivery)

San Specialties

Mantou Buns

Chicken Wings

Dumplings

Ramen

Cup of Broth to Go

Veg

Dessert

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