Strings Ramen Shop pulls a piece of Japanese Culture to Chicago. We currently have two locations, one is in the heart of Chinatown, directly across from New Chinatown Square; the other location in Lakeview. While other restaurants may serve ramen along with a number of other entrees, Strings Ramen focuses specifically on ramen. Along with ramen, Strings will also offer the appetizing oden, a Japanese winter street food. On top of tasting delightful, the ramen at Strings is also affordable but gives the option of adding more deluxe ingredients. The menu includes four types of ramen broth with a variety of high-end ingredients that are added to make the dish even more delectable.
One of the major aspects of Strings is the noodles themselves.
A variety of ramen soups plus rice bowls & snacks served in low-key, stylish digs with a patio.
Eric Boesen
I’ve been wanting to visit this place for quite a while, so I was really excited when I finally got the opportunity to come in—and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The ramen was incredibly delicious, full of flavor, and clearly made with care. I’ve seen so many videos online about the Hell Ramen challenge, especially the level 4, and I was curious but didn’t want to overdo it on my first visit. I decided to start at level 2, and while it was definitely spicy, it was still enjoyable and well-balanced. Now that I know what to expect, I’m pretty confident I’ll be bumping it up another level next time.
Beyond the food, the experience really stood out because of the staff. Every single person was exceptionally kind, patient, and happy to answer all of my questions, which made the visit even more enjoyable. The welcoming atmosphere and great service really added to the overall experience. I’m already looking forward to coming back and seeing if I can handle the next level!
… morePooja Patel
Absolutely loved this spot. The vegetarian ramen options were flavorful, comforting, and perfect for a cold day. The Hell Ramen had a great level of spice without overpowering the flavor, and the dumplings were so good. Everything tasted fresh and well made. Even the Japanese sodas were a fun touch. Such a cozy place for cold weather and definitely worth checking out. I would 100 percent come back.
… moreNgân Kim
Great ramen with nice, flavorful broth and perfectly cooked noodles—definitely worth trying. However, the staff seemed unfriendly, which affected the overall experience. I hope the service improves because the food is excellent.
… moreAsem Kazieva
The portion sizes are big for the price you pay – definitely worth it. The meat was super tender, and the soup… omg, so good! Their drinks were great too, and the service was friendly and attentive. I left full and happy. I’ll definitely be coming back!
… moreNoelle DeVeris
The SERVICE was phenomenal, I went on a Friday night around 8pm and there was a wait. I took a lap around Chinatown, came back and got seated.
The menu at the table is accessed through a QR code, there are printed ones at the door before you get seated. Knowing what I wanted when I was sat made the communication between me and my servers so smooth. I appreciate their patience with me on that busy night.
The kitchen is see through, which adds to the moody atmosphere caused by the low lighting against the dark wooden stained furniture.
… moreAnatasia Pham
We arrived around 2 PM. While it wasn’t packed, it was quite busy, and I believe there were only three tables available at the time. We were seated and helped immediately. There isn’t much seating inside the restaurant, I think there were a maximum of ten seats. Our servers were nice and attentive, even though it was very busy!
We ordered tonkotsu ramen and spicy vegetarian ramen, both of which were absolutely delicious. The ramen noodles were firm yet soft, maintaining a lovely texture. My tonkotsu ramen broth was rich and flavorful, and it came with a generous piece of pork belly. This is definitely one of the few places that truly knows how to make ramen. I highly recommend it and would definitely come back.
… moreMitchel Taylor
My first visit to Strings Ramen was an absolute revelation, and it immediately earned a spot as one of my new favorite spots! I ordered the Tonkotsu Ramen with Kuro Buta, and it was seriously phenomenal.
The broth was rich, creamy, and deeply flavorful—you can taste the hours of dedication that go into making it. The Kuro Buta was tender and savory, and the noodles had the perfect bite. It’s the standard by which I’ll measure all other Tonkotsu from now on!
Equally impressive was the service, especially from Peter. As a first-time guest, he was incredibly welcoming, took the time to walk me through the menu, and offered fantastic, patient recommendations. He checked in just the right amount and made the entire dining experience smooth and enjoyable.
Thank you, Peter, and the entire Strings team, for a truly 5-star meal! I can’t wait to come back and try more next time I’m in Chicago!
… moreDinora L
Absolutely delicious! I tried their ramen and every single one was amazing — from the vegan to the pork, everything is full of flavor. They also sell the most viral TikTok ice creams and I totally recommend them all! You can really taste the love in every dish. Can’t wait to come back!
… moreRicardo Hopkins
This was the best Ramen I have had thus far in Chicago!! Big beef rib sitting in the bowl with all the trimmings, and the broth with the level 2 heat added was amazing. It was nothing left,that bowl didn’t stand a chance! Can’t wait to get back!
… moreLili Valencia
String Ramen Shop is an absolute must-visit! I first discovered this gem back in 2015 while visiting Chicago from Syracuse, New York, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Every time I’m in town, I have to stop by for their consistently amazing ramen and warm, inviting atmosphere it almost feels like being back in New York. Sadly, I can’t find anything like this back home, which makes it even more special when I’m here. The service is phenomenal outstanding, really and I’m not easy to impress when it comes to both food and service. They’ve won me over completely, and I’ll definitely be coming back again soon. I truly love String Ramen Shop!
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