Ramen-San Lincoln Park — Restaurant in Chicago

(Updated Review 7/5/25)

I can’t express enough gratitude to Jacob, Gabby, the chef, and the incredible team at Ramen‑San in Lincoln Park. From the moment I walked in, they went out of their way to accommodate my medical needs—adjusting seating, checking in on me frequently, and ensuring every detail was handled with warmth and care. Their attentiveness wasn’t just professional, it was genuinely caring: the kind of service that goes above and beyond.

Ramen‑San’s cozy ambiance and vibrant ’90s hip‑hop vibe set a welcoming tone, and their team made it feel even more like a home away from home. With my health concerns, I truly appreciated that I didn’t have to worry about anything—they anticipated my needs before I did.

I’ve found my new favorite spot in Lincoln Park, and I’ll definitely be bringing my family next time. Thank you again to Jacob, Gabby, the amazing chef, and the entire staff for your kindness, understanding, and exceptional hospitality. I WISH I COULD GIVE THIS WONDERFUL TEAM 100 🌟’s

See you again soon!

(Original Review)

I had the absolute pleasure of dining at RAMEN-SAN yesterday, and Connor was my phenomenal server. Out of all my previous visits to RAMEN-SAN, I have to admit that I've had some disappointing experiences, but yesterday was a life-changing experience.

I was blown away by Connor's unwavering attentiveness, compassion, and genuine care for my well-being, especially considering my ongoing oral surgery. I shared my situation with him, and he went above and beyond to recommend a suitable dish, even have the chef chop up my pork for easier consumption. Without hesitation, he accommodated my request with a warm smile that lit up the room.

Throughout my meal, Connor checked in on me periodically, radiating warmth, kindness, and a sense of belonging. When it came time to pay, he politely pointed out the QR code and assured me there is no rush. I can take my time. After I looked over the check, I asked him if the establishment accepts cash? He quickly responded by saying they do accept cash, although the establishment does not provide change; his apologetic tone was sincerely appreciated and truly inspiring.

I was so moved by Connor's extraordinary service that I felt compelled to express my heartfelt gratitude through a nearly 100% tip. He was deeply thankful, and I assured him that I would be returning soon, specifically requesting to be seated at his table.

His exceptional care and compassion have earned my loyalty, and I eagerly anticipate my next visit. Thank you for having Connor on your team; he truly embodies the spirit of exceptional service and inspires us all to be better. I meant every word of this review, and I'm sorry for the delay in sharing my...

I can't give this place 5 stars in the food portion because if you have the name of a specific food in your name, I expect you to be exceptional in that area. The place is great overall, but the ramen was decent. DISCLAIMER* I used to live in Japan, so my evaluation of Japanese cuisine in particular is very strict.

We came for lunch on a Friday around 1pm and the place was overrun with kids. That personally ruined the atmosphere for me, mainly because they were just running wild and free without much care for supervision. The atmosphere other was great, and our server who also seemed to be the bartender had great rapport and eagerness.

We started with three buns, the chashu, shrimp toast, and lamb. I thought the chashu was particularly well done, the perfect crispy crust with juicy interior, and the lamb was interesting but not particularly amazing, but I'm not sure what they were going for with the shrimp. I literally had to go back and look at what we ordered because I couldn't identify it from just eating it.

I got the Sumo ramen, but recommended my friend get the lunch special which included much smaller bowl of ramen, some rice with a protein, and a salad, which is much better for someone who can't eat very heavy but still want some ramen. The Sumo was good, not spectacular, and HUGE, but I had already eaten plenty. I was very disappointed in how the chashu was done, as they were these tiny little cubes that you could barely taste. The traditional ramen I found to be particularly bland, but it wasn't intended to be any razzle dazzle, just the baseline anyone could get into.

It is one of the best ramen places I have had in the city, but still isn't somewhere I can endorse as something amazing...

I really love taking my 2 year old out for dinner anywhere. She’s my little mini and we do everything together. We don’t really believe in picking restaurants solely because they are kid-friendly. For the most part, my partner and I spend as much time as we can with our little because we know that we will know her more as an adult than we will in these younger years. From the front door, no one looked annoyed we were bringing our baby to eat here. They were warm and welcoming and put our stroller in the back so we didn’t have to worry about it. They even made sure we didn’t need anything out of it before seating us. Our server Ryan was a dream. He didn’t bring me a kid cup when I told him my baby does better in a plain open cup (as many restaurants do). I often begin my meals feeling mom-shamed and with servers asserting their idea of parenting onto my kid and me. He was warm, accommodating and really anticipated our needs. I even had a little cough due to allergies and he offered the most incredible tea and honey. Two sips and I didn’t cough again. The food was really sublime - my baby even tipped her head back and smiled with her eyes closed as she ate her ramen. My partner and I got to eat listing to our fave early 2000s bops with a happy kid. Ryan even sent over fresh hot doughnuts for dessert - so kind! We left feeling super happy and like we would be loyal super fans for life at Ramen-San. We can’t wait to be back and hope all families come dine and hang and have the sweetest core mems like we did! 20/10...