RAMEN-SAN
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Food Diary: January 16, 2025
NancyNancy
60
"What to Do in Chicago, Illinois 🤔 Food Edition 🍖"
KiahKiah
50
Embarking on a flavor odyssey to Ramen-san in the heart of Chicago isn't just about indulging in umami delights; it's an entire experience that begins the moment you cross the threshold. Picture this: a fun and inviting atmosphere that welcomes you like an old friend, with a vibe so lively it could make even the noodles dance in their bowls. From the get-go, the Tuna & Avocado Tartare isn't just a dish; it's a harmonious mingle at the crossroads of creamy and crispy, where sesame meets rice crisp in a culinary high-five. It's the kind of starter that sets the stage for the symphony of flavors awaiting. Now, let's dive into the main act. The Kimchi & Fried Chicken Ramen isn't just food; it's comfort in a bowl, with a spicy kick that wakes you up better than your morning coffee. And the Sumo Ramen? It's like the heavyweight champion of flavor town, a bowl so satisfying, you'd think it was training for the ramen Olympics. But what really wraps the Ramen-san experience with a bow is the impeccable service. On a bustling Chicago day, they didn't just welcome us; they stored our stroller like it was a cherished guest of its own. It's this perfect service, combined with the spirited atmosphere, that makes Ramen-san more than just a meal - it's a destination. So, for a culinary adventure where the atmosphere is as delightful as the dishes and the service as stellar as the sumo-sized ramen, Ramen-san is your go-to. It's a place where every slurp tells a story, every bite is a journey, and they treat your stroller like family. Five stars to Ramen-san, among the elite in the Chicago ramen scene, where every visit is a flavor party.
Zach HengZach Heng
00
Delicious Ramen Experience at Specialty Japanese Restaurant! My recent dining experience at this Japanese restaurant specializing in ramen was nothing short of delightful. I had the pleasure of trying both their brisket ramen and their specialty chicken ramen, and I must say, both dishes were absolutely amazing. The brisket ramen was rich and flavorful, with tender slices of brisket adding a delightful depth to the broth. Similarly, the specialty chicken ramen was a burst of savory goodness, with perfectly cooked noodles and tender chicken pieces that left me craving for more. However, I was slightly disappointed that the wings I ordered lacked the promised Szechuan sauce. While they were still tasty, the absence of the sauce diminished their potential to stand out as a highlight of the meal. Despite this minor hiccup, the overall dining experience was excellent. The ambiance was cozy, the service was attentive, and the ramen dishes were definitely the stars of the show. In conclusion, if you're a ramen enthusiast looking for a flavorful and satisfying meal, this Japanese restaurant is worth a visit. Just make sure to clarify any special requests for sauces or toppings to ensure your meal is perfect.
Crishtine SundarCrishtine Sundar
00
Overall: overrated ramen, with unbalanced flavors, lack of depth and textures. I wouldn't recommend. We landed late night in Chicago, and considering the weather, we were seeking something warm. Ramen is ideal. It's rich, dense. It balances and celebrates many flavors. We saw Ramen-San was nearby and the reviews were off the charts. Pictures looked great too. We ordered two appetizers: fried chicken and pork buns. Appetizers are meant to be shared, so we were supposed to only have one fried chicken bun, and one pork bun. Most ramen shops would serve 2. Flavor wise: the fried chicken had dish soap flavor (seems like they were already cleaning the kitchen), and the pork belly was insanely hard, rubbery, chewy, and just off. It should be melting, juicy, rich. For the ramen, we ordered two: tonkotsu, and Tantan-San ramen. Both were off. First, the tonkotsu. The broth was unremarkable. If there was tare and oil in this broth, they didn't add enough flavor to balance the dish. The broth density was low, so instead of feeling like a deep heavy broth, this felt more like a light soup. The egg was not marinated (this was just a 7 minute soft boiled egg). The chashu was melting, but had almost no taste. One thing I did like: the noddles were perfect. Now the Tantan-san. I'm used to eat spicy (like Thai spicy), and this was beyond that level. Took two full spoons, and could no longer taste anything. A good ramen, spicy or not, should always make space to celebrate every ingredient. When a ramen goes beyond that level and one flavor is predominant, that's not a well executed dish.
Michael OrtaliMichael Ortali
00
A very trendy place, as you’ll notice once you arrive. The setting and atmosphere is dim, akin to a bar, with bass-heavy music playing throughout the store and can be heard outside. Once seated, we got the menus and some super cute and unique manga panels advertising their cocktails and desserts. That’s this restaurant’s strongest asset: the personality. You can tell there was a lot of attention to detail given to the experience. But that’s where the attention to detail ends. The food itself was lackluster. We had the kimchi & fried chicken ramen and the katsu tonkotsu ramen. I was worried ordering fried meats with a broth as they would most likely get soggy, but these came recommended so I decided to give them a shot… oh yeah, the chicken got hella soggy. Even before the soggyness kicked in, both the katsu and the fried chicken didn’t seem to have much seasoning. And they only give you like 3 small pieces of fried chicken for the entire bowl. The broth was okay, but not enough of a salty kick in my opinion. Though if you don’t like salty broths (you prefer a shoyu ramen over a shio ramen), then this would be okay with you. The noodles themselves were also very plain. Good ramen noodles should have some bounce to them, but these just tasted like regular instant ramen noodles to me.
Dustin LeDustin Le
00
Nearby Attractions Of RAMEN-SAN
Cloud Gate
Riverwalk
The Escape Game Chicago
Macy's
Hyatt Regency Chicago
The Chicago Theatre
Wendella Tours & Cruises
Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk
AMC River East 21
LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton

Cloud Gate
4.7
(12.3K)Click for details

Riverwalk
4.8
(7.7K)Click for details

The Escape Game Chicago
5.0
(5.3K)Click for details

Macy's
4.3
(5K)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of RAMEN-SAN
Gino's East
Starbucks Reserve Roastery
Kitchen + Kocktails By Kevin Kelley - Chicago
Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago
Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe
Quartino Ristorante
Nutella Cafe Chicago
The Purple Pig Restaurant
Three Dots and a Dash
The Dearborn

Gino's East
4.6
(5.4K)Click for details

Starbucks Reserve Roastery
4.4
(5.6K)Click for details

Kitchen + Kocktails By Kevin Kelley - Chicago
4.6
(4.5K)Click for details

Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago
4.4
(8.9K)$
Click for details
Basic Info
Address
59 W Hubbard St #2, Chicago, IL 60654
Map
Phone
(312) 377-9950
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Website
ramensan.com
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Reviews
Overview
4.6
(3.6K reviews)
Ratings & Description
Description
Rustic ramen joint for noodle soups, buns & chicken wings plus cocktails, sake & lots of whisky.
attractions: Cloud Gate, Riverwalk, The Escape Game Chicago, Macy's, Hyatt Regency Chicago, The Chicago Theatre, Wendella Tours & Cruises, Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk, AMC River East 21, LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton, restaurants: Gino's East, Starbucks Reserve Roastery, Kitchen + Kocktails By Kevin Kelley - Chicago, Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago, Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe, Quartino Ristorante, Nutella Cafe Chicago, The Purple Pig Restaurant, Three Dots and a Dash, The Dearborn
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