Chicago’s Essential Japanese Restaurants | Eater Chicago

"The title of “ramen lord” is already claimed by a certain Reddit-famous Chicago restaurant owner, but one could easily apply that honor to Japanese chef Kenta Ikehata, the engine behind a small empire of suburban ramen restaurants. Founded in Des Plaines, the original location of Chicago Ramen features a top-notch rendition of tsukemen, or dipping ramen, with thick cold noodles designed for dipping in rich, piping-hot soup. Ikehata had a near-immediate hit on his hands, and has gone on to open outposts in Rolling Meadows, Wheeling, Algonquin, Schaumburg, Mundelein, and Park Ridge." - Eater Staff