"Katie Dong, an alum of mini-chain String and a self-professed noodle obsessive, made a major splash in 2022 when she unveiled Monster Ramen, her first solo project in Logan Square. The sleek and sunny spot specializes in gyukotsu-style ramen, which draws its distinctive flavor from bison bone stock, and chicken-based tori chintan. Dong’s team also makes its own noodles — a laborious, 24-hour process that sets Monster Ramen’s bowls apart from the crowd." - Naomi Waxman