212 E Ohio St

Birdman Ramen only works if you're in a pinch - Review - Chicago - The Infatuation

"If you're walking past this Streeterville spot on a cold night—and all you need is for your soup to be warm—Birdman Ramen works. But if you're looking for a noteworthy broth, you'll be disappointed. The szechuan tori paitan lacks richness, barely hinting at its namesake spice, and the garlic miso is one-note. And while toppings like duck breast or turkey chashu sound promising, that promise vanishes when the duck is overcooked, and the turkey is indistinguishable from Sara Lee. It’s easy enough to find a spot in Birdman's space that looks like someone searched “Japan” on Etsy. But if you’re willing to walk a little bit longer for better ramen, check out Kyuramen or Ramen-san nearby. Food Rundown photo credit: John Ringor Hokkaido Garlic Miso The Hokkaido garlic miso is the best-tasting of the three available bowls. It's not a life-changing bowl, but there’s a strong garlicky flavor with some umami from the miso and the corn adds a burst of sweetness. photo credit: John Ringor Szechuan Tori Paitan The broth mostly just tastes like chili oil and nothing else. But rather than providing a satisfying heat or savory boost, it’s earthy and slightly bitter. And while you can try to enhance the experience with add-ons like duck breast or shrimp crab wontons, it’s a lost cause. Tokyo Shoyu This chicken broth is lighter than the Szechuan one, but a bit one-dimensional. If you don’t like rich or creamy broths, this should suffice." - John Ringor