DaiFuku Ramen

DaiFuku Ramen is a great spot in Chinatown if you’re craving comforting Japanese food at reasonable prices. Everything we ordered was delicious and clearly made with care. The Sapporo Miso Ramen was rich, hearty, and full of umami flavor. The miso broth was creamy and well-balanced, not too salty and paired perfectly with the springy noodles. The chicken was tender and satisfying and the soft-boiled egg was cooked just right, adding extra depth to the bowl. We also tried the chicken karaage which was crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside and well seasoned it was an excellent appetizer. The pork buns were another standout with soft, fluffy buns and flavorful melt-in-your-mouth pork. Prices are very reasonable for the quality and portion sizes especially for the Chinatown area. The staff were very accommodating and friendly which made the dining experience even better. One thing to note: seating is limited so expect a wait during peak hours or busy days. Still, the food is absolutely worth lining up for. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Chinatown and looking for satisfying ramen and comfort food 🍜

Cold, snowy days call for comfort food, and this is our comfort spot. ❄️🍜 Me and my wife have been coming to Daifuku Ramen in Chinatown Chicago for the past 7–8 years, and it’s hands down our favorite ramen spot. No need to switch it up, we get the same order every single time: 🔥 Spicy garlic ramen 🍟 Parmesan truffle fries 🥟 Berkshire pork gyoza It hits the same every visit and never disappoints. Perfect food, perfect vibes, especially on a cold winter day.

We had been wanting to try DaiFuku for awhile a now. We ordered the veggie ramen and the hakata tonkatsu ramen. The tonkatsu ramen was flavorful with a rich umami broth. The veggie ramen was okay but lacked the complexity of the tonkatsu. We also ordered the takoyaki which was extremely flavorful. The dining room fills up quickly and there was a small wait for larger parties. The restaurant has become more popular after gaining some popularity from social media ratings. Overall it is a solid ramen spot in the heart of China town and is definitely worth a try.

I loved this huge bowl of Ramen. Loaded with spice and garlic. Pork belly was flavorful, really good balance of toppings. I asked for it a level up with the heat. The nice waitress advised me it was already spicy and I should try that first then they can kick it up if I wanted. Glad I listened to her, it was plenty hot. Just stopped in for lunch but it was so tasty I ended up eating the whole bowl. Will def go again.

Cold Chicago night and we wanted something warm and delicious. A few people told me to try this place and we did. Unfortunately for us it was about a 40 minute wait outside the cold which usually means the food is great inside if people are willing to wait. Once inside we enjoyed food and drinks. Unfortunately they got 2 order wrong but it was a big thing to us since we are not allergic to corn but they should be more careful about that.

Incredibly fast and friendly service, even if there's a line out the door tables turn over quickly. Food was fantastic and the level three was the perfect amount of spice. And the price for what we got was great.

Tucked right in the heart of Chinatown Plaza, DaiFuku Ramen brings pure comfort in a bowl. We dove into the spicy garlic ramen — a bold, aromatic broth with that perfect kick that warms you from the inside out. Every slurp was rich with depth and umami, laced with a garlicky punch that lingers just right. The teriyaki tofu don was the quiet hero of the meal — silky tofu glazed in sweet-savory teriyaki, laid over fluffy rice that soaks up every drop. Simple, satisfying, and balanced. Between the glowing red neon and the buzz of the plaza outside, it felt like stepping into a warm pocket of flavor and energy. DaiFuku doesn’t just serve ramen — it serves instant mood improvement.

The Original Karaage was an outstanding appetizer, I could have a dozen of those things. The Hakata Tonkutsu exuded a flavor reminiscent that of a barbecue, it was excellent as well. Five star service, five star food.

food: just decent ramen, feel like all these ramen places taste similar, nothing special service: good, handled our big group & we're quick on refills, etc. ambiance: small establishment, might run into a wait

Raini day in chitown Time for spicy ramen, gomae and crab croquets Always delicious Thank you see you next time

We came for lunch at 230pm on a Monday. No lines outside and we were promptly greeted and sat at a nice booth table. After having experienced such bad ramen a week prior, we needed redemption ramen and Daifuku delivered. The fries and karaage were delectable. The chicken has the skin on was perfectly left crisp and seasoned well enough to be sold at a soul food spot. The truffle fries were crispy and fluffy inside, came with the most umamified dipping sauce. Now for the ramen....I had the pork shio which was the only broth that didn't get cooked with shellfish apparently. It wasn't too heavy but creamy enough for me to not covet the tonkotsu broth patron on the table next to us. We also tried the chicken ramen. My bowl came with a decent amount if seaweed that didnt overpower the broth at all. The egg was cooked perfectly. You dint see that egg obsession as much these days in most ramen spots. But im glad Daifuku kept rheir egg gooey. The chasu melted. I almost had to get me a chasu bowl!!! The chicken broth was flavorful and had a good amount of ginger after taste. The chicken thigh was moist and silky. They also have nice tshirts for sale!!!

Amazing ramen. I don't really know what else to say except wow. Service was fast and the food came out decently timed as well. It was a very nice dinner date for my girlfriend and I. I would love to come back here.

Did a catering order for my team and they packaged it so nicely! Everything was labeled and looked super fresh. The ramen was pretty good and the team really enjoyed it. Would recommend trying them out.

Prepare for a wait!! There was a line out the door, and I heard it's usually worse. We came on a Sunday around 5pm and were seated after a 10-15 min wait. This is a small store with mostly 4-seater tables. I got the karaage curry ramen, and we shared Berkshire pork belly buns. The buns were actually the best fusion buns I've had in my entire life!! The pork belly was so soft and tender, the scallions were a nice addition/crunch, and the creamy tangy sauce (similar to elevated yum yum sauce) was addicting. The karaage ramen was huge! The broth could've used more curry flavor, but the chicken was well seasoned and coated thinly. Ramen noodles were al dente and the slightly squiggly kind.

I was in the mood for Ramen yesterday so I had to check this place out in Chinatown - We ordered the following items: - Curry Karaage Don - Tokyo Shoyu Ramen w/ Rice - Lemonade The Ramen was good and the lemonade was fresh & cold! Great Customer service from the team and the restaurant has a nice clean ambiance well suited to cater to many guests at once. Definitely worth checking out if you are in the mood for some good ramen.

Good flavor for the broth and noodles were cooked well. Tofu is super hot so be careful to wait a little for it to cool or you'll burn your tongue. The salty dashi paired well with the fried tofu. Wish there was more spicy sauce on the tofu. I wasn't a fan of the crab croquette since there was no crab taste with the fake crab meat.

There's usually a line out the door but we got lucky with getting a table right away. We all got the traditional tonkotsu but different levels of spice. I got level 3 and it was perfect for me. I love spicy food but think 3 would've been super spicy. Broth was so creamy and so flavorful and portions were generous

The perfect warm meal for a cold Chicago day. This is my second time coming here and it tastes just as good as the first time. I ordered the house sake (warm), pork gyoza, and Daifuku spicy garlic ramen level 1. The level 1 was a medium spice which is perfect for me because I like enough heat to enjoy my meal yet not overwhelming. The house sake is basically an alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice. It's has a pretty good alcohol percentage and a unique taste. The service was great. The food didn't take too long to come out and the staff walked around frequently to make sure we were satisfied. The restaurant fills up quickly so I highly recommend getting there when they first open because there is always a wait. However, the wait is well worth it.

My new favorite ramen in the city! This spicy garlic broth was delicious and the chicken & soft boiled egg are so good with it. The servers were very friendly and the place has a casual, laid back ambiance. We waited in a small line outside to get seated but it was pretty quick. Will definitely be going back this winter!

This also isn't one of my favorite Ramen places, but it does have good options. The veggie Roman isn't as flavorful as it is in some other places, but I love adding kimchi and spice to add a little bit more versatility to the flavor profile. However, from the meat standpoint, my husband says their ramen is incredibly flavorful, and he loves the broth that they serve here. Worth checking out in Chinatown.

Great ramen! Get there when it opens, it fills up quick. The agedashi tofu had a little knock from chili oil and the pork belly buns were melt in your mouth. Very chill and modern ambience.

Located in the lovely China town. The Hakata Tonkotsu ramen was amazing! I really enjoyed the tasty broth and the rest of the ingredients. They have cute utensils to go along with it. The staff are really nice and helpful.

What can I say? It's delicious. The place was busy. Literally it was constant but the service was great despite the lack of employees. The kitchen was closing in 5 minutes and she still let a couple come in. I got the medium heat on my bowl and oh my gosh it was delicious . There was a good amount of space and seating inside of the restaurant. The portion was great and so were the prices. I could eat this everyday. Make sure you check them out if you are or aren't in the area. YUM you don't be disappointed

It is great to have a spicy ramen in a cold rainy evening. Stopped by here for dinner after a long day at McCormick Place for conference. I ordered Agedashi Garlic Tofu and Daifuku Spicy Garlic Ramen ( level 2 spiciness). The tofu was hot and tender inside with the seaweed in great combination. The ramen was great with good noodle texture except not enough meat (only one slice of chashu pork.

The pork belly buns were the highlight of the meal! I would definitely recommend trying their new dish. Started the meal off great. I would say stay humble with their spicy rating. The server also warned me it is spicy when ordering so I downsized to a level 1 for the spicy garlic ramen. It still had some kick to it but I feel it was wayyy over hyped. I had some high expectations but it didn't live up to the hype. Too much corn and the minced garlic plopped right in the middle was very unappealing. I much rather have the karage curry ramen was better. My wife had that one and it was a very surprising twist. Even the chicken was fried and cut in an Indian style. What I appreciate about this restaurant they aren't scared to try the extreme and really immerse into a curry ramen. Which they succeeded with this one.

This was a fun ramen dining experience located in the Chinatown section of Chicago. Parking can be a real challenge here especially on busy nights. There was a short line outside, and we waited about 10 minutes before a table was available. The ambiance is very simple inside, and it is a small establishment. They have a variety of different ramen choices along with assorted appetizers. They do serve complimentary lemon water, and canned soft drinks can be purchased as well. Staff were friendly and attentive, and service was fast. I tried the Hakata Tonkotsu ramen with thick noodles. It was tasty and hearty and included the usual accompaniments. The pork was surprisingly lean and tender. The broth was quite flavorful, and the unique wooden spoon was a cool touch. Overall this was a tasty ramen dining experience!

One of the best ramen in Chicago! I came here twice in one week. I almost went back this week because my friend asked me for a ramen recommendation! When you first walk in, they will either ask you to wait or direct you to your seat. It depends on how busy they are. Then, you are brought lemon water. Very refreshing! I ordered the classic tonkatsu ramen and the curry karate ramen. Keep in mind that your food is made from order. So be prepared to wait! Once your ramen arrives, you will leave your bowl empty or you'll take it home because you're so full! The interior is nice and clean. The all wooden theme makes you feel like you're not in Chinatown. I recommend the ramen and the appetizers!

Solid ramen spot that can get pretty busy. We all got the spicy garlic ramen at varying spice levels. Level 1 is already a medium, and it was spicy enough for me that I couldn't finish drinking my brother. Portions are generous and the pork belly is cooked so well. It's absolutely tender and full of flavor. Yum.

We wanted to grab lunch in Chinatown and my husband wanted ramen. I wasn't in the mood for ramen but glad the menu had some other selections. We got the creamy croquettes for an appetizer and they were very good with crab. The sauce that is drizzled on is slightly sweet and has a nice flavor. The ramen was good according to my spouse and the pork belly don I ordered was also very good. My only critique was that the vegetables were cold in my pork belly dish. Didn't love that. The servers were great and refilled our water frequently which I loved. It's a very modern looking restaurant with light music in the background. Two dishes and an appetizer was under $45 and that included tip. Nice and quick lunch spot.

The weather was cold and ramen for dinner sounded like a must. We got to Daifuku at a good time because we didn't have to wait too long for a table. All the tables were taken and the line started to grow. Seems like a very popular place! We ordered Parmesan Truffle Fries as starters. We both got the Daifuku Spicy Garlic ramen. The waitress told us it's pretty spicy, so I had the option to do less spicy and my boyfriend did level 1. The ramen came out shortly. Wished the fries came first though. The fries were decent. They were crispy, but thought it was a little expensive since you couldn't really taste the truffle. The sauce was supposed to be black truffle sauce, but it just tasted like mayonnaise. The ramens were good! My less spicy was tolerable and just had subtle spice (perfect for someone who can't handle spicy). Level 1 was a good amount of heat! We both thought it was a 4/5. The eggs and chashu were cooked perfectly! I thought the broth could have been more flavorful. Overall, a good 4/5 ramen spot. The staff is very friendly and the environment is inviting and calming!

This restaurant has such a clean aesthetic. A lot of warm wood tables and the chairs are super comfortable. The waiters are friendly and refilled our water cups throughout the meal and frequently checked in on us. They also validate parking here so remember to bring your ticket. The ramen was delicious! Generous noodle portions and all the toppings were great. I got the level 2 for the spicy garlic ramen and it's pretty spicy. To enjoy the flavors of the soup, I would recommend getting the level 1. My party came on Sunday for lunch and it was a 10 min wait. The restaurant doesn't have too many tables so during popular times it might be a bit of a wait. I recommend giving this place a try!

Ordered in the spicy garlic ramen and I am usually disappointed in ordered in ramen but this was fantastic. Can't wait to try it in-house. Level 2 was def really spicy- but I liked it. I could try level 1 with the chili oil next time. Got extra egg but not needed because it had one while one. Extra pork was a good call. Just wish they had the fried garlic or fried onions.

I ordered the Sapporo Miso Ramen and it was actually pretty good! I have a pork allergy and It's not often you find delicious ramen spots that offer chicken broth ramen and toppings! The broth was creamy and the butter added to that but I felt like it was missing a little something. I absolutely loved the chicken topping. It was tender and had a sweet caramelized flavor!

Ramen was amazing! We also tried multiple appetizers and all of them were good, especially the truffle fries. There was a line when we got to the restaurant but we only waited about 10 minutes to be seated so it wasn't too bad.

There were a couple of ramen places in Chicago Chinatown. We chose this one as their rating was the highest on Yelp. I ordered Hakodate Shio Ramen as Shio was usually my go-to when trying out a new ramen restaurant. The pork shio broth was well-flavored and the pork chashu was satisfying. The soft-boiled egg was also cooked just right. I finished every drop of the soup. Friendly and efficient staff. Clean and pretty spacious environment. Perfect spot to grab a bite for lunch, especially during rainy days!

Food was awesome. The restaurant was nice and the staff was super fast and kind. If I lived in Chicago I'd definitely frequent this place.

Ramen was terrific. It's not often a ramen joint has karaage + curry ramen but I was all for it. I thoroughly enjoyed the dish, as did the rest of my party that also got it. Draft Sapporo Premium was tasty and fresh. The wait was sort of bad, as the restaurant isn't very big and therefore doesn't have many seats. We visited during somewhat off-hours for a meal and still ended up waiting about 30-40 minutes. I can't even imagine the wait during mealtimes. Would visit again, though!

Ramen was very average, the noodles was on the harder side and ill suited for the broth. It does not soak in the flavor very well The broth itself is lacking in umami, the initial taste is good but there is a lack of depth to the flavor. Prolly did not brew the broth for very long The pork was good. Pork belly was fatty and well seasoned and meshes well with the broth. The edges were nicely crusted (Ignore pictures in this review, uploaded wrong ones but it will not allow me to remove them)

The food, service and ambiance all receive a five star rating. Our dinning experience was Great!!! From the amazing appetizers to the deliciously flavorful & fresh bowls of Ramen! The Customer service was stellar from the time we were seated until the time we left. Thanks go out to Kenny and the crew for creating an atmosphere that resulted in a great dining experience! Our recommendations are the chicken curry & spicy garlic ramen, pork bao buns and the pork gyoza Until next time....

This is my fav ramen spot I've tried here in chicago! I've only tried the spicy garlic Tonkatsu ramen but it's so yummy. You can choose 1, 2, or 3 for your spice level. I like getting level three since I can handle the heat and it's bomb. The workers are super kind and constantly refill your waters lol. Def a good spot for ramen if you're ever in Chinatown!!

My favorite food experience in Chicago. Daifuku Ramen will be my go to from now on. There was a wait to get into this busy restaurant. No worries. You can either wait in the narrow entrance or just outside. There is also a QR code near the entrance that you scan to put your name on a wait list. I loved the Sapporo Miso ramen with chicken, the parmesan truffle fries and Yuzu lemonade. During my second trip, I did try the Spicy Garlic Ramen (level 1). Normally, I'm okay with spicy food but the Spicy Garlic Ramen did lead to a few coughs from the spice level. If you are in the area visit Daifuku. It's a great place for ramen. *If you are from out-of-town, just know that the taxi will drop you off behind the entrance. A simple walk through the open walkway will get you there. *

I still think Chicago Ramen in the suburbs is the best ramen in the Chicagoland area. But it's so far away for me that this is an adequate substitute. The broth has strong flavor, the noodles are cooked well and you feel like this is a meal. Solid bowl of ramen on the south side.

Awww man. This place was pretty good, and this was my first ramen experience! I thought I would do the level two spicy; I was thankful the friendly servers let me know ..it was nothing to play with! Level one spicy cleared up any sinus and congestion I had walking in it was lunchtime, so the place was quiet, and it looked nice and clean! I also ordered the wings. Fire!

Hey Yelpers!!! It was a chilly night in Chicago and the fam and I wanted something warm, so we decided to check this place out. It is worth it. They have a few different options for both and noodle combinations. I went with the curry with chicken, while the fam had the tonkatsu. They were both very good. We also tried the fried oysters (good, but was a little surprised they were served with egg salad on top) and pork buns (sooo tasty!!!). The service was friendly and attentive. The restaurant is small, but busy and hopping. We waited outside about 10 minutes to be seated. The weather wasn't bad, so it was fine. If the weather was really cold or bad, that wouldn't be good. It's a good spot to go. Nothing amazing, but great price and definitely worth checking out.

The seats are comfortable and limited so you might need to scan the QR code to join the waitlist. The tables have a little drawer if you want to put your personal items there. Might be slightly too small for jackets/coats. If you're sitting on the long side of the couch against the wall, you'll definitely feel the movement of other people when they're shifting around. It does take a little bit of time to get your food but the broth here is amazing. Tonkotsu was creamy and the noodles are chewy. The egg is a little cold. I got level 2 spicy and it's spicy enough. It's definitely a great place to grab a bowl of ramen.

Ramen and buns were good as it suppose to be. Service is friendly. Would recommend for a quick stop if you like ramen or trying to warm up in the city of wind.

A fantastic spot for Ramen if you're perusing the Chicago Chinatown area. Wow, the Chicago Chinatown scene is certainly a mix of all East Asian cultures and cuisines, I found myself drawn to another Ramen shop for a hot bowl of noodles on a cold winter day. Daifuku indulges your senses as your surrounded by sense of salty broths, sounds of old school hip-hop, and sites of beautiful, colorful dishes, making their way out of the kitchen. Ambience is certainly a 5/5. There's just something about 90s hip-hop and Ramen that goes so damn well together. On top of that, service is excellent and the meal will hit your table seconds after it comes out of the boiling water. While we only stopped for a quick bite, two bowls of Ramen was certainly more than enough to fill the both of us. Karaage Curry Ramen- 5/5, definitely recommend this Ramen, especially to any of the more adventurous eaters. Curry Ramen is a delicious child of everything that makes East Asian food delicious. Notes of pork, curry powder, and various fermented sauces all blend harmoniously in a bath of coconut milk. Seriously, could not get enough and highly recommend. Tokyo Shoyu- 4/5, a solid shoyu ramen, but nothing to call home about. It did exactly its job, filled our bellies, satisfied a craving, and left us in a perfect balance of not wanting more, but feeling satiated. Salty, chickeny, and packed with toppings, it's exactly what you think of when you think of a soy based Ramen. Overall the great experience, and will certainly be back again

I tried this for the second time a few days and and the first time I had the daifuku spicy ramen which was pretty good but this time I had the pork Bao buns and OMG WAS IT HEAVENLY. 10/10 recommend those they were so juicy and tender! The service was also very attentive and our waitress checked up on us consistently and the place is also very clean and decorated nicely.

Daifuku always hits the spot for ramen! I got my usual order, spicy garlic tonkotsu level 1. The spice is noticeable without being too hot. I also tried the gomaae which is sauteed spinach in a sweet savory sesame sauce (similar to Kewpie sesame dressing). It was a nice appetizer which still left room for the ramen. I've been here 3 times already and it's never disappointed!

Own opinion, this is just my opinion of course if you're gonna advertise something spicy you should be Satisfied with the dish and not leave disappointed as well leaving the plate halfway full. The ramen not only tasted very watery but had no flavor at the same time I think the best thing that I was able to enjoy was the coconut shrimp which was not spicy as well even though it has the signature name called spicy coconut shrimp.

I both had the spicy garlic ramen - spicy level 1. I usually prefer my ramen with no spice, but I really wanted to try their most popular dish. It was tolerable, but I think I'll try one without any spice next time. My husband likes mild-moderately spicy ramen and thought the spice level was good. The ramen noodles were good, but seemed undercooked initially. After a few minutes in the hot broth, they softened. The pork chasu was delicious, packed with flavor. There wasn't a lot of corn. The overall portion size was good and we both took leftovers home. We also had the kara-age chicken. It came with 4 pieces, and was served out after our ramen arrived (so don't expect it to be an appetizer). It was good- crispy outside, moist inside- but nothing too special. The accompanying Japanese mayo was good. No wait on a weeknight at 6pm. Nice ambiance and very clean. The service is very attentive, refilling my lemon water with each sip. Food came out quickly and we were in and out in less than 45 minutes.

We stopped by on a Sunday night before 6pm and there was already a line in front of us. Luckily, within 10 minutes, we were seated. Our server was pretty friendly and checked on us a few times. Service was a bit slow but when the food came up it was all good. We ordered their spinach. The portion was tiny for $5.99.. For ramen, we tried their spicy garlic and Hokata which has a pure pork broth as compared to Tonkatsa which was pork broth blended with soy sauce. I thought spicy garlic was a little boring but overall the quality was good. Both char shu and eggs were cooked to perfection. They validate parking.

I love ramen, and this place definitely delivers. The noodles were perfectly cooked and the broth was rich and creamy (for the ramen I got). My husband got a spicy ramen and stated it was perfectly spicy for him. The place however is on the smaller side and feels a bit cramped, and service was OK, not terrible but not great. I'm always on the lookout for great ramen, and would come back here when it's not too busy

Perfect simple ramen shop with a stellar spicy soup and quick service. Rating 9/10 | Cost $17 with tip and tax. Pros: Fast Service, validated parking, great spice levels. Cons: Smaller, expensive alcohol. Took my girlfriend here for dinner. No reservation but seated for two in about 5 minutes. Simple interior, comfy chairs, clean location. Staff come by quick but will give time if you need to explore the menu. They even validated our parking early if we wanted for quicker service I ordered the Spicy Garlic Ramen Lv. 2 and it was perfect. Slight sting but not painful, decent amount of ingredients, nothing overcooked. After eating the bill was quickly dropped but we were never rushed out and for two bowls with tip we paid $36. Its exactly what you look for in a ramen shop with no frills attached.

Unbelievable and Rich in flavor, was my experience at the DaiFuku Ramen restaurant, located inside the Chinatown Square Plaza. It was a long day of activities and we were craving ramen, but we already try some ramen places around the area and we needed to try something new. I'm not a fan of ramen, but the ramen i had from this place, has become my favorite one and it has jumped to the top spot for the best one, for me. Upon our arrival we notice the place was packed but we didn't care. We were treated by the friendly staff, and they told us the waiting was going to be around 15 minutes and I'm glad we waited because it was so wroth it. once a table was available we sat down our friendly waiter brought us water with lemon on it and it was so refreshing. We looked at the menu and this being my first time and not a fan of the pork ramen i decided to order something new. I ordered the Tokyo Shoyu, it comes with classic shoyu chicken broth, thick wave noodle, stir fry chicken, beansprouts, menma or seasoned bamboo shoots, scallions, Narutomaki, two sheets nori and a single soft boiled egg. The first sip of the broth, was a punch full of colorful and flabbergasting flavors, The flavor of this ramen was of best high quality. I'm 100% sure I'll be coming back to the DaiFuku Ramen.

My last meal in Chicago and I had take out from this place and it was great! I was craving for something soupy and Asian. The broth is thick, the cha siu was delicious. The presentation was on point. The egg cooked perfectly. Yummy

My bf and I went there in the evening. The restaurant is packed. We have to wait for 15mins to get a table. I ordered the Hakata Tonkatsu Ramen. I will rate it a 4/5. Love the soup broth. The pork is very tender. They come with the thin ramen noodle, but I personally prefer the thicker noodle so I will ask for the thick noodle substitution next time! Overall, the service is good and fast, the food quality is good.