Gyuro Ramen

"Like street parking downtown, gyukotsu is elusive. But should the West Loop parking gods ever be in your favor, you can check out Gyuro Ramen—the first place in the city to focus on this beef-based ramen. Compared to Monster Ramen’s, their broth is a bit richer due to the addition of bison bones, and it gets extra saltiness from some soy sauce. Our favorite bowl here is The Gyukotsu Prime, which comes with thin noodles, sweet soft-boiled egg, menma, and medium-rare filet mignon. Gyuro is particularly great in the winter when its combination of hot soup, club music, and light projections of busy Japanese streets helps you forget that you’ll have to dig out your parking spot once you get home." - john ringor

"From the projections of busy city streets, to the clubby playlist, to a giant neon Godzilla, Gyuro Ramen seems determined to bring the energy of Tokyo nightlife to the West Loop. But luckily for us, it doesn’t. Instead, it’s a not-too-busy ramen shop that happens to be one of two restaurants in the city serving gyukotsu broth, a creamy, rich beef soup. Gyuro also has tasty gyoza and specials like Japanese curry, and this casual sit-down spot has become an important player in our ramen rotation. " - adrian kane

"From the light projections of busy city streets, to the clubby playlist, to a giant neon sign of cartoon Godzilla slurping up noodles, Gyuro Ramen seems determined to bring the energy of Japanese nightlife—along with gyukotsu broth—to the West Loop. And because it’s the only place in town serving the creamy, rich beef broth, this casual sit-down spot has become a part of our ramen rotation. The broth is best enjoyed in The Gyukotsu Prime bowl, which comes with sweet soft boiled egg, thin chewy noodles, menma, and juicy medium-rare filet mignon. There’s also an option called the Gyukatsu Premium, but wagyu slices, beef tongue, and wagyu truffle wontons all taste too similar, and the bowl snowballs into beef overload. If you’re looking for a less bovine-centric option, you can still find comfort in their duck or vegetable ramen during a low-key meal with your friends, or solo under the neon glow of Godzilla." - John Ringor

"Around Town: Pop-up ramen bar Mujo Ramen has ceased all operations after its rental kitchen closed, effectively shutting down its food truck, according to a rep. It primarily held events at Chicago area breweries before the pandemic. The business could return in the future but there isn’t currently a reopening timeline." - Naomi Waxman