Oiistar

"Mussels, chicken tikka masala, and beef brisket aren’t common toppings in ramen but they’re what diners can expect to find at Oiistar. Try something a bit different with these modern takes on a classic dish. Options like the Tikkaman (chicken, masala, bean sprout, nori, roasted sesame, soft-boiled egg) and Musclemen (mussels, onion, chili pepper, scallions, bonito miso) are always reliable and comforting." - Naomi Waxman

"Oiistar is one of the best ramen spots in Chicago. But divert your ramen-hungry eyes from the noodles and broth on the menu and order their fried garlic sambal chicken. These jumbo wings have a fantastic breading that’s so crispy that each bite can be heard over all the noodle slurping happening at this busy spot. Plus, it’s topped with a spicy, umami-packed sauce and almond pieces that add a hint of nuttiness. " - adrian kane, phaithe norman, john ringor

"Oiistar is one of our favorite ramen spots in the city. And while standard options like tonkotsu are great, the best ones here are the unique Oiistar exclusives. There are fusion-y bowls like the Tikkamen with masala, Pozolemen made with chipotle, and the rich mollusk-loaded Musselmen. All of the creative variations pair perfectly with their thin, chewy, housemade noodles. Though the narrow dining space has plenty of tables and bar seats, it fills up around dinner time, so plan to leave work a little early for a “doctor’s appointment” if you want to beat the rush." - sam faye, adrian kane, john ringor

"Though Oiistar in Wicker Park has a very delicious standard tonkotsu bowl, some of the best ramen variations at this busy spot are the ones that defenestrate (thanks SAT prep) tradition. Oiistar successfully cross-pollinates ramen with other cuisines—from the Tikkamen which is flavored with masala, to the Pozolemen which is packed with chipotle chiles. When combined with the pleasant chew of their thin, housemade noodles, it’s worth rushing to grab a bar seat after work before this place fills up for dinner." - john ringor

"One of Chicago’s top ramen spots, Oiistar doesn’t play by the rules — in lieu of traditional bowls of Japanese noodles, it puts out versions with ingredients like mussels and chicken masala. Cool off without sacrificing kick with a bowl of spicy zzolmen, chilled noodles with spinach, pulled pork, avocado, crispy almond, radish, and a fried egg." - Naomi Waxman