Slurping Turtle

"Nobody remembers Michael Jordan in his late years. But at the same time, did you know MJ averaged 20 points and played in all 82 games his last season? That’s Slurping Turtle. We kind of forget it’s there and it’s not going to win any championships, but there’s something to be said for staying healthy and putting up 20 a game. As a Japanese izakaya you can go a number of routes at Slurping Turtle, including ramen, sushi, or small plates like gyoza, short ribs, and more. None of it will let you down even if it’s not going to carry you through a great night. The place is sleek and also loud, but not as trendy as its neighbors. You can lean on Slurping Turtle as an in-between type restaurant in River North, even if the food and atmosphere are never going to completely win you over. Don’t forget that Shaq ended his career by doing a carousel in Phoenix, Boston, and Cleveland. Things at Slurping Turtle are way better than that. Food Rundown Brussels Sprouts Nicely grilled brussels sprouts. Kind of like all the other brussels sprouts you’ve had, so at least they aren’t any worse. Gyoza Good for sharing as a starter. Hamachi Tacos Yellowtail, truffle-soy, and a taro root shell. Interesting but not that great. We’d skip these tacos, which is kind of a common theme for the raw fish in general. Beef Short Ribs These beef short ribs are actually great. Cooked well after being marinated in a sweet Japanese soy based sauce. Tonkotsu Ramen The pork broth is a little on the salty side, but overall pretty good. It comes with homemade noodles, pork chasu, bok choy, molten egg, naruto, and chili oil for a respectable $14. Spicy Salmon Donburi Another solid meal you can get alone at a reasonable price. The spicy salmon is good, which is why this donburi bowl overall gets the job done. Chef’s Choice Assorted Sashimi Plate We wouldn’t base a meal around sushi here. It’s the kind of raw fish that needs soy sauce to make it taste better." - Sam Faye

"The ramen boom was just percolating in Chicago when Takashi Yagihashi, a chef who has earned a James Beard Award, Michelin stars, and gained national fame while appearing on Iron Chef America and Top Chef Masters, opened this casual Japanese restaurant in River North in 2011. Slurping Turtle was at the forefront of a huge culinary trend in town, packing in diners for more than seven years for ramen, cocktails, and more. Yagihashi, who was also involved with a pair of restaurants in Michigan, left Slurping Turtle about a year before it closed. And although it’s been gone since May, its influence lives on at the many casual Japanese restaurants around the city." - Daniel Gerzina

"Slurping Turtle, opened by acclaimed chef Takashi Yagihashi in River North in 2011, will close in late May after nearly eight years. It was at the forefront of Chicago’s ramen boom and known for its affordable menu and cocktails. Yagihashi left the restaurant in June 2018, and it will soon close its Chicago location." - Daniel Gerzina

"Ramen favorite Slurping Turtle officially closed at 116 W. Hubbard Street on May 30." - Ashok Selvam

"Though his Michelin-starred namesake Bucktown restaurant closed more than three years ago, Yagihashi has a presence in Chicago thanks to Slurping Turtle in River North." - Ashok Selvam