Strings Ramen Shop
Ramen restaurant · South Loop ·
Fresh noodles daily, 5 spice levels of Hell Ramen, Kura Buta
Fresh noodles daily, 5 spice levels of Hell Ramen, Kura Buta
"The best place for ramen in Chinatown. They serve four different types of broth (shoyu, miso, shio, and tonkotsu), and the tonkotsu super premium (with pork belly, loin, shoulder, beef tongue, clams, and duck) is the best thing on the menu. If you like things extra spicy, the “Hell Ramen” has five different spice levels, the highest of which is hot enough to warrant an “eat this and get a T-shirt” challenge." - adrian kane, john ringor
"Just off the Belmont stop, Strings has some of the best ramen in the neighborhood. It seems like an easygoing place at first, but then you take a look at the menu and see “HELL RAMEN” in all caps. There are five spice levels of Hell Ramen if you’re seeking a challenge, but no judgments if you’d rather take it easy with a bowl of filet mignon shoyu instead." - sam faye, adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru
"Noodles are a vital component of the best ramen and few take it more seriously than this Chinatown shop, which makes its own noodles daily, using a Japanese machine to impart a firm and chewy texture. There are five different broths available, and the brave diners who finish bowls of the level five “Hell Ramen” are rewarded with a free bowl, a T-shirt, and a gift card. The fiery soup is packed with Tianjing chili, Sichuan chili bean sauce, Thai chili, pequin chili, ghost peppers, and scorpion peppers. Additional Chicago locations are in Hyde Park and Lakeview where the company is moving to a larger location. Additionally, Strings operates a West Loop location call Gyuro. It specializes in gyokotsu." - Naomi Waxman
"All three Chicago locations of Strings Ramen (Chinatown, Lakeview, and Hyde Park) make their own straight, square-cut noodles. They’re a little on the thicker side, and have a very strong, firm bite. But, aside from their noodles, what sets Strings apart from the other places on this list is a large ramen selection. They have tonkotsu, chicken, and turkey based miso, seaweed based shoyu, as well as some vegetarian and vegan options. And if you’re a thrill-seeking spice lover, then you can try their Hell Ramen: a fiery bowl packed with numbing spice, scorpion pepper, and ghost pepper that requires a signed waiver before consumption. If you finish the entire bowl in 20 minutes, you’ll get a $50 gift card and a free t-shirt that doubles as a rag for your sweaty face." - john ringor
"Strings in Chinatown is our favorite spot in Chicago for a bowl of classic tonkotsu ramen. The broth is rich and flavorful, and the handmade noodles have the perfect bite and chew. They’ll ask you if you prefer lean or fatty pork belly, and just in case you don’t eat pork they have options like turkey, seafood, or duck. If you happen to be one of those “I don’t like soup” people they also have mazemen too. But also, why are you reading this guide?" - adrian kane, courtney sprewer
