Strings Ramen Shop Madison

Best ramen I’ve ever had! Will absolutely be back again when I’m back in Madison for sure. I had the spicy crab + pork miso ramen and my friend had mikkusu yasai and then we shared chicken gyoza. The oil at the bottom of the gyoza was SO good, I wanted to drink it. Only gripe (which isn’t their fault) is that parking in the area can be hard to come by depending on when you go 😅

Of ALL the ramen places in Madison, Strings is the best. The Tonkatsu with Pork Belly is the best I’ve ever had, and their non-Ramen options are equally delicious. Service is super fast and you get in-get out very quickly. No easy parking options, but absolutely worth a trip!

Fantastic small place near the college. Had an excellent simple design and solid authentic ramen. I loved the 5 levels of hell challenge with their spicy ramen. Great portions and friendly staff. Only did level 2 . Hope to go back and try level 5.

Ramen was okay (Oishi & Ramen Station has better ramen). Music was so loud I couldn't talk to my friends, bathroom was disgusting & the servers wanted us to leave quickly. The price was way too high for the quality of the food. Not coming back. Also if you want ground pork you have to get clams with it & the clams had sand in them, which means they weren't cleaned properly. Gross.

I mean it's Strings, you already know it's going to be good if youeve ever been to the OG in Chicago, this one is bo exception. The spicy crab ramen was fantastic and the Hell level 1 sauce is a nice touch if you like spice. The edamame comes with some spice on top which I loved, my partner did not, so just be aware to order it with just salt if you don't like a little spice.

it was very yummy ^_^ すごい👍 with each noodle that slurped down my gullet i felt my blood surge!!! and that broth, oh the broth. So creamy and flavorful! and the spice was excelled. I feel like i could eat there until my heart stops! won’t take too long haha. My ancestors and I thank you for the food that nourishes the soul. ありがとうございます😊

Totally okay Ramen. Very little meat. Flavor is alright. Outrageously priced. Nice location. Music is way too loud. Bathroom is disgusting. Probably will not dine in again.

My partner and I always look for new Ramen spots in the cities we go, and this was a Gem! This place had our stomachs full and met our expectations. It felt busy, but the food still came out quick, and the flavors of the ramen were fantastic! Would totally recommend if you're stopping near downtown Madison.

Delicious, fast, and right near campus! I think this place is perfect for the price. Might be a little difficult to get to if you're driving as parking is limited on the streets, but if you're coming by bus it's great!

Just went here the other night for ramen. We got seated within 5 minutes. The service was so fast we ordered and had our food within 10ish minutes. We got the tonkotsu pork belly ramen and the miso pork loin ramen. Both were so good. The pork belly was a little to fatty for me (to be expected) but the tonkotsu broth was so light, 'normal' ramen broth. The miso had a little more wasabi tang which I loved. It was such a comforting meal, the portion sizes are good for one (hungry) person. We liked it so much he ordered it again a couple nights later when he was a little under the weather; the tonkotsu pork loin ramen bowl. Would recommend.

It was fast and great service! Prices are okay, could be cheaper. Upset there are no chicken or beef ramen options! If you don't eat pork, you're only option is a turkey or crab ramen. Otherwise the sides are yummy!!

TL;DR: 3.5. Food is good, service could be better, and prices are a tad higher than other local competitors. I have other preferred spots. Food: 4 Noodles could be better, but the takoyaki was solid and the broth was tasty. The pork was very tender! Service: 3 Our server was cordial enough, but she didn't come check on us. Nothing horrible, but nothing particularly shining in this area. Ambiance: 4 Nice decorations with a variety of seating.

The broth was SO delicious and flavorful. The gyoza was also very tasty. Will definitely be returning for more. It is a bit pricey ($15 for the ramen, $8 for 6pcs gyoza).

I had lunch from here. I went for Hell ramen level 4 spiciness. Level 4 was too spicy for me. I should have gone for level 3. Level 4 gave tingling sensations in stomach. It was tough to enjoin the ramen. Ajitsuke tamago was a flavor ful soft cooked egg, and went very nice with Ramen.

Back again! Same classic flavor and jammy egg in hearty broth. So yummy and satisfying

This ramen was not for me. I got the tonkatsu ramen- the broth was very peppery(?) and a bit too sweet. The cut of pork I got was small compared to other ramen places I've been too and almost half fat. While I can appreciate fat on a piece of meat this felt more like scum. The menma was overcooked and had no crispness. I did also get the boiled gyoza (pork) which was nice and well seasoned.

Solid! Menu is very simple in design, yet informative in structure. (Japanese words/kanji are explained in parenthesis.) My only "complaint" is that my extra order ajitama was served separately. Please slice and serve the ramen, puuuhhhhleeeaase. I went middle of the week and middle of the day; I found meter parking out front for 30min ($1, card or coin). I'll be back!

OMG! wow was I blown away with this place! From the outside it really doesn't look like much, and it's a smaller restaurant when you walk inside; but hot dang the food is soooo delicious!! I ordered the Hell Fire Level 2 ramen, pork dumplings and green tea mochi ice cream all togo. You get 6 large gyoza dumplings and the flavor of the hell fire broth was sooooo good! Spicy but still in a flavorful way! The staff was soooo helpful in helping me pick my items, it being my first time here and were super friendly and patient with me. And everything they suggested was delicious! The togo containers were strong, sturdy and MICROWAVEABLE for leftovers. They even put my mochi in a bag of ice so it didn't melt when I walked to my hotel! 12/10 would recommend this place and return again my next madison visit!!

First time in Madison Wisconsin Definitely recommend this place! Chill vibe and excellent food & service!

Quick service, and busy spot right on state street. There's a lot of competitors around but I find strings is the best one in this block! They have fresh noodles, and their shoyu base broth is flavorful and not too salty. Highly recommend!

As a ramen enthusiast on a quest to uncover Madison's top noodle spot, I recently visited Strings Ramen with a friend. Opting for the Sui Gyoza - boiled chicken dumplings with a spicy ponzu sauce - alongside the Spicy Crab Miso Ramen at Level one spice, our expectations were high. While the ramen was decent, it didn't quite hit the mark of extraordinary. However, the Sui Gyoza stole the show with its flavorful filling and zesty ponzu sauce, leaving a lasting impression. Service was impeccable, and the convenience of finding parking right in front was a definite plus in a city where parking can often be a challenge. Though the ramen didn't blow me away, the overall experience was enjoyable, making it a worthwhile stop on my quest for the perfect bowl of noodles.

Had a taste for Ramen, so we sought out Strings Ramen near State Street on Francis. First impressions: very clean and pleasantly greeted at the door. The menu was large but organized. Our server gave us a quick tutorial on the menu offerings, for which we were appreciative. We ordered an appetizer of Shrimp Gyoza. The Gyoza arrived surprisingly fast. The order included six freshly boiled plump and fresh dumplings with ponzu sauce. Perfect for 2 or 3 diners to share. Our two entrees arrived quickly as well. My husband tried the Miso Ramen Kura Buta Loin. The smooth and tasty miso broth was full of corn, scallions, bean sprouts, ramen, and pork loin slices. He thoroughly enjoyed his dish. I tried the Vegetable Yaki Soba, which was stir-fried noodles and vegetables with two perfectly fried eggs on top with a side of dashi broth. This dish was perfection to me! It truly filled my ramen craving with its array of mushrooms, broccoli, bean sprouts, etc. The slightly runny eggs acted as the frosting on the cake. This dish was heavenly.

Authentic & delicious ramen offerings at absolutely reasonable, dare I say, inexpensive prices. I've eaten here twice now and truly wish they were in NYC. We started off with the steamed pork dumplings. They were seasoned with a much higher spicy heat dumpling sauce than I've experienced before....and it was excellent! The skin was thin & the filling was moist and delicious. I HIGHLY recommend them. Following the dumplings I thought I gave the Shogou Hell Ramen a try. It's described as a Level 3 (of 5...the hottest will earn you a $50 gift card, t-shirt & ramen bowl!) chili heat dish. It's that...at least!! The chilis in this dish are as follows; Chinese Tian Jing red chili, Szechuan chili bean sauce, Thai chili, Piquin chili and Ghost peppers. The ramen texture & cook is perfect. The heat is REAL! I enjoyed a couple cold Asahis to slake my thirst & ease the heat. Really fun challenge & irresistible. We finished our meal with the best green tea & strawberry mochis I've EVER experienced. Thin skin again with tasty ice creams lurking within. I have no hesitation in recommending Strings Ramen to anyone who like good food. The only reason Strings doesn't get my 5th is twofold. The first is that the interior isn't exactly eye catching & the 2nd visit we were asked if we wanted our bill before we were finished eating TWICE by 2 different staff members who weren't our server...which was annoying.

We dined in on a weekend and we were seated lol okay right away. I enjoyed reading the history of ramen and guide to eating ramen on their menu. I got the Vegetarian Hell Ramen Level 2 and it wasn't as spicy, so I added some Onikasu (red spice) that was provided on each table. My husband got a level 3, and that was spicy! The broth was very flavorful and I liked the toppings as well. This is easily one of my favorite ramen places in the area. Pro tip: If you are unsure about the spice level for your Hell Ramen, then level down on your spice and add Onikasu (red spice) on the table to bring the spice level to your liking.

Food was okay. I ordered the tonkotsu ramen with pork bell. I really like spicy so I ordered my spice level at 3. There was very little flavor and not spicy at all. For the amount that I paid I was pretty disappointed. I also ordered the chicken gyoza and that was good for the price. Probably won't b back.

Food was ok. The Ramen and takoyaki were good to the pallets. The rice bowls however were very salty. Wayy too much soy sauce. The location in Chicago is a lot better.

rAAAAAAAAAAH OMFG THIS PLACE IS INCREDIBLE.. MADISON i had 0 expectations for ramen but strings blew me away. so yummy, such a good pricepoint in my opinion, and super nice staff and so cozy!! cant wait to come back for more in the cold winter months

Pretty tasty chain ramen joint well located in Madison and staffed by non-Japanese East Asians. We stopped by for lunch on a game day when most of the usual places had huge lines, it seems Strings Ramen wasn't in people's game day plans, which is fine. Wasn't super hungry so just got the Tonkotsu Kura Buta (Pork Belly) ramen. It was served in a decent sized bowl and generally nicely hot. The broth was really good, a fairly deep complex and very tasty Tonkotsu broth, surprisingly good for a chain place. The Chasu was a nice thick slice of pork, also very tasty. There were some decent additional toppings, a piece of Nori, a soft boiled egg, wood ear mushrooms, bamboo, sesame seeds and scallion. These toppings were all pretty good but the egg was cold, it most definitely was boiled before and came out of the refrigerator. This was bit of a dissappointing note to an otherwise very good bowl of ramen. One other thing I didn't appreciate was the several mentions in the menu of how China influenced ramen or served as an ancestor to the development of ramen in Japan. While there is some truth to this, it seemed unnecessary and distracted from the focus on ramen, which is a Japanese dish. Lets just focus on the ramen and different styles of Japanese ramen. Overall the service was good, the ramen was good, the place is clean and would go again.

Second time here since I was in the area. If you have read my other reviews, you know I'm a huge fan of anything soupy from pho, bun rieu, to ramen. My other favorite place is ramen station as there's more depth in the broth and the broth were served HOT! Unsure why, but the broth wasn't hot and I'm just not used to a bowl of ramen without hot broth. Anyhow, despite the broth wasn't that great, it was still good to satisfy my hunger. The pork belly melted in my mouth but wasn't that flavorful.

Got the tonkotsu belly ramen - absolutely delicious. I should've taken a picture before diving in! Service was attentive (the table next to me had an error with their order and it was fixed quickly) and quick, the music is perfectly pleasant pop music, and the tables for four+ are comfy. will happily come back - one of the great restaurants in walking distance.

Fast, easy takeout for business guest staying at hotel nearby. Pick up was ready and had fork, spoon, and chopsticks as required.

Who doesn't love ramens? Since I can't travel to Japan (thanks to pandemic) and really glad to find this spot. Parking is tricky. Seated immediately upon entering. Ordered the spicy pork broth and braised pork ones. Love the crunchy bamboo shoots. Soup was hot when served. Minimalist design and they offer a loyalty program. One stamp per bowl and get 1 free after 10th bowl. One star off since the quantity of noodles is a tad little. I might have to pay for extra noodles next time!

This place had pretty good ramen! I've been here twice and it does not disappoint. I tried the belly tonkotsu and red bean mochi. They're soo good. But why four stars? I would give this 5 if it had more depth in the flavor. I felt the broth could have had a little more. It wasn't bad but my palette felt like something was missing. Either way, I'd still come back!

Clean. Quick. Tasty. Service was great. Hell 1 ramen had the perfect amount of spice. Fantastic flavor. No frills ramen shop. Just good ramen quickly.

Was craving some ramen and came across this place near the University campus. It had a very nice interior with most tables accommodating 4-6 people. I usually stick to ordering pork belly ramen wherever I go but was glad to see this menu had a lot more options of different ramens. I tried the spicy crab ramen and it was very good. It had a decent amount of crabmeat in it and had a great broth flavor profile. I can't handle too spicy of food and found this ramen to be a perfect spice level for me and not too spicy. I liked all the other toppings in the ramen too, with the corn and seaweed being a good complement to the noodles and crabmeat. Will definitely go back here if I am craving ramen.

Fricken sweet, definitely on the cozy side.. but amazing food... so dang good tried a couple things and it was excellent- and my son and I love to hit ramen shops when we travel and this place stacks up well

If I have to pick a ramen place in town this will always be my pick. The atmosphere is lively with many patrons and music going. The service was great but the servers some times lack the knowledge of the food items. This isn't an issue normally but the food that are offered were very specific, such as tonkotsu ramen or rice dishes, so I would have expected the servers to know their food. The food were great no matter which one we chose. All items had a unique taste to them, even if you get the same ramen but with different toppings. It was also a little funny in that they have a ramen with some of the world hottest peppers. Appetizer were great in taste but not in size if you are planning on sharing appetizers. There are multiple tables for you to sit down with long tables for groups and smaller tables along the walls for single or pairs. The downside is the size of the location made it a little too close to the tables adjacent to you. You would also have to wait a few minutes depending on the time you eat because there are sometimes line out the door, proving how popular this place is. Overall the restaurant is a must go for ramen lovers. The only thing holding the restaurant back is the size of the place but the wait is worth it.

Clean, quick service, great place to eat, casual. I was not adventurous enough to try the "hell Ramen" nor take the challenge. The bowl was nicely put together and delicious. I'd eat here again.

I'm so happy I came here with my friends! There was about a 20 minute wait since it was a Friday night and it was quite busy. Seating is available for individuals or small groups, but I wouldn't recommend coming with a group larger than 6-8 people (it can feel pretty crowded). The food was excellent! Our orders were taken quickly, and the food arrived at a reasonable time. Our servers were very efficient and friendly. My standards for ramen are lower in Madison, but Strings Ramen met my standards for ramen I'd expect to eat back home in California I LOVE perfectly soft boiled eggs. The soup was well balanced and the temperature of the food was perfect. My only personal complaint is against the copious amounts of onion on every dish (I will ask to have it removed next time). There is a single restroom available for customers. It is kept relatively clean, well supplied, and functional.

Im gonna give it a 5/5! Pretty great ramen for Madison. Which by itself I would give probably an 8.5/10. The ambiance of the restaurant is great! It's so cozy and somehow makes me hungry just being there. The service is also nice. I only have been there a few times, having the same server, but they were very efficient and polite, while not being too vocal (ideal for a ramen place imo) Thanks for the good food! 9/10. Rating 5/5 because it's the closest to how I feel.

My first visit, and I will come again. Preface: my friend and I ordered the Lotus Root, Edamame, Kuro Buta (Belly) Tonokotsu Ramen, and the Kuro Buta (Loin) Miso Ramen. The positives: - Edamame came out freshly steamed, hot, and with a proper amount of both salt and togarashi. 5/5 stars - The renkon (lotus root) was absolutely spot on. Salty, sweet, crisp, and with the barest hint of heat. 5/5 stars - The ramen looks the business. Plated attractively, good choice of toppings well-matched to the specific dish. Nice amount of fat in the broth, giving it a good feel on the tongue. 4/5 stars - My chashu pork belly was fantastic. Flavorful, meltingly tender. 5/5 stars - Ajitsuke tamago (the soft-cooked ramen egg) was perfect. Good flavor, jammy yolk. 5/5 stars The "could be improved": - Our lotus root appetizer arrived with just a small bowl. In Japan it is considered rude to eat food directly from a shared dish. Having lived in Japan for 5 years, this felt very awkward. Next time, small plates allowing everyone to take a portion rather than going directly from the bowl into their mouth would be appreciated. - I'm not sure whether it was the broth or the tare, but my tonkotsu ramen tasted very strongly of pepper. Totally overwhelmed any other flavors. It wasn't the heat that was a problem, as I love spicy. It was the "smack you in the face" level of pepper, to the point that it was basically a one-note dish. The miso ramen was just fine, so I suspect it was the tare. Anyway, very solid. My last ramen in Madison at a restaurant was at Morris Ramen at least two years ago and Strings compares very favorably. Definitely a come again!

*Vegan review* The vegan options here are limited (all of the ramen noodles have egg in them), but don't worry there are other options on the menu. I started with the veggie gyoza, and was surprised to find out they had sweet potato in them! They were tasty with the dumpling sauce but a little bland on their own. The veggie donburi (make sure to order no egg to make sure it's vegan!) was huge and loaded with veggies. Very tasty and super filling, I would definitely get it again.

Strings is the best Ramen in Madison. Not more that needs to be said. Don't play with the spice if you aren't ready to be knocked out of your shoes. The broth is creamy, flavorful, and the egg is perfectly cooked. The different levels of spice elevate the dish... if you dare to try it. The edamame and dumplings are both great as well!

I visited Strings Ramen for dinner and it did not disappoint. You are able to customize different spice levels for their ramen broths. The heat levels range from 1-5 which is really cool. I think they have a ramen challenge that you can participate in as well! Overall, the shoyu broth that I got was very flavorful and the noodles were very chewy and perfectly cooked. I enjoyed their edamame which was complimented with a savory seasoning. Overall, very neat spot for a quick snack or sit down meal.

I think I might BE ramen at this point. I've been to Strings multiple times and it never disappoints. The last time I went, a snow storm was hitting madison and it was almost subzero temps-- perfect time for a warm piping HOT bowl of ramen. My favorites: Tonkostu ramen, when you need an extra creamy umami kick; miso ramen, when you want something with the classic tangy sweet richness of miso flavor; and cat rice, for a classic good bowl of poké. And of course always get it with kuro buta belly, which is the fattier of the pork options (because the fattier, the better) Check in on this here Yelp and snag some free edamame. Great side to have to add to all your different ramen. Don't forget to ask for a punch card! It's buy 10 bowls of ramen get 1 free!! You may have to spend over $200 in ramen, but when it comes to Strings, it's priceless. TLDR: Go Strings, or Go home (unless your forgot our punch card)!!

Food is good and tastes great, but has given me horrible diarrhea TWICE now. The first time when I tried it with a group of friends, we all had the same issue but thought it was because we all were coming down with a cold. I gave the food the benefit of the doubt and went again yesterday. I've had horrible GI issues the entire day, even though I tried something different this time. My friend who I went with also had the same problem both times we went.

The food was so good. We ordered the Yakima soba kuro and sausage. Our service was quick and friendly.

Edamame- holy spicy!!!! Chicken gyoza- Spicy The cat rice, miso Turkey, shoyu kuro buta loin, and miso kuro buta Loin we're all amazing. Plenty of food. And not super spicy. Portions of the edamame were inedible due to The spicy seasoning! And was very difficult to eat the chicken gyoza due to the spice.

This is my go to spot during a busy week because it's so close to work. I know exactly what I want. Tonkotsu Ramen, Kuro Buta Pork Belly, No Menma, Level 2 spice on the side. Great place for a group of 6 or smaller. Ramen orders are filled quickly. Service is great! They provide a pitcher of water for your table. Decor is great. Not a lot of seating but people cycle through lunch quickly. I'd highly recommend you follow their Instagram for specials and promotions! They had a back to school special for students for 15% off your meal with your school ID. Totally recommend all of the broths. The appetizers are great too! Try out one of their sodas or mochi. If you're up for it, try the Hell Ramen Challenge. Good luck!

Authentic and efficient, friendly service and excellent, home cook Ramen! My son picked sty perfect place on this cool day! Fresh veggies and tasting ingredients make this place a go-to for fresh cuisine. Delicious

Have gone a couple of times and it is consistently delicious. The pork belly is always a great choice. Love the regular and the pork ramen.

We ordered miso ramen with kurobuta pork. The broth completely lacked flavors, as if they forgot to add salt entirely. All they would have to do was just taste before they serve anything. The pork was good, but the overall experience was disappointing.

Damn good ramen. The toppings are perfect, and they offer different level "spice bombs" for the more adventurous pallet. That way you can enjoy a good miso, but still get in the kick.

Definitely a worth stop for some ramen or other Japanese foods! They do have rice dishes and apps so when it's not ramen weather I'll be back to try more. They do also have limited beers and they tell me today that sake is coming (YES!). This has a chain look to it but I wasn't sure so the server explained that there is this location and two in Chicago. I call that regional chain but it's still local to this area. They have very upbeat unique music playing I. The background which I think plays to their often younger crowd with the location being so close to the students. Cool spot!

Ordered a vegetarian ramen, the serving size was much smaller than I expected for the price that was charged. There was some flavor in the ramen, but it definitely needed more flavor to be considered a ramen at all, more like a watered-down soup with a lot of oil floating atop. Not a lot of noodles and was very disappointed. I finished my meal here and then found another place to eat so I could actually feel fuller. Not going again.

I've only ever had delivery from Strings, but - WOW! - it is amazing. We have a good selection of ramen places in the city, i'm not going to cut corners about that - there's a little something for everyone. But Strings quickly moved into first place for me. I LOVE the broth here - and I was so excited to find ramen with a good heat to it. I usually order Hell Ramen level 1 or 2 (i'll get brave, eventually, and work my way through that heat scale), which uses spicy ground pork and quality hot ingredients. Absolutely would recommend. My husband has gotten the Kuro Buta each time we've ordered Strings, with the belly, and he has nothing but wonderful things to say about his entree. All in all, give this a shot. I think you'll be glad you did. ;)

Coming back from The Mall Of America in Bloomington, MN we decided to detour through Madison WI to find someplace other then the fast food crap that lines the interstate. We found Strings Ramen. The restaurant is laid out with a ordering, kitchen & serving area on the left and a linear row of booths on the right w/Asian style lanterns over the walkway. It was pretty chilly and we wanted something hot to warm ourselves internally something like hot soup or Ramen. Strings Ramen seemed to solve that issue. Strings is located in Madison WI. The Strings in Madison has been opened about 1 year. It's a far cry from the instant dry packaged Ramen we use to eat in college fo 10 cents a pack. I ordered the ramen w/the creamy pork stock. This broth was hot & chock full of flavor. Besides the ramen noodles it came w/a couple of pieces of pork belly, fish cakes, seaweed, green onion and 1/2 of a molten boiled egg. They cook the broth for 48 hours and it was delicious. My wife got a soy based vegetable ramen which was ok, but I found it to be lacking in flavor. Besides the ramen noodles here came w/bamboo slices, cabbage, seaweed, green onions, corn kernels & slices of red ginger. She ordered a soy base broth for her brother too w/ramen noodles, pork belly, 1/2 of a boiled molten egg, bamboo, seaweed & green onions. This hot ramen was just what the doctor ordered to satiate our hunger & warm ourselves up. Strings Ramen in Madison is a nice restaurant & has been opened about 1 year according to the waitress. There are 2 Strings Ramen restaurants in Chicago, 1 in Chinatown & 1 in Lakeview.