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Great free street parking. Small place so make reservations. The loaded gyoza were a-freaking-delicious! I loved the egg in the Shoyu Plus and I'm not a huge egg eater. Bowls are monster size as the name implies. Can't wait to go back.
Beef based ramen was perfect for our friend who cant eat pork! We came wednesday night and it was packed! We had no reservation but when i checked the latest was 7, so Im guessing this is a popular late night bite. We waited about 40 minutes for a table of 5. Was slightly disappointed that two party that came after us got seated first at the bar. There were a lot of seats open as the dinner rush died so I wished we were asked if bar over table was fine because our 5th seat at the table ended up being a stool anyways. Miso Ramen: I could taste the difference between pork base and beef base for sure. I prefer pork, but if you like beef flavor this will be great. The beef was tender, but not too flavorful. The egg was PERFECT. Noodles are thin and while thicker noodles are my preference they were cooked just right. 7.3/10 the chili oil is made with ghost pepper FYI! I know they try to warn us with 3 spice sign but my friends were not ready and wish we were told this before and not when it hit our table. Overall not my taste profile and a bit more expensive than I like, I can see myself coming back for friends who cant eat pork.
Sorry, I'm not getting the hype here. This was a very underwhelming meal especially for it to be so pricy. Hubs is an Amex holder so we get quarterly credits for resy restaurants and Monster was on that list. Tbh if it wasn't for resy we wouldn't have tried it. We like to think that this meal was 'comped' so we didn't feel too bad for and would probably not try again. It's been on my radar just because I heard great things about it but for me this was a downfall. House Shio - $17 mid asf Broth was unmemorable. Barely any eatable toppings and this was recommended by the server Monster Ramen - $33 most expensive ramen ever. Better than shio but also not great Also not understanding why there's red onions in this. Noddles were too thin for my liking.
I wanted to love this place so bad, especially since it has been on my list for soooo long. It was good, but I was just very underwhelmed. Maybe I have to give it a second chance? Not sure. Before the ramen, we ordered the beef gyoza to share. The gyoza was actually very delicious and melts in your mouth! My friend and I both ordered the miso wagyu and I got the chili oil on the side. The menu states the chili oil is supposed to be x3 spicy but it was not spicy whatsoever - I even put like 4 spoonfuls in my ramen. The chili oil did make the broth more flavorful though. The restaurant itself is lively yet small with limited seating. Parking is a little difficult, especially on the weekend. Definitely make a reservation cause it gets cramped inside with people waiting by the door.
A friend and I decided to try the location out for lunch at 12pm. I do recommend if you are going later try to get a reservation as the location is not extremely big. Parking is located everywhere so it's pretty easy. Since there was just two of us, we were sat at the little bar area where you can see the staff making your food. Waters were brought right away. Drink menu sit at the table along with the menu. My friend ordered the Monster Ramen and I got the House shino. They do charge for the chili oil which my friend said was decent along with a can of coke. The food came out fast and hot. Personly I found it to be a little pricey for what you get vs other Ramen places we have been to that offer alot more without having to pay extra. But the staff was friendly, the location was clean, and light music was playing.
Almost every video of ramen rankings in the city Monster Ramen seems to always be in the top five. So you can say my expectations were pretty high. My favorite ramen is definitely Akahoshi but I wasn't expecting it to be similar since Monster Ramen seems to specialize in beef. Between four, we both ordered the shoyu plus and the miso wagyu. The shoyu plus was waaaay better in my opinion in terms of flavor and taste. It almost didn't taste like a chicken based broth but more of a beef. It was really comforting and I loved how thin the ramen noodles were. Unfortunately, I wasn't a big fan of the miso wagyu. I was expecting a flavor bomb from the miso and Wagyu but it came short as it was super bland. I ended up taking some of the broth from the shoyu plus into the miso Wagyu to give it the oomph it was missing. I also did not enjoy the Wagyu as it was very chewy and cut in big chunks. Overall, I wouldn't say this makes my top 5 ramens in the city but if you're craving a good hearty bowl of ramen and there's open reservation, I'd say why not. They do have unique options that you can't really find elsewhere.
Tried out Monster Ramen tonight with some friends. Made a reservation beforehand, which was a good idea due to it being busy when we arrived. Service was quick and waiters attentive. I ordered The Monster ramen, broth was delicious and the noodles were really good! Also ordered the fried gyoza, it was tasty! Even tried Japanese beer called Tokyo White, I enjoyed it. Place was very clean. It's a small space but it's very cute!
I had heard great things about Monster Ramen from multiple people so I went to check it out. The inside is cozy - definitely smaller than I was anticipating. I get why people say to either come early or make a reservation! We went for lunch and got there within an hour after opening and were seated immediately. Our server was so sweet and attentive, checking in on us regularly and refilling our waters. We ordered the edamame, pickled vegetables, and spicy loaded gyoza for our apps. Edamame was crisp and well salted. The pickled veg was a nice change of pace and had a good bite to them. The loaded gyoza had good flavor; they're soft, not crispy, which was unexpected. The ramen portions are sizable, as to be expected from a ramen shop. I split the Monster with one of my friends and that was plenty. You can also order an extra serving of noodles to go with your ramen. The broth is rich and beefy for sure. That's not to my taste but I would recommend it to a beef lover. They make their noodles fresh in house. The taste and texture of their noodles is more akin to angel hair pasta than typical ramen noodles, which doesn't appeal to me. They're very generous with the toppings! All in all, I can see why other people enjoy this place, but I wouldn't go again.
I ordered The Monster - Wagyu rib roast, wagyu chashu & beef Jam, gyukotsu, garlic miso tare, ajitama, menma, kikurage, wakame, corn, chopped leeks, red onions, sesame, nori. My friends got the Shoyu Plus and Miso Wagyu. Top ramen spot for sure. I love that they make their own noodles although I prefer thicker noodles for more chewiness. Everyone liked the broth of their ramen. Egg was cooked perfectly. All the different beef cuts in my monster ramen were excellent! Prices are quite steep. I can understand the hard labor that goes into this quality but the portion of noodles should be more in my opinion. Especially for $30+ monster ramen, you should get a double portion of noodles; not pay extra. Service was good and efficient.
The food was mid the flavors really didn't hit the way I expected . Though the broth portion was decent size I felt for the price the beef could've been slightly bigger portioned and not just based on its location. The service was friendly but the servers didn't look too happy , nor did the stewards. The ambiance is nice but kinda cramped they got the whole vibe from Japan just right though lol . Overall it was a decent meal if I was in a rush to eat before bed. I'd try again another time of day .
This place has been on my to go list for the longest time and I finally came here on a rainy day just to have some ramen. I wasn't super impressed with the broth or noodles nor the portions. I felt like the portions were a bit small because I still felt hungry afterwards. I did take advantage of the specials they were having because it's summer which was spicy summer shio. The spiciness gave it a good kick and the toppings were ok. I don't think I will return even though I really want the Monster Ramen with wagyu rib roast after experiencing something a slightly lower tier. Overall, it was a meal I had just to check the box that I've been here.
I'm sitting here in my living room, mired by an early, uninvited awakening. It was not a thud. No alarm. Just a gentle frazzle of sunlight stealing me from night. In no way had my body rested. Donned in dawn, my underwear-pajamas slightly slid down revealed a sad vision of man, sloppily tangled in ruffled sheets. Exposed. There is nothing pretty about me, I thought, as I pondered if the sunlight were judging what it saw. Before reaching my current perch on the living room couch, I sat in bed flicking through news in search of something good, but simultaneously only pausing on the bad. Glorifying in the doom, really. It was the pinch I needed to prove I was indeed awake. All day I seek the pinch of pain to prove I am not dreaming. Coffee, cats, clothes, splashof water, and 20 steps later I find myself in the planning pose, here in the living room. The planning pose is very much like the wake-startle, sans the sheets and exposed crack. It involves me laying here on the couch actually reading the articles I perused earlier. I like to rationalize that the information gleaned is to set me up for a day of human interaction. Perhaps it is a study session to get up to human-social-speed. Right now it is dawning on me -- my second uninvited dawn of the day -- that perhaps behavior isn't responsible humanity, it is prolonged self torment. The tighter pinch. The proverbial purple nurple of challenging my awakened state. Cats gather around me. One at my feet and the other curled beside my thigh. Am I king to them? They are fed. Surely they are not here in need of something. Have I done something to warrant this attention? My affection toward them is inconsistent. It ebbs in startling fits of overly attentive playing or petting followed by long droughts of disregard. My ambivalence as their king gives me this luxury, and supports my theory that they may think I am indeed king. This is the type of cyclical example loop I am using as evidence to propel me from the underwear'ed fat man the sun observed moments ago. Evidence that says: "See, Sun, I am more than the larva you spotlighted. I am a god! The cats are evidence! And they sleep in your sun-puddles in undisputed, recognizable perfection, not the ugly crack-exposed heap you found me in. You love them. They love me. So, pinch yourself, and stop judging me!" Obviously the coffee is working, or maybe the cats are doing their trick: making me feel accepted in the universe. Whatever the case may be, I pet my cat. Dander floats into the sun's beams and crystallizes in the air. If you've ever seen dust in a thinly sliced light beam at dawn you know: Hope is the accidental luck of shadows bouncing off of the chaos but always cutting through. Always meeting a surface. Penetrating the thickest of atmospheres and colliding on flowers and alleys, on well planned solar panels, on potholes, through any crack, on my crack, projecting obtuse triangles, acute bi-angles, and isosceles quad-tangles, even while penetrating deep into the sea, revealing all the magnificent details of art, and occasionally falling on me. Trees bend to it. I give the cat closest a good scratch behind the ear and look out the window at the trees greening in spring. A dog walker pauses to pick up excrement. A squirrel cowers behind a branch. The ramen restaurant on the corner is cut through by light warming empty tables; tables preparing to slurp up hungry, hopeful lunchers into the belly of contentment. Dark, seemingly an antagonist to light's hero demeanor, sheepishly slinks away, humbly realizing it is not the opposite of light, but the absence. "Beautiful," I think as I see the spicy broth of life warming in the sun glow beyond the glass. Yes. It is beautiful. It really is. I couldn't see how much in the dark but the rhythm out the window is now clear. I turn to my cat, who is winding down a purr. We share a slow-blink gaze at one another as the last sliver of dawn is replaced with shadow in my house. He moves to the window sill to soak in every second as it departs. "Welp, buddy. Nothing left now. Time to bend to the light"
This place is who most of the ramen places in Chicago think they are! The inside is so cute and intimate. The staff is very sweet and patient to explain things on the menu. We were seated and served very quickly, even though we did not have a reservation. The food portions are large, and they have something to fit everyone's dietary restrictions. The food itself was amazing! I can't wait to come back and try the food here again.
1 year ago
Was a bit disappointed in my first experience. They don't take reservations so the wait can be a little long and the ramen I had was tasty but overpriced. They offer beef-based ramen, which has a different taste than the traditional pork-based broths. I had The Monster, and while good and hearty, the dish kind of reminded me of Taiwanese beef noodle soup rather than ramen, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The bowl was too big for me so I took leftovers home, but would have rather been served less for a lesser price. I want to come back and try a different ramen! The space is a little smaller (cozy, but contributes to the longer wait times). We were seated at the bar, but the view was blocked by all the stacked serving bowls, and you could feel a breeze every time the door opened because we were seated close to the entrance unfortunately. read more
Dumplings were great and the ramen was just OK. Came here because I saw a lot of TikTok's but I don't think it lives up to the hype. We sat in front of the live kitchen which is usually a nice experience at other restaurants but we just watched the head chef get mad at the cook repeatedly. Honestly made me stressed watching it! It is a small location and I would recommend calling ahead for wait times. No coat rack! Staff was nice. I would recommend to go somewhere else for your ramen fill! read more
1 year ago
10 months ago
Been meaning to try this place for a while. It did not disappoint. The Ramen was outstanding. The ambience was comforting, intimate and peaceful. The staff and service was excellent. Highly recommended. I would suggest making a reservation. read more
2 years ago
We are big fans of Ramen and have few favorite spots in Chicago but Monster Ramen ranked as number one after the first, but definitely not the last, visit. We tried the special which was Summer Shio with Wagyu sliced beef and kick of hot and citrusy given by lime was absolutely a heaven in mouth. The flavor blast was there until the last spoon. It was not overwhelming but perfectly balanced and addition of beef jam was a right compliment. We tried Gyoza dumplings and they were super delicious, the thin and perfect dough was ideal just how it was supposed to be. I wish they had a wider selection of beers, especially craft ones but maybe this is the area of development. Clear and simple, if you are looking for a great ramen --MONSTER is a place to go!! read more
Wow at a loss for words with my dining experience. This place is on par with the best ramen places in Chicago such as High five and Gyuro ramen. What distinguishes this place is that they substitute the broth with bone/beef instead of pork. Located in Logan square, this little fine restaurant is owned and started by chef Katie Dong who was actually featured on Guy Feiri's show. My friends and I were seated right away so that was a plus. The gyoza special was delicious it had a tint of chili oil spice. By far the monster ramen is so worth the money. Around $30 you get a ton of meat and broth. Kudos to you if can finish it! read more
3 years ago
After seeing all the hype about this place on social media, I decided to give it a try. On a rainy Thursday, after waiting almost an hour for a table in our car waiting for the text message, my friend and I were seated at a table. The restaurant is small, but gives a feel of a modernized Japanese ramen shop with light natural colors and clean lines. The food, I really wanted to enjoy it. Like, really! But, it was just meh to me. Edamame was typical, though I'd hope for more salt. Though we did order our sui gyoza poached, they tasted almost a bit slimey? And my ramen was just fine: It wasn't anything too memorable for me, though it was very filling. My friend got the miso wagyu, which he thoroughly enjoyed and said the meat was very tender. By the time we were eating, the restaurant was more than half empty, as it was after 9pm. A couple came in and were seated immediately...right next to us. With two additional tables being empty and half the bar available, we felt it was quite odd to seat them next to us in a more than half empty restaurant. read more
Went to Monster Ramen with a few friends and we had a pretty great time. I ordered the vegetarian ramen - Miso Yasai. Amazing broth. And lots of different mushroom types! Really loved it. The Blackcurrant cocktail was also very light and refreshing. I've also added a few pictures of the Monster Ramen that my friends got. Sim's pro tip: get the coconut and ube cupcake. It will surprise you. Great flavours and really tasty! read more
10 months ago
11 months ago
I noticed this place opened up in my neighborhood, and then saw it on an Eater Chicago post about top ramen spots in Chicago, so I decided to go check it out. Went with three other friends, the place wasn't huge but we were seated right away (this was a wednesday night, so probably not as busy as it gets). The ambiance was nice, with nice decor and plants. The staff were very friendly too. I ordered the miso wagyu ramen, which came with a nice thick, creamy, and flavorful broth, and all the toppings and meats were delicious. My friend ordered the shoyu plus, and I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious the broth was for that as well. Overall, I'm a fan. I definitely want to come back to this place, the food is great, the prices aren't bad, and the dishes I tried make me want to try the rest of the menu as well. I would recommend it to anyone looking for ramen in logan square. read more
2 years ago
Great service. I'd never had ramen with beef and it was so tender and flavorful. We quickly got sat at the bar, it was busy since it was a Friday night. Props to the staff because they were efficient and friendly and very honest about the wait time. It is a small location so they fill up fast. Thank you for the amazing experience. read more
The real deal. Ramen is wildly popular and there are many ramen joints. Most are average, some are good. Monster Ramen is great. This corner location is on the fringe of Logan Square and has a well crafted interior. We sat at the counter, ordered two Japanese beers and pondered the menu. The service was helpful and takes the time to explain menu items. We started with the loaded gyoza. This is a meal in itself with a yuzu alioli and a balsamic glaze. We then ordered the ramen special and the Shoyu Plus. The bowls were contemporary but the ramen had the historic lineage. Overall this is a great ramen joint. For two people ir was $80 without tip. read more
2 years ago
I have no other words than: Simply the best ramen I've ever had. Me and my GF absolutely loved this place. Could not say 1 bad thing. Every ramen option is 10/10. The wagyu ramen is heavenly. I love in another state but any time I'm back in Chicago, we have no choice but to make a stop here. Still talk and think about this ramen months later.... read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
I simply can't express how much I love this soup and how much it soothes my soul and lifts me up on a gloomy day! The spicy loaded gyoza is fireeee and the monster ramen is my go to. I eat it at least once a month because life is short read more
My experience at Mon Ramen was everything that I thought it would be. The staff was very nice and helpful with the menu highlighting the summer specials. The city area was modern and inviting. I would definitely come back and have a sit down experience. I placed my order online And scheduled to pick up as this place has been very busy with long wait times are hard to get into. However, the day showed up that was not the case, but I think it was due to the weather because it was kind of cold and rainy outside. A perfect day for Ramen! read more
2 years ago
The food is incredible!! I had the best ramen and gyoza. The gyoza skin is so soft and moist (instead of dry and doughy like the ones you get from grocery stores), and the inside filling is gushing with juice. They almost melt in your mouth. The Monster Ramen was well worth the price - the broth is super flavorful, fatty, and savory, the beef had a great chew, and the noodles were perfectly al dente. After I finished my noodles, I made sure to pack up the broth to savor it more at home. This is definitely a unique ramen spot and you will not get the same flavor elsewhere! Great service and ambience! read more
2 years ago
Best place to go if you need a food hug! Amazing ramen with good options! Great staff and ambience. Service was prompt. Would definitely go again! read more
1 year ago
Overhyped and overpriced! Had better ramen for half the price in China town. Food itself was okay at best. Too crowded and loud. Service was perfect but food wasn't. Wouldn't come back, save your money and go somewhere else. read more
I've seen monster ramen all over Instagram. I'm a big ramen fan and finally stopped by to give it a try. I want to like it but unfortunately it's just not my cup of tea. Still worth trying at least once in my opinion. They specializes in beef items so don't expect any traditional pork or chicken ramen. The place is pretty small, like most ramen shops they have bar seating. We're were sat at the bar pretty quickly and there was no wait. This was on a Saturday evening and we must have been lucky because after about 20 min lines were slowly forming. For appetizer we got the gyoza. They were a bit bland and I just don't think beef goes well as a filling. I personally prefer chicken or pork gyoza. For the entree I got the monster ramen. It was a whopping $28. The broth was a bit bland and oily and was a bit one dimensional. The beef was hit and miss, some pieces wee tough and others were nice melt in you mouth. But overall it was also just not as good as a nice marinated pork chashu. The egg was cooked perfectly and the noodles were nice, more on the Al dente side, and thin and wavy. Service was nice and quick so no complaints there. I recommend trying the place to see if you like it. I can't knock it as others may find it to their liking but I think I'll stick to traditional ramen. Beef ramen just doesn't hit the spot for me. Ps. Make sure to check menu most items incorporate beef. Many traditional ramen appetizers like a chicken kaarage or a takoyaki are not on the menu as this place is all about the beef. read more
7 months ago
2 years ago
My husband and I came here for dinner on a Saturday. It's small inside with a couple of 4-seater tables and bar seating, but we were seated within 10 minutes. Overall, a good experience and I would come again. Food: - Wagyu Tataki: Very good flavorwise, but not the best wagyu cut you would expect for the pricepoint - Monster Ramen: A great choice for those who want to taste it all. The broth is very flavorful but also heavy. Portions will definitely keep you full, and I love the noodles they use in all the ramen. - Shio Ramen: The waiter recommended this ramen as a pair to the Monster Ramen so that my husband and I could taste the different broths. I liked this broth better than the Monster Ramen. It was lighter and not as beefy. - Dessert: We didn't order dessert because it was only cupcakes (would like to see more variety of type of dessert), and they get the cupcakes from a local bakery and just charge more... Service: Excellent, very friendly Interesting note on ambiance: I was drinking my water when I looked at the bottom of my glass and noticed that their drinking glasses are from Ikea. Nothing wrong with Ikea, but I feel like it throws off the ambiance a bit. The household budget brand doesn't really go with their attempt at an "elevated" atmosphere and slightly more-expensive-than-average prices. It made me laugh: "We have monster ramen (cups) at home". Cons: - no parking lot, you'll have to find street parking - egg, could've been marinated better. Some of my yolk was overcooked and tasted powdery read more
My husband and I came on a Friday night around 5:30pm. This place is small, so you should expect a wait. The wait was about 45 minutes when we arrived. Once you walk in, you can provide your cell phone number and then they will text you when your table is ready. There is not a lot of space to sit while you wait for a table, so it is best to go somewhere else while you wait. There are at least 3 or 4 bars/casual restaurants within a 5 minute walk of Monster Ramen. No alcoholic drinks as of my visit on 12/16, but many delicious non-alcoholic beverages to pick from. We ordered steamed beef gyoza to start and enjoyed this appetizer. I ordered the Shio House Ramen and loved it. Very flavorful on its own and tasted even better with the addition of their chili oil. The amazing food and service made for perfect dinner out. I highly recommend checking out Monster Ramen. read more
1 year ago
I've heard great things about Monster Ramen, so I was excited to try it myself! To start with, I enjoyed bamboo shoots in chili oil and fried chicken dumplings (not pictured because I ate them real quick)! I have a shellfish allergy, so I stuck with the House Shoyu. It was delicious and perfect for a hot day! I enjoyed a sparkling sake drink as well. Sitting at the bar, I got a front row seat to the magic behind the glass in the kitchen. My server was very helpful, especially when pointing out foods I should avoid due to my allergy. read more
1 year ago
Monster ramen is a recent addition to the ramen scene in Chicago. However, Monster Ramen brings a unique twist in that they specialize in wagyu beef ramen vs. the traditional pork options. We tried the Monster ramen bowl, which had beef prepared in a couple of different ways, and we were blown away. The broth had depth and flavor, the meat was super tender, and the noodles were perfectly crafted. Definitely the highlight of the night. Don't sleep on the appetizers either. The loaded gyoza was not only flavorful but it melted in your mouth. While we didn't try the vegetarian options, I appreciate that they exist. I will definitely be back for more! A couple of things to note: They don't have reservations, but you can add your name to the wait list and they will call you. The earlier you go, the shorter the wait list. We were two people and our names at 630 pm. We were quoted 45 min, and went next door for a drink. We were contacted in 30 min. People that came after us were quoted 2 hours, but maybe ended up waiting 45 min- 1 hour. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
Have you ever had a dish so good that you were driven to tears? The ramen at Monster Ramen has now twice left me tearful and speechless. The first time I visited I had the Miso Wagyu and the second time I had the Monster. This spot uses the freshest, most delicious ingredients that are paired together for harmonious combinations that can be described as nothing less than divine. But their gyukotsu, a beef-based creamy broth, is the real shining star of the entire experience and I highly recommend any of the ramen that includes this. Don't forget to ask for their friendly, attentive staff for some chili oil and perhaps even a sake refresher with your meal. I highly suggest going right when they open, as they can get busy. And go on a day when you're not eating to live, but when you're living to eat - if you allow yourself, you will be moved by the ramen at Monster Ramen. read more
My husband and I arrived on a Friday evening at 7:45pm. We were ready to wait knowing that Monster Ramen is a small restaurant and does not take reservations. It ended up taking about 45 minutes before a table was ready. We were actually seated at a 4 top table, but we asked to sit at the bar instead when we realized that they were going to seat another 2-person party at the same table. We enjoyed the setting of the bar more because we were able to see the chefs in action! Once seated we were greeted by our server who was friendly and attentive. We put in our order for pan-fried beef gyoza, shoyu plus ramen, and the monster ramen. The gyoza was nicely seasoned. My shoyu plus ramen was overly-salty for my taste and the beef chashu was dry. My husband enjoyed the monster ramen and the wagyu beef was very tender. read more
2 years ago
Really solid spot. The staff greet you as soon as you walk in which is nice. My bf walked in and were seated at the bar right away. Wakame salad and woodear salads are a must! Some of the best I've had in the city. Super light, refreshing, and you can tell they use quality ingredients. Boiled dumplings were great too! Very flavorful fillings and good texture from the dumpling wrapper. The chili oil was so good I would buy some if they sold it. Both the noodle dishes we got were nice. However the Ebi mazemen was VERY heavy handed with salt. If they cut back on it by a tad it would've been a 5 for me but even my bf who loves salt thought it was too salty. The summer shio ramen was great, but wish you got more than 3 pieces of the amazing beef. Overall, the textures of both noodle dishes were perfect but just super salt forward. I'd def come back and try their house ramens. read more
Considering this spot got so many rave reviews when it opened in 2022, I feel like maybe my expectations were a bit too high on Monster Ramen. Came in on a Saturday around 6:15 and was seated immediately which was nice. There was definitely a wait as we were leaving. Waitress was nice and walked us through the menu. I opted for The Monster and the two friends I went with opted for the Shio House. The shio house I only got to try the broth, but it was very well balanced. The Monster, however, was a bit too salty for me (which is shocking because I love salty food). The broth itself also felt pretty lukewarm and I feel like all the ingredients didn't really mesh super well together. Maybe it's just because they were all varying flavors/temperatures, but it didn't really work for me. I especially didn't really find the beef jam very good. It just seemed like some cooked ground beef they just threw in. I do appreciate they give you a full egg unlike some spots where they give you half which I always think is super lame. But I definitely would've preferred it sliced in half (I'm just nitpicking at this point). I also got the housemade Professor's Chili Oil on the side and while it definitely made it a bit spicier, it didn't really add much complexity to the ramen imo. Still, I was pretty hungry and after I finished my bowl got an extra order of noodles (kae dama). It was a decent amount of noodles, but in general I am not a fan of the stringy ramen noodles. Definitely very aesthetic, but I think I just prefer slightly more thick and bouncier noodles. With the ramen being $30 and chili oil ($2)/extra noodles ($5), it was a pretty expensive bowl. Definitely a good amount of food, but far from my favorite ramen in the city. I feel like maybe I came on an off-night and would like to give this place another try. For now though, not in a super big rush. This place seems like a good casual lunch/dinner spot in the area (seats and tables are really only 2-4 people), but I probably wouldn't wait much more than 15min to get seated here. read more
Highly recommend coming in early! Very limited seating and I didn't notice any online reservations. My wife and I ended up waiting about 2 hours for a seat. Paid street parking available. No outdoors so no dogs allowed. Come enjoy the wagyu beef ramen. Broth is full of that fatty, buttery, meaty flavor from the wagyu beef. read more
2 years ago
We have been on the hunt for the best vegetarian ramen in Chicago and I think i finally found it. Monster Ramen Miso Ramen was rich flavorful smoky and just so delicious. I also ordered the cucumber seaweed salad and could literally eat it every day. Just so so good. read more
2 years ago
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Ask the Community - Monster Ramen
Do we have to make a reservation?
Nope they don't take reservations! We just went in early
How much is the Omakase menu?
I don't think they offer it since sushi isn't part of the menu.
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