They are still serving up great ramen. We tried: - Fried Garlic Chicken (sweet) - Mashed (bun) - Paitan Shio Ramen - Paitan Shio with Fukuoka Roasted Garlic Ramen I realized I didn't take a picture of the ramen until it was half gone, so I can say with confidence it was good. It was more than enough for two people. Definitely recommend if you haven't been. read more

See all

This was very good ramen!! I ordered on doordash and the broth and noodles came separated so it was super easy to reheat in a pot on the stove! I got the vegan ramen and the broth was still creamy and delicious! The noodles were also great, but I do wish there were a few more veggies / toppings. Definitely want to go to the restaurant next time I try Oiistar and get other items on the menu. read more

I'm usually more of an Udon guy, but even I gotta admit this is a solid ramen bowl. While the noodles and broth weren't anything special to me (not bad, but not mindblowing), the pork is anything but that. The pork is absolutely the star of the show and some of the best I've had. I wish I ordered so much more of it. I'd go back just for a slab of that for sure. read more

Oiistar - Garlic Ramen - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Oii! Im eating ramen over here! Oiistar has been in this location for years and it'll likely remain a favorite for more to come. We stopped in and had ~15 min wait, got seated at the bar. The inside is a bit dark, so you may need to pull out the phone flashlight. We tried the shrimp bun (pretty good, would recommend, the tempura was nice and I like the pickled) and the veggie ramen (it was great, a lot of food but was $19). We were able to split both items and be full, but if you're eating solo you can ask for to go containers. Overall, I like this ramen spot it definitely remains one of the favorites in this area. read more

Oiistar - Vegetable Ramen - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

I was excited to get some ramen at Oiistar. It was Sunday and we arrived just before 5:30. For some reason we thought it would be a slow night, but boy howdy were we wrong! When we walked in there was already a line. I put in our name and received a "welcome to the waitlist" text at 5:27. I think they told me it would be 30 minutes. We went next store to peruse the art gallery. I got a text they were ready to seat us at 5:44 - a pretty quick turnaround. We were seated at the bar, which wasn't idea but beggars can't be choosers. Turns out they took great care of us. David started with a tempura shrimp bun. It looked wonderful. He didn't share any insights on the flavor, but he cleaned the plate! Two of us ordered #3, PAITAN SHIO with FUKUOKA ROASTED GARLIC RAMEN. I added ground pork to mine. David had the SPICY GARLIC SHOYUMEN. There was nothing I didn't love about my ramen. The ground pork was a delicious addition, providing a nice meaty flavor to every bite. I thought the pork belly was wonderful. Mark found it too fatty, but I think that's to be expected. I was nervous about the bamboo shoots, but my concerns were unfounded. The bamboo shoots were small, delicate and delectable. There are so many options, if we lived in the area we would come back often in order to taste all the options. If you love ramen and haven't been to Oiistar, do yourself a favor and check it out. read more

See all

This might be my new favorite ramen spot! As someone loyal to Gyuro Ramen for their rich gyukotsu broth, I wasn't expecting to be blown away, but Oiistar completely exceeded expectations. Umami Ramen - Absolutely incredible. The broth has this perfect umami depth that rivals the best tonkotsu I've had. Spice level 2 was spot-on, flavorful heat without overwhelming the complex miso base. The Berkshire pork belly literally melts in your mouth, and they're generous with both meat and broth portions. This is easily two meals worth of food and completely satisfying. Bao Buns: Berkshire Pork Belly Bun - This set the bar high and delivered. The pork belly is rich and flavorful (essentially the same as what's in the ramen), with great contrast from the cucumber and daikon sprout. The sweet sake soy reduction ties it all together beautifully. Must try. Tempura Shrimp Bun - Good but not memorable. The shrimp was well-battered but got lost under too much pickled fennel slaw. The Thai sweet chili mayo was nice, but wouldn't order again. Service was excellent - staff helped me pick my ramen and gave great recommendations. The atmosphere is perfect for a casual ramen experience, and thoughtful touches like having a proper coat rack show they care about the details. Highly recommend! read more

See all

Late Review This past spring I came here while I was pregnant craving ramen for the umpteenth time. I've ordered take out from Oiistar twice but never sat down to eat. Finally decided to and had the best server. He said he'd been working there for about 10 years and knew everything on the menu. Perfect timing for me as I was 8 months. We initially ordered the pork belly bao bun and one other I can't remember the name of. He accidentally sent out the shrimp bao bun and let us keep it (glad he did because it was best out of 3). For the ramen, I was looking for a specific item that wasn't on the menu anymore but he pointed out all I had to do was swap broths. Naturally, I don't remember the item but it was absolutely delicious. It's a fairly small restaurant so not expecting any upscale cocktails but I would have enjoyed a non-alcoholic beverage that wasn't a fountain drink. I ended up sticking with water. Did I mention my server was great? Loved my experience! Overall 8.5/10 read more

See all

We randomly walked in after our show at the Den theatre. Quantities great. Tasted good and prompt service. Ambiance is very casual. read more

Oiistar - #4 - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Pretty solid spot for some ramen (4.5/5 stars)! My friend and I visited here on a Tuesday afternoon so thankfully there was a good amount of space for street parking. Right when we walked in, we were greeted by a very welcoming/friendly server who took us to our seat. I enjoyed how open and aired out the restaurant felt. The big windows also allowed so much natural lighting to come in which felt nice during lunch time. This is what my friend and I ordered: Tonkatsu Buns Umami (Spicy Level 2) Paitan Shio Fried Garlic Chicken Sambal Both ramens had a savory, rich broth which was very satisfying. The char shiu (pork belly) was an absolute star- so tender and flavorful (honestly the best I've had in a while). The portions are also pretty large too so I had to take my leftovers to go. The Tonkatsu Buns were good but nothing really special in my opinion. As for the fried garlic chicken, the flavor was spot on but the texture was okay- I wish it wasa tad bit crispier since the sauce made the exterior a little soft. Overall, my friend and I had a pleasant experience at Oiistar and we can't wait to come back and try more items from the menu! read more

Oiistar - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I met this restaurant on the 2019, after a long trip for work out of Chicag, it was one of those days that I came back on O'hare and didn't want to go home and cook. Looked for places for lunch and I was craving for ramen, Oiistar popped up on my screen and I decided to go over there. For 6 years this place has been consistent, the food just get better with time and it is amazing. Everytime a friend of mine suggest maybe they don't like ramen, or they know what is a good ramen, I would say immediately: Let me take you to this place and we talk later about a good ramen. Everytime, I order the Bershire pork buns and the oiimen ramen for my friends to try, and they always love how sweet and tender is the meat (you can tell it is berkshire pork for sure), the soup is always on point and the noodled is amazing! The waiter always make sure that we have everything we need and that my friends always have the pleasure to enjoy a good ramen (even in the busiest days they had been really nice). The best thing, they have a patio for summer and music is not too loud, you can easily eat, talk and enjoy with your friends anytime. read more

See all

Delicious ramen with the most flavorful and rich broth! I always drop by Oiistar when I'm in Chicago because it has never failed me. As someone who lives in Asia, ramen is not new to me. Still, Oiistar takes the cake when it comes to ramen here in the US. I have tried another ramen place in Wicker Park (that already closed) and it cannot compare to the flavors of Oiistar ramen. Servings were generous. The pork belly was melt-in-your-mouth tender. Service was quick and efficient. Overall, I always have a great time in Oiistar. read more

Oiistar - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Out of all the times I've been to this area, this is my first time here. Highly recommend by Jackson Junge gallery so I gave it a try. It didn't disappoint. I had food which was excellent but didn't drink anything other than water. If you like ramen and good food, definitely hit this spot up. I'll definitely be back. read more

Good ramen at a popular spot! It was packed, but four of us were able to be sat a community style like long table in the back essentially right away. Things worth noting: 1. There weren't purse/coat hooks at the table, but they did have a coat rack to use at the front. 2. I got the #6 Oiimen Classic (Spicy Level 1) and there was no spice at all. I broth was delicious though! I believe the spice level options are 0-3 and I can't speak to how spicy 2 and 3 are. 3. They are able to split your check into a maximum of 4 separate checks but there is an additional $2 charge for each additional card. We just had one person pay and we venmoed them. read more

Oiistar - #6 Oiimen - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I called ahead on a Friday night to ask about the wait and the girl on the phone was so sweet. When I got there, the wait was about twenty minutes, which was not bad at all for a packed restaurant. The waiter, however, was not the nicest and the overall vibe from him felt a bit rude, even though he did not explicitly say anything. The food itself was honestly a big disappointment given all the hype. The garlic chicken was decent and surprisingly more flavorful than the ramen. Both ramen dishes lacked depth and flavor. They did have a nice creamy texture and generous portions, but overall there are definitely better ramen spots in the city. read more

See all

It's a cold night you need to walk to the Salt Shed for a show and you need fortifications. We chose Oiistar and we're so happy we did. We started sharing a Tonkatsu bun and, oh my, what flavor. The service was quick and pleasant. Next up we each had a dose bowl of Ramen. I had the #5 Classic Oiistar and my partner had the #1 with the in house noodles. We loved our dishes. We exited the restaurant ready for a long night with ample fortifications and good cheer. read more

The ramen was really amazing, lots of variety and great flavor broth. I wasn't as happy with the service or the high upcharge for chili sauce, but the food was great. read more

A classic ramen spot that hits the spot with zero frills. The garlic ramen was very flavorful but it definitely could use more garlic since it is in the name. The fried chicken was exceptional and unique with its thin but crispy crust. It was doused in a sweet sauce but spicy can be opted for. Highly recommend both when you visit. Great atmosphere to bring a group of friends to socialize over ramen. The servers were attentive even when it was super busy. I'd come back next time I'm in Chicago. read more

Oiistar - Black Garlic Ramen - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Wonderful time at Oiistar. We were able to sit outside quickly and our waiter came and greeted up promptly. The pork bun is PHENOMENAL. Absolutely worth the hype. The ramen is generous in portions with ample to take home. Wicker park fest was going in the background but still wasn't too loud. We weren't super packed with other tables which made for a comfortable environment. Looking forward to returning. read more

Oiistar - Pork Bun - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

My mom and I were looking for something reliably delicious and we found it here! Generous helpings for fairly affordable cost for a big city ramen spot (took plenty home for leftovers) - service was attentive and the interior of this place is pretty sleek/modern and appealing. read more

Oiistar - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

INSANE NOODS. Oiistar is seriously everything I hoped it would be and more. The fatty broth in their ramen is magical and the pork within is practically melting into the bowl (in the best way). I've heard so many great things about this spot, and it completely lives up to the hype. Even though the atmosphere lacks a bit, I'll keep coming back regardless. If you're a ramen lover in Wicker, you need to try Oiistar. -AT read more

See all

Ramen was 10 out of 10. Atmosphere was modern yet comfortable and good for conversation. read more

I really was looking forward to this and went back and forth on my review but after comparing it to several other ramen spots in the area including value, quality and ambiance this just falls short. If you have no other options then why not, but I wouldn't come back due to there being nothing worth coming back for. The veggie ramen was a waste of space on the menu and severely lacking flavor. They drinks were okay but nothing spectacular or unique. I will say the staff was friendly and attentive. read more

See all

Recently came into Oiistar for dinner with friends and was pleasantly surprised. I'm something of a ramen officianado and there are so many places in the city that like truly have subpar ramen. Oiistar however is not one of these places. It is worth noting that if you're looking for something truly authentic, Oiistar does take some liberties with their ramens, but in my opinion, these liberties pay off. Nothing ventured, nothing gained! I ordered the Paitan Shio w/ Fukuoka Roasted Garlic Ramen and the Poached Pear for dessert. Super flavorful broth, the garlic really ties the dish together. Plus I love me a thick pork belly! Staff was nice, quick, and the whole process of dinner was streamlined in a way that was really easy and enhanced the process. We sat outside, so was able to watch foot traffic on busy Milwaukee Ave. Great vibes read more

Oiistar - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Oiistar is one of my favorite ramen bars in wicker park! The ambiance feels moody but not too dark. The kitchen is open so you can see the cooks preparing all of the dishes if you sit at the bar. The highlight, of course, is their ramen. I got the #2 Shio Ramen with what-da-hac spicy sauce. The broth is so rich and the two pieces of pork belly are super thick and tender with a perfect sear. I like the wavy noodles since they're thicker and have a satisfying bite. The soft boiled egg is flavored really nicely with a touch of sweetness and perfectly jammy yolk. I like that the what-da-hac sauce is served on the side, it's actually pretty spicy but has such a nice flavor I was dipping every bite in it. If you're craving ramen this will definitely hit the spot! A note on their drink menu, they have a large selection of sake (which can be served hot or cold). I personally like that they offer Chang, a Thai beer which reminds me of my own travels to Thailand. It's similar to Heineken. I also like that they have a large coat rack up front, where you can hang your winter coats up when it gets real cold. Parking can be a bit difficult. There are lots of street parking spots available on Milwaukee and Ashland but it gets filled up during peak times. You may have to mentally prepare to circle around a few times on adjacent streets but it's worth it. read more

We came in at Wednesday at 6 pm and managed to snag the last table for a group of 5. I got the pozolman. I normally don't enjoy thicker broths, but this one was delicious. Just thick enough with good flavor from the herbs. I was curious how they would fuse pozole and ramen together. Most of the pozole ingredients were floating in the broth similarly to pozole. There were large, thick pieces and so juicy. I enjoyed it a lot. We must've came during a rush because it took a long time for our food to come out. My friend who came late got here's in about a third of the time. I am still coming back to try the other ramens available. read more

Oiistar - Menu - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Came across this place while shopping in Wicker Park and I am so glad I did! The ramen here was scrumptious and the broth had depth to it. The portions are also great - I never have a problem finishing my bowl but I had leftovers to bring home. The pork belly was incredibly soft too, would totally come back with friends and family. read more

See all

I dream of the Spicy Garlic Shoyumen. The broth is so rich and full of umami-flavor. Love this ramen spot in Wicker for its central location and great menu. I've come here for lunch and dinner, no reservations but can always get a table, though a weekend dinner time is busier. I took my parents who were visiting and they have gluten free noodles which they both said were good. Also took a vegetarian friend visiting and she enjoyed the veggie ramen! For the Shoyumen, I would say Spicy level 2 isn't that spicy, would try a spicier one next time. If you like spice I would say you don't need to be overly cautious! read more

Oiistar - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Oiistar is a solid ramen spot in the Wicker Park area. Ramen bowls of generous portions, plenty of ingredients, robust choices and flavors as well. You can choose among hakata style noodles which is made to order, their thick and wavy noodles, and gluten free. Service was great. The kitchen staff seems to run efficiently with everyone communicating and helping each other out when it gets busy. The restaurant is basically one long corridor with dimmed lights for a more intimate ambiance. I got the Oiimen, which is their signature tonkotsu ramen. They give you a whole egg which is nice. Their chashu pork belly is rich and full of flavor. My only nitpick is that I wish the broth had a tad bit more flavor and richness, otherwise it was a solid ramen bowl. If you're in Chicago and you're not sure which ramen spot to go to, give Oiistar a try! read more

See all

I came here a few years ago and remember being blown away by the ramen. Came back with some friends and for some reason it didn't live up to the hype in my mind. The broth was a little more sour, maybe a bad batch? The presentation was excellent and the portions are huge. Service was excellent. Charging $2 for extra chili oil was unexpected and uncalled for! My soup was supposed to be spicy so and they didn't tell me it was going to be extra for a little thing of chili. Hope they will let people know in future or remove this charge. read more

Oiistar - #4 - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great ramen place in Wicker Park area - it's loud but fun and friendly. The tonkotsu broth is flavorful and rich, with a perfect jammy egg. I loved the sambal fried chicken appetizer, but my friend wasn't as into it. It is on the pricier side for ramen, but I prefer Oiistar over the popular Ramen-San. read more

Oiistar - Black Tonkatsu - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Delicious bites around every corner. The service was quick and down to earth as we squeaked in right before the kitchen closed. Chill vibes in the dimly lit interior - we sat at the counter and were in and out after a cocktail, few buns, a plate or two, and dessert. The green beans were a specially tasty. read more

See all

The food was great! The #3 ramen special was absolutely delicious; so tender and flavorful and hits the right spot on a cold Chicago day. That being said, the service was not up to parr; I understand that the place was packed but coming around and collecting our plates before we even finished eating was a turn off! Would I go back there to eat? Heck yes! The buns are really good and shareable between 2 people. read more

Oiistar - PAITAN SHIO with FUKUOKA ROASTED GARLIC RAMEN - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Incredible ramen. Got the spicy garlic shoyumen. Broth, noodles, pork belly, vegetables and egg was a 5/5. One of the best ramen I've had the city. Service was friendly and explained the menu in detail. The ambiance is great if just a little loud. No complaints whatsoever. read more

Oiistar - SPICY GARLIC SHOYUMEN - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Definitely my go to ramen restaurant in the neighborhood. Always consistently good! They also pack everything nice to go for order to pick up too! Great option to order extra side of broth for two meals. Great in house sake! Usually easy to get a table when dining in also. Best one I've tried and continue to return to over the many options locally. Great pork buns also! read more

Oiistar - Nice open kitchen...great for a cool night - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Really solid ramen place. I ordered the spicy garlic ramen and it was so good! The pork belly is thick and juicy! The soup was perfectly creamy and slightly spicy. The egg was a perfect soft boil. Wait was about 30 minutes but we went across the street to emporium arcade bar while we waited. They are packed and busy, so plan to wait. This was the first time I had a server politely ask us to leave after finishing because they needed the table. Totally understandable, but was definitely a first. They were also kind of rushing us about to go boxes and the check when we weren't even done eating. Efficient, I suppose. The chairs are like wooden boxes, so not very comfortable. Luckily they had a coat hanger to hang our jackets. Overall, I would come back and eat here again. read more

Oiistar - #4 spicy garlic - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Loved it here and will definitely be back!! The pork belly on everything is insanely good, worth it to get the pork belly bao in addition to whatever ramen you inevitably get too bc it's just that worth it for something so melty and crispy and meaty good. Definitely want to go back and try other options but the #3 garlic oil ramen was an excellent starting place- the broth was creamy but not heavy, the noodles were bouncy and not overcooked. Service was prompt but not rushed. There's no reservations so keep that in mind if you're a large party but we were able to walk in as a 2 top and get sat immediately on a week night. Like I said, will definitely be back for my soup fix during this freezing Chicago winter. read more

Oiistar - #3 garlic ramen - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

AMAZING! Such great ramen, broth was filling and flavorful. The pork and egg was marinated so perfectly. And I would highly recommend any ramen with the wavy noodles. Our waiter was extremely kind and was quick to help us out at any time. Servers were walking by consistently to pick up trash from our table which was nice. Location is in a great spot. Parking is available all around, but may be harder on the weekends. Inside was smaller but you can still get a table within 30 minutes even when it is busy. Atmosphere was calm and chill. read more

See all

was searching for a good ramen spot in wicker park/chicago and oiistar had raving reviews. TLDR; a little pricey for ramen in the area, but high quality with a variety of menu items. the price seems worth it for the different types of ramen, and they come with a soft boiled egg and a large portion of pork belly (which ramen places a few dollars cheaper may not provide). good ambiance as well. came on a sunday at 7:00pm and the waiter said it would be a 45 minute wait. you can put your name down and get a text that shows your position in line and when your table is ready. the inside is nice; dimly lit with stool seating. tables and a bar area. it took us 35 minutes to get off the waitlist. food came in around 25 minutes. // #3: paitan shio with fukuoka roasted garlic oil ($17.90) // traditional tonkotsu broth with a dark brown roasted garlic oil. i got the wavy (thick and chewy) noodles. first thing i noticed was the amount of pork belly: three thick chunks of pork belly. egg was soft boiled and good. i really enjoyed the garlic oil as it added flavor depth to the tonktosu broth -- worked really well together. the ramen felt like high quality. overall i prefer thin slices of charsiu vs. these thick cuts of pork belly as some were kind of fatty/dry but overall it was a good portion. good serving size of noodles too -- i took my leftover noodles and broth home and had it for a whole second meal. overall, good ramen spot in the wicker park neighborhood and one of the better spots in chicago. very comparable to my favorite ramen spot in the bay area. i will revisit when i come back to chicago. read more

See all

The veggie ramen broth was SO flavorful and the portion size was huge! We loved the additions of suicide paste and fresh garlic. We were also so impressed with the flavors and textures of the mushroom bao- so much that we had to order them twice! The avocado and eggplant tempura was too bland for us and we'd probs skip on that. It was so busy when we got there but the service was great and we were able to get a table for 4 pretty quickly. read more

Oiistar - Pan Seared Portobello Mushroom Bao - Asian Fusion Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'd been here before and had just an okay time, but my friend was in town and really wanted to go here since he loved this spot when he lived here. I must have ordered the wrong things before, because I definitely liked this experience a lot more. My friend recommended their spicy ramens and I got the Oiimen Classic with hakata style noodles. I am almost embarrassingly snobby about ramen but this was pretty good and the pork belly is so rich. I have been here before and tried their baos and don't recommend, but was pleasantly surprised by their ramen. It is pricey but the portions are also huge (at least 2 servings for me). read more