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    Oiistar

    4.2 (1.2k reviews)
    ModerateAsian Fusion, Ramen
    Closed 12:00 pm - 9:30 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Oiistar Photos

    OIISTAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Outdoor seating

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    Spicy Tonkatsu
    Sonoran F.

    It's a little bit overpriced for ramen in my opinion, but the portions are pretty big so I was able to stretch this bowl over two meals. Good flavor and great chunks of pork.

    Vegetable Ramen
    Nicole W.

    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.

    #3. PAITAN SHIO with FUKUOKA ROASTED GARLIC RAMEN w/ added ground pork
    Scott N.

    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.

    Pork belly bun
    Nikhil D.

    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!

    Duck Breast Tempura Shrimp
    Anya J.

    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

    Allison K.

    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!

    Berkshire por belly bun
    Andrés W.

    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.

    Inna Y.

    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.

    Reshma A.

    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.

    #6 Oiimen
    Hanna K.

    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.

    Black Garlic Ramen
    Alan H.

    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.

    #4

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

    Pork Bun
    Uche N.

    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.

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    RAMEN-SAN - Lunch combination with 10-hour tonkotsu ramen and vegetarian fried rice.

    RAMEN-SAN

    4.0(3.3k reviews)
    2.5 miNear North Side
    $$

    I came here with a group of friends, craving ramen and this place did not disappoint!…read more Most of us ordered the 10 hour tonkotsu and it was absolutely delicious. All our bowls came fairly quickly and we dove right in. The broth is incredibly flavorful and rich, the noodles were bouncy and chewy. the meat perfectly cooked. (Literally making myself hungry writing this!) We were in a bit of a rush but were able to get our food quickly, order, eat and be on our way. The staff are great and as a bonus, bathrooms are clean.

    Came to Ramen San on an impromptu date after our original plans fell through, and it ended up being…read morea really good choice. I loved the indoor outdoor feel of the space with the open windows, and they also have a nice outdoor seating area. The atmosphere is casual but cute, with a mix of bar, high top, and bench seating. We tried a few cocktails, which were good, and our server was friendly, patient, and gave great recommendations. But the absolute STAR of the meal was the crab rangoon dumplings. OMG. I already love crab rangoon, but these took it to another level. They were easily my favorite thing we ordered, and I would go back just for those. I'm not usually a big ramen person, but I was pleasantly surprised by how flavorful the ramen was. We ordered a spicy option with fried chicken, and while I wasn't a fan of the fried chicken getting soggy in the broth, the ramen itself was delicious...honestly, the flavors were even better the next day after everything had soaked in. Overall, I really enjoyed it and would definitely come back to try another ramen. But those crab rangoon dumplings? I could go back for those RIGHT NOW.

    Photos
    RAMEN-SAN - Chili oil, low sodium soy sauce, chili flakes and furikake on each table

    Chili oil, low sodium soy sauce, chili flakes and furikake on each table

    RAMEN-SAN - Pork belly

    Pork belly

    RAMEN-SAN - Express lunch 10 Hour Tonkotsu Edamame Hummus Salad-San karaage chicken

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    Express lunch 10 Hour Tonkotsu Edamame Hummus Salad-San karaage chicken

    Kyuramen - Downtown Chicago - (1) Tonkotsu Shouyu Ramen - IG: @thebaoeats

    Kyuramen - Downtown Chicago

    4.2(643 reviews)
    2.5 miNear North Side
    $$

    Probably one of the best, near authentic ramens in the downtown area. My husband and I LOVED the…read more"Amazing Lemonade." Whatever they put in it, it's truly amazing. The ramen noodles have texture and not soggy. The broth, though a bit oily, was delicious with depth. The omurice is more of a novelty dish here. It's good, but if you've ever had the real thing, you'll know that it's not close to a real omurice. The curry that goes on top was basic and nothing special. Service can be a hit or miss. We've been here a couple of times and it just depended on who you got. Ambiance is nice. You get a pseudo private area/booth like place to sit. But this traps the heat in and we were both sweating by the end of it. Would be nice if they were able to turn down the temperature or not make the light above so hot.

    It's funny how this is my first time eating at Kyuramen, in downtown Chicago. When there's one…read moreabout 15 minutes away from where I live. Yet, Ive never been to that Iocation. The inside is perfect for the space and seating. We sat in the honeycomb and it fits about 2 adults, and probably smaller child. But it was cool to experience that. The service was quick and whenever we needed something, they were quick to respond. Regardless, this was amazing for dinner. Their Okonomiyaki is the best Ive ever eaten. And I've 100s of them from all over. Their ramen is a winner,doesnt matter what kind off the menu.. Their bao bun is also delectable. The Green Matcha puddng is the dessert I needed. I will definitely be back. Thank you!

    Photos
    Kyuramen - Downtown Chicago - Honeycomb pods

    Honeycomb pods

    Kyuramen - Downtown Chicago - Matcha Pudding W. Red Bean

    Matcha Pudding W. Red Bean

    Kyuramen - Downtown Chicago - Pork Bao Buns ( 2Pcs) 2Pcs

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    Pork Bao Buns ( 2Pcs) 2Pcs

    Monster Ramen - The Monster

    Monster Ramen

    4.3(191 reviews)
    2.4 miLogan Square
    $$

    This is a unique ramen spot that specializes in beef-ramen! You don't find many spots like that,…read moresince many ramen shops tend to have pork broth or char siu (pork). We didn't come in with a reservation, but were seated very quickly (within 10 mins) at the bar. It was very cool to be able to watch the chefs cook up your ramen while you were seated! It has a fairly dark and intimate dining area, making it a great place for a date night. The Shoyu Plus had a unique depth to its broth, with delicious flavors within each bite. Something that I noticed was that it had a lighter broth compared to your traditional tonkotsu (pork broth) ramen. The Miso Wagyu is a smaller version of the Monster Ramen (their specialty). This was a decent size with again, lots of flavor. The broth was a little thicker (not too thick, but due to the miso). But it was just as good as the Shoyu Plus. If I had to choose between the two, I really liked the Shoyu Plus. But if it's your first time, try their speciality! Good depth in their broths, and an amazing place for those who cannot eat pork to still enjoy ramen here

    I was skeptical when I first heard the name Monster Ramen. All my previous personal experiences…read morehave always proven to me that restaurants with names that don't represent their culture in distinct ways are generally subpar. For example, I would usually never even think to step into a restaurant named Best China House, Sushi Bistro, or Mom's Korean Restaurant. (Apologies if your shops are named as such. These were meant to be generic examples) Oh, how times have changed. I would have never thought having a bowl of ramen at a Monster Ramen would give me this much pleasure. Part of it will (in fact, most of it) be on me and my general philosophy on fusion cuisine and outdated gemerational gap. There was definitely a time when avoiding agorementioned type of restaurants may have been deemed smart. But I feel the new generation of restaurant owners and chefs have up'd their games in not only at better food making, but also accepting of a bit more irony. Anyone who knows me knows how much I stay away from trying anything "fusion." It's kinda funny to myself how hypocritical it is that I would be totally okay in substituting an ingredient or two when I'm missing some when cooking, but when it comes to paying money to sit and eat that I would judge chefs by thier style of cooking. Yes, a big part of it is based on a large pool of personally gathered data, but I do acknowledge that I need to open myself up a bit more. Case in point. I was recommended MR by a fellow Yelper and I decided to give it a whirl. I happened to have a friend and his son with me, so I was able to do small tastings of 3 different ramen. And boy, was I pleasantly surprised. We collectively had bowls of shio, shoyu and miso specials. Plus, I ended up getting the Summer Special bowl to go for my wife. All of them had their individual charm to them but more importantly, each of them were made to perfection when it came to broth seasoning and noodle texture, which are THE two most important aspect of ramen, in my opionion. Not too salty nor bland soup. Perfectly dense noodles. I just loved all four! It wad when I tasted the yuzu in tgeir shio ramen that my wife would love it. Even though I brought her the spicy Sunmer version home, I still think it'll be worth bringing her and our daughter back when we get a chance to. Our server Dionne (I think) was most pleasant and helpful. The atmosphere of the restaurant was great, too. It helped that I came before the dinner rush, although, I can also see more lively vibe being nice as well. Will be back with the fam definitely!

    Photos
    Monster Ramen - Seating

    Seating

    Monster Ramen - Miso Wagyu

    Miso Wagyu

    Monster Ramen - Menu as of 9.20.25

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    Menu as of 9.20.25

    Oiistar - asianfusion - Updated September 2026

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