Strings Ramen - Chicago

The broth, enriched with clams and ground pork, offers a delightful umami flavor with a hint of sourness from the pickled vegetables. The addition of pork rinds... read more The broth, enriched with clams and ground pork, offers a delightful umami flavor with a hint of sourness from the pickled vegetables. The addition of pork rinds, fresh wood ear mushrooms, and sprouts provides an excellent crunch to the ramen. I will definitely return to try their other flavors!

The service was quick and efficient, and the ramen was incredibly delicious. The staff was attentive and the overall service was wonderful. The decor was pleasa... read more The service was quick and efficient, and the ramen was incredibly delicious. The staff was attentive and the overall service was wonderful. The decor was pleasant, but if you prefer more personal space, it might be best to order for takeout, as the seating arrangements are quite cramped. However, I didn't let that bother me. The only downside was the timer in the kitchen that went off every few minutes, which was a bit distracting.

The food was decent, but I wouldn't say it's the top-rated place in Chinatown. The server mentioned that a level 2 spice would be spicy, but it wasn’t, so I sho... read more The food was decent, but I wouldn't say it's the top-rated place in Chinatown. The server mentioned that a level 2 spice would be spicy, but it wasn’t, so I should have gone for a level 4 instead. The meat, however, was tasty. Unfortunately, it was a bit warm inside the restaurant; they could really use better air conditioning or some fans. I noticed the staff were still wearing masks, even though it’s September 2022 and COVID seems to be under control now. That's just how it is, I guess. On top of that, I had a hard time hearing what the server was saying, which was quite frustrating.

One of my favorite things about visiting a big city is the wide variety of dining options! Back home in Central Kentucky, there aren't any authentic ramen resta... read more One of my favorite things about visiting a big city is the wide variety of dining options! Back home in Central Kentucky, there aren't any authentic ramen restaurants. This little eatery felt just like one of those hidden gems you might stumble upon while wandering through an alley in Tokyo. The menu featured a range of tempting dishes, all of which sounded delicious. The service was prompt, and even though the space was cozy, there was still enough room for us to enjoy our meals without feeling cramped next to others. Three of us dined for under $50, only having water to drink. The generous portions of hot, steaming ramen were exactly what we needed for a delightful lunch on a crisp fall day.

There are no beef or chicken options for ramen, so I opted for the chicken dumplings, which were delicious. The milk tea was excellent as well. The prices are r... read more There are no beef or chicken options for ramen, so I opted for the chicken dumplings, which were delicious. The milk tea was excellent as well. The prices are reasonable too. Overall, I enjoyed my meal, even with the limited meat choices.