Friends Ramen
Friends Ramen — honest japanese in Gold Coast. Order the Ramen. Plates come out looking sharp. Warryn: "The broth is deep and well-balanced, the noodles are perfectly cooked, and the toppings are fresh and generous" [$]
What 936 diners keep saying
What 936 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“Amazing service and food. Really loved the ramen here. Also they show anime on the TV which was a nice surprise! Highly recommend it. But the tables are a little small, if you prefer a big space for eating it might be a small discomfort, because the place by itself is tiny.”
“This place is BEYOND amazing. Now I like Ramen places and have had it in a few cities and states and even another country but I've always viewed the dishes as "ok" and thus would wonder why in Anime they eat Ramen like they fresh out of jail or something..... Then it happened, I went to Friends Ramen in Chicago. OH! MY! GOD! My food was so good I started to get angry because I was too full to finish it, it was THAT good. It's been almost a week and my mouth is currently salivating writing this review. My Fiance had a bit of spice to her's but I didn't which made it even more perfect. Give me this over ANY mid tier steak place ANY day, speaking of that's exactly what I had in my bowl and it was soooooooo flavorful and tender. Now I've never been fond of the city of Chicago all that much and the Mrs. Has been begging me for years to take her and we finally went for my Daughter's 5th birthday/ Christmas and now I think I'm going to be the one itching to go back simply so I can stop here and get more of the Niku Ramen in the absolute largest container they can fit it in then get mad at myself all over again because the human stomach can only expand so much. If you never had Ramen and don't want to risk going somewhere that might not be good PLEASE START HERE so you can be addicted. And just a heads-up the place is a teeny tiny place but the music is good and small Ramen Shops is exactly how you will find them in Japan so it feels more authentic that way. Whoever owns/ runs this place as well as the chefs in the kitchen you all should hold your heads high and take great honor in this establishment. Update: for the past 6 years I've been sending people here so i couldn't not stop in while I was in the area... well Gary but still close enough and worth the drive STILL. Everyone I've sent here has returned home and thanked me so I want to thank the people working here for providing food worth referring for my traveling friends.”
“A friend recommended this place, and wow, it did not disappoint. The ramen was excellent, packed with flavor, and made with fresh ingredients that really stood out in every bite. Everything we ordered was delicious, and it is easy to see why this place has such a great reputation. The service was just as impressive as the food. The staff were incredibly helpful, professional, and attentive throughout our visit. They regularly checked on us, kept our water glasses full, and were always friendly and courteous without being intrusive. The restaurant itself is adorable and has a welcoming atmosphere that makes the experience even better. If you enjoy Japanese food, this is definitely a place worth trying. Highly recommended.”
“Great Japanese style restaurant! I got the ramen combo set with spicy miso ramen and shrimp tempura. The sushi here was the best part - we ordered the Los Angeles roll. We even got a free sushi roll here!”
“I love that this place has the choice for a smaller bowl of ramen versus the regular portion that you’d normally get. Ordered a small spicy miso ramen and was very pleased. Got the medium spicy level. Only change I’d suggest is to add more flavor to the broth. I would definitely come back here. Cute atmosphere.”
“Great space. Cool vibes and great food. And can order great sushi from friends sushi next door delivered to your table. Only thing I would have done different is order the small ramen but get it in a bigger bowl for some extra broth and space as I made a mess”
“This tiny ramen shop had just the atmosphere I was looking for: not fancy! The interior is all wood, no frills but with Japanese decor and a nice collection of lucky cats with anime on the tv. My spicy tofu ramen was delicious as was the green tea. The server was attentive whithout being at my table constantly. A+”
“Friends Ramen is a hidden gem in Chicago! The ramen is incredibly flavorful, rich, and comforting—exactly what you want on a cold day or when you’re craving something satisfying. The broth is deep and well-balanced, the noodles are perfectly cooked, and the toppings are fresh and generous. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, and the staff are friendly, attentive, and genuinely care about your experience. Portions are filling, prices are reasonable, and every dish feels thoughtfully prepared. If you’re a ramen lover or just looking for a great spot for a warm, delicious meal, Friends Ramen is absolutely worth the visit. I’ll definitely be coming back!”
“We love the ramen here. It carries great authentic flavors and heavy broths with American spins and favorites and have nice rice bowls and sides too. It's generally not bad value at all and it tastes good, so we would frequent this place.”
“Very good price and portions are more meant for sharing besides that very good.”
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