Akahoshi Ramen

My husband and I come twice a month to Akahoshi to try the monthly specials. This is the best ramen in Chicago in my opinion!I know people don't love the tip being included, but I think it's a very fair amount I would've already tipped (if not more) and every server we've had is up front about it.The service is great here!! Quick, friendly, and helpful with answering questions. One time we came and they forgot a rice bowl - they had it out as soon as they realized and comped it off of the bill. It is clear from the atmosphere to the quality of the dish that comes out that they REALLY care about the customer experience!! On to the food - it is evident that the noodles are made in-house by the texture being PERFECT every time!! I've been skeptical of certain types of noodles or haven't cared for them elsewhere due to how quickly they get soggy, but that is not the case here!! Also note the depth of the flavor of the broth; you can definitely tell that it has been a labor of love. Lastly you can't forget the chashu being tender, not too much fat, and nicely charred every time. One more note: just add the egg and thank me later.We'll continue to come consistently because nowhere else scratches the ramen itch the way that Akahoshi does!! Can't wait for our next visit!

Great broth, but I thought the noodles were a letdown given the hype surrounding the spot. Akahoshi opens reservations a month in advance on their Instagram for anyone interested in locking down a table. I have had luck as a walk in getting a table for myself.The menu is straightforward with rotating monthly special ramens which are always fun to try. Definitely one of the more tasty bowls of ramen in Chicago, but I wouldn't say the ramen here is mind blowing either.

From others that had gone, we had heard about the longer wait so we prior to going we had checked to see if there was a phone number that we could dial in to see how busy the restaurant was but they do not have a dedicated line. If you want to get a reservation, you'll want to book through OpenTable. Otherwise it's best to walk in. We decided to go on a Thursday evening without a reservation and do a walk-in. Luckily it was super easy and there was a lot of space for a two person walk in at 8 PM, an hour before they were about to close. Immediately, the hostess took us to our seats. Our waiter quickly came by with water, was very attentive, friendly and took our orders very quickly. The interior of the restaurant is very spacious with lots of seating at the bar area, the center long table and on the side where there is booth seating.We received our food in about 20 minutes. We ordered the Akahoshi Miso Ramen and the August Special: Modern Tsukemen. I enjoyed the Miso Ramen, it was very flavorful and the pork chasu was well cooked. The Tsukemen was a unique take, could definitely taste the fish flavor. The waiter also offered complimentary "soup-wari" or extra soup to thin out the dipping soup so that it can be drank on its own. Both entrees were on the saltier end for my taste, but nonetheless was still a hearty meal.The restaurant automatically charges a 20% service fee so you do not need to add on extra tip as that is already included in the service fee. Parking around the area is accessible through metered street parking.

It took about a month to secure a reservation for a booth, though walk-ins are also accepted. Personally, I found the broth of the akahoshi miso a bit too salty, which might appeal to some tastes. The tantanmen is a saucy, soupless option. Note that eggs aren't included in the dishes and cost an extra $2. Overall, I wish the portions were slightly larger and that the 20% service fee wasn't mandatory.

Definitely worth the long wait time for our res. Small menu, but everything we got you can tell was absolutely perfected. My husband said it was the best ramen he has had in his life. I got soupless tantanmen.. but who is surprised. I am notably obsessed with tantanmen/dan dan noods, so whenever I see either on a menu, I will likely be ordering it. They also had a seasonal cold tantanmen on the menu, but I am a weirdo and wanted something warm. Everything was fantastic and the vibe was pretty fun too- we will definitely be back with friends to try to snag a walk in table. Hail the ramen lord.

I had high hopes considering the surrounding hype of Akahoshi Ramen. My order was the Classic Shoyu. According to the menu, the broth is "fish-forward with dashi elements" but I wasn't getting much of that at all. The broth wasn't very flavorful. I thought the amount of toppings given was a bit skimpy but that's just my opinion. I added the egg for $2. Their noodles are homemade & those were tasty but overall, the flavor profile was a bit dull for me. I think I'll be back to give them another chance & order their namesake ramen with miso broth. I also ordered the lavender matcha gin fizz just to try & it was decent. Heavy on the matcha so it was a little too earthy tasty for a cocktail IMO. It's a chill, casual neighborhood spot just off the California stop. Head to Pretty Cool Ice Cream across the street for a lil dessert action afterwards.

I want to give the disclaimer that I'm very new to ramen, but compared to other ramen spots in the city--Akahoshi is undeniably amazing. The staff are always warm & welcoming, and the atmosphere is cozy with an entrancing spark of energy coming from the kitchen. Knowing the detail, dedication, and skill that's put into each dish, it's impossible not to be in awe. It's an honor to have a restaurant that reflects so much cultural appreciation and craftsmanship located in Chicago. It's truly an honor to experience, we are frequent customers and always look forward to returning.

Very hyped up ramen spot! Cute place, love the music they had playing! It was rap. Service was speedy. Super small menu, not a lot of cocktails to choose from, no appetizers and only a few mainsI had the matcha cocktail. This was good. Tasted like a matcha fizzy drink. I had the miso ramen for my main. This was good, but didn't blow me away. My pork was a bit tough, and overall I thought it lacked flavor. I don't understand the hype about this place!

Overall Thoughts: Though the ramen is tasty and the quality is clear, it didn't quite meet the hype for me. I ordered the Akahoshi Miso-- the noodles were fresh and chewy and the broth was thick in texture and decadent in flavor, though it felt a little too heavy/oily by the end. It's busy inside but the vibes are chill and the food comes out fast. The servers were sweet and helpful in describing the different bowls and giving recs. I had a solo reservation for Saturday night (set up a bunch of OpenTable alerts for it), but many people also walked in without one and were given a 45-60 minute wait time. Ultimately, ~$30 for a bowl of ramen is significant, but I would return in the future to try especially the specials or soupless variations on their menu.--Price (relative to peers): 3.9/5Food: 4.4/5Ambience: 4.6/5Service: 4.8/5Overall Value: 4.3/5

I didn't get the hype. The service was wonderful but the ramen was good not great. I liked the open kitchen and the ambience was nice and kind of minimalist. I really wished they had a hot tea option for drinks (but my review isn't based on that-- just a preference note).I would go back if invited but I wouldn't go out of my way on my own to return.