Oddly, the day I thought to mention ramen, the Tribune unleashed an article about it as well:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/dining/ct-play-0415-ramen-noodles-20100415,0,4810475.story Until I discover otherwise, ramen in the Chicagoland area will begin and end with Santouka at Mitsuwa in Arlington Heights.
If you somehow cannot make it out there, then my two Chicago recommendations are both in River North: Cocoro and Ginza.I would like to recommend Takashi, but your ramen cravings will have to match the fact that it's only available on Sundays at lunchtime. Other restaurants don't qualify for now. You may have a great interpretation of ramen, but this is truly about satisfying a craving, not trying to create a new sensation.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/dining/ct-play-0415-ramen-noodles-20100415,0,4810475.story Until I discover otherwise, ramen in the Chicagoland area will begin and end with Santouka at Mitsuwa in Arlington Heights.
