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Akahoshi Ramen

$30 and under

Japanese

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 11, 2024

10:00 PM

Booked 37 times today

Experiences are available.

Hot spot
Neighborhood gem
Innovative

Akahoshi Ramen is a humble ramen shop in the city of Chicago. Everything is made in the restaurant, including all soups, seasonings, toppings, and noodles.

We are not an authentic ramen shop, though we value the history of ramen, and our ramen is influenced by its past and its future potential. The dish, popularized in Japan after World War 2, is symbolic of both struggle and perseverance. It is both a simple dish, and a fantastically complex one that we treat with reverence and respect.

Roughly translating to “Red Star,” the name “Akahoshi” is a love letter to two cities; Sapporo, Hokkaido, where red stars adorn city monuments, and Chicago, Illinois, where the red star decorates the city flag. Our ramen is influenced by Japanese and American ideals in cooking.

We hope you will join us to enjoy a bowl of ramen, made with the respect and passion it deserves.

Why they're an Icon

From the OpenTable editors: One of Bon Appétit's 2024 best new restaurants in America, this Logan Square spot is the brainchild of Mike Satinover, better known as "Ramen Lord" to the fan base he built up over a decade posting about ramen on Reddit. Get comfortable at one of the spacious booths, or watch the action at the counter overlooking the kitchen, and choose from four different ramens like the Akahoshi Miso, with pork chashu and bamboo shoots. Each bowl is made with incredible attention to detail, showcasing just how nuanced ramen can be.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Japanese, Ramen
Hours of operation
Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Website
https://www.akahoshiramen.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress

Location
2340 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60647-2906
Neighborhood
Logan Square
Cross street
California and Fullerton
Parking details
None
Public transit
California Blue Line Stop
Additional
Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access

Experiences

Sunday Special: The Grey
$50.00 per person
Prepaid
Dec 15, 2024 only
Sunday Special is an opportunity for Ramen Lord and his team to create unique, one-off ramens. Grey, Cement, Niboshi, there are many words used to classify this style. But the key characteristic is the soup, often a grey or dingy greenish hue, due to the copious amounts of pulverized dried sardines (niboshi) blended into the soup. Immense and foreboding, this style is not for everyone, but it has gained a cult-like following in Japan.

What 357 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.8Service
4.6Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Chicago / Illinois
Japanese
Chicago
Japanese

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Akahoshi Ramen in Chicago delights with its "phenomenal" ramen, featuring "rich broth" and "perfectly chewy" noodles. Fans rave about its "best miso ramen in Chicago" and "outstanding flavors." While reservations are essential, the "friendly and professional" staff ensure a memorable experience. Ideal for ramen enthusiasts seeking "authentic" Japanese flavors.

357 Reviews

J
Judy
Chicago
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing food and service, 3rd time visiting and will continue to return.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Sat at the counter, so we got to see the chefs making the food. Service was fast, we didn’t wait long for water or drinks. Ramen was served as soon as it was done by the chef himself. It was super hot, delicious, perfect amount of food. We finished our bowls, and left comfortably full, not-super-duper-can’t-move full. Looking forward to trying the rice sides and the rotating special ramens next. Worth it, we’ll be back.
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m
maura
Chicago
24 reviews
vip
5.0
24 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This place never ceases to amaze me and make me have to roll myself out after eating everything. I keep bringing friends and they continue to be impressed. 20/10 worth it. I’ll be back again soon for sure!
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P
Phillip
Chicago
2 reviews
vip
3.0
2 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Good, but overrated in my opinion for the hype it has received.
Is this helpful?
O
Olivia
London
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 4, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I feel like I had ramen for the first time in my life 😭 it was a total ramen reset for me. Can’t wait to go back and try everything on the menu. Perfect for a reasonably-priced date night in Chicago!
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L
Lea
Austin
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 28, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always an exceptional experience when it comes to food. The service tonight with Rande was next level. Rande made us feel very comfortable and was so knowledgeable. Can't wait to return!
Is this helpful?
K
Kevin
Tampa
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 28, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 2
I don't understand why so many people have about this place. The music was so loud that I couldn't have a conversation with the person across the table from me without shouting. The chicken in my ramen was bland and unseasoned. The broth tastes like a carton of chicken broth from Costco with oil in it. My experience was more basic than an Egg McMuffin. Never going back.
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J
Jesse
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 28, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great service. Very kind wait staff. and the Miso ramen was incredible. very tasty overall!
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L
Lauren
Austin
4 reviews
vip
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 26, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
It’s not worth the hype. There’s better ramen in the city.
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J
Jessie
Chicago
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 23, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
10/10 incredible. hands down best ramen in chicago
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FAQs

Akahoshi Ramen is rated 4.8 stars by 357 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 11, 2024

10:00 PM

Booked 37 times today

Experiences are available.

2340 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60647-2906

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
California and Fullerton
Neighborhood
Logan Square
Hours of operation
Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Japanese, Ramen
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
None
Public transit
California Blue Line Stop
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access

Website
https://www.akahoshiramen.com/

Akahoshi Ramen

Make a reservation

Why they're an Icon

Dining areas

Additional information

Experiences

Sunday Special: The Grey

Menu

What 357 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is Akahoshi Ramen restaurant rated?

Is Akahoshi Ramen currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information