High Five is a cool and hip ramen bar in a tiny basement setting. Prepare to get spicy.

Japanese food in Chinatown. Strings is serious about its ramen.

Ramen Takeya is a reliable and safe bet of a ramen joint in Fulton Market. The hip space has a few tables and plenty of room at the counter bar.

Furious Spoon is a reliably good ramen shop in Wicker Park.

Slurping Turtle is a respectable Japanese restaurant in River North. It's never going to be great, but you can count on it for certain situations in this part of town.

Solid ramen with Wu-Tang and old school H.O.V.A bumping in the background. Ramen-san is ideal for posting up solo with hot food and a cold beer.

Urban Belly is a casual dumplings, noodles, and rice spot in the West Loop. Take a stroll to the end of Randolph and see what it's about.

Friends Ramen serves mini ramen bowls in the Gold Coast, but it's not very good. Skip it and opt for regular size ramen bowls somewhere else.

Strings is a casual walk-in spot for ramen in Lakeview.