Kyuramen

Kyuramen is a Taiwanese ramen chain with over 120 locations in Asia, but this one in River North is their first Chicago location. The interior fuses modern touches with more traditional ramen shop decorations like banners hanging above the bar area. There are a lot of seats, from private tables with curtains to sleek honeycomb-esque booths that look like something out of an Ikea Bee Movie collection. Crispy fried squid or pork baos are good starters, and the omurice with a savory demi-glace is a great option if you’re not in the mood for soup. But, when it comes to ramen, there are nine bowls to choose from, and the best is the spicy tonkotsu. It has a pleasant heat and more complexity and richness compared to the regular tonkotsu bowl. Come for a comforting bowl of noodles for a post-work dinner or a casual meal with some friends—just know that wait times can sometimes be up to an hour during dinner on the weekends.