Chuko

This lauded Vanderbilt Ave ramen staple opened up in Prospect Heights in 2011, and has since been a longstanding neighborhood favorite for its warming bowls of noodles including the Hakata-style Sesame Garlic Ramen; Miso Ramen, and even Kimchi Ramen. Just note: There’s no reservations at Chuko and the cozy space gets filled up quickly so show up early if you don’t want to wait.

The top order at this long established Prospect Heights neighborhood favorite is Chuko’s Hakata-style sesame garlic ramen (that’s been on the menu for a full decade for good reason). This rich, cloudy pork and chicken broth is deeply flavored with a sesame-garlic umami and black garlic oil, and comes with thin noodles, spicy pickled mustard greens, wood ear mushrooms and scallion.