Friends Ramen

4.4

61 Reviews

$30 and under

Izakaya

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 17, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 8 times today

About this restaurant

Neighborhood gem
Charming
Good for special occasions

Welcome to Friends Ramen. A Japanese Izakaya style dining dedicated to bringing you the best ramen experience. Mini-Bowls with Easy Grip Handles is our signature dish. So good ... to the last drop. Bring your friends and explore our flavors. We look forward to seeing you.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Izakaya, Japanese, Asian
Hours of operation
Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–11:00 pm
Phone number
(312) 643-1209
Website
https://www.friendsramen.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Carte Blanche, Contactless Payment, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress

Location
808 N State St, Chicago, IL 60610-3319
Neighborhood
River North (Chicago)
Cross street
at W. Chicago Ave
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

House Salad$8.00
Spring mix, cabbage, red beets with orange ginger dressing
Seaweed Salad$8.00
soy sauce, ginger, pepper flakes, carrots, cilantro, sesame
Edamame$6.00
steamed soybeans and salted
Chicken Gyoza
chicken dumpling, house sauce
- 6 Pieces$8.00
Ebi Katsu
Crispy battered shrimp cake with sweet & sour sauce
- 2 Pieces$8.00
Takoyaki
Deep fried japanese octopus ball, seaweed, bonito flakes, green onions with mayo and takoyaki sauce
- 5 Pieces$8.00
Crab Shumai$8.00
Crab meat & vegetable dumplings, onion, special seasons
Shrimp Tempura*$8.00
crispy battered shrimp, served with creamy spicy mayo
Shrimp Shumai*$8.00
Shrimp dumpling deep fried or steamed
Karaage Chicken* (App)$8.00
Crispy battered chicken with spicy mayo

Buns

Orders include 2 buns

Ebi Katsu$8.00
lettuce, ebi katsu, spicy mayo
Fried Tofu$7.00
Deep fried tofu, spring mixed
Niku$8.00
spring mixed, white onion, sweet & savory marinated beef
Pork Belly$8.00
spring mixed, marianated pork belly

Entrees

Rice Bowls

Gyu Don
Steamed rice, tender beef, white onion, scallion with japanese sweet and savory sauce rice style
- Small$8.00
- Large$16.00
Pork Belly
Steamed rice, marinated pork belly, scallion, sesame seed with pork belly sauce
- Small$8.00
- Large$16.00
Ebi Kats
Steamed rice, scallion, ebi katsu, corn, kimchi, spicy mayo
- Small$8.00
- Large$16.00
Karaage Chicken
Steamed rice, karaage chicken, scallion, spicy mayo
- Small$8.00
- Large$16.00
Tofu
Steamed rice, fried tofu, cucumber, scallion, pickle ginger with miso & ginger sauce
- Small$7.00
- Large$14.00

Ramen

Tan Tan Men
Egg noodle, topped with fried garlic, spicy ground pork, pork belly, scallion, cabbage and poached egg
- Small$8.00
- Large$16.00
Spicy Miso*
Egg noodle, marinated boiled egg, pork belly, seasoned bamboo shoots, scallion, corn, shichimi togarashi, seaweed, fungus, spicy miso paste
- Small$8.00
- Large$16.00
Spicy Shrimp*
Egg noodle, shrimp, corn scallion, tomato, chili powder
- Small$8.00
- Large$16.00
Karaage Chicken Ramen*
Egg noodle, fried chicken, corn, scallion, spicy mayo and spicy paste
- Small$8.00
- Large$16.00
Kimchi
Egg nodle, fried egg, scallion, pork belly, kimchi, miso & kimchi paste
- Small$8.00
- Large$16.00
On the Go
Egg noodle, marinated boiled egg, pork belly, seasoned bamboo shoots, scallion, corn, pickled ginger and ground sesame seed
- Small$8.00
- Large$16.00
Niku
Egg noodle, carmelized onion, sweet and savory marinated tender beef
- Small$8.00
- Large$16.00
Veggie
Rice noodle, kale, corn, tofu, bean sprout and scallion
- Small$7.50
- Large$15.00
Spicy Miso Veggie*
Rice noodle, corn, seasoned bamboo shoots, tofu, miso & chili paste, scallion, black wood ear mushroom
- Small$7.50
- Large$15.00

Ramen Combo Set

$22; Includes:

Starter
Salad
Ramen
Available in Small
Soft Drink

Drinks

Sake

Hot Sake
- 150ml$9.00
- 330ml$16.00
Junmai Daiginjo Platinum
- 300ml$15.00
Nigori Cloudy Sake
- 300ml$15.00
Sake Jelly Shot
Yuzu / Berry / Peach
- 180ml$16.00

Sparkling

Segura Viudas Brut Cava
- 187ml$14.00

Wine

High Note Malbec
- 187ml$13.00
Raeburn Chardonay
- 187ml$13.00

Beer

Sapporo$7.00
Premium or Draft

Non-Alcoholic

Hot Green Tea$3.00
Coke$3.00
Diet Coke$3.00
Sprite$3.00
Melon Cream Soda$3.00
San Pellegrino
- 500ml$6.00

What 61 people are saying

Friends Ramen reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.4

4.4 based on recent ratings

4.2Food
4.3Service
4.5Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Friends Ramen offers a "great environment" with cozy, intimate vibes perfect for a cold night. Enjoy "awesome, rich ramen" and a variety of appetizers like tofu bao buns and matcha tiramisu. While some diners suggest reservations due to limited seating, the "friendly service" and "great value" make it a must-visit.

61 Reviews

L
Luke
Chicago2 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 23, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food, cool atmosphere, constant specials and good sake bombs
Is this helpful?
C
Craig VIP
Chicago104 reviews
4.0
Dined on February 16, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Wonderful and intimate opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal and wonderful saki!
Is this helpful?
E
Elizabeth
New York City3 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 9, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
One of my favorite spots! Incredible appetizers and quick service. Cozy atmosphere.
Is this helpful?
H
Heather
Chicago1 review
5.0
Dined on February 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fantastic, they were very accommodating about a mixup with the reservation, let us get fantastic drinks at the bar while waiting, wonderful experience
Is this helpful?
A
Anna
New York City2 reviews
5.0
Dined on January 19, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Really good veggie ramen and the tofu bao buns were delish!
Friends RamenResponded on January 21, 2025
Hello Anna and thank you for dining with us! We're so happy you enjoyed your dining experience and we can't wait to welcome you back soon!
Is this helpful?
G
Gabbi
Chicago1 review
1.0
Dined on December 6, 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
We had a reservation, still waited at least 15-20 more minutes to get seated because they were accepting all walk ins. I asked her not to sit us right next to the door and she did anyway, it was freezing and we all had to wear our puffer coats while dining. Our server came to us twice- once for drink orders and once for our dinner order. My friend and I ordered the exact same thing but half of my ramen was missing the ingredients… couldn’t even get the waitress’s attention to tell her. Overall would not recommend, service was terrible and the food was mid at best.
Is this helpful?
e
elizabeth
Chicago3 reviews
5.0
Dined on December 2, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Food was great, the small really is a small so be aware
Is this helpful?
H
Henry
Cincinnati3 reviews
5.0
Dined on November 23, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great environment with quality portions. Would go again
Friends RamenResponded on January 15, 2025
Hello Henry and thank you for dining with us! We're so happy you enjoyed your dining experience and we can't wait to welcome you back soon!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner VIP
New York City2 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 26, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Awesome little place. Not many tables so make a reservation!
Friends RamenResponded on May 29, 2024
Hello and thank you for dining with us! We're so happy you enjoyed your dining experience and we can't wait to welcome you back soon!
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Portland14 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 5, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Great ramen, friendly service. Appetizers were tasty and the spicy ramen was spicy indeed. All staff were very friendly.
Friends RamenResponded on April 23, 2024
Hello and thank you for dining with us! We're so happy you enjoyed your dining experience and the spicyness of the spice ramen! We can't wait to welcome you back soon!
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Friends Ramen offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (312) 643-1209.

Friends Ramen is rated 4.4 stars by 61 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 17, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 8 times today

Order delivery or takeout

808 N State St, Chicago, IL 60610-3319

Additional information

Cross street
at W. Chicago Ave
Neighborhood
River North (Chicago)
Hours of operation
Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–11:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Izakaya, Japanese, Asian
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment options
AMEX, Carte Blanche, Contactless Payment, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Delivery, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://www.friendsramen.com/
Phone number
(312) 643-1209

Friends Ramen

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Starters

House Salad$8.00

Seaweed Salad$8.00

Edamame$6.00

Chicken Gyoza

Ebi Katsu

Takoyaki

Crab Shumai$8.00

Shrimp Tempura*$8.00

Shrimp Shumai*$8.00

Karaage Chicken* (App)$8.00

Buns

Ebi Katsu$8.00

Fried Tofu$7.00

Niku$8.00

Pork Belly$8.00

Entrees

Rice Bowls

Gyu Don

Pork Belly

Ebi Kats

Karaage Chicken

Tofu

Ramen

Tan Tan Men

Spicy Miso*

Spicy Shrimp*

Karaage Chicken Ramen*

Kimchi

On the Go

Niku

Veggie

Spicy Miso Veggie*

Ramen Combo Set

Starter

Salad

Ramen

Soft Drink

Drinks

Sake

Hot Sake

Junmai Daiginjo Platinum

Nigori Cloudy Sake

Sake Jelly Shot

Sparkling

Segura Viudas Brut Cava

Wine

High Note Malbec

Raeburn Chardonay

Beer

Sapporo$7.00

Non-Alcoholic

Hot Green Tea$3.00

Coke$3.00

Diet Coke$3.00

Sprite$3.00

Melon Cream Soda$3.00

San Pellegrino

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

Does Friends Ramen offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Friends Ramen restaurant rated?

Is Friends Ramen currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information