Great atmosphere, I liked the service, and the food is very flavorful. Best dumplings I’ve had in the city.
Jay W
Nice place and clean
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Goku Tonkotsu Ramen
Halle Chiles
it was just okay
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Victoria Rickart
Delicious ramen & fried chicken buns! It was my first time but definitely not my last!! Highly recommend. Great service too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dana Hilgers
Great dining experience today! We came towards the end of the night and the staff was friendly and kind. Service was fast and the vegan ramen was incredible. (I subbed in regular noodles and added an egg) My sister got the regular ramen and said it was some of the best pork she had ever had in ramen.
Prices are fair for the quality
We randomly stumbled upon this place so glad it worked out so well!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kristen Potosky
This was one of the best places we ate at in Chicago. The staff are super efficient and overall amazing. Tasty food and superb service. Would definitely recommend and come back on our next trip.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lea Diane
This review is long overdue! My husband and I have been dining at Menya Goku for 3 years now. We’ve tried everything on their menu but our favorite is the tonkotsu ramen and pork belly buns for appetizers. The staff is amazing and always so welcoming. It’s a small but cozy restaurant. I would recommend going before 6pm or after 8pm otherwise there could be a long wait (but it’s worth it!).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Goku Tonkotsu Ramen, Pork Belly Buns
Mark Webb
We live around the corner and eat here 2-3 times a month. It's very good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dirk Vogel
A Slice of Authentic Japan in North Center! As a big fan of Japanese culture and cuisine, especially after visiting Tokyo last year, I can confidently say that Menya Goku nails every detail of an authentic Japanese ramen experience.
Let's start with the drinks - they're fantastic! The Japanese-style highballs feature fresh variations like yuzu that transport you straight to an izakaya in Tokyo. The beer selection is impeccable, showcasing Japanese staples like Sapporo and Hitachino.
The service deserves special mention: super attentive without being intrusive, always going the extra mile with thoughtful attention to detail that elevates the entire dining experience.
Now for the food - it's exceptional, and having Menya Goku in the North Center neighborhood is a true gem. This is easily among the best ramen spots in Chicago, right up there with the absolute best.
The appetizers are impressively fresh. The chicken wings are cooked to order, crispy and flavorful. The salad features that distinctive sesame dressing you'd find in Japan, and the karaage is perfectly crispy on the outside while remaining juicy inside.
But the star of the show is, of course, the ramen. I'm obsessed with their miso tonkotsu broth - rich, deep, and layered with flavor. The noodles are house-made and cooked to perfection, with just the right texture and bite. All the toppings are top-notch: pickled bamboo, jammy egg, tender sliced pork, and mushrooms.
Everything on the menu is excellent - you truly can't go wrong.
Menya Goku brings a slice of authentic Japan to North Center, and we're so glad they're here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Goku Tonkotsu Ramen, Tantanmen, Pork Belly Buns, Goku Tan Tan Men, Fried Chicken Buns, Tan Tan Men Ramen, Chicken Wings, Nagoya Wings
Elijah Lovejoy
おいしい! Great food and staff. Can have long waits but it's always worth it.
Service was spectacular, incredibly friendly staff. Please put at least a 30% option on your tip machine haha
Every element of the ramen bowl was so tasty and seemed to be given special attention. Made ya feel good in your heart and soul to eat it!
Can't wait to come back :>
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vivian Huang
Great ramen and great service. Parking should be quite easy although wait time could be long if visiting on Fridays or Saturdays. I barely had to wait during weekdays though!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Goku Tonkotsu Ramen
Julia McMahon
I sincerely could not wait to write this review. Menya Goku knocked my socks off!! Incredibly flavorful, well balanced, layered food. I knew the meal would be good when we had the salad. The dressing was just the right amount of sesame, tangy and the right texture to dress the salad in a blanket.
We ordered their Tan Tan Men. Their ramen is EXPERTLY prepared. The spring and bounce of the noodles stood out as a show stopper. The perfect level of spice that feels like a warm hug. Even the bamboo shoots made any other I've had pale by comparison. Can't wait to come back!!!
Not to mention on point service and efficiency.
Only critique would be slightly lighter on the salad dressing. But I mean that's literally nothing
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Korey Purtee
Very good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brynna W
Might be the best ramen I've had in the city, ranks top 3 easy. Drinks, apps, and service all great as well.
Great atmosphere, I liked the service, and the food is very flavorful. Best dumplings I’ve had in the city.
Nice place and clean
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Goku Tonkotsu Ramen
it was just okay
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Delicious ramen & fried chicken buns! It was my first time but definitely not my last!! Highly recommend. Great service too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great dining experience today! We came towards the end of the night and the staff was friendly and kind. Service was fast and the vegan ramen was incredible. (I subbed in regular noodles and added an egg) My sister got the regular ramen and said it was some of the best pork she had ever had in ramen.
Prices are fair for the quality
We randomly stumbled upon this place so glad it worked out so well!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was one of the best places we ate at in Chicago. The staff are super efficient and overall amazing. Tasty food and superb service. Would definitely recommend and come back on our next trip.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This review is long overdue! My husband and I have been dining at Menya Goku for 3 years now. We’ve tried everything on their menu but our favorite is the tonkotsu ramen and pork belly buns for appetizers. The staff is amazing and always so welcoming. It’s a small but cozy restaurant. I would recommend going before 6pm or after 8pm otherwise there could be a long wait (but it’s worth it!).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Goku Tonkotsu Ramen, Pork Belly Buns
We live around the corner and eat here 2-3 times a month. It's very good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
A Slice of Authentic Japan in North Center! As a big fan of Japanese culture and cuisine, especially after visiting Tokyo last year, I can confidently say that Menya Goku nails every detail of an authentic Japanese ramen experience.
Let's start with the drinks - they're fantastic! The Japanese-style highballs feature fresh variations like yuzu that transport you straight to an izakaya in Tokyo. The beer selection is impeccable, showcasing Japanese staples like Sapporo and Hitachino.
The service deserves special mention: super attentive without being intrusive, always going the extra mile with thoughtful attention to detail that elevates the entire dining experience.
Now for the food - it's exceptional, and having Menya Goku in the North Center neighborhood is a true gem. This is easily among the best ramen spots in Chicago, right up there with the absolute best.
The appetizers are impressively fresh. The chicken wings are cooked to order, crispy and flavorful. The salad features that distinctive sesame dressing you'd find in Japan, and the karaage is perfectly crispy on the outside while remaining juicy inside.
But the star of the show is, of course, the ramen. I'm obsessed with their miso tonkotsu broth - rich, deep, and layered with flavor. The noodles are house-made and cooked to perfection, with just the right texture and bite. All the toppings are top-notch: pickled bamboo, jammy egg, tender sliced pork, and mushrooms.
Everything on the menu is excellent - you truly can't go wrong.
Menya Goku brings a slice of authentic Japan to North Center, and we're so glad they're here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Goku Tonkotsu Ramen, Tantanmen, Pork Belly Buns, Goku Tan Tan Men, Fried Chicken Buns, Tan Tan Men Ramen, Chicken Wings, Nagoya Wings
おいしい! Great food and staff. Can have long waits but it's always worth it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Service was spectacular, incredibly friendly staff. Please put at least a 30% option on your tip machine haha
Every element of the ramen bowl was so tasty and seemed to be given special attention. Made ya feel good in your heart and soul to eat it!
Can't wait to come back :>
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great ramen and great service. Parking should be quite easy although wait time could be long if visiting on Fridays or Saturdays. I barely had to wait during weekdays though!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Goku Tonkotsu Ramen
I sincerely could not wait to write this review. Menya Goku knocked my socks off!! Incredibly flavorful, well balanced, layered food. I knew the meal would be good when we had the salad. The dressing was just the right amount of sesame, tangy and the right texture to dress the salad in a blanket.
We ordered their Tan Tan Men. Their ramen is EXPERTLY prepared. The spring and bounce of the noodles stood out as a show stopper. The perfect level of spice that feels like a warm hug. Even the bamboo shoots made any other I've had pale by comparison. Can't wait to come back!!!
Not to mention on point service and efficiency.
Only critique would be slightly lighter on the salad dressing. But I mean that's literally nothing
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Might be the best ramen I've had in the city, ranks top 3 easy. Drinks, apps, and service all great as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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