WEST LOOP — The post-work West Loop crowd will soon have another trendy treat to add to their rotation.
After a winter of delays, the owners of Wasabi in Logan Square plan to open Ramen Takeya next Wednesday in a vacant space at 819. W. Fulton Market. The ramen spot rounds out other dining favorites on the block, including Cemitas Puebla Fulton Market and Publican Quality Meats.
At their new restaurant, chef Satoko Takeyama and partner Jee H. Kim will serve up authentic Japanese ramen with a chicken paitan base at a cozy ramen bar featuring authentic Japanese decor. The lighter, milk-color ramen broth will be made from the bones of free-range chickens, according to a news release.
A chicken-based ramen broth was a top request with many of Chef Takeyama's Logan Square customers, she said. Wasabi's signature dish is a creamy pork broth tonkotsu soup-based ramen.
"Many diners often asked me why we did not carry any chicken ramen. Chicken paitan ramen is very popular in Japan lately, and I thought that it would be welcomed in Chicago as well," the chef said.
The menu will include the chicken paitan ramen with thin, straight noodles topped by tender char sou (roasted chicken and/or pork) and a marinated soft boiled egg. Other small dishes include house-made spring rolls, gyoza, salad, and mini bowls of rice with barbequed beef or chicken with eggs.
Shoyu Hospitality will also host a grand opening for the restaurant on March 31.
The restaurant will be open for dinner from 5-11:30 p.m. daily. Starting this summer, Takeya plans to serve lunch, too.
Ramen Takeya will open in the shadow of the new Fulton Market gateway, which debuted last month.
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