Santouka - Arlington Heights

They promise a “delicious experience” with their special Gabutto patty, which is a blend of beef and pork, breaded with a unique glaze. It’s not exactly teriyaki, nor is it fully savory—it's a bit of both, leaning more towards the savory side. Although I'm typically not a fan of most sauces (with the exception of béarnaise and béchamel), this one caught my attention.

- It's cash only, so plan on spending around $40 for two hungry diners. - Arrive before 11 AM; the line starts forming around 10:45. - Make sure to stay in the line to the right, next to the tables. - Bring a friend: one of you can hold the place in line while the other grabs a table. Coats can be left on the chairs, and that’s respected. - The second person can then go pick up some fresh sushi from the grocery store nearby! - If you're not using all the chairs, please offer the extras to those arriving later or to families, as they may ask for them. - Note that there are no fountain drinks, only bottled Japanese beverages available. - Your order number will be called out over a loudspeaker, so listen closely. - Keep in mind that it can feel a bit cramped, so it might not be suitable for those who are claustrophobic. - Overall, the atmosphere is very friendly, and everyone seems to enjoy their meal there!

Rated as the best noodle house by Time Out Chicago for a good reason, this gem is nestled in the food court of the renowned Asian market MITSUWA. Their No. 4 Salt Ramen is simply irresistible, making me crave it every time. The fresh noodles, tender pork slices that melt in your mouth, and an array of toppings are just a few reasons why lines often wrap around the food court. People start lining up as early as 10 minutes before they open at 11 a.m. The efficient staff handles orders with impressive speed. Alright! That's it! I need to go back there tomorrow! Yum!

It 's been a while since I 've been to this Mitsuwa, so while I miss the dim sum booth, ramen sounded like a nice idea. I went with the medium soy ramen combo with the chasu rice bowl. Ramen was nice and hot, noodles had a good chew to them. The chasu bowl was larger than expected and I 'm glad I went with that as a 'side '. I 'd say the one downside was the ramen egg. Flavor wasn 't bad, and you get a whole egg, but you can see it 's just a regular hard-boiled eggs that 's been marinated. The yolk was totally cooked through. Not bad by any means but it just something that would have pushed the bowl to a great bowl of ramen. Prices are good and they were ready quickly.

This is by far, the best place to get authentic miso ramen in illinois. I go here hungry, and i leave full and happy. My only sadness when i go here, is not only have i finished my meal, it's the fact that i must leave. I count the days until i may return, and succle on the sweet-savory deliciosness that is concocted in this fine establishment. Many blessings upon you, wonderfull chef's, who have been brought on this earth to share your culinary arts with the world. Odin smiles upon you.