Furious Spoon is one of Chicago's spunky and spontaneous restaurants.
The restaurant concept originated from Chef Shin Thompson's grandfather, who owned a ramen shop in Japan. Together, Shin ( along and restaurateur Anshul Mangal ) opened its first location in Wicker Park in 2015. Furious Spoon has opened seven more ramen shops, with one coming next year.
Each Furious Spoon has its very own unique designs and atmosphere—including graffiti walls, a playlist of hip-hop music and specially designed counters so that guests can watch their food being made.
Shin chose the name Furious Spoon to educate guests—one being that the noodles are meant to be eaten "furiously" which in the Japanese culture is the proper way to eat a ramen bowl.
The noodles are made in-house daily with an authentic noodle maker imported from Japan.
Furious Spoon offers Tokyo-style ramen and rice bowls specially created by Shin. Each month, the restaurant features a bowl and because of its popularity, the smoked BBQ brisket bowl is back for July. The bowl is prepared with a beef broth base topped with smoked barbeque brisket, Memphis barbeque sauce, miso, shoyu, cabbage and sweet corn. For some of you who are looking for that special touch of barbecue in the summertime, this dish will cure those cravings. Also, adding a new item to its menu fried chicken dumplings.
While Furious Spoon is known for its fire noodle bowls, the ramen shop also appreciates rap/hip-hop culture. Furious Spoon launched a summer Artist Series that highlights some of Chicago's artists tracks across all of its locations. July features tracks from Jean Deaux, a singer from the West Side who orchestrates her music using range of vocals.
For individuals looking for a new spot to take family or friends, Furious Spoon offers a new and exciting environment that allows its guest to enjoy an experience with the food and music it offers. Furious Spoon also offers "Noodle Making Class & Lunch," which includes a hands-on class on how to make the noodles, the class includes one bowl, cocktail and take home-kit.
My own experience at a Furious Spoon ( this one being in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood ) was great, overall. The "Furious" bowl is a spicy dish that consists of tonkotsu broth, spicy miso, chashu pork belly ( which I didn't get ), chicken dumplings, egg, marinated mushrooms, garlic relish, fury sauce and corn. The dish was absolutely amazing and flavorful, thanks in part to the restaurant's very own fury sauce, which is available to buy in house as well.
Along with the bowl, I had the tuna poke—raw tuna served over hot white rice with a little bit of spicy seasoning. This was my first experience dining at a ramen restaurant and it truly was a moment; thankfully, the bartender helped me pick my drink, Worst Behavior—which consists of pisco, Bulldog gin and fresh lemon juice. I definitely recommend this restaurant to individuals who are looking to try something new and fun with their friends or families.
For a closer at the look the menu and locations, visit FuriousRamen.com for more information.
