Bon Appétit magazine conducted a search for the best new restaurant in the U.S. Their writers embarked on a six-month expedition to sample dishes such as a rack of ribs inspired by Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and a “Progressive Mexican” tasting menu. The selected restaurants were chosen for their unique menus infused with personality and a true sense of place, and a Chicago restaurant was among those chosen.
Why Akahoshi Ramen is the Best New Restaurant
Akahoshi Ramen stands out from most restaurants in Chicago due to its humble beginnings. Before Mike Satinover opened this promising new ramen restaurant, he was known as Ramen Lord on Reddit, where he spent over a decade sharing his expertise in broth and noodles.
Kate Kassin said:
A bowl of miso ramen comes with slender Sapporo-style noodles in a velvety broth topped with thinly sliced green onions, supple bamboo shoots, and pork belly chashu. A brothless bowl of tantanmen features thick, soft noodles, heavily spiced ground pork, and a tingly mala spice powder. Satinover is usually in the kitchen, and even on the busiest night, you might just receive your bowl from Ramen Lord himself.
The name “Akahoshi” roughly translates to “Red Star” and is a tribute to two cities: Sapporo, Hokkaido, where red stars decorate city monuments, and Chicago, IL, where the red star is featured on the city flag. Akahoshi’s ramen is influenced by both Japanese and American cooking styles, and Mike Satinover has perfected his skills and found a place for his precision and finesse.