Udon soup in the Loop

Does anyone have any recommendations for a place that serves a good udon soup downtown, preferably within the confines of the loop?

Thanks in advance!

The udon at the various Tokyo Lunchboxes is pretty good for fast food in the Loop. West of LaSalle on Van Buren, eg.

JeffB wrote:The udon at the various Tokyo Lunchboxes is pretty good for fast food in the Loop. South of LaSalle on Van Buren, eg.

(west of LaSalle)
179 W. Van Buren

also at
37 N. Wells

Unfortunately, as far as I know, this is probably your only loop option for udon. It's ok (as Jeff said, good for fast food), but far from ideal.

Best,
Michael

I haven't been there, so I can't vouch for it, but there's a Kamehachi in the 311 S. Wacker building now. Their Wells. St. location does have Udon on the menu.

Simon wrote:I haven't been there, so I can't vouch for it, but there's a Kamehachi in the 311 S. Wacker building now. Their Wells. St. location does have Udon on the menu.

The new Wacker location has a pretty limited menu (no noodles) and the only soup available is miso. It's primarily focused on sushi with a "hot food" daily special (terriyaki, etc.).

It might be worth a call to see if/when they'd put an udon on their hot food special.

Kamehachi
311 S Wacker
At W Jackson Blvd
312-765-8700

Best,
Michael

You might try Capra's Cafe Sushi. While I only have tried their sushi (nigiri are small, but fresh and relatively inexpensive), I know they also have udon. The concept of the place is interesting as Capra's Cafe is both a coffee shop and japanese eatery.

Capra's Cafe
46 S. Clark St
(312) 422-0142
www.caprascafe.net

I really like the udon at The Garden Cafe, 100 N. LaSalle.

French Baguette wrote:You might try Capra's Cafe Sushi.

Thanks for bringing this up. I had always written off Capra's as a coffee shop that was serving sushi in the same fashion that Jewel has sushi. Now, I'll have to check out the rest of their offereings.

Best,
Michael

i believe Ginza serves udon, no?

TonyC wrote:i believe Ginza serves udon, no?

Yes, but it's a pretty good hike to get there if you work in the Loop.

^ bwahahahahahaha. c'mon! i drove from Chicago to Itasca to Rockford to Lake Geneva, WI back to Chicago yesterday (within 6 hours, interjected by 4 meetings). For lunch, I had to drive Rockford back to Loves Park just to eat at that stupid [url=http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=6650=Beef-A-Roo place[/url]

are you telling me no one's willing to trek 6 blocks for the authentic ambience???

TonyC wrote:are you telling me no one's willing to trek 6 blocks for the authentic ambience???

I am, as are many other people, but the OP requested locations within the confines of the loop. So, I figured it would be important to point out that this rec. falls outside of that parameter.

Ginza
19 E Ohio
(312) 222-0600

I hope it wouldn't be considered hijacking the thread to expand the scope, but what are the favorites for udon and soba citywide? If anybody's familiar with it, I used to frequent Mishima (now Yashima?) in Los Angeles while I lived there, and I miss it dearly. I haven't managed to find anything close since moving back home.

I like Sunshine Cafe for Japanese noodles of all varieties:

5449 N Clark St
Chicago, IL
334 6214

East/CoCoRo also has a good udon close to the loop.

East Restaurant
668 N. Wells
312-943-2220

there's a new sushi place in Presidential towers that is pretty good. i have not tried their udon, but, for the sake of lthers, i wll do so and report.

deesher wrote:East/CoCoRo also has a good udon close to the loop.

East Restaurant
668 N. Wells
312-943-2220

Ditto, IMHO, probably the most authentic (a.k.a. Homey) Ramen you will find around the loop area is at CoCoRo, their Udon is pretty good, Ginza is also very good.

Can't say whether it's authentic, homey or whatever, but they certainly serve a BIG portion of udon at Takumi in Presidential Towers (northwest corner of Clinton and Monroe). This non-expert enjoyed what he ate.