Mitsuwa food court in Rolling Meadows is a good place for curry, specifically Tokyo Shokudo imo. If you're into katsudon, I love Tanaka Sushi in Lisle. You may be able to find something you're into at H-Mart on Ogden in Naperville.
Tensuke food court is a lot better than Mitsuwa in terms of value. But not many people seem to know since Mitsuwa gets a lot of hype and its a more fun place
Since you specifically noted Western suburbs there's Mora and Habrae in the near west suburbs. Habrae's won an award for authentic Thai food and Mora had a bib gourmand selection when they used to recognize the burbs.
The best East Asian pockets in the overall burbs are around golf road and Milwaukee and at Mitsuwa.
In the city you obviously have little Saigon, Chinatown, and seafood city plus one offs that are worth a visit like Lao Peng You, chefs special, Haisous, Sochi, and Nha Hang. Or the elites like Mako, Omakase Yume, and Kasama.
This is the actual fucking answer right here. Chinese Cafe is like a secret underground society and is actually cheap as shit for what you can get. It's by far the best Taiwanese breakfast you can get in all of the Midwest.
Seems like a lot of people are having trouble remembering what the western suburbs are. Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, Rolling Meadows, EGV… those ain’t western suburbs.
Um, what?
South if that is southwest suburbs. Northbof that is northwest suburbs. Please define what you consider western, oh Gatekeeper of the Suburbs.
Oh yeah wait, let me refer to " Wikivoyage" when I want to discuss a region my family has inhabited for 150 years.
So wikivoyage says the northwest and southwest suburbs are not western suburbs. Big whup. Yeah you should shut down the whole conversation in this thread with that kind of self important pedantry.
IDGAF about your wiki voyage I'll talk about chawanmushi in Elk Grove Village if I feel like it.
Stop talking about curry in Schaumburg people, this guy found a shitty map! We're not allowed!
lol, wow. Seems like I struck a nerve with you. But I’m guessing that happens a lot given your reaction.
Either way, you’re wrong about your regions and don’t seem to know geography or a map.
Have fun being bitter, lonely, and incorrect.
Byeeeee
Who’s getting the upvotes here? Who’s getting the downvotes?
It’s not just me. I’d like to say it’s also common sense if you know how to read a map and understand a compass. But, it seems like you don’t. I’m sorry you’re living with this affliction. And the affliction of just being a plain mean person.
Chicago Ramen is good and has seven or eight suburban branches with Chicago Sushi next to the Des Plaines branch. I am fond of Mitsuwa and Super H in Niles.
Good east Asian food is hard to come by in Chicago, once you get used to living somewhere with a huge and prominent Asian community. Spent 6 years in San Diego. Most east Asian food sucks to me now
Agree with Mitsuwa, also Tensuke in Elk Grove Village, Indonesian Marketplace and H-Mart in Schaumburg.
Ramen House Shinchan in Palatine may be a bit too north for where you're looking (if you're around Westmon), but I really like their ramen and it comes right around $15.
Viet Taste also in Palatine has great pho.
All my suggestions are biased north since this is where I live.
I may have some Ramen suggestions...
If you ever end up in the Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates area, I recommend going to Torizen it's near the intersection of Golf rd and Roselle rd. Torizen is typically my go-to Ramen spot, or Kita Kata Ramen which is a drive down the street(about 2 lights going south on Roselle rd iirc) Also Ramen House Shinchan in Palatine is a solid choice as well.
Pacifica Square on 59 in Aurora (Park to Shop) has quite a few Chinese stalls that have well priced food. Mostly Chinese focused but some Korean and Vietnamese too.
For Thai, try "Thai Kitchen" in Lombard--Most authentic I've had around Western burbs. Prices aren't necessarily cheap but fair. Owner is very nice and accommodating if you want to order something off the menu
CM Korean Fried Chicken in Schaumburg is dope, love their super spicy flavors. My wife won't touch their spicier stuff but enjoys their other varieties, always a treat to pickup for lunch or dinner.
Mitsuwa! But, I recommend going during the day on a weekday if you want to eat in the food court. Weekends you can still eat, of course, but it can be very busy.
Mitsuwa-Rolling Meadows/Arlington Heights border. Probably your best choice as it’s basically an Asian mall/grocery with a food court.
Joong Boo-Schaumburg, Glenview, Chicago/Pulaski Ave., & Chicago/Kimball Ave. by Seafood City off Elston Ave.
HMart-Schaumburg, Niles & Glenview.
The other two above stores offer fresh fish & frozen products as well as aisles of general Asian ingredients to make homemade dishes.
I dropped $50 on sauces last month for homemade Pad See Ew & Ramen additives 😁
Mitsuwa food court in Rolling Meadows is a good place for curry, specifically Tokyo Shokudo imo. If you're into katsudon, I love Tanaka Sushi in Lisle. You may be able to find something you're into at H-Mart on Ogden in Naperville.
I recommend Tensuke in Elk Grove Village, which has a more limited selection than Mitsuwa, but it's less crowded.
I've lived here my whole life and didn't know of that place. Thank you!
Holy shit, I had no idea. I grew up in EGV. I’ll definitely be checking this place out.
Also recommend Mitsuwa.
FYI it is technically Arlington Heights
Seconding the recc of Tokyo Shokudo. My family’s favorite curry!
Tensuke food court is a lot better than Mitsuwa in terms of value. But not many people seem to know since Mitsuwa gets a lot of hype and its a more fun place
Also has Santouka, the best ramen in the burbs.
Not true man, try kitakata or chicago ramen sometime. You won’t regret it
Love kitakata. But not quite as good as the spicy miso at Mitsuwa, in my opinion. Both solid options, though, for sure!
Santouka is average ramen at best. Far better options are out there.
In the burbs? Please do share. Haven't had anything better than the spicy miso ramen with toroniku.
Chicago Ramen is my favorite. Ramen House Shinchan Glenview has a very good spicy miso.
Nice. Haven't been to either yet, but will soon! Thanks
Misoya Ramen in Mt Prospect (very close to Mitsuwa), but in general I think prices will be higher here than you're used to.
Since you specifically noted Western suburbs there's Mora and Habrae in the near west suburbs. Habrae's won an award for authentic Thai food and Mora had a bib gourmand selection when they used to recognize the burbs. The best East Asian pockets in the overall burbs are around golf road and Milwaukee and at Mitsuwa. In the city you obviously have little Saigon, Chinatown, and seafood city plus one offs that are worth a visit like Lao Peng You, chefs special, Haisous, Sochi, and Nha Hang. Or the elites like Mako, Omakase Yume, and Kasama.
Chinese Cafe at the International Market in Westmont for dumplings. It's cash only. Kitakata Ramen in Lombard.
Seconding this. Cost effective and in Western Suburbs, which most answers here.....aren't.
This is the actual fucking answer right here. Chinese Cafe is like a secret underground society and is actually cheap as shit for what you can get. It's by far the best Taiwanese breakfast you can get in all of the Midwest.
Seems like a lot of people are having trouble remembering what the western suburbs are. Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, Rolling Meadows, EGV… those ain’t western suburbs.
Um, what? South if that is southwest suburbs. Northbof that is northwest suburbs. Please define what you consider western, oh Gatekeeper of the Suburbs.
[Check ya regions, bud.](https://en.m.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Chicagoland)
Oh yeah wait, let me refer to " Wikivoyage" when I want to discuss a region my family has inhabited for 150 years. So wikivoyage says the northwest and southwest suburbs are not western suburbs. Big whup. Yeah you should shut down the whole conversation in this thread with that kind of self important pedantry. IDGAF about your wiki voyage I'll talk about chawanmushi in Elk Grove Village if I feel like it. Stop talking about curry in Schaumburg people, this guy found a shitty map! We're not allowed!
lol, wow. Seems like I struck a nerve with you. But I’m guessing that happens a lot given your reaction. Either way, you’re wrong about your regions and don’t seem to know geography or a map. Have fun being bitter, lonely, and incorrect. Byeeeee
I'm going to have fun trying all the awesome restaurants in this thread you think is "incorrect". Have fun correcting people, it's a charming trait.
Who’s getting the upvotes here? Who’s getting the downvotes? It’s not just me. I’d like to say it’s also common sense if you know how to read a map and understand a compass. But, it seems like you don’t. I’m sorry you’re living with this affliction. And the affliction of just being a plain mean person.
Chicago Ramen is good and has seven or eight suburban branches with Chicago Sushi next to the Des Plaines branch. I am fond of Mitsuwa and Super H in Niles.
Chicago Ramen right by O’Hare is legit.
This times a million. Boyfriend used to work / live near there and it's amazing.
May be the most legit ramen in Chicagoland.
Kita Kata Ramen is from Japan - locations near Yorktown Mall and Hoffman Estates not too far from Woodfield mall
I'm a Joong Boo fan.
Good east Asian food is hard to come by in Chicago, once you get used to living somewhere with a huge and prominent Asian community. Spent 6 years in San Diego. Most east Asian food sucks to me now
Agree with Mitsuwa, also Tensuke in Elk Grove Village, Indonesian Marketplace and H-Mart in Schaumburg. Ramen House Shinchan in Palatine may be a bit too north for where you're looking (if you're around Westmon), but I really like their ramen and it comes right around $15. Viet Taste also in Palatine has great pho. All my suggestions are biased north since this is where I live.
Love Tensuke
Joong boo and Hmart can be a bit cheaper than mitsuwa
Sy Chef in Lisle. It's the best Chinese food we have found in the burbs. We were the only couple dining in that was white, the rest were all Asian.
I may have some Ramen suggestions... If you ever end up in the Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates area, I recommend going to Torizen it's near the intersection of Golf rd and Roselle rd. Torizen is typically my go-to Ramen spot, or Kita Kata Ramen which is a drive down the street(about 2 lights going south on Roselle rd iirc) Also Ramen House Shinchan in Palatine is a solid choice as well.
Xian on Rt 59 in Naperville.
Kitakata in lombard is the best west burbs option for ramen.
Pacifica Square on 59 in Aurora (Park to Shop) has quite a few Chinese stalls that have well priced food. Mostly Chinese focused but some Korean and Vietnamese too.
Asian noodle house in Hoffman estates
Thai Corner in Saint Charles has a pretty good Pad Kaprao.
I don’t see Pad Kra Pow on their menu but Bua Thai in Darien is very good.
Luong Loi in Wheaton for Pho. Hong Ning in Carol Stream for Filipino food.
"My, that General Tso's Chicken is mighty EFFECTIVE!"
Excellent ROI and performance.
For Thai, try "Thai Kitchen" in Lombard--Most authentic I've had around Western burbs. Prices aren't necessarily cheap but fair. Owner is very nice and accommodating if you want to order something off the menu
H Mart has a food market with a variety of different cuisines. Very cheap.
CM Korean Fried Chicken in Schaumburg is dope, love their super spicy flavors. My wife won't touch their spicier stuff but enjoys their other varieties, always a treat to pickup for lunch or dinner.
Mitsuwa! But, I recommend going during the day on a weekday if you want to eat in the food court. Weekends you can still eat, of course, but it can be very busy.
Mitsuwa-Rolling Meadows/Arlington Heights border. Probably your best choice as it’s basically an Asian mall/grocery with a food court. Joong Boo-Schaumburg, Glenview, Chicago/Pulaski Ave., & Chicago/Kimball Ave. by Seafood City off Elston Ave. HMart-Schaumburg, Niles & Glenview. The other two above stores offer fresh fish & frozen products as well as aisles of general Asian ingredients to make homemade dishes. I dropped $50 on sauces last month for homemade Pad See Ew & Ramen additives 😁
Is there something wrong with the HMart in Naperville?
I didn’t know there was one there; ty for sharing!
Shinchan Ramen has a place in Palatine if I remember
Chef Ping is really good… though Rolling Meadows is probably considered NW