Popular ramen restaurant coming to Mundelein
A popular Asian-style restaurant chain is coming to Mundelein.
Chicago Ramen is set to open within a month at 404 N. Lake St. in the Hawley Lake Plaza.
The space last was occupied by a franchise restaurant called Surf’s Up that opened in 2020 and closed about two years later.
The community got something of a sneak peek in October during the opening reception for the Lure of the Local art exhibition, which was staged at the plaza. Attendees were able to enjoy bowls of the restaurant’s namesake dish, in addition to food from other restaurants, said Colleen Malec, the village’s senior planner.
“It was definitely a hit,” Malec said.
Other Chicago Ramen restaurants operate in Des Plaines, Rolling Meadows, Wheeling, Algonquin, Palatine and Park Ridge. A sister restaurant called Chicago Sushi is in Des Plaines, too, and Chicago Ramen Annex opened last year in Schaumburg.
The chain is the creation of owner and chef Kenta Ikehata.
Mundelein’s village board on Monday approved a liquor license for Chicago Ramen without discussion. Under its rules, beer and wine will be available for customers.
The Hawley Lake Plaza is on the northwest corner of Route 45 and Hawley Street, on the western edge of Mundelein’s downtown. A longtime eyesore, the center was renovated a few years ago and has seen a commercial resurgence.
Oak Trail Taphouse and Smokin’ BBQ on 45 are among the businesses in the plaza.
Mundelein Trustee Tim Wilson said he’s “stoked” about Chicago Ramen’s pending arrival.
“Any time we can fill a location on a main thoroughfare like Route 45 with a new business is great,” Wilson said.