Ichiddo Ramen

The Hakata-style tonkotsu arrived with a broth so opaque and ivory-white it looked like it had been simmering for days, because it had. That first spoonful delivered a pork-bone richness that coated the palate without feeling heavy, the hallmark of a kitchen that understands the difference between rich and greasy. The noodles, thin and straight in the Hakata tradition, had the right amount of chew to stand up to that broth. We tried the miso ramen next, and the fermented depth of the tare gave the bowl an entirely different character: earthier, almost nutty, with a warmth that built slowly. The gyoza, pan-fried to a lacework crisp on the bottom, were the kind of simple side that reveals kitchen discipline. Ichiddo is a chain with over 20 locations, but this Washington Street outpost feels neighborhood-specific, filling a ramen gap that downtown Naperville had been missing.