After nearly four years of ramen rumors circulating through the nabe, Chuko Ramen is—at long last—open for business at its newest location on Bushwick’s Evergreen Avenue.
The long-awaited second edition of Chuko joins the original Prospect Heights flagship as another one of Brooklyn’s go-to ramen spots. Since we at Bushwick Daily are obsessed with all things ramen related, we had to try out the new Chuko to see if it lives up to the original P-Heights digs (spoiler alert: it definitely does)!
Chuko has been serving up edgy Japanese fare since the first location opened up in 2011, and owners Jamison Blankenship, James Sato and David Koon are ensuring that the Bushwick location’s cuisine will be no different. “We will start with the same menu as the original location. It’s a good way to introduce our food to a new clientele,” says Koon. “Once we get settled we will be able to be more creative and have some different things on the menu.”
As for our personal menu faves, the pork bun with pickles and chili mayo, and the shrimp bun with garlic tartar sauce are simply to die for. Pair them with more shareable appetizers like the okonomiyaki style tots and the miso kale salad and you’ll have a spread of shareable starters worthy of endless Instagram buzz.
As for that famous Chuko ramen, Koon believes in sticking to the tried and true, but not without that signature Chuko twist, and modifications for alternatively-dieted clientele: “The ramens are based on traditional Japanese concepts with our own tweaks,” says Koon. “We also realized early on that vegetarians were largely being ignored in the ramen business so we really wanted to create something great as an vegetarian option. It ended up being one of our best sellers and best received bowls.”
As for me, I went with the pork bone and kimchi ramen bowls with spicy ground pork and soft boiled eggs. As someone who lives for spicy food and unconventional flavor combinations. I was over the moon for the kimchi, spicy pork, and tomato-based broth combo. We also recommend slathering everything you eat at Chuko in their menu-favorite garlic chili oil.
As for booze and atmosphere, Chuko’s owners are working on opening their outdoor space for the summer months. Additionally, they’ll be getting a liquor license within the next few weeks.
We’re so excited to finally have a Chuko location in the neighborhood! Head over to 144 Evergreen Ave. for all your ramen needs, and look out for all their cool new developments coming this summer!
All photos by Bridget Kenny for Bushwick Daily.