Kayo's Ramen Bar Opens With Umami Goodness on N Williams

Taking over the former ChaChaCha! in the same building as Tasty N Sons and Lincoln, Kayo's Ramen Bar officially opened for business last night, and it appears to have done its ramen-y research. Each bowl features what Kayo's calls Noodle #47, signifying the previous 46 noodles tested during a three month collaboration with a local noodle maker.

Aside from the vegan version, the ramens at Kayo's Ramen Bar share the same base, made from pork and chicken bones, aromatics, and vegetables, and they are made assari-style: clear and thin. In addition to the steamy, brothy ramen menu (bowls $10 to $12), Kayo's offers a handful of izakaya, like potstickers and teppanyaki-Style garlic fried rice, named after the teppanyaki iron griddle.

Couple Kayoko Kaye and Matt Kaye own Kayo's, and as you might have guessed from the restaurant's name, Kayoko heads the kitchen. She was born and raised in Osaka, Japan. Matt takes on the role of general manager.

Moving forward, Kayo's Ramen Bar is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday (from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m.) and for lunch-only Sundays (from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.). Happy hour is on Tuesday through Friday, from 5 to 6 p.m., and promises "Deep flavors, and shallow conversation."