Ramen is ok, not super outstanding considering the cost and wait times. Wait is about 30-45min for group of 2, group of 3-4 might be a bit longer since there are limited bigger tables. Overall, it's a fun setting for eating out with friends. You will have to order at the bar, so I recommend figuring out your order while you're in line. Wait staff was very friendly and food came out quickly.I guess it's worth going before they close the business for good on July 13th, but there are other places in Milwaukee for ramen.???Parking is very difficult in the East Side area on the streets. There is a paid lot near the old FedEx building which might be the easiest if you cannot find a spot that fits your car. If you are with a group, I would recommend 1 person drop people off to wait in line while they find a parking spot. There are stairs going down to the restaurant, so it might be limiting if you have accessibility concerns.
Lisa Okhuofu
Came here to give it a try since they are closing. My boyfriend liked his miso ramen, but I disliked the pork ramen I got. It tasted under seasoned or weirdly seasoned. Tried the orange cream puff dessert and it was bad. The cream puff tasted store bought.
Tom Putskey
I'd been saving this place place for a date night but absolutely had to get in when I heard they're closing next week. The space is so small! I've never been to a true ramenya, so maybe it adds authenticity? Ordered the tonkatsu, as one does at a ramen shop first time, and it was so delicious! The tonkatsu broth was so flavorful, the egg was so soy salty and custardy, and the pieces of pork were fall apart soft and just as delicious as the broth. I regret not trying it on my own, but I felt guilty occupying a table just for myself when tables are kind of at a premium.Kid-friendliness: A couple was in line before me with their kid who seemed familiar with their menu. The kid was definitely more adventurous than your average kid, as they mentioned wanting oysters.
Jezzie O
What a delightful delicious way to end the day! The honeycomb cake withplum sauce was the cherry on top of my Ramen sundae!
Omar Flores
Tonkotsu broth tastes like hot dog water, pork is like a Meat Puck and you can taste freezer on some of the ingredients. Noodles are solid. Mushroom Miso Ramen is OK. Service/staff are perfect, atmosphere is unmatched. Any ramen spot in Chicago has much better tonkotsu for around the same price, in Milwaukee most spots are marginally better. Ardent is impressive and elevated, which leads one to believe that Red Light Ramen is a cash grab rather than something they applied themselves to. Ownership could do a much better job. I'm not a professional Food Eater but I know hot dog water when I taste it.
Amanda
So delicious, hard to find a good ramen egg but they deliver in flavor. Mushroom miso is amazing
Ashley Steinberg
We’ve loved Red Light since we first started going in 2016. For me, it was the only place to get ramen in the city. The quality of everything we liked has significantly gone down since the original staff left. Nothing against the new staff. We miss the presentation of the curry, the tenderness of the pork, the tangy-ness of the snack pack and just the atmosphere in general. Hoping there’s a chance things can improve again.
Kali Ewert
the atmosphere of red light is amazing. cozy little place in a semi-basement, hip hop playing, two very friendly people running the place that night (Payton is wonderful -- chat with her for sure). the ramen was delicious; i had the miso mushroom.stop by there some evening, you won't regret it!Vegetarian options: only one main vegetarian option (mushroom miso), but they're willing to mess around with ingredients to accommodate.
Anna P.
Perhaps an unpopular opinion, but the food here is so overrated. The mushroom miso ramen is extremely salty--like drinking a bowl of soy sauce with only a few mushrooms floating around in it. The rice bowl was completely under seasoned and bland. The curry beef was also underwhelming, at best. We ordered takeout as it is always crowded and busy indoors and we wanted to eat something simple and warm at home. The first red flag was the packaging, which was excessive and wasteful. We unpacked the many boxes, ramekins, and cups, and realized that we would still have to heat, plate and serve ourselves. In my opinion, if you want to provide an elevated ramen experience and charge these prices, you should be serving hot food that needs minimal preparation once unpacked. It would have been less trouble to make our own ramen at home. It felt like we were paying for hype and packaging, not quality ingredients or well developed flavors. Judging by others' reviews it would seem that Red Light struggles with consistency. The menu although limited reads like an exciting place to eat, but falls short on the execution. I can name a dozen Milwaukee restaurants with similar menus that have better flavor, quality, portions, and prices and if you're looking for a reliable takeout dinner, move along.
Lucy McChesney
Wow i am so happy i finally got to come here! it is a little smaller than i thought it would be, but it is so adorable. i love the red walls and the artwork throughout the restaurant. i also find it really cool that you have to walk down some stairs to enter. The miso mushroom ramen was really good. i liked the umami flavor of the broth, and i love anything that has mushrooms in it. they also have two desserts that i haven't had a chance to try, but are definitely on my list for next time
This is a cozy (and hopping!) spot for a delicious, simple dinner. It is definitely soup weather and I was craving ramen, so I dragged A out to try Red Light. The menu is small but feels very intentional and planned. Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious - full of flavor and beautifully balanced. It is semi-counter service which was a bit awkward since there were only 2 people working on a busy night. There were several groups who came in looking for a table and ended up leaving the door open for several minutes (or crowding the door) which was a bit awkward as we were both eating and trying to leave. I ordered the hot sake and it took a while to come out/got forgotten in the chaos but the employee was very kind and ended up bringing me a free second cup. We would definitely go back again and also try their carryout - I just wish the seating was a bit more streamlined!
Andy Q.
Cool hidden spot in Waukee! Payton there is the reason why we love little hole in the wall spots. They're a must have great and chef. Yes that a** is Billie Billie Billie what I got into a place I can buy some salmon route. Yeah Danny change the boss man. How's it going? Are you are you? Are you do shopping holy s*** song I'm from Ozark hello St. Louis 000 during you're done your career you learn how to read a noodle yeah I would ever do that. I'll go get off just one dish try!!
Stephanie G.
Took some friends here tonight from out of state and they both said that Red Light Ramen rivals their favorite ramen from back home. This is a tiny restaurant, some bar seating and then about 8 tables. It's quaint and they played good music the whole time we were dining. The service was awesome-- the staff member who took our order was very friendly. The ramen is made fresh and you can taste it. My favorite part of this ramen is the egg. Perfectly poached and pairs deliciously well with the broth. $18 for a medium-sized bowl of delicious ramen. It hit the spot tonight and my friends were very happy.
Jennifer Hotz
Overpriced. Paid for my vegan ramen to be spicy and it was less than bland. The texture of the noodles were overcooked. Served warm at most. The mushrooms were awesome. Service was great. Atmosphere was cute. We won't be back unfortunately.
Mario A.
BEWARE: RAMEN HERE HAS DAIRY. Went here yesterday with my family and we all ordered the tonkotsu ramen. I'm heavily lactose intolerant and I found out after eating that Red Light Ramen uses butter and Milk powder for the creamy broth. They do not mention this on the menu and today I'm stuck on the toilet. Big red flag for any lactose intolerant people.
Ramen is ok, not super outstanding considering the cost and wait times. Wait is about 30-45min for group of 2, group of 3-4 might be a bit longer since there are limited bigger tables. Overall, it's a fun setting for eating out with friends. You will have to order at the bar, so I recommend figuring out your order while you're in line. Wait staff was very friendly and food came out quickly.I guess it's worth going before they close the business for good on July 13th, but there are other places in Milwaukee for ramen.???Parking is very difficult in the East Side area on the streets. There is a paid lot near the old FedEx building which might be the easiest if you cannot find a spot that fits your car. If you are with a group, I would recommend 1 person drop people off to wait in line while they find a parking spot. There are stairs going down to the restaurant, so it might be limiting if you have accessibility concerns.
Came here to give it a try since they are closing. My boyfriend liked his miso ramen, but I disliked the pork ramen I got. It tasted under seasoned or weirdly seasoned. Tried the orange cream puff dessert and it was bad. The cream puff tasted store bought.
I'd been saving this place place for a date night but absolutely had to get in when I heard they're closing next week. The space is so small! I've never been to a true ramenya, so maybe it adds authenticity? Ordered the tonkatsu, as one does at a ramen shop first time, and it was so delicious! The tonkatsu broth was so flavorful, the egg was so soy salty and custardy, and the pieces of pork were fall apart soft and just as delicious as the broth. I regret not trying it on my own, but I felt guilty occupying a table just for myself when tables are kind of at a premium.Kid-friendliness: A couple was in line before me with their kid who seemed familiar with their menu. The kid was definitely more adventurous than your average kid, as they mentioned wanting oysters.
What a delightful delicious way to end the day! The honeycomb cake withplum sauce was the cherry on top of my Ramen sundae!
Tonkotsu broth tastes like hot dog water, pork is like a Meat Puck and you can taste freezer on some of the ingredients. Noodles are solid. Mushroom Miso Ramen is OK. Service/staff are perfect, atmosphere is unmatched. Any ramen spot in Chicago has much better tonkotsu for around the same price, in Milwaukee most spots are marginally better. Ardent is impressive and elevated, which leads one to believe that Red Light Ramen is a cash grab rather than something they applied themselves to. Ownership could do a much better job. I'm not a professional Food Eater but I know hot dog water when I taste it.
So delicious, hard to find a good ramen egg but they deliver in flavor. Mushroom miso is amazing
We’ve loved Red Light since we first started going in 2016. For me, it was the only place to get ramen in the city. The quality of everything we liked has significantly gone down since the original staff left. Nothing against the new staff. We miss the presentation of the curry, the tenderness of the pork, the tangy-ness of the snack pack and just the atmosphere in general. Hoping there’s a chance things can improve again.
the atmosphere of red light is amazing. cozy little place in a semi-basement, hip hop playing, two very friendly people running the place that night (Payton is wonderful -- chat with her for sure). the ramen was delicious; i had the miso mushroom.stop by there some evening, you won't regret it!Vegetarian options: only one main vegetarian option (mushroom miso), but they're willing to mess around with ingredients to accommodate.
Perhaps an unpopular opinion, but the food here is so overrated. The mushroom miso ramen is extremely salty--like drinking a bowl of soy sauce with only a few mushrooms floating around in it. The rice bowl was completely under seasoned and bland. The curry beef was also underwhelming, at best. We ordered takeout as it is always crowded and busy indoors and we wanted to eat something simple and warm at home. The first red flag was the packaging, which was excessive and wasteful. We unpacked the many boxes, ramekins, and cups, and realized that we would still have to heat, plate and serve ourselves. In my opinion, if you want to provide an elevated ramen experience and charge these prices, you should be serving hot food that needs minimal preparation once unpacked. It would have been less trouble to make our own ramen at home. It felt like we were paying for hype and packaging, not quality ingredients or well developed flavors. Judging by others' reviews it would seem that Red Light struggles with consistency. The menu although limited reads like an exciting place to eat, but falls short on the execution. I can name a dozen Milwaukee restaurants with similar menus that have better flavor, quality, portions, and prices and if you're looking for a reliable takeout dinner, move along.
Wow i am so happy i finally got to come here! it is a little smaller than i thought it would be, but it is so adorable. i love the red walls and the artwork throughout the restaurant. i also find it really cool that you have to walk down some stairs to enter. The miso mushroom ramen was really good. i liked the umami flavor of the broth, and i love anything that has mushrooms in it. they also have two desserts that i haven't had a chance to try, but are definitely on my list for next time
Restaurantji Recommends
This is a cozy (and hopping!) spot for a delicious, simple dinner. It is definitely soup weather and I was craving ramen, so I dragged A out to try Red Light. The menu is small but feels very intentional and planned. Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious - full of flavor and beautifully balanced. It is semi-counter service which was a bit awkward since there were only 2 people working on a busy night. There were several groups who came in looking for a table and ended up leaving the door open for several minutes (or crowding the door) which was a bit awkward as we were both eating and trying to leave. I ordered the hot sake and it took a while to come out/got forgotten in the chaos but the employee was very kind and ended up bringing me a free second cup. We would definitely go back again and also try their carryout - I just wish the seating was a bit more streamlined!
Cool hidden spot in Waukee! Payton there is the reason why we love little hole in the wall spots. They're a must have great and chef. Yes that a** is Billie Billie Billie what I got into a place I can buy some salmon route. Yeah Danny change the boss man. How's it going? Are you are you? Are you do shopping holy s*** song I'm from Ozark hello St. Louis 000 during you're done your career you learn how to read a noodle yeah I would ever do that. I'll go get off just one dish try!!
Took some friends here tonight from out of state and they both said that Red Light Ramen rivals their favorite ramen from back home. This is a tiny restaurant, some bar seating and then about 8 tables. It's quaint and they played good music the whole time we were dining. The service was awesome-- the staff member who took our order was very friendly. The ramen is made fresh and you can taste it. My favorite part of this ramen is the egg. Perfectly poached and pairs deliciously well with the broth. $18 for a medium-sized bowl of delicious ramen. It hit the spot tonight and my friends were very happy.
Overpriced. Paid for my vegan ramen to be spicy and it was less than bland. The texture of the noodles were overcooked. Served warm at most. The mushrooms were awesome. Service was great. Atmosphere was cute. We won't be back unfortunately.
BEWARE: RAMEN HERE HAS DAIRY. Went here yesterday with my family and we all ordered the tonkotsu ramen. I'm heavily lactose intolerant and I found out after eating that Red Light Ramen uses butter and Milk powder for the creamy broth. They do not mention this on the menu and today I'm stuck on the toilet. Big red flag for any lactose intolerant people.