Urban Belly: User Reviews

You have to go here ready to be super-duper informal. The concept of service here is virtually non-existent, but the food really is good enough to come away with a great experience.

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A friend recommended this place, and at first I was skeptical, seeing the small strip-mall location. But any judgment quickly went out the window when I sampled the food. For starters, we had the lamb and brandy and the chicken potstickers. The chicken potstickers were simply perfect, the best I have ever had in my life (and I know my potstickers). Bill Kim seasons everything so beautifully. The buckwheat noodles with bay scallops was next, and I wanted to finish every last drop, it was so delicious. But it really is two meals in one, so they wrapped up the leftovers (in recyclable materials, thank you). It's casual, cafeteria-style dining, so don't bring a lot to drink and linger (it's BYO). Several people were turned away at closing--word of mouth has really spread about this place. But I'm happy to spread the good word even more...For perfectly seasoned Asian noodle soups and apps, there is no better place than Urban Belly.

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I took my friend here for her birthday dinner last Saturday, and we were really excited to check the place out. We LOVED #11, the udon noodles with shrimp/chile (especially the broth), and the #12, Urban Belly ramen, was tasty, but not as memorable. We also tried the Asian squash/bacon dumplings, which I found off-putting. Overall, the food was delicious and there was plenty of it, but it still was a little pricey for ramen and no real table service (you order at a counter, but waiters do clear your plates at the end). Definitely worth checking out, but I don't think we'd go back.

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I wrote a review about this place some time back. I must have written something in it to have it removed. I was so unhappy about this place that I felt it was important to write a second review. The servers aren't friendly. My date had his food brought a full 10 mintues before I got mine. The place was trying desperately to carry an air of pretention when it was no better than a food court noodle shop. The menu is overpriced. The food is mediocre.

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I don't get the raves about this place at all! The menu is unusual and the food is good, but the "faux-service" and rude hostess attitude here are undeserving. You are made to wait outside ( next to the Laundromat) for an unspecified length of time (while there are clearly open seats available at the communal tables). Don't dare ask the "faux-stess" how soon you will be seated b/c she will roll her eyes and tell you she has "no idea" (yes, that really happened!) I think the Buzz Urban Belly has been getting lately has gone to it's Urban Head.

Take-out would be a better move because the nooodle dishes are great (but with the attitude, I wouldn't give it a second chance).

Dishes we enjoyed:
Udon noodles with shrimp & lime cilantro broth
Short rib scallion fried rice
Spicy wrinkly beans

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I ate here on a Tuesday night a few weeks ago and was blown away by my dish, the Rice Cake, which was a delicious noodle dish composed of mango, chicken and korean chili sauce. It was spicy enough to cause me to eat slower than usual, but not so spicy that I couldn't enjoy each bite. The ambiance of the restaurant is typical of the trendy communal dining places these days. There was one server for all of the tables, and the setting seemed appropriate for the creativity of the dishes. I didn't think that the prices of the dishes were that outrageous for the quality, and overall I found this place to be a good value, especially with its BYOB status.

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I found the staff to be pretentious and annoying. When we came in the waitress ushered us off to the hallway by the bathroom. When a spot opened up at the counter to order we were pushed off to the side again because they weren't ready for us. A minute and a half later they got to us. I thought the wait was completely unnecessary since there was plenty of room at one of the tables. I don't think a place that asks you to get your own utensils and water has the right to be pretentious. The noodles were good, but nothing great. The food was overpriced. We paid $40 for two to eat a meal that should have cost $15 - $20 at a food court.

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We thought the food was great. PLEASE get some hooks for coats behind the tables or make room for a coat rack. It is Chicago and people will be wearing coats! If no room for a coat rack, then add hooks behind each table so people don't have to put coats on the floor or keep them on when they aren't cold. Not so friendly service but the food sure was good. The owner who greets everyone is not so congenial; if she was a little nicer, the experience would be better. We will go back, though but maybe for carryout.

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My friend and I decided to give this place a try after hearing so much "buzz" about it. I've lived in Logan Sq. for 6 years now and everything and anything that opens always gets a buzz. Honestly, I don't get what the buzz is all about.

Being Asian, born and raised back home, I can say that my palette is very much attuned to Asian taste and Urban Belly's is average at best. Maybe to the uninitiated, Belly's may seem exotic but a short trip to Argyle or Chinatown quickly unmasks Belly's pretentions.

This is a simple case of fancy packaging for a simple product to justify inflated prices. $8 for a mini rice bowl? Not even a recently unemployed Wall St. trader can afford that! And the $15 noodle bowls? You can can get a bowl of Pho and a 9pc. Bo la Lot from Hai Yen for that price. Better yet, go to Itto Sushi and order a bowl of Soba and Tonkatsu. The only way to justify Belly's exorbitant prices is if it relocated somewhere in Magnificent Mile or Clark Quay in Singapore, not in a strip mall located in a barren stretch on California Ave.

The ambiance is very urban, hip, and trendy but also very out of place. This a kind of restaurant you'd expect in the West or South Loop, not in Logan Sq. especially when after walking out you realize you're right next to a laundrymat.

The service is good. It's supposed to be a "self-service" place where you walk up to the counter, order your food, find a seat and wait for your food. The only thing they have left to do is refill your water and unless they spill it on you, service should be classified as "good".

Verdict - try it once for the experience and then bailout!!!!

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They have some of the best noodles I have ever eaten. Each noodle dish was simmered in a unique, delicious, and flavorful broth. If you like seafood, you MUST try the noodles with scallops & the crab broth. I dream about this dish! The dumpling dish we tried was just ok.
Note to parents: Go early with children, as it becomes crowded quickly. Also, NO highchairs available.

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