At Monster Ramen in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood, the sound of slurping noodles is a sign of satisfied customers. Led by self-proclaimed “noodle nerd” Katie Dong, the ramen shop specializes in bowls topped with Wagyu beef and house-made noodles steeped in beef stock, a unique version of the Japanese staple.

“When we provide the bowl on the table, we always tell people to ‘slurp on,” said Dong. “Our noodles give some great slurps.”

Dong has been making (and eating) ramen in Chicago for more than a decade. Immigrating to the U.S. from China with her parents at age 14, she fell in love with ramen but missed the beef flavors of noodle soups in her hometown of Nanjing.

“Our flavor here is my childhood infused in Japanese ramen,” said Dong. “All I ate when I was a little girl, pretty much was beef noodle soup.”

Dong described opening up Monster Ramen as a dream come true for herself. She said she is grateful to her parents for supporting her from day one and for her staff for making the restaurant what it is today.

“I think one day I just found my purpose: opening a beef ramen shop,” said Dong. “When it comes to ramen, I’m the monster.”

For more information on Monster Ramen and to see their menu, visit monsterramenchicago.com