Restaurants

20 Delicious Japanese Restaurants In Chicago

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Chicago premier restaurants import the most premium ingredients from overseas to indulge you in the finest bites.

These Japanese restaurants are among the top spots and seafood specialists, and are helmed by talented Michelin-starred chefs. If you are craving a fancy omakase menu or sushi, these top Japanese restaurants might be your favored place to visit.

 

1. Momotaro

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This restaurant is a multi-dimensional Japanese restaurant located in the West Loop and is led by Executive Chef Gene Kato.

Momotaro contains a subterranean Izakaya and an elegant second-floor private space that overlooks the main dining room. This place excels in authentic sushi and robata plates with handcrafted cocktails and spirits, focusing on highly executed cuisine.

Address: 820 W Lake St

2. Sushi Dokku

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Sushi Dokku serves diverse sushi options focusing on traditional and inventive dishes. Diners can enjoy various nigiri options such as Sake and Tuna Truffle, with a selection of maki rolls including Spicy Tuna and Dragon.

Their menu also features hot and cold plates, desserts like Mochi and Green Tea Cheesecake and curated cocktail lists.

Address: 823 W Randolph St

3. Tanta

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Tanta focuses on sharing the flavors and culture of Peru with Chicago serving authentic Peruvian dishes and beverages.

They provide service casual yet knowledgeable genuine and attentive, utilizing locally sourced products and vendors for sustainable farming and fishing. They also serve fresh cebiches and Pisco-inspired Peruvian cocktails.

Address: 118 West Grand Ave

4. Kai Zan

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This restaurant serves desserts, appetizers, pan-fried dishes, sushi, and sashimi. You can enjoy delicious Japanese cuisine and fresh sushi at Kai Zan.

They also create artful stunning dishes like seared sushi scallops wrapped in salmon with an orange glaze and char-broiled braised pork belly with black garlic sauce.

Address: 2557 W Chicago Ave

5. Roka Akor - Chicago

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Roka Akor offers a refined sushi experience that blends traditional and contemporary flavors. It is located in Chicago's River North neighborhood.

Its popular items include Wagyu beef and Kimchi Dumpling, and for those seeking a sushi experience, you can have Robata Grill selections with prime cuts like Ribeye and Skrit Steak.

Address: 456 N Clark St

6. Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar

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This restaurant combines the flavors and traditions of Japanese cuisine with the energy of an American urban restaurant.

They serve you their masterfully prepared fish from the sushi bar, delicious marinated meats and veggies hot off the Robata Grill, and many other cocktail options. 

Address: 230 W Erie St

7. Sunda

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Sunda pairs its New Asian fare with midwestern hospitality for an award-winning concept offering traditional dishes from Japan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

They showcase exceptional cuisines in an approachable ambiance and seating for more than 200 guests, creating a memorable experience for the diners.

Address: 110 W Illinois St

8. Omakase Yume

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It is an intimate 8-seat Omakase restaurant that serves traditional Edomae-style sushi. Their 15-17-course menu focuses primarily on sushi and seafood which changes depending on the product availability.

Diners will be served personally by the Chef himself at this sushi counter bar seating along with wine and beer to complement the meal.

Address: 651 W Washington Blvd Suite #101

9. Ramen Wasabi

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Wasabi proudly introduces their original Japanese culinary artistry from over three decades to the town. It is a Logan Square BYOB Japanese and Sushi restaurant offering delicious rolls and fantastic service.

You can join in and enjoy their famous Mag Mile, Pike Place, and Rainbow Rolls.

Address: 2101 N Milwaukee Ave

10. Tanoshii West Loop

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It is a family-owned and operated restaurant where you can try the unique omakase prepared by chefs with a mix of traditional and non-traditional fare.

You can try their signature dishes like fish and chips and bluefin truffle sashimi, dressed nigiri pieces, and off-menu special rolls. Also, they offer many small bite options, including sashimi, maki, entrees, or other a la carte menu.

Address: 720 W Randolph St

11. Friends Sushi on Rush

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If you are craving fresh sushi, you can blindly head to Friends Sushi. You can enjoy it with your friends, families, or loved ones with amazing Japanese dishes and sushi.

Their menu features various traditional and signature maki rolls, including Creamy Spicy Tuna and Sweet Potato Maki, a popular choice among patrons.

Address: 710 N Rush St

12. Sushi-san

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Sushi-San is known for its diverse offerings, including diverse sushi rolls and traditional Japanese dishes.

Guests can enjoy popular menu items like Tempura Shrimp Maki and Spicy Tuna Aburi. The menu also features options such as Faroe Island Salamon and Unagi, and unique Maki-San rolls, including Bluefin Tuna and Avocado Maki and Spicy Salmon Maki.

Address: 63 W Grand Ave

13. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

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At Gyu-Kaku, each day hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of their dining concept.

Guests enjoy the selection of premium meats, just off the grill and other fresh prepared foods from the kitchen. They also offer their authentic yakiniku dining experience crowning guests as chef. 

Address: 210 E Ohio St

14. Juno

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Juno offers their signature Omakasa menu with a selection of seasonal ingredients crafted by their Chef BK Park. Their Omakasa experience includes approximately 20 bite-size pieces including sashimi, appetizers, warm plates, nigiri, and dessert.

This place strives to perfect a combination of quality and consistency in food and service. It also offers a variety of traditional and non traditional Japanese dishes and extensive list of sashimi, nigiri, and premium sake.

Address: 2638 N Lincoln Ave

15. Sushi by Scratch

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This eatery is no ordinary omakase spot in Chicago. The nigiri was infused with the original touches, like the dab of sweet corn "pudding" and sourdough breadcrumbs with coat slices of hamachi.

Their iconoclastic vibe extends to the beverages, including cocktails sake, and beer. Even the traditional pairings become transcendent with the house-fermented soy sauce. 

Address: 415 N Milwaukee Ave

16. Kizami Sushi

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This is a cozy and fine sushi restaurant in the heart of Lincoln Park. Great vibe, offers delicious Wagyu Beef Japan Uni and is friendly.

Diners particularly enjoy the signature Spicy roll with a choice of fish, the custom roll with fish, and the comforting Miso Soup. The menu also features numerous sushi options including nigiri, sashimi, and special maki rolls.

Address: 2235 N Lincoln Ave

17. Wakamono

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Wakamono serves authentic Japanese dishes in a casual environment of the dining area and various specialty bento boxes, ramen, and sushi.

The food menu offers hot and cold starters, which include dishes like seared tuna with wasabi butter and steamed sea bass with black beans. Popular appetizers among patrons include the salmon tartare with avocado, crispy shallots, soy, and lime.

Address: 3313 N Broadway

18. TenGoku Aburiya

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TenGoku Aburiya serves authentic Japanese izakaya fare, including yakitori, udon, and tempura. It showcases a unique vision for authentic Japanese izakaya dining that surpasses sushi expectations.

You can enter into the cozy atmosphere where you enjoy diverse traditional izakaya dishes, perfectly paired with fantastic selection of Japanese beers and sake. 

Address: 651 W Washington Blvd Suite #101A

19. RAMEN-SAN

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RAMEN-SAN offers diverse Japanese options, including tonkotsu, shoyu, miso, and vegetarian ramen. It also serves gyoza, fried chicken, and rice bowls.

You can choose from classic and unique ramen broths, including tonkotsu, chicken shio, and tantan-san with toppings, such as pork belly, chashu, soft-boiled egg, and vegetables.

Address: 219 N Green St

20. Umai

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Umai offers fresh and flavorful sushi, with the menu including numerous nigiri and maki rolls.

Some of their signature dishes at Umai include the Umai Roll, made with spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, avocado, and tobiko, and the Wagyu Beef Tataki, featuring seared beef served with ponzu sauce and scallions.

Address: 730 S Clark St