Best Sushi In Chicago – 13 Places to Try
Chicago’s sushi scene may not get as much attention as it does on the coasts, but don’t be fooled: the city is home to a powerful crew of chefs and specialists professionals recognize that Midwesterners are just as hungry for top-quality maki, nigiri, and sashimi at all price points and levels of formality, let’s visit some of the greatest sushi in Chicago. Let’s see some best sushi in Chicago.
1. 13 Sushi Restaurants To Try
People have learned a lot about delicious sushi throughout the years. As Omakase restaurants from across the country rush to open locations in Chicago restaurants, they’re building on the groundwork laid by local pioneers such as chefs B.K. Park (Juno, Mako), Sangtae Park (Omakase Yume), and Macku Chan (Macku, Komo).
Whatever your taste, whether it’s an all-you-can-eat neighborhood sushi joint or an upscale omakase palace, the city has plenty of intriguing options to try.
Even though Chicago is distant from the oceans, residents may still enjoy excellent sushi. The finest bites are served at the city’s premier restaurants, which import the most expensive products, typically from overseas.
Whether you want to splurge on a lavish Omakase menu or simply satisfy your sushi hunger with a few of inexpensive maki rolls, the following restaurants have you covered.
They’re among the best Japanese restaurants and fresh seafood specialists in town, with talented chefs who know how to cut up fresh fish expertly. Are you celebrating a significant occasion?
So book a reservation at Sushi san Omakase Room and witness Chef Kaze Chan use skillful methods on high-quality materials to create a genuinely amazing signature nigiri and make the best sushi in Chicago.
1.1 Momotaro For Sushi Rolls
820 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: (312) 733-4818
Lincoln Ave
Chef Gene Kato opened this West Loop sushi emporium, which serves a sushi menu of modern Japanese gastronomy that shows his strong commitment to seasonality and rigorous sourcing.
Momotaro, located in Chicago’s Fulton Market district, is also a Michelin award winner, having received the accolade in 2018. Though Kato’s Robata Yaki is a foregone conclusion (he previously launched Chicago’s Sumi Robata Bar), he also holds his own in the sushi department, with an entire menu page inspired by nigiri, sashimi, and maki rolls.
Momotaro serves the outstanding food of Chef Gene Kato, who has earned multiple culinary prizes for his incredible expertise. Momotaro has been named Restaurant of the Year by several Chicago magazines and groups.
Kato’s ability to incorporate a Takumi grilling experience on a robata utilizing Japanese white charcoal called Sumi is one of his many contributions to Momotaro.
This method is used to cook a steak to perfection at Momotaro. There is something on the menu for everyone, with over 90 options.
1.2 Juno Sushi
Lincoln Park
Juno Sushi is a Japanese restaurant that takes traditional dishes and elevates them to new heights.
Juno consistently appears on top sushi joint lists due to its contemporary décor, high-quality cuts, and impeccable service. You can dine a la carte or splurge on the omakase menu for $150 per person (with an additional $75 for wine pairings).
This is how customers feel about the smoked hamachi, the excellent sashimi, and the spicy tuna wrap. It’s located near n lincoln ave Chicago, which is a little further away from the downtown options, but it’s worth the extra effort.
Juno Sushi has received numerous accolades, including Zagat’s “Hottest Japanese Restaurants in the United States” and “Best Sushi in Lincoln Park.”
It is such a trendy, sophisticated restaurant that you must order your lunch 24 hours in advance to receive some of Chef B.K. Park’s delights
1.3 Aji Omakase
3809 North Broadway, Lincoln ave chicago il 60613
Phone: (773) 904-8205
AJI Omakase is one of the best sushi in Chicago, a scene standout known for its colorful displays and equally eye-catching role titles, and this is evident as soon as you walk into the restaurant.
The interior’s minimalist, nature-inspired style complements each nigiri arrangement on the plate, creating a focused, piece-by-piece presentation of Park’s meticulously scheduled cuisine.
This raw fish is so fresh that you can taste the delicious food such as toro sushi, bluefin tuna, spicy crab, delicious rolls, and much other delicious sushi in each handily prepared bite. The fantastic food you will be served a 14-course dinner that will blow your mind. Consider the beverage pairing, which includes a thoughtful selection of bubbly, whites, and sake to enhance an already amazing experience.
Because there is limited capacity at Aji Omakase, I recommend making a booking for this sushi boutique.
1.4 Lawrence Fish Market
The Lawrence Fish Market’s unique idea makes it a top choice for the best sushi restaurants in Chicago has to offer.
Because the creative sushi is imported straight from Japan, the chefs scrutinize each item that enters the market. From spicy tuna rolls to maki rolls this restaurant has something for everyone.
They then offer a variety of menu options at reasonable costs. You’ve most likely seen a tray or two of craving sushi from Lawrence Fish Market on Instagram. Every Friday and Saturday night of the week, this sushi spot is a takeout and cash-only restaurant that serves fresh sushi.
The Lawrence Fish Market is located between the Mayfair and Kimball areas and is among one the favorite sushi restaurant. Be prepared before you come because this is a cash-only restaurant, owing to the abundance of Japanese food selections at the market.
Famous for Japanese dishes Lawrence Ave is an old favorite if you’re searching for plenty of selections that won’t break the bank.
1.5 Omakase Yumi
Chef SangTae Park developed an interest in Japanese foods and Asian cuisine in his hometown of Busan, South Korea, before moving to Chicago Avenue and working at several of the city’s premier sushi restaurants before opening his own in Highland Park and Niles.
Omakase Yume and Chef Sangtae Park serve amazing and one-of-a-kind delicacies as another Michelin 2021 winner. It’s easily one of the city’s best choices to eat sushi.
The utilization of the tasting table is also a unique aspect of Omakase Yume. With a reservation, you can partake in a Chef’s Tasting, which includes 16 exceptional and custom-created courses.
Omakase Yume is located between the Fulton Market and Greektown areas. The menu changes daily due to the nature of the eatery.
His West Loop debut is his first omakase experience, and he and the team are determined to get it right.
1.6 Roka Akor
This Japanese steakhouse has three locations in Chicagoland, which is fantastic news for anyone looking for enhanced chops and seafood alongside cool vibes and friendly hospitality—both inside and outside the city.
The open-air alfresco dining at Roka Akor in downtown Chicago is a distinctive feature. Because Chicago experiences all four seasons, you won’t be able to find this in December. Yet, it is a wonderful alternative to take advantage of throughout the warm weather months.
You enjoy sushi as it has the option of ordering standard menu items or Omakase, like with several other restaurants on this list.
Although you cannot see the Omakase menu in advance, you can pick between two alternatives, each of which includes a variety of various components.
The prime cuts and emphasis on Wagyu are obvious draws—one it’s of just 32 restaurants in the country certified to serve Kobe beef—but the sushi is also among the best sushi in Chicago.
1.7 Sushi Suite 202
Have you ever gone to a restaurant where you are the only customer and the cuisine is prepared only for you? The best sushi in Chicago Suite 202 provides exactly that therapy.
The Lincoln Hotel concierge gives you a room key once you book your reservation and arrive at the site. When you enter, you will see a tiny lobby made out of a living room.
Once your time is up, the Sushi Suite 202 professional sushi chef will make a one-hour unique 17-course omakase dinner.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in the densely populated metropolis of Chicago, so don’t pass it up. The event includes a private chef and an intimate 6-seat sushi bar for a 75-minute, 17-course Omakase meal.
1.8 Mako
731 W Lake St, Chicago Ave, IL 60661
Phone: (312) 988-0687
Mako, owned and operated by prominent chef B.K. Park, uses the Omakase approach, whereas Juno provides a classic sit-down experience.
Unlike other Omakase restaurants where chefs construct meals at the table, Mako announces the meal courses ahead of time.
This restaurant, run by the same chef as Juno, charges $185 for approximately 15 courses of delectable nigiri, sashimi, grilled asparagus, and yuzu sushi small plates (like a buttery sea bass with charred frisee and seaweed).
Expect a costly but entertaining experience. It’s also worth noting that they provide Omakase to-go if you’d rather eat on your couch. Mako is a superior Omakase choice for folks who don’t enjoy surprises.
You will have a terrific supper at Mako because of its downtown Chicago location and top-notch chef.
1.9 Raisu Japanese Fine Dining
2958 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60618
Phone: (773) 961-7299
Raisu is a small restaurant best sushi in Chicago Albany Park and its seafood menu changes based on what’s in season. When visiting Chicago’s Irving Park district, make time to stop by Raisu Sushi.
With both traditional meals and Omakase, you can be surprised or order something familiar. In either case, exquisite dinners and snacks are available to gratify every taste bud.
In addition to the meal options, there is a large selection of sake. Some of the items in stock are not available elsewhere in the United States.
If you want rolls, they have a few options (the omega maki with fried salmon and shrimp tempura is delicious), and we love their famous nigiri and sashimi.
They are served with delicate garnishes (such as shaved apples or fried garlic chips) that complement the flavor of the fish.
1.10 Kyoten
This Logan Square omakase restaurant is one of the best sushi in Chicago—and also one of the most expensive, with prices starting at $440 for 20 courses.
Those eager to indulge can schedule an evening at this Logan Square sushi joint, where chef Otto Phan oversees an omakase menu that changes regularly.
Dinner at Kyoten consists of a lot of exquisite nigiri made with intensely seasoned large-grained rice, as well as a variety of inventive small dishes, Such as fried tilefish with caviar and creme fraiche or evaporated beef fat poured over rice.
All bookings are private, offering an intimate encounter between pieces of expertly prepared nigiri after piece.
Phan is from Austin, and he brings with him a skill at navigating a sushi counter as well as a love of rice, particularly a large-grain kind seasoned with aged red wine vinegar.
If you’re searching for a special occasion restaurant, this is the place to go. Just make your reservation early in advance—reservations are hard to come by.
1.11 31 Fish Market
This best sushi in Chicago laid-back sushi joint is located on the boundary of Chinatown and Pilsen at 88 Marketplace.
There are other eateries within this massive supermarket, but 312 is the only one with seating and a sushi counter.
And given that this restaurant is run by a former Sushi-san chef, it’s hardly surprising that all of their maki, sashimi, and nigiri are excellent (and also pretty affordable).
For takeout, order one of their platters with an assortment of everything, or simply sit down and grab a bite in the middle of your monthly grocery shopping.
1.12 Ringo
This modest Lincoln Park eatery gives you the best sushi in Chicago and feels like a pleasant neighborhood coffee shop if you disregard the open kitchen and tables full of Asian food.
Wonderfully prepared food with strong attention to texture, flavor harmony, and overall balance. Food that tastes delicious while putting you on a sensory experience. It’s all about what’s going on in your mouth.
The space is minimally designed, with mid-century contemporary chairs and frosted pendant lamps, and the quiet ambiance is ideal for lunch when you want to get to know someone to enjoy the best sushi in Chicago. Although the menu is simpler and plainer, their maki and nigiri are both good and reasonably priced.
Take our word for it, and dig into a Tokyo Wing, Chicken Skewer, Bacon Tomato Skewers, or something else from our extensive menu of scratch-made noodle and sushi meals. Mondays are all-you-can-eat, and we always allow BYOB while selling bottles of wine, sake, and beer!
It’s a hidden treasure! Sushi and small plates restaurant serving authentic Japanese cuisine. Japanese head chef and Japanese employees run the show. The service was excellent, and the chef even came out to greet us as we exited!
The sashimi quality was above normal, and they even had fresh myoga on the sashimi package. Everything melted in our mouths, but the scallop, hamachi, salmon, and fatty tuna were our favorites.
1.13 Q Sushi Bar And Omakase
Q Sushi in Ravenswood offers the best sushi in Chicago with a wonderful 15-course Omakase for $125 in addition to their a la carte offerings. It’ll be a laid-back (and pricey) meal with up-tempo hip-hop, personable chefs, and a procession of nigiri and tiny dishes
The menu changes frequently, but highlights include fatty toro with garlic perched on fluffy rice, inventive alternatives like honey truffle salmon, and a dessert unagi wrapped in a chocolate banana sauce that sounds like a bad idea but wonderfully balances sweet and salty elements. Sushi Bar Omakase is a 16-course dinner cooked at the sushi bar that will cost $150 per person.
The Tableside Prix Fixe Tasting Menu includes two appetizers, four pieces of sashimi, four pieces of nigiri, miso soup, robata grill, sushi mike, and two makes for $90 per person. Something is happening at the tables.
In addition to the omakase bar, there are a few tables where you can order sushi by the piece. Yet, the enthusiastic, pleasant chefs and their high-quality, imaginative omakase will have you wanting to play another round of sushi roulette right away as it’s the best sushi in Chicago.
3. Final Thought
Chicago, commonly known as the Windy City, is a city famed for its entertainment, culture, and amazing food.
When it comes to finding the best sushi in Chicago, there are many possibilities.
Even if sushi isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other restaurants to try. If you’re searching for a fun, drunken brunch, check out our list of the best spots.
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