Please recommend a Japanese restaurant (Chicago, Lincoln: neighborhood, live, restaurants)

[Dapper Zoom]

My wife and I will be visiting Chicago in December with a group of friends and would like to visit a Japanese restaurant or two. We prefer an izakaya type, lively, and Japanese owned.

My wife is Japanese and I speak the language, so being Japanese owned and operated adds a lot for us. We enjoy speaking to the staff as a substitute for another trip to Japan.

Any suggestions/recommendations?

[quigboto]

Originally Posted by Dapper Zoom

My wife and I will be visiting Chicago in December with a group of friends and would like to visit a Japanese restaurant or two. We prefer an izakaya type, lively, and Japanese owned.

My wife is Japanese and I speak the language, so being Japanese owned and operated adds a lot for us. We enjoy speaking to the staff as a substitute for another trip to Japan.

Any suggestions/recommendations?

Izakaya Mita just recently re-opened for full dining service and is highly regarded. (And Japanese owned, I believe)

https://izakayamita.com/

[BOBNCHI]

Another possibility, Momotaro
https://www.momotarochicago.com/

As far as "speaking with the staff", all restaurants seem to be having staffing issues so be ready to speak more than Japanese!

[Nearwest]

I enjoyed my dining experience at Yuzu, which is located at 1715 W. Chicago Ave. This is in Ukrainian Village/West Town.

This restaurant offers expertly prepared sushi and Japanese style robata grilled dishes. The sushi is accompanied by many tasty sauces.

Yuzu also features flame grilled and skewered meats, as well as perfectly spiced fish and vegetables.

[OKParker]

Hello - I lived in Japan and while the suggestions here are good, I would strongly advocate that you do the chef tasting menu at Kai Zan and don't look back. It is a 10-11 course meal that mixes traditional and experimental japanese food. Award winning place and you won't find a better deal given the quality and number of courses.

[carnelian]

For Japanese fast food. The food court at Mitsuwa grocery in Arlington Hts. Fast, noisy, crowded. Plastic. I ate there only once.

[personone]

Toro Sushi in Lincoln Park is a very small restaurant and not sure if it meets the definition of Izakaya, but it is very popular, great food, and the whole staff is Japanese to my knowledge. Only downside is that it is very small and packed, so for a group gathering it may not be the best experience. And I haven't been there (to eat in-person) since COVID, so dine-in may be even more limited now. They are only open during dinner hours. Some of the best Bento Boxes and Sushi I've had.

[Master Jay]

Good morning, I remember sometime ago I think I started a thread on the best hibachi in Chicago.

And I found the responses to be great, and informative.

And for some reason I feel MIDORI, in the North Park neighborhood was one of the mentioned names for authentic places?

And Dapper Zoom, wheny ou are in town, try to check out a Barnes and Noble. I have seen, in the Local/Chicago book section, a book on "Japanese in Chicago." You and your wife might find it to be a good read. I have bought a handful of these books.

[deeman7]

The most authentic place in the region is Sankyu Sushi in Mt. Prospect. Not too far from Mitsuwa.

[maclock]

After I lived in Tokyo, I lived in Chicago for a couple of years and was delighted to find this place just a few short blocks from my building:

Welcome — Murasaki Sake Lounge // 紫酒ラウンジ

If you find yourselves near the Magnificent Mile, then Murasaki should be both convenient and what you're looking for.