Diners' Choice: Japanese restaurants in Chicago

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Japanese cuisine in Chicago? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

312 Fish Market

4.9

4.9 (25)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Lower West Side

About the restaurant

Hidden inside 88 Marketplace is 312 Fish Market -- a sushi lover's dream. We take great pride in improving upon your favorite nigiri, sashimi, hand rolls, sushi rolls, and party sets in new and creative ways.

As we do not compromise on quality, our chef sources the best fish from all over the world including Tuna, Madai, Kanpachi, Uni, Caviar, and more.

312 Fish Market is a BYOB establishment.

Closed every Wednesday.

We are also available for pickup, delivery and catering.

Please reach us at 312FishMarket@gmail.com or 872-222-7288.

Top review

EdwardVIP

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

Delicious fish and good rice Waiter was helpful picking choices

Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill

4.9

4.9 (50)

$30 and under

Japanese

West Town

About the restaurant

Step into Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill and be transported to a world of culinary artistry. This family-owned gem in Chicago's West Town neighborhood offers a vibrant and playful atmosphere, where modern Japanese cuisine meets artistic flair.

**A Feast for the Senses:**

Yuzu's menu is a symphony of flavors, textures, and colors. From the delicate sashimi platters adorned with intricate edible art to the sizzling robata-grilled skewers, each dish is a masterpiece. Indulge in signature maki rolls like the "Over the Rainbow," a vibrant explosion of tuna, salmon, and avocado, or savor the melt-in-your-mouth grilled salmon topped with a tangy Yuzu sauce.

**Beyond the Plate:**

The ambiance at Yuzu is as captivating as the food. The open kitchen allows you to witness the culinary magic firsthand, while the energetic atmosphere is fueled by old-school hip-hop beats. The walls are adorned with intricate Japanese comic characters, adding a touch of whimsy to the space.

Top review

Chloe'

Dined on Jun 23, 2025

I truly enjoyed my sushi and the artwork and design that accompanied the food. Loved their rainbow roll and their manyo/avocado salad and would definitely recommend for a good value sushi experience.

The Omakase Room at Sushi-san

4.9

4.9 (91)

$50 and over

Japanese

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

The Omakase Room at Sushi-san is a culmination of Master Sushi Chefs Kaze Chan and Shigeru Kitano’s combined experience defining the Chicago sushi scene. While the menu and service are informed by tradition, guests can expect a transcendent experience that breaks down the formality and austerity usually accompanying omakase dining. Each dinner in the warm, modern, and intimate ten-seat space features luxury ingredients from around the world. Sophisticated and carefully curated beverage pairings are available to complement the meal.

Top review

Jake

Dined on Jun 14, 2025

Incredible experience. Worth the price for a special occasion.

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Experience

Dinner with Ross Cobb of Cobb Wines

Experience

Omakase Reservation Deposit

Jōtō Sushi | CH Distillery

4.8

4.8 (384)

$30 and under

Japanese

West Loop

About the restaurant

Jōtō Sushi at CH Distillery is all about good energy, bold flavors, and a modern vibe. Tucked in the heart of the city, it's the kind of place where the atmosphere is just as memorable as the food.

Watch chefs in action at the open kitchen, soak in the sleek design, and enjoy a dining experience that feels both elevated and welcoming.

Top review

STEVEN

Dined on Jun 18, 2025

We had really good food and our waiter Nick was exceptional. He was very knowledgeable about the menu and the sustainability of the food source. He recommended great items, checked in when needed and had a great personality. Would definitely eat here again.

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Experience

19-Course Omakase - $195 Thurs-Sat

Experience

14-Course Nigiri Omakase | Sun-Wed

Experience

Lunch Omakase

Raisu - Chicago

4.8

4.8 (352)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Irving Park

About the restaurant

At Raisu, the focus is on providing the freshest fish and excellent costumer service. Our fish flown in from Japan twice a week. On a level comparable to other high end sushi restaurants, yet for an affordable price. Traditional nigiri (served with freshly grated wasabi) comes with signature toppings. Reserve ahead of time for Omakase, which is available in limited quality.

Top review

AnnVIP

Dined on Jun 19, 2025

one of the best sushi chefs in the city. Everything was excellent quality and beautifully presented.

Omakase by Kanemaru

4.8

4.8 (22)

$50 and over

Japanese

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

Omakase by Kanemaru in Chicago offers an unforgettable omakase experience crafted by Chef Shinichiro Kanemaru, whose culinary journey spans over 30 years. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and deep respect for tradition, Chef Kanemaru combines time-honored techniques with subtle innovation, delivering dishes that are both visually stunning and exquisitely flavorful. At Omakase by Kanemaru, the intimate 10-seat counter invites guests into Chef Kanemaru's world, where each meal is a personalized journey. His warm hospitality and expert craftsmanship make every visit feel like a special occasion, whether you're a sushi connoisseur or a first-time guest.
We kindly ask guests to avoid cash payments and use a credit card instead. Please bring a physical credit card. Apple Pay is not accepted at the moment.
*Please note that Omakase by Kanemaru will be closed on these dates:
July 4th, July 6th - 17th.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 5 days ago

Simply perfect! The food is great, chef is great, location is great! Perfection! Here you can taste the real sushi and see the difference comparing to the common restaurants!

Akahoshi Ramen

4.8

4.8 (469)

$30 and under

Japanese

Logan Square

About the restaurant

Akahoshi Ramen is a humble ramen shop in the city of Chicago. Everything is made in the restaurant, including all soups, seasonings, toppings, and noodles.

We are not an authentic ramen shop, though we value the history of ramen, and our ramen is influenced by its past and its future potential. The dish, popularized in Japan after World War 2, is symbolic of both struggle and perseverance. It is both a simple dish, and a fantastically complex one that we treat with reverence and respect.

Roughly translating to “Red Star,” the name “Akahoshi” is a love letter to two cities; Sapporo, Hokkaido, where red stars adorn city monuments, and Chicago, Illinois, where the red star decorates the city flag. Our ramen is influenced by Japanese and American ideals in cooking.

We hope you will join us to enjoy a bowl of ramen, made with the respect and passion it deserves.

Top review

Alex

Dined 7 days ago

Akahoshi Ramen gets a 10/10 from me, The broth is rich and full of depth, and the homemade noodles were seriously on point. Cozy spot, big flavor.

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4.8

4.8 (124)

$31 to $50

Japanese

West Town

About the restaurant

We are located in the Lower Level of Perilla Fare. Please enter through Perilla Fare Restaurant and check in with the host.

NORIKO handroll bar is a new sushi restaurant concept specializing in handrolls which are prepared immediately in front of you. Each unique handroll is packed with flavor and carefully crafted with high quality ingredients in this intimate underground space.

Top review

EuniceVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Everything was so good, can’t go wrong with whatever you pick! Loved everything, esp the hamachi poke, bluefin tuna toro, puncha matcha. The staff and the chefs were so nice too, made for a great experience.

Itoko

4.9

4.9 (617)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Lakeview / East Lakeview

About the restaurant

Situated in Lakeview's iconic Southport Corridor, Itoko is a neighborhood Japanese and robata restaurant from Gene Kato, Executive Chef of Momotaro. “Itoko” meaning “cousin” in Japanese, refers to the connection with Momotaro, located in the Fulton Market District. The menu features the high level of ingredients and technique that Chicago has come to expect from Chef Kato, alongside a beautiful interior curated for the Southport neighborhood. The menu itself features uniquely interpreted sushi rolls that allow the high-quality fish to be the star of the sushi experience. In addition, an innovative beverage menu with a focus on cocktails & highballs highlights the relationship between the technique of the food created by the kitchen and how this is complimented by the beverage selection.

Top review

GabrielVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Mesha our waitress was phenomenal! She knew what we wanted before we even had to ask.

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Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Chicago, IL | Lakeview

4.8

4.8 (557)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Lakeview / East Lakeview

About the restaurant

Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.

Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other!

Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!

Top review

Erika

Dined 7 days ago

Absolutely amazing and yummy meal. We always enjoy coming here. Such a great experience especially if you do the all you can eat!

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Experience

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