Japanese Food in the Chicago Area

Last updated: July 2026

The Unofficial Guide to Japanese Food in the Chicago Area

This is a running list of Japanese restaurants that I genuinely like–not a comprehensive ranking.

With all the social media marketing and sketchy Google reviews, it’s getting harder and harder to find good restaurants–and even tougher if you’re looking for good Japanese food around Chicago.

If you’re sick of googling “best ramen near me,” you’re in the right place.

Ramen

Chicago actually has a lot of good ramen places.

• Ramen Wasabi in Logan Square
• Akahoshi Ramen in Logan Square
• Menya Goku in North Center
• Chicago Ramen in Des Plaines and several other suburban locations
• RAKKAN Ramen in Uptown

Izakaya and Traditional Japanese

Finding good non-ramen Japanese food is a bit trickier, but there are some solid options:

• Kuni’s in Evanston
• Tenjin in Lincolnwood
• Cocoro in River North
• Torizen in Schaumburg
• Kurumaya in Elk Grove Village
• Sankyu Sushi in Mount Prospect

Sushi

If you’re hoping for high-end omakase in Chicago, my advice is: don’t bother.

Sushi here tends to be way overpriced for what you get.

If your marginal value of money is close to zero–or your marginal value of sushi is infinite–I’d pick:

• Omakase Yume in the West Loop
• Omakase Shoji in West Town

For good sushi at reasonable prices, check out:

• Sea Ranch Sushi in Evanston, which also sells Japanese cooking ingredients.
• Lawrence Fish Market in Albany Park and Chinatown, known for its strong price-to-quality ratio.

Yakiniku (Japanese BBQ)

• Chicago Kalbi in Albany Park. You might see some famous Japanese baseball players if you go there after a Cubs game.