Top Best Japanese Restaurants in Cook County

"When Melvin & Carlo Vizconde were working at various sushi restaurants in the Chicago area, they both had regulars often asking them to make “something special.” So expect something special at Kai Zan, the twin brothers’ first restaurant of their own. For example, one of their popular dishes, scallops wrapped in salmon, is lightly seared with a citrus glaze and when you bite into it, the contrast between fatty salmon and lean scallop makes perfect sense. Also, there’s a Do-It-Yourself uni and toro hand roll, which comes with a quail egg yolk, as if the uni and toro were not rich enough already."

"For an incomparable Omakase experience, KAI ZAN is a Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant in Chicago specializing in wholly authentic and traditional Omakase dining. The restaurant is the brainchild of the notable sushi twins Melvin and Carlos Vizconde, who wanted a creative space to invent intricate dishes."

"Humboldt Park’s Kai Zan is another spot where it’s best to order the omakase menu and trust the sushi chef. This is one of the best places to order uni (sea urchin) which is flown in fresh. Be sure to snag a wooden booth which is designed for ultimate privacy during your meal."

"Traditional Japanese cuisine meets forward-thinking fare at this six-time Bib Gourmand award-winning restaurant, where two kitchens work together to offer eaters a comprehensive dining experience. For a front-row vantage point of the team’s handiwork, grab a seat at the sushi counter. It’s here where guests can watch as their plates are prepped, from tuna tartare with pickled Asian pear and black tobiko, to the beloved trio maki roll, complete with tuna, salmon, hamachi, cilantro, and chili oil."

"And none of us would exhibit our robust appetite full-on while a potential lover is across the table. Arami is the perfect eatery where the nigiri and sashimi are as good as it gets. The menu at Arami is far from fancy, but the food is authentic."

"A post shared by Table for Two (@table__for__two) on Jan 16, 2019 at 7:25am PST. Be prepared to be blown away from the moment you step foot into this two-level 300-seater restaurant. A grand staircase connects both levels, allowing guests a magnificent full view of its chic dining space."

"Sushi The beautiful interior and the equally beautiful presentation of sushi by Chef BK Park are the obvious reasons that Juno is always on Chicago’s best sushi list. However, just like that pretty girl you have crush on happens to be also kind, smart and funny, you’ll pleasantly discover that Juno’s food is also amazing from their appetizers to the omakase menu. The Omakase requires a 24 hour advance reservation, but you are in for a treat."

"Juno frequently ranks on top sushi joint lists because of its sleek decor, fish quality, and excellent staff, including sushi chef BK Park. You can opt for an a la carte meal, or splurge on the omakase (chef’s choice) menu for $150 per guest (and an additional $75 for wine pairings)."

"Sai Cafe is a perfect blend of artistic flair and addicting food. This restaurant offers Asian foods with unique selections. Locals rave about the Hamagi Jalapeno and Dynamite, a b..."

"Serving a nice variety of quality sushi to Lincoln Park diners for over 20 years, Sai Cafe has earned decades' worth of rave reviews along with the loyalty of many regulars."

"Macku Sushi can satisfy your need for a standard spicy salmon roll, but if you want something more adventurous, try the omakase menu. Chef Macku gets very creative not only with his presentations, but also flavor combinations, such as a spoonful of salmon roe with Pop Rocks. Hopefully you won't befall the same fate as Little Mikey from the Life commercials."

"For those who appreciate art as much as their food, Macku Sushi beckons to you. The elaborate embellishments with onion slices, truffle oil, tomato-mushroom puree, and fried garlic look almost too good to eat. However, you can also choose the less extravagant looking dishes that are also very flavorful."

"Bon Appetit called Macku Sushi one of the top 10 sushi spots in the nation, so there's no doubt the Lincoln Park restaurant is a serious contender when it comes to the best sushi i..."

"Lisa Lubin is an established travel/food writer and photographer, video consultant, three-time Emmy®-award winning TV producer, and travel industry expert. After more than a decade in broadcast television she took a sabbatical and traveled around the world for three years. She has been blogging atLLworldtour.comsince 2006."

"The timeless Chicago hotel has all the fame and historic charm to make your green-eyed followers even more envious of your travels."

"Grab lunch at a nearby café and browse the shops in The Loop. Make your way over to Millennium Park to see the famous Cloud Gate (a.ka. the bean). It’s usually busy during the day, but you might get lucky by going early in the morning before other tourists arrive."

"Evanston & Navy PierAfter relocating to the States from Buenos Aires, cousins Sebastián Koziura and Enrique Schcolnik missed the moments they shared indulging in dulce de leche gelato with their grandmother. Thus, they decided to transport the sweet treat to Chicago with FRIO, a family-owned gelatería featuring Argentine favorites like Sambayon, Malbec Wine with Berries, Tramontana, and, of course, Dulce de Leche. The offerings range far beyond these, though, with up to 36 flavors in the portfolio including hyper seasonal musts like avocado, pumpkin, and white chocolate.How to book: Stop by for counter service or order delivery via GrubHub, DoorDash, or UberEats."

"Must Try: Fragola Camarosa This boutique gelato shop off State Street in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood boasts exotic, European flavors. They serve gelato in ice cream sandwiches, cones, and there are even dishes where the ice cream is scooped and molded into the shape of a rose served with a mouth-watering macaron on top. This popular spot just opened a brand new shop in Water Tower Place making gelato a perfect snack to grab after an afternoon of shopping along the Magnificent Mile."

"A post shared by Chicago Food Reviews by Chris (@312foodreviews) on Dec 18, 2018 at 4:31am PST. Can we all agree that the frosting is the thing that makes sugar cookies worth it?. Thankfully the sugar cookies at Sweet Mandy B’s are topped with the same delicious buttercream that adorns the beloved cupcakes on Mandy’s menu."

"In all our years of baking cookies, we can’t believe we never thought of this. Even if you have no qualms eating raw cookie dough on your own, rest assured, Sweet Mandy B’s has made the filling of this next-level sandwich safe to eat (aka eggless)."

"Pastel frosting and rainbow sprinkles may make you write this one off as kid stuff, but the bakery’s exemplary buttercream is plenty grown-up—lush and never tooth-achingly sweet. $3.25 for a four-inch version, 1208 W."

"A very classic and trendy restaurant that gives off an eclectic vibe. It is a great place to celebrate a graduation or other special occasions and be surrounded by a very friendly atmosphere. Additionally, the menu is very diverse which helps in pleasing everyone in the family."

"HUB 51 is the River North creation of the Lettuce Entertain You organization. They are one of the best vegan restaurants in Illinois, featuring a perfect blend of entertainment, ni..."

"Ground Control is a comforting, casual neighborhood spot that just so happens to serve vegan and vegetarian food. The no-frills space is the perfect spot to kick back and indulge in their elevated pub-grub offerings (minus the meat). Start your meal with tofu buffalo wings and a vegan Caesar-ish salad, before moving on to roasted sweet potato tacos, beet burger, Asian barbecue seitan, or the blackened tofu po boy."

"The best restaurants in Chicago also include some of the best signage in Chicago, and Ground Control is chief among them. A fun carrot-rocket ship greets you on the sign outside, happily combining the space-with-plants theme and fun diner fare. Enjoy sandwiches, burgers, BBQ, Asian and Mexican selections that will make you wonder how vegan food has gotten so good!"

"This restaurant can be the best place for both of you because it does not only cook vegan foods but also non-vegan foods which tend to be meaty. It is such a great idea to get along with your omnivore friend, isn’t it?. Ground Control Restaurant provides various kinds of breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus including salad, soup, and liquor."

"Recover from your late night at the adjacent Empty Bottle with Bite Cafe's eclectic brunch menu and bright, naturally lit dining room. You'll be feeling ready to take on the day in no time."