Authentic Izakaya
in Chicago.

Owned and led by Japan-raised chef and bartender Julia Momosé, Kumiko is an internationally acclaimed Japanese dining bar in the West Loop that earned a Michelin star and is a 2025 James Beard finalist for Outstanding Bar. An $180 tasting menu, sake and whisky pairings, and nostalgic Japanese home-cooking define the experience.

Chicago Kalbi is a Japanese yakiniku institution that has anchored Albany Park since 1990, founded by French-trained Japanese chef Isao Tozuka and his wife Chiyo, who introduced authentic Wagyu table-grill BBQ to the Midwest. The current kitchen is led by acclaimed Chef Nobu Takahashi, recognized in the 2019 Michelin Guide for his Tokyo yakiniku restaurant.

Momotaro is Fulton Market's landmark multi-level Japanese restaurant, where twice James Beard-nominated Chef Gene Kato channels his Japanese heritage into an a la carte menu spanning nigiri, robata, yakitori, and seasonal composed dishes.

Sister izakaya to Michelin-starred Omakase Yume, TenGoku Aburiya brings authentic Japanese charcoal-grill culture to Chicago's West Loop. Japanese head chef Keisuke Ito leads a menu of binchotan-grilled skewers, elevated small plates, and craft cocktails.

Descend below Momotaro's main dining room into The Izakaya — a Michelin Guide–listed subterranean bar and small-plates lounge overseen by Japanese-heritage chef Gene Kato. Grilled skewers, refined izakaya bites, Japanese whisky, and premium sake are delivered in an intimate, lantern-lit setting.

Tucked into a quiet corner of River North, Cocoro is one of Chicago's most authentically Japanese family restaurants, run by Japanese owner Yuko G. and helmed by Kyushu-born chef Minoru. The menu spans classic izakaya dishes, sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, miso ramen, and sashimi in a cozy, unhurried setting.

Gyu-Kaku Streeterville is the Chicago flagship of Reins International's 800-plus-location Japanese yakiniku chain founded in Tokyo in 1996. Diners grill premium marinated meats at individual charcoal grills in a lively, sociable setting.

Located in Naperville's Downtown Riverwalk district, Gyu-Kaku Naperville is a suburban outpost of Japan's premier yakiniku chain, operated by Tokyo-based Reins International. Guests grill premium marinated meats on individual smokeless tabletop charcoal grills.

Opened in 2023 by Japanese owner Shinya I., Izakaya Shinya brings a genuine Tokyo izakaya atmosphere to Wicker Park with yakitori skewers, sake, Japanese whisky cocktails, and karaoke until 2:00 AM. Sourcing both locally and directly from Japan, it fills a gap for serious late-night Japanese dining in Chicago's northwest side.

Kurumaya Japanese Kitchen is a family-run Japanese restaurant near O'Hare International Airport, operated by a Japanese husband-and-wife team where the husband serves as permanent sushi chef. The menu spans traditional sushi, chirashi, yakitori and izakaya small plates favoured by a steady Japanese clientele.

From the same Japanese-owned Shoyu Hospitality group behind Wasabi Chicago, Nomonomo is a Logan Square izakaya pub serving binchotan-grilled yakitori, small plates, sushi, and a 12-course omakase at the counter. Owner Satoko Takeyama brings the same Japanese-owned ethos that defines the group.

Reopened in April 2025 under Japan-born owner Sandy Yang, Sankyu Sushi & Izakaya carries forward a nearly three-decade tradition of authentic suburban Japanese dining at the same Mount Prospect address. A traditional tatami room, skilled Japanese chefs, and late-night weekend hours set it apart from typical suburban options.

Sozai Banzai is a Japanese husband-and-wife izakaya in Arlington Heights, opened in 2011 by Takehiro Ito and Fumika Takasaki. The menu centres on Japanese daily comfort food—sozai (side dishes), ramen, bento boxes and fried small plates.