Washoku Guide
← Chicago
Chicago · 懐石

Authentic Kaiseki
in Chicago.

Multi-course seasonal menus rooted in tea-ceremony tradition — composition, vessel, and timing are all part of the dish.

02
SHŌ — authentic japanese restaurant in Chicago, Old Town

SHŌ

¥¥¥¥
Old Town · Kaiseki · omakase
JapaneseOmakaseCreative JapaneseTasting MenuSake

SHŌ redefines Chicago omakase at the former Kamehachi site in Old Town, where Michelin-pedigreed Japanese-American Chef Mari Katsumura presents a seasonally rotating 10-course tasting menu that melds traditional Japanese technique with global influence.

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Other Japanese cuisines in Chicago
Sushi in ChicagoTeppanyaki in ChicagoIzakaya in ChicagoYakitori in ChicagoRamen in ChicagoDonburi in Chicago
Authentic kaiseki in other cities →All authentic Japanese in Chicago →
FAQ

Questions, answered.

What makes kaiseki in Chicago authentic?
Multi-course seasonal menus rooted in tea-ceremony tradition — composition, vessel, and timing are all part of the dish. In Chicago, we apply the same standard: chefs trained in the discipline, ingredients and technique consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused kaiseki-first format rather than a mixed menu.
How do you define authenticity?
Washoku Guide defines authenticity by the kitchen's grounding in Japanese culinary tradition: trained chefs (often in Japan), techniques and ingredients consistent with Japanese practice, a focused menu rather than a pan-Asian one, and a coherent dining format (sushi-ya, ramen-ya, izakaya, kaiseki, etc.). We weigh these signals together — no single factor decides.
Do you require Japanese ownership?
No. Japanese ownership is one positive signal, but it is not required. We also recognise restaurants with Japanese-led kitchens or non-Japanese chefs who have trained extensively in Japan and apply traditional techniques with discipline. What matters is the cooking, not the passport.
How are restaurants selected?
Each entry is researched and chosen by Washoku Guide editors — not voted in, not paid for, and not algorithmically ranked. We read kitchen biographies, study menus, talk to people in the industry, and visit when possible. Restaurants pay nothing to be listed.
Are the listings ranked?
No. Washoku Guide is a curated guide, not a ranking. Order on a city page is editorial and may change as the guide evolves; it does not imply that #1 is better than #5. Every listed restaurant has met our authenticity bar.
Are these the only authentic kaiseki restaurants in Chicago?
These are the ones Washoku Guide has researched and stands behind today. The guide grows over time; if you know an authentic kaiseki restaurant in Chicago we should consider, please get in touch.