Washoku Guide
Cities/Chicago/Sushi/Kamehachi
Chicago · Sushi · a la carte

Kamehachi

JapaneseTraditional SushiMakiTempuraJapanese HeritageHistoric

Chicago's original sushi restaurant, Kamehachi has anchored Old Town since 1967, founded by Japanese-American Marion Konishi and run for nearly six decades by three generations of her Japanese-American family.

Price
¥¥
Area
Old Town
Since
1967
Owner
Sharon Perazzoli / Giulia Sindler
Kamehachi — authentic japanese restaurant in Chicago, Old Town
Plate № 06
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About
Kamehachi opened in Old Town in 1967, making it the oldest sushi restaurant in Chicago and one of the oldest in the United States. Founded by Marion Konishi — a Japanese-American woman whose family came from Japan via New York — the restaurant introduced sushi to generations of Chicagoans when the cuisine was virtually unknown outside Japan. Today it is operated by her daughter Sharon Perazzoli and granddaughter Giulia Sindler (whose son Adam Sindler co-founded the SHŌ omakase next door). The menu of maki, nigiri, sashimi, tempura, and izakaya classics remains a beloved Old Town institution for lunch, dinner, and late-night dining. The name 'Kamehachi' means 'eight turtles' in Japanese, symbolizing longevity — an apt metaphor for a 57-year institution.
Neighborhood & visiting

Kamehachi sits in Old Town, one of Chicago's neighborhoods where authentic Japanese kitchens have taken root. Reservations are available online — for a focused sushi counter this is strongly recommended. Check the posted hours before you go — traditional sushi restaurants often close between service periods.

Why it's on Washoku Guide
  • Founded in 1967, Kamehachi is Chicago's oldest sushi restaurant and a pioneer that introduced Japanese cuisine to the city.
  • Three generations of the founding Japanese-American Konishi family have stewarded the restaurant, maintaining an unbroken legacy of Japanese-American ownership since its inception.
  • As the cultural anchor of Old Town's Wells Street, Kamehachi occupies an irreplaceable place in Chicago dining history and the story of Japanese food in America.

Founded 1967 by Marion Konishi. Current owners: daughter Sharon Perazzoli and granddaughter Giulia Sindler. Has a Northbrook second location (1320 Shermer Rd, (847) 562-0064). Granddaughter's son Adam Sindler co-founded SHŌ omakase at the adjacent former location.

Links
Reserve →Website →Map →Yelp →

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Frequently asked

About Kamehachi

Is Kamehachi an authentic japanese restaurant in Chicago?
Yes — Kamehachi is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for japanese in Chicago: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused sushi format.
Where is Kamehachi located?
Kamehachi is located at 1531 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610, Chicago, USA in the Old Town neighborhood.
Do I need a reservation at Kamehachi?
Kamehachi accepts reservations online. For an authentic sushi experience, especially at a focused counter, booking ahead is strongly recommended.
What is the price range at Kamehachi?
Kamehachi sits in the ¥¥ price range — typical for japanese of this format in Chicago.
Keep exploring
All Japanese restaurants in Chicago →Sushi in Chicago →Authentic sushi worldwide →All cities →