Kamehachi (Old Town)

When Mrs. Marion Konishi opened Kamehachi on North Wells Street in 1967, Chicagoans had never encountered sushi—she is credited with introducing the city to the concept. More than five decades later, the restaurant remains under family ownership, now guided by Konishi's daughter Sharon Perazzoli and her granddaughter Giulia Sindler. The menu has evolved with the times—chef's specials, creative rolls, and a full bar—but the foundational respect for Japanese technique and ingredient quality that Konishi instilled remains. Old Town Chicago's neighbourhood association has recognised Kamehachi's multi-generational women's ownership as part of the cultural fabric of the street. As Chicago's oldest continuously operating sushi restaurant, it carries historical significance that no other Japanese dining establishment in the city can claim.