Chicago · Izakaya · casual
Sozai Banzai
JapaneseIzakayaJapanese Comfort FoodRamenBentoKaraage
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.
- Price
- ¥¥
- Area
- Arlington Heights (suburban)
- Since
- 2011
- Chef
- Takehiro Ito
- Owner
- Takehiro Ito & Fumika Takasaki
Plate № 27
About
Founded in 2011 by Japanese couple Takehiro Ito (chef) and Fumika Takasaki, Sozai Banzai brings the neighbourhood izakaya spirit of Japan to the northwest Chicago suburbs. The compact, family-run restaurant focuses on sozai—the everyday Japanese comfort-food tradition of small side dishes paired with rice or noodles—alongside made-to-order ramen, karaage, croquettes and gyoza. The couple runs front-of-house and kitchen personally, creating the warm, no-frills atmosphere typical of a Japanese shotengai eatery. Lunch specials and à-la-carte dinner dishes reflect seasonal Japanese home cooking, drawing a loyal Japanese expat clientele from the surrounding Mitsuwa-area community.
Why it's on Washoku Guide
- Owned and operated by a Japanese couple—Takehiro Ito and Fumika Takasaki—who have run the kitchen personally since founding in 2011.
- The sozai format (everyday Japanese side dishes) is rarely found outside Japan, making Sozai Banzai one of the most authentic Japanese comfort-food spots in the Chicago suburbs.
- Strongly patronised by the local Japanese expat community centred on the nearby Mitsuwa Marketplace in Arlington Heights.
Phone confirmed via TripAdvisor listing: +1 847-758-7328. Hours cross-referenced via Toast ordering platform and TripAdvisor.
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Frequently asked
About Sozai Banzai
- Is Sozai Banzai an authentic japanese restaurant in Chicago?
- Yes — Sozai Banzai 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 izakaya format.
- Where is Sozai Banzai located?
- Sozai Banzai is located at 1089 E Golf Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, Chicago, USA in the Arlington Heights (suburban) neighborhood.
- Do I need a reservation at Sozai Banzai?
- Sozai Banzai does not publish an online reservation link. Walk-ins may be possible, but for popular izakaya restaurants in Chicago we recommend calling ahead.
- What is the price range at Sozai Banzai?
- Sozai Banzai sits in the ¥¥ price range — typical for japanese of this format in Chicago.
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