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Chicago · Izakaya · a la carte

The Izakaya at Momotaro

JapaneseIzakayaSmall PlatesSake BarJapanese WhiskyMichelin-ListedLate Night

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.

Price
¥¥¥
Area
West Loop / Fulton Market
Since
2015
Chef
Gene Kato
Owner
Boka Restaurant Group / Gene Kato
The Izakaya at Momotaro — authentic japanese restaurant in Chicago, West Loop / Fulton Market
Plate № 19
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About
Occupying the basement of the acclaimed Momotaro restaurant on West Lake Street, The Izakaya is the more casual and convivial side of chef Gene Kato's Japanese culinary vision. Kato, who grew up in a Japanese household and has spent his career infusing Japanese heritage into Chicago's fine-dining scene, oversees a menu of yakitori-style skewers, snappy small plates, and bar snacks designed for sharing over rounds of sake and Japanese highballs. The space earned a place in the Michelin Guide Chicago in 2023, recognising the quality and authenticity that Kato has built into every corner of the Momotaro complex. The basement setting—lower ceilings, warmer lighting, livelier energy—provides one of the city's most convincing approximations of a Tokyo izakaya underground.
Neighborhood & visiting

The Izakaya at Momotaro sits in West Loop / Fulton Market, one of Chicago's neighborhoods where authentic Japanese kitchens have taken root. Reservations are available online — for a focused izakaya counter this is strongly recommended. Check the posted hours before you go — traditional izakaya restaurants often close between service periods.

Why it's on Washoku Guide
  • Chef Gene Kato, who grew up in a Japanese household and has dedicated his career to Japanese cuisine, personally oversees the izakaya's menu and standards.
  • Listed in the Michelin Guide Chicago 2023, cementing The Izakaya's status as one of the city's most respected authentic Japanese small-plates destinations.
  • The basement setting below Momotaro creates a genuinely intimate and atmospheric izakaya environment—one of the best evocations of underground Tokyo bar culture in Chicago.
  • An extensive list of Japanese whisky, sake, and shochu curated to complement the yakitori-led menu.

Gene Kato's bio (Boka Restaurant Group) confirms Japanese heritage; Michelin Guide Chicago 2023 listing confirmed.

Links
Reserve →Website →Map →Yelp →Tripadvisor →Michelin →

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Frequently asked

About The Izakaya at Momotaro

Is The Izakaya at Momotaro an authentic japanese restaurant in Chicago?
Yes — The Izakaya at Momotaro 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 The Izakaya at Momotaro located?
The Izakaya at Momotaro is located at 820 W Lake St (basement level), Chicago, IL 60607, Chicago, USA in the West Loop / Fulton Market neighborhood.
Do I need a reservation at The Izakaya at Momotaro?
The Izakaya at Momotaro accepts reservations online. For an authentic izakaya experience, especially at a focused counter, booking ahead is strongly recommended.
What is the price range at The Izakaya at Momotaro?
The Izakaya at Momotaro sits in the ¥¥¥ price range — typical for japanese of this format in Chicago.
Keep exploring
All Japanese restaurants in Chicago →Izakaya in Chicago →Authentic izakaya worldwide →All cities →