not sure if the food has changed or if i have, but the food was excellent this time! the hand tools were all good and quite unique- our favorites were the xo scallop (sweet!) and shio koji salmon (the mousse if very creamy). the beef chahan was nicely crispy. only critique is that the vday matcha cake wasn't anything special -- the matcha was too subtle for me, and for all intents and purposes it was simply a fluffy strawberry cake. still good, but i wish it had more matcha flavor! perhaps most importantly for valentine's day, the mood (dim lighting, candles, and music) was perfectly romantic read more

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I was pretty disappointed with Itoko unfortunately. We came in on a Saturday around 1:30. Our service was pretty terrible right off the bat. The hostess was not friendly or helpful when we had questions about the brunch / current menu being served. Once we were seated it took a long time for a server to come over and greet us. Our server was very friendly and nice but once we ordered she never came to check on us again after our food came. We had to flag down other servers when we needed something and had to get up to ask a bar tender for a to go box. The food was just okay in my opinion. The mushroom salad was described as having roasted squash on it but when it came out it was deep fried and the tiniest slivers of squash. My salmon avocado hand roll was good and was bigger than expected but had no avocado on it. Like I said we were here during brunch, which I would not recommend based on my experience. I'm hopeful the experience may be better during the dinner hour. read more

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I've been to this restaurant three times now, and the first two visits with my husband were great. We usually sit at the bar and had the same waitress/bartender both times--she's Asian (I always forget to ask for her name), and she was so sweet and friendly. The service was consistently excellent because of her. Unfortunately, this most recent visit was very different. Our waitress, Melanie, was incredibly rude to my husband and had a noticeably unpleasant attitude throughout our time there. We felt rushed to order, like she was annoyed we were even there. At one point, my husband was ordering an Old Fashioned and was deciding which alcohol he wanted. Instead of being helpful, she responded "house alcohol" in a loud, irritated tone--so loud that the couple next to us looked over. It was honestly embarrassing. It was really disappointing because the food, as always, was excellent, but the service this time completely took away from the experience. I hope this feedback is taken seriously, as we've enjoyed this restaurant in the past and would like to continue coming back--but better service is essential. read more

Went for brunch Loved this place Pancakes were really good...even warmed up the next day Service was slow Already know what I want to try on my next visit read more

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A gal pal and I visited Itoko for brunch during Chicago Restaurant Week and overall really enjoyed it. In fact, I can't WAIT to return for more sushi and to try the dinner menu! Here's a rundown of what we got: We both chose the deviled eggs for the first course - and loved them! They were served cold, creamy, and with a slightly smoky taste. The bacon added a nice crispy crunch on top! For our second course, she had the spicy tuna maki and I had the nigiri. The nigiri was phenomenal. Hefty portions of fish, put together and presented very nicely, and you could tell the fish was fresh and DELICIOUS. It definitely left me wanting more! For the last course, I got the egg souffle (our server said it was his favorite!) and she had the kabocha pancakes - and we shared both. The egg souffle was, without a doubt, the biggest disappointment. It came with cold, semi-burnt pieces of toast that were served plain without butter. The souffle took forever to come out, and then was so dang hot we couldn't even eat it right away. The serving dish it came in was also so hot that the souffle was completely stuck to it. And overall, it was honestly pretty flavorless. On the flip side - the kabocha pancakes were divine and worth returning for alone!!! The serving size was generous, the pancakes were so fluffy, and the caramel-y sauce + kabocha butter that were served with them were phenomenal! Also worth noting, they don't have coffee/tea drinks on the menu (or at least not that I saw?) but were able to make my friend a matcha latte and it was so good! Oh and I can't not mention the interior. The place is stunning! So thoughtfully curated. Just bright and beautiful! read more

Review is only for brunch but it was just okay. The food was pretty expensive for small portion sizes and it was a fairly standard experience. The pancakes were thin and the sauce was so thick it was over powering. The service was really prompt and attentive but unfortunately the food was nothing to write home about. read more

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Came here for Restaurant Week and wow, such a great deal. The space itself is very modern and clean, with a great overall vibe. It can get a little loud, so conversation during dinner was slightly difficult at times, but still a fun atmosphere. Street parking can be tricky, so plan accordingly. For $45, you get two appetizers, one entrée, and a dessert, which felt like incredible value for the quality and portion sizes. This was my first visit, but I will definitely be back to try their regular menu. We started with the shishito peppers and cucumber salad. The shishitos were lightly grilled, and the flakes on top really added a nice boost of flavor without overpowering them. The cucumber salad was super refreshing, and I loved the addition of seaweed. It added great texture and depth. Next up were the crispy shrimp maki and negima (grilled chicken thigh). The shrimp in the maki was fried perfectly and not greasy. The chicken thigh completely surprised me in the best way. The portion was much bigger than expected and grilled perfectly juicy. For entrées, we ordered the chirashi don and the chicken katsu. The chirashi don was hands down the better deal. It came with salmon, tuna, scallop, and ikura, and the fish quality was very fresh. You get three pieces of each fish, which felt generous considering the price. The chicken katsu was also solid. It was fried nicely with a light batter that did not feel heavy. Dessert was the soy milk panna cotta and piña colada kakigori. The panna cotta was my favorite. It had the perfect texture with a subtle soy milk flavor that was not overpowering. The kakigori was refreshing and good, but the panna cotta definitely stood out more. Our waitress was friendly and attentive, which made the experience even better. Overall, Restaurant Week was an amazing introduction to Itoko. Great food, great value, and a spot I am excited to revisit. read more

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For my girlfriend's birthday, we wanted to give Itoko a try. We had walked by a couple times and thought it looked super cute. When we came inside, we were greeted by a gorgeous dining room. Itoko has a gluten-free menu that is celiac-safe. My girlfriend particular loved the Ebi Tom Yum. I thought the yellowtail nigiri was also ferocious. For dessert, they have a soy milk panna cotta that is really delicious and refreshing as well. read more

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Itoko is good but I wouldn't say it's amazing. The atmosphere is nice and the waiters were all very sweet. To start we had the spicy salmon dip and hamachi crudo. Both were good but I don't think either were anything special. I did like the nori rice crackers that came with the spicy salmon dip. We then split the tantan ramen. I think the ramen was lacking a depth of flavor and was a little salty for my liking. I had the mechakucha half roll and something else that I don't remember! I thought both were good but again I don't think either were remarkable. I'd like to come back to try happy hour but I'm not sure I'd do dinner again. read more

Itoko - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

(Kari's Rating 8/10) Came here with one of my girlfriends on a Saturday for restaurant week. I've been to Momotaro where Chef Kato cooks as well, so I had high expectations for this place. They actually had a great offering of curry deviled eggs and pumpkin pancakes. The brunch was pretty incredible for $30. Honestly, I would return, if it weren't so far, but I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to come here. read more

Happy hour was pretty good. Very extensive happy hour menu which includes a variety of maki rolls , hand rolls, ramen, a burger with fries, a fried rice - so much to chose from. Food was solidly good. We shared a big ramen , ordered some rolls and hand rolls ( all good) and our teen got the burger and fries ( he loved the fries and thought burger was OK). Overall, solid meal . Service was attentive. Pricing fair. Would recommend for happy hour if in the neighborhood read more

Itoko - Burger and fries - stick with the sushi - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Restaurant week at Itoko truly impressed me. This food was SO fresh, presented perfectly, and flavor combinations were off the charts. Portion sizes for each course were very generous. The shishito peppers were the best ones I've ever had! Low lit ambiance, nice date spot. Staff were all great! read more

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Another occasion where I was headed to a different restaurant and then got distracted by a new one that caught my eye. In this case, I wish I'd kept on walking. We went here for brunch, and we started with the Ube Muffins - 4pc mini ube muffins with coconut crumb topping ($5), which were delicious. I got the Kabocha Pancakes - Japanese pumpkin pancakes (triple stack) with pecan praline sauce and pumpkin butter ($18). The sauce was very bitter and made this meal very unappetizing. The Continental Egg Souffle - fluffy egg with cheddar cheese, bacon (it wasn't a problem to omit this ingredient), chive, and tomato jam ($16) had an unappetizing smell. It smelled burnt, and it was very hot in temperature. The tomato jam was interesting. The bathrooms had a lengthy line as it looks like this is a shared space with Little Goat Dinner. It's a nice space, and the dishes were presented in an aesthetic manner, but the flavor was a miss for me. read more

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The best handrolls and sushi I have had. The handrolls came out fresh and in a timely manner. The service was great. Celebrated our anniversary here and they gave a complimentary Polaroid picture which was so nice. The lychee martini was the best I have had and will definitely be back for it. The ambiance inside was so nice and soothing you can hear yourself talking to others at the table not too loud. We got seated right away. The rolls were also good as well. Loved their panni cotta which was small for two people but still really good. Have Ben coming here more than two times now. read more

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One of our favorite places in Southport. We stopped by for some lunch and tried: - Cucumber Salad - Salmon & Avocado Handroll - Charcoal Burger The burger was interesting, the bun was extra crispy but it was good. I think the star was the Handroll, but great experience as usual. read more

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The ambiance is calm and upscale. The service was great and the food came out pretty quickly. The sushi was also high quality and it was decently priced. Definitely would come again and recommend. read more

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Totally a new Southport corridor vibe, it's very fancy. I made a reservation a week in advance and there appeared to be little to no need, but we did arrive at 5pm on a Saturday. They do have a kids menu and kids cups. Which is nice. The kids menu has a sushi box; bento box, and chicken leg. Definitely need a more adventurous eater, but my kid did try it. It also comes with an ice cream. It was a fish shaped ice cream sandwich. The service was great, and gave good advice. They also now have a happy hour menu on Saturday nights. The food was good, the sushi was fresh, and not at all slimy or sour. We started with the gyoza (foie gras) they were good, and crispy. We also got the Salmon Robata, and the spicy salmon dip. Everything labeled spicy was a 2/10 spice level it appeared. For rolls we got - crispy shrimp; spicy tako, mono maki, yama, and we got a hand roll with salmon and roe, it was very good. For drinks we each got a cocktail, I got a the dragons milk, very unique, peppery / Sake heavy drink, and my partner got a mezcal cocktail. Definitely recommend coming here, it is a good sushi spot. read more

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This review is for brunch only. Took off one star because the soup and salmon in traditional set Teishoku were both a bit too salty. Otherwise, the pumpkin pancakes and the chicken katsu don, and the ube muffins were all very delicious. Portion size wise - not very big except for maybe the pancakes. Service was very friendly. Restaurant looked clean and modern! read more

Itoko - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great happy hour deals even on weekends! We came after a cubs game on a Saturday and feasted. The lychee martini was tasty and refreshing, and service was pretty quick. The place is beautiful and was pretty filled as well. The highlights off the happy hour menu that we tried: Shrimp salad Steak robata skewers Chicken katsu don - small but very tasty we really liked this Tuna hand roll Spicy tuna roll Scallop roll Salmon sashimi read more

Itoko - Spicy Tuna* - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Was so surprised the restaurant was quite empty on a Saturday at 12pm, given how popular their happy hour is growing. More parties came in starting 12:30pm though! We got two Southport sets. The cucumber salad was like a mixture of the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean versions with some sort of gochujang and seaweed with pickled onions. The cucumber wasn't marinated throughly, but the seaweed did absorb all the flavor. Not as garlicky as the Chinese version. The deviled egg had a hint of curry spice which I found incredibly addictive and very creative!! Now onto the main courses. The egg soufflé was very fluffy and jiggly on top with a nice blend of bacon bits to add some saltiness and a small sprinkle of cheddar cheese. My issue is at the side of the sizzling pot, the soufflé was burnt and tasted quite bitter near the bottom. Otherwise, a fun way to pair with tomato jam and toast! The chicken katsu Don didn't taste quite like a traditional Japanese one due to the ginger mayo base rather than the tonkotsu sauce usual Worcestershire base. The pickled carrot daikon slaw was quite yum! Definitely love a good Japanese fusion restaurant! The decor is so classy and the servers are friendly. Menu is so cute too! read more

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Came by with a friend for their weekend brunch on a hot summer Saturday. We got there around 12:30 with a reservation, and while quite empty when we arrived, they definitely filled up quickly during our meal. I really liked the interior design -- spacious and well-lit with modern/minimalist decor and fixtures. We started with an order of the ube muffins to share -- soo good. The outside has a lovely coconut-y (?) crumble layer, which has a great contrast in texture to the soft and fluffy inside of the muffin (not too dense at all). The gooey ube filling was so rich and delicious. I really liked that the muffins weren't too heavy or sweet at all; it felt like I could just keep eating them one after another haha. We also had the salmon and avocado handroll -- another hit. The salmon was so fresh and yummy, and overall it was a really good value (you get quite a few small hand rolls' worth of food). Finally we shared an order of the teishoku breakfast. The grilled salmon here was delicious (perfect amount of teriyaki sauce), but a little bit unevenly cooked (the colour/texture inside the fish was a bit inconsistent, but it was still tasty nonetheless). I really liked the pickled cucumber and radish sides for the set -- wish they could have included a bit more :) Yummy meal in a lovely restaurant for a good price -- I'd love to come again! read more

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Second visit & I really enjoyed the beef fried rice! I stand by the fact that there's sweet potato fries are the best in the city. Service was excellent & they give you a Polaroid if it is your birthday. Definitely go for happy hour because that is a great deal and definitely more worth it than the normal priced items because they give you the same amount of food at a happy hour price! read more

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Made a reservation for happy hour! They have an extensive HH menu. My friend who's been here before said the beef chahan was the same size as during regular hours. So I suspect the other items were as well. We sat at the sushi counter thinking we'd see the preparation, but it was just awkwardly making eye contact at times with the chefs. I didn't notice at the time, but they staggered bringing out our dishes from lightest to heavy which was nice because we didn't have much space. The sushi pieces and maki were delicious especially the scallop and spicy tuna. The chicken on Negima was juicy. We got that one not knowing what to expect, and I was pleasantly surprised. The beef chahan bowl was huge and came out sizzling. I would recommend if you like a good rice bowl. Highly recommend their happy hour! I will definitely be back to try out more. read more

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I went here for a Sunday brunch with my husband. We were able to find street parking and were seated right away. Waitress was nice and service is good. I do like the ambiance and vibe. Very chill. I ordered the steak and eggs with kimchi fried rice, which I thought was oily and a little on the bland side. It feels like something is missing. I also got the salmon and avocado hand roll and the momomaki while my husband got the farmers breakfast and nigiri set. The rice on the sushi for all of them were on the colder side. Reminds me when I go to buy sushi at Mariano. It didn't feel like it's freshly made. Besides the salmon, I find esp the tuna to be on the fishier side. I also got a Coca Cola and it feels like it lost all the gas and just has been sitting out for awhile. I really love my soda so I'm picky on it and it wasn't good. Overall, I didn't like any of the food I ordered which was a bummer. read more

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Pricey but Great happy hour lets you try a lot of the (good- not shitty selections like some places) menu highlights at a discount. The food was AMAZING- everything I had was beyond great. Only place I have ever been with ACTUAL FRESHLY GRATED WASABI. (Did you know most places are giving you some shit paste?) Do NOT get the coffee LOL idk why the americano was more expensive than the espresso but it was so so bad. I was also hesitant to pay $10 even at happy hour for wine that was $11-$12 retail The ambiance is very clean, simple, but warm and can go both formal but also casual. It could have been because I was at the bar and got a closer vibe with the staff- but the staff definitely have a talkative causal vibe that adds to that casual aspect. read more

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Great happy hour sushi! I came in with some friends for happy hour at the bar and we were glad to find seating, as it got quite busy. We were glad to have a wide variety of options for happy hour, including the Itoko, which appeared to be like their take on an old fashioned! For starters, we had a cucumber salad and gyoza, both of which were super yummy, though the crispy skirt on the gyoza was unevenly cooked (as pictured). The star of the show, however, was the fish - really fresh and great quality! On some of the pieces I ordered, I found the rice to be unevenly cooked, with some of it being cooked nicely and some of it being slightly undercooked. Bar seating was a bit cramped, but the high chairs themselves were comfortable and had good lumbar support. Service at the bar was top notch, attentive and diligent. I'll definitely need to go back soon! read more

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Stellar service, beautiful space and the food is quite solid! Not to be missed: shishitos, burger, and basically any roll. They have a wonderful happy hour that encompasses a lot of options so a great spot to check out if you're looking for a decent deal (though be warned: it's easy to order everything!) Also, for a special occasion, they will take a Polaroid of your party and give you a small nod for your celebration on their menu if they know ahead of time. read more

Itoko - 2 spice blends served with your fried Chicken Karaage - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Happy hour review You know when you go somewhere and they say it's happy hour but then you look at what's actually on the HH menu and it's weak AF so you just order off the dinner one? Well that's the opposite of Itoko HH. Japanese old fashioned, Lychee martini and sakes are not just good but on the HH price tase even better. Nigiri sashimi, hand rolls and sushi also all really well done as you'd expect from the Momotoro sister spot. Only thing I noticed not on it was the tuna collar but duh fishes only have one of those so it should be preserved for the main menu. Will be back for more pescatarian boozy vibes this summer read more

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What a great spot for sushi! We came here for date night at the recommendation of a friend and it was already on our list due to gluten free options for my husband. We came for happy hour which was the right move because things were pretty pricey. We basically ordered most items on the happy hour list that were gluten free and a couple other options. Sushi was great and fresh, I didn't really care for the cooked items. My husband really liked the fried chicken though. Drinks were good too! We will be back when we're ready to splurge again. read more

On the fancier side, Itoko serves up one of the freshest sashimi, nigiri, temakis I've had. Chef Gene Kato did not disappoint, with his background from Momotaro and the fact he's a 2x nominee for James Beard Beard Award! That said, I equally enjoyed every piece that was served. I came in thinking the uni was going to be my favorite but by the end, I was torn! It was impossible to pick just one top choice. Everything was just too good. This is definitely a spot I'll return to for more celebrations and special occasions! This trendy place is upscale sushi to enjoy with your friends and family! read more

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Everything was great! I really love the decor, it's a good place for a celebration or date night. The service was good, not standout but no glaring issues. I love sushi but at this price point I expected better, it was still good I've just had better for less so you may not feel like every dollar is well spent. read more

Itoko - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

As the newer sister restaurant to Chicago's famous Momotaro, Itoko has been on my bucket list for awhile! The two share similar menu items, with the latter having a more casual yet still trendy flair. We arrived for brunch around noon on a Sunday and it was not too busy. Everything on the menu looked fantastic and interesting! I opted for the Teishoku Japanese breakfast, and my friend ordered the burger with sweet potato fries. The salmon was cooked perfectly, with a crispy and flavorful skin and tender interior. The sides, which included miso soup, pickled veggies, and a traditional tamago bite, were definitely tasty but I wish there had been more of them included for the price point. The rice was a bit dry. My friend really enjoyed the burger, and the sweet potato fries were great and unique! We ended the meal with the honey butter toast. This was definitely the highlight for me! It was not at all too sweet, and the strawberry compote paired perfectly with the lightly fried milk bread. Overall, it a bit on the pricy side but we enjoyed the meal. I would return and look forward to trying more of the menu! read more

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Came in for brunch, it took a little bit to be seated even though we had a reservation. Took a normal amount of time to get our food and staff was very nice. We were a little disappointed in the food - the pumpkin pancakes were good but didn't come with any syrup. The mazeman was good but left this terrible aftertaste on the back of my tongue that made me feel ill, must be some type of pepper they use. All in all I still want to try some menu items but wouldn't order this stuff again. read more

Itoko - Kabocha Pancake - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

So fancy and yummy! Also very expensive so budget accordingly, especially if you're getting drinks. The drinks themselves are so unique and yummy - we all must try their happy hour if given the chance. The hand rolls are great and so creative. Not super filling so be ready to grab a second dinner. The service and ambience were top tier as well! read more

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Me and my girls had our "galentine's" dinner here. Let em tell you, PHENOMENAL!!! We didn't have to worry about parking since we took an Uber to the restaurant. The restaurant is moderately loud and well lit. The tables are pretty close so it's a tight squeeze depending on where you're sat. We started with cocktails, Lychee martinis and Dirty martinis. We really enjoyed our cocktails! We had lots of small bites but no entrees. We ordered Spicy Salmon Dip, Robata - Skirt Steak and Slider, Shishito Peppers, Beef Chahan, Hand Rolls - King Crab and Momo Jr, Yama Roll, and Spicy Tuna classic roll. Everything that came to the table was absolutely delicious. My only critique would be, the beef rice is served in a dish that crisps it as it sits and it got a little too burnt for me. Besides that, I loved everything and feel like I can eat a gallon of that Spicy Salmon Dip. We ordered more cocktails for dessert and went about our way! This was a great experience that I can't wait to have again! read more

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Decided to drop by for restaurant week to explore the menu. Ambiance - intimate restaurant with 2 floors, great for date and small groups Service - exceptional, our waiter checked on us often Food - fish was super fresh, wish the spicy salmon dip was a tad bit spicier, soymilk panna cotta was so so good with just the right amount of sweetness read more

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10/10 would 100% be going here again -Great menu selection for any type of water -they course it out properly even if you order from the front of the menu to the back (aka they start with cold, sushi, then end with the warm stuff in case you were wondering) -everything tasted delicious Highlights: -they take a cute Polaroid photo of you all if you are celebrating something with them and give you a few candies to take home (so cute!!) -the donatsu semifreddo matcha was the BEST! I wish I could eat that every single day -selection of nigiri was great and not too overly expensive (though you wouldn't be full just having that) -the chawanmushi flavor was *drooooling* so umami and rich and mouth wateringly good Definitely order number of dishes to share when you go here. I can't wait to try out their brunch next! read more

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It's very pretty, very aesthetic, and servers were friendly and accommodating, but I think the food options did not hit as well as it was described in the menu. If you're looking for cute aesthetic vibes, then yes I'd recommend, but if you're looking for higher quality food, I wouldn't recommend it read more

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Fantastic! I don't eat raw sushi (personal preference) but was still excited to try when a friend suggested happy hour here. The prices are incredibly reasonable and the food was delicious. I highly recommend the miso soup and the slider. I will be dreaming about the bao bun and miso mushroom! The cocktails were standout. The lychee martini is the perfect blend of flavors, not being too sweet or too spirit forward. I cannot wait to return! read more

I really wanted to love Itoko. The vibe is right, the decor is thoughtful, and on paper it feels like it should be a Southport staple. Unfortunately, the execution didn't match the aesthetic. Despite having a reservation, there was still a noticeable wait at the door. Once seated, service issues piled up quickly. It took an unusually long time just to get a Diet Coke--and when it finally arrived, it wasn't refillable. Not the end of the world, but frustrating given the pace of everything else. The biggest issue was service hygiene and attention to detail. While the server was explaining the specials, saliva literally landed on me. Accidents happen, but there was no acknowledgment or recovery, which made it uncomfortable. The miso soup was served with a wooden spoon that looked used, and while furikake on the table is a nice touch in theory, it didn't feel especially clean or intentional. The kitchen was extremely slow, and dishes came out mismatched and staggered, making it hard to enjoy the meal together. To cap it off, the server forgot to charge us for the food entirely--only the drinks--which says a lot about how chaotic the service flow felt. There's real potential here. The space is great and the concept works. But between the slow kitchen, inconsistent service, and hygiene lapses, it felt more stressful than enjoyable. I'd consider giving it another shot if operations tighten up--but right now, the experience doesn't live up to the setting. read more