You may be coming here because you've heard it's the new Boka group opening from Gene Kato (of Momotaro). You should then be pleased to hear I believe Itoko lives up to the same standard of Momo, which is one of my faves in Chicago. The menu is less traditional and more trendy/ pushes boundaries, such as with the Wagyu roll (which was delicious). The fish here was all of great quality. Compared to Momo, however, the robata aspect falls short in the spread of their selection. I wish they will add more offerings in the future. Also, the service, while terrific, was not quite as streamlined or professional as what I'm used to from Momo, although I expect this may be related to their recent opening. Overall, this is definitely a great addition to Lakeview. If you are looking for a trendy Japanese spot, this is the go-to for 2023. Great for dates. The tables are rather close together (tables next to ours was ~1 feet apart) so if you are looking for an upscale/ after-work experience, Momo is probably a safer bet for now. 5/5, loved it. read more

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We ordered: 1. Whole Branzino - shiso and shichimi crust, pickled bamboo shoot salad 2. Handrolls: Momo Jr - tuna, spicy tako, pickled daikon, sweet soy / Shio Koji Salmon - avocado mousse, crispy salmon skin, trout roe / XO Scallop - diver scallop, xo sauce, scallion, puffed soba / Mecha Kucha - bluefin tuna, uni, kaluga caviar / King Crab - ginger mayo, tempura shallot, lemon 3. "TCD" Tuna Toro - kaluga caviar, pickled onion, sushi rice, nori 4. Orange Kakigori - soy and mascarpone mousse, orange gelee, freeze-dried satsuma 5. Donatsu - matcha semifredo, maple flakes, sansho chocolate ganache Our favorite new Itoko dishes were the whole Branzino and the desserts. Branzino was completely deboned, perfectly cooked, and great flavors from both crusts. Great textures and flavors in both desserts. Most handrolls didn't stand out but our favorites were the king crab and tuna caviar rolls. Shishito peppers, shiitake mushrooms, and beef chahan from Momotaro were delicious as expected. Place was pretty packed so the service was slow. Employees were polite at least. read more

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Loved spending an afternoon lunch here. They were serving the brunch menu when I walked in. Everything sounded delicious but just wanted to try some sushi rolls so we got 2. They were delicious, fresh and filling. Light ambiance in the restaurant. Service was great and accommodating to food allergies within the party and our server recommended a roll off the brunch menu to ensure we'd both be able to enjoy the selections. Looking forward to going back and trying other menu items. read more

Itoko - Sushi rolls - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Wonderful brunch, wonderful service. Having the option of shashimi, perfectly crisp katsu and a couple glasses of Malbec all during brunch is all I could ask for at the sushi counter on a cold Sunday. Highly recommended read more

Itoko - Assorted Shashimi - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Went during restaurant week so there was a little bit of a wait past our reservation time, however the hostess and staff overall were very kind and friendly. I really liked the decor as well as the vibes of the place; cozy, dimly lit, yet lively at the same time. You really can't beat what you get for the $42 dinner here. I ordered the miso soup, crispy shrimp maki, chirashi don, and the apple pie kakigori. The tuna, salmon, and scallops in the chirashi don were so fresh. They practically melt in your mouth. The kakigori was another favorite of mine; sweet, crunchy, and refreshing. I would definitely come back to try other things! read more

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We've been wanting to dine at Itoko since it first opened and finally got there this weekend to celebrate our anniversary. The restaurant is very attractive, the service is very attentive, and the food was all very good. My only two complaints/notes are: 1) the music selection needs improvement (a cool, curated playlist would go way better with the swanky vibe of the restaurant than listening to Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter-ugh) and 2) everyone wished us a happy anniversary and it was even printed on the menu (which we really appreciated) but we didn't get a Polaroid and that bummed me out. Nevertheless, we'll go back on a non-celebratory occasion with hopes of another good dinner and better music selection. read more

Overall delicious and elevated food options in a really lovely Japanese style environment that's got oak wood lining practically every surface, plus a price tag to match. I would recommend the dinners for a special night out, but unfortunately it's a little pricey to be something I'd frequent very often. Honestly, for the price, I'm inclined to go somewhere else--I'm not convinced the dishes are at the level they should be both in flavor, uniqueness, and portion size. BUT the interior decor is quite exquisite. The service is pretty standard, no complaints there. I've been for both brunch and dinner, and both are great. For brunch we really liked the deviled eggs, which had a slightly meaty smokiness; the honey butter toast, in particular the honeyed caramelization that was delicious; and the chicken katsu don. If you like lox, then definitely try the steamed bun and lox. read more

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They were pretty busy for a Tuesday night. Went in with 7pm reservations and finished by 9:45. If you're looking for an unhurried meal this is the place to go. Our wait time for food was so long and the cocktails were not strong enough. Although both were delicious the pace in which our dishes came out was unfavorable. Our server was backed up and Rachel the manager stepped in to take care of us. Thankfully she striked out one of the hand rolls that was last to arrive since the kitchen was backed up. Overall the experience was underwhelming and overpriced. What we ordered, Beef chahan (wanted to take a picture with the egg but they mixed it hurriedly), BlueFinn tuna (delicious), Yama (good), special nigiri (tuna cheek) with caviar (amazing) and the 4 temakis 1. Tuna, spicy Tako, pickled daikon, sweet soy 2. Shio koji salmon with avocado mousse, crispy salmon skin with trout roe 3. XO Scallop, scallions and puffed soba Scallops were my least favorite. Slimy in texture and flavorless. And last and late was King Crab Temaki (not pictured) which was delicious. Good for a taste but I don't think I would return. We just spent more time looking for someone to tend to us as did the other patrons seated nearby. If they can iron out that kink I'd give it another shot. Until then perhaps strike the 3% surcharge. read more

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the service brought the rating so far low. We made reservations for 8:00 and didn't get seated until 9pm!! To put this into reference, they close at 9pm -_- We had the restaurant week menu which included appetizers, main course and dessert. We had to order all at once. Even after we put in the order they came back at the end of the dinner and told us they ran out of the desserts that we ordered. It was an upsetting experience. In terms of the food, the only items recognizable were the nigiri and sashimi which was exceptional. read more

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Went for brunch with a friend and it was definitely busy! We made a reservation on OpenTable which I'd recommend although I'm not sure if it's still as busy as it was a month ago. The restaurant has a very calming and beautiful vibe to it. I'm not sure how to explain it, but everything was clean and welcoming and warm. Onto the food. The bao bagels with salmon was absolutely incredible and you have to get it. So much flavor. My only complaint was it only came with 3 bagels. Would've loved one more. The egg soufflé was good as well. Just some toast and some yummy fluffy eggs. The pancakes were my favorite thing however. The pecan praline and the pumpkin butter my goodness so good in the fall and winter. Like a warm hug. I could've ate another stack . I would definitely order the bagels and the pancakes again if I go back. The soufflé was good too, but I don't think it's a must get for me. Overall was a very positive experience. read more

a cute spot for brunch! the service was v nice and consistently checking up and the food came out at a short wait time the highlight was definitely the bagels and lox! the bao bagels were so soft and well seasoned with the miso cream cheese and smoked salmon. we loved how it also tasted citrussy and we hadn't tasted anything like it before. a great pairing and would come back for it again! the temaki was v good and we enjoyed it the soy sauce. the mazeman was also tasty with its numbing spice, but it's not true spicy. the tuna and avocado was generous in the bowl! our total was around $83 so a bit on the pricier end in terms of the how much food there is, but we left satisfied! read more

Itoko - bagels and lox, salmon and avocado temaki handroll, lychee spritz - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Food is great selection of sushi and it's the baby sister of momotaro in the west loop Great bar area that's swanky and cool a neighborhood spot. Seating is well spaced and enough tables for all party sizes Service was impeccable and this place is a neighborhood joint with downtown feel and prices! Love the place and highly recommend! read more

Review is MORE like 3.5. The sausage & egg was good & a unique way to eat a breakfast sushi hand roll. The Ebi Tom Yum/shrimp hand roll was tasteless. Hard pass imho. The Honey Butter Toast was enjoyed. Extremely well balanced flavors in this dish as well as the mimosa which featured black tea but had little to no alcohol content. For two hand rolls, some deviled eggs, a dessert & a cocktail I paid $80 which was overpriced in my opinion. read more

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Arguably, the best restaurant in Lakeview! We had the shishito peppers, skirt steak, beef chahan, momo jr, and one other dish. Everything was amazing! The bar has fun Japanese inspired twists to classic cocktails which are enjoyable as well! The service was among the best I've seen in Chicago. Friendly, approachable, and they seemed to genuinely want us to enjoy our dining experience. The ambience is extremely tasteful, well thought out, and sophisticated. Location is central to the Southport corridor- easy to get to via CTA, driving, or walking. Definitely a restaurant that should be on everyone's list of places to try. read more

Was visiting Chicago for a work trip this past weekend and stayed a few extra nights to explore and hang out with some friends as the last few times I've visited, I never really had the chance to explore Chicago's food scene. I am SO glad my friend and I decided to try Itoko because it was phenomenal in every aspect - food, ambiance, and service. We arrived just in time for their happy hour and got about almost everything we could on the menu and finished it all! I'm from Southern California and i definitely have my favorites sushi spots at home, but honestly this has surpassed them all. I will definitely be back again the next time I'm in Chicago and will recommend to everyone I know! read more

Itoko - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I've been hearing about Itoko for a while now and after finally visiting, I get the hype! Everything was fresh and flavorful. We opted for the patio but the inside has such a cool and relaxed ambiance that I would opt for indoors next time. Our server was helpful giving us recommendations and the food came out fast. Some things are a little on the pricey side but I honestly didn't mind as I could have kept on eating for hours. Overall, amazing meal. Would love to go back. read more

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been meaning to try this place for a hot minute and glad i finally did! i came here on a date and the vibes were just right. the interior is chic and welcoming & the service was on point. our server recommended the shinjuku garden to drink & it was amazing. if you like mezcal, definitely get this! for food, we ordered the seasonal special soft shell crab, branzino, chicken katsu, and the TCD tuna toro. i think 4 plates were appropriate for 2 people. i couldn't possibly pick a favorite dish - they were all splendid! everything was cooked to perfection and seasoned very well. i thought the chef did an excellent job with adding a pop of freshness to the fried dishes by incorporating pickled veggies and peppers. i will certainly return! read more

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Great food! Had a vegetarian menu, though it was incredibly limited. My friend got sushi and loved it. I think that the highlight of this restaurant for me were the craft high quality cocktails... a surprise! would recommend. read more

So good! We came for an early dinner during restaurant week and we'll be back! The shishito peppers were cooked nicely and coated with a delicious sauce, but should be served in a plate or different dish because the bonito flakes get everywhere and make a huge mess. The gyozas though? Top tier!!! I lived in Japan so can be really picky on Japanese food but these Gyoza's were everything from the flavor to the sear, spectacular! The crispy shrimp maki was fresh and delicious but the serving size is pretty small. My favorite thing was the Hamachi kama. The fish collar is cooked perfectly so it just falls apart but the sweet miso sauce on top is just *chef's kiss*! I can't say enough about it. The beef chanan was good but had a very earthy flavor from the greens so we added eel sauce and that gave it a nice balance. We also had the chicken katsudon and while the chicken was fried perfectly, I personally couldn't get over the flavor of ginger mayo. It really changed the entire flavor profile of chicken katsu because it was so overpowering. read more

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Came here for brunch!! Gorgeous place and super attentive waiters!! They fit us in without a reservation for brunch and it did not disappoint! We got the egg souflee, salmon hand roll and tuna dip! I loved everything and want to come back for dinner! read more

Itoko - Egg souflee, salmon hand roll - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Lovely dinner tonight at Itoko. We went around 5pm and sat at the Sushi counter located at the back of the restaurant. We had the area to ourselves and it was quiet and nicely lit with candles. Our server Rob was knowledgeable and provided great recommendations. Super attentive as well. The sushi was VERY good and our server timed each plate perfectly. The Mecha Kucha hand roll was one of the best pieces of sushi we've ever had. The spicy tuna roll was also very fresh. We will absolutely be back. read more

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Amazing service! Celebrated my partner and I's anniversary and the server made our experience a special night. The food was spot on and happy hour menu was excellent. Will be coming back! read more

Super nice quality sushi here! Fish is fresh, rice is sweet. Service is excellent! Took my kid with me and it is super family friendly! Their ice cream dessert is delicious! Price is on the higher side but it worth it. High recommend this place! read more

Such an amazing meal at Itoko. As a big fan of Momotaro I was super excited to try their new Southport place and was lucky enough to secure an opening night RESERVATION!! The staff was well trained and you could tell that they were excited to be working there and had a passion for the food industry and the restaurant. They were knowledgeable and led us in the right direction in terms of ordering. Everything we ordered was amazing. The fish was incredible and fresh, and it was definitely a more approachable menu than Momotaro and similar but also different and had its own flare. I'd highly recommended securing a reservation if you can. read more

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Excellent all around! So excited I got to try this place! Ambience is STUNNING - minimal, light wood, west coast vibes. Intimate and upscale. Food was so exciting...I think we tried one of about everything on the menu. This would be a good place to go with like 3-5 friends, where you can order a lot and get small bites of everything. The sushi was the best I've had in Chicago, hands down. Fabulous service, we never once felt like we were waiting on anything. I absolutely cannot wait to come back. Very impressed. read more

Itoko - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Really good brunch! We were able to walk in without a wait for brunch on a Saturday. The space itself is very cute with light wood and lots of soft, warm light. It was a very Japandi aesthetic. We got the honey butter toast, steak and eggs, and teishoku. All of them were very good! The honey butter toast in particular was outstanding. The toast had a really good, caramelly flavor without being drenched in syrup. It still had some nice crunch to it. It sort of tasted as if sticky toffee pudding was a toast. The miso soup that came with the teishoku was extremely salty (and the spoon given with it was waaaay too thick for the size of the bowl), and was the only let-down amongst the food. The servers were quick and nice. read more

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Extremely small portions for the cost, but everything was fresh & the service was good. Not sure if we will return, but I'd recommend for a special occasion. read more

This was our first visit to Itoko and surely will not be our last. The atmosphere, service and food were outstanding. We had a fantastic birthday dinner and Mandy, our server, was kind, attentive and thoughtful. If you are looking for a wonderful dining experience, give Itoko a shot. We ordered the fantastic octopus, chicken wings, salmon, and king crab roll. One was more delicious than the other, but they all were fantastic. We also had a couple glasses of reasonably priced wine. My wife even received a complimentary birthday candle and cookie. Best of all, my wife's birthday experience was memorable due to Mandy, the chefs, and the friendly staff at Itoko. read more

Stopped by for happy hour and had a great time. The place has a cozy, laid-back vibe and the food was amazing. The salmon dip with nori rice crackers and the seared fatty tuna were both super flavorful. Service was really friendly too. No regrets--definitely coming back! read more

Itoko - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Food and drinks were amazing! So so good! Loved every dish, we ordered cooked food, sushi,and rolls. Will definitely be back and will try happy hour as well. Highly recommend read more

Awesome food, service, and ambiance. Came for restaurant week with friends and loved the prefix menu. Though some people say the portions are small, I think you had the perfect amount of food to be full. Will definitely come back after restaurant week! read more

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As some of the other negative reviews have said--yes, this place is overpriced for the quality of the sushi. They failed twice to cook a steak to appropriate medium rare...their robata grill needs a little help. Our server was great. But this place does that odd thing where they don't ask if you'd like more cocktails, which is how staff earns tips and restaurants stay in business, so..... The ambiance was "cute," which a lot of folks here seem to place a lot of weight on. Overall cannot recommend. There's a surplus of Japanese sushi and robata places in Chicago now (Sunda, Roka Akora, Miru, ......) it's not worth it for this level of execution. read more

Itoko - A meh Chef's selection sashimi. - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Fish was fresh and w/ decent quality. Loved Madai, Hamachi, Ika, and Botan Ebi. Hirame and Tuna were a little bland. Chirashi Sushi Don was great for sharing by 2 people. The place was busy at a Sunday night. Drink bar and sushi bar have some seats for walk-in but I recommend making reservation ahead of time. Space between tables was kinda small. read more

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The food is really good and I was here for 3 times and really recommend. But I went here for my birthday and it really ruined my birthday. I was told to get charged $5 dollars to eat the cake and I bought 2 pieces of cake they are going to charge $40 dollars in total for 4 people. (For each cake it charged $5 dollars per person which is incredible). I was really upset at that moment. read more

I had high expectations for gene's new place. We've been a fan since the Roka akor days and love momotaro... but like others have said, this is a miss. Overpriced and the dishes were just ok. The sushi highlights the quality of the fish, but there wasn't anything special - I was expecting the specialty pieces to have some sort of innovative, flavor explosion-- but it was bland, and for the price, not worth it all all. The shishitos were drenched in sauce, but not in a good way. The negima was basic, salt and pepper-- not the marinated traditional style, with just one green onion. We didn't even finish it. Mushrooms were the same way. The best part of the meal was the slider- it was delicious. I wish we had just ordered those and called it a night. I would have left happy... and less poor Service was fine, we had to ask for new plates... and bussing was slow- but not a big deal... the food taste was the issue. I'd skip this place and go to momotaro instead. I think they have some retooling to do in the kitchen read more

I flew in from Seattle and joined my cousin who loves Itoko. The interior design is amazing, modern and warm. The wait staff was great. Monday isn't too busy, so a table was ready before the 6 pm reservation! We were served high quality fish and tastes yummy! I forgot to take more pictures, but the trio hand rolls and the Yama were also delicious. They all look so pretty. I would love to visit again, but honestly I think I would need to start digging through Bellevue to find a place similar to Itoko. read more

Itoko - Blueberry Kakigori - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Love this place for their brunch and dinner! Great to go with a couple others to try more of their menu items. read more

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It was busy when we went, the service was great but the food was overpriced and a bit underwhelming. The sushi was good but some of the Asian fusion menu items were a bit too simple for a higher end price tag. read more

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The food was delicious! Will definitely be going back. I want to go to brunch there! The sushi was the best that I've had.

"I'm loco for Itoko" Thank you for the wonderful dinner had last night. I'm already planning to go back for my birthday. The experience was easily one of the best I've had in Chicago. The service, the food, the decor, the cocktails, and the attention to detail was outstanding. For only being your seventh day in operations your staff ran it like you've been in the neighborhood for years. Chicago is so very lucky to have you. Dining experiences such as the one I had last night are a great reminder of what eating out should be like and can be like when so much love and thoughtfulness is poured into the work. read more

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