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

See all

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

See all

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

See all

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

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

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

See all

The food I phenomenal! The service is also always amazing. I always go during happy hour and it's so worth it! read more

See all

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

See all

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

See all

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

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

See all

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

See all

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

Wanted to check this place out but decided to try their HH since it's pretty pricey (but HH deals were solid). We came in on a Friday and had a reservation which is definitely recommended otherwise you'll miss precious HH minutes! We ordered the salmon dip, which was so good we ordered another. We also got tuna and yellowtail rolls, along with a variety of nigiri and sashimi. All the fish were super fresh and the portions were pretty big. We also got the beef and chicken robatas - the beef was pretty good and the chicken was just ok - but worth noting that it was cooked well, just a little bland. I can't remember much about the drinks, but they were good. We were seated upstairs but moved downstairs when a few more friends showed up. They were very accommodating, altho our bill got messed up and we had a show to go to so that was stressful but not a huge deal. The place is new and folks were in training so I think there might be some kinks to work out, but overall we liked it would def come back. read more

See all

**3.5 stars** Came on a Sunday for brunch for restaurant week. The restaurant is really pretty inside and I loved the sleek décor. The restaurant was pretty packed when we came so I was glad we made a reservation. I started off with the deviled eggs (curry, bacon lardon, chive) which comes with 3 pieces. I shared one with my toddler but she didn't care for the flavor. Next up was the nigiri set (akami, salmon, hamachi). For my main course I had the chicken katsu (crispy chicken cutlet, pickled carrot-daikon slaw, ginger). I was expecting the first two courses to be small but the main dish was also pretty tiny. The nigiri and chicken katsu were good but were both pretty standard. I came to Itoko with pretty high expectations since I heard so many good things from friends and other online reviews. However, I wasn't quite blown away from any of the dishes. There is a kid's menu but the menu items are all $20. Our waitress was really friendly and nice but forgot to bring us water and silverware as she said she would when we first sat down. There's not only a restaurant surcharge but they ask you to scan the QR code to pay and that also charges a service charge. Overall, the meal was decent but would only come back if we had a reason to (i.e. with friends or family who want to try it out together). read more

Itoko - Deviled eggs - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

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

See all

We came here for a weekend lunch/brunch and enjoyed our meal here. The place is beautiful and dishes are presented well. Service was great and accommodating with some kiddos with us as well. Spicy Salmon Dip - "salmon, perilla, fried garlic, spicy mayo, nori rice cracker" - I really liked this as an app to share! All the ingredients came together really well and I love the taste of perilla leaves. Handroll - just get them all! Ebi Tom Yum, XO Scallop, and Shio Koji Salmon were all very good. Tantan Ramen - "chicken broth, spicy pork, bean sprout, gailon" - Was filling and tasted very 'clean.' read more

Mint is such a great server:) She was very polite, friendly, and is very knowledgeable of the dishes offered. The ambience is contemporary, with the right mix of wood, white linens, and glass with mood lighting that helped to create a cozy atmosphere. The noise level is vibrant. Overall, the dishes were tasty with appealing presentations. However, the Jewel Bako was presented in a way that reminded me of a fruit salad rather than a well organized Chirashi bowl. Still, I'm happy that I got to try it. Maybe I'll go for the Charcoal Burger next:) We were impressed with the homemade Donatsu. Especially with the matcha "whip. cream". And my cappuccino was a perfect pairing. Since I just got done with a cold, I did not partake in any cocktails. The cocktails looked really yummy! Can't wait for my next visit. read more

See all

The sushi tasted very fresh which I loved. However the tuna hand roll did not meet my expectations. I've had tuna hand rolls at other places that is packed with so much flavor and meat in the roll, and this tuna hand roll felt blander in my opinion. I enjoyed the nigiri the most. The mocktails were also delicious, I was able to finish my entire drink. I would return for another happy hour, your total will be around $50 for your stomach to be filled. read more

Itoko - Spicy Salmon Dip - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Our server Paul Michael was incredible and made our experience so special! I brought my family to celebrate my graduation and had a delicious meal and attentive service, better than I could ever ask for. The drinks were delicious (Ube Espresso Martini) and the Yama roll was to die for! We were given complimentary celebratory champagne that truly made my graduation weekend. read more

Itoko - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Itoko is a solid spot with tasty dishes and a lively atmosphere. The happy hour options are especially great--perfect for a casual outing with friends or a relaxed evening. Service was a bit slow, but it was a busy Tuesday night, and we were with our toddlers who were understandably impatient. Overall, still a fun and enjoyable experience. read more

Great spot and super tasty! We sat on the patio which was perfect when it's nice outside. You really can't beat these happy hour deals! Service was quick and I liked being able to close out on the QR code :) read more

Itoko - Tuna nigiri and Crispy Shrimp roll - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Nice ambiance and atmosphere, but the food just seems overpriced for what you get. I know prices are increasing everywhere, but it just seemed like you don't get the high end taste/quality you would expect from Boka's group. The handrolls were average at best. The nori was chewy and felt like they are using cheaper ingredients. The shishito peppers lacked flavor. The makis are meh. And the tables are so close together you can hear your neighbors conversation as if they are a part of yours. Overall not worth the money as you can find better taste and quality all over Chicago. read more

This "bento box" with three pieces of watery Chinese broccoli and six pieces of chicken was $21. A five piece sushi roll with mushroom tempura was $13. Four chicken wings was $16.75- the seasoning is good but the chicken has feathers on it. What an absolute joke. If it tasted good I probably wouldn't have even written this review but I'm genuinely appalled at how expensive AND unappetizing this entire meal was. Ive worked in restaurants for years but some of them just play in our faces because they can. read more

Itoko - Wildly overpriced bento box - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Itoko was amazing! First time trying out this restaurant and we loved it. We got our reservations at OpenTable and after checking in with the host we were seated in less than 10 minutes. I really liked the minimalistic decor and aesthetics of this place . The menu options are great with something in there for everyone. I also like that they have vegetarian options and tons of seafood options. We liked everything we ordered, but I wish I could've tried the Ramen, but those had pork broth so I do hope that they consider adding some kind of a vegetarian or chicken broth for people that have-dietary restrictions . On the whole we had a great experience, the sushi , the spicy salmon dip, the whole Branzino, and the Donatsu were my favorite . Our server also was really nice and meet with recommendations . Also like the contactless payment and so just pay using the QR code is super convenient. read more

See all

I'll start by saying Itoko is my second favorite sushi in the city, my first favorite being much much more expensive. Itoko is a little more premium priced than some other sushi restaurants but I feel that the value - both on the quality, and even the quantity on certain dishes really helps justify it. I LOVE all of their handrolls, but the salmon one really stands out - incredibly fresh and meticulously constructed, it's very pretty to receive. I almost hate to say this because I don't want it to get busier, but their happy hour is incredible! It's almost the entire menu, and everything has decent discounts on it. I spend way more money than I plan on every time, but I've yet to regret it. Reservations are definitely required on Friday, and they're sometimes all taken even by Friday morning. Ambiance inside is what you'd expect from a slightly elevated sushi restaurant - nothing too special, but it's pretty inside! Service is always impeccable. Beware they do charge a surcharge to use the QR codes to pay... which is stupid because it saves time for the servers... but still convenient when we go with a group. read more

Itoko - Handrolls - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Solid dinner choice! I was super excited to try Itoko! The interior is very spacious and open and we were invited in right away. Server was very helpful explaining the menu and making some recommendations. The A5 Beef roll is a MUST GET! I'm not a big beef person normally, but this roll was truly amazing. All the flavors came together to make the perfect bite. Scallop - super fresh and light. A great appetizer to start off our meal. Gyoza - I wasn't blown away by the gyoza. I didn't love the foie Gras and pork filling and found it a little dry. Yama - definitely recommend! I loved the crispy shrimp and while the piece itself is quite large, it was a lighter bite. Spicy tuna - solid classic roll. I feel you can't really go wrong with spicy tuna and Itoko certainly didn't. "TCD" Tuna Toro - DEFINITELY order this one! I've never seen a dish like this. You essentially create your own hand rolls. The tuna is so fresh and the caviar adds a nice salty touch. Loooove this dish! read more

See all

Went here for the happy hour on a Monday (people were waiting in line for the Happy Hour) the restaurant inside is lovely it has a nice vibe!! The food for the Happy Hour was good! We got the salmon dip and the cucumbers as an appetizer both very good! We ordered several rolls and they were all good and a good price. But I have to say the drinks are overpriced to say the least. The popular Lychee Martini was basically juice no alcohol at all. Very disappointing and it's expensive at $14 crazy. No alcohol in it at all! The wine at $10 a glass was a very small Pour and I fee like $10 is not cheap. So food good for the Happy Hour Drinks Not good for the Happy Hour! Service great! Ambiance nice! 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

I met a friend here for dinner and it was lovely! The servers were very attentive and helped us when we were undecided on what to order. The ambiance was great sitting on the patio. I didn't go inside but their patio seating in the spring or summer is very enjoyable. Their Aperol Spritz was great - probably one of the better ones that I've had. My friend and I split the edamame and gyoza, and both were delicious. My favorite dishes were the Tako Kato and the Sliders. I could have had a meal ordering those dishes repeatedly and I would have been happy. I definitely hope to return soon. Itoko is a gem! read more

Itoko - Sliders - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

My friend and I had a great experience when celebrating a friend's birthday. We were warmly welcomed and our waitress ensured we understood the menu (since it was our first visit) before making our selections. Of course, they made some great recommendations for us based our preferences. Salmon (Robata): the salmon was nicely seasoned and cooked. The sauce wasn't too heavy or salty. The portion was pretty thick and large. Not a must try dish, unless you are craving for grilled salmon or dishes. Uni Nigiri: Super fresh Uni! It is sweet, not fishy at all! If you love Uni then you must try Itoko's Uni! Probably the freshest one I had so far in town. Akamatsu (spelled on the receipt): I believe the correct spelling is akamutsu, meaning rosy sea bass. This nigiri piece wasn't on menu, it was special dish of the day. The fish was super fresh, the sauce on top gives a hint of salty taste (but it didn't steal the fresh and sweet taste of the fish). Worth a try. Hamachi nigiri: another amazing piece. I just love the sauce it comes with, it adds a very subtle flavor to the piece. The fish itself is tender and fresh. If you love white fish, then this is a must try. Chutoro nigiri: I'm not great fan of fatty fishes, so chutoro is perfect for me. Itoko's tuna is worth a shot! It was sweet and fresh. Tako Kato: the Ponzu sauce adds a great flavor to this dish. It is slightly sour and comes with a hint of spicy from the onions. Great combination with the octopus. Scallop: another amazing dish, but the scallops were extremely cold (probably just came out of the fridge). It wouldn't have been better if the scallops wasn't so cold. Compared to the other cold dishes we ordered, this didn't stand out as much. Bluefin Tuna: Must order dish! Everyone loves this dish. The tuna is so fresh and delicious. I can't imagine how well it balanced with the sliced apple it came with. I definitely recommend ordering it, it will give you a different experience and opinions about tuna. Ebi Tom Yum: great piece if you love Thai food! The shrimps are nicely seasoned. The lime juice adds a hint of sourness to the piece. Mecha Kucha: my favorite hand roll piece! The cut tuna went well with the Uni and caviar. It is lightly seasoned, all you can taste is the freshness of the ingredients. Definitely a must try! A5 Beef: if you love beef then you definitely would love this piece. The beef is super tender and juicy. The asparagus and onions add a great crunch to the piece. Yama: the shrimp is crisp which made the roll really crunchy and the cucumbers lightened the piece (so not a heavy roll). "TCD" Tuna Toro: Must order fish! The fresh tuna and caviar balanced super well with the pickled onions. The nori and well cooked sushi rice made this don into a "hand roll". A very unique dish. Again, the tuna is super fresh! Overall, I definitely recommend trying all their tuna dishes, it is really fresh. I'm not a tuna person, but Itoko changed my mind. The restaurant is nice and cozy, great for friends and any celebrations. Since it was my friend's birthday, we were given a free snack/dessert. read more

See all

My brother suggested this place, so we took a 15-minute ride from downtown to give it a try, and it exceeded our expectations! The rolls were small but incredibly fresh and satisfying. The spicy cucumber was tasty but could use a bit more spice. The spicy chicken had a real kick to it; if you're a fan of spicy food, definitely order it! It's packed with flavor. However, the Tantan ramen had a strange bitter aftertaste that didn't appeal to me or anyone else at the table, so we only had a few bites. Now, the desserts were absolutely incredible! We tried all three on the menu. I can't recall their names exactly, but one was a donut with matcha whipped cream, another was like a raspberry sorbet, and the third was a pudding-like treat with a hint of lemon at the bottom, topped with white chocolate pebbles for a crunchy texture. Each dessert was delicious and light--no guilt involved! I'd return just for those desserts alone! read more

See all

Excellent food, fresh sushi, and outstanding service. Everything was delicious, the atmosphere was great, and the staff was very friendly. We will definitely be back. Highly recommend! read more

We were excited to try Itoko because of its close relation to Momotoro, and with the Restaurant Week prix fixe at $45 per person, we were looking forward to indulging and trying a few other items from the sushi menu. Service and ambiance: The service is very good. Our waiter was friendly and attentive. We really loved the interior decorations, and we were seated against the back wall, which was nice and cozy. About halfway through our dinner, however, the party seated next to us at a boisterous table for six broke a glass and attracted a lot of attention. Towards the end, waitstaff came and talked to them for about 15 minutes during our main course, which meant that I was eating with the waiter's backside next to my plate. This was less than good. Obviously, it was not intentionally rude, but it was still not a very pleasant experience. We didn't want to disturb them so we did not ask them to move, but it definitely detracted from our meal, given that we were jammed between the waiter and the wall with no exit lane. Sushi: The momotaki contained octopus that was gummy and overcooked, which made it tough to eat. The seared fatty tuna was probably the best sushi on the menu, supple with melt-in-your-mouth texture, but not much in the way of taste. I ordered an unagi nigiri and we each had a nigiri tamago. The tamago was sweet and tasty and unagi was flavorful and nicely charred. We'd recommend both. 2025 Restaurant Week Menu: I started with the Shishito peppers, and my husband ordered the miso soup. The miso soup was good and tasted like most miso soup does. The shishito pepper was charred and had a robust meaty flavor, and was covered with a finely grated substance that reminded us of pork. Soy sauce was served on the side, and this was much needed because some of the courses lacked salt. For seconds, I ordered the spicy salmon dip (which was not spicy) and my husband ordered the chicken. The chicken was dark meat and fatty but again lacked salt. I enjoyed the presentation of the spicy salmon dip, but was grateful for the soy sauce (again, not much salt). For our third course, we both ordered the tantan ramen, which we enjoyed. The miso base was prominent and spicy. The ramen did not contain very much meat. Overall, we would recommend this entree despite some shortcomings. For dessert we each ordered the Panna cotta, which was delicious, and paired well with sparkling dry white wine. The drink selection was very good overall (my husband ordered the old fashioned and enjoyed it quite a bit, and I enjoyed a glass of dry rose). Key takeaways: Though we really liked the atmosphere and our server, the food lacked imagination and salt. We enjoyed the quality of the tuna, but were disappointed by the gummy octopus. The sushi seems to be very hit or miss here. The ramen was good, but good ramen is easy to find in Chicago. We are glad that we tried this place and if it were local to us, we might come back, but it's not worth a special trip out of the way. Perhaps they were overwhelmed during a busy restaurant week. 4/5 read more

See all

Really good sushi with high quality fish. If you like tuna, please try Otoro, it melt in your mouth with a buttery texture. Highly recommend Kumamoto Beef to Hotate, the combo of the beef and scallop was a perfect blend of flavor and texture. Liked the hand roll Shio Koji Salmon, balanced flavor with salmon skin in it, crunchy part made it even better. Definitely be returning for happy hour. So many options for sushi and rolls. read more

See all

Being a Boka restaurant, I was expecting a great meal but Itoko fell short. When we arrived I was excited because the bar & dining room had a great look and vibe. We were then taken upstairs which can only be described as "your aunt Frida's dining room". I tried to convince myself that as long as the food was good it wouldn't matter where we sat. It didn't work. Miso soup and edamame were okay. We then got a few nigiri & sashimi which were also okay but we've had better. Rolls were not good. The spicy tuna was mushy and warm. We opted for some robata items which were great. The skirt steak and salmon robata saved the meal. Service was good but there was an obvious issue towards the end of the meal which affected everyone in seated upstairs. Maybe Itoko is better for cooked items. They are mediocre for sushi but they do a good job with robata. read more

About a 1-1.5: ITOKO is a Japanese fusion restaurant located in the Southport 'hood. This place seems a popular spot for the locals, especially for their HH deals, as the restaurant slowly filled up while we were dining in. We came here for an early dinner, and making advance reservations didn't seem necessary; we were seated right away, at a booth by the window, which was nice. For sushi eats, we ordered: +a full order of King Crab temaki handroll - this came with ginger mayo, tempura shallots, and lemon +Seared Japanese Mackerel nigiri - with diakon shoga ponzu +Seared Fatty Tuna nigiri - with daikon, yuzu, and saduchi ponzu +Otoro nigiri +Hamachi nigiri +Natsu Maki - seasonal; filled with shrimp tempura The fish could have been more fresh, as some had a fishy odor/taste to them. The pieces were also served a bit too warm for my comfort, as they seemed like they have been sitting out a bit, and the rice itself didn't seem to be prepared well as it fell apart easily. We tried the Chicken Katsu - this was rice topped with a fried chicken kutlet, pickled carrot-daikon slaw, ginger mayo, and katsu sauce. The katsu itself was okay, but the slaw and the sauces were just way too sour and were not great complements to the dish. Also, the bowl was mostly rice, which could have been prepared better. For dessert, we ordered the Blueberry Kakigori - this came with blueberry-yuzu ice, yuzu curd foam, blueberry jelly, freeze-dried blueberries, and ginger crumb. Initially, this tasted refreshing; more toppings could have been provided, as the ice could have been more strong in the blueberry yuzu notes. Staff were friendly, and the space itself is nicely decorated, giving a chic vibe to it. I feel that the temperature in the restaurant could have been more cool and more comfortable for the guests, and they had a nasty fly situation, which made the dining experience not so great. The prices are definitely the higher end, and I felt that it didn't reflect the quality that we received. Metered street parking can be found in the area. +not-so-fresh fish +friendly service +metered street parking available read more

See all

A lovely spot ambiance and decor wise! The food was good quality, but the normal menu was quite expensive for the quantity (1 handroll $10??), but we opted for the 3 course $35 option called the southport set. Getting two of these and splitting with my friend was perfect! I liked the tako kato and chirashi a lot! The fish is really fresh and is buttery/delicious. Service was a bit slow but nice regardless. read more

See all

Snagged reservations for nye. We love Momotaro so much so we were real stoked to finally try Itoko. The interior design is very clean and sophisticated. I remember this building when it was Southport Lanes, but I def don't remember it having 2 floors. I was surprised when the hostess had us follow her upstairs. Our server was lovely, she was very helpful and friendly, really enjoyed having her as our server. It seemed like all the servers there were great. We ordered the blue fin tuna (this was prob our least favorite dish, the sauce had a strong flavor, but the fish was good), spicy salmon dip (i really enjoyed this one, husband thought it was just okay), TCD Toro (this was chef's kiss, SO good), the three piece set of temakis (loved these as well), gyoza (tasty), A5beef maki (never had something like this, the beef had a lovely char/smoky flavor, really good), pork tenderloin robata (the pork was soooo tender and yummy), robata sliders (this was just okay), and a couple pieces of nigiri each. I loved the nigiri, really fresh fish, so good. The highlight of this meal for both of us was the kakigori dessert. This dessert changes based on season. I was worried I wouldn't love the current flavor, which was pumpkin, togarashi, cinnamon, and maple, but man that dessert is somethin special. So many different textures and flavors that are amazing together, so unique and delicious! I'd get the kakigori every single time, regardless of what season it is! I enjoyed my meal here and would return, however, not sure I'd say it's better or even equal to Momotaro. But I do think that it's a great addition to the restaurants in the Southport Corridor. Parking on Southport is a hit or miss, we got lucky and found a spot across the street. Plan ahead for parking! read more

See all