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    KAI ZAN

    4.6 (1.4k reviews)
    Open 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    KAI ZAN Photos

    Business Info

    KAI ZAN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Intimate
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - KAI ZAN

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    Reviews With Photos

    Tako Yaki
    Nikki R.

    WOW!!! Kai Zan is officially my new favorite sushi spot in Chicago (and even in all of the US?). The quality of the fish here is unmatched - we tried so many different cuts of meat and they were all phenomal. You truly cannot go wrong getting anything on the menu, but the one thing you simply cannot leave without is the Orange Crush. Our table actually got a second order after trying it! The inside is also super nice. Our party was sat inside a booth and it felt super intimate while not seeming performative or overly ornamental. They had fire 2000s music that somehow fit the vibes perfectly, and I always appreciate when I don't have to yell over a restaurants volume. Service was also phenomenal, will definitely be coming back!!!

    Oyster shooter
    Anna T.

    Wowwww Kai zan is by far the best sushi in Chicago!! I'm so glad I finally went! The space is really cute, we were in a booth. The service was great, our waiter Dan was exceptional! All the food came out very quick! To start we got a bottle of Sauvignon blanc- this was very crisp and refreshing! Apps we did shishito peppers and escolar. The escolar is absolutely incredible. It melts in your mouth and has a truffle sauce. We ended up ordering another! We then did the oyster shooter, angry crab, wagyu fried rice, fiesta maki and spicy toro maki. The oyster shooter is amazing. So much flavor and a bigger portion! My favorite was the spicy toro maki! The tuna was so fresh and the truffle scallions made this the perfect bite! To end I had the matcha cheesecake! This was so good, the matcha flavor was perfect! Not too strong or light! I am already itching to come back!

    Fiesta Maki
    Munsanje M.

    I actually cannot explain how amazing this experience was. By far, best sushi experience I've had this year! Every single piece of fish was SO fresh but also with the added flavors, every single bite was to die for. It's a small sushi spot with limited seating and we sat at the chefs counter which I loved so I could see em everything being made. Our appetizers were incredible! My favorite was the maguro pearls. The scallop nigiri BLEW my mind and hands down best scallop nigiri I've ever had. The servers were so nice and very efficient in coursing our meals out since we did order quite a bit. We can't wait to go back!!! Not one bad thing to say about any dish.

    Mallory F.

    Food was absolutely excellent. Service was top notch. I liked the private booths and appreciated the low key vibe of the place.

    Sara N.

    The best omakase ever!! 11 courses for 98 pp is such a good deal. Every single item was amazing. The service was great, I enjoyed the rundown of each course and they reheated the hot sake for us too. It's very small inside but I enjoyed the bar with the kitchen view and watching the prepping.

    Yellowtail special of the day
    Athena B.

    Kai zan remains one of my favorite sushi spots in Chicago. The maguro and escolar pearls and the orange rush and angry crab are my must gets! Got a spicy scallop handroll this time which was one of the best I've ever had. Also loved the special of the day- the madai carpaccio, was so light and summery and the flavor profile reminded me of a caprese salad.

    Ali M.

    Incredible sushi and really cool ambiance. We sat at the kitchen so were able to see all the food being made which was really interesting to watch. It was however incredibly cramped and you were constantly in the way of someone walking by. The sushi tastes and textures were all incredibly unique and SO tasty. A bit expensive in my opinion so would probably come back for the tasting menu vs a la cart (portions were very small for a la cart).

    Hamachi
    Cindy N.

    Amazing! We had such a lovely dinner here. The cozy interior with pop music had us nodding her heads while enjoying the Chef's Omakase 10-course meal. Pricing is extremely reasonable for $99 per person. Some memorable parts of our meal included the amuse bouche with fish in a watermelon puree, nigiri pieces including fluke, chutoro, and salmon, fried short rib ball, and hand roll. For dessert, we shared the Coconut Ube Cake which was divine. Coconut foam plus ube served with Japanese pumpkin, and almonds. Perfect combination of sweetness combined with the crispy almonds for a texture contrast. Service was exceptional as well.

    Liz M.

    I was so excited to try Kai Zan with my friend, but I ended up feeling super disappointed. I sat on the experience for a few weeks before deciding to go ahead with a review because I wondered if my experience was just a fluke. Hopefully it is! I fear it may not be. We went around Saint Patrick's Day and did the omakase. It's a good price in theory. The reality was, we were underwhelmed with most courses. There were a few standouts: The most traditional nigiri courses were the best The shooters were huge and impossible to eat without making a mess and ultimately kind of gross because there was copious amounts of foam They had a funny take on fish and chips which in theory sounded interesting but wasn't great, and it just wasn't at all the flavor profile we were there for The desserts were truly bad. Both of them, very disappointing. Be aware that the cheesecake is unlike any form of cheese cake you'll ever encounter and is merely a dry cake with some cheese in it. So overall on food, a B- I guess. As sushi lovers that felt pretty sad! In an omakase I don't expect to love everything but in this case we had to scrounge for items we liked across many dishes we didn't. There was very little heat or acid in the dishes as a whole. The other big issue was service. Service was attentive but incredibly rushed. I had a miscommunication with my friend and didn't realize he'd already been seated before I arrived so I was sat about 5 minutes after our reservation time because I thought I needed to wait for him. That's my bad! But 5 minutes doesn't explain the pace of coursing that took place. We had several drinks each, the omakase, and ordered dessert, and we were rushed at every turn. This included plates being whisked away the moment I set my chopsticks down, while I was still chewing. This also included us being asked to wrap up our dinner a few minutes after dessert was served. We had been there 90 minutes. A restaurants table turns is their business (within reason- I know some folks can be obnoxious and hang around for hours), not my problem. Feeling rushed when we're eating at a perfectly normal pace and trying to enjoy dessert is really, really uncomfortable. You shouldn't offer an omakase if you're going to make people feel like they are sprinting through it.

    flaming scallop

    This spot is pretty small but is my favorite omakase spot in chicago! It is about $100 but doesn't feel as though the quality is being compromised on at all. I enjoy that it was more unique that the standard omakase experiences I'm used to. The courses were creative, & you could choose to participate in table side omakase rather than needing to sit at the chef's counter.

    Kathy T.

    Great selection of more than nigiri/sashimi omakase, however I didn't feel it was worth the price for me.

    Dinner Platter for 1
    Mei Mei H.

    I wasn't able to get a last minute reservation since I was the in the area but the hostess helped me place an order for carry-out. During the beginning of covid I had ordered a dinner bento set that was no longer on the menu but there was a dinner platter set for 1 that I chose. The sushi was just as good as I remembered. It came with a miso soup, flaming tuna maki, chef selection nigiri, fiesta maki, escolar pearls, maguro pearls, piece of angry crab and orange crush piece. The sushi was so delicious and I ended up eating it in my car since I couldn't wait for the long drive home to enjoy it.

    Dina C.

    We love to check out omakase spots especially in the Chicagoland area so of course Kai Zan was on our list! We tried their 10 course Chef's Choice omakase (note: menu varies). Pictured are a few of our favorite/the most interesting bites! Our Menu: Madai Carpaccio: Japanese red snapper, basil, toro, black tobiko, olive oil Escolar & Maguro Pearls: seared tuna and escolar, sushi rice, spicy aioli, truffle oil, scallions Angry Crab: spicy crab wrapped in tuna, tempura crunch, spicy aioli Shooters: oysters and scallops, ponzu sauce, quail egg, scallions, tabasco, black tobiko Orange Rush: lightly seared scallops, seared salmon, citrus glaze Baby Octopus: jicama, mango, ginger, seaweed Main: shrimp, char siu, tako yaki, tako wasabi Nigiri (Chef's choice) Dynamite Mussels: New Zealand mussels, masago, black tobiko, scallion aioli Sashimi (assorted fish) Everyone was so friendly! Each course was explained to us prior to consumption. Most of our omakase experiences have been super intimate with less than 14 people so this was definitely a different vibe but do note that Kai Zan offers more than omakase. We had an AMAZING beef-related appetizer (not pictured) and dessert (highlighted first ) so we look forward to trying more of their regular menu items next time!

    Char Siu and Flaming Tuna

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    Page 2 of 34

    KAI ZAN Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - KAI ZAN

    Do they have cocktails menu or Japanese plum wine?

    Hi Lisa, we serve wine, sake, and beer. No cocktails or plum wine. See you soon!

    Do you offer takeout? It has been almost impossible for us to dine-in for us.

    We ordered take out before when all the restaurants were closed due to COVID, after that we have been going to dine in. But I do think they still do to go orders.

    I have a reservation, do I still need to call to confirm spots of Omakase?

    Reservation is enough. You don't need to specifically get spots for Omakase.

    Is this restaurant still BYOB?

    Hi, no we are not. We serve wine, sake, and beer. See you soon!… Read more

    What is the price for the non premium omakase?

    Hi there! It is $69 per person. We look forward to serving you!… Read more

    Do you have to have a reservation?

    I highly recommend it.

    How is parking??? What about desserts and cocktails? Thanks!

    There is only street parking. I had to drive up and down the streets to find it. And I had the chocolate cake with ice cream on top.. I forgot what it's called but it was so warm and delicious!!

    Is it still BYOB? Or is there a drinks menu?

    There is a drinks menu. I don't believe that they do BYOB anymore.

    I am going tomorrow. I am so excitimg now, and I want to have Omakase tomorrow. I already noticed this by phone call. See you soon!!?

    Your going to love it!!! Also, the Escolar pearls are a staple!! So delicious!

    Do you have gluten free sushi options for celiacs?

    Hi! Yes we do. See you soon! -KAI ZAN

    Do they have Chawanmushi on their menu?

    Hi Promee, We don't have it in our menu as it is not always available but if you give us at least… Read more

    Is the price for the Premium Omakase $115.00 per person?

    I was there about 3 weeks ago. The "premium" one is $115 per person BUT there's a "regular" Omakase for around $65 per person. That's the one I did - for $65 per person - it was AMAZING and surprisingly a lot of food !

    View All 19 Questions

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    Bigsuda

    4.3(67 reviews)
    1.3 miWicker Park, West Town

    We walked in late on a Saturday afternoon and seated right away. The vibe is super cute. I really…read morelike the decor in there. We got the soup dumplings, the fried eggplant, and the shrimp fried rice to share because we were having dinner in a couple hours so we didn't want to fill up and it was the perfect amount of food and actually super tasty. Highly recommend!

    Pictures matter. I was looking for a great date-night spot…read morein the Chicago, Wicker Park/Milwaukee area, somewhere close to entertainment, and after walking past the "soup dumplings" sign a few times, I finally decided to try Bigsuda at 1362 N. Milwaukee Ave. The green awning and outdoor seating had always caught my eye, so I was excited to finally go in. The interior is beautiful, warm greens, gold accents, and comfortable booth-style seating that makes it easy to settle in and stay awhile. The staff was attentive, friendly, and consistently checked in throughout the night. Bigsuda is a Korean fusion restaurant. I love Korean food and have even spent time living in Korea, so I was curious to see their take. The menu is descriptive and does include some illustrations, and I later noticed there are more photos available online, which can be helpful when deciding what to order. One thing to note: the menu leans heavily on pork, and vegetarian options are somewhat limited. Some dishes can be modified (like ordering fried rice without shrimp), but several broths and signature items, including the soup dumplings, are pork-based. As someone who doesn't eat pork, I wasn't able to try one of the main dishes I came in for, which was a bit disappointing. Expanding options here could make the experience more inclusive. Here's what we ordered: Cabbage Tofu Pocket - Fresh, earthy, and clean. The cabbage had a nice juiciness, and the sauce tied everything together well. It's served cold, which was unexpected, but still enjoyable. Pan-Seared Veggie Mandoo - A fun presentation, served upside down with a crisp, pancake-like crust. Breaking into it was part of the experience, and the sauce complemented it nicely. Wok-Fired Steak Saltado - The standout of the night. The steak and rice paired really well and leaned into that Korean-fusion flavor. It was hearty, flavorful, and great for sharing. My friend also tried the shrimp dumplings and crab with chili sauce, which she felt were just okay. One highlight for both of us was the Peach Mong (a non-alcoholic drink with peach, citrus, and tonic), definitely worth trying. Overall, Bigsuda really shines in its atmosphere. It's a great place to sit, talk, and enjoy the ambiance, and the service adds to that experience. While the food didn't completely wow us across the board, there were definitely some strong moments. I had a great time overall, and with a few more inclusive menu options, this place could easily level up even more. 3 out of 5 stars.

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    Bigsuda - W O K - F I R E D S T E A K S A L T E A D O

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    Duck Duck Goat

    Duck Duck Goat

    4.1(2.2k reviews)
    2.2 miFulton Market, West Loop, Near West Side
    $$$

    The food was amazing, I got the beef noodle soup and omg it was delicious! the service was great…read moreand the waitress was so so so kind the wait was not that long. The environment was perfect, it was clean and really pretty. If I could I would definitely give this 5.5 stars. And I would definitely recommend going here at least once!

    As an avid Stephanie Izard fan, Duck Duck Goat has been on my Chicago must-try list for a long…read moretime! Finally my schedule, bank account, and the weather all lined up to try brunch at this West Loop spot. Like everywhere else at Fulton Market, be prepared for parking to be what parking is going to be here! There are some paid street spots, I also think there is a garage somewhere, and it is noted that Duck Duck Goat does not offer valet. The restaurant is in a super chic corner spot in Fulton Market, with a very picturesque little patio dining space out front. I had a reservation and arrived just a couple minutes early; we were greeted as soon as we walked in and taken to a table without any wait. I absolutely love the inside of this restaurant. Our table was a half booth/half chair two-top in the front window. There is so much rich color and decoration, and it really feels pretty intimate - I think this is a great date spot. The brunch menu has some amazing food options, and the service was very friendly but not overbearing. We started with an order of the crab rangoon to share between both of us, and then the pork fried rice omelette and the bacon and egg moo shu as brunch entrees. This is a dim sum restaurant and the plates are more of a style to be small bites and/or shared plates, and portion size definitely reflects such! Also because of this style, the dishes came out as they were ready, not all together "as entrees". The crab rangoons were incredible - the mascarpone filling is tart and bright to counter the briny crab and the pineapple sweet and sour is incredibly craveable. I will dream about this omelette for the rest of my life. The richness of the pork and the savoryness of the fried rice paired with fluffy egg, piled high with a texture bomb of accoutrements like crispy fried onions, (fresno?) chilis, and picked red onions. This is one of the best bites in the city. The moo shu had perfectly made sunny side up eggs with the richest egg yolks. All the veggies were cooked perfect, I loved the lotus root in the veggie mix. I love that our reservation wasn't rushed, and the service was really nice. We both said before even finishing our brunch that we wanted to come back and try dinner. Also a super cute touch, we were given complimentary little almond cookies after we were done. Thank you so much, Duck Duck Goat, for a wonderful brunch date! We will see you soon for dinner!

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    Duck Duck Goat - Join us for Dim Sum every Saturday from 12pm to 3pm.

    Join us for Dim Sum every Saturday from 12pm to 3pm.

    Duck Duck Goat - Join us for Dim Sum every Saturday from 12pm to 3pm.

    Join us for Dim Sum every Saturday from 12pm to 3pm.

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    NoodleBird - Portuguese Egg Custard Tarts

    NoodleBird

    4.4(145 reviews)
    2.6 miLogan Square
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    Expensive considering the portions but yummy food! Got the dinner for 2 and minced beef noodles…read more The best part were the dumplings. I could taste that they were handmade and very flavorful. Second was the charcoal half chicken. The coconut rice was had a light coconut flavor which was good bc it didnt alter the taste of the chicken. I'd skip on the salad and minced beef noodles next time. The noodles were a lil too thick n chewy for me. Salad was nothings special, just eating large chunks of cabbage. The Sparrow Mallorc was also really good and refreshing, not overly sweet. The egg tarts had a creamy delicious custard and the dough was fluffy like a croissant, not crisp like pie. I prefer crisp but would still recommend. I also got the chai carrot cake which is really good. The chai spice compliments the sweetness well and walnut chunks add nice texture . I want to try all their desserts at Bird Bird Bakery bc the flavors are so unique and actually really good, unlike other bakeries that try to use interesting flavors but make it overly sweet. The staff were chill and kind. Pretty laid back, you have to get your own utensils and water. I do love that they have their own hot sauces. The brown one with tamarind was my favorite. Nice decos, not overly showy or fancy. Still family friendly n chill. The bench had nice comfy cushions.

    Noodle Bird is a neighborhood favorite for a reason solid and consistent. Went with the heritage…read morepork and it was tender and flavorful throughout. Small space but well put together, good service and a good range of house drinks to choose from. Worth the visit. -Mr.

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    Front counter

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    Mott St - Oyster Mushrooms - pan seared, thyme, miso butter

    Mott St

    4.0(1.2k reviews)
    1.5 miWicker Park, West Town
    $$$

    Food was SO yum! Fav was definitely the burger and the cauliflower was UNREAL. Short Rib was a…read morelittle fatty but flavor was still great. Our other dishes definitely stood out more than the short rib in our experience. Service was wonderful as well, will definitely be back!

    Came back after 5 years to try the brunch here! I loved…read moredinner here the first time, but I've heard great things about their day time menu! They serve the special burger for brunch as well as limited timing at night, so obviously we had to order that. Honestly, there were at least 4 mains that we were interested in, but ended up getting the avocado three layer dip and the kalbi steak & eggs as well. The avocado dip was so interesting, but I liked a new twist on your average avo toast. I appreciated the toasted bread for being crispy enough without being too hard that it cuts up your mouth. The kalbi was so tender and juicy and a pretty decent portion for the price! I wish the kimchi breakfast potatoes had more kimchi flavor! We made the mistake of eating the burger last. It was still delicious, but I know it would've been 10 times better if we ate it while it was hot. Beware of those jalapeños though! The burger had every flavor: sweet, salty, spicy, tangy, creamy. Basically something for everyone. Service was prompt and friendly despite it being totally packed in there! Reservations are definitely a MUST. Free parking all down the street was also a plus!

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    Gaijin - Strawberry Donut

    Gaijin

    4.3(786 reviews)
    2.2 miFulton Market, West Loop, Near West Side
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    The service here was absolutely incredible the interior looks super detailed as well and it was…read moreoverall a great vibe. The food was some of the best yet unique type of food I've ever had. Yakisoba and Osaka style okonomiyaki was probably the best thing (besides deep dish) that I've had in Chicago while visiting. 100% recommend here please come!

    Wow! My friends took us to this restaurant while we were visiting Chicago, and it was amazing. We…read morehad a reservation and did show up about 15 minutes late. The hostess said we could still be seated but another reservation was coming an hour later. I had never had okonomiyaki before, but I got to try three different kinds plus some yakisoba. We ordered four dishes and shared them among the four of us. We got the pork belly yakisoba, pork osaka style okonomiyaki, shrimp osaka style okonomiyaki, and the mushroom and yuba Hiroshima style okonomiyaki. My favorite dishes were probably the pork ones, but I really liked trying all of them! When our waiter asked if we wanted dessert, we said how the hostess told us we would need to leave by a certain time for the next reservation. However, he said we could order dessert anyway. I thought it was weird the hostess was being so finicky about the time, since usually 15 min late is within reason. We did get the red panda. It's mostly ice and a little ice cream, but it was very good and so cute! I would definitely come here again! It is a bit loud if you have anyone in your party who has trouble hearing. You are also quite close to other people in the restaurant.

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    KAI ZAN - asianfusion - Updated May 2026

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