A lovely room. Welcoming and informed staff. Delicious and thoughtful food and beverage, both spirited and spirit-free.

I loveee Kumiko. They were just announced N. 11 on the 2026 North America's 50 Best Bars list (one spot down from last year). I've lost track but this is maybe my 5th or 6th time here. I've been here for food, desserts, drinks, their basement whiskey bar, everything... and I'll keep coming back whenever I'm in the neighborhood. This time, we came to check out their spring menu because I remembered them having a sakura themed menu last year. We also intended on checking out their new desserts but completely forgot lol, so now I'll need to come back again. Off their seasonal menu, we ordered Pastel and Lights in the Clouds. The Pastel was very light and a little tart. I loved the pretty pink color too. I didn't get it this time, but my absolute favorite cocktail from here is the Cloud Hopper off their regular menu (starting to crave it rn as I'm writing this, it's so good). When you're seated, you're given a warm towel to wipe your hands. The staff is also super knowledgeable, and the quality of the food and drinks is amazing. It's been awhile since I've eaten here so I can't speak on the food, but based off my memory the karaagé is really good and seems to be popular. I need to come back to try more of their food. Reservations are recommended if you want a table or to go to their whiskey bar in the basement, but we've had plenty of luck coming in right when they open and being able to sit at the bar. This time, we came in about an hour after opening and had to stand, which was fine because we just wanted a drink. read more

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It's been years since I've last visited Kumiko when they first opened. Last week we were lucky to snatch a last minute reservation since it's a lot hard to get one with all the James Beard and Michelin awards they've been getting, and I could see why. Their cocktails are so smooth and creative. I had a Lychee Martini and it's probably the best I've ever had. A lot of places use the canned lychee syrup that's overly sweet. No, not this place. You can still taste the lychee without being sugary sweet, and it goes really smooth. But their food is on a different level. Their Japanese curry is probably the best I've ever had. The pork was sou vide and then fried. When you bite into it it was so soft it melts in your mouth. And the homemade curry was so flavorful. You can tell they make their own curry instead of other places they either used premade or store bought. Their service is impeccable. The staff is very polite and knowledgeable. The interior is warm and inviting, and intimate. Highly recommend this for a date night! read more

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Kumiko was recommended to me by a bartender from a local Michelin star restaurant. I decided to stop by Kumiko on a whim and hoped for the best. It was my lucky day as there was one bar seat available at the time of my arrival. That said, the place was packed for a Wednesday evening around 6pm. The bar staff was awesome. Highly professional, friendly, attentive, and very helpful with the recommendations. One of servers was genuinely stoked about the food I ordered, which hyped me up. I got the wagyu as my main. The meat was soft and tender like butter, and the dish was an amalgamation of wonderful flavors. Loved the dish and savored every bite. The guest next to me said I had to get Kumiko's Truffle Milk Toast, and one of the bartenders second that. It was fantastic. Loved the caramelization on the milk toast, and it had a good balance of savory and sweet. Last but not least, I enjoyed one of their cocktails. It was called "Winning Element" and was found under their "Cocktails for a Cause" section of the menu. So cool that the proceeds ($5 of the cost of the cocktail) goes to a trusted organization. Kumiko was easily my favorite food and drink stop of my entire Chicago trip. read more

Kumiko - Wagyu - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Second time at Kumiko and I'm still impressed by the sheer depth of the cocktail menu and the level of thought put into each drink. Yes, it is on the pricier side, but the ambience makes it perfect for a date night or special celebration. Staff was very accommodating and made sure we were aware of portion sizes when ordering. There is a good variety to pick from and I'm always a sucker for seasonal specials. That night they had a duck soba featuring duck prepared three ways in a rich, comforting broth. We also enjoyed some pickled veggies and olives on the side, and ever drink we ordered was beautifully crafted (different coaster for each drink too). There are also some unique sake options if you're into that as well. Overall, the cocktails and experience is worth the hype if you are willing to splurge a bit. read more

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Had a reservation for the whiskey bar downstairs before dinner - would definitely recommend grabbing drinks here, it's dimmer and more intimate, only about 10 seats in total which they usually stagger. The bartenders are very knowledgeable, we had some cocktails and tried half pours of sochu. They also have the upstairs food menu, so we tried the truffle milk toast which was ridiculously good! Make reservations far in advance especially for the weekend, their drinks are unique and delicious! read more

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After my recent visit to Kumiko, it's clear why it's consistently recognized as the best bar in the midwest. The ambiance here is chic but comfortable. Dim lighting and stylish interior with hints of Japanese influences make it a great spot to catch up with friends or enjoy a date night without having to shout over loud music. There's a great selection of cocktails and they are beautifully presented and it also taste excellent - we all liked what we ordered. While I only came for drinks this time, I am already looking forward to trying their food in my next visit. Reservations are definitely recommended as they fills up quickly. read more

Kumiko - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Kumiko lives up to the hype. Reservations are tough to get, so set an alarm and do your best to snag one -- it's absolutely worth it. We sat at the bar and ordered snacks along with a few rounds of drinks, which was the perfect way to experience the space. The bartenders were incredibly attentive and genuinely knowledgeable, happy to walk us through drinks and make thoughtful recommendations. The food was excellent -- and this may seem odd but my favorite item was their potato salad which I still crave and haven't found one that compares since. Overall, a fantastic experience and very well deserved spot on all the "best bar" lists. Highly recommend. read more

Kumiko - Potato Salad - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I was brought here as a surprise....my god. I've never been anywhere like this. Kumiko calls itself a "dining bar," but that doesn't really do it justice. It's this seamless mix of food and drink, everything designed to complement each other perfectly. The vibe is classy af. Dim lighting, intimate, and romantic. It feels special the second you walk in. The drinks? Out of control good. We went all in, sake flights, cocktails, the works!! And not a single miss. And the food is delicate, refined, and clearly made with a ton of care. You can tell every detail is deliberate, from flavor to presentation. It totally lives up to Japanese standards. If you're in Chicago, do yourself a favor and book a table here. Kumiko is something else. And if you're debating Kumiko or another restaurant for a special occasion splurge, definitely here. read more

Kumiko - Round 1 with pickled sides to start before appetizers - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

10 of 5 stars. Amaaaaazing ambience, food, drinks, vibe, service. Literally could not ask for more. The cocktails were stunning and delicious. In order these are the ones I liked. FOOD - sadly we only ordered one dessert because this was an appetizer before our actual dinner at Oriole - truffle milk toast. MUST order. I will dream of this dessert DRINKS (Must orders) - winning element ($21): described as refreshing with a hint of smoke, herbaceous spice and ginger. You get to select the spice level, media was perfect so flavorful I loved it. - sea flower ($21): a second fave for cocktails, described as zesty. A little bit sweet, but still very good. - bitter trade ($23): described as toasty velvety, bitterness washed with red fruit and spices. This one was perfectly rounded for me spirit forward but so good. (Good but would not get again) - moonrise daiquiri ($21): a bit too sweet for me, ordered as a cocktail versus a flight (which basically means that the drink is decomposed) - cloud hopper ($21): described as buoyant, colorful and fruity. Comes with oat milk and yakult - too creamy and sweet for my liking, but good if you like yakult - vodka martini: pass. NEXT TIME - walk softly ($23): described as bright beautiful with a hint of bubbly. Recommended by the waitress, but was skeptical since I tend not to like champagne. It comes in a coupe looks beautiful and I can't wait to come back to try this. read more

The drinks were amazing. It is worth the hype of being voted best bar in chicago. The service is also amazing . Speedy and polite, as expected from a good notch restaurant. The ambience is perfect for dates and even small parties of adults. Not very family friendly. The food was good, not amazing. Almost feel like a bit of street food except served in a fancy restaurant. But good jap street food is not really avail in the US at a reasonable price anyways. Mash potatoes: taste great with some veggie mix for crunchiness Curry pork let: very refined take of Japanese curry but nothing too special Oyster caviar - excellent ... read more

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I was lucky enough to book this via Chase Sapphire Reserve and get 3 seats at their Whiskey Bar. It was intimate and our server was super knowledgeable about the different drinks and food items available, and was able to make really great recommendations. Big food highlights were the Wagyu Sando, and the curry rice (one with karaage and one with tonkatsu). Everything we had was freaking delicious! read more

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Incredible experience! We came for drinks and bites and we were blown away by everything we tried. Drinks we complex and unique, very tasty. Bites were fresh and delicious like the hotate on special with a chili carrot sauce so good our amazing server brought us little spoons for the sauce! The seabass was unbelievable and the waygu sando was incredible with fresh wasabi. Overall a classy vibe with a cozy ambiance perfect for date night. read more

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Kumiko is one of our favorite bars in the city. We love the personalized touch from the bar staff when we get a sake tasting. They are super knowledgable. The cocktails were also really wonderful - there is the option for a deconstructed cocktail tasting, which I've never seen before, so I thought this was especially cool. We've only ever sat at the bar, so we've had a quick bites, but they're all fantastic. We especially enjoy the rotating pickles. Our favorite, by far, was the pickled charred shishito peppers. Lots of fun and great ambiance! read more

Fiancé brought me for what I believed was supposed to be an omakase experience and We began with what might have been the smallest serving of dashi I've ever encountered -- thimble-sized and completely underwhelming. It lacked depth, flavor, and tasted as though it had been hurriedly prepared à la minute. A disappointing start. Next came the oysters. One arrived partially cooked -- more lukewarm than anything -- alongside two cold oysters topped with salmon roe and a touch of horseradish. Unfortunately, they were flavorless. I've genuinely had more satisfying dollar oysters at happy hour. The sea bass followed and, to be fair, it was good. No complaints there. A rare highlight. Another bite-sized course came and went without leaving any real impression -- small, forgettable, and uninspired. The ara with fish bone broth was enjoyable -- crunchy and well-executed -- but from there, the meal began to decline. Chawanmushi appeared next, which felt dated and unnecessary. It's hard to understand why it still holds a place on a modern tasting menu when it adds so little excitement or innovation. The squash course, clearly kabocha, was disappointingly chalky and unappealing. The texture overwhelmed any potential flavor, making it one of the least enjoyable dishes of the evening. Then came the A5 Wagyu -- and thank goodness for A5. Without it, the meal may have completely unraveled. While the portion was understandably small given the $500 price tag, it's not difficult to impress when working with such an inherently luxurious ingredient. The steamed rice and marinated pickled vegetables followed. The pickles were decent; the rest was simply rice. It felt like an attempt to fill us up before the end rather than a thoughtful course. Dessert -- black sesame with coconut cream -- was fine, but not memorable. To close, we were served matcha tea and a single date. At that point, I was genuinely in shock. After such a costly experience, it felt anticlimactic and uninspired. Kumiko, we may return for the drinks -- but never, ever for the food. Thank you but no thank you. read more

There's a sliding scale of guest comfort in the restaurant business. On the lowest end, you have staff that could care not whether you live or die. Somewhere further up in the middle, you transition to staff who start to acknowledge your existence. A bit further up, you sometimes encounter a strange pocket universe, where the staff are trained enough to be attentive but snooty enough to clearly want you gone. And then on the highest end, you have restaurants that make you feel at home the moment you walk through the door. Stepping into Kumiko was like stepping through the doors at a spa built just for you. I sat at the bar, enamored by the wicker window into the kitchen and the wooden cabinets housing storied arrays of bottles and glasses. The bar tenders danced back and forth behind the bar, their movements fluid, calm. They each stopped by a handful of times throughout the experience to introduce a bottle or an element of the menu, to point out all the details that made it special. At Kumiko, it was clear that we were drinking more than cocktails. The food was excellent. A Japanese squash -- hints of pumpkin although fruitier -- with an umami broth started the meal, and scallops brought it to a close. The cocktails were beyond reproach. I started with the daiquiri component flight, where the staff introduces the cocktail along with individual tastings of some of the component flavors (the sake, the green tea). The experience was charming, and it was wonderful to admire the elements of the cocktail both together and apart. My favorite drink of the night was one of their specialty cocktails, described as similar to a Manhattan. I couldn't tell you exactly what was in it, and something tells me that few really could. It really tasted like something forbidden, lusciously smooth and sinfully delicious. It's a rare occasion that I leave a restaurant and immediately think about going back. I've checked their reservations time and again, only to see that they list tables and bar seats -- no beds. Until we meet again, dear Kumiko, I'll be thinking of you. read more

Searching for a place that makes interesting and delicious non-alcoholic beverages without needing to commit to a 9+ course tasting menu in order to access a non-alcoholic beverage pairing? Kumiko fits the bill. It's a dining bar. Bites and beverages are here to get your taste buds laid and captivate your olfactory system. They offer a dinner tasting menu, but it's optional. You can instead opt to order small bites and beverages from their extensive menu. They have designed some interesting bites and concoctions. Take their Warm Whiskey Butter Oyster, with an intoxicating brown butter aroma, but without much butter, and instead, a warm Japanese whisky and smoked sesame seeds. Goes down very satisfyingly after you savor the aroma. Yes, take deep whiffs. We came here primarily for dessert, having eaten dinner beforehand. We grabbed a couple Caviar Oysters, and decided on the Monte Blanc from their gluten-free menu. It should be noted that the portion sizes here are small bites. If you ordered their tasting menu while hungry, you'd be fine. But if you wanted to iteratively drink and munch, such a feat might be quite difficult to accomplish. One reason is that only one of their staff actively takes and enters the orders. For some reason none of the other staff seem to do so. Therefore, it is difficult to iteratively place your order--want something more? You'll probably have a difficult time reaching the staff member who takes the order. The caviar oysters were fine, with a nice flavor combo. But I found their Warm Whiskey Butter Oyster to be quite captivating. For beverages, we started with Protea, Saved by the Bell, and Lychee Martini. For a non-alcoholic drink, you can't go wrong with the Protea, which seems to have a constant presence on their menu. It's very reminiscent of ume, slightly bubbly with very well controlled sweetness and acidity. You could order it on repeat. It contains no ume, only adzuki (red bean), purple sweet potato vinegar, seedlip spice 94, verjus rouge, fever tree club soda, and top note tonic. The other non-alcoholic drink ordered was Saved by the Bell. I was envisioning something like apple pie spices based on the description, but it ended up being more like a subtly flavored apple juice. At the beginning, it felt rather watered down. However, after waiting for a bit and re-tasting it I started to make out more subtle flavors. This is definitely a lighter flavored drink compared to Protea for sure, but still enjoyable given enough time. The Lychee Martini was impressive. The menu statement nails it: "All of the flavor of lychee, without actually using any lychee. Showcasing how complex just a few key ingredients can be." The lychee aroma of this clear beverage is amazing. Stick your nose nearby and take a whiff. For taste, it does have a detectable lychee quality, but I would never complain if smelling it were the only option. The Monte Blanc took a long while to come out, but this was likely due to the three tasting menu tables on either side of us, with the staff apologizing for the delay at least three times and attempting to level expectations. It had a very nice combination of chestnut, purple sweet potato, and tarty crust, not too sweet, and nicely highlighting the key nutty flavors. Sake offerings, such as flights or tastings, are also present. I tried the Kawatsuru Olive Junmai Ginjo which was pleasant enough considering that I'm not a drinker. Bathroom wise, there one on the main level, and one downstairs. There is also a sake bar downstairs. Finally, it's probably best to make a reservation. I made one through OpenTable a month and a half in advance for St. Patrick's night as a dessert plan. Note that the establishment is small (very limited bar seating and table space), so they limit your total time there. They have a small team of staff, appear to prioritize tasting menu patrons, and all this makes iterative ordering difficult to accomplish. Therefore, your best bet for a smooth experience is to know what you want to order and try up front. For a future visit, I would be interested in trying out their tasting menu. In terms of feedback, I would advise that their bottleneck of only a single staff member capable taking and entering customer orders undermines the experience of à la carte patrons. Additionally, if the kitchen is swamped, it would be prudent to set expectations at the beginning of the experience, rather than delaying for an hour and apologizing multiple times for the delay. read more

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Just a stellar experience. We have imbibed a few times here but this was out first experience dining as well. And as expected, the food matched the quality of the cocktails. While the price points may look too high, I was surprised at the quantity of food delivered. Perfectly executed, all options-karaage, potato sold, and the wagyu special were tasty. As published, the cocktails are amazing and I love the care and the precision put forward when making them. Even better, are the stories about the spirits making up the cocktail. Dining room is dimly lit, clean lines, simple yet sexy. One of our fave spots in the city. read more

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My wife and I had a 6:45 p.m. reservation at Kumiko, which we booked about a month in advance. We arrived a bit early at around 6:15, and were lucky that they were able to seat us right away at the bar, just as we'd requested in our reservation. From start to finish, the experience was fantastic. The drink menu is thoughtfully curated, with a wide range of options, including an impressive selection of non-alcoholic cocktails. Each drink is described in great detail on the menu, and the bartender is more than happy to offer additional insights or recommendations. After the cocktail is served, they even present the bottles used in the drink so you can take a closer look at the spirits. Presentation is top-notch--the garnishes are beautifully done and show off some serious knife skills. If you order an Old Fashioned for example, a drink that's traditionally served over a single large block of ice, the ice here is crystal-clear and each edge is perfectly cut. The food was equally impressive and surprisingly well-priced for a bar of this caliber. We shared two warm shochu oysters to start ($5 each), followed by a potato salad ($6), a katsu sando (which I overheard is a Wednesday-only special for $17), and the Japanese curry rice with double-fried karaage ($20 base + $10 for the added chicken). There wasn't a single dish I wouldn't happily order again. The curry had a deep, layered flavor with a subtle sweetness that wasn't overpowering. The karaage was perfectly executed--crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and not at all greasy. The katsu sando was so good we actually debated ordering another, but ended up saving room for another round of drinks. The pork was tender, and the bread was toasted to perfection. If you appreciate creative, meticulously crafted cocktails and excellent small plates, Kumiko is absolutely worth a visit. I completely understand the hype; it's easy to see why this place regularly shows up on lists of the best bars in America. read more

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This intimate Japanese cocktail bar lives up to its reputation as one of the best in the world ranking 25th. Julia Momose's carefully crafted creations showcase Japanese whiskey, shochu, and other premium liquors. Each sip is a masterclass in balance and flavor. Delicious bites complement the drinks perfectly, while exceptional service provides insightful explanations of each cocktail's ingredients. Cozy and intimate, this bar is ideal for a date night or special occasion. They also offer Omakase cocktail tasting which I never had before. read more

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10 out of 10! The food was absolutely delectable. We were served by Hannah, who was pleasant the entire evening and helped explain the best pairings for each dish. This is a small restaurant, and while reservations may be difficult to get, you can be sure that not a single dish will disappoint. read more

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Staff was pretty rude. Had a reservation at 1015. Made us wait until 1045 to be told we couldn't be seated. Had started writing notes in here for a review, but didn't drink anything and can't delete it... read more

Food and drinks: 5 Decor: 5 Service: 5 Came here for late night drinks and some bites after making a reservation for the bar earlier that day. Overall great experience and would definitely come back again. Drinks: CLOUD HOPPER Chiyonosono '8000 generations' rice shochu, fidencio clasico mezcal, passionfruit, green cardamom, oat milk, yakult, and lemon $21 5/5. Great. Loved the combination of ingredients. The description was spot on - "buoyant, colorful, rich, and fruity" SEA FLOWER Nikka Coffey gin, Dolin Blanc vermouth de chambery, yuzu kosho, kabosu juice, and lime $21 4/5. Good. The description was "zesty - served on the rocks with a rim of ocean dust," which was quite accurate. Food: JAPANESE POTATO SALAD yukon gold, quick pickle carrots, shio-kōji pickled cucumber, smoked ham $8 4/5. Good. Very tasty potato salad with a nice mix of textures coming from the cucumber and ham. CAVIAR OYSTER $15 4/5. Good. Tasty little bite although I wish there were a bit more caviar. TRUFFLE MILK TOAST fermented honey ice cream, périgord truffle $15 4/5. Good. Really liked the bruleed milk toast with the honey ice cream and truffle pairing. Service was great. read more

This is my second visit here and one of my favorite cocktail bars in Chicago!! FOOD: One thing to note is this is probably not the place to come famished and order lots of food for dinner. The food is all absolutely amazing but definitely in smaller quantities. In my opinion it's way more of a place to do snacks and drinks if possible! This comes from our personal experience of coming our first time for dinner and essentially having ordered everything on the dinner menu lol. The food is mouth wateringly presented and an absolute delight! Our personal favorites are the caviar oyster, karaage, and potato salad. We also had the razor clams and tartare from the special menu this time! DRINKS: This is what Kumiko and Julia Momose is known for so we walked in knowing the drinks were going to be good. But what we got was even better than we expected! The drinks here are so creative with a thoughtful focus on Japanese sake, shochu, and whiskey. Some drinks are a spin on some classics like the green tea gimlet while others are an insane combo of ingredients that result in a cocktail I can't find anywhere else like the cloud hopper. I can say that I don't think I've tasted these combos of flavors anywhere else!! AMBIENCE: I've sat at both the bar and in the main dining room and both options are stellar. The conversation volume is a nice medium where it's bustling but you don't have to be yelling at your party/date. The restaurant is decorated beautifully with a minimalist wood based focus and absolutely beautiful glassware. I love that you can choose your own chopstick holder (at the bar) and sake glass. This is one of my favorite places in Chicago if not ever and there is a reason why this place is so well-known. It is a must visit if you're in Chicago!! read more

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It's a lot to take in if you read the entire drinks and food listings. So many great choices, hard to narrow down. I loved the butter cabbage, the IKURA don, the radish in a tofu crème - the sake, shochu selections, and the mixed drinks. Very attentive service, I sat at the bar, which has hooks for a purse or umbrella. I plan to be better organized next time I'm in the 606zip-area and reserve the tasting menu which has to be done a day in bc advance. read more

Kumiko - Specials for the night - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place was so special. There's a reason it's on the top 50 list ! Pro tip if you don't have a reservation: get there before they open so you can snag a walk-in spot. I came for cocktails & snacks and everything was phenomenal. The oysters were amazing and my favorite. Fully dressed and so delicious. The drinks were definitely on the pricey side, but I suppose you're paying for the full experience of this place. The service is so attentive and really is the small things that makes this place feel so nice. It has a very intimate, exclusive vibe. Definitely recommend checking out if you want to treat yourself. read more

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Came here with 2 friends for a drink because we heard many great things about this bar. We walked in on a sunday and got super lucky as they seated us relatively fast. Onto the drinks and dessert (no food sadly, maybe next time) I got the Ume Boulevardier, it was really good but why was it only half the glass?? Quite confused because I have never been served a half drink. They are lucky it tasted good. I forced my non-drinking friend to get a lychee martini because I love lychee martinis and I thought it would open her eyes but it didnt. Her eyes were still closed and I drank the entire thing. It was okay, nothing special. I've definitely had better lychee martinis in my life but I will say this one tasted more fresh. They probably didnt use lychee syrup like the others (unless they did then it woulda been awkward for this review. I forget what my 3rd friend got but it was milky and honestly very good. Very sweet and dessert like. Lastly we got the milk toast and yes what do you know, its fire. Honestly you cant really mess up milk toast. I will say this place is quite pricey because I feel like everything I drank and the dessert is quite common in Japan. (Sighs, because at this point its cheaper to not Japanese food for a year, buy a ticket and eat everything when I go to tokyo, but money comes and goes) Overall, I had a pleasant experience here. Girls, definitely make your dates take you here because if I didnt pay it woulda been a 5/5 star experience but since I had to pay I must dock it 1 star for the sole fact that my expensive ass cocktail was half full. read more

Kumiko - they gave me a half empty Ume Boulevardier... idk because its not giving classy serving customers a half empty drink. - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Prefacing this review with the consideration of price, and I still feel the experience warrants five stars. Wonderful atmosphere perfect for a special occasion. Every detail is considered from the smell of the entrance to the female owned sake brands on the tasting to the table cutlery and vessels for each drink even the coasters are not an afterthought. Food and service are top notch and if you don't worry about the bill and just order you won't be hungry by the time you're done. That said don't come here if you want bargain sake or happy hour specials that's not the point. read more

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It's such a lowkey door and look from the outside. But once you step inside, you're transported. It truly feels like you've walked into a sexy, sultry, and beautiful date night spot. The lights are dim, the music is perfect, the low tables are lit with candles. The service was 10/10 the whole night, every single waiter and waitress was on high alert and they didn't care who had which table. They wanted to help in any way possible. The drinks were the BEST part for me. The cocktails were expensive but worth every penny. Some of these flavors and items I had to look up. The menu was extensive but perfect. I didn't get to eat here, but the food looked delicious. I can't wait to come back and try the food. read more

Such a lovely speakeasy style bar in Chicago. Although their specialty are their drinks, their dishes are really wonderful too. We tried their potato salad, karaage and akamiso secreto iberico. The fish in the akamiso secreto iberico was delicate, moist, and had a nice crispy skin. We paired it with a refreshing yet smoky cocktail. I also really loved their karaage! Ultra crispy with the perfect hint of citrus. In terms of service, they were absolutely wonderful. Very professional and kind. I left a note it was my boyfriend's birthday and the entire staff wrote him a birthday card which was so sweet. Thank you all for making his birthday special. read more

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I'm going to preface this with the fact that the food, drinks, ambiance and service were excellent. If you're coming in for that with a big pocketbook, you're set. What I didn't like necessarily was the 20% service fee. I understand costs are going up, but we're getting service fees on every check at every restaurant now, usually 3-4% which is more reasonable, but I was ALSO told from a server that the 20% service fee DID NOT include the tip. Which is insane. So out the door, I spent 40% more than I would have on an already expensive check. I walked out spending just over $300 for 5 drinks, 5 apps and 1 dessert. Again, service was great, but I don't think I've ever paid 40% above the bill before tax out the door. read more

It is a good bar: for sure their cocktails are on fire (we have like 10 drinks (or even more) in total and all of them are great. Maybe only the first one wasn't superb). Their food is good too, but not something I would say out of this world. Overall, I like the place but what I don't like is that apparently they had time limit and I didn't know it. If I knew the quite short time limit, I would honestly choose a different place. It feels weird to be chased out quickly after dropping like $$$$ for the dinner. Also, they already automatically add the gratuity into the bill for those who don't really take a look at the bill closely like me. read more

Kumiko - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Such a special cocktail bar -- intimate, elegant, and creative without ever feeling over the top. Every drink here is crafted with so much thought and balance, it's hard to pick just one favorite. Standouts for me: Clarified Milk Punch - smooth, layered, and complex yet easy to sip. Beautiful balance of flavors. Genmaicha Old Fashioned - a genius twist on the classic, with roasted tea notes that make it earthy, warm, and unforgettable. Olive Martini - clean, briny, and elevated -- simple but perfected in a way that makes you want to sip it slowly. The vibe is minimalist and calming, the service is warm and knowledgeable, and the whole experience feels like something to savor. A true gem in Chicago's cocktail scene. read more

I was meeting a friend for drinks and dinner at Kumiko on a Friday night. His flight was so delayed that he was landing at our reservation time, so I went solo. They were great about it and I was seated at a nice table for two. My waiter was great. He gave very good recommendations when I was overwhelmed by their drink menu. I ended up with a cocktail called the New Wave, which was described as with notes of Japanese curry rice. It smelled exactly like Japanese curry, but had a smoky, whisky flavor. For my second drink, I had their Highball No. 9, which is their new take on a highball. Great, simple, refreshing. For food, I had the Nasu no Agebitashi, which is a fried and marinated eggplant with spinach and shiso. It was light, flavorful, and a great starter. This is a new menu item, and came highly recommended from my waiter. I also had the Seasonal Crudo, which was kasuzuke with sudachi coconut milk and fig leaf oil. This was one of the best dishes I had during this trip. Super fresh. To finish, I had the Yuzu Kosho Karage, which, of course, was juicy and crispy. For dessert, I went with the Truffle Milk Toast. I absolutely love that the toast is bruleed, so it gave it that nice crunch. There was a small food menu, but it's mostly small plates. If you're really hungry, I would recommend grabbing a meal somewhere else and then having drinks here - or vice versa. read more

If you've read any of my other reviews, you know I love cocktails. I love a nicely thought out and well-made drink. So, obviously I had to come to Kumiko, which is supposedly the best bar in the midwest (not entirely sure what the criteria is, but you figure if it's even being considered, it has to be good, right?). Given its popularity, it was no surprise that reservations were the way to go at this bar, even just for drinks. I was able to make reservations a couple weeks in advance for when we wanted to go, so it truly wasn't so bad. We arrived about five minutes before our reservations and were seated immediately after the hostess asked about dietary preference. She brought me a vegetarian menu to peruse even though we were only there for drinks and dessert, which was really nice of her. As soon as we were seated, we were brought out hot towels to clean up with - I LOVED this little touch! I wish more places would do this. The waitress then came to get our orders. They only offer one dessert option at Kumiko, but trust me: it is DELICIOUS. It's a truffle milk toast with fermented honey ice cream. I had truly no idea what to expect when ordering it, but it had some of my favorite things, so I took a chance and it so paid off. The dessert isn't cloyingly sweet, but it satisfies a sweet tooth with so many different savory flavors as well. It truly was different and I would go back for the dessert alone! I got two drinks as well: my first was the Sea Flower. It was light, refreshing, and everything I was promised and more. The "ocean dust" rim even was impeccable. My husband tried it and equally loved it! He had gotten one of their "pink drinks," which he said was unique, but was lacking a little in flavor and he would not get again. I don't remember the second drink I got, but it was equally yummy! Was it the best bar I've ever been to or were those the best cocktails I've ever had? Probably not, BUT the whole experience was really nice, especially for a special occasion, and I would happily come back! read more

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Outstanding Japanese styled bar that rocks incredible food and even more incredible drinks and a must visit for anyone in Chicago. I was traveling solo so I made reservations at the bar and they are very serious on timing as you are expected to arrive on time, enjoy yourself for 90 minutes, then leave for the next guest. This place is very popular so they probably can't add a friend that happens to show up with your reservation. I sat at the bar and simple chatted with the bartender and discussed the types of drinks and food I like and if they could make any recommendations and honestly, that worked out very well for me as everything was amazing. Although I was hesitant to ordering fried chicken, the Karaaage was delicious, light, and truly elevated fried chicken to an artform that was oh so tasty. However the Wagyukatsu Sabdo was so good, it literally brought tears of joy to my eyes and taste buds as I could not believe how delicious this was as I was savoring every bite for maximum flavor. I have had A5 many times, but the presentation of this was unique for me and blew my mind. I did not write down all the sake tastings I tried as I had several, but all of them were outstanding and the cocktails were also spectacular. read more

We had an enjoyable experience here, but thought some things could be improved, since it's supposed to be an upscale restaurant. We had a reservation for dinner and drinks at 8pm on a Friday. We were seated promptly, but a server did not acknowledge us until 35 minutes after sitting. The menu was quite extensive and intimidating, I honestly had no idea what most of the cocktail ingredients were, but there were flavor descriptions in the menu, which was nice. When the server finally came, they were very helpful and made some recommendations. It was another 15 minutes before we got our cocktails. The cocktails were dangerously good, very smooth and well-balanced. I think the server said they batch the cocktails. I had the Triptych and my husband had the Hotel Amani (a special). We also got the seasonal hot cocktail, which was a blueberry old fashion, which i didn't love. My husband enjoyed it more as he drank it (and as his Hotel Amani kicked in). All the food we ordered was solid. My favorites were the karaage, potato salad, and washugyu tataki (special).I would def order these again, especially the karaage. The tataki was suuuuuper tender, but the accompanying mushrooms were too salty. We also had the yaki zakana and hand roll (special), which were solid. To finish we had the truffle milk toast, which I really enjoyed. My husband doesn't love truffle though. I thought the blend of flavors and textures, made the dessert really unique... but also a yummy and satisfying dessert. I loved it. It was a pricey dinner, perhaps a place you go for a special occasion. The quality of the food and cocktails were great and met expectations, but the service and ambience fell short. There was something going on with the music, where the volume was occasionally loud. 20% gratuity is included. I would consider coming back for a fancy cocktail, but probably not anytime soon. read more

My husband and I came here for after dinner drinks, conveniently located a block down from Oriole, where we had dined for dinner. We had a reservation at 9:15pm, and I'm glad we did make a reservation, as the place is not exactly tiny, but pretty packed, even at that late hour. They have an exciting list of cocktails, pages and pages. It was hard to choose, but I ended up getting the Cloud Hopper (Chiyonosono Rice Shōchū, Fidencio 'Clasico' Mezcal, Seasonal Fruit, Green Cardamom, Oat Milk, Yakult and Lemon) - which I thought was fine, but nothing really special. My husband's drink also felt the same way, good, but nothing really special. I can't remember what he even ordered. We also ordered the Karaage and Japanese Potato Salad as little bites on the side, and I really didn't care for either of them. I was a little disappointed in Kumiko, since our waiter from Oriole said the cocktail chef came from Oriole, then branched off to Kumiko. Oh well, guess not everything can be a huge win. If you want to get cocktails, I would still rather go to the Aviary. read more

Yummy cocktails and mocktails! And the interior design is gorgeous! A little bit pricey admittedly so would definitely be for a special occasion! read more

Kumiko - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I was able to get in but was very confused. I thought it was a pop-up concept. They have Simpson's character working there? I'm not talking about Apu. read more

Kumiko - Bartender - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois