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Came back to Kumiko for a second visit with my wife and friends. We originally discovered it through a "50 Best Bars in North America" ranking. Kumiko has a spirit-free cocktail menu for anyone who doesn't want to drink, and I ordered from it. I had the Maple Blues and the Uméboshi Swizzle. The Maple Blues lives up to its menu description: maple comes through up front, with the spice showing up on the back end. The Uméboshi Swizzle was so good on my first visit that I had to order it again, and it didn't disappoint. For food, we got the Japanese Potato Salad, Yuzu Kosho Karaage, A5 Wagyu Gyoza, Kareraisu (with the tofu add-on), and Rainbow Carrots. The Japanese Potato Salad and Yuzu Kosho Karaage are my favorites, best versions of both dishes I've had, and I order them every time I'm back. The Wagyu Gyoza and Kareraisu were both tasty, but not worth the price for me. I wouldn't order them again. The Rainbow Carrots are a solid choice if you're a carrot fan, and the candied pistachios on top were a great touch. For dessert, we tried the Koshian Cheesecake, Truffle Milk Toast, Kuro Goma, and a seasonal Apricot Sorbet. The Koshian Cheesecake and Truffle Milk Toast are must orders, both S tier. The Kuro Goma was solid, especially for black sesame lovers. The Apricot Sorbet was fine, but not something I'd get again. Hospitality here is excellent. The staff was attentive and happy to answer all our questions. The space is dimly lit, not too loud, and has limited seating. I love the interior design. Highly recommend Kumiko for great cocktails and food. It's a must-stop for me every time I'm in Chicago.
Two fantastic visits over the past 5 months, both at the restaurant bar. Kumiko has some of the most innovative cocktails in town paired with modern Japanese dishes. The cocktail list is extensive and even the "classics" have an interesting twist. My intro to Kumiko started with a Sea Grape Martini - suntory roku gin, albariño, okinawan sea grapes, kumiko's shio-kōji cucumber olive brine. The drink was so clean and a bit briny and the sea grapes did look like mini grapes! But as a whiskey lover, the Yamazaki Vieux Carre was another level- suntory yamazaki 12yr, armagnac, don gonzalo 20yr oloroso sherry, cocchi vermouth di torino, bénédictine d.o.m., peychaud's and angostura bitters. Unmistakenly a Vieux Carre, but the use of Japanes whkisy and a high quality armagnac and vermouth really elevated the drink. Food wise, the duck soba is comfort food all the way with a rich broth, perfect for a cooler or rainy day. Loved the chawanmuishi too and the use of grapes was a first. And the trout crudo was very fresh and beautifully presented. The staff here works well as a team, and I loved the additional insights on the food and drinks provided by Maddie at the bar. Kumiko is an experience not be missed especially for enthusiasts of cocktails and/or Japanese food.
Excellent service but average food. A but of a miss for me. Do experience their wine and whiskeys.
Kumiko has easily become one of my favorites bars. Andrew and Brandon were both professional, knowledgeable, and personable. While I'm not a big whiskey drinker myself, there were plenty of other options to enjoy. The seasonal Pineapple Fizz was excellent. My husband loved exploring the whiskey program, from the highballs to the lychee martini and the seasonal strawberry Old Fashioned. Each drink was well crafted and balanced. We also shared the Japanese curry with karaage, which was outstanding. The curry was so clean and flavorful without feeling heavy. The whiskey bar downstairs offers an intimate setting with bar seating, making it a great spot for a date night or a relaxed evening. Each drink is around $20, but the quality, service, and overall experience make it well worth it, especially for a special occasion. We can't wait to come back.
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.
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.
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!
Great cocktails with a ton of selection. Very uniquely made and the blends worked well. I enjoyed the highballs. The bites were good and the rice bowl was decent. The food choices are light as it's much more of a cocktail lounge. Still filling. Overall enjoyed the experience and pecan dessert.
Kumiko was out of this world! I am fully convinced on why it is on the list for top 50 bars in North America. We had a prior reservation. The outside of the restaurant is non conspicuous, I have passed by this area multiple times yet never knew Kumiko was here. Upon entering, they greeted us and took our coats. They escorted us to our seats. We chose to sit at the bar since we were there just for the drinks. They even gave us warm towels. The ambience was very upscale Japanese. The bar had a HUGE collection of liquor bottles. The bartender was none other than one of the owners. She was super sweet and explained each and every cocktail in detail, all the way down to where the alcohol and the other ingredients of the cocktails were sourced from. We ordered the old fashioned and the sea foam cocktails. Omg the cocktails were out of this world, literally felt like we were drinking nectar. We also got the milk toast, didn't really like it so much but it's wasn't bad. Overall, we had an amazing experience and I will definitely be back. I have already recommended this place to all my friends.
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.
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.
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.
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 ...
I was looking forward to finally checking out Kumiko. I've heard or at least, thought it as different things, a cocktail bar with a omakase drink experience, drink flights, Michelin star, but as I've come to see it's a calm and beautiful oasis hidden between West Loop and the Downtown area. Walk-ins at the bar can be available if you happen to come in during a week night. And yes, you can just get 1 drink. And there are non-alcoholic options - spirit free, tea and coffee. It's a small space, so definitely make a reservation if more than 2 people. I estimated there were 12 x 2-seaters that could be converted to 4 or maybe 6. I would recommend keeping it to max of 4. There was more food than I expected at a cocktail bar, but focused on the drinks. Our server was very well versed in making recommendations, as the "Michelin" part of it. I was curious about the "flights" which composes of the finished cocktail + primary spirit + secondary element which you can taste separately. These were the cutest little glassware. Sazerac was very smooth and delicate using the Tokii whiskey. Not your usual sazerac which can be quite spirit-forward. Overall, I sampled 4 drinks here. The cocktails were nicely balanced and played on the delicate side of things. I feel that most of the drinks use a lighter touch on spirits, smooth and a bit complex. Flavors are lingering, aromatic and floral. Nothing I tried was unpleasant, but also nothing crazy. If I had to use a car analogy, Kumiko is very much like a Lexus, you get in knowing it'll be a thoughtful, smooth ride and moderately lux without being over the top. read more
Wow, what a gem! We saw this bar closed just walking by and finally got a chance to try it. We snagged a late reservation the day before and planned to have drinks and maybe a few snacks there. Very nondescript entrance (like the Aviary). Entrance was small but warm and cozy. They took our coats and showed us to our table. The food menu is a small card two-sided which I assume means there may be seasonal changes. There were also a special drink special card and then the drink menu itself. I personally wouldn't plan on dinner here but small bites and snacks instead. First page had the component cocktail flights, second page had lighter drinks to start, and then speciality cocktails, beer, wine, and sake list follows. We ordered from the second page and speciality cocktails. I ordered the umeboshi chu-hi and sherry and tonic from the lighter drink section, and they were so good! I will say cocktails here are super balanced. These were perfect for me since I'm a lightweight! Umeboshi chu-hi was sweet, sour, and bubbly. The sherry and tonic was funky as hell (sherry, celery bitters, tonic, pear cider) and very vegetal. Not for everyone but I dug it. For food, the milk toast was so worth it. I only ordered it because of all the other reviews said to and wasn't expecting much. But wow what a textural delight and delicious dessert! I also ordered the wagyu maki but would skip next time- the aged soy sauce overwhelmed the tartare. Not worth $10 per piece. We also ordered the karaage since we kept smelling it at other tables - decent. Very crispy and served with a sweet mayo. I didn't find the yuzu kosho very prominent. We did find service a little lacking - I had to wait and flag down our server more than I expected and they didn't check in on us as the other tables it seemed. Despite that, hope to come back to try more drinks! read more
Wow! My boyfriend had been here previously and really talked this place up so we made reservations while we were in town, and it did not disappoint. The service was spectacular- some of the best I've had. They were always there and attentive, but never in your face. The food came out fast but just at the right pace, and also, it was delicious. We loved everything we had. The restaurant is small, but cozy. Highly recommend this gem! And get a cocktail, they were all amazing. (Or mocktail, also fantastic!) read more
2 years ago
Loved this place! A lil difficult to spot from outside coz the outside is not so fancy but once you inside the restaurant it's great ambiance! Reservations are highly recommended. Was here just for the drinks. The recommended Japanese whiskey was amazing! read more
4 years ago
I watched "the menu" recently & this is the first restaurant i've been to since that reminded me of it. Don't worry, no one dies but the way the staff worked together & stayed on top of the service reminded me of it. Also the way I was able to talk about the food with the server reminded me of the movie. The restaurant itself is exclusive, dim, and aesthetic of japanese americano speak easy The food was decadent! The oysters just slid right into your mouth with no slimey or smelly taste. The karaage was an okay choice for a cheaper option. The meat was very flavorful but the crisp wasn't there for me. The wagyu sando was my favorite! The best & most expensive sando I've ever had ($90). The dessert had truffle but i didn't even notice. It was like creme brulee toast with honey cream like ice cream on top. Great date night spot! If you want to take better quality pics there, ask them to bring you a lamp! I saw a table had that & I was kind of jealous. read more
I have nothing to say other than you must come here. Make a reservation. Fantastic drinks - flights, sake, whiskey. My favorite was the daiquiri flight which was a gentle but exciting rollercoaster ride of flavors and aromas. The waiter that helped me was extremely knowledgeable about the spirits they carried. Tried a koji whiskey which was very delicious. Their karaage was super crunchy and delicious, however I'd pass on the nikumaki which was underwhelming and weird texture of zucchini with dry meat. Plan ahead and make a reservation! Every little detail brings in Japanese "omotenashi" culture *chefs kiss* read more
Had the opportunity to drop by for drinks in the basement whiskey specialty bar. Newly opened around three months ago, they specialize in Japanese shochu, whiskey, and cocktails. Small space with about 10 to 12 seats. It is definitely intimate and a great spot to appreciate good liquor and drinks. The bartender knew what she was talking about and was able to describe flavor profiles of each drink and helped us decide what to order. Take note, it is pricey, you are paying for quality. read more
Definitely need a reservation. Staff is efficient- reminding you that you can only keep your seat for 1 hour- not quite enough time for 2 drinks, but more than enough for one. Cocktail list is long and creative with several non-alcoholic options. The two we tried were both a bit on the sweet side. Pickled cucumbers were a tasty nible. 20% tip is included- I wish they would have let us know when they dropped off the check bc we didn't notice until after we added another tip and left. Worth checking out once if you are in the area. read more
4 years ago
Very nice restaurant and great to have a few drinks and food. My friends and I focused on the food as that's what caught my eye when I found this restaurant! The staff were all great and greeted you with warm towels. We ordered the Nikumaki ($14), Yuzu Kosho Karaage ($12), Wagyukatsu Sando ($90), Murray Cod Wings ($15 each), Tonkatsu Sando ($18), and Truffle Milk toast ($15) for dessert. My personal favorites were the Karaage and the Wagyu! They were both very delicious and I could easily want more. The Tonkatsu was also very good as well and was one that I for sure would have to mention to people to get. I enjoyed the cod wings, but I felt I could them and the Nikumaki. They were both good, but I would try something different next time on the menu as well. The restaurant is great to have an intimate dinner with friends or partners. There is not as large of a food menu compared to the drink menu which surprised me at how small the food menu was, but I enjoyed the food we ordered and we felt very full afterwards. I definitely would come here again, especially for the Karaage and Wagyu! read more
Sometimes you're out enjoying the day with your husband and search for sushi on a whim and find a highly rated spot that you make a reservation for. Then you find it's not sushi and will charge you if you cancel, but since they're on a list of the 50 best bars you decide to keep the reservation anyway. You've already been to 2 other bars on the list this year (Katana Kitten in NYC and Cafe La Trova in Miami) and they were pretty solid, so you figure this will be a good experience if anything. We arrived 45 minutes early for our 10:30 reservation, on a chance they could seat us earlier and they were able to at the bar! This was the fanciest of the 3 bars that we have been to and my husband wanted to hate it because of how pretentious it seemed, but it is a really excellent establishment. It is a great date place. It's small and intimate, they played great music (30's-40's jazz), it was quiet enough to converse in, the details of the decor/glassware/ plates .. it all reminded me of being in Japan. I'm often drinking nonalcoholic, and was pleasantly surprised when they had a page of NA cocktails on the menu! I ordered The Last Bloom. It was fruity, complex and interesting. It was very flavorful and was the only drink I needed for the meal. We ordered: Shisho Cashews- umami and salty, very good. A larger portion than what we expected. The Yuzu Karaage Chicken- fantastic Japanese potato salad- amazing. Creamy. Cod wing- great batter, smoky and perfectly cooked Tokansu Sando- so good. The pork was perfectly cooked and the bread... I could eat it for days It was the perfect amount of food for us to share. The staff was great and accommodating. We'll definitely be back! read more
Came here on a Friday night with a friend and were able to grab seats at the bar - recommend making reservations in advanced though. They have an incredible cocktail menu and the food items also seemed intriguing but we just stuck with drinks and dessert. The service was also great - the staff was super helpful with drink selections. Started off with the Gin Spritz and the Mini Absinthe Frappe. The Frappe was definitely a lighter drink and the Gin Spritz didn't feel exactly like a spritz but still good regardless. The Ume Boulevardier was also really good - it still had some sweet notes for being Whisky-based cocktail which I appreciated. My favorite of the evening though was the Cloud Hopper. I was intrigued that the cocktail had oat milk and Yakult but it was so smooth and perfectly sweet. They offered one dessert option which was the Truffle Milk Toast. The toast was really caramelized and crispy, but wasn't overwhelmed by the sweetness. A great balance. I'm a complete lightweight so two cocktails did it for me this time but will definitely be back to try more drinks! read more
4 years ago
This is for the inside seating of kumiko. Me and my bestie ( she recently moved to Los Angeles) had been trying to do walkin here a few times, but they were either too full or no reservations for the rest of the night:( From the minute you walk in, you are transported to this calm serene oasis. The lighting and ambience is amazing and the staff is extremely professional and courteous. Loved loved my cocktail that had a strong scent of Japanese curry rice and also tasted of curry rice. My friend ordered a milk punch that was beautifully made and tasted of papaya notes. We ordered 2 oysters , 1 Waygu sushi piece and one scallop salad . All delicate and delightful. I believe they are part of Michelin gourmand:) Exceptional and authentic. Amazing place for a date night! read more
3 years ago
5 years ago
I wouldn't have known about Kumiko if it weren't for 50BestBars. Kumiko made it into the top 100 best bars in the entire world falling in at number 61. Since I knew I was going to be in Chicago for a few days I made a reservation for 10:15pm since that was the earliest they had. They are a very popular bar so make your reservations ahead of time. Inside is very beautiful & dimly lit, the perfect 2nd date location (A little pricey for a 1st date ). Started with a few drinks & the server recommended the Gin Spritz which was absolutely delicious, order it if you're a gin lover like myself. For my next drink I asked for something with tequila & they said that they don't have anything on the menu but they can come up with something. He came back with the "Mezcal Winning Element" & it was absolutely fantastic. Can NOT put into words how good that drink was. I should have ordered 3 of them. Now to the food, started with the Karaage which was the perfect starter. Easily some of the best pieces of chicken I've had in awhile. Extremely tender and the texture made it that much sweeter! Next was the Japanese Potato salad which was a lot more filling than I expected!! It looks very small but oh was it filling but delicious nonetheless. I tried one of the cod wings which wasn't necessarily my favorite. It wasn't bad but the Karaage & Potato salad set the bar so high that everything else BETTER come correct & this dish didn't. You know what blew EVERYTHING out of the water? If you guessed the Wagyu sandwich you were WRONG AS HELL it's the Gyudon. OHHHHH MY DAYS this dish is OUTSTANDING!!! I was blown away with every single bite, it's like I was in heaven! Do NOT miss this dish, actually get 2 orders of the Gyudon so you can take 1 home ! Now everyone probably raves about the Wagyu sandwich and for good reason because it's delicious but it's not 90 dollars delicious. Every bite was VERY good but I still stand by the Gyudon being the best thing on the menu & the price for it is perfect. I absolutely LOVED Kumiko & the only negative thing I can say is I didn't have enough time to try all of the delicious drinks hahaha read more
3 years ago
Kumiko is a nice little upscale cocktail bar with small plates that are very intricate and feel boujee. The atmosphere in itself exudes a sort of fine dining feeling making this place an ideal place for a special occasion, but definitely breaks the bank for a casual dinner. I would recommend coming here to try the interesting cocktails as you'd have to order lots of food to be satisfied. Best cocktails: sea flower, cloud hopper (if you're a fan of sweeter drinks) Food: Maitakedon: the best dish we tasted, had so much flavor and had a pretty presentation Truffle Milk Toast: the sweetness with the truffle tasted so uniquely good, my tastebuds were confused Tonkatsu Sando: honestly felt like a generic sandwich with a decent pork cutlet Karaage: was good, but felt like some pricy chicken nuggets Oysters: good quality! Miso Butter Turnips: honestly tasted like a generic salad read more
The ambiance was great and Kumiko has an expansive menu of various japanese influenced drinks. I appreciated the simple beauty of the drinks that tasted of a complexity I could not decipher. Our server was also very knowledgeable of the menu and gave great advice on what to pick. read more
This is a nice place to come for drinks. It's a little intimate though because you are in a small space with a lot of people but it's not too loud or quiet (but maybe it's because of the extensive drink menu). Their food menu is basically bar food so it tends to be on the saltier side and it comes out when the food is done, which I didn't mind. The staff are super friendly and knowledgeable if you have no idea what you're ordering. 20% gratuity is already included in the bill. The cocktails are good and the descriptions do a good job of describing them. I got the walk softly and the vodka didn't taste strong and it was a mild drink as opposed to the snowdrop one where they salted and peppered the rim. The flavor was stronger and they infused lemon in that one. I enjoyed the Karaagé because of the thicker breading with the dipping sauce and the Gyūdon. The Gyūdon is a little slimy but the short rib was so tender and you can taste the caramelized onions. The bf liked the Nikumaki the most. It tasted like a bacon-y sausage wrapped around carrots with sauce. I ordered an oyster to try and it tasted like the sea so I don't think it's for me but the presentation was cute. Tonkatsu sando was a pretty good size (especially compared to the Nikumaki) and tastes like what you would expect but the Katsu wasn't especially crispy on the outside. read more
Kumiko is currently considered to be one of the best bars in the world. They are an elegant, timeless Japanese dining bar, offering innovative mixology and a seafood-forward tasting menu. Small plates may also be ordered a la carte. Owner Julia Momosé blends Japanese ingredients and techniques to create drinks that are truly one of a kind. My husband and I enjoyed their Seasonal Tasting Menu, priced at $135/person, and ordered cocktails a la carte. The menu consisted of 7 courses, perfectly paced over about 90 minutes. Stand out dishes were the Hokkaido Scallop Crudo and Blue Prawn amuse bouche, Sunchoke Chawanmushi, and Sobacha Custard, which featured pear frozen yogurt and black sesame feuilletine. The food was outstanding, but where Kumiko really shines is their cocktail program. The "Tryptych", a silky, martini-esque drink left me speechless. It incorporates Kokuryu 'Kuzuryu Junmai, 'Tenshi no Yuwaku' Imo Shochu, Nanbu Bijin 'Muto' Umeshu, Armagnac, and purple sweet potato vinegar. The "Cloud Hopper" (Hakutake 'Shiro' Rice Shochu, Fidencio 'Clasico' Mezcal, passionfruit, green cardamom, oat milk, Yakult, lemon) was a sweet, fruity finish. My husband is currently not drinking alcohol, and was still able to enjoy the experience with expertly crafted non-alcoholic cocktails, and high quality tea. Service was polished and professional. This was a perfect date night for us, and we look forward to returning the next time we are in Chicago. read more
4 years ago
We stopped by Kumiko a while before dinner. The bar/restaurant is quite small so there isn't a real place to wait. We walked around while we had an hour wait. Fortunately they texted us two seats at the bar were ready within 15 minutes. The inside of Kumiko is gorgeous and clean. The staff are nice and helpful. We sat at the bar and ordered their take on an old fashioned. We also got an alcohol free drink with hojicha. Both were pricey but well worth the money especially since you get what you expect. We didn't try any food but if it was anything like the drinks, I'm sure it's delicious. read more
1 year ago
When I first walked in wasn't sure it was the right place. Entrance looks like a lobby of doctors office or dentist. There are candles and incense. Smells good. Talked to the receptionist or host and realize yep this is the right place!! New friend walked in and we waited for our mutual friend who tends to be late often. After a few minutes we are seated inside at a table. Poured water, offered a hot/warm towel for our hands and begin to order drinks. My first drink was their version of the Boulevardier the Ume Boulevardier. My second drink was something that had coffee or coffee liqueur in it that was divine. read more
We may have misunderstood what this restaurant had to offer, but we were unfortunately not wow'd. I know the focus is on cocktails, but service was spotty and all of our food was super duper salty. We all downed lots of water after leaving. I'm not sure we'd order any of the food again except the nuts. The drinks were good, but only one was outstanding. This was a bit of a let down as we loved the drinks from Green River. The entrance experience was lovely with tea and scents and our servers were friendly, but they kept missing things. Like taking away our empty drinks, wiping the table, but leaving behind crumbs and sticky stuff. Not providing serveware even when it was clear we were sharing food. The interior is beautiful and I'm in love with the bathroom wallpaper. We will perhaps try a drink again, but we're unlikely to visit for food. read more
3 years ago
First visit to this North America's best 50 bar! See attached for what we ordered. Loved the Red Chai and First Gold! Matcha Tea was not our taste. Gimlet was okay. Cashews were yumm!! read more
1 year ago
I was so happy to finally try one of the best bars in America right now. The service, cocktails, and food were impeccable. We ordered two rounds of cocktails and several dishes for dinner. My favorite dish was the scallop salad. The presentation was beautiful and the scallops melted in your mouth with each bite being flavorful with bright citrus and savory brown butter and ponzu. My favorite cocktail was my ume old fashioned. It was unlike any old fashioned I've ever had. It was only available during this time of year when ume trees are blooming. It was the most balanced cocktail I've had in recent memory. Not too strong, not too sweet, just perfectly mixed. If you're ever in Chicago and have a chance to try Kumiko, I can definitely say it lives up to the hype of one of the best bars in America. read more
Unbelievable. After reading Julia's book, I decided to check the place out after meaning to for years. The anteroom feels like a spa; I was welcomed with the smell of (I think?) sage and two very friendly hosts. We did not have a reservation, but they did not seem to care. They asked we wait 10 minutes to give Julia time to serve the previous guest, so that when we sat we could be immediately served. Why more bars don't do hosting like that, I don't know. It all very so intentional. At the bar, Julia, who owns the place, was making the drinks -- something I did not expect. I told her I wanted something spice and Amaro-forward, my friend wanted something low-ABV and citrusy. She paired us both with drinks. Watching her bartend is a show; her technique is basically perfect, she moves with so much grace and thought. And the drinks were fantastic. Booze-forward, balanced, and unique flavors added over a familiar base. Mine was a Manhattan riff with split vermouths, caraway, and an Akashi / Rice Shōchū split vase (New Wave); my friend's was a vodka and vermouth spritz with Yuzushu (Walk Softly). I felt really inspired, and Kumiko is already having an impact on the way I build my own cocktails and interact with guests at my bar. Coming here is a must for any bartender or server, or if you just want some awesome, thoughtful drinks and ambience. read more
2 years ago
they've been on the top 50 N. America bar list for some time so I decided to stop by during my work trip to chicago. Kumiko's atmosphere is definitely more on the finer side. Not saying it can't be casual, but they give more attention to details than other bars i've been to. ex. hot towel to wash your hands, extensive food menu + a tasting menu. for drinks I had the old fashioned and some other cocktails I don't remember the name of. they were all great. their milk truffle dessert is a must for sure. read more
Very fancy and elevated vibe. A full menu of mocktails and a few little snacks that were tasty as well. A very small entryway for waiting so be aware of larger groups. Service is very friendly and they give you hand towels at the start of the meal. We got several drinks but the pepperberry, mosaic, and the omebashi swizzle were great as well as the red chai. I loved the vinegar tang of the swizzle like kombucha. Also, the potato salad was really good and had crispy fried potatoes within it.the cashews and pickles were a unique snack as well. read more
2 years ago
Love how small and hidden the restaurant is! They have the best drinks and the wide noodle dish on the tasting menu changed my life! read more
Considering how much I love to eat, I cannot believe that I have never heard of Kumiko. I don't know if it's a hidden gem or if I'm just the last person to find out that this place exists. As with many other new hip restaurants, the entrance is unmarked, so you just have to know it's there. Although, it is possible that the unmarked outer area only exists during the winter to keep out the cold. Not entirely sure. Inside, the restaurant is cozy, dimly lit, and intimate. These are all things I've come to appreciate with age. I don't want to have to scream at my friends during dinner. The tables are close together, but everyone seems to pick up on the "use your indoor voices" vibe. Apparently this place is known for the cocktails and I can see why. You are asked at the door if you are just there for the amazing cocktails or if you will be dining. I had the Unabridged and Moonrise Daiquiri. Both on opposite sides of the spectrum. The Unabridged was earthy, aromatic, and the coffee and herbs really came through. The Moonrise Daiquiri was my favorite though because it was crisp, clean, light, and refreshing. I ended the meal with Kumiko's version of a cold brew martini, which was fine considering they weren't able to make a true espresso martini. On to the food... Yuzu Kosho Karaage (fried chicken, kanzuri mayo, sudachi) - Holy WOW!!! I've eaten a lot of karaage and almost didn't order this, but it knocked my socks off. Perfectly fried moist chicken. That mayo though!!! I would take a bath in that mayo. I'm going to be dreaming about this chicken and mayo until next time. Yaki-Imo Miso Soup - Not your traditional miso soup. In fact, it doesn't even taste like any miso soup I've ever had. Personally, I was not a huge fan. There was a lot of umami and it was more viscous than standard miso soup, but the flavors didn't really work for me. Murray Cod Wing - So this was just fried cod. Underwhelming. There were bones and fins to deal with, which made me think that I would have rather had fish and chips at a legit UK bar. Wagyukatsu Sando, truffle honey, shokupan - Let's be honest, we've all had wagyu and priced at $90, this is the most expensive item on the menu. It is worth every penny. You want to talk about a perfectly cooked, seasoned, melt in your mouth, savory yet a little bit sweet morsel of heaven, then this is it. Loved it. Would eat again and again and again... Kanitamadon (Dungeness crab, shirodashi tamago, kani miso mayo, espelette, and greens, served over seasoned white rice) - Bleck. I wanted to like this, but I couldn't get over the fact that I just thought it tasted bad. Something about the combination of flavors didn't work for me. Who knows, maybe others feel differently. Hard pass the next time I visit. Truffle Milk Toast (Japanese milk bread, fermented honey ice cream, truffle) - Everything about this dessert worked for me. It was not too sweet and definitely savory. The bread had a nice crispy outside and soft inside that provided pleasant contrasting textures. The truffle comes through without being overpowering, which is something I find at a lot of restaurants that try to truffle oil everything on the menu. Perfect blend of sweet and savory. In the end, Kumiko had some absolutely drool-worthy showstoppers and some duds. I am so excited to return to explore the rest of the cocktails and try out some of the other menu items that stood out, but didn't make it into my belly this time around. That fried chicken and wagyu sandwich though... Must eat again. read more
2 years ago
The attention to detail and service was 2nd to none. Definitely a place to celebrate a special occasion, come with a full wallet. My drink was so balanced and perfect. The vibe was so calming. read more
I think this place is really neat. I love the drinks and how much effort and care the staff puts into each one. They also try to make things compostable and think about the environment. We love a thoughtful place. They are real good with the covid precautions. Even calling for pick ups and stuff. Food good. Drink good. Staff nice. You can order online. I think they have a Michelin star! Lemme know whats up otherwise. They even wished me a happy birthday and brought my order in a cool silver platter another time. Idk I just like this place. It can be a bit pricey but then cocktails and stuff in the west loop can get up there. Deff go try out for a coffee or adult 21+ bevy. U can see my pic where there is even a cute origami crane with a bottled hand crafted drink. Much love read more
I knew Kumiko would be a five star experience. Anything less would have been a blow to emotional wellbeing. To say I was excited to come here is an understatement. I have been mixing (home bartender, quarantine hobby turned passion) from Julia Momosé's The Way of the Cocktail for a year or two now, and it has remained one of my favorite cocktail books to mix from. I've admired Momosé's craft from afar (I'm a Manhattan-dweller, and I'm aware we have no shortage of fabulous cocktail bars here either) and never really thought my first Kumiko experience was as imminent as it ultimately was. A recent trip to Chicago had me lusting after Kumiko, but dining here originally wasn't feasible when the trip was planned. But it seems by attempts at manifesting worked, and now I am here, leaving a glowing Yelp review. Kumiko was a well-oiled machine, sophisticated an elegant, with outstanding cocktails and an equally formidable food menu. Step by step, this was a flawlessly executed experience. Impressed and dazzled, I left Kumiko buzzed and gratified. Came here as a party of four on a Sunday night. The space itself is fairly small, but that means each party gets great serve. The decor is fairly minimalist but all elements are tastefully designed. It's upscale without being pretentious. Cocktails are obviously where Kumiko shines. I am kicking myself for not taking pictures of the whole menu because it was vast and endlessly impressive. Not to mention, there were off-menu drinks and nightly specials that I had too much fun drinking to log in my mental recipe bank. Sadly, very few of the drinks I ordered are on the online menu. But luckily, between the four of us, I got to try a dizzying number of drinks over the course of the night. The photos of single drinks accompanying my review are a cognac sour (I'm not a big cognac drinker but this cocktail was outstanding) and the New Wave (Akashi Japanese Whisky, Pineau des Charentes Rouge, Verjus Blanc, Chiyonosono '8,000 Generations' Rice Shōchū, Mugicha, and Combier Kümmel Caraway Liqueur), which is a work of art and very possibly just might be the best drink I've ever had. Beyond these two, I remember loving two of my sister's drinks, the Sea Flower (Nikka Coffey Gin, Dolin Blanc Vermouth de Chambéry, Yuzu Koshō, Kabosu Juice, and Lime) and the Umeboshi Chu-Hi (Munemasa Mizunomai Green Tea Shōchū, Shiso-pickled Umé, Sesame, Sparkling Umé Juice). I think it's safe to say that you won't be disappointed with any drink you order. And one last note on those "off-menu" items: if you tell your server what you like/what you're in the mood for, they will effortlessly recommend something on or off the menu and describe it all perfectly. If you're overwhelmed with choices, put the decision in their hands. Food-wise, Kumiko offers a small but formidable menu featuring creative small plates that are perfect for sharing. Two members of our party had significant gluten sensitivity and/or celiac, and it was a relief to find that nearly the whole menu was naturally gluten-free. Eats, below: Assorted pickled veggies: A Pretty standard but delicious all the same. My favorites were the beets and shishito peppers. Japanese Potato Salad (yukon gold, quick pickle carrots, shio-kōji pickled cucumber, smoked ham): A+ This dish comes on a teeny tiny plate and looks like it won't do much for your hunger level but it was surprisingly quite filling. Immensely flavorful and it even had one party member breaking her no red meat rule because the rest of us were raving about it. Cod Wings w/ charred lemon, house ponzu, yuzu zest: A+ The mechanics of making cod wings is far out of my purview, but these astounded us. The wings were lightly fried and the ponzu/yuzu combo lightened the dish up significantly. Thoughtful, powerful and tasty. Maitakédon (marinated mushroom, caramelized onion, onsen tamago, crispy onions, gari): A+ Four self-proclaimed mushroom-lovers devoured this one. Earthy and savory with a great variety of flavors and textures. Nikumaki (asparagus, binchotan grilled beef, roasted tallow hollandaise, green garlic powder): A This dish was super creative and tasty but it was oddly not a highlight. It's all relative though, clearly everything was amazing. The beef-wrapped asparagus had elevated devils on horseback vibes and the hollandaise was a beautiful touch -- much more intriguing than your typical aioli. Crab Salad w/ added roe: A+ I wish I could tell you exactly what was in this but it was one of the night's featured specials. Tender meat sitting surrounded by greens, topped with roe (optional, for an additional $10, worth it in my opinion). Another surprisingly filling one and so very flavorful. read more
More info about Kumiko
630 W Lake St
Chicago, IL 60661
West Loop, Near West Side
Directions
(312) 285-2912
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Visit Website
http://www.barkumiko.com
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