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    Omakase Shoji

    4.8 (50 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Omakase Shoji Photos

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    OMAKASE SHOJI ATMOSPHERE

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    Bluefin tuna

    I live in LA and have eaten at 20+ omakase restaurants, so I was curious what Chicago's scene had to offer. Omakase Shoji more than answered that question. The restaurant houses both an omakase counter and an izakaya, but in completely separate spaces. The omakase side is an intimate, beautifully designed counter with around 10 seats. We were the only guests that evening, so the whole experience felt wonderfully private -- just us, Chef Shoji, and the fish. Chef Shoji opens the meal by presenting the actual fish you'll be eating, all flown in twice a week from Japan or Spain. It immediately signals what kind of meal you're in for. The 20 courses were well-paced and the quality was consistent throughout. Nigiri and sashimi were pristine, but the hot dishes were equally impressive, which surprised me. Both sides of the menu showed real craft and attention to detail. Service was fantastic -- warm, attentive, and never stuffy. At $210 per person, it's a special occasion meal, but one that genuinely delivers on the price. As someone who eats a lot of omakase back home in LA, I wasn't sure what to expect. I left genuinely impressed. Highly recommend if you're looking for a serious sushi experience in Chicago!!!

    Pam C.

    We heard about Omakase Shoji as one of the newer Omakase restaurants in Chicago. The omakase bar is at the back of Izakaya Shoji, the regular restaurant and bar. The back omakase room is very minimalist and clean, with up to ~8 people. The chef told us they did three seatings a day, including 5pm and 7pm (peak). Although they were booked on the day of, reservations were easy to get a week in advance. The chef is very engaged with the process and clearly likes to chat with the guests and talk about his life and the relationship to the sushi. Service is very attentive and there were at least three other staff changing courses and cleaning between courses. The omakase is advertised as 20 courses although it wasn't really clear what each of the "courses" were. Regardless it was a Lot!!! of food, and I definitely felt way more full than a typical omakase experience. This was probably one of the most aesthetically pleasing sushi experiences I've ever had. In comparison to places like Kyoten or Omakase Yume, there is a lot more effort on the presentation, garnishes, and visuals of the actual foot. The result is every course is beautiful in addition to delicious. Although the fish itself wasn't as exotic or different in selection vs a place like Kyoten, the presentation and focus on making the dishes actually delicious made up for that. The cocktails were creative and more sugar forward. An amazing addition to Chicago sushi selection - would absolutely recommend.

    Blazing toro
    Marissa P.

    We had a great experience, we were able to make a dinner reservation an hour before for the bar and still got a table hehe. The pic I posted of the interior is for the bar and izakaya menu that I posted. Such a beautiful and clean interior. There is a separate room for the omakase chef experience! Very cool seeing the different types of whiskey and learning about them. We ordered a ton of different rolls and split them but my favorite was spicy tuna and the negi toro. I am not a huge nigiri person but I wanted to try something new - the amount of fish (quality was good) was too much for me personally but such great portions and quality for nigiri enthusiasts! Service was good and quick, it was cool to peek in the omakase room too on the way to the bathroom. Will definitely be back again and maybe try the omakase sometime!

    Monica N.

    * Izakaya Review For Restaurant Week* (omakase experience reviewed earlier) The restaurant week deal was amazing. Every bite we had was so good. Starters: the octopus salad had a great smokey flavor to it and was cooked to perfection. We got a lobster tail tempura that gave us a nice portion of lobster tail and the tempura was not too oily or overpowering of the meat. We also got a wagyu beef appetizer that was rich and a nice little bite. Entrees: Their sushi selection on the menu was fresh and their rice is so tasty. Make sure you add in the fresh wasabi because it is so worth it! Their miso soup is my favorite - it's not too salty and they add clams in it to add to a richer broth/flavor. The chicken katsu was cooked to perfection and we got a nice portion of chicken. We added Uni as a la carte and the Uni they have is some of the best in the city. It took my husband and I back to the first time we had tried Uni in Japan. Dessert: I am in love with their Matcha tiramisu. SO good. Drinks: Their whiskey drinks are always a hit. I tried something off menu which was a scotch drink that had ginger and honey in it - such a great balance of alcohol with flavors! (Mind you, I am not a huge whiskey or scotch drinker). The space overall is super cute and small; everything looks modern yet welcoming. The whole staff is so nice! I would come back here in a heartbeat to try the Izakaya outside of Restaurant Week.

    A4
    Joon K.

    We didn't try the omakase at the chef's counter, but made a bar reservation through Resy and ate in the main dining area. The food was really good, fresh and tasty throughout. The Maguro-Don was a standout and reasonably priced too. Great atmosphere and friendly staff. Our server was even wearing what looked like traditional Japanese clothing, which added a nice authentic touch.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

    Chawan mushi
    Kim L.

    Did the omakase for my bday and it was AMAZING! I've done omakase at omakase yume, sushi by scratch, sushi suite, jinsei motto and I think this is up there in terms of fish program quality, experience and service. Shoutout to chef shoji, ito (?) and Sarah for a great experience! There were barely any skips but I think our favorites were the maki mono, both "sushi 4 kind" especially the otoro, bluefin tuna and wagyu bites, the chawan mushi and the yaki mono. The highball and old fashioned cocktails were nice and the clear ice was a great touch. Little things matter! Will definitely be back to do another tasting and try their a la carte menu. Also shout out to the host who gave us a Japanese whiskey shot to celebrate my bday.

    laurence h.

    We had a wonderful dinner at Omakase Shoji last night. This could be our new favorite Omakase, perhaps even better than Kyoten Next Door. Every course was lovely, plenty of food and a nice atmosphere. It felt really authentic, it was like being in one of those places in japan where you take an elevator up 5 floors and discover a tiny but amazing restaurant. My wife loved the sake pairing and I thoroughly enjoyed the wine pairing. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

    Nicole C.

    One of the best omakase places that I've tried in Chicago! Better than Scratch! I would definitely come back. It's an intimate experience while also casual in a way. I think it's super unique to be able to see the owner of the restaurant be making you the food. He deserves all the praise!

    the Bar
    Giovanni D.

    One of the authentic Japanese places in Chicago. We came here for Izakaya ( small plates, a la carte ) and they never failed to amaze us. I personally loved the chili garlic crisp on edamame and the maki roll. I also recommend Takoyaki because they were not deep fried. The cocktails and sake selections were nicely curated and thought for. Service was not pretentious but friendly and courteous. We will definitely come back for the Omakase experience.

    O-Toro, Chu-Toro, Akami a la carte
    Nan N.

    We came from stl and stopped by at Omakase Shoji for dinner. We were surprised by street parking availability on Sat evening. We parked in the back street. It seems you have to make advanced reservation. We couldn't get time for omakase room so we sat in the bar area. There are about 6-7 tables total. The restaurant is on a smaller side making it feel cozy. Service is good. We really enjoyed summer roll and nigiri. Overall good sushi but not outstanding. Uni is a little fishy which is a bit disappointing. Tuna and salmon are outstanding.

    Sushi set
    Ariel H.

    Quaint little place in West Town with a separate tasting menu counter in the back! The front is more of an izakaya vibe and the decor is nice and spacious. We came on a week night and it was 70-80% full which is a good vibe. Food is very good! Only complaint is everything took a while to come out. We'll definitely be back to try the omakase!

    Caroline C.

    Food: soooo many courses. Worth the prices everything was delicious and high quality Service: our party was the only one that day so we got VIP service. Ambiance: super peaceful. One of my fav omakases in the US!

    Menu
    Brianna V.

    The omakase experience was absolutely fantastic! A 20 course meal with an amazing chef. Chef Shoji was so interactive and fun. Every course was explained perfectly and I personally enjoyed each one. I highly recommend

    Octopus salad...delicious

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    6 months ago

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    18 days ago

    Delicious food delicious experience, amazing tasting food love the experience love the staff love the fine dining

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    2 months ago

    We went here for the first time and it was a beautiful experience. The fish was fresh and it tasted amazing.

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    6 months ago

    The best omaksae this side of Japan I've yet to enjoy. Thank you Shoji-san. Looking forward to next time!!

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    Gaijin - Strawberry Donut

    Gaijin

    4.3(786 reviews)
    1.1 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.

    Photos
    Gaijin
    Gaijin - Pandan-Coconut Donut

    Pandan-Coconut Donut

    Gaijin - Old fashioned

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    Old fashioned

    SUSHI DOKKU Japanese Restaurant - Absolutely fresh and delicious!! I highly recommend.

    SUSHI DOKKU Japanese Restaurant

    4.2(693 reviews)
    1.3 miWest Loop, Near West Side
    $$

    If you're looking for some great nigiri combinations, Sushi Dokku is the place for you! Recently…read morecame back for their restaurant week menu, and it was great! I chose the Deviled Eggs, Tuna Truffle nigiri, Hamachi nigiri, Sake nigiri, Crispy Maguro roll, and mochi (we tried all the flavors - espresso, salted caramel, passion fruit, and strawberry). Every bite was amazing - but beware, the Crispy Maguro definitely packs on the heat. I also recommend the Snow Maiden sake if you like a sweeter sake. We dined in the Booze Box section and it was super vibey, but not too loud where we had to yell over the music or anything. The servers were attentive, will definitely keep going back (especially for Restaurant Week)!

    We decided to try a new spot while downtown last week. We've heard many good reviews for Sushi w…read moreand decided to give it a shot. We got: Tuna nigiri: 6.5/10 it was fine for the price I was expecting a much fattier tuna. Kaarage: 7.5/10 loved the salt and guchuyang but I wish it was boneless. Okinomiyaki: 6.5/10 would have been better if all the pieces had the sauce. Dragon roll: 6/10 very basic almost like grocery sushi roll Blue crab roll: 6.5/10 it was fine wish there was more portion wise Fuji fu: 7.5/10 it was good but he gave us forks which made it very difficult to eat. The service was fast and everyone was nice. The restaurant is small and good for couples since they have a lot of seating for 2. It is pretty dark and romantic but very noisy.

    Photos
    SUSHI DOKKU Japanese Restaurant
    SUSHI DOKKU Japanese Restaurant - Dumplings

    Dumplings

    SUSHI DOKKU Japanese Restaurant

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    Tanoshii West Loop - Hamachi, Sake and Hon Maguro Nigiri Spicy Tuna Special Roll Negi Hamachi Makimono  Shishito Peppers

    Tanoshii West Loop

    4.2(376 reviews)
    1.4 miWest Loop, Near West Side
    $$$

    I don't even know where to start--every single dish we tried was absolutely incredible! I'm not…read morekidding when I say this is my favorite sushi restaurant ever, and that's a bold statement coming from me. We went all in with the full omakase experience, and it was phenomenal: * Scallops * Fish and Chips (trust me, this is an experience!) * Bluefin Tuna served with radish and avocado -- pro tip: make sure each bite includes both for the perfect flavor balance. * 8 pieces of sashimi * Salmon and avocado rolls And then there were the off-menu items--do yourself a favor and ask for these: * "The Pepper" * Fatty Tuna Roll Desserts: black sesame, and red bean. For drinks, we loved the Red Panda and Insult to Injury--both were fantastic. A huge shoutout to Michelle, our server. She was wonderful--attentive, knowledgeable, and gave great tips on how to enjoy each dish as it came out. The restaurant itself is beautiful: cozy yet upscale, elegant without feeling stuffy. We will absolutely be back--again and again!

    The specialty roll is an absolute must-try! One of the best parts is letting the chef surprise…read moreyou-just tell them what you like or don't like, and they'll create something delicious and unique every time. Everything tasted fresh and well-balanced, and you can tell a lot of care goes into the food. The miso soup and edamame are also a perfect combo to start with and pair really well with the rolls. Great experience overall and definitely a spot worth coming back to.

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    Tanoshii West Loop
    Tanoshii West Loop - Salmon & Avacado

    Salmon & Avacado

    Tanoshii West Loop

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    Tamu - Crunchy spicy akami

    Tamu

    4.5(94 reviews)
    1.4 miWest Loop, Near West Side

    Came here for a date night and overall had a nice experience. The ambiance is great, very clean,…read moreintimate, and perfect for a night out. Service was solid, and our waiter gave thoughtful recommendations that helped us decide what to order. We ordered the sashimi sampler and the ninniku crudo to start. My husband got 6 handrolls and I had 4. We both had the otoro handroll for the premium temaki options. The handrolls came out at a really good pace, which we appreciated since it let us enjoy each one fresh. The fish itself was definitely fresh and everything was well prepared. My favorite handroll was the spicy hotate. The otoro temaki was good, but we have had better otoro elsewhere. My husband also got the sake temaki and mentioned that the salmon was a bit chewy. Overall, nothing really stood out as particularly memorable. Our bill ended up being close to $200, and while the food was good, it was not quite mind blowing for that price point. Overall, a solid spot with nice ambiance and fresh fish, just not necessarily a standout for us.

    Cozy, contemporary spot with a handroll bar at the front, a middle dining area, and an omakase bar…read morein the back. We opted for the middle section to try a mixture of available items. Service was friendly and attentive. Note that nigiri is only available via omakase. I'd describe the food here as a very sophisticated and innovative take on Japanese izakaya cuisine -elevated flavours and thoughtful presentations make it stand out. Hamachi Carpaccio?: 8/10 not much to say here. simple yet refreshing and satisfying Hew Dup Bap Kaisendon: 8/10 A great way to sample various sashimi options. Everything was fresh, and the cuts were generously thick. Ankimo Appetizer: 9/10 Probably the most unique take on ankimo I've ever had. It looked like a work of art, and the (potato?) chips added a fun texture. Super flavourful and memorable. Temaki: 8.5/10 I don't remember the exact ones I ordered, but they were all really good. I loved the creative toppings, something I rarely see at other temaki spots, and they paired with the fish beautifully.

    Photos
    Tamu - Omakase Bar

    Omakase Bar

    Tamu - Crunch Spicy Akami

    Crunch Spicy Akami

    Tamu - Tamu Hand Roll Bar

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    Tamu Hand Roll Bar

    Mako

    Mako

    4.4(191 reviews)
    1.3 miWest Loop, Near West Side
    $$$$

    If Mako is the benchmark for Michelin-starred restaurants, the bar has been set monumentally high…read more Beneath the chaos of the Pink Line lies the intimate setting Chef BK Park so carefully envisioned. Upon entering, you are greeted and warmly escorted to your seats. They suggest arriving a few minutes early so as not to disrupt the timing. I opted for seats at the sushi bar to get the full experience of an omakase. The service was impeccable and methodical, with each dish presented in perfect harmony. The carefully curated menu rose in a crescendo of umami-rich bites--each course striking a delicate balance of anticipation for the next bite and savoring the lingering flavors on the palate. It is nearly impossible to select our favorites, but the standouts were the scallop, miso cod, and the otoro. We came here to celebrate my girlfriend's birthday, and the staff commemorated the occasion with a personalized menu, signed by the entire team. This was truly an unforgettable experience and I would recommend Mako to anyone seeking the same.

    Mako was truly a 10/10 experience from the service to the food. The restaurant is an intimate space…read morewith limited seating. We were seated at the bar in front of the chef. The staff was polite, friendly and accommodating to our needs. The food was absolutely fresh and delicious, prepared perfectly. We tried a variety of dishes, over 20 different courses. Some standout dishes were the Chutoro tuna, and the cod which sat in an amazing broth. My only complaint is that halfway through the courses, the chef mentioned a special salmon and truffle course that he offered to us. Of course, we said yes, but we later found out that it was an additional charge added to our bill. I didn't appreciate that it was framed as something special rather than as an add-on to our experience. Overall, Mako was a great Michelin Star experience, offering authentic Japanese omakase!

    Photos
    Mako - Wall behind the chef area

    Wall behind the chef area

    Mako - The very first appetizer, not on the final food list

    The very first appetizer, not on the final food list

    Mako - Sakuramasu (cherry salmon)

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    Sakuramasu (cherry salmon)

    Omakase Shoji - japanese - Updated May 2026

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