Everything. Best Sushi I ever had. They say it's flown in fresh daily from Japan. I'll try the Ramen on another visit but all the appetizers were excellent especially the tempura, calamari and the pork. read more

I had been fixating on Ryota's Premium Set Donburi for a while, so I made sure to stop by for lunch during my trip to Chicago. My husband ordered the ramen, which was fairly average, while we shared the premium box. The kaisendon was everything I hoped it would be, topped with ikura, uni, otoro, and caviar over perfectly seasoned rice. I'd definitely recommend asking for extra seaweed so you can make your own little hand rolls as you eat. There were more than enough toppings to satisfy a serious sushi craving, especially if ikura, uni, otoro, and caviar are your favorite things. This was easily the highlight of the meal for me. read more

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This Japanese restaurant offers a pleasant atmosphere with attentive and friendly service, making it an enjoyable place to dine. While the restaurant has a Japanese-inspired menu, the flavors felt more Americanized than traditional Japanese cuisine. The sushi rolls were generously sized, though they were quite thick with a heavier rice-to-filling ratio than I personally prefer. The Japanese curry was decent but lacked the depth and richness often found in more authentic versions. We also tried the octopus dish, which was prepared well but tasted slightly saltier than expected. Overall, this is a comfortable restaurant with good service and a welcoming environment. While the food did not particularly stand out for authenticity, it's still a nice option for a casual meal, especially for those who enjoy larger sushi rolls and a more approachable take on Japanese cuisine. read more

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We finally tried Ryota Ramen after walking by it so many times in the neighborhood. The spicy miso ramen was alright -- solid comfort food but not especially memorable compared to some of the stronger ramen spots in Chicago. The surprise favorite was actually the mazemen, the brothless ramen with ground pork, garlic, green onion, seaweed, and a poached egg. Really savory and satisfying once everything gets mixed together. Adding karaage for just $1 was also a pretty great deal. Overall, I wouldn't say the ramen itself is particularly impressive, but it's a Resy restaurant so the Amex dining credit basically covered the bill. Nice casual neighborhood option when you want something easy and convenient. read more

Simply fantastic! The above & beyond service (server name?), lovely presentation, fresh beyond fresh fish, clean beyond clean, cool Music, awesome layout...well, you get the picture! It was a great, great experience. Really though, I've never eaten fresher sushi. One regret: not enough room to order Ramen. Darn, we'll have to return! :-) Thank you, Ryota, for a lovely dining experience from start to finish! Patrick S., Chicago, IL read more

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Came here to try their viral premium set, which was just under $100 (I forgot the exact price). I also ordered the chawanmushi and the umi tuna roll to round things out. The premium set was really good. The tuna, uni, and ikura were all very fresh, and they were generous with the portions. That said, it is a bit on the pricey side. I don't regret ordering it at all, but it's probably not something I'd get every time. The chawanmushi was a standout. It came with crab and ikura, and they were generous with the crab, which was fresh and not imitation. The egg was cooked perfectly with that smooth, jiggly texture. Definitely one of my favorite dishes of the meal. The umi tuna maki was solid, but not particularly memorable compared to everything else. The ambiance was really nice, very clean with a soft, modern feel that makes it a great date night spot. Overall, a great experience and I'd love to come back to try their mazemen and Japanese curry next time. read more

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Came here for a late lunch. Service was efficient and I was seated right away. I got the Chirashi. I loved that the rice came flavored. The ratio of fish to rice was perfect. Portion-wise it was just right. I felt it was priced a bit high ($65) but it was still a good dish. I would come back again for sushi if I was in the area! read more

Ryota - Chirashi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Honestly, I was extremely surprised and disappointed when I received my sushi order from this restaurant. The restaurant has a beautiful Instagram page, and everything is photographed in a very aesthetic and appealing way. I also want to mention the excellent customer service. I placed the order and arranged an Uber pickup myself, and the manager stayed in touch and personally handed the order to the driver. Everything about the service was great. However, I am a huge sushi lover, I have been to Japan, and I care deeply about quality. The order looked beautiful, and I had no complaints about the fish. The major problem was the rice. I often make sushi myself, so I understand what properly prepared sushi rice should taste and feel like. The rice in my order was terribly overcooked and tasted like baby rice porridge. It completely fell apart, and it was almost impossible to pick up the sushi with chopsticks. The worst part was that the rice was extremely sour, as if far too much rice vinegar had been added. It was honestly very unpleasant and almost impossible to eat. I paid more than $300 for this order and ended up throwing away more than half of it. I still cannot understand how a restaurant of this level could ruin the most basic and essential part of sushi--the rice. I had really wanted to try this restaurant and decided to treat myself to sushi from here for my birthday. Honestly, I was shocked. Everything looked beautiful, but the food was simply impossible to enjoy. read more

Ambiance - modern, spacious, great for lunch and dinner Service - staff were super nice and friendly, checked on my party often Food - fish quality was good, chicken karaage batter was really unique and not like other restaurants read more

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Stumbled upon this restaurant prior to going to a concert at the united center. My family and I were pleasantly surprised at this quaint and cozy Japanese restaurant that offered some unique and very fresh food options. The uni bowl was so incredibly fresh with the fish eggs a nice pop that wasn't too salty. The veggie ramen was so rich and tasty - I don't normally chose a veggie ramen, but it was great! The cocktails and drinks were also quite tasteful. The service was excellent. Staff were kind and attentive. read more

Ryota - Sashimi Premium Set - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Stopped by on a chilly night while visiting Chicago and was pleasantly surprised. The inside is cozy and small, making it a great spot for a conversational dinner. (The ambient lighting is also a nice touch) The ramen was pretty good but what stood out was the Shima unagi roll. Every bite just melts in your mouth and the flavor was phenomenal. Definitely up there in top rolls I've had and definitely the best unagi roll I've tried to this day. Overall, everything was clean, servers were kind, and they have a dish that makes it worth going back for. Great place. read more

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A great ramen and sushi option in the West Loop neighborhood. The interior is modern while the lighting is warm and moody--the individual table lamps are a nice touch. Our waiter was kind, attentive, and energetic. We ordered the Tofu Tempura and the Spicy Salmon Roll to start. We were a little disappointed that they were out of spicy tuna, but the salmon was delicious. The tofu delicately fried without being chewy. I ordered the Classic Shoyu ramen as my entree. The broth was hearty and packed with the flavor and the chashu pork melted in your mouth. read more

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The dishes we ordered were just as delicious as they looked! Our go to maki order at any sushi restaurant is always the negi toro. This one at Ryota is so generously packed with fish! The rice to fish ratio is PERFECT. This is definitely something I'll order over and over again. The second entree we ordered was the sashimi set. Everything was beautifully plated. It's nice if you just want to try a bit of everything. The ambiance here is very moody with modern decor. They have individual lamps on each table where you can adjust the lighting if you'd like :) read more

Ryota - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Delicious! Tables are well spaced out. They have a special spring/summer menu - we got the Hokkaido scallop cold noodle and crab chawanmushi, both were very good. Highly recommend their yuzu cheesecake for dessert too. read more

FANTASTIC experience! I was so excited to try Ryota after seeing the hype online and it did not disappoint. Service was great and restaurant is clean and cute. There was lots of metered street parking when we went on New Year's Eve. We tried the chirashi bowl, mazemen chicken kaarage, shima unagi, negi toro maki. It was all so delicious and plenty of food for 2. My boyfriend and I eat sushi pretty frequently and we both thought the fish was fresh and well-balanced. The shima unagi was yummy, but smaller than I expected so keep that in mind. Chirashi had great presentation and the variety is good. My boyfriend loved the negi toro maki! Definitely get the mazemen with the chicken kaarage for the extra $1! Adds a nice crunch, and the dry ramen is comparable to Kajiken in my opinion. We look forward to coming back! read more

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Delicious neighborhood spot in the West Loop! Fish was super fresh and yummy. Decor was cute. Service was ok, but this is more of a casual spot. Amazing option for lunch or date night! read more

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All the fish was super fresh, apps were very crisp and had great sauces, noodles had great chewy texture! The salmon and tuna rolls were very complex in flavor, not like anything I've ever had (each had a sweet/pickled element that really made the dish stand out)! We ordered: - kawa salmon roll (my fav!) - shima unagi - umi tuna (chutoro was so tender) - karaage (perfect amount of breading) - calamari - mazemen (solid portion size) was a group of 6 and we shared everything family style, left feeling satisfied but not super full. service was solid and the restaurant is small but not loud. read more

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If you're looking for an under the radar sushi spot with special attention to excellent sushi, you're in for a treat at Ryota. This spot in the West Loop is approachable and has a menu that reflects the attention to detail in sourcing quality fish. There's bench and chair seating with lighting dimmed to create an intimate dining experience. Service is friendly. My server was happy to answer any questions and make recommendations which were accurate and pleasing to the palate. The chicken karaage was highlighted as someone's favorite online so I had to see what the hype was about. They weren't wrong! The breading is very soft and the chicken deliciously tender. There's a slightly spicy aioli that comes with it, but I was happy to enjoy the karaage by itself. The sushi was a revelation given where we are in the middle of the country. Minimal rice and large cuts of salmon and tuna were par for the course here. The chefs know how to prepare and cut the fish perfectly here. The difference in texture, sweetness, and presentation was nicely assembled in the umi tuna and kawa salmon. I very much enjoyed the mazemen ramen with ground pork and poached egg. I was expecting to dip it into a broth, but this dish was self-contained but still in the mazemen style. Once the poached egg was mixed in, all the ingredients blended together for an umami profile. Ryota is a place I would frequent just to enjoy all the sushi. Very much a cut above the rest in the Midwest. read more

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Stopped by this newer Ramen & Sushi spot in the West Loop and has the perfect vibe. Casual but intimate, with excellent service and incredibly fresh food. We ordered the Chirashi Bowl and the Ryota Premium Set. Both came with a great portion of beautifully fresh seafood over seasoned sushi rice. The Premium Set was the star with Otoro, Uni, Caviar, and Ikura. Easily some of my favorite bites of the night. The Chirashi Bowl had Salmon, Tuna, Yellowtail, Scallops, and more. All super fresh and delicious. I'd definitely come back again for the experience and the quality of the food. read more

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My friend and I stopped by for Ryota for dinner last week. Service was fantastic, and we were seated right away. We shared the Salmon Ponzu, Umi Tuna roll, and Shoyu ramen. Both the salmon and tuna roll tasted really fresh. The ramen was only okay for me because the chashu pork was quite fatty in my opinion, but the broth was rich and not overly salty. I'd love to come back to try more of the items on the sushi menu. read more

Ryota - Salmon Ponzu - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Staff is extremely friendly. Quaint little cafe style ambiance and food that will surely send you to flavor town. Get the bowl; you'll know which one. read more

Ryota - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A friend was in the mood for ramen at a BYOB spot: A very challenging task, but we discovered Ryota. Very contemporary and modern, yet minimalistic decor that I feel gives the place an upscale feeling, like the "cute neighborhood date spot". We started with the fried chicken gyoza and chicken karaage. The gyoza was fresh (you can tell) and the sauce a bit on the sweeter side, which I enjoyed. The karaage wasn't overly oily and was hit with the table. Now came the ramen: I have the vegetable ramen (make it spicy...which they do charge you an extra $1). But wow, talk about a filling and delicious ramen bowl, with fresh veggies, tofu that wasn't too firm to break apart and mix in the bowl, and a portion so large that I brought half of it home to eat for dinner the next night. Definitely will keep this ramen spot in mind for the future. (They're BYOB until they get their liquor license, so hurry to it out, if you can!) read more

Ryota - Vegetable Ramen - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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First time stopping by Ryota & truly was not impressed. The ambience is extremely underwhelming, it is a very boring looking dining space. The service was also not that great. It took over 5 mins for someone to come over to ask us what we wanted to drink, and by that time we were already ready to order. The restaurant only had three other tables filled, and no one came to ask how our food was. The sushi wasn't bad, but also wasn't great. 3/5, nothing I would ever come back again to order. Too expensive for only six pieces and mediocre. read more

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The premium set and chirashi are fresh but rice tastes raw. Can taste bitterness in 10 percent of the uni in the premium set. Other than that the seafood is high quality. I recommend regular chirashi. Service is average. Fried chicken is good. Scallops is nah. Drinks are fine. read more

Ryota - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

3.5 stars overall. I like the revamped space compared to its predecessor Sumu- intimate with a slightly more elevated vibe. Although the restaurant was busy, service was attentive and quick. However, food was a bit underwhelming. We ordered the calamari, scallops, and the maguro trio. The calamari was a little bland and had some fibrous parts. The maguro trio set was fresh and had a good fish to rice ratio. My only complaint with it would be that the rice is heavy on vinegar. Scallops were decent with a nicely seared top and soft inside. Potentially would go back if the premium set with uni was available- unfortunately it wasn't during this visit. read more

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On 6/4/25, we ordered: Ryota Premium Set - Otoro, Uni, Ikura, Caviar Nigiri Set Tokyo Style, Pork Broth, Shoyu Ramen Karaage Karaage starter was excellent and probably my favorite karaage in the city rn. My friends liked their ramen and Nigiri. I could tell, from looking, the Nigiri was fresh and high quality. I was disappointed with my ryota premium set. If you look at their Instagram and compare with what I actually got, they gave less uni and roe and no caviar for the SAME PRICE. Later, I asked them about this on Instagram DM and they kindly explained they had to change the portions because the original formula was unsustainable for the price. However, as of this review posting 6/10, they still have not made any corrections to their Instagram nor menu about this change. They had one waitress servicing the whole restaurant - not good. read more

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This place was quiet early on during a weeknight but started to fill up a little more after 7. Lots of seating (with booths on one side of each table) and a small sushi counter. Fish/sushi was tasty and fresh. The chirashi was very pretty and the matcha martini was tasty. Portions were a little small for the price except for the salad which had an amazing dressing. Service was decent (attentive, smily) but it took a bit to get our change when we were ready to leave. All in all tasty though. read more

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Great revamp of a neighborhood spot! I came here with my mom the day after they opened and we really enjoyed our dinner. The ambience is much more contemporary and sleek than it was before. It's nice because this is still a neighborhood spot but has a more upscale vibe to it now. Good for family or a date! They did not have their liquor license when we went yet so we tried two drinks off of their non-alcoholic menu and really enjoyed them. My mom had a jasmine tea and I had a Thai tea with a cold foam top that was amazing. For food, we got a scallop appetizer and then a couple of sushi rolls. We mixed between the classic rolls and the more specialty ones and enjoyed everything. The staff here are so friendly and attentive. We will be back! read more

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This place is very cute. The menu is easy to navigate. We started with the fried gyoza and seaweed salad. We order a few pieces of nigiri, otoro, snapper, and medai. All very fresh and tasty. We ordered the eel sushi roll which was super yummy. Ordered the pork ramen which was the most underwhelming thing I had there. Serbia was great and they were very accommodating. read more

Service here is really good and relaxed. The restaurant was bright and ambiance was casual. I came here for lunch around 1 pm. I got the premium set and my fiancé got the ramen. Fish was really fresh and it was filling (can be shared with another person). They made their own soy sauce and I appreciate that it was lighter and it didn't overwhelm seafood. The Uni was fresh and sweet. Otoro was buttery. The ramen was not very salty which I like and the noodles have a good chew. read more

Ryota - Sashimi Premium Set - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I love a good cosy bowl of ramen in the winter and Ryota delivered just that. I'm very particular when it comes to saltiness of ramens and the Shoya ramen was perfect. I loved the intimacy of the place as well, it was small enough to feel intimate, but large enough to not feel crammed. Went on a thursday night and it was busy, but not overfilled and we had no problem sitting down. Would definitely go back. read more

Ryota is a nice addition to the west loop. The selection of sushi was pretty nice, but service is a little slow. I think the food is tasty, but maybe more pieces should be incorporated with the pricing. The restaurant is small so be prepared to sit close, but it's not uncomfortable. I really liked the bluefin tuna roll. read more

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Have been wanting to check out this spot! Prices are quite high for the dishes, but makes sense since it is west loop. Particularly really enjoyed the soup-less ramen dish! Was the highlight of the meal for me. The chirashi was also beautiful to look at and eat! Would recommend coming here with a group to try all the different dishes! read more

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Heard about this spot through TikTok, so we decided to give it a try! I wanted to note that all of the staff who assisted us were really nice and patient, and gave us great recommendations as well. We decided to order the premium set, which looked very appetizing, along with a salmon avocado roll and kashi shrimp roll. Out of everything, I liked the kashi shrimp roll the best and I think it's worth to try more of their specialty rolls. The salmon avocado roll was pretty common and I am not sure if it's that worth to get at this restaurant. The premium set was also very tasty, as expected, but I think for me personally, it's a one time experience dish, not something I would order every time, just because of the hefty price tag. But the quality of the fish, especially the uni, was great! Slightly sweet and not very ocean-y at all. Overall, this is a great spot for a date night or a friends' gathering. (: read more

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Nice interior and environment. Friendly service. Sushi was very fresh and nice selection. Kawa salmon roll was well balanced and plum sauce was subtle but delicious. Lychee boba was good, but on the sweeter end. Truffle edamame was a bit overcooked, but truffle salt was great. Tan tan ramen was also tasty. read more

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Came across this small and cozy sushi restaurant in the West Loop. Was craving for Uni and so was delighted to find their Ryota premium set. This was served in a cute oval wooden box with a bed of sushi rice seasoned with furikaki topped with toro, generous amount of Hokkaidō Uni, and ikura. The toro was also garnished with caviar. This was delicious! The Uni especially was fresh and creamy. Complete fan. The host told me later that I actually ordered the last set of the premium set for the weekend. Sorry guys. If you're looking to order the premium set please wait until next week. But it's totally worth the trip. Their Uni comes directly from Hokkaidō Japan. read more

Ryota - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The food was great! Servers were nice and quick! The ambiance was cute, small place but very cute! Loved it!

I didn't realize this was the old Sumu restaurant before coming in. When I went to Sumu it was alright. Ryota is so much better by a mile!! The thai style drinks we're fabulous i am addicted to the mango one. The roll we ordered was tasty but the fresh sashimi and Ryota premium set are what really showed me how great this place is! The fish truly is so fresh and the premium set is worth the hype! Service was great! It was busy and we still got our food in a reasonable amount of time and recommendations were great! We had the perfect amount of food! The ambiance is more upscale which matches the quality of the dinner. Can't wait to take my sister back to try their vegan ramen! read more

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loved the vibes very clean and pretty. food was good loved the sashimi though. ramen was good. read more

Ryota - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The ramen is the same as Sumu's. Their menu is more condensed now since they removed some of their rolls. Service was nice enough. The space is also brighter with a few replacements. read more

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