Umai

now *this* is great okonomiyaki…read more coming from seattle and very recently having a disastrous experience at the only okonomiyaki spot in our area (you can read my past reviews for that), my two friends, my partner, and i were looking forward to having great okonomiyaki. thankfully, gaijin delivered! we came by on a friday night, and it was fairly busy. we wouldn't have been surprised if we were turned away since we didn't have a reservation. they ended up making space for us thankfully and we didn't even have to wait long at all. the inside of the place isn't that big, but it's not so tiny that it's cramped. when you sit down, if you are in a large enough party, you sit down in front of a flat stovetop to keep your okonomiyaki warm when the waiter brings it out to you. we started with some drinks. they were all very good - next time i'm trying that espresso goma-tini! i did get a lychee martini though, and it was a little strong of a pour but i still really enjoyed it. onto the okonomiyaki. we all ordered different ones so we could try them. every single one of them were delicious. i got the tofu osaka-style, my partner got the beef osaka-style, one of my friends got the fried shrimp osaka-style, and my other friend got the traditional hiroshima-style. each okonomiyaki is prepared perfectly, not too thick and not overly saucy (so it doesn't get soggy). the flavours are quite rich but also really nicely umami. sometimes, too rich of a sauce kind of overwhelms me, but the ratios are well-balanced. overall, truly recommend this place. probably some of the best okonomiyaki i've had. next time i'm in chicago, i'd love to go again. there's so many options to choose from and i want to try them all!

I've been wanting to try Okonomiyaki for a long time, so when I saw that they had it I had to stop…read moreby! It's really cool in here because you can watch them make the Okonomiyaki in front of you! They had like a set meal going on which included soup and okonomiyaki and dessert, which was mochi donuts. The soup was pretty good, standard. The Okonomiyaki was such a big portion. I loved the little tempura bits on top and they were generous with the amount of shrimp. It's like a yummy savory pancake. I will say I didn't really enjoy the mochi donuts but I was so full I couldn't eat them until later so it may have been because they weren't as fresh and got hard. If you've been wanting to try Okonomiyaki you should check this place out!

1.1 mi•West Loop, Near West Side

Pandan-Coconut Donut

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Old fashioned

Kumiko

4.4(291 reviews)

Our server Liam was excellent, the experience was smooth, the ambiance is simple and calming as the…read moredining room is pretty quiet for an elegant evening . The food was inventive annd exquisite and the drinks, of course were outstanding. Definitely planning to return and recommend.

Kumiko has a long list of honors, including #11 on North America's 50 Best Bars and the Michter's…read moreArt of Hospitality award, and it did not disappoint. This chic Japanese cocktail lounge in the West Loop is bright, vibrant, and absolutely beautiful. We sat at the bar and ended up trying almost half the cocktail menu. Every drink was amazing, and the small plates were mind-blowing. But the star of the show was our bartender, Zack. He knew everything about what he poured and was kind enough to show us the bottles of spirits behind each cocktail. He was so warm and friendly that by the end of our time there, he felt like a good friend. I completely understand how this place earned its hospitality awards. Pro tip: If you love Japanese whiskey or shochu, ask about the hidden 10-seat basement bar. It features one of the rarest collections of both that you'll find anywhere. I can't wait to come back, and I'll recommend Kumiko to anyone who spends time in Chicago. Five stars, easily.

3.8 mi•Wicker Park, West Town

Bathroom sink

Oysters

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Truly addicted to this strawberry old fashioned

Izakaya Shinya

4.2(205 reviews)

Disclaimer: I'm a New Yorker who's moved to Chicagoland so maybe I'm a bit snooty but the regular…read moreYelpers in the Midwest should always be viewed with a star and a 1/2 less than what is expected normally. Any bar with Yamazaki 18 is good in my book. We had lunch at Chubby Cattle so couldn't eat that much .: no skewers. The Sushi taco was good, pretty impressive with the thin seaweed that had a great crunch; didn't feel greasy at all. The seafood udon was decent; just a tad bit too salty is all. If you're into kushiyaki and what's presented here, definitely give it a try.

Good food! Love the…read moreconcept and you can order on the same QR code two different phones at the same time. The food is fresh made and full of flavor. My favorite thing was the fish cake skewer and the squid. Service was great and people keep checking on you if you need more things. They were havung a karaoke night the saturday at 10pm, but we were packed for other activities after dinner so we missed that out. The only down side that we found, it is some of the plates used to serve, they are chipped or damaged, and that bother a little the presentation.

Anime with Decor

46. Shiitake (Shiitake Mushroom) & 2. Karaage

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42. Satsumaimo (Sweet Potato)

SUSHI-SAN

4.3(1.3k reviews)

1.3 mi•Near North Side

I ordered the Sushi + Sashimi Lunch ($26), and for the price it's a strong deal. It came with miso…read moresoup and a bright, crunchy seaweed-cucumber salad, then a beautiful tray of tuna, yellowtail, and salmon nigiri and sashimi, plus three chopped-fish hand rolls. The fish was fresh and cut with care, and the rice was seasoned just right. We also split the Sesame Salmon Maki, 10 generous pieces full of avocado and flavor, along with an ice-cold Asahi draft in a frosted mug. The real highlight was our server, Andy. Even with a full house, he was friendly, attentive, and kept everything moving at a perfect pace. Drinks never ran low, and he checked in at just the right moments. The restroom was clean and well kept, which says a lot about how a restaurant is run. Paying is easy too: just scan the QR code at your table. Great food, great vibe, outstanding service. Ask for Andy. Five stars for the whole experience.

Incredible! Walked in on a Tuesday around 5 and there was plenty of seating open at the bar…read more There's a happy hour menu for 4-6! I got the eggplant tempura snack off the happy hour menu for $6 and this was SO good. And actually a little too much for one person! Portion was generous and this was delicious. Perfectly crispy, with super soft jammy eggplant, with mildly sweet, savory, herby, and fish saucy(?) flavors. I opted to get a yuzu margarita, not on the happy hour menu, but yuzu margarita. YUM! To round it out, I got the deluxe nigiri set and this was SO fabulous. Really delicious, high quality fish, with inventive garnishes, but while still letting the fish itself shine. There was a specialty scallop nigiri on the menu as well with nori-infused French butter. The sushi chef heard me talking about all the things I was trying to choose between and just upgraded the scallop nigiri that comes with the deluxe set to the specialty one, with no added charge (which was a surprise!). Super lovely folks working behind the bar. If I wasn't an out of towner, I could absolutely see myself becoming a regular here. Interior was vibey but in a relaxed, approachable way. Highly recommend checking this spot out!

1.3 mi•Fulton Market, West Loop, Near West Side

Interior

Togarashi Chicken Nuggets

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Japanese Eggplant Tempura

Momotaro

4.1(1.4k reviews)

The service was great, super attentive. Kind gesture with a signed birthday menu…read more Sushi was fresh, with simple but great flavors. Didn't love the wagyu bao buns since it was more of a ground meat, similar to a kabob. But overall the food was good, atmosphere was perfect date night/special occasion, and we will definitely be back.

Tonight, we were in the West Loop and decided to try an establishment new to us. We chose…read moreMomotaro, since we love Japanese and Japanese influenced cuisine. We had to make a late reservation since nothing was available earlier. We tried walking in earlier and there was a 1 hour and 45 min wait. So we kept our reservation for 9:30. Upon entering, the manager and the host were very friendly and promptly sat us about 15 min early. The ambiance is really nice, but the music... is way to loud. You have to yell across a standard 4-seat tabletop to communicate. Since everyone has to yell, the crowd noise then amplifies this issue. I've never understood restaurants that try to be a nightclub. You can have music at normal levels to keep the energy without causing your patrons to yell. Once we were seated, the waitress came over within 5 minutes. She was friendly, but slow. After she offered us water, she was didn't return to the table for 20 minutes to take drink orders. After we ordered drinks, it was another 15-20 to help with the menus. We asked about portion sizes (shareable vs not shareable). We were told each plate was good for 2-4 people. I'm not sure what portion sizes she classified suitable for sharing... but no way were a majority of our dishes enough to share. We ordered edamame, which we were able to share. We really liked how they salted it, sometimes you get edamame and it's bland. We also ordered spicy tuna sushi (6 pieces), Komodo sushi rolls, pork chops (comes with 2 pieces), 2 orders of wagyu sliders (only 2 per order), hotate batayaki (3 scallops), shishito peppers (8 grilled peppers), and yakatori don (chicken bowl with rice and a soft egg). I have tried many Japanese restaurants and have been to Japan as well. Loved the food. To start with the good, we really liked the pork chops. They were on the rarer cooked side but delicious. The sliders were really good as well. Tons of flavor and each one was a decent size. These 2 items we felt were slightly over priced but felt we got a great food experience for the money. The shishito peppers were barely grilled and bland. They literally were no better than what my teenagers can do on the grill. Absolutely not worth $12 for peppers. Each sushi roll was decent but very small very overpriced for what you get. There is nothing special about either roll. I have gotten better spicy tuna in the city, that comes with 8 rolls for half of momotaro's price. The scallops were very fishy. I love scallops, and I wouldn't order these again... no way! $22 for such. Small serving that was too fishy compared to other establishments. My chicken bowl yakatori don) had a great presentation. That's where the dish ends. The toppings overpowered the chicken. The chicken tasted like plain boiled chicken that was so bland, literally no flavor to it. After we were done, the waitress came over about 15 min later, asking if we were interested in dessert. We told her no, we were full and ready for the check. We sat around for over 20 minutes waiting. I'm watching our server talking in the corner with 4 other servers. Laughing, on their phones, etc. after watching them for over 10 minutes I walked up to the front host and asked for a manager. The girl, was prompt, and very friendly. I discussed my dissatisfaction with the service. It was slow, terrible for the price point of the restaurant. The manager brought the check to me fairly quickly and apologized. She didn't ask what they could do to make it right, nothing. Not until after the bill was paid she conveniently asked what they could do. Little late at that point. Overall, we have been to many low and high end restaurants in Chicago... River North, West Loop,, Manhattan, Munich, etc... and this was about as bad of service as you can get. With all the options in the city, I don't recommend this one.

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Ramen Wasabi

4.2(2.3k reviews)

4.5 mi•Logan Square

I've been going to Ramen Wasabi for years and it has never disappointed. The staff is all so sweet…read moreand the food is amazing. This is honestly the best ramen I've had in Chicago and I've tried a lot of places. The music is also always so good. Think Tom Misch, FKJ, Galimatias kind of vibe. My go to is always the Spicy Roasted Garlic Miso ramen. It's full of umami flavor and not too spicy at all. The pork belly is tender and it's even good alone so it doesn't need to broth to be good. The whole thing is a 10/10. No notes. This time I tried the Karaage Fried Chicken Nuggets and they were nice and tender and juicy as well. It paired perfectly with the lemon and the aioli on the side. The nuggets were crispy but could be crispier - the nuggets on the bottom weren't as crispy as the ones on the top. I'll give this one a 8/10

Ramen Wasabi will always have me at a chokehold. Probably by far the best ramen spot in Chicago,…read moreand that is saying a lot since I've been to many different ramen restaurants in the city. Ramen Wasabi has no reservations. The wait times vary, but sometimes there are seats readily available. There are bar seats available and a large middle table that you share with other parties. Service has always been good for us, and we're known as regulars there now Karaage - Fried Chicken Nuggets: An absolute must for any craving. Plenty to share with friends and the togarashi mayo dip is super delicious with it. Juicy bites with crispy batter, making everything about this appetizer perfect. Signature Tonkotsu (with Spice Umami): the noodles are sooo bouncy. I love how rich the broth is and how easy it is to bite into the Char Siu. It is so filling and honestly reminds me of my time in Japan. Tokyo Classic Shoyu (with Spice Umami): lighter broth compared to the tonkotsu, but just as delicious. This is another must-try! Ramen Wasabi will always remain as my top ramen shop in Chicago. Never had a miss with this. I would love to try their other dishes (donburi) when I have the chance...but their ramen is too good to not order

Spicy Roasted Garlic Miso Ramen

Inside

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Tokyo Spicy Wings Small Plate

Ikigai Sushi & Izakaya

4.5(102 reviews)

1.7 mi•Near North Side

Came here for a business dinner with our sales rep. It had great reviews and came in on a Sunday…read morenight. We didn't make reservations but they accommodated us immediately and sat down. We had sushi, rolls, their specials and yakitori. What a great meal from beginning to end. The chef ended up sending us a special of salmon belly, ponzu and ikura on top. It sounds simple but what an amazing bite. It was complimentary from the chef and if I wasn't full I would have ordered another round. I highly recommend this place. You will not be disappointed and everything was absolutely fresh! Enjoy!

We've been wanting to try happy hour at Ikigai Sushi & Izakaya for a while. We started with a cold…read moreSapporo (no cocktails for happy hour), then went straight into the karaage (barely edible, the chicken used was so chewy and nasty, we couldn't finish it), sushi rolls (very fishy smell, not the best), and grilled kushiyaki skewers (these were my fav). Everything came out looking seriously tempting, but somewhat fell short.

2.5 mi•Ukrainian Village, West Town

Sushi bar area

CHIRASHI

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Teriyakidon

Omakase Shoji

4.8(53 reviews)

One of the best Omakase experience I've ever had. I booked last minute during a Chicago business…read moretrip and was able to get a seating for one: I came at my time and had a drink alone at the bar and had an awesome conversation with the bartender Brandon who shared some stories about Japan with me. I was seated at the sushi bar shortly and to my surprise I had the chefs table all to myself! It was very beautifully decorated and clean and got to meet Chef Shoji. I was well taken care of by both the staff and Chef Shoji and he meticulously explained every dish and we chatted about everything from his time in America, Japan, and even shared some of my life stories. All in all the dinner service was about 90 minutes with maybe 12-15 or so dishes? I was absolutely satisfied and more. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience having personalized service!

We didn't eat at the omakase, only the main dining room, but the food just wasn't great. The…read moreservice was amazing and the restaurant itself was very pretty but the food was pretty bland. The wagyu katsu was like an over cooked hamburger patty, the sushi lacked flavor and the nigiri (though the portion was significant) had zero rice and some bones in the fish. I don't know if we came on an off night but this was definitely not the quality or taste of food we would have expected.

Set up

Crispy tuna

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Wagyu katsu

Miru

4.3(343 reviews)

1.3 mi•The Loop

Rooftop dinner!! Sushi & lychee martini for the win :)…read more So this is my first time at Miru- Definitely make a reservation! This is at the Saint Regis hotel. I would definitely recommend the crispy rice. The Hamachi roll and the spicy tuna roll. The shrimp fried rice was not as tasty as I would hoped, but they have big shrimps in there, which I loved. The shrimp temporary I could've lived without it. It's just fried shrimp very flaky the sauce it comes with is actually really delicious. We kept it for the remainder of the meal. Get the lychee martini it is divine and super smooth, not like a kick in your face! The ambience here is upscale of course you must dress to impress. They have window seating since the weather wasn't permitting for us to sit on the rooftop. Our waiter was really sweet. He was kind of busy so he was forgetful a little bit but super sweet. And we celebrated my birthday there so he got me a little birthday treat for free. I would come here again for the sushi and lychee martini! The bar looks super cute to just sit out and drink and have a quick Hamachi roll. I'll be back! Separate restrooms of course it's kind of hidden in the back.

This place is expensive but the views and service make up for it…read more We each got to order our favorite drinks. Mine was a highball which really tasted like Tokyo, I was taken back on the first sip. We ordered the little gems, miso cod, edamame, duck yakisoba, hamachi sashimi, and chicken kaarage. Everything was good, and we didn't leave hungry so that's the good thing. I think you can go up there to get a drink and enjoy the views just the same, we went outside briefly for pix but recommend eating inside due to the windy conditions.

1.3 mi•River North, Near North Side

Inside

Bagels & Lox

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Chocolate Silk Tart

Roka Akor - Chicago

4.2(1.6k reviews)

•$$$$

Decided to have a nice dinner here and this place definitely has that vibe in the loop…read more Enjoyed the delicious drinks see pics I honestly didn't take much pics I been enjoying drinking Hahaa Service was great and the food was delicious!

I have loved Roka Akor for years and have recommended it to countless people. After tonight, I can…read morehonestly say I will never return. We brought our employees here because we wanted to spoil them and give them a really special dinner. Our bill was approximately $1,100. Our server was perfectly pleasant, I paid the entire bill through the QR code, and I left her a $200 CASH tip. As we were walking out of the restaurant, in front of the employees we had just spent the evening treating, our server and a manager came after us and told us there was an issue with our credit card payment. I immediately pulled up my account and showed them that the $1,100 charge had gone through. There was no issue with our card. The actual "issue" was that our server apparently did not realize we had left her $200 in cash and believed we had left without tipping. I was stunned. The manager later came outside to find us again and apologize after realizing what had happened, and I do appreciate the apology. But the damage was already done. We had just spent approximately $1,300 between dinner and gratuity, and instead of leaving after a wonderful evening with our employees, we were chased down and embarrassed in front of them because someone assumed we hadn't left a tip. What bothers me most is that even if we HAD chosen not to tip, chasing customers out of a restaurant over a discretionary gratuity would be completely inappropriate. But we did tip. We left $200 cash. I have genuinely been one of Roka Akor's biggest fans. I've recommended it over and over again, and that's why this is so disappointing. I wanted tonight to be a special evening for our employees, and instead this is how it ended. Unfortunately, an experience like that changes the way you feel about a restaurant. I won't be back.

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65 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Eli B.

14 years ago

I was going out to dinner with my family. We were thinking of where to eating my mom decided to go on an adventure, further away from just our neighborhood. We went passed Greek Town and into the South Loop where lots of young life was visible. We found this Japanese kitchen called Umai on a corner of a not so busy area. We walked in and it was almost empty. It had a very nice vibe and lots of nice lights and furniture. We sat down at a table near the door. As the night got later, the restaurant was packed. I found that there was no plate at the table. When we ordered appetizers there still was no plate to eat off of. Did they think I'm supposed to eat off of my hand? After I had my plates of appetizers, I hoped that they would bring out some sort of plate to share food with. Still didn't. I had asparagus wrapped in beef. It was delicious. It was chewy and small. It had a very tender feel and you had to new for a long time to get the real juicy flavor out of it. Once you got to the center, in the asparagus it was a wet, in a way crunchy chew. I could quite put my finger on what made it taste the way it did. This dish was all put on a circular platter, which was interesting. Saying that they never had a share plate in the first place, they gave you a circular platter which normally isn't used to eat off of. Besides the plates, the food was pretty high quality and has been open for only four months! I am sure they will do well in the restaurant business for as long as they are here. I do recommend people eat here if they are in the area or looking for an in and out sushi place to eat! read more

Jason S.

Elite 26

289

372

719

2 years ago

We stopped into Umai on a Saturday night and were pleasantly surprised to get a table for two right away, despite the lively atmosphere. The restaurant was bustling, but the service was efficient! To start, we tried the espresso martini, which was enjoyable--while not the best we've had, the vanilla vodka was a nice touch. For an appetizer, we ordered the spicy edamame, and they weren't kidding about the spice! It packed a serious kick, but we still enjoyed it. If you have a low tolerance for heat, you may want to go with the classic version. Now, onto the highlight: the sushi! We went all in and ordered four rolls to share. Here's how we ranked them: 1. Dynamite Roll - Our favorite! The sweet potato worked beautifully in this roll. 2. Chicago Roll - Another standout, packed with delicious flavors. 3. Goosebumps Roll - Unique and tasty, especially with the honey miso sauce. 4. Umai Crunch Roll - Still good, but our least favorite of the bunch the lobster salad was a little gamey. All the rolls with honey miso sauce were phenomenal, and the sushi presentation was impressive--it arrived on a large shareable plate, which made for a great dining experience. To complement the sushi, we ordered a cold sake (10 oz bottle for just $19), which was the perfect portion for two. Definitely recommend getting a sake. Overall, Umai delivers excellent sushi at a reasonable price--right in the middle price-wise, but top-tier in quality. If you're in South Loop and craving sushi, this spot is definitely worth a visit! read more

Sonia H.

12 years ago

I've eaten here's few times, last time I was at the sushi bar where I noticed the chef using meat from a box marked crawfish to top my snow crab maki roll .... :/ after eating it I can confirm it was crawfish and not snow crab... If it's not bad enough that they are lying to their customers about their ingredients, the woman who I spoke to about my complaints couldn't form a coherent sentence or provide an explanation for why I they were selling crawfish as crab meat. The other pieces I tried were mediocre at best. 1. Aji - obviously low grade super tough and ever piece looked exactly the sme which is a dead giveaway that it has been pre packaged and not of good quality .. Akin is a very small fish which leads to many prices from the se fish being different sizes and shapes... 2. Scallop - Suuuper fishy 3. Service- again of any one there spoke english, that would have been very helpful 4. Sanitation- dirty finger prints everywhere. Sushi bar was a mess when I was seated with crusty soy sauce stains and food all over the floor Bathroom floor covered in urine... As a bad as any bus station .. Gross ... Will not be returning to this grift of a restaurant. read more

Marc C.

7 years ago

I am receiving my masters in Biology from the University of Chicago. I decided to order from Umai and for fun, run several tests on the sushi quality and bacteria. Upon my research, I found that the quality is extremely low. I also found E. coli and other parasites in the sushi. Then to top off the terrible experience, my business card was never given back to me. They called and said they would hold my card for me. This card is linked to numerous accounts. I went in to get the card and they advised after looking around, that they had "destroyed it." Who gave them permission to destroy someone else's property? Who gave them permission to not return what was rightfully someone else's property? I am shocked by this and extremely upset. Not only did their food test for parasites they also provided the absolute worst experience and let alone a criminal act of destroying property that was not theirs to destroy... you keep it in a safe until the client or guest comes to pick it up.. especially after to said you'd hold it for them. Stay far away from this place. Not only may you get sick, they also won't take responsibility and help you after it happens. read more

Mark W.

Elite 26

148

529

3 years ago

Omakase at Umai Restaurant! My lunchtime sojourn to Umai Restaurant was a fantastic journey, i ordered Omakase for myself. Food: 5/5 The Omakase experience at Umai was nothing short of a culinary masterpiece. Every piece of sushi showcased precision and artistry, earning a well-deserved 5/5. Service: 5/5 Umai Restaurant upheld an impeccable standard of service. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and added to the overall enjoyment of the dining experience, warranting a perfect 5/5. Ambiance: 5/5 The ambiance at Umai Restaurant provided the perfect backdrop for a memorable lunch. With a blend of sophistication and comfort, it earned a solid 5/5. Price: 5/5 Surprisingly, the Omakase experience at Umai came at an unbeatable price. The balance of quality and affordability earned it a perfect 5/5. read more

Olivia C.

10 years ago

I was happy to find a good ramen restaurant. Well overall, it's over rated. My bf and me we both like noodles. We waited one hour 15 mins to get in. We both ordered two different ramen. We wanted to compare. Well the soups were too salty, noodles were too tangled felt like they just tossed instant noodles in the soups, egg poaches were cold which they just pre made and kept in a refrigerator then dumped them in the soups. We just both were hungry from the over waiting so we could eat them though. But they were not as good as getting rid of our hunger. We didn't eat sushi though but I saw sushi had too much rice around. That made a low quality place for me. Service was good though. read more

Karen P.

12 years ago

I have gone to several local Japanese restaurants in search of the best ramen...and I believe by far Umai is the best. I do not tolerate spicy food otherwise I would of tried the Chef's recommended Spicy Roaster Garlic Pork Ramen, but i tried the Tonkatsu Ramen...aaaaamazing, the broth is so rich and delicious, not watery as I have tasted in other establishments. I have tried pretty much everything and I have not been disappointed, but by far the Tonkatsu Ramen is my favorite as well as their beef tongue, so tender and juicy! yuuumm ! read more

Simon H.

7 years ago

Stunning sushi and sashimi ... authentic japanese cuisine. The fish is so succulent, tender and fresh you barely need to bite it... it just melts ... expertly prepared. The chefs most certainly trained under masters and thier pronunciation of ingredients suggest they worked in Japan. The service is warm and attentive... very knowledgeable staff. The surroundings are traditional. I sat and the bar and died watching each gloriously prepared morsel come together. I'm coming back for my birthday for sure. read more

Nicole M.

10 years ago

I was here for lunch and didn't care for none of the stuff we had. I thought. Was just what I ordered. I went back again the other night and again, nothing was worth the price. The service is also not great. After i told the server we didn't really enjoyed our shrimp tempura udon she just looked at us and asked if we wanted something else but no apology or even cared. Oh well there are other great sushi places like tamarind and niu b in the south loop that your money is better worth. read more

Connie F.

12 years ago

My husband and I love this place. It's our go-to spot in the South Loop for dinner - we're there regularly - I'd say once a week at least! Their ramen and sushi are delicious. We also love their Japanese BBQ (the steak, shishito peppers and shitake mushrooms, yum). My current favorite dish is the newly added Buta No Kakuni which is an amazingly yummy pork shoulder simmered in a house shoyu. Comes with rice and lots of broth-y goodness. read more

Katie I.

11 years ago

This place was my go-to dinner place after finishing class at UIC. I and my friends love their ramen!!! The ramen soup was so flavorful and the noodle was perfectly firm. Also, they serves decent sushi here! For dessert, I recommend you to try their Green Tea creme buree and Lychee sorbet. They were so amazing. I'm so sad that I already graduated and rarely go to this area. However, I will try my best to go back! read more

Benji D.

13 years ago

I love this place.Nice decoration, friendly stuffs and good service, relaxing atmosphere, fresh and quality sushi. I've been here couple times already. sushi are really fresh and the price is reasonable. Their spicy roasted garlic pork ramen is my fav!! ((Thumbs up)) highly recommend veggie sushi roll beni emo also there are available hitachino japanese beer white ale good beer great taste ever!!! read more

Doreen B.

4 years ago

If you can't get a reservation or just want sushi, arrive early and request the chef's table. The chefs are quite friendly and talkative, and I enjoyed sharing sushi-related stories with them. Everything, including the staff and meal, was excellent. Each dish had a brief description and was served promptly. I highly recommend it after a trip to the market. Awesome experience! read more

Teschia B.

Elite 18

117

162

11 years ago

Damn good. I had the food delivered and everything arrived perfect and on time. I got the Dragon Maki and Umai Crunchi Maki. Deliciuos rolls and made perfectly. I feel the chefs' hands. I also ordered the Japanese BBQ Beef Hanger Tender. Declicious. Tender. A little bit of spice and will be ordering again. Thank you again Umai for satisfying my pregnancy cravings. read more

Jenny T.

Elite 26

2 years ago

I absolutely love Umai and think it's so underrated here in Chicago. The sushi is always incredibly fresh, and the food consistently comes out piping hot. They also offer delicious skewers alongside a great mix of traditional and modern Japanese dishes. The staff is super friendly, too. Tip: be sure to make a reservation on weekends, as it can get busy! read more

Gurleen K.

221

438

4 years ago

Fantastic meat! That's honestly all I need to say but this restaurant is amazing! The burgers we got were absolutely delicious, the meat was incredible and the flavors of the burgers were unrivaled. The atmosphere was fun and family friendly and even for how busy they are, the service is great. I would recommend to anyone who wants some good beef! read more

Joe B.

6 years ago

This place became one of my favourite last year, as they do have a big variety of Japanese cuisine in the menu and every dish is a masterpiece. I myself order rolls there, every time something different, but once it was I think a dragon roll - amazing taste. Ramen is also remarkable. Highly recommend to check this place out as it is worth it read more

Michael P.

9 years ago

Ordered the delivery of sushi here. Delivery is fast, packed well in plastic boxes. In Evanston delivered in about 20 minutes. About the sushi itself: the fish is fresh, quite tasty for such a price. Also decided to try fried sushi, but it turned out that this is not really my theme, for an amateur, but the sauce is delicious. read more

Michael L.

4 years ago

I recently tried this restaurant for the first time, and both the ambiance and the meal were excellent. Excellent contemporary furnishings, and very fresh sushi. If you're expecting to see your regular orangish tint, don't let the white ginger dressing mislead you; it's just as tasty. I'll most certainly return soon! read more

Phil R.

13 years ago

Just tried this place for the first time and the atmosphere and the food were both great. Very modern decor and the sushi was very fresh. Dont let the white ginger dressing fool you if you expect to see your typical orangish color, its every bit as good. I will definitely be visiting again! read more

Umai - japanese - Updated November 2026

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