Top Best Japanese Restaurants in Bucktown

"When Melvin & Carlo Vizconde were working at various sushi restaurants in the Chicago area, they both had regulars often asking them to make “something special.” So expect something special at Kai Zan, the twin brothers’ first restaurant of their own. For example, one of their popular dishes, scallops wrapped in salmon, is lightly seared with a citrus glaze and when you bite into it, the contrast between fatty salmon and lean scallop makes perfect sense. Also, there’s a Do-It-Yourself uni and toro hand roll, which comes with a quail egg yolk, as if the uni and toro were not rich enough already."

"For an incomparable Omakase experience, KAI ZAN is a Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant in Chicago specializing in wholly authentic and traditional Omakase dining. The restaurant is the brainchild of the notable sushi twins Melvin and Carlos Vizconde, who wanted a creative space to invent intricate dishes."

"Chicago Ave. (between Rockwell Street and Maplewood Avenue), is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the sushi bar, Asian fusion and Japanese spot 4.5 stars out of 1,030 reviews."

"The best sushi really depends on what type of experience you’re looking for. Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill has by far the most Instagrammable presentations (going crazy with elaborate sauce designs). There are also a few all-you-can-eat spots that are also great deals (and filling if you’re not looking for the best fish) like Sushi Para M."

"After recouping from a recent fire, Arami is back in business serving fine sashimi, nigiri, and maki, as well as tasty ramen, and other large and small plates. Presentation is not an afterthought here; each dish is beautifully plated. They recently received a Michelin Bib Gourmand nomination for the fifth year in a row."

"And none of us would exhibit our robust appetite full-on while a potential lover is across the table. Arami is the perfect eatery where the nigiri and sashimi are as good as it gets. The menu at Arami is far from fancy, but the food is authentic."

"WOW. And that’s exactly what you’ll get in this high-end, posh Asian nightclub. Dance the night away in this 1000-capacity dance club in Chicago featuring a 10-foot Japanese bell, world-famous DJ sets, and funky lights. Make your VIP request here."

"Tao Chicago opened with great fanfare in 2018, revealing an astonishing reimagining of a circa-1892 landmark in River North. The historic property, with its stone structure and arc..."

"This Lincoln Park restaurant is frequented for chef BK Park’s omakase menu, a dining experience featuring a generous array of appetizers, nigiri, sashimi, and hand rolls. Start with tastes of Kumamoto oysters with Japanese mignonette or king crab dressed in Kobe butter, and save room — more than 20 courses are offered in total. Those ordering off the menu can do so with signature bites, such as the smoked hamachi (Japanese amberjack sashimi smoked in a glass dome) and the uni shooter (accompanied by orange zest, cucumber, and wasabi tobiko)."

"Sushi The beautiful interior and the equally beautiful presentation of sushi by Chef BK Park are the obvious reasons that Juno is always on Chicago’s best sushi list. However, just like that pretty girl you have crush on happens to be also kind, smart and funny, you’ll pleasantly discover that Juno’s food is also amazing from their appetizers to the omakase menu. The Omakase requires a 24 hour advance reservation, but you are in for a treat."

"Many locals think that Juno has the best seafood in all of Chicago. It’s an intimate Japanese restaurant in the heart of Lincoln Park with an elegant setting. Diners here can expec..."

"Furious Spoon chef Shin Thompson is adapted to the times and launching his first "virtual restaurant" concept, Chicago's first Japanese curry house. Thompson credits his grandmother's curry as the inspiration for his latest to-go-only venture. Japanese curry is sweeter and milder than the Indian flavors we're more familiar with."

"This market opened its doors in Arlington Heights in 1991, and since then, it’s been serving as one of the largest Japanese grocery stores and food courts in all of the Midwest (quickly gaining the reputation as “The Mall of Japan”). Come 365 days a year for favorites like tonkatsu, ramen, and Japanese-style burgers, along with a series of other Asian eats — dim sum, bibimbap, and kalbi have also been spotted at stands."

"Just 30 minutes from Chicago, this large, popular Japanese grocery superstore boasts an impressive food court with a huge variety of choices of Asian delicacies. If you want authentic Japanese, you'll find udon, teriyaki, sushi and bento boxes aplenty. There are tables and chairs to dine at the food court but weekends get slammed with shoppers so you may have to stalk tables to get a seat."

"Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill was established in 2011 in Chicago, with now two locations. Both locations were set by their adoring owner Yut Vong. Upon his coming into America and being at the food industry for over a decade, Yut’s passions and livelihood turned one hundred and eighty degrees to the foodservice business, making the first group of beef rolls and robata emphasizing the young urban diners of all Chicago."

"A post shared by Eater Chicago (@eater_chicago) on Mar 16, 2018 at 4:04pm PDT. Yut Vong led a team in establishing the Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill after first having a robust presence in the food industry for over 15 years. It was meant to attract both the young and middle-aged urban diners of Chicago and the rest is history."

"Description: Yuzu Chicago is a great spot for ~artsy~ and delicious sushi rolls and robata grilled dishes. Be sure to order the Dragon Ball roll under the "Yuzu Jumbo Roll" section of the menu!. Location: 1751 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622"

"First time checking this spot out and hands down food is pretty damn good!. Definitely recommend this spot especially that sandwich that has the marinara ..."

"Restaurants Indian West Ridge. Carnivores seem to think that without meat on their plates they’d starve. But this 100 percent vegetarian South Indian spot puts an end to that theory with its famous dosa—a gigantic cumin-, potato- and onion-filled rice and lentil crêpe that comes in a dozen varieties."

"Most people haven't tasted Filipino food unless they have friends or family but if you find yourself craving for an authentic Filipino breakfast in Chicago, head to Uncle Mike's Place. The Longaniza (sweet anise-wine chorizo sausage) and Tocino (annat and anise cured pork shoulder) can be ordered separately but also together as a combo that arrives with garlic fried rice and two eggs any style. It also serves bangus (boneless grilled milkfish) which is popular among Filipinos."

"First-timers may come to Uncle Mike’s Place on the hunt for the perfect omelet or patty melt, but they quickly learn there’s much more to savor. The cozy family-run restaurant has a full menu of Filipino-American fare. Warm up with a bowl of lugao (chicken rice soup), try some tocino (Filipino bacon) with your eggs or go whole-hog with a side of spicy fried Spam."

"Instead of the usual bacon and sausage, opt for Spam and longaniza in the morning. This Filipino diner mixes things up with Southeast Asian favorites such as bangus (milkfish), marinated skirt steak, and bone-in pork chop. Don’t fret if those sound a little too hearty though, patrons can still order an omelet or short stack."

"With Stephanie Izard, the first female chef to win Bravo’s Top Chef, at the helm, you can bet your bottom dollar the Little Goat Diner will serve up a brunch to please the pickiest of people. A menu dedicated to brunching and serving spectacular dishes all day makes this an ever-reliable brunch spot that always exceeds expectations. The retro midcentury-modern diner is casual and cozy so you can brunch away in comfort and choose from an array of delectable brunch options both traditional and worldly."

"This carbo-loaded attachment to Stephanie Izard's Little Goat Diner sells some seriously decadent goods, like "fat bread" (smoked duck fat, pickled mustard seed, and beer), crusty tortone made with garlic and mashed potatoes, onion rye bagels with kimchi cream cheese, and don't-knock-it-'til-you've-tried-it chocolate, peanut butter, and Cheez-It cake."

"Fans of the TV show “Top Chef” may be familiar with the Girl and the Goat franchise, and the Little Goat Diner does not disappoint. This gourmet diner has a fun menu and a bright and airy atmosphere. If the kids get restless waiting for their food you can take them to the bakery which has huge windows to peek in on the pastry chefs."

"Gone are the days of chunky scoops, and here to stay are the finely crafted, thin slices of ice cream that trick you into thinking you’re ingesting fewer calories than you really are."

"Description: Aha Crepe is known for serving Crepes and Dessert, ranging from sweet to savory. Location: 2435 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 6061"