I eat a lot of sushi. I keep notes. I spill soy on my sleeve. And yes, I chase the good stuff across the city. Here’s what I loved, what bugged me, and where I’d send my best friend for a big night or a quick bite. This is my short list for best sushi in Chicago, based on real meals, real checks, and a few happy mistakes. If you want an even deeper dive, check out ARECO's in-depth roundup of the best sushi in Chicago—it cross-checks nicely with my own notebook.
The splurge that floored me: Kyōten (Logan Square)
I saved up for this one. Small counter. Soft light. You sit close to the chef. The fish felt alive in a good way—warm rice, cool neta, big flavor.
- My “wow” bite: a cherry salmon slice, aged in kelp, brushed with sweet soy. The sea popped. Then it went quiet.
- I thought I hated eel. Then he served eel warm with a glossy sauce. I nodded and smiled like a kid.
- Price is high. Think special birthday high. I left full, calm, and a tiny bit broke.
- Tip: skip perfume, show up on time, and let the chef lead. The rice is the key here—loose, warm, and gentle.
Want the backstory on how chef Otto Phan brought Kyōten to Chicago? Eater’s profile has the details here.
Elegant, steady, and warm: Mako (West Loop)
Mako feels like a whisper. Clean lines. Calm staff. You get a set course that flows.
- Best bite for me: kohada (gizzard shad). Bright vinegar, soft rice, quick shine. Not showy. Just right.
- The scored squid had yuzu salt. It looked like lace. It ate like butter.
- It’s pricey, but less wild than the top tier. I’d bring my parents here and breathe easy.
- Tip: book early and don’t rush. The room slows you down in a good way.
Cozy counter, big heart: Omakase Yume (West Loop)
This one feels personal. Fewer seats. The chef works inches from you. It’s friendly, not stiff.
- My favorite moment: a warm toro hand roll to end. Nori crackled. Rice hugged the fat in a sweet way.
- Hokkaido uni was clean and sweet, not muddy at all.
- The menu moves fast. You blink and the next bite lands.
- Tip: they run on time. Show up ready. You’ll leave happy and a little giddy.
Smoke and show, but it works: Juno (Lincoln Park)
This spot won me with one trick, then kept me with the rest.
- The smoked salmon sashimi came under a glass dome. They lift it. A soft applewood cloud swirls out. It smells like fall. It tastes like Sunday.
- The Juno King nigiri is rich and playful—think truffle and torched salmon, but not heavy.
- Rolls are tight and balanced. No sauce floods.
- Tip: ask for hot tea with your sashimi. Our server kept it topped off, which was sweet on a cold night.
After dinner at Juno, I sometimes slip into a hidden bar for a nightcap—if that sounds like your vibe, take a peek at this colorful narrative tour of the city’s speakeasy scene in Chicago to map your next move.
Loud, fun, and fast: Sushi-San (River North)
Hip-hop plays. Ice-cold Asahi pours from that frosty tap. It’s a party, but the fish is solid.
- The Mr. Maguro tuna flight helped my cousin learn the cuts. Lean to fatty, side by side. Easy lesson, tasty lesson.
- Crispy tempura shrimp roll hit that crunch-salty-sweet note. Yes, it’s basic. Yes, I ordered two.
- Lunch “San-set” was a good deal and came quick.
- Tip: good for groups. Not great for a deep, quiet talk. I once shouted “pass the ginger” like a dork.
Big menu with range: Momotaro (West Loop)
Date night spot with style. The downstairs izakaya hums. Upstairs feels sleek.
- Sashimi on ice looked like a small show: clean cuts, no mess, tight timing.
- Nigiri leaned classic. Rice temp was steady all night.
- They do more than sushi, but I stayed on the fish path and felt proud of my focus.
- Tip: if you mix hot dishes and nigiri, ask them to pace it. They will.
Party tray hero: Lawrence Fish Market (Albany Park)
This is my secret for birthdays and game nights. Not fancy. Very kind on the wallet.
- I grabbed a 48-piece tray once and fed seven people. It was fresh, simple, and fast.
- Salmon, tuna, shrimp, and a few rolls. No frills, just clean fish.
- Bring cash, or at least check the signs. Lines move quick.
- Tip: keep soy light here. Taste the fish first. It’s better that way. And if you’re firing up the grill for extra protein, pair that party tray with a shake of this tested-at-home Chicago steak seasoning to keep everyone fed and happy.
Neighborhood calm and clean cuts: Arami (West Town)
Arami feels like a friend’s living room if your friend knows fish.
- Yellowtail with truffle soy sounds heavy. It wasn’t. It was soft, thin, and bright.
- The Arami roll had heat, but it didn’t steamroll the rice.
- Service is easy and warm. I like to sit at the bar and watch hands work.
- Tip: great on a weeknight. I write notes here and no one minds.
While you’re waiting for your take-out tray to arrive—or just feel like chatting about which roll pairs best with a Friday night beer—you can dive into InstantChat’s breakdown of the best chat roulette site to meet hot babes to spark a spontaneous video conversation; the guide makes it simple to choose a safe, user-friendly platform and might even turn your solo sushi session into a flirty virtual hangout.
So…where should you go?
- Big, rare splurge: Kyōten
- Quiet, polished date: Mako
- Intimate, friendly counter: Omakase Yume
- Smoke and flair with real skill: Juno
- Fun with friends and beer: Sushi-San
- Stylish night with range: Momotaro
- Budget feast at home: Lawrence Fish Market
- Chill neighborhood fix: Arami
A few tiny tips that help a lot
- Rice first. If the rice feels right, the meal sings.
- Taste the fish plain, then add soy or wasabi. You can’t go backwards.
- Book early for counters. Seats are few, time is tight.
- Winter coats are bulky. I bring a tote so my scarf doesn’t hit the soy. Learned that the hard way.
- If you care about sourcing, the no-nonsense seafood guides at ARECO help you choose fish that’s kind to the ocean.
Travel sometimes pulls sushi lovers beyond Chicago—say you wind up in Easton for a conference and crave a quick pulse on the local late-night scene. In that case, swing by the refreshed listings at OneNightAffair’s Easton Backpage where up-to-date ads, user reviews, and built-in safety tips make scouting entertainment options faster and far less hassle than aimless Googling.
You know what? Chicago is a cold city with warm rice. That’s why I keep going. From quiet vinegared shine to smoky salmon under glass, this town keeps my chopsticks busy. If you try one spot, tell me what you ate. If you try three, even better. I’ll be the one at the counter, notebook open, grinning at the next bite.