A Worthy Contender to Daruma? 🍶🏮

If Daruma feels like a bright, welcoming family restaurant, this izakaya offers a cozy, dimly-lit vibe. And the food? Delicious in a completely different way! First time bringing my food buddy here, so let’s dive right into the dishes: 🍗 Geso Karaage, Softshell Karaage, Agedashi Tofu, Kani Cream Croquette – You need fried snacks with drinks! The fried squid legs and soft-shell crab were crispy and tasty, each paired with thoughtful sauces: one slightly spicy, the other tangy. The Agedashi Tofu sat in savory broth topped with daikon and scallions — among the best I’ve had at Japanese spots. Last but not least, the crab cream croquette was unexpectedly light and fresh-sweet — yes, I used “fresh-sweet” to describe fried food! So good we ordered another round. 🍜 Nabeyake Udon & Tempura Soba – No ramen tonight, so we went with these. My carb-loving buddy loved them — broths were flavorful, and the udon bowl was especially well-balanced. 🐷 Tonkatsu Dinner & Katsu Curry Rice – Two pork cutlet mains! Solid execution, though portions and sides are smaller than Daruma’s. The curry was mildly sweet, not too salty — just our style. And their fried items never missed, whether appetizers or mains. 🍢 Yakitori – Only tried the grilled pork belly skewers today — nicely charred, slightly sweet, perfect with a drink. Wish there were more skewer options available. 🍣 Sashimi Platter – Fresh fish, no complaints. ⚠️ Heads up: The online menu is outdated. They now only offer items on the paper menu (fewer choices — ramen wasn’t available tonight). Closed on Sundays — plan accordingly if visiting on weekends! 🏮 Torizen 📍 22 E Golf Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60173 Overall, Daruma and Torizen offer very different vibes and menus. For family dining with kids, I’d recommend Daruma. Torizen feels more intimate — ideal for a few friends sharing drinks and small plates. I’ll share another suburban izakaya fave with more skewer options soon — stay tuned if you’re interested! 🍡 #LocalEats #ChicagoEats #ChicagoFoodie #ChicagoSuburbs #Izakaya #JapaneseFood