Amazing Japanese Restaurant in Chicago's Far Northwest Suburbs

Who else gets that feeling of being surrounded by Japanese locals as soon as you walk in? 😄🇯🇵 This restaurant has been open since 2000 — the owner has gone from a young guy to a kindly, slightly stooped elderly man. 🍜 Tonkotsu Ramen: So delicious!!! The broth is rich and flavorful, and the noodles are cooked just right! 👌 Only downside: just one slice of pork 😅 But I’d still order it again! 🥩 Beef Tataki: Yum yum yum! The scallions here actually aren’t pungent — and I usually avoid scallions! The beef is tangy and sweet, wrapped with bean sprouts and scallions… I’m out of words, just delicious 🥲💯 🫘 Daruma Natto: Not liking natto is my problem 😅… Everything else in the dish tasted great though! 🍱 Lunch Special — Pork Cutlet Don: Maybe the dinner version is better? The menu has several types of pork cutlet rice. The lunch special felt more “adapted” for Western tastes. Portion was HUGE — $17 after tax! For reference, I can normally eat 1.2lbs of steak… but this I couldn’t finish! Comes with pasta, pork cutlet, salad, and miso soup — a full set! 🥗🍛 📝 Overall: The food here feels authentically Japanese and unique! I saw others ordering soba noodles, ochazuke (tea-rice), and udon (which seems popular here too) — I want to try them all next time! Specials change often — they’re listed on a small paper on the table. 🏮 This is definitely going to be my regular spot from now on! #ChicagoEats #JapaneseFood #SuburbanEats #Daruma #Ramen #AuthenticJapanese