Chicago｜Boka — 7-Year Michelin-Starred Gem 🌟

Finally snagged a spot at Boka during restaurant week — and loved it so much I booked another visit right after leaving! If RPM is “expectedly good,” Boka is “the restaurant I’ve been twice already and can’t wait to return to” 🫶. Service, ambiance, lighting, pacing — all flawless 🤝. Street parking wasn’t bad either. 🔥 Must-Order Dishes: 🥩 Beef Tartare ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Salty-sweet, almost like Chinese cured meat — unforgettable. 🐚 Hokkaido Scallops ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ These scallops are heavenly — sweet, tender, melt-in-your-mouth perfection. 🍖 Grilled Short Rib ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Looked simple but packed with deep, savory flavor — had us applauding. 🦆 Dry Aged Duck ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thought “how good can duck be?” — then wow. Crispy skin, juicy meat, incredible. Boka’s menu isn’t huge, but these four dishes alone are worth repeat visits. Every element — even the garnishes — is thoughtfully prepared. The scallops especially won me over completely 🏆. The magic here is taking simple ingredients and transforming them into unpredictable, layered flavors — each bite surprises you. 👨‍🍳 Servers kindly advised us not to over-order — portions are generous. We almost got the whole duck for two (crazy, right?). 🍰 Only letdown: desserts. Too complex and unfocused — tried three and none stood out. You can skip ’em! 💰 Around $130 per person (no drinks, with tax & tip). #ChicagoEats #Boka #MichelinStar #FineDining #RestaurantWeek #MustTryChicago