Chicago Affordable Japanese Food 🍣 Under $100 Per Person & Stuffed!

📍 Izakaya Shinya Who would’ve thought — a spot I’ve been wanting to try since last year, and today I finally made it! It’s rare to find a yakitori/Japanese restaurant where you can eat your fill for under $100 per person, especially one that’s so widely loved. Honestly, when I saw the $20–50 per person estimate on Google Maps, my expectations weren’t too high — I thought it might be decent but not mind-blowing. But my impression started changing from the very first phone call. Stuck in traffic during dinner rush, I called to say I’d be 15–20 minutes late, and the staff instantly said, “No problem, just come!” (Living in Seattle has really lowered my standards for basic kindness 😂). 🍢 Yakitori Section — No Disappointments Here! 😋 🏮 Chouchin (Chicken Ovaries & Unlaid Eggs) Not gamey at all! The chicken is well-marinated, and eaten with the egg yolk — so smooth. Toasted sesame on top adds great aroma. My friend recommended it as soon as I sat down — a safe and delicious pick! 🐮 Gyutan (Beef Tongue) Thinly sliced, served on a mini charcoal grill to keep warm. I personally prefer this softer texture — easy to chew with a subtle charcoal aroma and salt grains. So satisfying to eat slice by slice! 🍗 Negima (Chicken & Scallion Skewer) Huge chunks of chicken! Tasty with scallions, though it got a bit dry toward the end. Still a solid choice. 🫀 Hatsu (Chicken Heart) Chewy, flavorful, perfectly seasoned with sesame — we finished all four skewers. Highly recommend! 🐟 Hamachi Kama (Yellowtail Collar) Unexpectedly tender and smooth! I’m not usually a fish person, but I had several bites. Lemon juice cuts the richness nicely — crispy skin, soft inside. Also recommended! 🍚 Gyudon (Beef Bowl) Topped with a soft egg — just okay overall. Not my top recommendation, but for $15 and a huge portion… I’ll let it slide. #Foodie #Yakitori #StudentEats #Chicago #UChicago #Northwestern #InternationalStudentEats