Chicago Hidden Gem: ITOKO Japanese Restaurant 🍣
I found another amazing Japanese restaurant in Chicago—ITOKO! 🎉 Japanese food is something I crave every few days, and this place was highly recommended. It didn’t disappoint! The only minor issue was that the beef bowl was a bit salty, but everything else was delicious. This restaurant is another venture by the owner of Momotaro (Peach Boy), a place I already had a good impression of. The new location has an even better ambiance! 😌 Uni + Salmon + Tuna Toro The uni (sea urchin) was incredibly sweet and tender—absolutely amazing! 😋 The salmon was also very fatty, but the tuna toro was just okay—lacking a bit in richness. Hokkaido Hotate (Recommended!) ✨ + Tuna Toro Nigiri The combination of scallops, caviar, and uni was perfection! The scallops were fresh and chewy, complementing the soft uni, while the caviar added a nice salty touch. The tuna nigiri was also good—nothing extraordinary but solid! Mecha Kucha (Recommended +1 😭) Uni + Bluefin Tuna + Caviar. This was an incredibly satisfying bite—rich and aromatic. Tuna Toto (Recommended +2 🥰) The freshest texture I’ve had in a while 😢. This is probably their signature dish. Enjoy it on its own or with nori—it’s equally delicious! The combination of tuna toro and caviar is perfect, topped off with small pieces of pear for a refreshing finish. Beef Chahan The wagyu beef with soft-boiled egg in a stone pot was similar to what I had at Momotaro—slightly salty with a crispy bottom. It’s not bad, but nothing extraordinary. 🍳 Soymilk Panna Cotta This yuzu-soymilk pudding 🍮 had a hint of almond milk, but the bottom layer of yuzu jam added a refreshing twist. It was really good! Yuzu Dropped Cocktail 🥸 For yuzu lovers, this cocktail is worth a try. It’s not low in alcohol content, with a strong yuzu flavor and a tangy kick. It pairs perfectly with sashimi! 🍸 Ambiance : The atmosphere was nice—less noisy than Momotaro. We walked in and sat at the bar, but I think it would be even better with a proper table next time. 💡 Average cost per person: around 💰100+ 💸 ITOKO #JapaneseFood #HiddenRestaurantGems #ChicagoFood #ChicagoLife #ChicagoJapaneseFood #ChicagoSushi #ChicagoCuisine #ChicagoRestaurantReviews #ChicagoFoodie