Chicago Izakaya Rec｜Tengoku Aburiya 🏮

A stylish Japanese izakaya right next to Yume — rumor has it they share a kitchen (could be true!). Whenever I can’t snag a reservation at Yume, I come here to satisfy my cravings. Here are my favorite dishes: 🐟 Black Cod Misoyaki – My top pick! Miso-marinated grilled cod, incredibly tender and buttery — tastes exactly like the second-to-last course in Yume’s omakase. The fish is rich but not greasy, perfect over rice. 🍗 Chicken Karaage – Very solid. Light, crispy coating, juicy inside — fried just right. 🍜 Maze Soba – Actually more like handmade udon noodles mixed with minced meat and scallions. Eat half, add vinegar to change the flavor, then after finishing the noodles, mix in rice to turn it into a tasty rice bowl 😄 Fun “three ways to enjoy” concept. 🍢 Yakitori – All good, especially the grilled beef tongue (perfectly cooked) and chicken skin (crispy and fragrant). 🍚 Uni Rice Bowl – Also nice — uni makes everything better, right? 🍲 Sukiyaki – Uses wagyu dipped in egg — delicious but a bit on the sweet side. Portion isn’t huge. Overall, maybe not the absolute best in the city, but the ambiance, service, and value are great. Perfect for drinks, skewers, and hanging out with friends! #ChicagoEats #JapaneseIzakaya #TengokuAburiya #YumeSisterSpot #ChicagoFoodie 🥢