Which Omakase in Chicago is the Best?

Finally finished the hotpot guide — now the omakase edition. Maybe I’ll get the Michelin one done this year too (a lazy foodie’s wishful thinking 😅). Back to the point — Chicago’s omakase scene has grown a lot lately, but quality is hit or miss. Below are my personal takes — hoping this helps anyone deciding where to go. (Don’t argue — you do you!) I prefer lighter seasoning and judge omakase by: 1) rice, 2) fish quality, 3) course variety. Alright, let’s dive in — reviews in photo order: 🍣 Kyoku – Photogenic, cooked appetizers are tasty, rice is surprisingly well-cooked, price is fair. But the fish… not the best. Tip: choose omakase spots with higher turnover for fresher fish. Kyoku’s main issue: fish slices too big, rice too little — needs better balance. 🍣 Mako – One of my favorites! Only downside is small portions — good for light eaters. Course flow is smooth (raw ↔ cooked), variety is good, seasoning is mild, and the ambiance is lovely. A solid choice. 🍣 Jinsei Motto – Not good! Skip it! Very Americanized omakase — overly sour and salty. Plus, they wear gloves to shape sushi — big no for me. 🍣 Omakase Room by Sushi San – My current top pick! Fresh ingredients, well-rounded course (even includes Muskmelon dessert 🍈), great atmosphere. Price is higher, portions are generous. Been back 3–4 times — keeps improving (fixed the initially soft rice issue). Highly recommend. 🍣 Omakase Yume – Probably Chicago’s most famous omakase. Fish is very fresh, seasoning is good, price is reasonable, but hard to book. Course is sushi-heavy (less variety), and they charge extra for uni and Wagyu — come on, really? 😒 🍣 Kyoten – On the pricier side. Rice leaned sour and undercooked for my taste, but fish quality is excellent. 🍣 Aji – Best value for money. Also sushi-focused with minimal appetizers, but no major flaws. 🍣 Q Sushi – Same issue as Kyoku: small shop = less fresh fish. Rice is a bit soft too. I’ve noticed Southeast Asian chefs often struggle with sushi rice — Korean chefs do better here. Q Sushi’s vibe is social — you chat with the chefs and they keep pouring drinks 🍶. Honestly, the original Omakase Takeya was the best — but after simplifying their format, it became lackluster. Here’s hoping Chicago gets more great options soon! #ChicagoOmakase #SushiGuide #ChicagoEats #OmakaseReview #FoodieRecommendations