Your Go-To Guide for Japanese Food Exploration in Chicago!! 🍣✨

Okay, maybe the title’s a bit clickbait 😉 — but I did sample three Japanese spots over the weekend, each specializing in something different: sashimi, yakitori, and yakiniku. Two were Google Map random picks, and luckily — no disappointments! 1️⃣ Ikigai Sushi & Izakaya (yakitori focus) 🍢 Taste: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Chirashi Don (signature sashimi bowl) — safe and tasty. Assorted Skewers (chef’s daily selection) — a bit salty but delicious, especially the crispy chicken skin! Uni Sashimi Special — sea urchin with cucumber and wasabi — highly recommend! Ikigai Bomb — fruity beer bomb, fun and refreshing! 💁 Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Super friendly and gentle server — great experience. 🌿 Ambiance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 2️⃣ Niu Japanese Fusion Lounge (sashimi focus — strong recommend!) 🍣 Taste: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Deluxe Chirashi — salmon sashimi melts in your mouth 😋😋 Extra salmon sashimi order — yes, it’s that good. A5 Wagyu Nigiri — excellent. Desserts — both Dark Chocolate Cake (crispy, not too sweet) and Mochi Ice Cream (matcha + fruit) were amazing! 💁 Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌿 Ambiance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (dim, quiet, cozy) 3️⃣ Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ (yakiniku focus) 🥩 Taste: ⭐⭐⭐ A classic chain — reliable but not mind-blowing. Tried the holiday set: Wagyu was good, filet was meh — skip it. 💁 Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌿 Ambiance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (lively BBQ vibe) #PrettyFood #SalmonLover #UniHeaven #ChicagoJapanese #ChicagoEats #BestJapaneseChicago