Kamehachi — Restaurant in Chicago

I recently visited Kamehachi, one of my go-to spots for Japanese cuisine, and once again, the experience did not disappoint! While I usually opt for their yaki soba or udon (both of which are always perfectly seasoned and hearty), I decided to try something different this time and ordered the chicken katsu. I also indulged in some sushi, including the New York rolls and the chef’s selection of nigiri.

The chicken katsu was delightful—crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, served with a flavorful tonkatsu sauce that perfectly complemented the dish. The portion size was generous but not overwhelming, and the presentation was impeccable. The New York sushi rolls were fresh and flavorful, with a great balance of textures. The chef’s selection of nigiri was the highlight of my order—every piece melted in my mouth, showcasing the freshness and skill that Kamehachi is known for.

I paired my meal with the Hachi-tini, a light and refreshing cocktail that was subtle in flavor but perfectly balanced. It wasn’t overpowering, making it a great accompaniment to the richness of the dishes.

My partner ordered the sunset rolls and the chef’s selection of sashimi. The sunset rolls were vibrant and flavorful, with just the right amount of spice and sweetness. The sashimi was beautifully presented and incredibly fresh, with each slice showcasing the quality of the fish. My partner was equally impressed and couldn’t stop raving about the combination of flavors and textures in their meal.

The atmosphere at Kamehachi is another reason we keep coming back. The space is warm and inviting, striking a balance between traditional and modern design. The staff is attentive and knowledgeable, always happy to make recommendations or answer questions about the menu.

Overall, Kamehachi delivered yet another memorable dining experience. Whether you’re a fan of sushi, noodles, or classic Japanese comfort dishes, this place has something for everyone. I can’t wait to return and explore more of their menu—though I might be tempted to revisit the chicken katsu and nigiri selection again! Highly recommend it for anyone seeking a consistently high-quality Japanese...

Before seeing a show at Second City, for dinner, I tried to go to The Vig nearby, but I settled on Kamehachi as my backup plan.

Well, I’m very glad that I ended up at Kamehachi as not only was The Vig packed on a Monday night after work for many locals (I’m a tourist), the crowd and atmosphere at The Vig seemed obnoxious with frat bros, older uppity bourgeois, and uptight yuppies all in there. Gross.

Kamehachi was emptier compared to other nearby places too, but I was starving, and I wanted East Asian cuisine (I’m of Korean descent).

After seeing a Japanese family sitting outside Kame on Quebec/European/outdoor covid style terraces on my way first to The Vig, I was convinced that the food at Kame would be at least authentic.

After waiting about 10 minutes at The Vig, I stormed out pissed off and walked into Kame.

I was immediately acknowledged by staff, sat at a place of my choice, given a menu and water. Already a complete 180 from The Vig.

I ordered the chicken katsu and that hit the spot! The chicken panko crust was perfectly fried. The accompanying miso soup and white rice were complimentary to my chicken katsu. My Asahi beer was nice and cold too.

The katsu was very filling, and at $19 (as of June 2025; who knows in the future with inflation?), I think that’s a very good deal. With the beer, a tall can, it was about $28 total.

I did notice though that a couple sitting next to me ordered sushi, and their order actually took longer than my katsu. I was almost a third done with my meal when they finally received theirs, and they placed the order before I did.

So take that into consideration for sushi, but for other meals on there, I thought Kamehachi...

DO NOT GO! My girlfriend and I received food poisoning from Kamehachi in Old Town. She ate the Chicken Teriyaki (with a house salad) that I had a bit of, and I had a Tuna D'Lux D'Lux roll with miso soup and spicy edamame. We didn't do anything else the entire night. The next day we woke up and both felt like we had been hit by a truck. She was violently vomiting, severely dehydrated (her brother, a physician, gave her an IV), feverish, and dizzy. If it wasn't for her being a nurse and her brother being a physician, we would have taken her to the ER. I had similar, but not as severe, side effects from the food. My guess is it was the chicken teriyaki. When I spoke with the manager, Lateef, he told me to have her brother, the doctor, call him that night and explain the symptoms. When he called 10-15 minutes later, Lateef had left. The doctor explained that this must have been food poisoning and all the symptoms that were related all led him to believe that it came from Kamehachi. I called in today and Lateef explained that he needs to obtain a stool sample before they can do anything about it (they also wouldn't contact the doctor and said he would have to contact them if anything was to be done). The service, while there, was good, decor was great, but the management and food are far below average. Will be reporting them elsewhere as well. AGAIN, BE WARNED! THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE SEVERE IF SHE WASN'T IN THE CARE OF A...