Casa Madai
Japanese restaurant · Pilsen
2023 S Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60608
Highlights
Japanese-Mexican fusion sushi, omakase, tostadas, BYOB
Japanese-Mexican fusion sushi, omakase, tostadas, BYOB
"Sushi omakase spots have been popping up on every corner of Chicago, and Pilsen isn’t immune. But Casa Madai stands out with its Japanese-Mexican takes on nigiri and casual environment (which is currently BYOB). Walking in for a la carte service is easy, though the better move is to plan ahead and reserve a seat at the chef's counter. The 15-course, $150 omakase option will get you things like hamachi with sautéed jalapeño and brown butter that dissolves in your mouth, scallops topped with salsa macha hugged in a sheet of nori like a one-bite taco, and conversation with the very friendly chefs." - adrian kane, alyssa reyes, veda kilaru, john ringor
"A fun, low-key spot that makes Japanese-Mexican sushi at a PhD-level. After eating a piece of hamachi with sautéed jalapeño and brown butter that dissolved on our tongue. Aside from a handful of a la carte dishes, the only real option available is the perfect one: the omakase. Nigiri with a little personality, unpretentious but excellent sushi, Sushi | Bar or Sushi by Scratch without all the social media honey traps." - nick allen, veda kilaru, john ringor, veda kilaru, nick allen, nick allen, nick allen, nick allen, john ringor, veda kilaru, john ringor, john ringor, veda kilaru, veda kilaru, john ringor, john ringor
"Sushi omakase spots have been popping up on every corner of Chicago, and Pilsen isn’t immune. But Casa Madai stands out because of its Japanese-Mexican takes on nigiri, and the casual environment (which is currently BYOB). Spring for the $150 omakase at the chef’s counter, rather than sticking with a la carte rolls. You'll get 15 courses like hamachi with sautéed jalapeño and brown butter that dissolves in your mouth, or scallops topped with salsa macha hugged in a sheet of nori like a one-bite taco. And while toppings like broiled, yuzu-infused sweet miso often feel like costume jewelry at other places, they’re used with restraint here. Use some restraint yourself and try not to steal the tuna with poblano from your date while they’re chatting with the friendly chefs." - adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru, nick allen
"Pilsen's Casa Madai may look like any other casual neighborhood sushi spot, but you won't find its Japanese-Mexican takes on nigiri anywhere else in Chicago. Spring for the $150 omakase at the chef’s counter, rather than sticking with a la carte rolls. You'll get 15 courses like hamachi with sautéed jalapeño and brown butter that dissolves in your mouth, or scallops topped with salsa macha hugged in a sheet of nori like a one-bite taco. And while toppings like yuzu-infused sweet miso often feel like costume jewelry at other places, they’re used with restraint here. It's a lot like the restaurant as a whole: low-key with a hint of fun." - adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru
"We recently checked out Casa Madai and added it to our Hit List. Casa Madai is a new sushi restaurant in Pilsen. Besides a $150, 13-course omakase option, they also serve a la carte Japanese-Mexican dishes, like salmon and tuna tostadas marinated in salsa macha, and specialty rolls with spicy hamachi, japanese mayo, and jalapeño." - john ringor, veda kilaru, nick allen
