Omakase Shoji & Izakaya
Japanese restaurant · West Town ·
Kappo-style sushi with tasting menus & authentic Japanese flavors
Kappo-style sushi with tasting menus & authentic Japanese flavors
"At $195, Omakase Shoji is as pricey as other special occasion sushi spots in Chicago. But the experience at this sushiya is unlike any other in the city—a 20-course kaiseki menu, where the hot small plates outshine everything else. The quality of fish used for nigiri is excellent and the quick succession of so many large portions in just two hours means you’ll be full enough to skip a second dinner at McDonald’s. And for not-as-special occasions, there’s an a la carte menu of small plates, rolls, and sushi sets available at the bar." - adrian kane, veda kilaru, john ringor, nick allen
"This spot is explicitly called out as a poor value for Restaurant Week: the $60 three-course meal would have diners overspending compared with regular options." - Sam Nelson
"At $225, Omakase Shoji is as pricey as other special occasion sushi spots in Chicago. But the experience at this West Town sushiya is unlike any other in the city—a 20-course kaiseki menu, where the hot small plates outshine everything else. While the quality of fish used for nigiri is excellent, cuts sometimes lack precision and the sushi and sashimi aren’t as memorable as the hot dishes. Fortunately, the quick succession of so many large portions in just two hours means you’ll be full enough to skip a second dinner at McDonald’s. And for not-as-special occasions, there’s an a la carte menu of small plates, rolls, and sushi sets available at the bar." - adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru
"We recently checked out Omakase Shoji. Read our review here. Chicago’s omakase scene expands once again with the arrival of Omakase Shoji. For $185, expect 17-25 courses (which you can amp up with add-ons like wagyu and caviar) during an Edomae-style omakase at the 10-seat West Town sushi counter. " - john ringor, veda kilaru, nick allen
"At $225, Omakase Shoji is as pricey as other special occasion sushi spots in Chicago. But the experience at this West Town sushiya is unlike any other in the city—a 20-course kaiseki menu, where the hot small plates outshine everything else. While the quality of fish used for nigiri is excellent, cuts sometimes lack precision and the sushi and sashimi aren’t as memorable as the hot dishes. Fortunately, the quick succession of so many large portions in just two hours means you’ll be full enough to skip a second dinner at McDonald’s. This isn’t the place to show up with your McDonald’s-at-3am college friends, however. The meal takes place in a bright room just big enough for a 10-seat counter and two staff members waiting to refill your water glass the second it dips below 25% full. And the only sounds are quiet instrumental music, punctuated by the chefs periodically speaking to each other in Japanese. But what Omakase Shoji lacks in energy, it makes up for by being a great alternative to a 20-piece fish-on-rice sprint. Food Rundown Omakase Omakase Shoji offers a 20-course kaiseki menu for $225 per person. The meal is highly seasonal, lasts about two hours, and much of it is sourced from Japan. Seafood is the focus of the dinner, starting with a sakizuke course that might include perfectly fried tempura flounder that shatters on first bite. This is followed by a parade of subtle cold and hot small plates, like a bowl of baby eels in a vaguely floral umami sauce or silky chawanmushi with uni and chunks of tender lobster. The brief interruptions come in the form of nigiri, and some very hefty pieces of seasonal fish for the otsukuri course. Right before dessert, you’ll be presented with the best (and most unique) dish of the night: a piece of curry-flavored sea bream floating in green tea soup using the accompanying matcha soba like pool noodles. photo credit: Veda Kilaru" - Veda Kilaru
