Omakase Shoji & Izakaya

This is one of the best Omakase experiences you’ll find in Chicago, especially for the price point. I have only done the Omakase experience but would love to come back and try their regular bar as well, the regular rolls looked incredible. The tasting menu option however is phenomenal! I didn’t have a single bite that I didn’t enjoy. The chefs are fantastic with their prep and explanation of each dish and provide such a wonderful experience. Highly recommend Omakase Shoji if you’re looking for a fun and interactive dinner option!

Wow! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm hospitality and an inviting atmosphere. Both chefs crafted each course with precision and deep respect for the ingredients. Every bite was a journey— fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. If you’re looking for an unforgettable omakase, this is the place!

This place is incredible. One of the best food experiences i’ve had. Yes, this was my first Omakase in Chicago & yes it was everything I thought it would be and more. Both chefs were extremely personable and cannot stress enough the quality of food they prepared. 10/10 - absolutely worth the money.

we came to celebrate our wedding anniversary, we came purely based on the reviews we read about this restaurant, from the first time we entered we were greeted with beautiful restaurant decorations, that day we were lucky that we were the only ones in the room for omakase and we were served directly by Shoji san, he prepared dish after dish like he was doing an art performance. the overall taste and presentation of the food is 10/10 and if we have the opportunity we will definitely come back here again. Shoji san if you read this review: Arigato...

Good food, with fresh and favorable seafood, sea eel is with the sauce that might be a little bit too sweet, but still acceptable, the price of sea eel rice is really low, at 20 dollars for each!! It’s easy for waiters to omit certain orders

What an incredible experience. My wife and I went here for our first date out since having our daughter, and boy did it make the occasion feel extra special. The service was top notch, the aesthetics and decor were gorgeous, and the omakase experience was incredible. We enjoyed the opportunity to speak with the chefs about the ingredients, the preparation methods, and why they preferred certain fish over others. The menu was diverse and structured well; we got to try a bit of everything. I highly recommend Omakase Shoji for your next special occasion.

Amazing and authentic omakase experience. The chefs were so professional and shared where all the fish was coming from. They accommodated my dad’s low sodium request and gave my mom a special birthday dessert. Hidden gem in this area!

The restaurant is nicely appointed. We sat at the bar and enjoyed excellent food. The service was friendly and efficient. The only negative (which made this 4 instead of 5 stars) is the reservation system, which is much too confusing. We dine out often and use Resy regularly. We booked omakase and when we arrived, we were informed the Omakase is only at certain times of the evening, which was not clear on Resy. We ordered off the menu and the food did not disappoint. The fish cheek and smelt are a must. We also ordered one of the combos and added on additional pieces. The fish was fresh, nicely seasoned and the restaurant manager brought out an extra dish to make up for the reservation confusion - a really nice gesture. We will return and maybe get the Omakase!

Arrived to our reservation a little bit early so we sat at the bar. The staff was very friendly and provided their recommendations for Japanese Whiskey and their cocktails (Passionfruit highball was my favorite). The chefs were very friendly and you could see their appreciation for the food they were making. I thoroughly enjoyed the Kaiseki experience in comparison to the standard omakase that has been popping up. 20 courses was the perfect amount and was very reasonably priced.

Omakase Shoji The. Best. Omakase. In. Chicago.  We felt like we were transported back to Japan. The space was beautiful, simple, and elegant. It makes you feel like you're separated and taken out from the city of Chicago. The seating time we had was a total of 8 people including ourselves.  Our waitress and waitor were AMAZING. They made such great recommendations for cocktails and were so speedy with their service. They do a really good job making sure with the chefs that the food is brought out to us all at around the same time so the chef's can exlpain what the dish is at the same time.  The dinner starts with a complimentary cocktail and the main sushi chef showing us the fish/rice/wasabi and telling us where it all was shipped from in Japan. Then, your 20 courses start - which let me tell you - it is more than 20 courses!! Some of the courses had 3 pieces of fish or small things incorporated into it which made it even more worthwhile. I haven't had shrimp or squid the way that I had it in Japan here in the states and my god, the shrimp and squid dishes had that nice natural creamy finish to it like the shrimp/squid from Japan. Clearly, the chefs are very particular to where they get their materials shipped from. All the fish in general just melts in your mouth and the non-fish dishes very perfect. Everything was just made to perfection. I cannot wait to come back here one day. I am still dreaming about this dinner!

120% highly recommend! Food, service, ambiance all above expectations! Food - I personally love that the 20 courses is more of an omakase+kaiseki mix, because I prefer this range of nigiri, sushi, hand roll, etc. The ingredients are top notch fresh and of course the rice in the sushi is 5 stars! fresh wasabi and perfectly balanced flavor profile. Warning: you wont get soy sauce and if you ask for it, don't. Service - we arrived early and had drinks at the bar first. I accidentally spilled my drink (party foul!), and the bartender offered to make me a fresh one on the house. Every time my sake cup was empty during the omakase meal, more would immediately appear. The chefs explain each course and its ingredients in detail and are careful on timing (for example, if you step away they will hold your course until your return). Very caring, thoughtful service. Ambiance - the bar outside in the lobby felt warm and inviting. Cocktail selection was extremely reminiscent of typical bars in Japan. I loved my special Passionfuit Highball! The 10 seater omakase is just like those in Tokyo, perfect! Love it here, might be my new favorite omakase in Chicago.

First visit Omakase shoji today. Me and my wife are sushi lovers. This is our first omakase experience. We are excited after reservation booked. We have so many regular sushi experience. But this is totally different. A chef with over 20 years experience making for us. We don't know what we going to eat before we get into the dining area. After we get in to the dining room. The staff show us today menu are 20 courses and gave us a house drink to start. Each course seem small. But it will fill you up at the end. I keep looking at the chef some course I didn't took picture. Wasabi are fresh and soy sauce is homemade. Sushi ginger is different from what I see outside it tastes excellent. I believe it house made also. Everything is so fresh. May not able to eat this every time but it totally worth to experience. At the end the owner explained the name of shoji. Mr shoji is the chef and he is also owner. shoji also means door . A door to experience omakse great fresh sushi! They will have rooftop bar soon.

Did not have the full omakase. Excellent sake list by glass or bottle. Very small menu for izakaya. Rolls were pretty solid, not extraordinary. Sushi pieces were big but not great. Restaurant was freezing cold. Nice vibe but only a few regular sized tables and 3 or 4 kid sized tables which would be very hard to eat at.

Probably the best omakase experience in Chicago. Period. I almost dismissed this place coz I thought it would just be like any other typical (and overpriced) Chicago 'omakase' . Then my husband sent me this article ...saying this place is run by 2 Japanese chefs and is more kaiseki like that they are not just X individually coursed nigiris, there are chef made dish components and artful presentation. I am sold! I still don't quite understand the distinction between omakese and kaiseki, but the whole evening experience was truly different from any Chicago 'omakase' scene, it also reminded us a bit of our experiences in Kyoto! We lucked out with small and intimate seating as well so we also got to talk to the chefs and our fellow diners a bit. They said they are still working out some kinks but I don't see any! Lol. They also seem to have big plan with the patio space etc! Hope to go back for all of this again!

First to review? Don't mind if I do. This was one of the loveliest omakases I've had in Chicago. The atmosphere feels spa-like, and there are some seriously precious, fresh bites. Destined to be competitive for reservations soon. Welcome to West Town!

Excellent addition to the neighborhood! Really enjoyed the izakaya side and looking forward to trying the omakase experience. Damien and Sarah were awesome, the gyoza, shumai, nigiri, kama, and drinks were all great and the service was excellent! Will be back!

Newly opened (two months ago) but excellent service and food. Ambiance was relaxed and nice. Will definitely be going back.

We really enjoyed the omakase experience here. The ambiance was warm and the staff could not be more friendly. The food was outstanding!

Fantastic experience! Head chef trained in Japan with 22 years of experience and it shows. Artistic preparation with perfect temperature for every bite. Every detail of food preparation, plating, and temperature is thoughtfully presented for each bite. Freshness and the indulgent pieces of seafood were a given, but even the pickled ginger was soooo good. The cocktails were spot on. The ambiance is serene and inviting. I can't wait to go back! It's sushi at another level.

Amazing meal and overall experience. Shoji, ito, Sara and Anthony made sure we were taken care of all night. Extremely high quality fish!! Looking forward to my next visit.