Taste of Japan

This place has amazing curry rice. It’s so good I just went to Japan and it tastes the same with the same curry consistency, perfectly fried tofu, potatoes. The miso soup was thick and not watery and the rice was perfect with a little stickiness. This place is so so good. Quiet, really comforting tastes. I wish I had one near me.

I really want to like this place because the location is fantastic and it's close to where I live. Unfortunately it is just not that good compared to many other sushi places. I wanted to give the place the benefit of the doubt and so I came back a second time and ordered more sushi. I'm not getting sushi here again. I got the Ikura, Yellowtail, Salmon, Eel, and Lightly Grilled Salmon Handroll. First thing I noticed was that the sushi fell apart easily. It was breaking into two pieces while I was trying to grab it and the rice was not sticking together. It was also weirdly mushy. I know it's raw fish but I've eaten a lot of sushi in my life, including a lot of buffet sushi and AYCE sushi, and this was probably the first time in my life I've actually thought it was strange. Strange enough where I'm putting it in this review. It was still edible and I ate it all (mostly because I paid for it and didn't want to throw it away), but not something I've experienced at any other sushi place. It was also warm. As if it was put in the microwave and heated up. I've never experienced warm sushi before... I don't know what to think. If this food was sitting in the employee lounge for free, I would still hesitate to eat more than a few pieces. This place gets some points because of the location, but I'm not coming back to this place for the sushi. Perhaps I'll try out some of the rice or noodles some other time but I'm going to pass on the sushi.

Taste of Japan has several delicious meals like ramen, Japanese curry and various sushi and sashimi. I had the pork tonkatsu miso ramen and it had plenty of pork, noodles, bamboo and egg. The restaurant has a spicy sauce at the tables that you can add for extra spicy flavor. For four of us, it was $110 including tip. I would return. I visited in late May 2025. There is a restroom available for customers.

Have been here twice now to dine in. The owner (I assume) is very friendly and service is great. The quality of the sushi is incredible, especially given the price -- easily the most affordable quality sushi I've found in Chicago. They also have soba noodles, which I really appreciate as a higher-protein noodle option. Will definitely be back!

Its our first time here. The place was good. It was cold outside and wanted to taste a hot soup. We ordered ramen and it was served not too hot. It was just warm. Could have been better if the food it was served really hot.

I stopped by Taste of Japan on Wells just wanting to try something different, and I’m really glad I did. I ordered the Tonkatsu Curry, and it was exactly what I was hoping for: crispy, comforting, and served hot and fresh. The portion was generous without being over the top, and the curry had that rich, slightly sweet flavor I love. What really stood out was the staff. Super friendly, helpful, and genuinely warm. You can tell they care about the experience and take pride in what they’re doing. It’s a cozy, low-key spot that feels like it’s flying under the radar, and I think more people should know about it. Definitely worth supporting if you're in the Loop and looking for something satisfying and reasonably priced.

Both taste and portion sizes are great! The plates are substantial, with heaping servings of rice alongside the curry. The ambiance is relaxed and welcoming, making it perfect for casual lunches or dinner with friends. The staff is friendly.

I do not think they understand Japanese foods. They apparently created a modified version of Japanese foods which turned out to be even worse. Nigiri sushis were okay, but they keep disintegrating, and Gunkan Maki's nori was somehow replaced by cucumber. The ramen 'tasted like' (not saying they are) it was made off of some kits from Amazon. At least it wasn't on par with what I would expect from a 'Japanese Restaurant'. Edit: Miso soup was $4. I cannot comprehend why a small bowl of miso soup would be $4. I ended up not ordering it.

Food - Amazing Service - First Class! Laid Back, Soothing, NOT rushed!! We'll Be Back!!!

First reaction, this place is huge. It's a mom and pop shop but there is so much space inside. Ample seating. We only got sushi so can't speak to other parts of the menu, but sushi was great. Clean, simple and affordable. We particularly loved the spicy tuna. And it's one of the few spots in the loop that stays open in the evening, in case you want dinner.

Its our first time here. The place was good. It was cold outside and wanted to taste a hot soup. We ordered ramen and it was served not too hot. It was just warm. Could have been better if the food it was served really hot.

This place is always empty, but hands down is some of the best food in The Loop. Don't let this place go out of business. The chicken curry and ramen are 10/10.

Clearly a reboot of the earlier business. I didn't try the sushi previously but it was excellent for lunch today. Sashimi, Nigiri and hand roll heavy with no maki but the fish was quite good.

Just stopped by this cute spot during a work trip and wow. I'm from LA and this sushi is the best price to quality I have ever seen. This little mom and pop spot is such a gem. The foods delicious and the portions are super generous. The workers were very attentive, the intererior is cute decorated. I honestly wish I can take this place home with me. The server was super sweet. Who knew Chicago would have such yummy sushi, 10/10. I'm jealous of yall locals.

Been here for lunch three times, trying the sushi, soba, and tonkatsu ramen. It's the first place I've been to in Chicago that reminds me of places in Japan when i visited for a month last summer. The quality of food is a notch above what i would expect and tastes authentic. The owners are very nice and seem to really care about quality. A very good value and welcome addition to my lunch schedule when i am downtown. ごちそうさま

This place was so great! Very kind staff, and food is very tasty. We got the miso soba ramen with shrimp tempura (tempura was so crispy and delicious), and the chicken curry (amazingly crispy chicken). We got to-go, and they packaged all the food so nicely that nothing got soggy (all the food in different compartments). Totally recommend!

I found this place on maps and ordered online for pick up and found out they're brand new! I am so happy to have a place like this by work to stop by and get some lunch! The lady at the pickup counter was very sweet when I entered. I ordered the chicken katsu curry and it was amazing! Tasted so fresh and had a deep curry flavor that was so comforting. I liked how everything was separated so the chicken was still crispy by the time I got to eat it in my office. I also will say it's pretty affordable for what you are getting, I had some to take for leftovers! I will be coming back as a regular for lunch.

Excellent service and really good ramen. Sushi was super fresh and flavourful. Will definitely come again next time I'm in town.

Amazing spot for authentic Japanese sushi and noodles. Great service. Very fresh food in a quiet setting.

I am glad I found a nice sushi place by my work. A very kind lady help me find the one I like.Definitely will come back.