The Izakaya
Japanese restaurant · West Town
Lower Level, 820 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60607
Highlights
Japanese gastropub with Tokyo street vibe, great burgers
Japanese gastropub with Tokyo street vibe, great burgers
"Izakaya is a very dark bar in the basement of sushi spot Momotaro. Come here for cocktails and great Japanese small plates that you can't find upstairs—we like the donburi and a burger on house-made bao. It's a useful low-key option in a neighborhood that doesn’t have many." - nick allen, john ringor, adrian kane
"Boka Restaurant Group’s contemporary Japanese venue is an impressive tour de force. Whether it’s immaculate nigiri or indulgent meats cooked on the robata grill, diners can sample some of the city’s most luxurious bar snacks. On the building’s subterranean level, the Izakaya offers a more laid-back experience that echoes Japan’s bustling bar scene. The pub-inspired menu leans heavily on comfort, featuring “New Wave” Tokyo ramen with a chicken shoyu base. The restaurant is open for indoor dining and takeout or delivery via third-party services." - Naomi Waxman
"Momotaro’s subterranean lounge rings in the new year with a celebration of its own: its 10th anniversary. Admission ($125) includes two drink tickets, chef-curated food stations, decadent desserts, sparkling sake toast, and much more. Tickets are available via OpenTable." - Lisa Shames
"Tap into the scary side of Hello Kitty — who knew? — when this West Loop subterranean lounge celebrates the 50th anniversary of the iconic Japanese character. For the Hell-o Kitty party from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, Momotaro will transform into an eerie underworld of pink and black with plenty of playful touches. The entry includes izakaya dishes, including satsumaimo fries (sweet potato fries with miso mayo), Nagoya karaage (spicy fried chicken), and sushi handroll and dessert stations. Look for cocktails spotlighting event partner Beam Suntory. Tickets ($90) include unlimited food and three cocktails and are available on Tock." - Lisa Shames, Eater Staff
"Its bowl of tantanmen (a 2019 Ramen Fest award winner, the menu helpfully notes) is balanced and flavorful, spicy but not face-melting. The broth is light and complex..." - Ashok Selvam
