The Izakaya
Chicago
At a glance
The Izakaya, tucked below the bustling streets of West Loop Chicago, is a Japanese Bar & Lounge that exudes an urban twist on traditional Japanese dining. Situated on the lower level of Momotaro, The Izakaya captures the lively ambiance reminiscent of Tokyo's vibrant Yokocho street scene. This intimate setting offers a diverse menu characterized by shared plates that encourage a communal dining experience. Patrons can savor a variety of dishes that blend modern flavors with time-honored recipes. The culinary offerings include an inventive take on classic Tokyo ramen, a unique ‘new wave’ dish that signifies the fusion of traditional ingredients with contemporary culinary artistry.
The Izakaya is more than just a dining venue; it's a destination for evenings filled with culinary exploration and social enjoyment. As part of its offerings, the establishment hosts an engaging late-night happy hour that coincides with a lively karaoke night each Monday. This event invites guests to partake in a vibrant mix of music, drinks, and late-night bites, fostering a communal atmosphere where guests can mingle and unwind. The venue’s focus on creating a warm and inviting atmosphere extends to its regular service hours, accommodating both early evening diners and those seeking a later night rendezvous.
True to its character, The Izakaya prioritizes a menu that respects both tradition and innovation, catering to a diverse array of palates. While the selections feature classic ingredients, the approach maintains a fresh perspective, ensuring each dish is an experience unto itself. The blend of old-world inspiration with a new-world twist makes The Izakaya a distinct culinary adventure positioned within the vibrant tapestry of Chicago’s dining scene.
Reviews
Been wanting to eat dinner here for a while and I'm so happy to have finally tried it. Ambiance and service were both killer - there's no mistaking you're in a hidden joint in a big cosmopolitan city. Happy to report the food matched the atmosphere! Our favorite dishes were the Satsumaimo Fries, Happi Salada, and Chahan - all amazing and full of well curated flavors. Sashimi was a little disappointing and a bit more fishy tasting than we were expecting. Still an amazing meal overall and I can't wait to return.
An amazing Japanese bar experience. It can be a bit loud with low lighting, but that's part of the ambiance. The staff were all very welcoming and professional. The menu is well curated to offer a variety of dishes and everything that came out of the kitchen looked splendid. The temaki was well prepared and easy to assemble. The skewer was amazing - juicy inside, crisp outside, and generally an explosion of flavors that was hard to beat! As you'd expect, they have an extensive drink menu and it's hard to go wrong there!
food: okay i get the hype the burger was really good. i was surprised how no frills it was pretty much just 2 juicy patties. i really like the cocktails too. the scallop hand roll was yummy and the tuna tostado was alright but i will say they both had similar taste profiles with a background heat that clouds other flavors. tostado was also hard to eat in the fact it was hard to rip. now the worst part unfortunately is the uni pasta. the flavor overall was so good but the uni pieces we got were bitter which means they are bad or treated with tons of chemicals. really disappointed one of the mains was used with bad ingredients and not caught by the kitchen service: nice staff but the servers seemed to be all over the place. not just because it was busy but seemed to barely check in as well. ambiance: coolest part, really like the vibe but very intimate and hard to hear
This place was highly recommended by a friend in Chicago and I left overall satisfied. I walked in with no reservation and was welcomed warmly, told there was seating at the bar which I gladly took. Service was quick and friendly by the staff. The ambiance of this location felt so cool, I could imagine coming with a group of friends and having a great night out. I was recommended the wings and bao bun burger which I ordered with no hesitation. Starting with the wings, they were large and delicious, very nice crunch on them. Being the star of the show, the burger had some high expectations. It was large in size and came with japanese sweet potato fries. The fries’ texture was so pleasing to bite into, they were large and plentiful. The burger I have to say I wasn’t totally in love with. The burger was extremely greasy, which the bun did not help. The structural integrity of the burger collapsed just a few bites in as everything kept sliding around and falling in and out of the bun. The bun was far more crispier than fluffy, which I had expected. I enjoyed the double patties within it, just wish I could comfortably eat it as a burger. For $26, the burger experience wasn’t great and it disappointed me. I can see how this place is satisfying to the eyes. Its underground feel with beautiful bar display, dark ambience with bright lighting sprinkled through all creates a high level atmosphere. The food is priced highly and although decent, I would’ve expected more if I am being honest. When the fries are the highlight of my meal, I think that says a lot. I did not finish the burger.
The Izakaya at Momotaro was great. The vibe is super cool, and being downstairs makes it feel even more special. It’s really pretty inside, especially sitting at the bar, and the service was great too. It is pretty loud though, so just know you’ll have to talk a little louder. We got the uni pasta, the spicy chicken sando with satsumaimo fries, the Nagoya style tebasaki wings, and the Momo Royale burger. The uni pasta was nice and the noodles were definitely good, but it could’ve used a little more flavor. It was good, just not my favorite. The spicy chicken sando was delicious and was probably my favorite thing we got, and the satsumaimo fries were sooo good, especially with the sauce on the side. The wings were flavorful, but they got pretty sticky and I kind of wish they were a little smaller or easier to separate. The Momo Royale burger was good, but nothing too special to me. Not sure what all the hype is about! I’ve definitely had better burgers in Chicago. I’d come back for the good food and good vibes, but next time I’d try out different dishes like donburi, hand rolls, or tonkatsu.
