Fantastic experience with the Chefs Counter Omakase for a date night dinner. Every course was great and it was overall one of the most unique omakase menus we've had with the blend of Mexican and Japanese ingredients. read more

Juan, the manager, was great. Extremely attentive. Food also quite good, an interesting and unexpected fusion that works well. Fully intend to come back with friends. read more

TL;DR: 10/10. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Incredible fusion of Japanese and Mexican flavors, amazing atmosphere, genuinely spicy edamame, and some of the friendliest, most knowledgeable staff I've encountered.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] My new favorite sushi spot. I came here because I was curious about the Japanese-Mexican fusion, and it completely exceeded my expectations. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere is fantastic--open, welcoming, and filled with great '90s rap and R&B that sets the perfect vibe.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The menu is concise, but everything looked so good it was hard to choose. I ordered the Pilsen Roll and the spicy edamame. The edamame was actually spicy (not just coated in chili oil), with great seasoning and real heat. The Pilsen Roll was an easy 10/10. What impressed me most is how intentional the food feels. The Japanese and Mexican flavors complement each other instead of competing, and you can tell a lot of thought went into every dish. The staff was also incredibly knowledgeable and happy to explain the ingredients and flavor combinations. This was an outstanding experience from start to finish. I'll definitely be back--this is my new favorite spot. read more

Casa Madai - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We ordered: 1. El Pilsen - Avocado, Micro Cilantro, Tuna, Salmon, Hamachi, Spicy Aioli, Chile de Arbol Oil, Lime 2. Short Rib Tacos - Corn Tortilla, Guacamole, Short Rib, Pico De Gallo, Cotija, Micro Cilantro, Salsa Roja 3. Sake Maguro Tostadas - Lean Tuna & Salmon tossed in Salsa Macha on Avocado Spread 4. Fish Tacos - Corn Tortilla, Tempura White Fish, Cured Onions, Purple Cabbage, Yuzu Kosho Mayo, Micro Cilantro 5. El Cangrejo - Soft Shell Crab Madai, Oba Cucumber, Wasabi, Ponzu, Spring Onions Sake maguro tostadas are a popular must-get appetizer. This dish and the El Pilsen roll really highlight the fresh fish. Tacos were solid; I'd recommend either. Idk if this was intentional but the El Cangrejo roll was brought out last and it was a light, refreshing finish to the meal. Our server, Juan, was great. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Nothing positive or negative to speak about the ambience which is fine because the food and service were so good.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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Went here for the omakase for our anniversary and wow what an amazing dining experience. Each piece of sushi was handmade with care. The marriage of Mexican and Japanese flavors was done thoughtfully such that neither dominated but each contributed to the experience. The cocktails just as the food had flavor profiles that playfully cleansed the palate after each bite. I highly recommend the oba and violet cocktails. The sushi chef Ismael and manager Juan rounded out our experience with excellent service and conversation. Arguably one of my favorite dining experiences in Chicago and I am looking forward to eating here again. read more

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The sushi is amazing! The service was well paced and attentive without hovering. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambience is a balance between Mexican and Japanese with a large Mexican flag and two other pieces of art.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The mixologist is great at making a drink based on your palate if you want something different. Definitely coming back. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambiance - casual, hidden neighborhood sushi spot in pilsen[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service - staff was super nice & omakase courses didn't feel rushed Food - very fun + unique flavor pairings/toppings on the fish, a true mex-jap fusion omakase read more

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The omakase and experience was just amazing! The flavor combinations were so unique, great cocktails, the chef is truly something! Will be back 100%, the service and sitting at the sushi bar was awesome read more

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I came in on a Monday a few months ago and was treated very well! It was a little awkward being the only one, but the service was attentive. I did the omakase and was really impressed by the tuna tostada - less so by the nigiri unfortunately. They were very beautiful but didn't have much flavor. Overall, good quality sushi that didn't break the bank. read more

Casa Madai - Omakase nigiri - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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For Valentine's Day, we tried the omakase table experience at Casa Madai and it was incredible. Everything was so fresh and delicious. The Japanese/Mexican fusion is well executed with each dish being a fun and unique take on traditional sushi. The chefs are so knowledgeable and entertaining, happily explaining everything you're eating and answering questions along the way. It's even BYOB so you can bring whatever you prefer to drink without being limited by a wine or cocktail list! read more

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Casa Madai is a fantastic new sushi spot. You can go for a la carte options or my favorite, the omakase! I absolutely love how Chef Ismael is always trying something new and innovating traditional ways of preparing sushi. I love that every time I've been there I've been wowed with something I never tried before. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's such a fun experience, a friendly vibe and you feel right at home.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] One of my favorite spots in the city! PS I was at their inaugural sushi making class, pictures of the rolls we made before the omakase at the end! read more

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This place is actually really get! I love the sushi options! I rarely get full but I was actually really full! The best thing I can say is you have to go for the full experience. The service was on point. They definitely answered all questions and let us BYOB fun have our time. Pics and vids will give a much better description that I can write. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambiance was ok. Don't expect 5 star aesthetics but it's definitely a great place to look great in the neighborhood.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Only gave 4 stars bc the rug crumbled by the only place to snap cute pics. Aesthetics are everything. Overall [[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]I would go back for pre-game experience. read more

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Exceptional experience from start to finish. The entire team was warm and welcoming, and we were excited to try the drinks now that they've received their liquor license--excellent across the board. Chef Ishmael is the real standout. With over 17 years of sushi experience, his ability to blend traditional nigiri with Mexican spices and flavors is thoughtful and masterful. As someone who loves salsa machas, I was blown away by how seamlessly he incorporated them to elevate the fish without overpowering it. The omakase was outstanding--creative, balanced, and genuinely fun. A must-visit. read more

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Skip the omakase and save yourself $100 ($400 for 4 ppl) and take away chicken sandwiches on your way home (because we were still hungry). We didn't try their rolls but all the omakase came out in one platter all at once, short on flavor and quantity as well. Mixing avocado with certain fish did not go well together imo. We were literally done in about 10 min. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambiance not great either so still can't justify charging this- amateur decor and setting in an out of no where location.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Word of advice to the owners: if your overhead is this low and you are pushing out average sushi, you really should be pricing this out at about $40 and still profiting nicely- maybe busier as well. This omakase is priced at around Kai Zan price point but does not compare even remotely to it, sadly. Service was good. Once and done- no need to return. First time I had buyer's remorse at a sushi restaurant. read more

Casa Madai nestled in the south end of Pilsen offers refreshing and spicy Mexican fusion sushi fare. As they are quite close to my neighborhood, I decided to stop in for a low key dinner. [[HIGHLIGHT]]They have plenty of seating and do not require reservations.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I quite liked their Atlantico specialty roll! Be rest assured that quality ingredients are used to put together a flavorful, zeisty and creamy roll. Our waitor, Emmanuel, was very attentive and friendly to our needs and mentioned that his favorite is the El Pacifico, which I will try on my next visit. Definitely ask for recommendations as they know their offerings best! read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]The dining experience at Casa Madai was phenomenal![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Chef Ismael was so inviting from the time we walked in until the time we left. He explained each and every item with such detail. The sushi was presented with such care and finesse. It really was the best sushi I have ever had. Highly recommend Chef Ismael and Casa Madai if you are looking for a 5 star sushi experience! read more

Casa Madai - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This was a fantastic meal. We were greeted in a gracious manner, coats taken and seated where we could watch the sushi chef at work. Our server, Jesús, was super knowledgeable about every item and every species of fish on the menu. Started with the Sake Maduro Tostadas which were interesting and delectable. The rolls were amazing, each unique and complementing the others. Mole Rosa with a Hokkaido scallop in red sauce was next-a real treat. Finished with one order of omakase nigiri, "dressed," which was out of this world. Can't wait to go back. read more

Casa Madai - Omakase Nigiri, dressed - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Excellent anniversary spot. Did the 15 bite omakase and every bite was delicious. It was like a perfect mixtape with every bite flowing perfectly into the next. Will definitely come back! read more

Casa Madai I really enjoyed our dinner here. We were sadly the only diners. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Nice spot. I loved the plants, attention to detail on the decor and the food came out quickly.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The music was surprisingly Hip Hop.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Tostadas were sooo good. Had a kick so beware. Ordered the Mole Rosa which was a small entree of 3 scallops and cauliflower. Could've used some maybe something acidic to balance it. We got the ramen which was very filling. Came with two breaded shrimp and two seaweed sheets. Last entree was Poached Amberjack over rice which was delicious. Some entrees are small so you will want to order a roll or something else. I hope more people patronize this restaurant and I look forward to going back to try the fusion rolls. read more

Casa Madai - Poached Amberjack - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great service. Very fresh. The El Pacifico and Hamachi Jalapeño i highly recommend. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Good tunes too.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

This was a truly remarkable dining experience. Just a very whimsical and multi-dimensional fusion of omakase and the finest aspects of Mexican cuisine. The incorporation of many different chilis, chili reductions, molé, sauces, smoked elements. Each piece of sushi served to you violates the rule of "let just the flesh of the fish sing for itself" but in a very excellent way. There is no straightforward flavor here. Every bite has a surprise. An angle you didn't expect. Truly if you are a sushi lover and want to try something different for once, this is an experience you cannot miss. read more

Casa Madai - Fatty tuna with caviar - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]The food and atmosphere were good.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The rolls are a little pricey, but very fresh and tasty. The corkage fees for BYOB were interesting. $15 for wine and beer isn't bad, but $25 for hard liquor without a variety of mixers seems off. However, many restaurants don't allow hard liquor for BYOB, so I'm not super familiar with what should be expected. read more

Casa Madai - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Walked in on a late Friday night. The sake maguro tostadas were delicious. Big bold flavors. The oxacan flavor possibly trumped the Japanese flavors in the dish but it was a nice concept nonetheless. The shrimp was ok. I didn't think the jalapeño added nor took away from the dish but with some wasabi it actually tasted pretty decent. read more

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Chef Ismael treats you like family during the omakase experience! He's incredibly generous and is heavily invested in making sure you have a good time. If you're open and honest about your preferences, he does everything he can to accommodate you so that you leave full and happy. He even let us sample a few things off-menu to get our thoughts because he's always trying to put out better dishes. He's a funny, thoughtful, down-to-earth guy who makes delicious sushi. read more

My husband loves sushi so we have frequented all the major high-end sushi spots in Chicago (and beyond). He says Casa Madai has the best sushi in Chicago in his opinion, as well as some of the best (if not the best) that he has ever had. We have dined with them a few times now, and most recently, did the 15 course Omakase to celebrate a special occasion, sitting at the Sushi counter. I haven't seen his face light up like that in a long time in response to each dish (served one at a time). Further, it is definitely worth noting that , since I am someone who can't eat raw fish, they were very gracious in accommodating me, permitting me to order off the menu, and each cooked dish was also impressive in its flavor profile. The miso soup and the pickled ginger, which at many establishments seem like an afterthought, were exceptional. If you are a sushi connoisseur, appreciate attention to detail and preparations that highlight and elevate exceptionally fresh ingredients, I can't recommend Casai Madai enough. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It is true that it is located away from the hustle and bustle, but trust the locals (we have lived in Chicago for almost 10 years now) -- it is absolutely worth the visit.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

I was extremely excited about an omakase in Pilsen, I adore sushi and fun surprising omakase experiences. I am familiar with the omakase experience from other restaurants like Roka Akor and Nobu. Unfortunately the amount of food was so laughable it was almost a joke? I'm not exactly a big person by any means but needed to order pizza for dinner after my dinner plans at Casa Madai. read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Top class neighborhood spot.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The chef is kind and friendly which immediately sets a great vibe for the night. The miso soup is the best in Chicago, trust me on this. The menu is small but refined. read more

The best sushi I've had in a long time. And we were treated like royalty by the chefs and staff. We got the table omakase and a few a la cart items. I highly recommend the table omakase and coming here before it gets wildly popular and you can no longer get a reservation! FYI For now, it's byob, which I kind of love. read more

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I don't know if I can fully describe how fantastic this place is! Sushi meets Mexican inspiration. Absolutely fantastic! The staff was friendly and attentive. Every bite was more interesting than the previous one! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The space is small, but nicely decorated and suites the vibe very well.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] This place is a hidden gem, but I suspect it won't stay that way for long! read more

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I was a little skeptical of a Latin sushi fusion but it exceeded my expectations. La tostada was amazing. The chefs really nailed it. It is a little spicy though but the flavors complement each other so well. I had the table omakase and the nigiri's are dressed so well. I was really impressed with the quality of fish. Cant wait to go back! read more

Casa Madai - Tostada - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

the omakase a delicious fusion of mexican and japanese cuisine. The flavors were very well blended and service was fantastic. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great atmosphere[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] and would highly recommend this place! read more

Amazing quality taste! Love that is BYOB. Ismael really knows what he is doing in the kitchen. I found my favorite secret sushi gem. :) read more

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This place is the real deal. I have been to a handful of omakase places in the city and haven't felt the need to return to any of them. This one is different. read more

We had the $55 table omikase. It was the best sushi experience, truly thoughtful journey and super delicious. The soft shell crab was very yummy read more

Casa Madai - Omikase - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

All I can say is, wow! We did the omakase experience and it was very unique and memorable. The fusion on Mexican and Japanese was executed well and intentional. The dessert, the matcha strawberry flan, was incredible. The dishes were presented and served at a good pace, and the chefs were engaging the whole time. I also liked that it was BYOB so we could bring our own sake to enjoy. read more

Sushi rolls and nigiri are so very unique! Really delicious rolls, nigiri and super sweet attentive service! Thank you! read more

What a fantastic experience. Probably one of the best value for omakase's in the city. All of the food was incredible. The fusion of the clean Japanese sushi with powerful Mexican flavors really made this a very unique and high quality tasting. I also love that the menu is a lot of high quality tuna cuts which I appreciate. My wife and I ate the Omakase and like three extra rolls on top of that with the chefs choice dessert which is a yuzu cheesecake. Our server was incredibly sweet and funny. She must be newer because she needed to read off of her notes a little bit but we were happy to let her practice. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant is quite beautiful and very clean.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great vibe.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The playlist was a bit off kind of bouncing between 90's rock and hip-hop which isn't bad because I love the songs it just felt a bit disconnected from the concept and sporadic.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I would absolutely go back and I strongly encourage people to go and keep this place on the map. read more

Casa Madai exceeded our expectations! A hidden gem for sure. Being a self proclaimed sushi snob, I can confidently say that this is one of the better sushi spots in Chicago. We opted for the omakase dinner and were slightly nervous that it was very quiet on a Saturday night (likely because they have only been open for around a month). But don't be discouraged, the food was exceptional! The fish, imported from Japan, was incredible; even the leaner cuts melted in your mouth. The richer pieces were phenomenal. The fusion of Mexican flavors added a unique touch to the traditional omakase experience. The staff were friendly and very attentive. We will recommend Casa Madai to all of our friends!! read more

Casa Madai - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great food great service! Our server Fabbi treated us great and was very knowledgeable of the menu! 5 starts because of the service!

Great experience doing the omakase. The tostadas were awesome - we plan on coming back to try the rolls on the regular menu.