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    Kajiken

    4.3 (143 reviews)
    ModerateJapanese
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:30 pm

    Order Kajiken Takeout or Delivery

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    Business Info

    KAJIKEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Kajiken

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    The menu appetizers
    Adele B.

    The food was delicious! I got the spicy tonkotsu ramen, the pork was quality cut and the broth had a really nice flavor to it. The oysters were nice too, but the breading was a little too light and airy for me. I think it was panko crumbs breading. I misunderstood the menu and ordered soba noodles and was allowed to reorder no added charge. The style of the restaurant was cute but it was definitely small.

    Linda C.

    Came here with some friends on a Saturday lunch time. It wasn't packed but after we sat down, it started to get packed inside. We all decided to get dry noodles instead of ramen. The service was good and quick. The food was decent. The price for the portion was good.

    Thu T.

    Located in a busy shopping center in Chinatown. Seating is pretty limited, so keep that in mind if you're coming with a bigger group. I ordered the noodle dish. The noodles are thicker than normal broth ramen, bouncy, and flavorful, though I'd say the seasoning leans a little on the salty side. It comes with two pieces of char siu and some bamboo shoots, simple but satisfying. I do want to note something important regarding allergies. I have an egg allergy, so I always double-check before ordering. Initially, I was told the noodles contained eggs, so I decided to switch to the vegan option. However, the server then mentioned that the vegan option also contained eggs, which honestly threw me off. When I questioned it, I was told it's labeled vegan but still has eggs, which was pretty shocking. I ended up ordering a rice bowl instead. Later on, the server came back and clarified that the noodles actually do not contain eggs. In the end, everything turned out fine, but I strongly recommend clearer communication from staff to avoid confusion, especially when it comes to dietary restrictions. Selling something as vegan when it isn't (or giving mixed information) could be a serious issue.

    Tori
    Rachel P.

    We were able to get a table quickly and the service was prompt. The options are endless but we all chose to go with a menu item, rather than crafting our own. The Tori was great, the Eby was fresh - the other two had more broth and were very flavorful! The spicy edamame was good, too.

    The original
    Karen T.

    This is a ramen shop located in Chinatown. It is known for its dry ramen and some of its other locations (but not this one) have been Michelin recognized. I didn't have time to dine in so I got an order of "the original" to go and ate it right after I picked it up. All of the toppings were packed in a top tray with the ramen in the bowl. The portion is pretty small. Perhaps it is because I got it to go but it kind of seems like regular ramen to me. The chasu was good and it was still flavorful for not having broth. As I'm writing this review, I noticed the menu said to mix everything and to add vinegar and chili oil. I didn't do that so perhaps that would have made a difference. Could be an interesting spot for dry ramen. Not sure id go out of the way to come here but I'd like to try dining in next time.

    Menu
    David L.

    I really like this place. This is the second Nippon soba place I've been too. And this one the taste is good, the condiments and various included assortment is quite a good pairing, and the prices don't seem to gouge out your money! The waifu loves the sukiyaki soba, the ramen also tasted good, and the original is good too. I made the mistake of adding additional beef slices for extra cash hoping that I'd get good wagyu. It didn't taste that good and it also isn't worth the extra $$. Maybe the rare beef soba would come with sauce. But all the other food taste good. The place is vibing. It's very bright, awesome Japanese booths, and kind of upscale. How many paper lanterns do you spot? Staff was nice and friendly. Would definitely go back. Solid A.

    The original
    Clarissa C.

    Cute place in Chicago Chinatown with really pretty Japanese-inspired decor. We were seated immediately on a Sunday lunch, though the seats filled up quickly afterwards. I got the Original, which had a very nice umami and bonito flavor to it. Definitely don't make the mistake of microwaving this if you have leftovers... it's definitely much better served mostly chilled! Our server was very efficient and friendly, and we were able to split checks even with a table of 8! Update: got the homura, a bit spicy but super flavorful!!

    Takoyaki
    Christina H.

    I want to preface this by saying I'm not the biggest ramen fan but I've never had dry ramen before so I wanted to give this a chance. The noodles had a good chew to them and I liked the flavor, but i wish there was a bit sour flavor to cut through the rich flavors and starch from the noodles. I think next time I'd get a bowl with bigger toppings because the minced pork disappeared and I couldn't really taste it. Takoyaki was ok- I'd prefer mine with more mayo and sauce but it came out piping hot. Service was great, prices are reasonable and the interior is gorgeous. If you like ramen, I think you'd love it here.

    Menu
    Tim M.

    Good ramen, good broth. Chicken karaage uses dark meat which was fried very well. You have seasonings & sauces to choose from such as garlic seasoning, sesame oil, sesame seeds and white pepper too. Would recommend!

    Siew Y.

    I ordered the traditional one and the curry one. Both orders seemed a bit salty, likely due to the sauce. Presentation of the dishes looked good. Service was good as well. I'm not sure I would be excited to return.

    I've had Kajiken before at different locations and the quality at this branch was drastically lower. As a big abura soba fan, I was beyond excited for this place but was let down when I saw the food here. For starters, the noodles along with all of the toppings were lukewarm if not cold. There weren't nearly enough sauce for the bowl itself and the portion size was lacking compared to other Kajiken locations. Additionally, I observed our server wipe his nose area as he sniffled using his gloved hand, the same gloved hand he used to grab the inside rim of our dry ramen bowls with. Seeing those same fingers touch the inside of my food bowl was definitely off putting to say the least. Not sure if this was a one off experience seeing as all the reviews tend to be more positive, but I will not be returning to this Kajiken location because of the aforementioned reasons.

    Nori, Sukiyaki, and Ramen
    Cathy I.

    Kajiken is an absolute favorite between my friends and I. We go to Chinatown every so often just for Kajiken. Their soupless ramen is so much better than ramen in my opinion. They have a sauce filled with lots of flavor that makes it better tasting than your typical ramen. I always get their chicken style soupless ramen. The chicken is always so tender and NEVER overcooked!! The presentation of the food is wonderful. Servers are very attentive and helpful. The food also comes out very quick. The interior of the restaurant gives a cute Japan / Japandi vibe. It is a bit small in terms of seating, but there's always space when I go! Wait times might be a little longer because of this though!!

    Zhiwei T.

    I tried the Keema Curry Abura Soba at Kajiken in Chicago's new Chinatown. And I genuinely don't think I've ever eaten noodles with this level of chew and bounce. Absolutely al dente, in the best, most slurp-worthy way. The dish features keema curry minced pork, a poached egg, onions, and scallions layered over thick, firm noodles and a savory oil-based sauce. You mix it all together and then dive in--and wow. The flavor is deep, meaty, a little spicy, and totally addicting. The egg blends everything into a creamy coating, and the texture of the noodles makes it a joy to eat. You'll be slurping the whole way through. Kajiken specializes in Abura Soba, a type of Japanese dry noodle that's saucy but brothless, and they do it incredibly well. The vibe inside is clean and modern, service is quick, and the staff are friendly. I noticed a wide selection of toppings too, from kimchi to roasted beef, if you want to build your own bowl. Pro tip: Mix thoroughly before you start eating, and don't be shy about slurping--it's part of the experience. If you're looking for something different from ramen or pho, this is it. I'll definitely be back to try the Sukiyaki or Roasted Beef next.

    Tonkotsu

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    2 years ago

    Their vegan abura soba was too creamy for me. But my husband made a diy bowl and it was beyond delicious?

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    3 years ago

    Everything was great. Beautiful restaurant. Wonderful hospitality. Great service. Awesome food. Will definitely go back.

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    3 years ago

    Great soupless ramen and fried chicken. Saw it on chrisdoloeats IG video and he was right!

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    3 years ago

    Definitely go for the noodles, they are so amazing. The rice bowls are not very good. Definitely recommend!

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    Page 4 of 4

    Ask the Community - Kajiken

    As of 7/12/25, do they offer validate parking at the Chinatown Lot?

    Yes they do. They have a new parking system in chinatown parking lot now. They scan your license plate.

    Is this a BYOB?

    No its not

    Does it offer parking validation?

    Yes, although it didn't work when we inserted the ticket in the machine, so maybe not!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    People searched for Japanese 5,279 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

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    Momotaro

    Momotaro

    4.1
    (1.4k reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$$

    Found Momotaro through Bilt. Reservations were easy to make online. Moody Japanese, mid century…read moremodern design inside. Great spot for date night. It was packed inside! I got the chamomile tea, miso soup, Broccoli Goma-ae, and a few orders of nigiri. If you want freshly made-to-order, I would avoid the rolls as I saw them make a bunch ahead of time on trays. For dessert I got the Satsumaimo Taruto. All of the dishes were yummy! Portions were just right. Service was attentive and professional. In terms of quality, I can't say it's the absolute best sushi I've had, but it's still good and it's on par with the price and ambiance. Solid dinner spot. I would come back again!

    I was really excited to eat here. I'd heard such incredible reviews, and truly the food was good. I…read morewould say I think it's slightly over hyped a bit but very clearly a spot that's loved since it's ALWAYS busy. The fish was fresh and I did enjoy my bites. I will say for what you get it's pricey and might leave you a little hungry if you're just ordering the sushi/nigiri. But again very good bites. Definitely make a reservation. I will say the server helped me pick gluten free options and asked if I was celiac (they have a GF menu so ask for that). The service was pretty slow, but again it's always packed. For reference I went on a Monday evening alone. It's for sure a vibey place. Great for birthdays or groups that are looking to have a fun night out. It's loud inside with music bumping so not exactly a place to sit and have conversations. Will say wish I could give this 3.5 stars because it wasn't bad just maybe not my vibe.

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    Momotaro
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    Ramen Wasabi

    Ramen Wasabi

    4.2
    (2.3k reviews)
    5.4 mi
    $$

    I love Wasabi Ramen. Stopped in for a late lunch and was greeted with the familiar smell and…read morescenery. Had the tonkotsu with spice umami (it's always a hit), the sesame mai tai, and my husband had the spicy chicken paitan ramen and naked & famous. I was surprised at how tasty his ramen was! I may get it next time as it was as (if not more?!) delicious than my tonkotsu! I can't wait for next time.. this place has held up for years and I'm extremely confident it will continue to do so for many more.

    A great spot to grab a bowl of steaming ramen on a rainy Sunday afternoon in Chicago. Note they…read moreclose sharply @3pm probably for a lunch break for the staff. The Alaskan cod sandwich was served on a bed of cabbage covered in a sweet teriyaki & brown mustard sauce with maybe a squeeze of kewpie sprinkled in between. The Berkshire pork eggrolls had microgreens & shaved radish on top of a crema type of sauce that balanced the heat of the kimchi nicely!! For the main attraction I ordered the spicy garlic ramen that was such a delightful mouth experience it really hit all the taste buds! The noodles were perfectly bouncy with the right amount of chew. The jellied egg was perfect and rounded the soup very well! The red chili threads enhanced the spicy miso broth just enough to slurp all the delicious goodness down! My husband ordered the Sapporo miso soup which had more of a creamy type of broth vs the spicy garlic. The noodles were also thinner than regular ramen & had a bouncy springy texture that just hit the spot! Since it was kinda chilly outside we also ordered hot green tea to accompany our spectacular ramen dishes. This place also offers delicious seasonal cocktails on the menu or hot sake if that's what you are hankering for. Definitely try this ramen joint if you are in the Logan square area your tummy will be so happy that you did!!

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    Spicy Roasted Garlic Miso Ramen
    Spicy Roasted Garlic Miso Ramen
    Inside
    Inside
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    Ikigai Sushi & Izakaya

    Ikigai Sushi & Izakaya

    4.5
    (100 reviews)
    3.0 mi

    So pleasantly surprised! Came in on a Friday night for a 6:30 reso and the place was empty BUT it…read morewas packed, seemingly by regulars, by the time we left. Service was a little slow at time but they got slammed very quickly and and we weren't in a rush. What we got: - chuturo nigiri - so buttery - hamachi nigiri - good flavor and cut - chili hotate - love the flavor - negi toro maki - good flavor - unakyu- fine a little on the sweeter side - Amai - not my favorite and I think the tuna had a strong fishy flavor Overall, good meal and pretty reasonable bill. Will definitely be coming back to check out the rest of the menu!

    Such a wonderful spot! Fantastic happy hour. Everything was made fresh and tasted delicious…read more Service was super friendly, and they even brought out a free birthday mochi for my friend. We got the karage, three of the skewers , and the spicy salmon and tuna rolls. This place, along with the entrance is a bit hidden, so would love to see them market themselves more as I think it's a spot people would really love, especially for more affordable sushi in the River North area. Quiet and cozy ambiance for casual outings but also cute enough to be a date spot. Got seated immediately. Service was a bit slow, but that's only because they seemed to have one host/server working at the time, who was working super hard and kept a super pleasant and attentive vibe. I will definitely be back!

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    Sushi bar area
    Sushi bar area
    CHIRASHI
    CHIRASHI
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    Omakase Shoji

    Omakase Shoji

    4.8
    (51 reviews)
    3.4 mi

    I live in LA and have eaten at 20+ omakase restaurants, so I was curious what Chicago's scene had…read moreto offer. Omakase Shoji more than answered that question. The restaurant houses both an omakase counter and an izakaya, but in completely separate spaces. The omakase side is an intimate, beautifully designed counter with around 10 seats. We were the only guests that evening, so the whole experience felt wonderfully private -- just us, Chef Shoji, and the fish. Chef Shoji opens the meal by presenting the actual fish you'll be eating, all flown in twice a week from Japan or Spain. It immediately signals what kind of meal you're in for. The 20 courses were well-paced and the quality was consistent throughout. Nigiri and sashimi were pristine, but the hot dishes were equally impressive, which surprised me. Both sides of the menu showed real craft and attention to detail. Service was fantastic -- warm, attentive, and never stuffy. At $210 per person, it's a special occasion meal, but one that genuinely delivers on the price. As someone who eats a lot of omakase back home in LA, I wasn't sure what to expect. I left genuinely impressed. Highly recommend if you're looking for a serious sushi experience in Chicago!!!

    We did the omakase dinner. Food was absolutely delicious. So fresh, unique and beautifully…read morepresented. Service was remarkable. It's a little gem. Small cozy place.

    Photos
    Set up
    Set up
    Crispy tuna
    Crispy tuna
    Wagyu katsu

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    Miru

    Miru

    4.3
    (318 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$$

    I thoroughly enjoyed my dining experience at Miru…read more We were visiting Chicago for a short trip, and with so many excellent dining options, choosing where to eat wasn't easy. I almost decided to save Miru for our next visit, but I'm glad I made time for breakfast here on our departure day. Located inside the St. Regis Chicago, the restaurant offers beautiful views. The service was excellent--attentive, friendly, and professional. I ordered the Tokyo Breakfast. The salmon was perfectly cooked and paired beautifully with rice, a soft-poached egg, and salmon roe. The miso soup was slightly salty on its own, but it worked surprisingly well when enjoyed with the rice toward the end of the meal. Overall, a memorable breakfast experience. I'd love to return and try the lunch or dinner menu on my next trip to Chicago.

    It's all about the views!…read more Miru is one of the newer sushi restaurants relatively uncompetitive sushi scene in Chicago, and it hits the spots for those interested in classy ambience and jaw dropping views. The sushi is phenomenal, as were our drinks... but the other entrees are disappointing. The karaage and duck yakisoba in particular in quality could be from any corner restaurant in Chicago. The service lends itself more casual, and I noticed they were consistently quite slow to clear our table. I don't think people come here for the food as much as the views. Overlooking Streeterville from this angle and vantage was truly jaw dropping and for this reason I still strongly recommend Miru.

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    Inside
    Inside
    Tempura Rock Shrimp
    Tempura Rock Shrimp
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    Kajiken - japanese - Updated July 2026

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