Outstanding Japanese styled bar that rocks incredible food and even more incredible drinks and a must visit for anyone in Chicago. I was traveling solo so I made reservations at the bar and they are very serious on timing as you are expected to arrive on time, enjoy yourself for 90 minutes, then leave for the next guest. This place is very popular so they probably can't add a friend that happens to show up with your reservation. I sat at the bar and simple chatted with the bartender and discussed the types of drinks and food I like and if they could make any recommendations and honestly, that worked out very well for me as everything was amazing. Although I was hesitant to ordering fried chicken, the Karaaage was delicious, light, and truly elevated fried chicken to an artform that was oh so tasty. However the Wagyukatsu Sabdo was so good, it literally brought tears of joy to my eyes and taste buds as I could not believe how delicious this was as I was savoring every bite for maximum flavor. I have had A5 many times, but the presentation of this was unique for me and blew my mind. I did not write down all the sake tastings I tried as I had several, but all of them were outstanding and the cocktails were also spectacular. read more

We had an enjoyable experience here, but thought some things could be improved, since it's supposed to be an upscale restaurant. We had a reservation for dinner and drinks at 8pm on a Friday. We were seated promptly, but a server did not acknowledge us until 35 minutes after sitting. The menu was quite extensive and intimidating, I honestly had no idea what most of the cocktail ingredients were, but there were flavor descriptions in the menu, which was nice. When the server finally came, they were very helpful and made some recommendations. It was another 15 minutes before we got our cocktails. The cocktails were dangerously good, very smooth and well-balanced. I think the server said they batch the cocktails. I had the Triptych and my husband had the Hotel Amani (a special). We also got the seasonal hot cocktail, which was a blueberry old fashion, which i didn't love. My husband enjoyed it more as he drank it (and as his Hotel Amani kicked in). All the food we ordered was solid. My favorites were the karaage, potato salad, and washugyu tataki (special).I would def order these again, especially the karaage. The tataki was suuuuuper tender, but the accompanying mushrooms were too salty. We also had the yaki zakana and hand roll (special), which were solid. To finish we had the truffle milk toast, which I really enjoyed. My husband doesn't love truffle though. I thought the blend of flavors and textures, made the dessert really unique... but also a yummy and satisfying dessert. I loved it. It was a pricey dinner, perhaps a place you go for a special occasion. The quality of the food and cocktails were great and met expectations, but the service and ambience fell short. There was something going on with the music, where the volume was occasionally loud. 20% gratuity is included. I would consider coming back for a fancy cocktail, but probably not anytime soon. read more

My favorite cocktail bar in Chicago They are so deserving of their spot as the best bar in Midwest. Truly a special experience elevated by the gentle, quiet energy that's often hard to find in West Loop. Kinda tough to snag a last minute reservation but bar seatings are first come first serve! Prepare to be charmed by Kumiko's extensive cocktail menu filled with delicate names. Loved the milk punch Clear to the eye but milky to your taste buds. It tastes bright and has this subtle sweet & creamy flavor that masks the alcohol taste. From the signature, try the sea flower - zesty, salty and fun. Ask for recs too bc the servers light up to share their favs! Food menu is limited but has the essentials. Treat it as a complement to your drinks, especially the pickles and nuts!! Do not leave without getting the truffle milk toast Perfectly toasted Japanese milk bread topped with fermented honey ice cream and truffle shavings. It's sweet and tastes so expensive. The perfect way to end your night. Sakura Milk Punch $20* Sea Flower $19* Otsukémono $4 Shiso Nori Cashews $7 Karaagé $13 Japanese potato salad $6 Truffle milk toast $15* 시카고에서 제일 좋아하는 칵테일바. 편하면서 고급지다. 미드 웨스트 넘버원 바 답게 테이블은 미리미리 예약해야 하지만 바 자리는 워크인 가능! 칵테일 리스트가 엄청난데 네이밍도 넘나 낭만적 취향을 말하면 서버분들이 열정적으로 추천해주신다. 안주는 술맛을 돋굳는 용으로 츠케모노랑 견과류 추천! 라이트하게 먹고 마무리는 트러플 토스트가 필수다 read more

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This restaurant is the singular reason that I'd like to be able to differentiate between a 4 & 5 star (e.g. 4.7 vs 5.0) review This is a 5.0 top to bottom, if you enjoy a low key but high class & even understated ambiance without pretentiousness... the modest entryway belies the amazing meal/cocktail experience you are about to embark on Main dining area is small/intimate/quiet enough to maintain a conversation with a good friend/date, with a lovely bar in the background churning out excellent cocktails. Servers are knowledgeable, attentive without being intrusive, friendly, give great recommendations for cocktails/apps/entrees/off menu items Went with a former co-worker last night - we sat at a two top not far from the bar on the main floor, and I don't think we had a single bite/sip that we didn't enjoy Highlights included the Triptych cocktail (which, as the menu describes, is indeed 'neither a martini nor a Manhattan, but equally silky and satisfying') - very crisp, nice cocktail to kick off the meal (their Manhattan was also excellent/smooth); for appetizers, the crudo was outstanding with a bit of spice and notes of citrus, and the karaage (fried chicken with pickled shishito peppers + kanzuuri mayo, oh mama) also a must try. For entrees, the A5 wagyu with truffle honey was buttery and melt in your mouth and my personal favorite bite (my dinner mate really enjoyed the off menu wagyu option as well) Truly deserving of a 5 star review, and recently named a "Top 50 bar" in the world, will be back as often as I can talk friends/family into enjoying a unique Chicago dining experience https://www.theworlds50best.com/bars/the-list/kumiko.html read more

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My husband and I came here for after dinner drinks, conveniently located a block down from Oriole, where we had dined for dinner. We had a reservation at 9:15pm, and I'm glad we did make a reservation, as the place is not exactly tiny, but pretty packed, even at that late hour. They have an exciting list of cocktails, pages and pages. It was hard to choose, but I ended up getting the Cloud Hopper (Chiyonosono Rice Shōchū, Fidencio 'Clasico' Mezcal, Seasonal Fruit, Green Cardamom, Oat Milk, Yakult and Lemon) - which I thought was fine, but nothing really special. My husband's drink also felt the same way, good, but nothing really special. I can't remember what he even ordered. We also ordered the Karaage and Japanese Potato Salad as little bites on the side, and I really didn't care for either of them. I was a little disappointed in Kumiko, since our waiter from Oriole said the cocktail chef came from Oriole, then branched off to Kumiko. Oh well, guess not everything can be a huge win. If you want to get cocktails, I would still rather go to the Aviary. read more

Yummy cocktails and mocktails! And the interior design is gorgeous! A little bit pricey admittedly so would definitely be for a special occasion! read more

Kumiko - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I was able to get in but was very confused. I thought it was a pop-up concept. They have Simpson's character working there? I'm not talking about Apu. read more

Kumiko - Bartender - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Made reservations for me and my boyfriend on a Saturday on our visit to Chicago. We sat at the bar (if you rather sit at the bar, the hostess had mentioned you can put it in the notes when making your reservations, and when you check in, they'll accommodate you if available) which we prefer because we enjoy seeing how the bartenders make the drink. Everything from the taste of the food to how our drinks were made was amazing, however, my main issue with our visit, was how we were rushed out. Me and boyfriend came in, had a seat at the bar, ordered a drink, then proceeded to order food. While we were eating, the bartender had asked if we wanted to order a "last drink". We had thought it was odd, but brushed this off as a slip of the tongue. Our second round of drinks came and before my boyfriend even had a sip of his drink, the bartender brought our check over to us. We were both taken aback, as we weren't done ordering (this was our last night in Chicago), and it was only about 10:30, while last call is listed on the website at 11:15, which would also coincide with the 1.5 hour time hold on our reservation. Overall, to have waited weeks to finally visit this location, to be hastily rushed out after 45 minutes, was extremely disappointing. read more

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While it took a minute to be noticed, I quickly forgot after my first drink( it was a special so I won't name it but it had a little crushed ice in it and one of the most well balanced drink I have ever tasted). I like a sweeter profile but it was just right. My second drink was the Cloud Hopper and it was simply devine( a delicious oat milk based drink), aptly named as I floated to the sky while drinking . Food wise I had the Japanese curry fried rice with chicken, very good and filling. One of the larger entrees and the sauce was amazing with a hint of sweetness. I see why this place got recognized by the James Beard organization. A place I will frequent and recommend highly. The ambiance is a nice vibe! read more

I got the opportunity to check both the ground floor and bottom floor of Kumiko, which have upscale ambience but each floor has a different emphasis on the drinks. My first visit was at the bottom floor, which has emphasis on whiskey and shochu, and my second visit was at the ground floor, which has a wider variety of cocktails. Both floors serve the same food menu. At the bottom floor, it is an intimate, dimly lit 8-10 seat bar that gives a speakeasy feel, as the host takes you down the back of the restaurant, down the stairs, into a hallway, before opening a door that leads to the bar. I got the Agony of the Leaf which was fairly herbal with a bit of carbonation. It featured Tomi No Houzan sweet potato shochu. At the ground floor, it features some of the popular cocktails featured, including one that is also the bartender's choice - the Sea Flower. I really loved the Sea Flower as it had a salt rim that consisted of kombu, salt, sugar, and MSG. Anything with MSG makes things gooood and this is no exception! I also tried the Walk Softly which is an elegant cocktail that drinks like a champagne. For food, I got the truffle milk toast and the toast is fairly soft and buttery and caramelized mostly for the texture. There is an apparent truffle flavor along with honey ice cream, and all the ingredients did not overpower one another. It was nicely balanced. Service is excellent. From the beginning to the end for both of my visits, I was well taken care of. There are a few more drinks I wanted to try, but I would have to save it for my next Chicago trip as they close Mondays and Tuesdays. In the meanwhile, this bar definitely deserves its position in the Top 50 Best Bars in the World list! read more

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Unprofessional service with hint of discriminationUnable to order the food because of lack of service. We couldn't get our order taken because nooo one came or even bother looking us in the eyes. The other person (white) who was also standing with us at the standing seat got served before us and got asked by the waiter if he wanted to sit. The person literally remarked we were here first, but the waiter said "naw that's fine" and intentionally decided to avoid us when we're one feet away within earshot. We didn't need to be seated - we just wanted to eat food. Very annoying, rude, and pretentious experience but here's hoping they get the life & respect they deserve. don't go here if you're not white - they're judging you based on how well they think you'll tip. They are high off of their juices if they think I'll dress up for some basic lychee infused vodka and a 7/11 sando. read more

TLDR: EVERYTHING was perfect and AMAZING!! I'd been meaning to try Kumiko's for about a year and I'm so glad I finally had the opportunity to go last month! The first thing I said to my bf when I walked in was, "Please let me just live here". I LOVE the woody, plant-heavy vibes! Dunno how to explain it but it reminded me of my grandma's 100-year-old home in Japan. Food: GET the Wagyukatsu Sando. It's $$$ but also (@_@). My inner fat-child cried from delight. I also loved the Misoyaki Sakana! It was just like my mom makes...except much smaller lol. I could've had 3 more orders of the Yuzu Kosho Karaage, tbh. Definitely wanted to order a bowl of white rice and just eat that for the rest of my life. To drink, I ordered the Umeboshi Chu-hi and it was just the perfect amount of sweet, savory, and tart. The service was just as impeccable as the food and I'm already looking forward to going back there in the near future. (I've definitely been looking at the menu since I went, and already see some newly added items!) read more

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We got the Moonrise Daiquiri, Sea Flower, Umeboshi Chuhi. My favorite was the Umeboshi Chuhi. Karaage: tasted good, but honestly not worth it to order this here. You can get equally good karaage at a lot of Japanese restaurants. Nasu no Agebitashi: eggplant was delicious, but again too expensive to be worth it. It is a very small portion size The interior of the restaurant is amazing. Very Zen and peaceful. In summary, I still think my favorite Japanese bar Angel's Share in NYC is better, but this is a great place for Chicagoans read more

Kumiko - Karaage - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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A lovely room. Welcoming and informed staff. Delicious and thoughtful food and beverage, both spirited and spirit-free.

We visited Kumiko on a Wednesday night. I recommend making reservations to ensure that you are able to sit and enjoy the full experience. The ambiance of Kumiko is a main selling point: the lighting is dim and warm, the interior is mostly wooden, and the feeling is very intimate. This would be a great date spot or a place to catch up with friends. Our server this night was very kind and helpful. However, it did take a while of our orders to be taken. In other times that I have come to Kumiko, I have had a hit-or-miss experience with the service, with servers being a bit more pretentious/snooty. However, my recent experiences have all been delightful, so take this comment with a grain of salt! The food and drink are amazing. I personally enjoy the food a bit more than the drinks, but I also am not that big of a drinker. Some food and drink highlights include: - Highball - Umeboshi Chu-hi - Walk Softly - Japanese potato salad - Karaage - Kani kuri-mu korokke - Truffle milk toast (a MUST!) Overall, this is a great place to go if you have friends from out of town that you want to impress. read more

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We loved our experience here! The place overall has the simplicity of Japanese design but also a very warm/welcoming vibe. Our server was super knowledgeable and helpful in guiding us through what cocktails to order. I am not a huge whiskey drinker but I was able to try sips from the people in my party who did order whiskey drinks. The whiskey drinks were fantastic! They were options on some more whiskey forward cocktails vs not as whiskey forward and I really enjoyed the "non-whiskey" forward ones. I got the cocktail with their local cold brew which was one of my favorites of the night. The nutmeg was so warming and a great balance of all the flavors. We did end up ordering the Japanese toast with icecream. Bread was perfectly toasted. Icecream was delicious. I cannot wait to come back to try some more cocktails! read more

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What a cool experience! If you're looking for that big city, cool bar, but not necessarily trendy spot, this is it. Zero knocks on the decor, it's beautiful, warm, and welcoming. This is NOT the spot where you'll be going YES GURL and doing a tequila shot with 15 of your closest pals. This is the spot when you want an excellent cocktail. Something that is thoughtful, paired for your palette, and perfectly balanced. Rachel took care of us and helped us navigate the menu. It can seem intimidating if you don't know what some of the ingredients are or how they work together (it me). The presentations are beautiful. The milk punch came out clear which was fun. Loved the orange rind cut out. My Walk Softly (wine glass) was lovely. I really enjoyed it! I'd definitely come back for a special occasion as this spot is a rare gem. read more

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Upscale, elegant atmosphere. Outstanding cocktails. Excellent dessert. The service was very personal and thoughtful, the staff even signed a card for the occasion we were celebrating! (We ordered the Goldfinch, Ume Boulevardier, Legent Manhattan, and the Truffle Milk Toast) read more

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Such a cute date spot! Loved sitting at the bar and ordering some fun cocktails, we got lucky and had Julia Momosé as bartender that night. The ambiance and cocktails were just outstanding, super fun to talk through the flavors with Julia, even if I don't have as much of a remarkable palate :). Along with the cocktails, we got some bites as well including Fried Chicken Sando... which OMG. I wish they still had this on the menu... it was incredible. This sandwich was so good it had me on a quest to find other fried chicken sando's (/"katsu sando's") around the city.. and I unfortunately couldn't find any other restaurant that offers them. I hope Kumiko brings this back! Overall I'd love to come back here and grab another seat at the bar.. it's a great spot to bring out of towners you're looking to impress, or just to have an incredible, non-pretentious cocktail in the west loop :) read more

Kumiko - Chicken Sando... outstanding! Hope they bring this back :) - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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What a beautiful and well thought place! It holds true to Japanese hospitality and zen. The cocktails, snacks and desserts were utterly delicious and something I will keeping thinking and remembering for a long time! Can't wait to go back. read more

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Amazing atmosphere! I love how bright and inviting their entrance is and then they bring you into a really warm and toasty dining space. Although they are known for their drinks and bar, we came for their food (drinks looked so beautiful, though! I am just NA.) We ordered 4 items to share between two people. This was definitely enough for a "big snack". -Yuzu kosho karaage 4/5. Super super crispy. Even after we waiting for like 20 minutes, this was still as crispy as we first got it! It was a tad salty but I enjoyed the citrus touch to these nuggets. -Asari no sakamushi 5/5. DELICIOUS. My favorite dish this evening. I looooved the onion garlic dashi. It was so umami and enhanced the clams so well. -Misoyaki sakana 4/5. The chef's selection was sea bass. Crispy skin side with the meat side faced down sitting on brown butter sauce. I really enjoyed the fish but the sauce was a bit too heavy for me -Tonkatsu Sando 3/5. Bread was really heavy and thick and tonkatsu wasn't anything special. I enjoyed the slaw though. Loved the ambiance here! A bit spendy but worth it for the vibes and service! read more

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Walked in on a Saturday night. There weren't any seats available, but they did allow me to stand by the window sill. I got the cloud hopper. Light and fruity and sweet. You could really taste the oat milk and yakult, so reminiscent of my childhood. Slightly foamed on the top. A solid drink. The staff are very nice as well. They offered me a seat at the bar when one opened up, but I decided to keep standing since I was almost done. read more

Kumiko - Cloud Hopper - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Despite trying really hard to be Japanese, this place is far from it. Service tries but waiters slurred and stuttered through Japanese words they don't know If you like Daikon, you're in luck. Half the tasting menu you are tasting daikon. 1 hour after the meal and all I taste in my mouth is Daikon. Would not recommend tasting menu. We paid $600+ to be seated against a very strange curved wall. Atmosphere is generic read more

Loved all the cocktails and everything we ordered from the food menu was delicious! The truffle milk toast is a must-try, the best dessert that I've had in a while. read more

A friend from out of state came and wanted to try this place! I heard from many that this place was great from restaurant week, so I was excited I got a chance to try it. We had reservations at 6 - right when they open and was seated just on time. Servers were very attentive and gave us solid advice on the menu. While we did not order drinks, the cocktails looked amazing and even the non alcoholic ones looked great! Chicken Kaarage - one of the best I ever had! I always judge how crispy how crispy it can be when order, but this was one of the best! I believe I tasted potato starch as the batter? Not much of a chef, but whatever they did it worked. The chicken itself was flavorful and juicy itself. Can 100% recommend to get this for whoever comes. 9.2/10 Clams - Was told this was a new addition to the menu. The clams were cooked fine, but what made this dish was the dashi soup it was based in. Very rich flavor that was perfect for the clams. I even ripped pieces of my tonkatsu bread to dip a bit of it. Another highly recommended dish. 8.9/10 Fish (sea bass?) - was told it was limited so we had to try it. The sauce itself tasted very caramel like. The fish was cooked well, but I felt sometimes the sauce was overwhelming with it. Even as a big fan of caramel, it was too sweet (?) for my taste. 7.3/10 Tonkatsu Sando - It was this one of the A5, we opted to get this one to get more dishes as we were on a slight budget. The tonkatsu itself was decent size, but wasn't as flavorful as I expected. The bread I wish was a little more fluffy, but was big bites. I heard they use the same bread for their dessert so would have been interesting in getting it, but was actually full by the end of it all! 7.4/10 read more

Kumiko - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Kumiko is one of my favorite bars- great for date nights particularly. It has a very elegant and cozy vibe inside and it's not for a wild night out but for a fun, chatty, and intimate get together. The drinks are also very well curated and the servers are very knowledgeable. It's not cheap but worth the occasional splurge! All drinks I have had were really good. They were deep and complex flavors. However for those who like sweeter cocktails like cosmo and pina colada, the options might be limited. I've heard great things about the food too, but I haven't had a chance to dine in. The only food item I tried was the truffle milk toast. It was a play of sweet and savory and had an interesting, complex flavor profile. It tasted expensive! Overall, I think it's a great place to visit and I will continue to visit (: read more

Kumiko - Truffle milk toast - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Kumiko is a whole vibe on the inside. The inside of the restaurant is very sexy and I love the simplistic vibe of the decor but how intricate the decor is to the overall appeal. We arrived early so we decided to sit at the bar over at a table. READ the whole menu cover to cover! We decided to try all three of the small bites from the specials menu. The oysters , pork belly, and the maitakédon. The pork belly was my absolute favorite!! The flavors and the textures go so well with each other. As for cocktails we began with the starters I tried the gin spritz and my partner umeboshi. This place was very good and I would definitely go back again. read more

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We came for the summer tasting menu and ordered a stirred and shaken cocktail set. The stirred cocktails are definitely stronger than the shaken so if you want something sweeter than get the shaken. The food was portioned well and came out on time. Everything was delicious. Service was also good except servers had a hard time remembering what everything was so it was a bit awkward. Otherwise would come back again when they do a menu change. read more

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Loved this place! A lil difficult to spot from outside coz the outside is not so fancy but once you inside the restaurant it's great ambiance! Reservations are highly recommended. Was here just for the drinks. The recommended Japanese whiskey was amazing! read more

Kumiko - Drinks - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I was looking forward to finally checking out Kumiko. I've heard or at least, thought it as different things, a cocktail bar with a omakase drink experience, drink flights, Michelin star, but as I've come to see it's a calm and beautiful oasis hidden between West Loop and the Downtown area. Walk-ins at the bar can be available if you happen to come in during a week night. And yes, you can just get 1 drink. And there are non-alcoholic options - spirit free, tea and coffee. It's a small space, so definitely make a reservation if more than 2 people. I estimated there were 12 x 2-seaters that could be converted to 4 or maybe 6. I would recommend keeping it to max of 4. There was more food than I expected at a cocktail bar, but focused on the drinks. Our server was very well versed in making recommendations, as the "Michelin" part of it. I was curious about the "flights" which composes of the finished cocktail + primary spirit + secondary element which you can taste separately. These were the cutest little glassware. Sazerac was very smooth and delicate using the Tokii whiskey. Not your usual sazerac which can be quite spirit-forward. Overall, I sampled 4 drinks here. The cocktails were nicely balanced and played on the delicate side of things. I feel that most of the drinks use a lighter touch on spirits, smooth and a bit complex. Flavors are lingering, aromatic and floral. Nothing I tried was unpleasant, but also nothing crazy. If I had to use a car analogy, Kumiko is very much like a Lexus, you get in knowing it'll be a thoughtful, smooth ride and moderately lux without being over the top. read more

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Wow, what a gem! We saw this bar closed just walking by and finally got a chance to try it. We snagged a late reservation the day before and planned to have drinks and maybe a few snacks there. Very nondescript entrance (like the Aviary). Entrance was small but warm and cozy. They took our coats and showed us to our table. The food menu is a small card two-sided which I assume means there may be seasonal changes. There were also a special drink special card and then the drink menu itself. I personally wouldn't plan on dinner here but small bites and snacks instead. First page had the component cocktail flights, second page had lighter drinks to start, and then speciality cocktails, beer, wine, and sake list follows. We ordered from the second page and speciality cocktails. I ordered the umeboshi chu-hi and sherry and tonic from the lighter drink section, and they were so good! I will say cocktails here are super balanced. These were perfect for me since I'm a lightweight! Umeboshi chu-hi was sweet, sour, and bubbly. The sherry and tonic was funky as hell (sherry, celery bitters, tonic, pear cider) and very vegetal. Not for everyone but I dug it. For food, the milk toast was so worth it. I only ordered it because of all the other reviews said to and wasn't expecting much. But wow what a textural delight and delicious dessert! I also ordered the wagyu maki but would skip next time- the aged soy sauce overwhelmed the tartare. Not worth $10 per piece. We also ordered the karaage since we kept smelling it at other tables - decent. Very crispy and served with a sweet mayo. I didn't find the yuzu kosho very prominent. We did find service a little lacking - I had to wait and flag down our server more than I expected and they didn't check in on us as the other tables it seemed. Despite that, hope to come back to try more drinks! read more

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I consider Kumiko to be one of the best craft cocktail bars in Chicago. The service, menu items, and atmosphere are all perfect. They will consider walk in's, but I highly suggest making a reservation. Kumiko is not very large. This bar may also not be ideal for large groups of people. More ideal for date night or 4 friends. My husband and I sat at a table during our first visit to Kumiko and at bar seats the other two times. I highly prefer sitting at the bar. It was neat to be able to directly interact with the bartenders. They often would show us the bottles and give us tons of background spirits, cocktails, etc. The owner was bartending during one of our visits sitting at the bar, which I thought was cool. I've had several different cocktails here and they all were excellent. The potato salad, karaage, A5 sando, and milk toast are all really delicious. The food is really good, but there are also dozens of other excellent restaurants nearby. Especially if you want a heavier meal. read more

Wow! My boyfriend had been here previously and really talked this place up so we made reservations while we were in town, and it did not disappoint. The service was spectacular- some of the best I've had. They were always there and attentive, but never in your face. The food came out fast but just at the right pace, and also, it was delicious. We loved everything we had. The restaurant is small, but cozy. Highly recommend this gem! And get a cocktail, they were all amazing. (Or mocktail, also fantastic!) read more

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The service here is next level polite. I love the wide variety of high quality artisanal Japanese whiskey cocktails and the very attention grabbing dessert. read more

Kumiko - Truffle honey toast - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I watched "the menu" recently & this is the first restaurant i've been to since that reminded me of it. Don't worry, no one dies but the way the staff worked together & stayed on top of the service reminded me of it. Also the way I was able to talk about the food with the server reminded me of the movie. The restaurant itself is exclusive, dim, and aesthetic of japanese americano speak easy The food was decadent! The oysters just slid right into your mouth with no slimey or smelly taste. The karaage was an okay choice for a cheaper option. The meat was very flavorful but the crisp wasn't there for me. The wagyu sando was my favorite! The best & most expensive sando I've ever had ($90). The dessert had truffle but i didn't even notice. It was like creme brulee toast with honey cream like ice cream on top. Great date night spot! If you want to take better quality pics there, ask them to bring you a lamp! I saw a table had that & I was kind of jealous. read more

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An unexpected layover led us to this amazing bar, what a blessing in disguise! Julia (the amazing bartender behind the whole vision, who we got to see work & we have so much respect for) was somehow able to get us a seat at the bar even though we did not have a reservation. Let's just say the drinks are the BEST cocktails we've ever had (worthy of the top 50 bars in N. America)!! You'll be surprised how she transforms liquors you didn't think you liked The bar bites are also so good! ---chicken karage: perfectly crispy, juicy, quite possibly the best we've had ---wagyu maki: the different textures, mMmm ---oysters: fresh, tasty ---crab kanitamadon: really hit the spot, and the added salmon roe is a must Highly recommend, and we loved our experience so much we bought a signed copy of Julia's book before we left! read more

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Had the opportunity to drop by for drinks in the basement whiskey specialty bar. Newly opened around three months ago, they specialize in Japanese shochu, whiskey, and cocktails. Small space with about 10 to 12 seats. It is definitely intimate and a great spot to appreciate good liquor and drinks. The bartender knew what she was talking about and was able to describe flavor profiles of each drink and helped us decide what to order. Take note, it is pricey, you are paying for quality. read more

Kumiko - Whiskey-based drinks - downstairs whiskey bar - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Definitely need a reservation. Staff is efficient- reminding you that you can only keep your seat for 1 hour- not quite enough time for 2 drinks, but more than enough for one. Cocktail list is long and creative with several non-alcoholic options. The two we tried were both a bit on the sweet side. Pickled cucumbers were a tasty nible. 20% tip is included- I wish they would have let us know when they dropped off the check bc we didn't notice until after we added another tip and left. Worth checking out once if you are in the area. read more

Kumiko - Ume boulevardier- made with a aged sweet plum liquor - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I have nothing to say other than you must come here. Make a reservation. Fantastic drinks - flights, sake, whiskey. My favorite was the daiquiri flight which was a gentle but exciting rollercoaster ride of flavors and aromas. The waiter that helped me was extremely knowledgeable about the spirits they carried. Tried a koji whiskey which was very delicious. Their karaage was super crunchy and delicious, however I'd pass on the nikumaki which was underwhelming and weird texture of zucchini with dry meat. Plan ahead and make a reservation! Every little detail brings in Japanese "omotenashi" culture *chefs kiss* read more

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So unnecessarily pretentious it's absolutely comical. I walked into what looked like a very shallow reception, I asked about their bar. Hostess seemed unsure how to answer me. When we agreed that she did indeed have a bar, I asked about going in. She said she had no seats at the bar but had a spot to stand against the wall next to bar where I could have a drink. I asked if I could check out the bar -- it seemed only natural, I wanted to see about the scene and the vibe. She told me I couldn't go into the bar but instead I was only allowed to peep through tiny wooden slats to examine the bar from afar. Are you effin' kidding me. I have no patience for this petty nonsense, so I said no thanks and left. Dumb, desperate, and utterly disappointing. Zero stars if it were possible to award as such. read more