Neat little place with an upscale atmosphere. The sushi and sashimi is excellent. I loved the added touch of the tuna tartar appetizer and the black seaweed stuff (I think it was some sot of seaweed.) tasted great. Presentation was wonderful. Selections were very fresh and the selection offered wide. Staff was very attentive and professional. Love the place and the atmosphere. Will come back. read more

For those who don't know yet, Wakamono now has a full bar but still maintains its BYOB policy but with a $3 corkage fee, which is sort of a joke given that such fees are usually really high. Anywho, I was here with Jordan B. and his friend because we were starving and they love Wakamono... I have to admit, I liked it too, beginning with my ginger martini on to the dumplings and then to the sushi rolls and sashimi. The fish was fresh and the rolls were well made, the wasabi was tart and the ginger was just fab! The service was kinda slow though and the waitress was quite incomprehensible, not to mention that she was a total ditz. read more

If I could give this place 0 stars I would. We were so excited to try here then, can you say, epic fail. We were quoted 15-20 min and told to go to the bar. 40 min passed. No big deal. 50 min, we asked what was going on we were told we were the next big table. An hour n 10 plus 2 drinks each ($12 a piece may I add) later still promised the same false promise. Eventually we all got up (1.5 hours later) when we saw a big table getting up. We were promised once again we were the next big table. Magically an 8 top came up before us (which may I add, we saw walk in when checking our wait time the FIRST time...he must have been friends with a staff member)....I asked for the manager. Explained the frustration very calmly even though I was beyond upset. All he did was shrug his shoulders and ask what we wanted him to do. When I was 15 years old working at Outback I could quote wait times to the T....its NOT ROCKET SCIENCE. HOOOORRIBLE probably the WORST customer service I ever had. Didn't offer anything for compensation. Just walked away like...you can eat here or you can leave. I asked for the owners information and was denied it. Don't come here. Didn't come up with any solution. This guy shouldn't have a job in this industry. Horrible experience. I work at a huuuuge hotel down town and I am going to make sure never to recommend this place (I live pretty much around the corner as well). It's so frustrating when a MANAGER doesn't show any empathy or sympathy. Horrible. We only ate bc we were so hungry and didn't want to move everyone somewhere else (party of 6). Then to top it off they tried to force the corking fee on us. As if that ONE courtesy could not be waved. SERIOUSLY?! We paid $12 a martini! And after the worst restaurant experience ever, you can't extend that courtesy???? Only thing I can say. Don't come here. I WISH I was over reacting I have never been disrespected so horrible by a manager in my life. I do not blame the poos host who clearly didn't know what he was doing. Management should have gotten invloved. **If you are the owner reading this I would like you to contact me and I suggest you look through all of the other horrible raitings for your restaurant (that these people are driving into the ground). Try to rectify these issues/give your restaurant the name and integrity that you intended it to have.** read more

The sushi here is good but they definitely need to rethink how they market hibachi. Not hibachi at all. It was more like fajitas but without tortillas and with steamed white rice instead of fried rice. Also, the server we had was bad. The host ended up getting us the ketchup for the French fries (yes French fries came with the hibachi) and the check. Not worth the price for the weird combination of food you get. read more

Saturday night April 25, 09 - The place is packed with customers and the male host with clunky glasses told us that we would have to wait 35 minutes for a table for two. No problem, we go to the bar and have a drink. 35 minutes later I walk up to the host to check on the wait time and the bitchy male host snapped at me "I said I will call you when the table is ready!" I told him that I understood but I thought I should check just in case since he did say 35 minutes. Ten minutes later he takes us to the Sushi Bar. My partner and I decided to take the two seats rather than a table in order to avoid another snippy remark, attitude and perhaps a scene. While waiting for our waitress we decided to check Yelp via our IPhones and found that customer service is really not the best attribute at Wakamono. I should have checked Yelp before we came here so I could cope with the attitude of the host and manager. I had hoped that my dinner would be worth the attitude and disrespect we received. I was wrong..the Chicken Teriyaki I ordered came on a covered sizzling platter and a bowl of rice. When the waitress uncovered my dinner I found charred chicken that stuck to the platter and the Teriyaki sauce had caramelized into a thick goo with charred edges. I was afraid to return my dinner at this point for fear of having to deal with the manager (see other reviews regarding the manager). I did mention to our waitress that my dinner was burned. She apologized and said she will talk to the chef. While dining, there was a table of 8 women (most of them pregnant) and saw that the woman seated at the head of the table was involved in a heated "discussion" with the manager so it is safe to say that they were not pleased with something either. I was going to warn them not to order the Chicken Teriyaki dish but it was too late, it was on its way to her table on my way out. The check was rushed to us and no dessert was offered nor a discount for my burned dinner. We left before the 8 pregnant women got their chance at ripping the manager a new a-hole or beating him to a pulp. You don't want to mess with pregnant women! Needless to say, my dinner was absolute crap but my partner's dinner was delicious. If you can handle rude, bitchy, don't give a shit service, then this is the place for you...just don't order the chicken. The only reason I picked this place was that we saw how busy it was the week before so we figured it offered good eats. I say go to PingPong for quality service and food. read more

I am so glad to see that I am not the only person that has been GIVEN THE BOOT (for no reason!!!!) from Wakamono. I went to Wakamono on my BIRTHDAY with a few friends for a casual, sakebomb/dining experience. When we arrived there was a bit of a wait which was not a problem. We told the manager that if it took more than 20 minutes, we'd go somewhere else. THIS REALLY DID US IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He did not like that comment at all, at which point, he began the glaring looks we'd be receiving the entire time we were there. So we wait. The bar was crowded so we waited in the front area for about 10 minutes. We were seated, our coats were checked, we were good to go...or so we thought! We brought a good amount of alcohol so they began gave us the run down on the corkage fees. We tried to negotiate with them but the waitress wouldn't budge. So we agree to pay. She takes out our beer. She takes out our sake. "Ohhhh you want to sake bomb?? "she asks. "YEAAHHHHH!!!" we all reply excitedly. "NO, you cannot sake bomb!!". We think this is weird, but we brush it off. And then... The manager came over thinking we were still going to sake bomb even though we agreed not to. We mention the corkage fees to the manager. Then he started with his rant. We were all absolutely shocked at what he had to say. "The place across the street doesn't have a corkage fee." No no it's okay. We'll eat here. "The place across the street is BYOB, maybe you should just go to the place across the street." No it's okay, we're here, we will just eat here. "NO! You leave. We will not serve you!" Seriously? Why? Because we agreed to all your rules and pay all your fees? "LEAVE, WE WILL NOT SERVE YOU HERE." And then comes the waitress with our coats shooing us out of the restaurant. We all just kind of sat there for a minute, looking at each other, absolutely stunned. Did this just really happen? What just happened? Is anyone else confused as to how we are all sober and just got kicked out of a restaurant for asking about the corkage fee???" So we regrouped and found a nearby BYO sushi (Matsuyama, no corkage fee, great sushi!!) and just got up and left (we didn't really have a choice!) I mean the guy took away our soy sauce!! So lesson learned. Although I have heard the food at Wakamono is decent, I will never go back to a restaurant that treats their customers so horribly (especially on their birthdays!!!) read more

The service here is so so so so bad. At first they said we can not bring outside food, so we have to stay outside to eat all the icecream. Then we ordered just one spicy miso ramen, but they gave us 2, and they do not accept return, they said we ordered from 2 different servers so we must have 2. Errrrrr...Never been here anymore. read more

The worst experience EVER!!!!!!! Me n my friend walked in, was standing there for 10 minutes before hostes came up to us n asked if we want to be seated. They weren't busy. She just was sitting at the table n talked to wait stuff. After we got seat, we waited for another 20 min to server come to us. Oh yeah the table was dirty n they didn't bother clean it up!.In meanwhile the guy who refilled our water was rude, like he gave us a favour. We ordered calamari ,shrimp tempura roll n Godzilla roll, When they brought us calamari, we tried them n they was awfull!!! I'm not very picky in food n I don't complain in restaraunts. But it was impossible to eat them! I think their cook doesn't really know how to make them! So when we called the waitres and asked to cancel it, she said that they couldn't do that. We have to eat or just pay or exchange!!! So why we have to pay for it..??? We called the manager. And she said the same! When I told her that we gonna pay for the rolls that haven't even come up yet, and for calamari we not gonna pay, she said she would call the police!!!! Because the put food in computer already!!! Are u for real ...?!! Where did u see smth like this..?! Well me n my friend just didn't want to make it worster. We ate the rolls, that was awafull too! Shrimp tempura suppose to included shrimp not mayo wit avocado ..?! It was no shrimp inside......Never see smth like that.... At the end when a bill came up we paid , even for calamari that we didn't eat. And we asked manager her name n last name. And she said what else u want may be my brothers n sisters name ....?!! Are u guys for reall ...!? Is it a customer service...., ?!! The restaraunt manager couldnt give her last name...?!!! She was shaking.....And she was the one who said would call the police..... but she couldnt give her last name....?!!!! Where did u see that restaraunt manager talk to you like this....? What else u want...? I am not saying abt appologize.....She made up like its our fault that food is bad.... I wouldn't give this place any stars. I think business like this shouldn't be even exist. The service is bad, ppl very very rude. They have know idea how to run a business. Plus food n drinks overpriced for that location ! For 14$ drink u can go to signature room or trump tower, with a nice view n great service. And really there are a lot of places with amazing sushi for the same price or even less. Where u get sushi with real filling not some cheap substitute . I wouldn't recommend this place to anybody . read more

The fish was fishy, the service was awful, the decor was corny. I would not recommend this restaurant to anybody for any occasion.

Delicious!!! Took friends here for dinner on a Saturday night. Made reservations via open table (and would recommend - there didn't appear to be any wait while I was there but I could see how on a warmer Saturday night they would fill up quick), hostess was understanding when I called and said I'd be arriving 15 mins after res, friendly service, average wait time, and some of the best sushi I've had in Chicago. Definitely going back soon! read more

Best Sushi I've had in Chicago. I dream about the Oedipus roll, the Fire Dragon roll, and the Wakamono roll. The Spicy Trio is also great. The place is also BYOB, and now that it's getting so packed I am hesitant to point any more attention to the place. But if you have the chance, do go. You won't regret it! read more

Was craving sushi after eating beef for a week while visiting Chicago. We should've just stuck to what the Midwest does best, good ole beef. Vibe was awesome in the establishment, but guess we are a bit spoiled with sushi in hawaii read more

I give this restaurant 5 stars. My friend and I walked in on a Tuesday evening around 6:30 and got seated right away. The service was excellent. We ordered the cream cheese crab wontons (which were very yummy) and I ordered the Wakamono roll and the hamachi with scallion maki. Both were excellent. There was a substantial amount of fish in the hamachi maki. My friend got the shitakke mushroom tempura roll (very good). It's BYOB and by 7:00-7:30, the place was packed. I would recommend this place over Sushi Toro if you are willing to pay a little more for better service and a little better taste. read more

sushi - decent, not overly inventive. street seating for gazing at the crowd.

Most disappointing service I've ever had. And I have been eating in this city my entire life. On yelp it said they take reservations, but when we called we were told no. We tried calling ahead right before we left and were told that the wait was only 20 min. When we arrived we were told to wait in the crowded bar where there was nowhere to really even stand. Though it is BYOB they wouldn't allow us to open our bottle in the bar. After nearly 2 hours, we were seated by an attendant who was not cordial. They informed us that though they were BYOB, this applied only to wine and beer, and were not concerned with what online information said. As for the food, I can't say anything exciting about it. BUT the service destroyed any hope. read more

This place was literally like sushi heaven for me. The rolls were fresh and inventive and the sushi was like butter. My only caution to future patrons is that it is not cheap. Drinks start at about $10.00 each (not sure about BYOB) and rolls seemed to start at like $12.00. Basically it's delicious but know going in that you're going to pay for it. read more

I always come here. Their sushi is fabulous. Their service is superb. They have the best soy bean appetizer and they give you a hand towel when you sit down. Try the Bali breeze martini it is to die for. You can't go wrong with any of the food either. This place is my favorite for sushi in Chicago by far. read more

As far as sushi goes, lakeview does it better than anywhere in the city. As far as lakeview goes, Wakamono does it better than anyone else. This place is always busy - which is a perfect sign for sushi (keeps the fish fresh garunteed). Ping Pong is across the street and gets a lot of buzz around the community, but it really doesn't compare both in atmosphere or food. Wakamono has this "peter parker" roll that will blow you away and is a must order everytime. They also take carry out orders which is a great secret if you're looking to eat in but want some real food that isn't burger/fries. Just google Wakamono to get their website. The also have a small bar which is perfect for the 10-15 min wait you sometimes have to endure. read more

Although the staff is pleasant and smiling (as mentioned in Time Out), I couldn't believe that when I wanted extra sauce for a dish I had already ordered and was in the midst of eating, they stated it was an additional $2. Really?? You're kidding, right! The same for additional pot sticker sauce! I would never return because of this penny pinching policy. read more

We had dinner there last night as we live close by and the winter blizzard did not allow us to go any further down the street. We passed by this place many, many times before , we tried it once years ago and we were not impressed. While the place looks good (the 2 stars are for that) and the bar next door has some great drinks, the sushi in this place is no better than the one you'd get from the shelves in the supermarket. I did not expect much to begin with but the food was way below the least I expected. read more

Unlike most restaurants, I started out pretty hot on Wakamono but the food gets worse and worse every time I eat there. The rice seems to get more and more coarse and gummy and the fish seems to be decreasing in quality. Maybe it's just because I've started eating at Coast & South Coast and this place just seems lame in comparison. read more

tonight we visited wakamono again anthony the great bartender was not there another bartender was he was late for work the sign indicated they were open at 4 but came in at 5:30 made it very clear it was a cash bar served drinks with no napkin no garnish had all kinds of attitude went next sor] read more

The Sushi was UNBELIEVABLE! Some of the best sushi I have had in Chicago. They give you black soy beans when you first sit down which are tasty. We ordered a large saki and it came 1/4 full in a strange bottle...not so sure what that is all about. We got 4 glasses (shot glasses) of saki TOTAL out of that bottle for 3 people...pretty sure we got ripped off on that which is why they get 3 stars. Had they not ripped us off on the saki they would've gotten 4 stars. Sushi was VERY FRESH! They also give you pocky with your check! Defiantly recommend. Beware of the bathrooms. For some reason the music is extremely loud, almost deafening! read more

Not getting the hype. We ordered every vegan roll they offered. Rolls were extremely bland and not well made compared to other veg-maki options locally. If I'm paying $7-10 for rolled rice and a little tiny asparagus chunk it better be damn good. T'was not. read more

Always consistent and tasty. Friendly staff. My only gripe is it's 6pm and serving staff is eating staff meal in front of us seated with us all! If I'm being over critical please advise. read more

Attractive dining room, eclectic bar, attentive service. We tried the chef's sampler of 4 random maki rolls ($22) - good deal and yummy choices. In addition LOVED the Kani Chung roll (had to get it b/c of the name alone)! OK wine selection but it is BYOB so the potential is there. Felt a little rushed by the server (it was prime time on a Saturday night)... but should you rush out the 2 girls drinking wine and tasting sushi - now there's potential!!! read more

I like Wakamono. Their sushi is a little heavy on the sauce, though. Apparently, white people like it that way. It is a bit pricey for what you get. read more

everything was really good. my table ordered food and everyone shared everything. we had several specialty rolls, several maki rolls, seaweed salad, ginger salad, edamame, tofu teriyaki and chicken teriyaki. everything that we had was great, service was spot on as well. read more

I love this place, and have been coming here for years because they have so many amazing things on their hold and cold tapas menu. Just tried the Moby Dick roll for the first time and it was delicious: spicy Hokkaido scallops, avocado and cucumber topped with pepper-seared albacore tuna makes for a scrumptious combination of flavours and textures. In general, I have become pretty predictable when it comes to ordering rolls these days-if it contains spicy tuna, tempura shrimp, or fresh crab I am all over it, while I tend to avoid anything containing smoked salmon, hamachi (which is actually my favourite for sashimi, but is too mild for rolls), or creamed cheese. So it came as a nice surprise to find a roll that doesn't include any of my old standbys and is every bit as tasty. I haven't always found the texture or taste of scallops to hold up as well in rolls as raw fish does, but paired with the smoothness of the avocado, the crunchiness of the cucumber, and the spicy, tender, and beautifully seared tuna on top, it was tremendous. I had one last night and haven't stopped thinking about it all day. read more

Amazing rolls and cucumber salad! Favorites are the Godzilla, Rainbow, and Dragon. It's also BYOB, but $8 corkage per bottle.

Ping Pong's little sister? Is not so little any more... She has come to be a Bold Red Head with a personality of her own. This place is currently working on a new addition with Dragon Pillars, Red Lanterns and all that one could put into a traditional sake bar. Each day I walk pass this place I await the opening of their expansion. I remember the days of the small wakamono, long waits and sometimes attitudes of the servers...I still love what they delivered. Fresh, Amazing and NEVER the Norm take on sushi. This place won me over and has become a special place I love to take my friends, family and that special one. For us it has become even more enjoyable. Table window next to the new koi pond, if you sit there give a shout out to "Wisconsin" for us. He's the white one with black spots.. Always a great spot to enjoy "Peter Parker" and "Godzilla" The Place is BYOB. which is fine with me. It's a great little walk between Kafka and Wakamono. Perhaps one day they can take over the hair salon on the right and create tea rooms... by reservation. Well, surprise after surprise... I will always enjoy sitting at a table with a window view of the "Big Sister" and smile inside knowing red heads really do have more fun. read more

The miso soup is great. I guess this is a favorite because jalapeno is added it to it. And of course the sushi is awesome.

This is the best sushi by far around Lakeview. Awesome service, fresh, fish, interesting combinations, supple portions, quaint atmosphere! Love this place. read more

It's really good sushi, but very expensive. I would say the quality probably doesn't quite match the price, but they seem to bring in lots of business nonetheless. The atmosphere is very nice. Good date night spot. read more

amazing sushi and great service. The godzilla roll is great! Love the atmosphere too and no longer BYOB.

the godzilla roll is the besttttttttt

The sushi here is pretty standard; worth going to if your in the area. Mostly the same sushi rolls you see everywhere. Unfortunately though (for me), the service is awful. When I went here, I had three different servers come to my table throughout the meal. I'm very used to restaurants, and worked in them, so this doesn't bother me. But there was no coordination at all. Also, my gf asked for a fork (she's chopped stick impaired) and one of the servers said she would get them, then went over and talked to the other servers, then sat down at a few tables over with them and began to chat. After 10-15 mins of this, I went and asked again. At this point I was irritated, but sometimes you get bad servers. At the end of the meal, the server brings our check, and I pay by debit card, she runs it, brings it back, and I sign. As were walking toward the exit (after sitting after signing for 5-10mins), the server stops me from leaving and tells me she forgot to add a drink onto our bill, and we must return to the table and pay it. This is ridiculous in my opinion--I mean, if they catch it after they give you the bill, okay, add it on. But after I completely pay and am leaving? So I pay for the drink on my card again, and leave the place--giving the server(s) a drastically reduced tip because I found this ridiculous--and what happens? The server AND the manager run out a good 100ft from the restaurant asking why my tip was low. Again--ridiculous. After talking to the manager briefly, she said "Oh, I didn't know the situation." Then why are you chasing me down? Overall, I would hate to give it a horrible rating because the food is actually good. Too bad the service sucks, but they allow take-out and do deliver! read more

Looooooooooooove it!! Wish I had a zillion dollars to eat there every week. Specialty rolls are all fantastic and crab salad is the best I've ever had. NOM NOM NOM! read more

Oh how I miss you Wakamono. :( The fish is fresh, fresh, fresh! So good. Rolls are good too. Love the Godzilla, Oedipus, Peter Parker, and Sweet Potato rolls! I really like the cucumber in your water and the miso soup here as well. Love both the outdoor streetside patio and the indoor with the wood everywhere for seating also. I can't wait to be reunited with you someday soon, sigh.... read more

Nice little sushi spot with tasty menu items (Connie Chung roll & Peter Parker Roll), and the best fried calamari I've ever had. Check out the adjacent bar, Wang's, for a refreshing ginger martini. read more