There are few things on this planet that are more satisfying than pristine raw fish. We’re talking about the kind of stuff that practically melts on your tongue and tastes like fresh, open waters. At Ty Fujimura’s sushi palace in West Town, the menu revolves around that level of quality. The seafood here is wrapped in warm, toothsome rice and crunchy, toasted nori—creating the perfect mélange of texture and temperature. For Time Out Market, Fujimura pored over Arami’s past and present menus to create an all-star lineup of fish-filled rolls to cure all your sushi cravings.
Chicago is far from the oceans but that doesn’t mean locals can’t get great sushi. The city’s premier restaurants import the most premium ingredients—often from overseas—so that you can indulge in the finest bites. Whether you’re looking to splurge on a fancy omakase menu or just want to satisfy that sushi craving with a couple of affordable maki rolls, the following places have you covered. They’re among the top Japanese spots and seafood specialists in town, and are helmed by talented chefs who know how to expertly carve up fresh fish. Celebrating a special occasion? Then snag a reservation at The Omakase Room at Sushi-san and watch as Kaze Chan uses deft techniques on high-quality products to make truly exceptional nigiri. But if you want to feed a group without breaking the bank, head to Lawrence Fish Market for one of the party trays. There’s even a sushi bar, hidden inside a Chicago hotel suite, that serves 17 courses in just over an hour. So choose your own experience with the help of our guide to the best sushi restaurants in Chicago.
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