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Taste of Japan
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Taste of Japan
7.9
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Healthy Haven
Taste of Japan is a fast-casual Japanese counter in the Loop balancing affordable sushi, hand rolls, ramen, soba, and curry. Downtown regulars use it for build-your-own sushi orders and chef’s “trust me” boxes that travel well back to the office.
Must-Try Dishes:
Box Max chef’s sushi and sashimi set, Lightly Grilled Salmon Hand Roll with Yuzu Sauce, Lobster Japanese Curry Rice
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Counter-service Japanese spot where sushi, ramen, and curry share equal billing at desk-lunch prices.
Who should go: Budget-minded Loop workers wanting sushi plus hot Japanese staples.
When to visit: Weekday lunch rush or early dinner before the commute home.
What to order: Box Max set, a salmon hand roll, and one curry rice plate.
Insider tip: Use the chef’s choice boxes to sample sushi before building your own a la carte set.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated parking — Loop street parking is scarce; nearby paid garages and metered spots are the most reliable options during weekdays.
Dress code: Casual and office-friendly; business-casual attire is common but not required.
Noise level: Low to moderate — counter-service atmosphere where conversation is easy, but lunch rush can feel busy.
Weekend wait: Usually no wait — weekends are quieter since it’s in an office-heavy area.
Weekday lunch: Short queue during peak lunch (5–10 minutes), but orders move quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — vegetable rolls, tofu options, and some noodle/salad items.
Vegan options: Limited — a few veggie rolls and sides may work if sauces are requested plain.
Gluten-free options: Partial — some sushi and rice dishes can be workable, but soy sauce and fried items may contain gluten; confirm at ordering.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual lunches than first dates — it’s counter-service and geared toward quick meals rather than a lingering, romantic setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s walk-in only with counter ordering; seating is limited at peak lunch, but most guests grab-and-go.
Is it kid-friendly? Functional but not a family-centric spot — kids are fine earlier or off-peak, but there are no kid-specific menus or amenities.
Best For
Better for: Fast, affordable sushi and Japanese comfort staples in the Loop with build-your-own flexibility and takeout that travels well.
Skip if: You want premium sushi, a full-service dining experience, or a quiet, sit-down meal with extended seating time.
Taste of Japan
7.8
Taste of Japan is a kiosk-style Japanese spot off Wells where curry rice, miso ramen and made-to-order nigiri serve office workers and Blue Line commuters looking for something more serious than grab-and-go maki. Guests build meals around lobster or pork katsu curries, miso ramen with fried proteins, and small plates like crispy spicy tuna while ordering from kiosks for quick service in a compact, casual room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crispy Spicy Tuna, Pork Tonkatsu Curry Rice, Box Plus sushi and sashimi set
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 7
What makes it special: Kiosk-order Japanese curries, ramen, and nigiri built for fast downtown meals.
Who should go: Loop workers wanting serious Japanese without a long sit-down.
When to visit: Weekday lunch or early dinner before the small room fills.
What to order: Crispy Spicy Tuna, Pork Tonkatsu Curry Rice, Box Plus set.
Insider tip: Use the kiosk to build a curry-plus-sushi combo and linger with green tea.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet; limited metered street parking nearby — most guests use adjacent paid garages or arrive by CTA.
Dress code: Casual and office-casual; work attire and jeans are common.
Noise level: Moderate — compact room with steady lunch traffic, but you can generally hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: Usually little to no wait when open, though the small dining area can mean 5–15 minutes during brief rushes.
Weekday lunch: Peak lunch may mean a short kiosk line (about 5–10 minutes), with seating turning over quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some workable options such as vegetable curries, select rolls, and sides — confirm broths and sauces.
Vegan options: Limited — a few items may be customized, but many sauces and broths contain egg, dairy, or bonito.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated prep area; rice dishes may be adapted, but cross-contact is likely — best to ask before ordering.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, low-key meetup than a romantic first date — it’s kiosk-order, fast, and focused on quick meals.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service and first-come, first-served; seating is limited, so arrive slightly off-peak for easiest availability.
Is it kid-friendly? Fine for older kids who like quick meals; space is tight and there aren’t kid-specific amenities or high chairs.
Best For
Better for: Faster, more affordable Japanese curries, ramen, and sushi add-ons in a downtown setting with efficient kiosk ordering.
Skip if: You want a slower, atmospheric dinner, full bar service, omakase-level sushi, or roomy seating for larger groups.
Taste of Japan
7.9
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A Loop counter-service spot built for fast lunches, with miso ramen that’s clean, steady, and easy to customize alongside curry rice, soba, and sushi boxes. It’s strongest when you treat it like a weekday rotation: quick ordering, quick pickup, and a bowl that holds up without turning into a desk-lunch regret.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork Tonkatsu Miso Ramen, Chicken Miso Ramen, Lobster Miso Ramen
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 8
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Miso ramen and Japanese comfort staples engineered for fast Loop lunches.
Who should go: Loop workers needing a quick ramen reset.
When to visit: Late lunch to avoid the noon rush.
What to order: Pork tonkatsu miso ramen, chicken miso ramen, lobster miso ramen.
Insider tip: Order ramen plus a small sushi box to split and stretch lunch value.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated parking. Limited metered street parking nearby; garages in the Loop are available but can be expensive on weekdays.
Dress code: Casual and office-friendly — business casual, jeans and sneakers are normal.
Noise level: Moderate — steady lunch buzz but quiet enough for solo dining or quick work conversations.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — primarily a weekday lunch-driven spot with lighter evenings.
Weekday lunch: 5–15 minutes during peak noon rush; minimal wait before 11:45am or after 1:30pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — vegetarian ramen and vegetable-forward sides are available.
Vegan options: Limited — some vegetable-based bowls and sides, but broths often contain animal products.
Gluten-free options: Limited — rice-based dishes may work, but ramen noodles and soy-based sauces limit true gluten-free options.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal — it’s counter service and lunch-focused, better suited for efficiency than lingering conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — there are no reservations; order at the counter and grab an open seat once your number is called.
Is it kid-friendly? Fine for older kids who like noodles or curry, but there’s no kids menu or high chairs.
Best For
Better for: Fast, reliable ramen and Japanese comfort food that fits cleanly into a Loop lunch break.
Skip if: You want a destination ramen experience, rich tonkotsu depth, or a sit-down dinner atmosphere.
Taste of Japan
8.0
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Business Lunch Power Players
A spacious, mom-and-pop Loop spot that’s easy to overlook until you realize it’s one of the few downtown rooms that can work beyond the lunch rush. Rolls keep things clean and straightforward—best when you pick one spicy option, one classic roll, and add sashimi if you want a more satisfying finish.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy tuna roll, Yellowtail hand roll, Salmon-tuna-yellowtail sashimi trio
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: Low-key Loop Japanese spot that stays practical for rolls and hand rolls.
Who should go: Office diners who want simple sushi
When to visit: Weeknight dinner for an easy table
What to order: Spicy tuna roll, yellowtail hand roll, sashimi trio
Insider tip: Pair one hand roll with one maki—best balance of nori and fish.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated parking; nearby public garages in the Loop and limited metered street parking that fills quickly on weekdays.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual—office attire, jeans, and sneakers all fit comfortably.
Noise level: Low to moderate—generally easy to hold a conversation, especially outside peak lunch.
Weekend wait: Typically no wait or 10–20 minutes; rarely crowded compared to trendier sushi spots.
Weekday lunch: Short wait during the noon rush (10–15 minutes); usually no wait before 11:45am or after 1:30pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetable rolls, avocado-based maki, and cucumber options are available.
Vegan options: Limited—vegetable rolls work, but no clearly labeled vegan menu.
Gluten-free options: Limited—sashimi and some rolls can be ordered without soy sauce; cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want something low-pressure and unfussy. It’s calm, affordable, and easy to talk in, though not especially romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes. Walk-ins are the norm here, especially for lunch and weeknight dinners.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes—simple rolls and a relaxed atmosphere work for older kids, though there’s nothing specifically designed for young children.
Best For
Better for: Reliable, no-drama sushi rolls with flexible timing—especially when you want a quiet table after work rather than a scene.
Skip if: You’re looking for premium fish, inventive rolls, or a buzzy sushi-bar experience—other Loop sushi counters will feel more polished.
Taste of Japan
7.9
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A mom-and-pop Loop option that’s better than it needs to be for a simple, budget-friendly sushi date. Keep it classic—one or two rolls plus a katsu curry or soba/ramen backup—and you’ll get a cozy, unfussy night without the “scene” markup.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy tuna roll, Chicken katsu curry, Sashimi
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6.1
Cultural Relevance: 6.9
What makes it special: Family-run Japanese comfort with sushi plus hot-dish depth.
Who should go: Couples who want a simple, affordable sushi night
When to visit: Early evening before it winds down
What to order: Spicy tuna roll, chicken katsu curry, sashimi sampler
Insider tip: Pair one roll with one hot dish—best value and variety.
Hours
Monday10:30am - 8pm
Tuesday10:30am - 8pm
Wednesday10:30am - 8pm
Thursday10:30am - 8pm
Friday10:30am - 8pm
Saturday10:30am - 8pm
SundayClosed