Yao Yao

“Came here Sunday for lunch to get my fix of Sichuan food and I did not leave disappointed.”

Came here Sunday for lunch to get my fix of Sichuan food and I did not leave disappointed! We ordered the dry pot cauliflower and the Chongqing chicken, both of which were delicious. Feel like the flavor of the dry pot and chicken both hit the spot, though I could have done with a bit more pork belly in the dry pot. Easy to get a seat, decent service, decent prices (pretty cheap for the portions you get) - strongly recommend!

Zachary Zhu

Dec 2025

“The food was really tasty.”

The food was really tasty. But the craw fish was over cooked and going bad. I wish I didn’t get the crawfish and got more fish or the fried rice cake.

Adeline B

Nov 2025

“I found Yao Yao on the Michelin Guide, and I believe the recognition is well deserved.”

I found Yao Yao on the Michelin Guide, and I believe the recognition is well deserved. The restaurant’s décor is elegant, minimal, and squeaky clean — the soothing color palette contrasts beautifully with the vibrant dishes, making the food look even more appetizing. Service was excellent. Our server was kind and attentive, even warning us about the spice levels (which I appreciated, though I love spicy food — and it was perfect). We ordered the Szechuan fish soup and green beans with garlic. The perch in the soup was incredibly fresh, and the broth was rich, fragrant, and carried just the right amount of mala heat. The green beans were equally delicious — crisp, garlicky, and full of flavor. I’ll definitely be coming back!

Zayoodi Anthony

Nov 2025

“so many people recommending this place online, so we decided to give it a try.”

so many people recommending this place online, so we decided to give it a try. The restaurant was very clean, and the male staff was super friendly. We asked if the portion would be enough, and he said, “If not, just order more!” but three of us ordered the two-person set plus two side dishes, and it was more than enough! The sauerkraut fish was perfectly tangy, my mom absolutely loved it! The fish was tender and silky, though there were a few small bones, so be careful. It went amazingly well with rice. The side dishes were decent, but the brown sugar mochi was freshly fried, crispy on the outside and soft inside, absolutely delicious! We loved everything about it and will definitely come back next time!

J C (61)

Oct 2025

“A colleague from China recommended Yao Yao.”

A colleague from China recommended Yao Yao. I’m of European descent but spent decades traveling in China and living in Hong Kong for work. Chinese cuisine is far more diverse and delicious than many people realize, and I found Yao Yao to be a real taste of home, so to speak. I had the pickle fish pot and it was fantastic. Even the rice, something Chinese cuisine isn’t famous for, was good. I can’t wait to go back with friends and try all the classics.

Yannis D

Sep 2025

“We were invited by friends to this Michelin restaurant on Cermak street and the signature dish with...”

We were invited by friends to this Michelin restaurant on Cermak street and the signature dish with the fish and vegetables was very delicious. They have levels of spiciness and we ordered the lowest and it was sufficiently spicy for us. The dish with fish soup was also very good. Beef was a bit overcooked. I would highly recommend this restaurant. We also had resevation.

Jenny Liew

Aug 2025

“This restaurant simply deserves more praise.”

This restaurant simply deserves more praise. One of my favorite spots in Chicago. I love their pickled fish so much. It’s a lil pricy but I crave it all the time and I would totally pay for the quality. I sure wish they could put more fish in the delivery orders tho. 花菜is so so

Sue

Jul 2025

“Delicious broth! Ordered the yaoyao pickled fish (2 people) and the portion size was huge.”

Ellen Towers

Jul 2025

“I ordered the pickled fish stew and frog soup, which are great.”

I ordered the pickled fish stew and frog soup, which are great. The waiter is very nice, their desert are great, the stir fired dish of pork and pepper is superb.

Kevin -

Feb 2025

“There are tons of excellent options in Chinatown for every budget point, but if you’re willing to...”

There are tons of excellent options in Chinatown for every budget point, but if you’re willing to spend a bit more, Yao Yao is the place to go (it’s also Chinatown’s first Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant). For my group of 9, it ended up being ~$31 per person after tax/tip, which felt fair for the quality ingredients, vibrant Szechuan flavors, efficient service, and fresh ambience. The pickled fish and spicy chicken were my favorite dishes from what I ordered, but everything was tasty and flavorful. Food I tried: - Pickled Fish XL (4.7/5): Pricey but massive, filled with spice and tender fish— the sour taste was robust and the pickled veggies were delicious. You get 3 free sides with the XL; we got enoki, dry bean curd skin, and qianye tofu. - Spicy Chicken (4.7/5): This was my favorite appetizer; the chicken was incredibly tender and flavorful. - Golden Fried Crispy Pork (4.4/5): True to the name, it was super crispy. - Spiced Beef & Maw Szechuan Style (4.5/5): This classic Szechuan appetizer doesn’t disappoint— packed with spice and flavor. - Eggplant in Garlic Sauce (4.6/5): Biased because this is my favorite Chinese veggie dish, but it was delicious— the eggplant is soft, creamy, and flavorful. - Spicy Gluttonous Bullfrog (4.3/5): I liked this one less than other dishes, but it was still good. The bullfrog meat was kind of sparse.

Mona

Jan 2025

“Went for the Bib Gourmand award and was not disappointed.”

Went for the Bib Gourmand award and was not disappointed. Everything was flavorful and came out QUICK. We had the garlic eggplant (11/10), chicken wings with dough twists (9/10), and th eShancheng spicy chicken (9/10, but became a 10/10 with some of the eggplant sauce). The wood's ear mushroom was also delicious. I would definitely go back and try some other items, especially the signature pickled fish. So many people in the restaurant had ordered it!

Chris Eyo

Sep 2024

“This is one of my go-to's.”

This is one of my go-to's. I love it here. Their signature soups, especially the sour vegetable fatty beef soup, desserts, appetizers, and fried rice, are all delicious!!! Unique stuff and great space.

Rhonda Wong-Calace

Jul 2024