Cocoro Restaurant

“This restaurant is my favorite in the area.”

This restaurant is my favorite in the area. The food is always prepared with attention to detail. Coming here for lunch is a must!

Nabil Salem

Nov 2025

“Possibly the most true to Japanese cuisine I had in Chicago.”

Possibly the most true to Japanese cuisine I had in Chicago. Reminds me of mom n pop restaurant with a little bit of everything from ramen, sushi and bento boxes. My favorite would be their long list of izakaya style appetizers and nabe. Also the oldschool coffee jelly is available!

A*T

Oct 2025

“Definitely visiting again next time in Chicago.”

Definitely visiting again next time in Chicago. The food was delicious and the lady owner was too sweet. Loved it!

Nataša Kocjančič

Oct 2025

“Having lived in Japan for years, this place brought me right back.”

Having lived in Japan for years, this place brought me right back. I had the unajyu, which was very soft and delicious and the rice was fabulous, while my wife had the nabeyaki udon which was generous with the vegetables. Extremely authentic top notch Japanese food, if a bit pricey - but I've not found better quality for the price so it's good value to me considering we're in Chicago and not Japan.

Skyy Strike

Oct 2025

“Wow! We recently bought a place here in Chicago about two and a half years ago and have been...”

Wow! We recently bought a place here in Chicago about two and a half years ago and have been searching for our go to sushi Japanese restaurant. We have looked in the city and in the suburbs and finally today we found our go to Japanese restaurant in Chicago! This restaurant is authentic the services amazing the food quality is spectacular it is elegant it is everything you want in a Japanese restaurant. The shabu-shabu presentation that I didn't order but I will next time is off the charts amazing! This restaurant has been in business I think since 1996. I can't say enough about how great our experience was at this restaurant. We will be back often!

Derrick

Aug 2025

“Came here on a Tuesday evening with a party of three.”

Came here on a Tuesday evening with a party of three. We were seated promptly by the friendly wait staff. Their fryer was broken so we didn’t get a chance to try anything that required it. The seaweed salad, cold tofu with bonito flake sauce, and the various rolls were excellent! I finished off the meal with some fantastic red bean ice cream with the anko topping. Definitely recommend trying this place out!

Chris Wozny

Jul 2025

“Loved this mom and pop restaurant and they have really great miso ramen and bento box.”

Loved this mom and pop restaurant and they have really great miso ramen and bento box! Sushi was good

Nancy S

Apr 2025

“Pleasantly surprised by this small yet authentic Japanese restaurant.”

Pleasantly surprised by this small yet authentic Japanese restaurant. Loved the menu, as it had many Japanese dishes beyond the typical Americanized sushi offerings. Didn’t get pictures of the sushi we ordered, but see pics of the Tonkatsu Curry and Saba. Both were excellent.

Kelly Dean-Bailey

Dec 2024

“Solid and delicious option, no frills but large menu.”

Solid and delicious option, no frills but large menu. Best for locals and those who appreciate a reliable option for Japanese food.

Naum T.

Aug 2024

“Firstly. I might have a new favorite Japanese restaurant In Chicago. I loved visiting Cocoro...”

Firstly. I might have a new favorite Japanese restaurant In Chicago. I loved visiting Cocoro restaurant. There was moments I felt like I was back in Japan. My gf and I had hot sake, fried tofu with baby 🍄 mushrooms on top. Then had a pan seared mackerel fish. Then some 🍱 sushi. It was fresh and tasted just like I had in japan, excited to come back in the near future. 👍

Stephen Briddick

Jun 2024

“Best Japanese food I have had outside of Japan.”

Best Japanese food I have had outside of Japan. Can't wait to come back and try all their offerings!

A.J.

May 2024

“I've been checking the restaurant and menu long before coming to Chicago for a vacation week and...”

I've been checking the restaurant and menu long before coming to Chicago for a vacation week and yesterday I manage to get there on foot to try the dining environment. Placed my order accordingly and the look of it and the taste made worthwhile for me, it taste soooo goooood!!! I took my sweet time eating the Japanese way🍜🍣🍥🍙. Anybody from out of town visiting Chicago for an R&R, look it up and visit the place for your self, as an Asian connoisseur l can tell what's good or what's what.

Rudy Newman

Apr 2024