Ekiben Japanese Kitchen

Name: Ekiben Japanese Kitchen
Address: 1825 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613, Chicago, IL, 60613.0, US
Telephone: +1 773-929-0100
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.8

Essential

Japanese

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About

Ekiben Japanese Kitchen — one of North Center's strongest japanese spots. Order the Onigiri. Feels current without overdoing it, and well-priced. "The sushi was super fresh and full of flavor — you can tell they use top-quality ingredients" — Mixx Santigul

Experience Breakdown

🍴Food

5.0

👥Service

5.0

✨Ambiance

5.0

💬Sentiment

4.8

Chicago Bae Reviews

300 reviews

Highlights

CozyTrendyFamily FriendlyQuick BiteGreat Value

Must Try

Onigiri

What Diners Are Saying

Diners loved

Cozy, intimate spaceWarm, welcoming staffGreat pricesKnowledgeable staff

Some noted

Weird waitress stares at you when it comes time to put the tip.
— Secret Shopper

This is far from an authentic Japanese restaurant. The staff is all Vietnamese.

Specialties

Onigiri

Location

1825 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613

What 290+ diners say about Ekiben Japanese Kitchen

“We had a wonderful experience at Ekben.”

We had a wonderful experience at Ekben! The staff were very accommodating, friendly, and attentive throughout our visit. They made my birthday extra special by surprising us with a complimentary dessert, which we truly appreciated. Great service, welcoming atmosphere, and thoughtful gestures like this really make a difference. Thank you, Ekben team — we’ll definitely be back!

Cherry Cacanog Amodia (Ching)

Jan 2026

“Such a nice Japanese spot.”

Such a nice Japanese spot! Tasty food, chill atmosphere, good service. Perfect place to hang out and enjoy good vibes.

iijenny

Oct 2025

“Came in here around 2:30 pretty empty but I was like why not give it a try.”

Came in here around 2:30 pretty empty but I was like why not give it a try. I ordered there on onigiri lunch special and my the presentation doesn’t do it The onigiri was perfectly shaped, with the nori nice and crisp and the rice seasoned just right

Angelina Delorenzo

Oct 2025

“I absolutely loved my experience here.”

I absolutely loved my experience here! The food was delicious, with fresh fish and beautifully presented dishes that showed real attention to detail. The service was excellent—friendly, attentive, and made me feel truly welcome. The atmosphere inside the restaurant is warm and inviting, the kind of place where you immediately feel comfortable and relaxed. This is definitely going to be my go-to Japanese spot from now on. Everything about it—from the taste, the service, to the cozy vibe—makes it a place I can’t wait to come back to again and again. Highly recommended!

Wawow Pattama

Sep 2025

“This food is so consistently delicious I am leaving another review on google.”

This food is so consistently delicious I am leaving another review on google. I order takeout here on DoorDash sometimes once a week. I get the fried rice with fried chicken katsu on top the avocado roll oshinko roll sweet potato tempura roll miso soup Thai ice tea. Those are my go tos but it’s all so good and SO CONSISTENT. every time it exactly perfect and delicious. Thank you to the chef and people working here for making me feel at home after a long day of work. Bless you Ekiben!

Lauren D

Jul 2025

“Loved it! It was quite empty when my friend and I came as it was midday on a weekday. I myself got...”

Loved it! It was quite empty when my friend and I came as it was midday on a weekday. I myself got the shogun don, hamachi wasabi onigiri, and a Thai iced tea—the takoyaki was shared between us. Everything is delicious, generously portioned, and most importantly seasoned!!! Love that the rice for the onigiri was seasoned, although I did think it could have gone stronger on the wasabi (I personally loooove a strong wasabi taste though). The eel on the shogun don was great, I loved the tare that soaked down into the rice as well! Savory and juuust a bit sweet. My friend got for themself a sushi roll and also the katsu don. For both of us, it totaled out to a little above $60. Absolutely worth it in my opinion, especially for how much food we were stuffed with! The location is also convenient, right by the train line and with lots of bus stops along the street as well.

Seren Ryuu

May 2025

“Loved my visit to Ekiben.”

Loved my visit to Ekiben! The vibe is chill and stylish, and the staff were super friendly and helpful. The sushi was super fresh and full of flavor — you can tell they use top-quality ingredients. The Spaghetti Cream Mentaiko was a standout — so flavorful and beautifully done. Definitely a go-to spot for great sushi and good service. Can’t wait to come back!

Mixx Santigul

Apr 2025

“Found this place by accident.”

Found this place by accident. I was running errands around the area and looking for a place for lunch. Stopped by and tried their lunch special. It is incredible good. It’s more than I expected. All food is delicious. I personally love onigiri. I got spicy octopus and negi hamachi onigiri. Both of them are good and they are big too. Their spaghetti spicy basil tastes like authentic spicy basil! It’s spicy and flavorful. The price is affordable. I highly recommend this place!

Yui Brayden

Apr 2025

“Stopped by for lunch with my girlfriend and had a wonderful time with great food.”

Stopped by for lunch with my girlfriend and had a wonderful time with great food! To start, their restaurant is so cute and decorated beautifully! I got the Pad See Ew which was amazing! The noodles are flat and thick and absorbed the sauce amazingly. We also got the spam onigiri and spicy tuna onigiri which were huge for their price point! (compared to other chicago restaurants) My girlfriend got sushi (unfortunately I forgot which one 😅) but she finished it all so its safe to say she enjoyed it :) Definitely recommend if you’re in the area, a total gem!

Melissa Gastelum Lopez

Mar 2025

“Dropped in for lunch because it's right off the brown line and they have a great lunch special.”

Dropped in for lunch because it's right off the brown line and they have a great lunch special! Got three amazing onigiri and miso soup for a little over 13 dollars. They have a lot of options to choose from, and the portions are great! I am stuffed from the food I had. Not a single complaint for the food or service. Highly recommend coming by!

preniumheart

Dec 2024

“Went for their lunch special and it was literally amazing.”

Went for their lunch special and it was literally amazing! Two onigiri and miso soup for 9.50 is an amazing deal, especially with how much food it is. I had to take some home!