KAI ZAN CHICAGO

“Always a great time here.”

Always a great time here. They have one of the best omakase I've experienced in Chicago. The staff is always super friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. If you love sushi, Kai Zan is a must try.

Carlos Espin

Nov 2025

“Hands down the best omekase we've had in the city.”

Hands down the best omekase we've had in the city. Service was more attentive and the pace of the courses was better when we sat at the sushi bar last time. This time, it felt a bit rushed where courses were coming out before we'd finished the last. But honestly, it needed to because with 11 delicious courses in a reservation slot, you have to stay motivated. We've spent the last 3 special occasions dining here and will definitely return. The restaurant is an hour drive from us in traffic but so worth it. You'll often find parking on the street out front, as well.

Kristin Elliott

Nov 2025

“Beautiful omakase with both rich & clean flavors.”

Beautiful omakase with both rich & clean flavors. The atmosphere is intimate, pacing was perfect, great value for quality.

Maggie Lafratta

Oct 2025

“The omakase experience was great.”

The omakase experience was great! Definitely recommend even if u just want to do the regular menu. Really enjoyed the pearls. Fish was fresh. Great staff. Enjoyed the private booths!

Christina Huynh

Sep 2025

“Having eaten at Japanese restaurants in Los Angeles, New York and Tokyo it took me a while to...”

Having eaten at Japanese restaurants in Los Angeles, New York and Tokyo it took me a while to finally give Kai Zan a chance, which in itself is ridiculous, look at the reviews. I get now why there are so many great reviews. I dined solo and got the perfect spot to watch the kitchen do their magic. Went with the omakase and it was amazing and efficiently paced. Watching my dishes being prepared by the chefs and then delivered by the attentive and friendly staff was a treat. I was particularly impressed to watch chef Melvin craft a rose out of wasabi for someone's sashimi plate. Like many others, I can't wait to go back.

Andrew S

Apr 2025

“Without a doubt, this is the best sushi I have tried.”

Without a doubt, this is the best sushi I have tried. Ended up doing the omakase experience and it was very well worth it. Every entree was beautifully presented, rich in multiple flavors that just melted in your mouth. The dining experience itself was lovely and wonderful staff. I am looking forward for my next outing.

Gonzalo Duran

Apr 2025

“This place definitely exceeded our expectations and we absolutely love it.”

This place definitely exceeded our expectations and we absolutely love it! The otoro sashimi was fatty and melting in your mouth! Very good quality. The spicy toro maki was delicious and flavorful. We started by drinking two oyster shooter! It was bursting in flavor and the with little bit of citrus glaze. Then we moved on to shishito peppers and maki rolls. We also definitely recommend the taro scallop hand roll! Creamy, heavy, and crunchy! The yakisoba was perfect and not too salty at all! We loved squid sashimi with layers of flavors of perilla leaves. The scallop sashimi was soft and fatty! Again cannot forget orange rush! Cute scallops and salmon seared and marinated in delicious sauce! Strongly recommend! At the end, we got cold green tea ice cream and warm matcha cream brûlées. We loved this warm and cold combo! Both desserts were not sugary! Green tea has very strong tea fragrant and tastes and matcha bruelee was sweet not sugary! Strongly recommend! Lol my friend literally said if she dies tmrw, she will die happy! That is how good it is!

Nancy S

Apr 2025

“This is the best omakase course you can do in Chicago.”

This is the best omakase course you can do in Chicago. The price is justified by not only the quality of the dishes but the size/quantity of the dishes. You won’t leave feeling hungry which I find to be a common issue with other omakase courses. The presentation of every dish was unique and really highlighted the item brought out. Highly recommend, can’t wait to go back.

Gregory Reyes

Apr 2025

“Have been trying to snag a reservation here for the longest & some how last night I realized that...”

Have been trying to snag a reservation here for the longest & some how last night I realized that there was a reservation available for today @8:30. Regret not making it sooner. Everything was delicious and well executed. Dishes I ordered this evening: Shishito peppers, crab cake, escolar/maguro pearls, smoked hamachi, taro tuna-scallop HANDROLL, S.O.S maki, green monster maki, spicy toro maki, porkbelly skewer, Wagyu fried rice & Salmon collar. Definitely can’t wait to stop by again.

Denise

Jan 2025

“Very nice and cozy place for dinner.”

Very nice and cozy place for dinner. The food is delicious!! I recommend pork belly. I don't like pork belly but this was very flavorful. The staff is friendly and are on top of things. Looking forward to going back and trying new things.

David Botros

Jan 2025

“Very fun flavors and chefs were dope.”

Very fun flavors and chefs were dope! This is my favorite progressive omakase spot in Chicago. I've dined at KAI ZAN twice thus far and will keep coming back for special occasions. Edit: My third time dining here was the $49 early bird special for a 6 course omakase. The pieces are from the a la carte menu, so we got to try bites that were different from their typical omakase course. I thoroughly enjoyed it. (pics below are from the early bird special omakase)

Kelly Wen

Dec 2024

“Went here for my wife’s birthday.”

Went here for my wife’s birthday. She is a seafood lover and also of omakase. Everything tasted fresh and was very flavorful. We were also pleasantly full at the end of the meal.

Cas R

Dec 2024