Sushi by Scratch Restaurants: Chicago

“I wish this experience on everyone I love.”

I wish this experience on everyone I love. It was phenomenal. The food is soooo good, but the whole thing is amazing. It's an intimate setting, only 8 people at the table. You can see them make everything, from the rice to cutting all the fish to making the fresh Wasabi and all the plating. In fact, it's hard to catch up and talk with your party because there's so much to follow along with and talk to the chefs/staff about. And they are all so friendly and tolerated our rowdy group very well. I'd love to do this again! Highly recommend!!! Just know that it's INSIDE the burger joint. After you walk in, a few yards to your right is a panel that looks like a wall but it's got a keypad on it; that's the entrance, no signs otherwise.

Christina Huynh

Nov 2025

“Chef Naomi gave us an incredible experience.”

Chef Naomi gave us an incredible experience. Everything was perfect from the taste to the presentation. The whole crew had great chemistry and really helped make the dinner feel like a one of a kind experience. Do yourself a favor and go here immediately.

Cameron Vournazos

Nov 2025

“Sushi by scratch Is hands down the best Omakase experience I’ve had living in Chicago so far and...”

Sushi by scratch Is hands down the best Omakase experience I’ve had living in Chicago so far and the most expensive $500 for two people without ordering drinks. The space is beautiful & intimate. The service was extremely professional and descriptive in terms of the pairings and omakase flavors that were experienced. The fish was delicious and super fresh!! (flown in from Japan) and the toppings on the nigiri were incredible unique. Sushi by scratch knows texture, knows taste, it's great smells of each piece, it's the char, it's the vibes, it's the environment of this place, it's the chefs creativity every thing about it is exquisite!! Prior to coming, we were asked to come 30 minutes early to enjoy the canapés complimentary drink tuna roll and oyster, I am more than happy to have made it in 30 minutes before our reservation. That complimentary drink? Wow. Ginger, yuzu, jwhiskey, and sake made me turn my head bc it was phenomenal. One of the many things that I love the most about Sushi by Scratch is that they announce the sushi that they're giving you also describe it to give you key things to look out for. And then all of the sudden, it just makes sense. The symphony of flavors, it's by far the best omakase experience I've had here in Chicago(2nd time I’ve said that) It's a really great and personalized experience. They even have your names on the board which is adorable. It was my niece‘s 21st birthday and her first omakase experience and she loved it! I set the bar high for her going here haha but we had so much fun with the sushi guys Highly recommend this restaurant to everyone, especially since it's such a unique surprise making your way to a sushi speakeasy hidden inside of NADC burger basement!! Oh and don’t forget to give your code!! 100%recommend!!

Hagz

Nov 2025

“I was a Japanese major in college, lived in Japan for 3 years, speak, read, and write Japanese, and...”

I was a Japanese major in college, lived in Japan for 3 years, speak, read, and write Japanese, and over a 40+ year career traveled to Japan over 150 times. I KNOW sushi and this was GREAT sushi. The ingredients were fresh. The preparation flawless. The presentation amazing. I particularly enjoyed chatting with Chef Naomi about her approach to sushi and how she used her knowledge of traditional Japanese sushi to improve it. Make no mistake, this is not traditional Japanese sushi. It is also decidedly NOT mass market, street corner, Thai-Chinese-Supermarket sushi. This is sushi which has benefited from American creativity and ingenuity by trained chefs. Japanese may turn their nose at that, but any serious gourmand will recognize the improvements and applaud their use. For some reason, Japanese trained in kaizen, ( 改善）continual improvement, should be applying this to food but they don't. This, however, is the beauty of American culture. We are a melting pot of ideas and a foundry for taking ideas from the old world and reshaping them to meet the present. I highly recommend Sushi by Scratch. It is expensive, but entirely worth it. This is not just food on a plate. It is and experience. Before going, learn as much about Japanese cuisine as possible. Sample other sushi restaurants, then be prepared to be blown away!

Kevin C. Crowell

Oct 2025

“Sushi by Scratch was by the far the best sushi I’ve had in my life.”

Sushi by Scratch was by the far the best sushi I’ve had in my life! My husband surprised me with this incredible dinner for my bday and it was beyond memorable. The sushi was mouth watering and very bite had so much flavor. The chefs were also wonderful. Highly recommend!!

Michelle Nanos Polonsky

Jul 2025

“Fantastic experience.”

Fantastic experience! I loved the speakeasy vibes and cozy, intimate setting. Naomi was an amazing head chef and Henry pitched in with his dad jokes. My favorite dish was the Kampachi. Every dish has unique toppings and they were so flavorful. I hope to go again soon!

Stephanie Yang

May 2025

“Our Omakase experience was fantastic.”

Our Omakase experience was fantastic. Chef Naomi walked us through every single piece of nigiri with such ease. Mark also was very diligent with the beverage pairings. I don’t think our night could have gone any better. Thank you for the great night out!

Noel Harvey

May 2025

“Recommend it!! Amazing experience, must try it if you sushi lover or whatever. The best chef team...”

Recommend it!! Amazing experience, must try it if you sushi lover or whatever. The best chef team will make you feel comfortable and relaxed Super friendly atmosphere Unique taste in a unique location was already in 3 places from that brand and love each of them That's a MUST-TO-DO LIST in Chicago.

Max

May 2025

“This was one of the best Omasake sushi experiences I’ve ever had.”

This was one of the best Omasake sushi experiences I’ve ever had! Beautiful presentation, high-quality ingredients and Great atmosphere!! The place is in a speakeasy burger spot, they give you a code to open a door to go to the actual dining room. They welcome you with a refreshing beverage and a few bites! Then you go to the main dining room, which is pretty exclusive, it fits eight people tops. The menu is well-curated and prepared, presentations and the mix of tastes and flavours are on point!! The drinks parings are fantastic! Overall in an amazing experience and I highly recommend going there for special occasions.

An J

Mar 2025

“I recently had my first omakase experience, and it was nothing short of exceptional.”

I recently had my first omakase experience, and it was nothing short of exceptional. The quality of the fish was outstanding—each piece was incredibly fresh, with clean flavors that let the ingredients shine. Beyond that, the creativity of the dishes truly impressed me. Every bite felt thoughtfully crafted, with unique combinations and subtle surprises that elevated the experience. The entire meal was a journey, and the attention to detail from the chef made it even more special. If you’re looking for an omakase that delivers both top-tier quality and artistry, I highly recommend this spot. It set the bar high for my first omakase, and I can’t wait to come back for more.

Gianne L

Mar 2025

“My new favorite omakase in the city.”

My new favorite omakase in the city. Very cool speakeasy vibe, loved the personal touches, everything tasted amazing and the chefs were all super cool and engaging. Service was great

Angelina Ly

Mar 2025