Taste of Japan

Name: Taste of Japan
Address: 201 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60606, Chicago, IL, 60606.0, US
Telephone: +1 312-588-9818
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.6

Hidden Gem

Japanese

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About

Taste of Japan — a River North japanese find that regulars keep close. The flavors are genuine, nothing diluted. Easy on the wallet. Olivia Freeman: "The sashimi was so fresh, best I’ve ever tasted"

Experience Breakdown

🍴Food

5.0

👥Service

4.9

✨Ambiance

4.9

💬Sentiment

4.7

Skyy Strike

136 reviews

Highlights

CozyQuick BiteHidden GemGreat ValueFast Service

What Diners Are Saying

Diners loved

Authentic flavorsGreat prices

Some noted

It’s not bad for 20 minutes lunch.
— li yin

Stopped by Taste of Japan on Wells for lunch and grabbed the pork tonkotsu miso ramen and the crispy spicy tuna appetizer.
— Wallace Griffin

I really want to like this place because the location is fantastic and it's close to where I live.
— Justin Nguyen

Location

201 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60606

What 83+ diners say about Taste of Japan

“The tuna is comparable to sushiro that I had regularly in Japan though the slice is even thicker with great fish to rice ratio, the hamachi/yellowtail is fabulous, and the fish generally very fresh, served in large slices and absolutely delicious with the vinegared rice”

“Food was abundant & delicious, prices were great, and the staff was amazing.”

Food was abundant & delicious, prices were great, and the staff was amazing! 10-10 for me can't recommend this place enough.

Matt Spencer

Dec 2025

“This place truly offers a taste of Japan.”

This place truly offers a taste of Japan. For the price, this is the best sushi I've had so far in Chicago. The tuna is comparable to sushiro that I had regularly in Japan though the slice is even thicker with great fish to rice ratio, the hamachi/yellowtail is fabulous, and the fish generally very fresh, served in large slices and absolutely delicious with the vinegared rice. My wife had the tonkatsu curry, which came in a HUGE portion. It's not as impressive as the sushi in terms of authentic taste, but it definitely fills you up and is still tasty.

Skyy Strike

Oct 2025

“This place has amazing curry rice.”

This place has amazing curry rice. It’s so good I just went to Japan and it tastes the same with the same curry consistency, perfectly fried tofu, potatoes. The miso soup was thick and not watery and the rice was perfect with a little stickiness. This place is so so good. Quiet, really comforting tastes. I wish I had one near me.

Seasia Catena

Aug 2025

“Both taste and portion sizes are great.”

Both taste and portion sizes are great! The plates are substantial, with heaping servings of rice alongside the curry. The ambiance is relaxed and welcoming, making it perfect for casual lunches or dinner with friends. The staff is friendly.

Kevin Jiang

Jan 2025

“Very inexpensive, tasty, and authentic Japanese place.”

Very inexpensive, tasty, and authentic Japanese place. I've gone here both to get dinner and to just drop by for a quick snack, but it seems like a particularly ideal lunch place. I recommend trying their hand rolls, which are reminiscent of onigiri. The service is friendly and fast; they even gave my one-year-old a cute little toy fan :) We'll be back for more!

M K Snigaroff

Oct 2024

“This place is awesome!!”

This place is awesome!!! Honestly the best Japanese food in the loop. I will be a regular customer FOR SURE.

Ivy Llewellyn

Oct 2024

“We tried one of every nigiri and every single one tasted good.”

We tried one of every nigiri and every single one tasted good. Can't believe it

Shehab Ellithy

Sep 2024

“Finally some good sushi in North Loop.”

Finally some good sushi in North Loop! They're threatening to be one of the best in downtown. Very authentic. Not a place for americanized rolls. Go here for Hand Rolls, Nigiri, and Sashimi. Also really good noodles!

Josh Peal

Sep 2024

“I saw this restaurant had seemingly recently opened and got the light box takeout for dinner.”

I saw this restaurant had seemingly recently opened and got the light box takeout for dinner. It’s chef’s choice, I got all sashimi with tuna, shrimp, imitation crab, and inari. I don’t have much to compare to, I’ve only had sashimi at fine dining before, but the fish was THICC. Also, each piece came wrapped individually in plastic which helped with transport but hurts the environmentalist in me. Overall, it seemed like good value and I’ll probably revisit to try something else on the menu.

Jeremy Naka

Aug 2024

“Taste of Japan has several delicious meals like ramen, Japanese curry and various sushi and sashimi.”

Taste of Japan has several delicious meals like ramen, Japanese curry and various sushi and sashimi. I had the pork tonkatsu miso ramen and it had plenty of pork, noodles, bamboo and egg. The restaurant has a spicy sauce at the tables that you can add for extra spicy flavor. For four of us, it was $110 including tip. I would return. I visited in late May 2025. There is a restroom available for customers.

Andrew Mast

May 2025

“I ordered ahead for lunch and was pleasantly surprised.”

I ordered ahead for lunch and was pleasantly surprised! Very good quality fish and flavor was great. I will definitely be back to try more! Only giving 4 stars for now since I've only tried once.