Sankyu Sushi Japanese Restaurant

A gem of a Japanese Izakaya restaurant that I totally did not expect to find in Chicago. Most of the menu portions were small but perfect for sharing across a large party: ginkgo nuts, first time trying them in Chicago; gyoza, just the right amount of thin, crispy outer layer and very juicy fillings; chicken liver, very savory and a bit zesty (one couldn't tell if it's a dessert or appetizer); tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled egg), freshly made with perfectly even texture. And there is the fish. Our Omakase and the Mackerel Sashimi prepared by the chef were as good as they come - neutral to taste complemented by the natural butteriness of each piece of fish.

Izakaya Sankyu is exactly the type of quality, comfort -- and mostly importantly -- unpretentious Japanese food that I felt is especially lacking in cities across US. Izakaya Sankyu is a rare gem!

Wonderful place and wonderful food. Great sushi rolls and udon soup.

Service failure the second time. My wife and I went for dinner last week but was embarrassed by the small table. We were assigned a very small table even though there was regular table available. Half of our dinner had to wait, and we had to rush what had been served. This table should only serve one person for dinner. This was the second time we were embarrassed. About a year ago, we went during festival season. We didn't blamed the waiting, but was embarrassed by being ignore for 45 minutes. All those waiting in line, about four or five groups of customers, were not even talked to in that almost one hour of waiting. No waiter came to receive us, nor ask how many of us in a group. If not one of us insisted to wait, I would have left already. The service was normal when I came the second time. But last week, the memory of the first one came back again. Fairly to say, though their food was good, the service was not stable.

Great authentic Japanese restaurant and very good food.

Always a nice place to get sake Cha, zaru soba, and beef tongue. The sake list needs to be updated because some of the things listed on their list is out of stock almost every time we go there. Great quality fish for nigiri (: would recommend.