The Izakaya at Momotaro

Name: The Izakaya at Momotaro
Address: 820 W. Lake St, Chicago, IL, United States, 60607
Telephone: (312) 733-4818
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.6

4.6

790 Reviews

$31 to $50

Japanese

Lively
Hot spot
Great for creative cocktails

The Izakaya is located on the subterranean level of Momotaro. The Izakaya and its shared-plates pub-inspired menu echoes the Yokocho street scene of Tokyo. Narrow lounge-inspired ‘alleys’ around a central bar bedecked with hand-painted Japanese menus, moody neon lights, and vintage Tokyo street signs set the scene for the Izakaya’s direct nod to Tokyo’s most famous post-war black markets. Dark, energetic, and ripe with expectation, the Izakaya additionally offers a 30-seat bar featuring crafted cocktails, sakes, and a quality selection of Japanese whiskeys.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sep 9, 2024

7:00 p.m.

Booked 40 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Japanese, Sushi, Seafood
Hours of Operation
Dinner Wed, Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
Phone number
(312) 733-4818
Website
http://www.momotarochicago.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress Code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Gene Kato
Private party facilities
The Izakaya is located on the subterranean level of Momotaro
Private party contact
our Event Sales Manager: (312) 773-4818

Location
820 W. Lake St, Chicago, IL 60607
Neighbourhood
West Loop
Cross Street
Green
Parking Details
Valet is located on the corner of Lake & Green
Public Transit
#8 Halsted Bus at Lake Street. Green & Pink line at Morgan stop.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

EdamameUS$8.00
Japanese sea salt
Baby Green SaladUS$12.00
mizuna, carrot-citrus dressing
Uni Deviled EggUS$12.00
curry spice, chive, shiso
Miso SoupUS$8.00
house tofu, wakame, honshimeji mushroom
Nikkei Scallop CevicheUS$16.00
sashimi scallop, pickled persimmon, pine nuts, shiso oil
Blistered ShishitoUS$12.00
bonito mayonnaise, togarashi
Tuna Tostada*US$16.00
crispy nori, tuna tartare, avocado, pickled red onion, lime
Gyoza
pork & chicken filling, soy dipping sauce
- 6 PiecesUS$14.00
Satsumaimo FriesUS$9.00
Japanese sweet potato fries, miso mayo
Shake'n Kato WingsUS$16.00
kaarage chicken wings (choice of ramen or fire spice blends)
Mishima Skirt Steak*US$18.00
robata yaki, seasoned with Japanese sea salt

Tonkatsu

Berkshire Pork RibsUS$18.00
8oz baby back ribs, curry spice, white kimchi, ponzu, Asian chimichurri
Chicken KatsuUS$24.00
crispy panko-crusted chicken thigh, sweet and savory curry sauce, pickled turnip

Iza Classics

Uni PastaUS$23.00
uni, rock shrimp, shiso
Hamachi Kama (Collar)US$14.00
"kalbi" marinade, red miso crust, garic aioli
A5 Cup Noodle*US$38.00
sliced A5 tenderloin, pickled shishito, umami paste, soft-poached egg, shio tare
The Momo RoyaleUS$20.00
double-patty burger, house-made bao bun, satsumaimo fries

Rice

Yakitori Don*US$16.00
grilled chicken thigh, chicken tare, soft-poached egg
Chahan*US$22.00
stone bowl beef fried rice, wild maitake, soft-poached egg
Tamaki GoldUS$6.00
steamed short grain rice

Sashimi

garnished with myoga salad, pickled ginger, wasabi

Shima AjiUS$7.00
striped jack
AkamiUS$7.00
bluefin tuna loin
ChutoroUS$11.00
medium fat bluefin belly
OtoroUS$13.00
fatty bluefin belly
MadaiUS$7.00
snapper

Temaki

Momo JrUS$22.00
spicy octopus, tuna tartar, pickled daikon, nikiri
ScallopUS$16.00
diver scallop, yuzu kosho, pickled onion, fried garlic
Shio Koji SakeUS$16.00
salmon, avocado mousse, salmon skin, ikura
King CrabUS$26.00
king crab, ginger mayo, tempura shallot, lemon wedge

Donburi

Tuna, Tuna, TunaUS$28.00
akami, chutoro, tartar, nikiri, myoga salad, wasabi
Jewel BakoUS$38.00
Chef's selection of seasonal fish and caviar. Myoga salad, pickled watermelon radish, pickled ginger, nori sheet

Cocktails

Monk's JourneyUS$17.00
chicago distilling ceres vodka, aloe liqueur, matcha, lime
Before & AfterUS$16.00
broker's gin, manzanilla sherry, luxardo aperitivo, chamomile, lime
A Land ApartUS$16.00
espolon tequila, fruitful dragonberry, ming river baijiu, manzanilla sherry, coconut milk
Strawberry SwingUS$17.00
el guel mezcal, pineau des charentes, strawberry shiso cordial, thai spice bitters, lime
White LotusUS$17.00
flor de cana rum, jasmine, cardamom, red clover bitters
Kaba Old Fashioned*US$18.00
evan williams bourbon, mars iwai whisky, turbinado, cherry bark and sarsaparilla bitters

Highballs

Roku HighballUS$13.00
shiso & ginger infused roku gin, toki water
Toki HighballUS$13.00
suntory toki whisky, toki water
Haku HighballUS$13.00
hibiscus infused haku vodka, toki water

Sake

Honjozo

Dry MountainUS$14.00

Junmai

Itami OnigoroshiUS$13.00
served hot
- Kettle (500ml)US$52.00
Karakuchi Premium DryUS$16.00
Mirror of TruthUS$16.00

Junmai Ginjo

Black DragonUS$17.00
Nakao's SecretUS$16.00
Bride of the FoxUS$18.00

Junmai Daiginjo

Demon Slayer, OnikoroshiUS$19.00
The One with the ClocksUS$20.00
Pearls of SimplicityUS$21.00
Heaven & EarthUS$18.00

Nigori

Dreamy CloudsUS$17.00
tokubetsu junmai nigori
The Blue OneUS$16.00
junmai nigori

Umeshu

KiuchiUS$16.00

Flights

Japanese Whisky

1 oz Pour

Donyu Suru: An IntroUS$28.00
mars iwai; akashi blended; suntory toki
Nikka: by Japan's Oldest DistilleryUS$50.00
from the barrel coffey grain; taketsuru pure malt

Gin

1 oz Pour

Gin Shotto: SilvershotUS$34.00
ki no bi; nikka coffey; suntory roku

Sake

1.5 oz Pour

Mizu to Mai: Water + Rice = SakeUS$30.00
karakuchi premium dry (junmai); nakao's secret (junmai ginjo); dreamy clouds (nigori)
The Fifty Percent: Junmai DaiginjoUS$34.00
the one with the clocks; pearls of simplicity; demon slayer
U(mai)mi: Earthy & RichUS$31.00
black dragon; bride of the fox; heaven & earth

What 790 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.3Service
4.7Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

790 Reviews

H
Heather
Las Vegas
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
Food was excellent, atmosphere was very viby, definitely a little loud which made conversations a little difficult.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
The food was unreal, but it took a little while for it to come out. We waited a while but it was worth it! We got the salmon hand roll, momo royale and the chicken sando. So delicious !
The Izakaya at MomotaroResponded 5 days ago
Thanks for visiting us! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the food at The Izakaya at Momotaro. We apologize for the delay in serving your food, but it's good to know you were satisfied with the overall experience. Your kind words about our salmon hand roll, Momo Royale, and Chicken Sando mean a lot to us. We look forward to serving you again soon!
Is this helpful?
J
Juliane
San Diego
6 reviews
4.0
6 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Was quickly seated in our own little private ‘open room’ back waiter came with water and waiter followed quickly behind. Menu is interesting, wine list ok. Sake list looked amazing but we weren’t interested. When we went to order our white wine glasses the waiter said they were out of stock on 3 out of 5! What? On a holiday weekend Sunday night? Plus it took FOREVER to get our drinks. Ordered hamachi sashimi (small serving), crab roll which is king crab that you roll yourself- that was excellent. Also ordered their famous baobun burger with sweet potato fries - very good and chicken gyoza 🥟. Enough food for the four of us to split. Again in a city restaurant, the music was way too loud, otherwise the setting is cool.
The Izakaya at MomotaroResponded 5 days ago
Hello Juliane, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience at The Izakaya at Momotaro. We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our sashimi, king crab roll, and Momo Royale. We apologize for the wait time and the issue with the wine glasses. We're glad that you found the food and our service satisfactory. Your feedback is valuable to us and we'll certainly take it into account to improve our service. We hope to welcome you back soon for a more seamless experience. Best regards, The Management Team
Is this helpful?
N
Nicolas
Indiana
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 29, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I came here a year ago and was pretty excited to try it again. Worth the excitement, this is my favorite burger in Chicago
The Izakaya at MomotaroResponded 5 days ago
Wow, thank you for making our burger your favorite in Chicago! We’re thrilled to hear it’s still living up to your excitement from a year ago. We’ll keep sizzling up those burgers with the same passion to make sure your next visit is just as delicious! Can’t wait to see you again and keep the burger love going strong!
Is this helpful?
L
Luna
Chicago
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on August 24, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing service and even more amazing food. 10/10 would highly recommend everyone check this place out! Staff is excellent and you really can taste the love in the food.
The Izakaya at MomotaroResponded on August 27, 2024
Hey Sandraf, Thank you so much for your glowing review! We're thrilled to hear that you had an amazing experience with us at The Izakaya at Momotaro. It's great to know that you found our food delicious and enjoyed the service. Your kind words mean a lot to us and we're glad you found the overall experience to be top-notch. We look forward to welcoming you back soon. Best regards, The Management Team
Is this helpful?
M
Matt
Minneapolis
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on August 23, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
Super dark in our booth, and very loud. Could not see our food or hear each other. Only light we had were two small candles, no overhead light at all. Tough place to enjoy with friends.
The Izakaya at MomotaroResponded 5 days ago
I’m sorry to hear that you found the lighting and noise level challenging during your visit. Our lounge setting is designed to create a certain atmosphere, but I understand that it might not have been ideal for your experience. We’ll take your feedback into consideration to ensure a better balance between ambiance and comfort. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, and we hope to have the chance to offer you a more enjoyable experience in the future.
Is this helpful?
M
Morgan
Chicago
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 22, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Food was amazing but the service wasn’t great. We were not approached by a server for at least 20 minutes and then it was about 15-20 before we got our drinks. Also the music was insanely loud which made it difficult to talk and hear each other, maybe I’m just an old lady (31…) but this is not where I would go if you want to have too much conversation. I would go again but instead I think I would choose to sit at the bar, it would be a great place to stop for a drink and quick bite as they do small plates and there is for sure a party atmosphere!
The Izakaya at MomotaroResponded on August 22, 2024
Thanks for visiting us, Morgan D. We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our food at The Izakaya at Momotaro. We're sorry to hear about the delay in service you experienced. We understand how important it is to have a great dining experience and we apologize for any inconvenience caused. We also appreciate your feedback on the noise level, we're always looking for ways to improve our guests' experiences. We're glad to know that you'd consider sitting at the bar, as we believe it's a great spot for a quick bite and a lively atmosphere. We hope to have the opportunity to serve you again in the future.
Is this helpful?
J
Joel
Chicago
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 18, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food menu has changed quite a bit but the service and aesthetic is top notch
The Izakaya at MomotaroResponded on August 20, 2024
Hey, thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our service and aesthetic. However, we're sorry to hear that our food menu has changed. We're always striving to improve, and your feedback is invaluable. We hope to have the opportunity to serve you again and provide you with an even better experience. Thank you once again for your kind words. - The Management Team
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 17, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing experience, per usual. Service is so on point! Gyoza was great and Momo Royale are classics. Highly recommend.
Is this helpful?
V
Vanessa
Chicago
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 17, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Service was impecable at Izakaya. Drinks were delicious. But the food was the standout. Every single bite was better than the next. Highly recommend
Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Izakaya at Momotaro offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (312) 733-4818.

The Izakaya at Momotaro is rated 4.6 stars by 790 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Sep 9, 2024

7:00 p.m.

Booked 40 times today

Order delivery or takeout

820 W. Lake St, Chicago, IL 60607

Additional information

Cross Street
Green
Neighbourhood
West Loop
Hours of Operation
Dinner Wed, Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Japanese, Sushi, Seafood
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress Code
Casual Dress
Parking Details
Valet is located on the corner of Lake & Green
Public Transit
#8 Halsted Bus at Lake Street. Green & Pink line at Morgan stop.
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Gene Kato
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.momotarochicago.com/
Phone number
(312) 733-4818
Private party facilities
The Izakaya is located on the subterranean level of Momotaro
Private party contact
our Event Sales Manager: (312) 773-4818

The Izakaya at Momotaro

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Additional information

Uni Pasta

Tuna Tostada

Tuna Tuna Tuna

Small Plates

EdamameUS$8.00

Baby Green SaladUS$12.00

Uni Deviled EggUS$12.00

Miso SoupUS$8.00

Nikkei Scallop CevicheUS$16.00

Blistered ShishitoUS$12.00

Tuna Tostada*US$16.00

Gyoza

Satsumaimo FriesUS$9.00

Shake'n Kato WingsUS$16.00

Mishima Skirt Steak*US$18.00

Tonkatsu

Berkshire Pork RibsUS$18.00

Chicken KatsuUS$24.00

Iza Classics

Uni PastaUS$23.00

Hamachi Kama (Collar)US$14.00

A5 Cup Noodle*US$38.00

The Momo RoyaleUS$20.00

Rice

Yakitori Don*US$16.00

Chahan*US$22.00

Tamaki GoldUS$6.00

Sashimi

Shima AjiUS$7.00

AkamiUS$7.00

ChutoroUS$11.00

OtoroUS$13.00

MadaiUS$7.00

Temaki

Momo JrUS$22.00

ScallopUS$16.00

Shio Koji SakeUS$16.00

King CrabUS$26.00

Donburi

Tuna, Tuna, TunaUS$28.00

Jewel BakoUS$38.00

Cocktails

Monk's JourneyUS$17.00

Before & AfterUS$16.00

A Land ApartUS$16.00

Strawberry SwingUS$17.00

White LotusUS$17.00

Kaba Old Fashioned*US$18.00

Highballs

Roku HighballUS$13.00

Toki HighballUS$13.00

Haku HighballUS$13.00

Sake

Honjozo

Dry MountainUS$14.00

Junmai

Itami OnigoroshiUS$13.00

Karakuchi Premium DryUS$16.00

Mirror of TruthUS$16.00

Junmai Ginjo

Black DragonUS$17.00

Nakao's SecretUS$16.00

Bride of the FoxUS$18.00

Junmai Daiginjo

Demon Slayer, OnikoroshiUS$19.00

The One with the ClocksUS$20.00

Pearls of SimplicityUS$21.00

Heaven & EarthUS$18.00

Nigori

Dreamy CloudsUS$17.00

The Blue OneUS$16.00

Umeshu

KiuchiUS$16.00

Flights

Japanese Whisky