For fine Japanese cuisine, look no further than Momotaro in Chicago, IL! The name Momotaro, which translates to "Peach Boy," is derived from a beloved Japanese folktale, symbolizing strength and adventure. This renowned restaurant holds one Michelin star, among other prestigious awards, and it truly deserves every accolade.
After a long day attending a conference, my team and I were eager to get a seat at this trending spot. Having heard that this was a top choice for sushi, I was hesitant to go, being vegetarian. However, I was delighted to discover that they offer a vegetarian menu. It was such a treat to join my colleagues for an evening of exceptional food and great company.
The restaurant was dimly lit, which created an intimate ambiance that set the mood perfectly. The interior design was contemporary and clean. It truly felt like an homage to Japanese dining. I must also mention that I enjoyed their choice of music. The alternative R&B, such as The Weeknd, matched the dark atmosphere of the restaurant.
Our waiter warmly greeted us and recommended the Masumi Suwa 1662 bottle of sake. While I am not too knowledgeable about sake, the choice was similar to a white wine — lightly sweet with a pleasant pungency. Contrary to my choice of adjectives, the sake was smooth and paired nicely with our food selection.
We started with some communal edamame and grilled shishito peppers. Both were lightly salted, and the shishitos were also drizzled with lemon. Other than over-salting, it should be nearly impossible to mess these appetizers up.
For my meal, I ordered a baby shiitake mushroom maki that came lightly fried with tempura crust and togarashi spice. Additionally, I got the kabocha harusame noodles, which came with kabocha squash and togarashi chili crunch.
A standout side that Momotaro offers is fresh wasabi, which can be a rare find. We ordered a small dish for the table to share, and its fragrant, mildly spicy flavor was the perfect complement to each bite of sushi.
My colleagues enjoyed the chef’s seasonal selection of sashimi and nigiri, as well as the broccoli goma-ae — a sesame-style side dish that's nutty and, in this case, crunchy.
The selection of fish is incredibly fresh and beautifully presented, as you can see from the above photo. Maybe I’ll cheat on my vegetarian diet and become a pescatarian to try this in the future! ;)
Below the restaurant floor also sits Izakaya, a small speakeasy that offers a small selection of Japanese fare, including unique cocktails. After the dinner, I indulged in an ube cocktail. I recommend checking out the underground bar for a memorable end to the dining experience.
Momotaro in Chicago offers a sophisticated dining experience that I thoroughly enjoyed. With its elegant ambiance, flawless service, and exceptional flavors, it truly delivers a 10/10 in terms of overall experience. However, the high prices do impact my overall score of the restaurant. While Momotaro holds many prestigious awards and accolades, it's not a dining experience that everyone can enjoy regularly due to its cost.
As a foodie, I am willing to pay a premium to try renowned restaurants, but I won’t find myself returning frequently if the prices aren't justifiable. In this case, a true sushi consumer might appreciate Momotaro more than me, especially since I don't consume fish. All in all, I had a fantastic experience at Momotaro and would love to return in the future — let me just save up a bit!
⭐️Rating: 8.8/10
Beautiful servings, colorful photos - the dishes seem so tasty