Hinoki Sushiko Reviews
Submitted by Ian Watt on 02/10/2022
Ian Watt 5 stars rating.
This restaurant is two worlds, and you can combine them if you'd like. Downstairs is a nice space (with an amazing "tree" -- go look at it!). There is a careful and interesting cocktail menu, good wine and wonderful sake selections, and a lovely collection of small dishes. Upstairs is the best sushi I have eaten outside of the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo (and that many years ago). You can sit at the bar or at a table. The food is wonderful either way, but if you can swing it the bar experience is the way to go. Friendly, knowledgable, and engaging. A recent addition is a drink pairing which beautifully aligns wine and saké choices with the sushi. A true pleasure. The manager is an inviting host and passionate about Japanese sakés, whiskies, and food. Our perfect evening is sushi upstairs followed by cocktails and conversation downstairs. Go make it yours. Highly recommended.
John Zur 2 stars rating.
Very overpriced for the Omakase and Wine/Sake pairing. It was $375 a person including gratuity and it was a very overpriced meal. There are a TON of better sushi meals for that price.
Submitted by John Zur on 09/08/2022
annya nguyen 5 stars rating.
Beautiful fresh fishes. Straight honest good food and every fish stood out. Perfectly made rice... so crucial for sushi.
I highly recommend this place.
They also have 2 different sake pairing lists.
Submitted by Annya Nguyen on 08/26/2022
Matt Rahn 5 stars rating.
absolutely stellar sushi. some of the best we've ever had anywhere let alone in Chicago. service and atmosphere were second to none and prices downstairs were reasonable! can't recommend enough
Submitted by Matt Rahn on 08/14/2022
John Elias 5 stars rating.
really enjoyed the 15 course chef's sushi dinner. besides having a more private experience, the quality of the sushi and and flavor profiles are amazing. the overall experience is excellent. it's quite filling as well.
Submitted by John Elias on 08/09/2022
E 5 stars rating.
What a great place! The ambiance is amazing and the menu selection was diverse. Phenomenal customer service. We had the miso butter mushrooms, Japanese eggplant, spicy crab maki and the spicy tuna. Everything was delciisous!
Submitted by E on 07/22/2022
Wayne Levinson 1 stars rating.
Honestly this place’s manufactured mysteriousness was quite impressive but by the end it felt like we all had Stockholm syndrome. They have about 5 “very exclusive”, “only available upstairs except between 7 pm when our omakase starts until about 930” sushi items of which we sent back the “otoro” and actually enjoyed the Waygu. Their menu is EXTREMELY limited and confusing. If you’re unfortunate enough to be stuck in the awkward situation of eating here I’d recommend the mushrooms and the Japanese eggplant as both were good. Honestly this place is overpriced, overrated and seemingly a little lost.
Submitted by Wayne Levinson on 07/08/2022
Caleb Carlson 5 stars rating.
The entryway is unassuming, even mysterious, as has become somewhat commonplace with modern venues. What I was wholly unprepared for was the expertise and passion of the staff, elements that brought the experience to somewhere different from my expectations. Many places know where their ingredients came from nowadays, and many of those know what those ingredients afford their dishes, but Hinoki tells a story through its craftsmanship and menu that serves to increase your interest with each visitation. You will describe to your fellow guests how you thought you were eating one thing and ended with another. You will be baffled by brilliant bouquets of sake matched against three-piece storytelling vignettes of sushi. Your staff will guide you through the streams and fields of Japan throughout your flavourful adventures. Be slow and be attentive, because Hinoki Sushiko is taking you somewhere profound.
Submitted by Caleb Carlson on 05/05/2022
Carley Day 5 stars rating.
By far one of my favorite dining experiences in Chicago so far. It's off the beaten path, but don't let that fool you. The bar is absolutely beautiful and each dish is so well thought out and such high quality. I highly recommend the Omakase experience! Everyone is incredibly kind and passionate, it really takes it to the next level. We just got home and I'm already planning our next visit.
Submitted by Carley Day on 05/05/2022
Peter R 5 stars rating.
Met coworkers here for some sushi. Everything we had was tasty, portioned well, and the ambiance was amazing. It's a very unique space. We interacted a bit with Zak (the manager) who let us try some upcoming cocktails. Definitely will be back!
Submitted by Peter R on 03/19/2022
Luis Torrealba 5 stars rating.
Incredible food, service and ambiance. This place is top notch. I tried the Omakase and it was unique and amazing. New gem in Chicago!!!
Submitted by Luis Torrealba on 08/20/2021
Jason 5 stars rating.
I eat a lot of sushi especially on the West Coast which is often known to be some of the best in the world. Pictured you will see the Ora King Salmon and Akami tuna. These basic, simple cuts were the best I've ever had. Their omakase menu doesn't rely on exotic or rare fish to wow the guests. The flavors and techniques they use to propel these sushi staples is perfection. Nothing more to say. 5 stars all the way. I'll leave the rest of the menu to you as a surprise.
Submitted by Jason on 08/01/2021
Stephanie Lovell 4 stars rating.
Participated in the Omakase. The second floor was an open and inviting space.
Sadly, we weren’t seated at the chefs counter.
Service was rather inconsistent. Our server seemingly changed without notice after he spilled drinks on our table. The second server never introduced himself so it was a bit confusing.
The nigiri itself was tasty. Our favourite was the black cod but the Tasmanian ocean trout was a nice discovery.
I’d say it’s definitely worth trying for the fish and I hope that the service side smooths out.
Submitted by Stephanie Lovell on 07/10/2021
Sophie Daroff 5 stars rating.
Just opened. Very good quality fish. Definitely give you a lot of fish. More simple, plain nigiri but they all tasted amazing. Great service and staff. Overall definitely recommend and worth supporting.
Submitted by Sophie Daroff on 04/17/2021
Kara Smith 2 stars rating.
I love Kyōten and was excited to try this place. Out of the 18 pieces of sushi, though, only two or three were good and the rest were not great. The fish to rice ratio was off, too much fish (and I love fish), and the rice was bland. So that was a bummer. For the price it’s not worth it yet, but maybe they will turn it around.
Submitted by Kara Smith on 04/17/2021
