Nobu Chicago

Review Highlights

Nobu Chicago is the globally acclaimed Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant from chef Nobu Matsuhisa, located on Randolph Street in Chicago's West Loop. Keith Lee visited with his family during a Chicago trip for his first-ever Nobu experience — going in with an open mind despite the restaurant's polarising reputation.

• ·Yellow tail sashimi with jalapeño and yuzu sauce — fresh fish but "the sauce is very acidic and the jalapeños aren't spicy at all"; 6.5/10
• ·Cucumber salad — "really good nutty quality, a little spicy, real seasoned with sesame seeds"; his standout early dish at 7.5/10
• ·Toro Chicago-style with caviar — "seasoned really well, very fatty" but sauce again too acidic; 5/10
• ·Wagyu dumplings — "thick wrapper washes out the wagyu" though the chili oil was a good addition; 6/10
• ·Crispy seasoned dish — his highest-rated of the night at 8/10: "perfectly balanced"
• ·Nigiri assortment — "fresh but not extremely fresh, not really snappy"; 5/10 for the whole plate

Keith's overall score: 6.5 out of 10 for the food. He praised the staff and ambiance but found the menu too acidic and sour across most dishes, with the nigiri falling short for the price point. Despite rating Chicago among his top three food cities ever, he wouldn't include Nobu in his top 30 Chicago restaurants — "I feel like Chicago has a lot to offer and this wouldn't be on my list."

About

Nobu Chicago is part of the globally acclaimed restaurant group founded by chef Nobu Matsuhisa, located in Chicago's West Loop. The menu blends Japanese culinary techniques with Peruvian ingredients — the signature fusion approach that made Nobu one of the most recognised names in fine dining worldwide. The Chicago outpost is a regular destination for celebrities and food lovers visiting the city.