Japanese food in the suburbs

I've been scouring Chicagoland for japanese food, having just arrived from New York. I know that there's good stuff in the suburbs, but does anybody have any particular recommendations? I'm looking for ramen, and bonus points if there are any izakaya, too. Thanks!

Searching this site for ramen will turn up a lot of posts.
But where in the 'burbs are you? That will make a big difference.

Sorry I'm not that clear...I'm in Chicago, but I'm willing to travel for good japanese food. I want something that isn't standard sushi fare--something that is either authentic (like Matsumoto) or down home like my grandma would have made.

Renga-Tei (cooked food of various sorts); Takkatsu (tonkatsu-ya); Kitakata (ramen); Kurumaya (izakaya).

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=31524

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=1103

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=2672

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=38347#38347

For Japanese home-cooking, try Torishin, which has been commented on a couple times on this board.

1584 S. Busse Rd.
Mt. Prospect, IL 60056-4902
847-427-4590

Anko wrote:For Japanese home-cooking, try Torishin, which has been commented on a couple times on this board.

1584 S. Busse Rd.
Mt. Prospect, IL 60056-4902
847-427-4590

FINALLY went to Tori Shin. Living in Des Plaines, I commute past this restaurant each day and have always said we need to get in there. Torishin is in the NW burbs, near Arlington Heights, Elk Grove.

Loved it, small restaurant, felt like we were back in Japan. No English posted, we were recognized as not being Japanese and provided an English menu.

I had read of Tori Shin being described as Japanese Tapas, not a bad analogy IMO.

Broiled Squid with ginger sauce was so-so. I do far better grilled squid at home. This was the only ho-hum dish, the others sang.

Tofu and Oyster in broth, w/some sliced scallions was wonderful.

Kaki Oyster - Japanese breaded oysters, fresh and juicy w/crisp breading. Saw the horse mackerel, will get that next time for a change of pace.

Chicken bowl - good but Bowl House does a better bowl

Spicy Tuna Roll - Maguro was VERY fresh.

There were MANY other choices to choose from including some hot pots, so I'm looking forward to going back.

Sapporo beer on tap and served each time in a new frosty mug.

Recommend going when they open or near to that time, later in the evening it is PACKED w/Japanese businessmen.

I was sorting throught my old pics, and came across the specials board from my visit to Torishin...



There are a lot of interesting items on the menu (my Japanese is so-so) including clams steamed in sake, black pork sausage, chicken with black vinegar sauce (maybe with ume shiso), rolled dashi omelet, cold pork with ponzu, Japanese style steak, ankimo (monk fish liver) with ponzu, preserved eggs (century eggs) with tofu, etc.

Hi,

There is a lengthy Japanese Ramen thread for your review.

What surprises me is nobody mentioned the excellent Japanese food shopping a food court at Mitsuwa in Arlington Heights. There are many threads all over the place on Mitsuwa, though this one is probably the most dramatic.

Regards,