(Sushi Bar | Japanese Cuisine)
Location:
South Loop, Chicago
Hours:
- Monday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday: 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM
- Saturday: 12:00 PM – 10:30 PM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Customer Experiences
Great Hot Pot Experience (Friday Evening):
“We arrived on a Friday evening at 5:30 PM and there was no waiting – we were seated immediately, which was quite pleasant. I usually go to the Happy Lamb in Naperville, but since my girlfriend lives in Chicago, we decided to try this place out. It’s a little different from Naperville in that you can’t create your own sauce; instead, the setup is similar but the all-you-can-eat (AYCE) menu offers fewer options and has a two-hour time limit.
Service-wise, you need to flag down the waiter for attention, but overall, the food was delicious. You can’t go wrong with the hot pot selection—my girlfriend Christine and I enjoyed two rounds of fatty beef, watercress, fish balls, tofu, and more. The restaurant’s setup is pretty and inviting, ideal for long, leisurely meals filled with good food and conversation. Parking in Chicago Chinatown can be a bit pricey ($7), which is one reason why I sometimes prefer the Naperville location. Overall, if you don’t mind the parking fee and the two-hour limit, this place is one of the best hot pot experiences around. I’d personally say it costs about $30 per person!”
Mixed Service, but Great Ambience:
“Food is always good here, but the service can be hit or miss. On one visit, it took quite some time to be seated even though many seats were available. Then, it took a while for the waiter to come by – and the next time we saw him, he was already bringing us the check. The ambiance, however, was great and added to the overall experience.”
First Time Hot Pot – Some Confusion:
“It was my first time trying hot pot and I was intrigued by the concept of an open refrigerator cooler where you pick your own ingredients. Unfortunately, our server didn’t provide a ladle to scoop the ingredients out of the broth, leaving us a bit confused about what to do next. The experience was a little messy and the herbal seasoning blend in the broth wasn’t to my liking. It was a fun way to have dinner, but I’d probably check out another place next time.”
Final Thoughts
Kai Sushi – South Loop offers a vibrant hot pot and sushi dining experience in Chicago’s South Loop area. Many diners enjoy the flavorful hot pot dishes and the inviting, well-designed ambiance, despite some service inconsistencies and a few minor hiccups during peak times. If you’re open to a slightly different take on hot pot with a set AYCE menu and don’t mind the parking fees, this spot is definitely worth a try.
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