Welcome to Gaoku Izakaya & Craft Drinks
Welcome to Gaoku Izakaya & Craft Drinks, a hidden gem in Chicago's vibrant dining scene. Inspired by traditional Japanese izakaya culture, Gaoku harmoniously blends exquisite sushi, inventive ramen, and handcrafted cocktails. Each dish is crafted with meticulous attention, celebrating freshness and flavor, from the illustrious premium sashimi platters to the spicy khao soi ramen. The inviting atmosphere and attentive service enhance the experience, making every visit feel special. With thoughtful touches, like customized mocktails, Gaoku strives to provide a memorable dining experience for all. Discover your new favorite corner for culinary exploration and celebration at Gaoku Izakaya & Craft Drinks.
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2759 W Augusta Blvd, Chicago, IL 60622, United States Hotline: +1 773-698-6261
Welcome to Gaoku Izakaya & Craft Drinks, a hidden gem nestled in the vibrant heart of Chicago at 2759 W Augusta Blvd. This unique izakaya marries traditional Japanese cuisine with innovative craft cocktails, creating an enticing dining experience that resonates with both flavor enthusiasts and casual diners alike.
As you step inside, the ambiance strikes a perfect balance between refined elegance and a laid-back vibe—ideal for a celebratory dinner or a quiet date night. The warm and attentive service adds a personal touch, making each visit feel special. The owner himself often mingles with guests, ensuring that everyone feels welcomed and satisfied, even treating patrons to complimentary delights like matcha tiramisu to celebrate occasions.
The menu at Gaoku is a delightful tapestry of dishes, featuring a range of options that cater to diverse palates. Start your journey with the exquisite Tuna Maguro Bowl, showcasing a trio of tuna cuts that play beautifully with textures and flavors. For ramen lovers, the Kaho Soi Ramen offers a delectable northern Thai curry twist, topped with crispy chicken and fresh herbs, while the signature Gaoku Ramen harmonizes Japanese and Thai influences with every slurp.
Another highlight is the Omakase Sashimi Set, which guarantees a selection of the freshest seafood, handpicked for the day. Reviewers rave about the high-quality sushi, praising the meticulous preparation and the rich taste of ingredients like the tender hamachi and melt-in-your-mouth fatty salmon. The house-made cocktails are also a must-try; inventive concoctions that stimulate the palate and elevate your dining experience.
- Customer Favorites: The Scallop and Miso Tuna stand out, with patrons declaring them remarkable choices.
- Affordable Options: With a menu that includes dishes suitable for any budget, Gaoku is perfect for casual meals or special celebrations.
Moreover, the attention to detail doesn't stop at the main dishes. Even simple items like the house salad feature surprising elements, such as ginger shaved ice, keeping diners excited about every bite. The dessert offerings, particularly the mochi and matcha tiramisu, are worth saving room for, leaving a lasting impression of delightful sweetness.
In summary, Gaoku Izakaya & Craft Drinks is not just a restaurant; it's an experience. From the fine craftsmanship of the dishes to the creative cocktails and genuine hospitality, every aspect is designed to surpass expectations. So, gather your friends, make a reservation, and embark on this culinary adventure—you won’t regret it.
For inquiries or to make a reservation, contact them at +1 773-698-6261. Indulge in the flavors of Gaoku and discover why it’s quickly becoming one of Chicago’s dining hot spots!
Celebrated my boyfriend’s birthday here. The food was very unique and delicious! We ordered Tiger Prown, Scallop, Sashimi platter, mini crisp port Don, Thai curry ramen, matcha tiramisu and mochi, and three drinks. Everything was great. The owner is very friendly too, he gave us the matcha tiramisu and offered birthday shots for us and drank with us!! The next time we are gonna try something else!
High quality sushi with excellent service! I was blown away by the preparation of the sushi, but the highlight was the oysters with flavors I've never had before. The cocktails were delicious, and I was excited that they accommodated a mocktail with an impressive lychee martini (still 13). Incredible service too. Definitely a great date spot for your sushi lovers!
GaoKu! If you haven’t been here yet GaoKu is absolutely fantastic. The staff is some of the best in the city, as well as the owner alike. From their traditional Japanese apps, to the elite nigiri and sashimi options, they truly are my go to in the genre. Cocktails are incredible as well. They are coming up on 1 year open, and there really is no reason as to why you haven’t been yet! There’s built in fun on this corner with the clipper across the street. Make a night of it and go enjoy this gem!
Wow! We loved it. The atmosphere is great. The staff was attentive and kind. We ordered a Shirley Temple for our daughter and the mixologist came to the table himself to explain his take on the drink, which was special (and so tasty!) We met one of the owners and it was nice to discuss aspects of the menu with him. We knew that we were in for a treat when the house salad was served with ginger shaved ice; all of the food had incredible precision and depth. We chose the Nigiri set menu, the tuna nigiri, and Thai Hor Mak. It was delicious. The sushi was rich and fresh. We all shared the mochi and matcha tiramisu for dessert and loved it. Every dish had a thoughtful presentation. Every dish was perfect. We will definitely be back for more.
just left from having my birthday dinner here and knew I had to leave a review - it was that good! we ordered about 10 items across the menu (some pictured, not all) and enjoyed each one. the stand outs for us were the scallops and the miso tuna - I don't remember the exact names of the dishes, but honestly it doesn't seem like you could go wrong with any dish here. our cocktails, the old cuban and the sour wakamomo, were also very smooth and balanced. we opted for more sushi over dessert, but the tamago could've been on the dessert menu itself. it had the texture (and almost the taste) of spekkoek, a thin layer cake, which means it wasn't soggy at ALL - a common issue with tamago elsewhere. even though we went for a special occasion and ordered accordingly, the menu was very accessible and had more affordable options for a regular meal. the atmosphere was refined but laid back, a bit dark but not too loud, just really comfortable for any type of outing. the server, bartender, and (I believe?) chef/owner were all kind and accommodating. before now, I would have said the best sushi in chicago was at 312 fish market or aji, but gaoku easily ranks alongside them. I'll return for sure!
Tried this place as it was recommended by a friend, and it was amazing! The cocktails were inventive and delicious, and the food, was SO good! The fish was so tender fresh and delicious! Even the rice was so sticky and great I could’ve made a meal of it. I feel like this place is a current hidden gem that once the word gets out, will be booked up months in advance with good reason. Go here tonight!
This is a gem of a spot for some incredible fish. The hand rolls, which are included in happy hour, and mouthwateringly delicious. We’ve had thoughtful service each time we’ve been, even with our rambunctious toddler. I will also shout out their khao soi ramen, it is very spicy, but so good if you like spicy. Can’t wait to be back !
This place was amazing! The drinks were delicious and the best food I've had in a very long time!! I had the tuna hand rolls, and I honestly can't remember what the other hand roll was. But they were both delicious!! You could definitely taste how fresh the fish was! I also had the curry ramen noodles. That was very good as well, it would be really nice to eat that in the winter. It just felt like a nice hug! The staff was wonderful too, everyone who works there really cares about giving you the best experience. Come to this place as much as you can before you can't get a reservation!