Izakaya Shinya

**Introducing Izakaya Shinya: A Hidden Gem in Chicago's Food Scene**

Located at 2255 W North Ave in Chicago, Izakaya Shinya is a unique blend of Izakaya, Ramen, and Cocktail Bar that offers a truly authentic dining experience. With a wide range of utilities such as delivery, takeout, and outdoor seating, Izakaya Shinya caters to a diverse range of preferences and needs.

Upon entering Izakaya Shinya, you are greeted with a cozy and intimate atmosphere, perfect for an evening of indulgence. The menu boasts an array of tantalizing dishes, from starters like Crab Rangoon and Karaage to Don bowls like Gyudon and Unagi Don. Each dish is meticulously crafted to deliver a burst of flavors that transport you straight to Japan.

The Yakitori selection at Izakaya Shinya is a standout, with options like Chicken Skin, Beef Tendon, and Chicken Meatball served with quail egg. These skewers are expertly grilled to perfection, offering a satisfying crunch with every bite.

One of the must-try dishes at Izakaya Shinya is the Gyudon. Tender beef slices simmered in savory sauce atop a bed of rice, this dish is a true crowd-pleaser that will leave you craving for more. Pair it with a refreshing Sailor Moon Sparkling drink for the perfect balance of flavors.

Customer reviews rave about the quality of the food and the friendly service provided by the staff. Visitors praise the authentic taste of the dishes and the attention to detail in every aspect of their dining experience.

In conclusion, Izakaya Shinya stands out as a hidden gem in Chicago's bustling food scene. Whether you're craving traditional Japanese fare or looking to explore new flavors, Izakaya Shinya is a must-visit destination that promises a memorable dining experience. Visit Izakaya Shinya and indulge in an unforgettable culinary journey.

Izakaya Shinya Menu

Location

Address: 2255 W North Ave Chicago, IL 60647
Phone: (312) 880-8133

🕓 Work Hours
MON 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM (Next day)
TUE 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM (Next day)
WED 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM (Next day)
THU 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM (Next day)
FRI 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM (Next day)
SAT 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM (Next day)
SUN 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM (Next day)

Business info

  • Takes Reservations
    Yes
  • Offers Delivery
    Yes
  • Offers Takeout
    Yes
  • Walk-ins Welcome
    Yes
  • Pescatarian Options
    Yes
  • Not wheelchair accessible
    No
  • Accepts Credit Cards
    Yes
  • Accepts Cryptocurrency
    No
  • Outdoor Seating
    Yes
  • Intimate
    Yes
  • Casual Dress
    Yes
  • Offers Catering
    Yes
  • Street Parking
    Yes
  • Waiter Service
    Yes
  • Free Wi-Fi
    Yes
  • Happy Hour Specials
    Yes
  • Full Bar
    Yes
  • Smoking Outside Only
    Yes
  • TV
    Yes
  • Asian-owned
    Yes
  • Heated Outdoor Seating
    Yes
  • Covered Outdoor Seating
    Yes
  • Drive-Thru
    No
  • Dogs Not Allowed
    No
  • Private Dining
    No
  • Bike Parking
    Yes
  • Bring your own container allowed
    Yes
  • Compostable containers available
    Yes
  • Plastic-free packaging
    Yes
  • Provides reusable tableware
    Yes

Last Reviews

  • Author: TTony R.

    25 July 2024

    nicole and Victoria where great to us while we dined in. Excellent customer service 10/10

  • Author: Breana L.

    01 June 2024

    Was honestly very impressed with this spot and had good asian food especially for chicago. I liked the way they seasoned their meats especially the wagyu skewer which was probably my favorite. One of the items to skip was the fried rice which was way too salty and just not authentic. I also liked the booths they had as they were private while still being able to enjoy the atmosphere of the restaurant. One of the best parts was also the music. They were playing bops after bops which really added to the great time we were already having. One thing to note is that the food ends up being pretty pricy (except the eel which was a great deal!). We went with a group of 5 and it came out to $35 pp. Overall I would come back for the food and music.

  • Author: John B.

    14 February 2024

    TL;DR Very pleasantly surprised by this Izakaya. Unlike many restaurants in Chicago that are only loosely based around Izakaya culture this spot actually delivers. Great friendly service, food was delicious and came out quickly and cute decor/pop music does a pretty great job of visually transporting me back to Shinjuku (well as close as I've gotten in Chicago ;P) Don't miss the must have gyudon! Details: This spot has been on my list for a while now, and if I'm honest I've always been kind of let down by Izakaya style restaurants in Chicago. They either totally miss the mark with the food they offer or they're just priced stupidly high. Shinya was like a breath of fresh air, an actual izakaya that serves izakaya food + booze and is actually open late! Finally an actual izakaya!! Here are the dishes we had from good to best (nothing at all was bad): Zucchini + mentaiko: Perfectly grilled zucchini topped with a pollack roe sauce and torched until slightly set. This was a perfect break from the more decadent skewers. The zucchini had just the right amount of grill and wasn't mushy and the mentaiko was subtle and not too salty or fishy.7/10 Miso Nasu: Soft broiled eggplant slices with a sweet, tangy & savory miso glaze. It tastes exactly like it looks and like you're hoping it will, delicious! Only wish there was a bit more of it :P 8/10 Torikawa (chicken skin): Think chicharron but instead of pork it's chicken. The chicken skin was perfectly cooked on the skewer and shatteringly crunchy. I'm not sure how they were able to get the entire skin so crispy but it is very impressive, like they were fried not grilled. Typically the middle sections of torikawa are just a little bit chewy since the grill doesn't reach that area as well (some people even like that chewy/crunchy contrast). The perfect bar food with an ice cold mug of Sapporo or Kirin. 9/10 Negima (chicken + large green onion): Juicy chunks of chicken charred to perfection and glazed with sweet sticky tare. If you've never had yakitori then this is the perfect entry point. Simple ingredients that are transformed into something wonderful on the grill. The way this izakaya cuts the onion was a pleasant surprise, I wasn't expecting that lengthwise negi. The way each layer of the green onion gets a little char on its edges and starts to pull apart was very pleasant to eat. Some other places when the negi chunks are quite large the inner parts don't cook quite as soft as the exterior. 8/10 Chicken Katsudon: Crispy fried chicken thighs smothered in savory rich curry sitting atop a massive mound of white rice. Paired with some thin shredded cabbage and a miso soup it's such a comforting and delicious meal. If you're looking for a single comfort meal to warm you from the inside out this winter then look no further. This single dish is enough to satisfy a large appetite on its own. 8/10 Gyudon: Beef bowl. I would f'n live inside this gyudon bowl. How do they get it so delicious, so savory? Is it some sort of wagyu fat? I don't know what magic Shinya is doing back there but this gyudon was as good if not better than many I had in Tokyo. It's everything I was hoping it would be and more. The addition of the mixed egg added to the richness while simultaneously cutting it a bit with the egg whites. The flavor of the meat has that super umami richness that coats the mouth and tastes like the best parts of bone marrow. I'm not sure if it's the cuts of meat they use, their dashi or the sake they use but THIS. BOWL. WAS. PERFECT. I ate the entire bowl of rice underneath which almost never happens, but the topping was so wonderfully decadent I gladly plowed through it all. Some togarashi and beni shoga served along side would have completed the Tokyo late night eats experience but it wasn't essential. If you need something to instantly sober you up and fill your heart with joy then this bowl of meat, egg, onions, and rice is one of the best I've found! 10/10! Will be back for more.

  • Author: Ronald W.

    09 January 2024

    This Izakaya is open from 5:00 pm through 2:00 am. Perfect for a late night stop. This Izakaya has a large selection of Yakitori and a variety of small plates. I was trying to match the experience of the small Izakaya found outside the rail stations in Japan however most of those are much smaller and intimate. The Japanese decor was nice and I liked the dolls by the bar and the umbrellas over head. Service was attentive with no complaints from me. Food was good. Wagyu beef was tender and flavored well. Shrimp grilled head on with a nice crunch to them. The beef tendon felt like the collagen would go right to my knees. Very thick pieces Crisp on the outsides and chewy inside. Chicken skins were also crisp only on the outsides. I prefer mine crisp all the way through but that might just be difference in the style of cooking. Desert of macha ice cream was a refreshing end to the meal. The presentation of the food was not exciting. Skewered meats on the same rectangular plates. The wagyu came on a charcoal grill but the waitress asked if we wanted to remove it when the beef skewer was gone. My mistake was to let it go. If she had suggested we put the other skewers onto the grill instead it would have improved the experience. There is a big selection of whiskey but we weren't drinking. I think this Izakaya would be more inviting if the owner would have a chefs selection of plates paired with a beer or whiskey (cheaper if alcohol not included). Parking in this part of Wicker park was easy.

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