Kumiko

"A Japanese hangout in Chicago led by Julia Momosé, focusing on simple yet sophisticated plates." - The MICHELIN Guide

"A cheerful Japanese hangout with a menu inspired by Japanese flavors and ingredients, focusing on simple yet sophisticated plates. The restaurant reflects Julia Momosé's upbringing and personal experiences, emphasizing hospitality and creating moments that resonate with guests." - Kevin Chau

"Kumiko in Chicago is a dining bar that pays attention to the little details, creating an unforgettable experience. Led by Julia Momosé, the bar serves one of the most dynamic cocktail programs in the country. It offers an ambitious tasting menu that perfectly syncs with its cocktails." - The MICHELIN Guide

"There are plenty of talented Chicagoans creating culinary cool, and Julia Momose and her team at Kumiko are at the forefront. A sibling to Oriole, a two-Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant, Kumiko takes inspiration Japan (Momose is Japanese American), with a deep whisky list. But the highlights are the cocktails, carefully prepared and with top-notch ingredients. When the bar reboots for indoor service, Momose will once again offer her drink flights where bartenders create custom cocktails for customers. It’s like watching a story unfold, and something drinkers can’t find anywhere else in the country. In 2022, Momose and co-writer Emma Janzen won a James Beard Media Award for their book The Way of the Cocktail: Japanese Traditions, Techniques, and Recipes." - Ashok Selvam, Naomi Waxman

"After our first visit to Kumiko, we couldn’t wait to eat the perfectly doughy steam buns again. In fact, one night after going to Kikko, their seven-course omakase restaurant in the basement, we stopped back upstairs for another order of them. We’d been thinking about those buns non-stop, along with the katsu sweetbreads that look and taste like crispy chicken nuggets (but unfortunately don’t come in a 20-piece). We ended up spending the rest of the night cracking jokes with the bartender as they walked us through one of the best cocktail lists in the city. But we were only really half-listening - partially because we were still thinking about the A5 wagyu we just ate downstairs, and also because we’d already started booking our next reservations on our phone." - josh barnett, adrian kane