What's on the Menu at Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill, Now Open

How quickly trends seem to change. Just two months ago, it seemed like every place in Chicago was either going French or morphing into a diner. Now it looks like it's all turning Japanese. Last week, Union Sushi opened to big buzz. Now, Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill opened a little more quietly, which makes sense for the intimate neighborhood spot, which has its official grand opening May 27.

Yuzu, which sees former Sushi Wabi chef Yut Vong overseeing the kitchen, marries old and new as seen in the aesthetic mix of 100-year-old reclaimed wood alongside Japanese manga art painted on the walls. The menu at the currently BYOB restaurant, brings together classic Thai and sushi items, like spicy drunken noodles, salmon teriyaki and tempura, but gets more original with items prepared on the robata grill, including chicken wing, beef short rib, fish tofu and asparagus bacon.

Yuzu also features an array of unique sushi rolls like the Black Sea (tuna, super white tuna, albacore, salmon, hamachi, crab meat, sunflower seeds, masago, spicy mayo, black tobiko), Chicago Spring (shrimp tempura, avocado, cream cheese, red and orange tobiko, masago, chili sauce) and the Pot River (super white tuna, salmon, avocado, cucumber, tuna, cilantro, jalapeño, scallion, tempura crumbs).

The pricing is pretty accessible, with starters ranging from $1.50 to $7; bowls and plates ranging from $8 to $12; robata by the piece from $1.50 to $2.50; sushi by the piece from $1.50 to $3.50 and rolls between $3 and $12. Yuzu is open nightly between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Yuzu Sushi and Robata Grill Menu

· Paris Club Ready to Open its Doors to the Public [~EChi~]
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· First Look: Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar Interior & Menu; Scheduled to Open Next Week [~EChi~]