Juno, located in Lincoln Park, serves authentic Japanese fare with a contemporary flair. Best known for its raw fish preparations and creative Omakase, Juno is a popular destination amongst Chicagoans for quality sushi.
Earlier this year, I took hubby to Juno for his birthday. He wanted great food in a casual environment. Juno was the perfect place. The food is always consistent and never disappoints. Chef B.K. Park is a master of his craft who takes the art of sushi seriously.
{Ambiance}
Photo: Mr. @fabsoopark at Juno
Juno was temporarily closed for eight months in 2014 due to a fire that spread throughout the building. Although most of the restaurant suffered minor damages, Juno continues to re-invent itself to create a welcoming atmosphere.
What used to be an unusually dark and deceivingly empty front bar has recently gotten a makeover. With warmer tones, new light fixtures, and Japanese influenced décor, Juno’s lounge has a new, sophisticated look. The main dining area still remains minimalistic, clean, and casual. Rumor has it, they have plans to renovate, but no further information was available.
{Food}
We opted to do the Omakase menu. It was definitely the right decision.
FAB TIP: Juno requires 48 hours’ notice for Omakase and ranges between $100-$150 per person, based on market price. Limited seating.
Chef B.K. Park, former head sushi chef of Arami, exhibits remarkable skills and food presentation. He served each course with a high-level of attention to detail and precision. Chef Park shops for the seafood himself, using various distributors, to ensure the finest ingredients are used.
Here are some of the highlights of the menu:
Oyster: Fresh raw oysters. Shuck, yeah! I love oysters so it was a great starter. <slurp>
Oysters // Photo: @fabsoopark at Juno
Hamachi Crudo: It melted in my mouth like butter. The different textures made the dish quite complex.
Hamachi Crudo // Photo: @fabsoopark at Juno
Lobster: The lobster was a small but rich bite. The portion was just enough without it being too overwhelming.
Lobster // Photo: @fabsoopark at Juno
Sashimi: One word. Perfection. The sashimi was fresh and tender. Oh, and the chef’s knife skills were impeccable! He was so laser-focused that he didn’t even notice me taking a bunch of videos. #sorrynotsorry
Sashimi // Photo: @fabsoopark at Juno
Nigiri: The nigiri series was my favorite part of the meal. The balance of flavors and textures worked in perfect harmony. No utensils, no plates, and definitely no soy sauce needed. Chef Park placed each piece right on the sushi bar and recommended we eat it right away with our hands. I risked the quality of my food to take these photos for you, but my husband assured me it was on point. <wink>
Remember the videos I was talking about? Check out chef’s nigiri making skills in this video!
Also included but not pictured were the Otoro Bite, Madai Kama, Temaki, and a couple of dessert courses. Needless to say, we left the restaurant feeling very full and satisfied.
{Experience}
Overall, we had an amazing experience. It’s a great place if you want quality food in a relaxing environment. It’s definitely a wonderful spot to celebrate a special occasion. They do offer a regular menu but I highly recommend the Omakase. It’s an experience on its own.
Photo: Mr. @fabsoopark at Juno
Juno has a special place in my heart. Not only because of hubby’s birthday celebration, but it was where the Fab Food Chicago team had their first meeting. We barely knew each other but the love of food and passion for sharing the love of food brought us together. I am so grateful to be working with such talented ladies. We are excited to share all our Fab Finds including Fab Reviews, Fab Chef Interviews, Fab Recipes, and more!
{Location}
Juno
Lincoln Park || 2638 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL || P: (773) 935-2000
{Price Range}
$$$ ($36-$65) Regular Menu
$$$$ (Above $65) Omakase Menu
Thank you for all your support!
Live the Fab Food Life,
Soo
Note: This meal was not complimentary. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the writer.
I absolutely looooove sushi but have not been to Juno yet! Loved the review and would love to take your fab tips! Congrats guys!
I worked in Tokyo for 2 yrs and have been dying to try Juno as I hear and from your review its one of the best!
Hi girls!
I would love a chance to win this Juno giveaway because I would LOVE to try the omaske experience as well! I am slowly working on my blog platform (not just Instagram) and I think this would also be a great contribution to it!! Not to mention sushi is one of my favorite foods that I can eat for breakfast lunch and dinner… ;). Thank you for your consideration – and I’m so excited to have FabFood come to my email now, so I can peek your stuff right away!
Thanks!
Love the new FFC blog! Great start with the lovely insights on Juno. I’ve never been to Juno, however it has been on my list of ‘must try’ … And of course being a huge sushi lover but being on budget, I would love to win just a generous gift certificate.
Congratulations on the launch!!! Would love to win the giveaway and surprise a hard working hubby for a night out of fantastic sushi!!!! Crossing fingers!
Thank you for your review! The pics look soooo good, I’m drooling! I want to win the giveaway because I absolutely LOVE sushi. My fave movie is Jiro Dreams Of Sushi! I’ve never had an omakase meal before, and I would feel super lucky to be able to take that special someone to Juno for a special occasion meal to remember! ✌️❤️🍣
I love your Instagram and have been a fan for a while now. I first learned about Juno from you and it is now my favorite restaurant. My entire family loves it as well now, and it’s our go to anniversary spot. I frequently browse your feed and bookmark your recommended restaurants in yelp. Thank you for the amazing reviews, photos and recommendations!
I’ve been on the search for a food blog dedicated to Chicago for the longest time and I am so glad you two started it! At first, I was just following Sherrie’s Instagram and adding the places she visits (and those with mouthwatering pictures) to my list of “restaurant’s to try,” but I’m excited that you will now be doing in depth reviews of these restaurants!
I also love love love Juno sushi! It’s definitely my favorite sushi place in Chicago and I would love to be able to visit again!
Good luck on your blog and I’ll for sure be spreading the word to my other foodie friends. 🙂
Congratulations on the new site! I would love the try out Juno because I am always looking for a new fabulous sushi restaurant in sushi. Your review and pics look great as usual!!
Best of luck on the new blog – love that you’ll be doing restaurant reviews as I come into Chicago often! Would love to try Juno to see what Chicago sushi has to offer!
Hi! I love your Instagram! Congrats on the blog, it looks beautiful! Like the others, I’m glad to have a go-to Chicago focused food blog!
I would love to win the gift certificate, we’ve been on a tight budget and it would mean a lot to take my husband out to a special dinner. Sushi is my favorite food (well, if I’m being honest it’s tied with cheeseburgers) and I’ve always wanted to try an omakese meal. I never enter drawings like this, but the sushi looked and sounded AMAZING, so I just had to subscribe and plead my case 🙂
Thanks! Good luck w/ everything!
Hello Fab Ladies!
I am diggin’ the new blog and IG stream! Congratulations on your delicious collaboration; each fab lady definitely brings a different level of spice to the table–while still echoing a theme of food, friendship, sass and allegiance to the Windy City. You go girls!
As an up and coming foodie, I am inspired by you powerful women. Known as “The Brunch Bitch” on my foodie IG, I am always seeking the kind of dining experience that keeps you up at night. The kind you replay in your head and are left wanting more. I swear, I am talking about food here 😉
I would be so grateful to win the $200 gift card to Juno so that I can enjoy an authentic Japanese experience and owe it all to my fav Fab Food women! Cheers to you all for doin’ your thang!
-The Brunch Bitch
There are so many reasons I would love to win the gift card to Juno. If I had to choose one good to eat for the rest of my life it’d be sushi without hesitation. And Juno just happens to be one of my favorite sushi spots in Chicago. I remember when there was just talk about this project with one of the most dynamic collaborations in the restaurant industry – Jason Chan, Chef BK Park, etc. I immediately put Juno on my hit list of must visit places and was so happy to finally go to celebrate my birthday. I had such a great experience but shortly after there was a fire at the restaurant and Juno had to shut down for remodeling. I was sad that it signs be awhile that I’d be able to return but I was so impressed with the entire restaurant’so attitude and how supportive the community was during such a challenging time. Juno bounced back and it was as if they never closed. Now Chicago can once again rvhot some of the most delicious, freshest tasting and beautiful sushi in the city. If I won no no doubt I’d go for omaske experience. I know it’d be amazing. And congrats on your official launch. Your team rocks.
While the omakase is definitely out of my budget, this looks absolutely beautiful and I’d love the chance to try it! Love a restaurant with true appreciation for great sushi that highlights the beauty of the ingredients, no soy sauce necessary!
Beautiful pictures and awesome video!
Congrats on the new blog! Juno looks amazing and I will definitey put it on my bucket list.
Hi, I am loving the new blog! I am a loyal Instagram follower of yours and love this new piece on Juno. I would be so excited to win this giveaway so I could take my boyfriend for an omakase meal at Juno for our anniversary. The pictures look amazing and I know we would have an unforgettable meal.
Subscribed! (Yeah!)
And I would love to win because so my hubs and I can celebrate our 10 year dating anniversary in December <3 Plus I have never been there before.
Good luck ladies and the page looks fabulous!!
Congratulations on your delicious collaboration and launch! I love this new blog. I would love a chance to win this Juno giveaway because I would LOVE to try the omaske experience and I could spend the rest of my life just eating sushi and sashimi. I would bring honor and glory to your blog and would climb the highest mountain and wade the deepest sea to have you all succeed. For the path of the righteous foodie is beset on all sides by the inequities of the bland and the tyranny of uncreative chefs. Blessed is thee, who in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the uniformed through the valley of tastelessness, for thee are truly thy friend’s keeper and the finder of lost eaters. And I will strike down with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my friends’ taste buds. And you States of America, Countries of the New World, and Continents of the Earth will know FabFood Chicago blog is the Boss when I eat everything from the sea.
New to Chicago from the beautiful Cleveland, home of craft beers and iron chef Michael Simon! I totally believe that there is no better way to get to know the city than by eating your way through it and based off of your “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” experience- Juno is a must eat location!
Congrats on the new blog! Feel like I get new food recommendations from your instagram account daily, so this will be a great addition to my daily reads.
Ever since I saw Jiro Dreams of Sushi I have wanted to check out a serious sushi spot! I can’t wait to check out the revamped Juno and $200 would go a long way to celebrating a super special occasion in style! Omakse here we come – with at least 48 hours notice, LOL!
I’m looking forward to a new perspective of dining in the city. It’s been great to follow you ladies on Instagram and I’m excited to hear more about the restaurants (favorite dishes, not so favorite dishes, ambiance, etc.) from your blogposts. Best of luck on the launch!
Congrats on the blog! I’d love to win your contest for the gift certificate because it’s rare that I get to treat myself, as most of my time is spent helping others. As a school social worker, most of my day is spent running around helping my students cope with whatever life has dealt them that day. My job can be a whirlwind mixed with humor, sadness, excitement, and stress but I love every second of it! Getting the opportunity to have an experience where I’m using phrases like “the sashimi melted in my mouth like butter” as opposed to “you’re going to need to stop trying to lick your classmates neck” would be amazing!!!
I’m loving your new blog! It’s fantastic.
My husband and I absolutely LOVE sushi and are anxious to try this place! If I were to win, this would definitely be a wonderful date night. 🙂
Stunning, nice job and excellent review! Best of Luck!
Gary Young
Co-founder
@TastesBetterHere
Beautiful job on the blog! This would be a dream come true for me, and I’m so inspired! I can’t wait to see the rest of your fab food adventures. 🙂 I’d love to win the giveaway so I can treat my friends to a much-deserved girls’ night out!
Love the fab blog!
Love sushi! And I would love a date night with my husband!
My husband and I just moved home to Chicago from the Bay Area. Looking forward to following this blog to get in the know about the fantastic food scene here! A night at Juno would certainly be a great starting point 🙂
So excited for for your fab reviews! So far what I’ve seen on instagram lines up with my experiences (just went to Del Seoul and got pork dumplings- also highly recommend key lime pie @ Bang Bang.) I would love to try Juno- the pictures and review promise a fabulous experience!
So excited to see more reviews! Have been following along with your tasty adventures in Instagram and “liking” the places I need to check out based on all the gorgeous photos!
I’m all subscribed and can’t wait for more!
I’d love to win so my husband and I can have a much needed date night away from the little one to share some terrific sushi and be husband and wife instead of mommy and daddy for a little while.
I’ve heard about Juno but I’ve never been! Plus I’ve been searching for a great sushi place since I moved to Chicago three years ago!
Congrats on the launch of this blog!!! I know Soo has been working so hard and it looks like she assembled the perfect Fab Four team to bring us the best, mouth watering blogs for all things Chicago.
I haven’t checked out Juno and would love to win the gift certificate.
Cheers!
Congrats on the launch!! Beautiful blog. I love love love sushi and I would be so grateful for a $200 gift card to have the opportunity to try Juno. The quality of fish really makes a difference to the type of experience you have and it sounds like you two were treated to the best. Can’t wait to try! Thanks.
Congrats on the blog!! Everything looks so beautiful. I would love to try Juno, I haven’t been to many sushi restaurants around the city yet, and this seems like one of the best places to start!
First off, congrats on the bloggy blog Soo and friends!!! I’m so excited to read about my future restaurant visits! 😉
I would love to win that gift card because I love sushi more than my life! Heck, I made it my life for over 10 years working and managing sushi restaurants all over Chicago. I have yet to try Juno, but I know I will love it. I will let that succulent piece of well marbled pink toro melt in my mouth like its nobody’s business and enjoy it more than the good stuff! And I will do it over and over again until that $200 gift card is gone! I. Want. Give. Me. That is all. 🙂
Hi guys!! Congrats on the launch! I would love to win the gift card to give to my parents for the 27th wedding anniversary they both love sushi and I would love to give them the gift to experience Juno! It sounds wonderful!! Congrats ladies!!!
Kendall
I’m finding it hard to type as my keyboard is COVERED IN DROOL. It’s going to be hard to sleep tonight without a flood of dreams about sushi and your taste bud tingling review.
Now about this contest. I would LOVE TO WIN because well, I’ve never won anything before, and also because my fiancé are looking for a place to celebrate after we go get married at the Daley center on Wednesday. What a better place than Juno, surrounded by beautiful fish and my beautiful fiancé! Cheers regardless. I love following you ladies on IG and will be keeping this blog in my regular reads for a while.
Winning the giveaway to Juno would be the perfect celebration as I finish up my last class at Loyola for my doctorate! My husband, two tween daughters, and I love to go to sushi restaurants to celebrate any special occasion. The sashimi and nigiri look amazing!!
I moved to the US midwest from a tropical country and it is definitely noticeable how meat-centric the food scene here is. I need amazing, fresh seafood in my life again! I need sushi that is thoughtfully made, without the horrifying addition of cream cheese (egad!) and an excess of sauce. Juno seems like the perfect place to fulfill this heartfelt wish.
After living in Arkansas for 6 years before moving to Chicago I still haven’t had sushi in town yet and NEED to! My husband and I both work in the industry so our chances of getting to eat here on our own devices is slight.
Love the new blog after following you on IG for the last year or so. I originally stumbled onto your feed from seeing you tagged on one of your fellow Chicago food bloggers accounts and have enjoyed your insight into the local dinig scene ever since. I’d love to share this experience at Juni with my pregnant wife after she has our first baby together early next year. It will be hard to wait, but I wouldn’t want to spend this wonderful experience with anyone else!
I love a good omkase, would love to see how it compares to Kai Zan.
Because life is too short not to eat at Juno! I’ve never been a fan of raw fish but from the photos and review, I’m so eager to give it a try!
I’m a really picky eater and I really dislike it when there’s something new for me to try. I guess this would be a good experience for me since I’m stepping out of my comfort zone. Why I decided to submit this comment is because of your review. It was very detailed and specific where you can envision it right before your eyes. Now I really want to try it and see if the hype is really what it is!
Love your Instagram and the Chicago food scene. I would do regrettable things to win a gift certificate for a place of this caliber.
Thank you everyone for your kind words! We are so grateful for all your support! Loved reading all the comments. The winner of the Juno giveaway is Sarah Uchison. Congratulations! Please check your email.
In celebration of our launch week, we will be featuring some fab giveaways all week. Follow us on our various social media platforms and check back on our site for another great giveaway tomorrow.
THANK YOU SO MUCH LADIES! This means so much to us. I can’t begin to explain how special you’ve made our day. It’s a beautiful chance to set the stress aside and experience a delicious meal in good company and celebrate purely without any worries! We can’t thank you enough.
Congrats again on the launch and I’m really looking forward to eating vicariously through you FAB GALS!
Were you not moved by my epic comment? Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained? Is this not why you are here?