The 100 top-rated small plates in Near West Side, Chicago, ranked by flavor score.
The Osaka style okonomiyaki features a crispy exterior, fluffy interior, and customizable toppings like beef, shrimp, and yakisoba noodles.
Layered with yakisoba noodles, cabbage, bacon, and a perfectly fried egg, the Hiroshima style okonomiyaki is savory and satisfying.
Crispy edges and plump shrimp create a flavorful shrimp okonomiyaki, enhanced by unexpected sweetness from corn in the batter.
Pork belly stands out for its tenderness and rich flavor, often described as perfectly cooked and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
The Hiroshima okonomiyaki features tender cabbage, flavorful noodles, and a beautiful presentation with bonito flakes and mayonnaise, delighting many.
The okonomiyaki features generous ingredients like octopus and yakisoba, delivering a well-balanced umami flavor that's filling and satisfying.
Beef okonomiyaki is praised for its hearty portions, flavorful beef, and satisfying garlic notes, making it a comforting choice.
Takoyaki features warm, flavorful octopus balls topped with moving bonito flakes, delighting diners with its unique presentation and taste.
The strawberry matcha sando is praised for its light, fluffy bread, fresh strawberries, and perfectly balanced sweetness.
Lamb chops are praised for their perfect grilling, tenderness, and melt-in-your-mouth texture, making them a standout dish.
The Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki impresses with its layered ingredients, including crispy cabbage, smoky yakisoba noodles, and flavorful sauces.
Toro beef stands out for its rich flavor and tenderness, often enjoyed with tangy dipping sauces.
Crispy chicken karaage features a light batter with tender meat, praised for its excellent flavor, especially with spicy mayo.
Osaka-style okonomiyaki features crispy, flavorful pancakes filled with tender octopus or beef, complemented by savory sauces and textures.
Crispy karaage chicken nuggets are praised for their juicy texture and flavorful seasoning, especially when paired with lime kosho aioli.
Crispy gyoza with tender filling and a flavorful dipping sauce earn high praise for their delicious taste and texture.
Tuna tataki impresses with its incredible flavor, highlighted by a spicy miso mustard sauce and perfectly seared fish.
Pork okonomiyaki impresses with its savory flavor and hearty texture, especially when paired with crispy rice.
Pork belly is praised for its tenderness and flavor, often highlighted as a must-try alongside various dipping sauces.
Shishito peppers are praised for their sweet glaze, crispy texture, and balanced spice, making them a favorite appetizer.
Shrimp Osaka-style okonomiyaki features a sweet and savory flavor with crispy texture, though some found it too salty or lacking protein.
Crispy veggie korokke filled with mushrooms and rice is frequently praised for its delicious flavor and satisfying texture.
Marinated beef ribs are praised for their tender, flavorful meat, complemented by a rich marinade and served with rice.
The tuna tostada features fresh, ruby red tuna and creamy avocado on a crispy nori shell, praised for its vibrant flavors.
Deviled eggs are praised for their unique flavors and deliciousness, but some found them overpriced and lacking a wow factor.
Gyoza dumplings receive high praise for their perfect balance of being steamed and pan-fried, offering great flavor and texture.
Traditional Hiroshima offers intense umami flavor and good textures, but some found it lacking in meat and overall taste.
Crispy rice and sweet-spicy tuna flavor received praise, though some found it bland and sticky, with uneven seasoning.
Crispy karaage with a flavorful mayo dip earns praise, though some found it overly oily or inconsistently cooked.
Potstickers are praised for their flavor and texture, though some found them pricey or not as memorable as other appetizers.
Traditional Hiroshima okonomiyaki features flavorful yakisoba noodles, but some found it too salty and occasionally poorly cooked.
Pork potstickers are flavorful and well-plated, but some found them less crispy and the overall taste average.
Beef Osaka style okonomiyaki features rich flavors and fresh veggies, but some found it too salty and lacking starch.
Rich and smoky broth paired with tender pork and perfectly cooked eggs impress, though some found it too salty or spicy.
Shishito peppers are praised for their unique flavor and texture, but some found the heat overwhelming or inconsistent.
Takoyaki is praised for its supple texture and umami flavor, enhanced by bonito flakes, making it a standout appetizer.
Twice cooked garlic is praised for its bold flavor and creamy texture, served with crispy rice crackers.
Wagyu offers a rich flavor and nice texture, but some found it overcooked and not worth the extra cost.
Potstickers are praised for their flavor and texture, though some found them underwhelming or poorly designed for dipping.
Beef tongue is flavorful and well-marinated, but some found it too thick or chewy, affecting the overall experience.
Osaka okonomiyaki features rich flavors and crispy textures, but some found it overly salty and less authentic than expected.
Tofu okonomiyaki features a crispy exterior and silken interior, but some found it oily, lacking sauce, or underwhelming for the price.
Crispy and flavorful karaage with a spicy chili honey sauce is praised, though some noted it was overly salty or not traditional.
Okonomiyaki has a nice flavor but is often too soft and salty, making it a mixed experience for some.
Karaage is crispy with a hint of lime, though some found it small, lacking saltiness, or not unique.
Kombu marinated vegetables are praised for their crunch and umami flavor, though some found them too salty or unremarkable.