During cherry blossom season in Japan, folks participate in “hanami,” which translates to “flower watching.” Friends, co-workers and families spread blankets under the blossoming trees, eat a bento or share a picnic, and contemplate the beauty of the sakura petals falling around them.
There’s no reason not to celebrate the arrival of spring with some Japanese-style activities right here in Chicago. The city has a large grove of 190 cherry blossom trees in Jackson Park, just south of the Museum of Science and Industry. The Chicago Park District issues “Cherry Blossom Watch” updates on its website each April — follow along to see when the pink and white blossoms will peak.
Chicago offers numerous ways to celebrate Japanese food and drink culture, so we rounded up a few suggestions for fun things to do and see during cherry blossom season.
Aji Ichiban
Visit Aji Ichiban in Chinatown for a huge and colorful selection of Japanese candy. The chain was founded in Hong Kong and you’ll find all manner of Asian sweets and savories enticingly displayed in open bins to grab by the handful. Fill your bag with grape Hi-Chews (Japan’s most popular flavor), matcha fun-size Kit-Kats (or if you are very lucky, the limited sake sakura flavor), umeboshi (salted plums) and chewing gum shaped like cheeseburgers to munch on your visit to Jackson Park. 2117-A South China Place, 312-804-8686, facebook.com/ichibansnackschicago
Hanabusa Cafe
Fuel up for a day outdoors with a plate of wondrous Japanese-style souffle pancakes at Hanabusa Cafe. Served with all sorts of fruity toppings and sauces, these jiggly treats will set the mood for sakura season. 29 E. Madison St, 312-584-0455, hanabusacafechicago.com
Konbini & Kanpai
At Lakeview’s Japanese convenience store and bottle shop hybrid Konbini & Kanpai, you’ll find sake, shochu, craft beer and plenty of sweet and salty snacks. Jun-Jun Vichaikul, who owns the shop with his wife Naomi Hattori, stocks several types of sake made from sakura yeast, extracted from cherry blossoms, which imparts a “soft and aromatic” flavor to the brew, plus a sakura cola. The store also offers a seasonal roster of events and classes such as its popular origami workshops, and for cherry blossom season, a “build and sip” event where guests can put together a Lego cherry tree that changes color while enjoying beverages. Their upcoming Wrigleyville location will offer a varied menu of bento boxes, shokupan sandwiches and lots more at 3443 N. Sheffield Ave. 1433 W. Belmont Ave., 312-884-9780, konbiniandkanpai.com
Miru
If you are feeling spendy, Miru in the sparkly new St. Regis Hotel offers a Tokyo Breakfast with a view, including salmon, rice, oshinko (pickled vegetables) and miso soup. On weekends, there’s an expanded brunch menu of Japanese specialties including chawanmushi (steamed egg custard) and shichimi eggplant. 401 E. Wacker Drive, 11th floor, 312-725-7811, mirurestaurant.com
Mitsuwa Marketplace
It’s no secret that the massive Mitsuwa Marketplace, a Japanese grocery store and food court in Arlington Heights, offers an unmatched selection of Japanese items — produce, a stunning seafood counter, condiments, dry goods, a bakery, beverages — and prepared foods, and folks stand in line for ramen, udon, yakitori and matcha soft-serve next door. But don’t sleep on the attached bookstore, Kinokuniya, for an absorbing journey into the seductive world of Japanese manga, books, stationery, toys, Gundam model kits, action figures and puzzles. 100 E. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, 847-956-6699, mitsuwa.com/ch/
Murasaki Sake Lounge
Murasaki Sake Lounge’s Sakura Kiss cocktail. (Murasaki Sake Lounge)
Stop by Murasaki Sake Lounge in Streeterville to try the Sakura Kiss, a sweet creamy cocktail that’s a tribute to the cherry blossom, made with iichiko shochu, nigori sake and white chocolate liqueur. 211 E. Ontario St., 312-366-2280, murasakichicago.com
Nobu Chicago
The lychee martini at Nobu. (Nobu Restaurants)
In the West Loop, Nobu launched a Tanoshi Hour from 3 to 6 p.m. on weekdays where you can grab Wagyu sliders, sake-infused cocktails and sushi. 854 W. Randolph St., 312-779-8800, noburestaurants.com/chicago/home
Sando Street
A sandwich from Sando Street. (Rich Letheby)
In Tokyo, department store basement food halls are packed with delights that look too good to eat, such as fresh strawberry shokupan sandwiches. You can try these pretty, fruity, milk bread and whipped cream confections at the new Sando Street in Wicker Park. Don’t forget, the camera eats first. 1547 N. Ashland Ave., 773-698-6475, sandostreetchi.com
SUGOi Sweets
Soft serve ice cream from SUGOi Sweets. (SUGOi Sweets)
Visit SUGOi Sweets in West Town for handmade sakura matcha bonbons as part of their limited edition spring collection, soft serve ice cream (the strawberry sakura and matcha twist will be on offer all month) and a curated selection of Japanese teas including ceremonial matcha and premium grade sencha. Owner Elle Lei makes fresh strawberry mochi on weekends, by preorder only. 937 N. Ashland Ave., sugoisweets.com
Tokyo Last Call
Throughout April, the team at River North’s Three Dots and A Dash is hosting Tokyo Last Call, a pop-up celebration of Tokyo’s listening bars. Each week, guest mixologists from New York City and Tokyo will collaborate on playlists (to spin on a vintage jukebox that plays vinyl 45s) and exquisite cocktails to create an immersive Japanese-style bar experience. 51 W. Hubbard St., 312-610-4220, tokyolastcall.com
Lisa Futterman is a freelance writer.
