3 days ago
The Best Dishes Eater Chicago Editors Ate This Week: August 15
The editors at Eater Chicago dine out several times a week, if not per day, which means we're always encountering standout dishes that deserve time in the limelight. Here's the very best of everything the team has eaten this week.
Bluefin toro hand roll from Noriko Handroll Bar in River West
Victoria Kent
The crew behind Perilla, the contemporary Korean restaurant in River West, have been hard at work the last two years. In 2024, they opened a steakhouse in the Loop and earlier this year, introduced a 21-seat hand roll bar in the space underneath Perilla. While omakase experiences continue to pop up all over town, dedicated hand roll restaurants are much rarer. After just one visit, though, I can say Noriko has set the bar high. There are a variety of hand roll choices, from classics like spicy tuna and king salmon to premium delicacies such as A5 wagyu topped with freshly shaved truffles. They're all stellar but my favorite bite was the bluefin toro — fatty tuna belly with pickled wasabi, seasoned soy sauce, and osetra caviar (an optional, yet highly recommended, upgrade). Rich and oh-so-decadent, the roll is a definite 'treat-yourself' luxury, which in times like these is something we all need every now and then. — Jeffy Mai, Associate Editor, Eater Midwest
Khao piek sen from Lao Der in Irving Park
Lao Der
Laotian cuisine, outside of services like Laos to Your House, has been more or less nonexistent in Chicago until the recent arrival of a tiny Irving Park restaurant. Featuring a tight menu that blends Laotian and Thai staples, Lao Der is one of the best new spots in town. Even on a hot summer day, I couldn't resist ordering the khao piek sen — Laotian chicken noodle soup. The comforting bowl of chicken broth (I also added chili oil for some spice) teeming with rice noodles, chicken, chicken meatballs, onions, cilantro, and fried shallots was just what I needed after a long day. The friendly and attentive staff are happy to walk you through all of the offerings, but as for me, I can't wait to return on a cold day for more chicken noodle soup. — J.M.
