Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

Sugar & Spice: Jaiyen
DISH Weekly Dining Guide in Windy City Times
by Meghan Streit
2012-11-14

This article shared 3377 times since Wed Nov 14, 2012
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


I love checking out new restaurants, and our city has plenty of those to offer. Rare is the weekend in Chicago when there is not at least one new restaurant opening. As exciting as it is to dine at the soon-to-be hot spots and scope out the latest offerings from up-and-coming chefs, you've got to have your old stand-bys as well—the kinds of places where you can order without glancing at the menu and always leave satisfied.

I've found that people who like sushi tend to be pretty passionate about it and require regular doses. Those sushi fixes can really add up, which is why you have to find a reliable place that serves fresh fish at prices that won't break the bank. For me, that place is Jaiyen, a sushi bar on the north end of Boystown. The Broadway Street space may not be the most dazzling you'll ever lay eyes on. But, it's clean, cozy and cute in an offbeat way. What matters is that the sushi is consistently fresh and tasty.

Priced from $4 to $7, the basic rolls like spicy tuna, ebi tempura and Philly maki are a steal. The more elaborate chef's special rolls range from $7.95 to $12.95—still a super value for the quality and quantity of sushi you get. Best of all, Jaiyen is BYOB, so you can grab some sake or sushi-friendly wine and not have to worry about cocktails padding your bill. As if that weren't enough, you may be able to find coupons for Jaiyen on Restaurant.com that you can either use to whittle down your tab a little bit more or indulge in some of the pricier rolls or appetizers that you wouldn't normally order.

I always go into Jaiyen with the intention of starting my feast with some low-cal edamame, but usually end up ordering one of the delicious deep-fried starters instead. I'm a bit of a crab rangoon fanatic, and I can confidently endorse Jaiyen's as an above-average version. They always come out piping hot and golden brown, and not over-fried like so many places serve crab rangoons. For something a little different, but just as delightfully bad for you, try the deep-fried spicy tuna. Who needs plain spicy tuna wrapped in seaweed and white rice when you can have it mixed with avocado and cream cheese and then battered and deep fried. You won't want to go back to the sushi version, I swear.

After a few fried nibbles, I like to ease into my sushi extravaganza with a couple of pieces of nigiri. The super white tuna is my favorite, but I've sampled many pieces of nigiri at Jaiyen and they've all been good. I consider that a barometer for the quality of a sushi bar because it's a heck of a lot harder to mask less-than-fresh fish when it's not wrapped up in rice and smothered in cream cheese or tempura.

I have to have a Philly roll whenever I eat sushi, and with fresh smoked salmon and a generous smear of cream cheese, Jaiyen's version never disappoints. I'm also a big fan of the spider maki, a treat made with soft shell crab, cucumber, avocado, masago, unagi and spicy mayo. You can't go wrong with the colorful rainbow roll, which packs crab, tuna, salmon and whitefish into one delicious piece of sushi.

Make it a point to try at least one of Jaiyen's less conventional rolls, like the jade dragon, which combines unagi, hamachi, radish sprouts and avocado. It's topped with tobiko and wasabi mayo, which gives it a memorable kick. The dynamite roll is a more souped-up version of the spider maki. In this version, the soft shell crab is fried and cream cheese is added. One of the most unique, and surprisingly good, rolls is the Mexican. Hamachi and whitefish are given some south-of-the-border heat with jalapeño and cilantro. Meanwhile, cucumber and a squeeze of lemon make the roll taste fresh and light.

I never even pretend that I won't be having dessert at Jaiyen because they have mochi ice cream. The green tea is my favorite, but the strawberry, mango and coffee flavors are also fantastic. For added indulgence, the sticky sweet balls of ice cream are presented with a generous dollop of whipped cream. They're the perfect ending to an always-satisfying sushi fix.

Jaiyen is located at 3734 N. Broadway; call 773-404-0555 or visit www.jai-yen.com/index.html .

Do you need some more Sugar & Spice in your life? Follow me on Twitter @SugarAndSpiceMS for inside scoop and commentary on Chicago's dining scene.


This article shared 3377 times since Wed Nov 14, 2012
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

SAVOR Easter roundup for 2024
2024-03-24
Easter is a time to celebrate rebirth, spring, life—and brunches. Chicagoland restaurants will be out in full force on Sunday, March 31, offering Easter meals—some with their own twists (including ...


Gay News

SAVOR WhiskyX, an Easter soiree, a pizza-making class and more
2024-03-24
I'll drink to that: On March 21, I was invited to check out dozens of whiskeys, rums, tequilas and other spirits at WhiskyX, which took place at the Chicago venue Morgan MFG and which hundreds of ...


Gay News

SAVOR REVIEW Sushi By Bou
2024-03-19
Going into a sushi restaurant, I didn't expect to hear a 1920s version of the Carly Rae Jepsen hit "Call Me Maybe" emanating from the speakers. However, that and other Great Gatsby-like flourishes can be found ...


Gay News

SAVOR Gemini Grill opens, 'Rick Bayless Day' and more
2024-03-17
—And I quote: I'm not crazy about reality, but it's still the only place to get a decent meal."—Groucho Marx —Pop life: Don't forget my other Substack: "Pop-Eds: My takes on pop culture." Thank you so ...


Gay News

SAVOR REVIEW La Grande Boucherie
2024-03-14
Just a few months ago, The Group NYC—a hospitality consortium based in you-know-where—opened the Italian restaurant Olio e Piu in Chicago's River North neighborhood. You can read my review of ...


Gay News

SAVOR Let's Talk Womxn's 'More Than March'; Adobo Grill's tequila dinner
2024-03-06
I was fortunate enough to be invited to a culinary event that celebrates the achievement of women—and, fittingly, it happened during Women's History Month. On March 1, Let's Talk Womxn Chicago held its annual "More Than ...


Gay News

SAVOR James Beard contest, a new Publican opens and a PAWS event
2024-02-25
Contest: You have a chance to be in on all the action during the chef-studded James Beard Award weekend of June 8 in Chicago. Among other things, the grand prize winner will get a three-stay in ...


Gay News

SAVOR Green City Market; Sofitel's 'Un-Tea' time
2024-02-24
For those who wonder about the lack of a farmers' market in Chicago during the winter months, I point you toward Green City Market (GCM) Avondale, taking place on Saturdays at 8 a.m.-1 p.m. through March ...


Gay News

SAVOR A new Sushi By Bou, a seafood boil class and James Beard scholarships
2024-02-18
Pop life: Don't forget my other Substack: "Pop-Eds: My takes on pop culture." Thank you so much to the people who've already subscribed. The latest entry (Feb. 17) features Beyonce, Zendaya and my Oscar predictions. Subscribe ...


Gay News

SAVOR At Willies 'n Waffles, sexuality is on the menu
2024-02-12
Having written about Chicago's culinary scene for at least 15 years, this writer has covered all sorts of spots—from Michelin-starred upscale establishments to those so-called "holes in the wall" that can serve some of the best ...


Gay News

SAVOR 'The Bear,' new pizza lounge, Chicago Black Restaurant Week
2024-02-11
"Bear" necessities: The third season of the Chicago-set series The Bear will debut in June, per Variety. FX chairman John Landgraf made the announcement during the network's presentation at the Television Critics Association's winter 2024 press ...


Gay News

SAVOR Taylor's Tacos' Chef Taylor Mason on being part of the Vegas event 'Pepsi Dig In'
2024-02-08
On Feb. 8-10 (Super Bowl weekend), Taylor's Tacos Chef Taylor Mason and wife/co-owner Maya Mason will be showcasing two exclusive dishes at the Pepsi Dig In: Brunch with the Best takeover at Delano Las Vegas, giving ...


Gay News

SAVOR Jean Banchet Awards, new Black-owned spots and free pizza
2024-02-04
Congrats!: The winners of the Jean Banchet Awards—which honor Chicago cuisine—were recently announced at Venue Six10. Longtime Chicago Tribune critic Phil Vettel was (justifiably) honored with the Culinary Excellence of ...


Gay News

SAVOR Chocolatier Uzma Sharif on being part of World of Chocolate
2024-02-03
AIDS Foundation Chicago will hold its annual World of Chocolate event on Friday, Feb. 9, at 6 p.m. at Union Station, 500 W. Jackson Blvd. Attendees will embark on a global tour of chocolate—but there will ...


Gay News

SAVOR Valentine's/Galentine's Day offerings for 2024
2024-02-01
Love is in the air—until it isn't. While some couples will be getting ready to celebrate their closeness (and all that other mushy stuff) on Valentine's Day, others will get together to celebrate Galentine's Day (celebrating ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.