Traditional Japanese Culture Meets Forward-Thinking Technique. 

Based in Chicago, Illinois, Fujimura Hospitality is known for a diverse portfolio of restaurants spanning fine, award-winning cuisine to smart casual concepts, and everything in between. Led by Principal Ty Fujimura, food enthusiasts can appreciate a range of flavors at Fujimura’s Michelin-starred Entente; SmallBar, a neighborhood gem; Heineken Pub97, a soccer club staple; and Lucky Klucker and Lono Poke, savvy and delicious casual options. Fujimura Hospitality began with the group’s flagship restaurant, Arami, a pristine and highly lauded Japanese izakaya that opened in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood in 2010. It has since expanded to include additional locations at Time Out Market Chicago and Chicago’s Midway International Airport.

“Arami is not the destination for fat, gimmicky maki. Instead, fresh seafood spiked with garlic, truffle, and pickled items let flavors sparkle in a more subtle way. Toro tartare comes in a single bite of minced tuna with bonito-soy sauce, Asian pear, and black tobiko; while hamachi sashimi draped over black river rocks shine with pickled mushroom, truffle oil, and sprouts.”  

- Michelin Guide 2015

“Chicago is awash in restaurants one visits strictly for sushi, and then those that handle noodle dishes and other hot items well but where sushi and sashimi are afterthoughts, if they’re available at all. Arami, however, is one of the best-balanced Japanese restaurants in Chicago, a multi-tooled player…where the sushi bar and hot kitchen both operate at high levels, helped along by a surprisingly thorough beverage program. I hate when waiters tell me that ‘everything’s good,’ but at Arami, that’s pretty much the case and has been for some six years.” 

– Phil Vettel, Chicago Tribune 

“The West Town Japanese restaurant impresses with food from chefs Ajay Popli and Nelson Vinansaca. The pair and their team turn out pristine sushi and sashimi, along with noodle bowls like the accomplished, pork belly-laden Arami ramen and other well-composed dishes.”  

– Jenny Miller, the NY Post

The Best New Sushi Restaurants in America - Bon Appétit

The Best New Restaurants - Chicago Magazine

3 Stars - Chicago Tribune

Chicago’s Best Sushi Restaurant - eater

Michelin Bib Gourmand (2012, 2014-2020)

The Best Japanese Restaurants in America - NY Post

Best Restaurants in Chicago - Thrillist

The Best Ramen in Chicago - Time Out

BEST SUSHI IN EVERY STATe - EAT THIS / EAT THAT

The absolute best japanese restaurants in the u.s. - mashed