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IKIGAI SUSHI & IZAKAYA

372 W CHICAGO AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60654 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

IKIGAI SUSHI & IZAKAYA has been inspected 12 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 25, 2022. The most recent inspection, on June 17, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

6 of 12 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 2 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Cleaning and sanitizing and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 5 times across 4 separate inspections, most recently on March 6, 2025. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on February 26, 2025. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded once on June 13, 2025. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded once on March 30, 2023. For example: APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 16 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on June 17, 2026. For example: ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

About this data

These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

12 inspections

  1. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED BUILD UP OF GREASE AND GRIME ON FILTERS IN HOOD OVER COOK LINE. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED 1 FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE IS EXPIRED. INSTRUCTED ALL EMPLOYEES MUST COMPLETE FOOD HANLDER TRAINING AND MAINTAIN RECORDS THEREOF ONSITE AT ALL TIMES.
  2. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  3. Complaint

    4 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HANDWASHING SIGNAGE AT HAND SINK LOCATED AT FRONT SUSHI PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED SOME COLOR CODED STAINED CUTTING BOARDS IN THE FIRST FLOOR FOOD PREP AREAS.INSTRUCTED TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE CUTTING BOARDS AND MAINTAIN .
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED UNUSED CHEST FREEZER AT FRONT SUSHI PREP AREA.INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE FROM THE PREMISES DUE TO POTENTIAL PEST HARBORAGE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • OBSERVED A FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE.INSTRUCTED TO SHOW PROOF OF TRAINING FOR ALL FOOD HANDLING EMPLOYEES AND MAINTAIN.
  4. Complaint

    0 infractions

  5. Complaint

    0 infractions

  6. Canvass Re-Inspection

    4 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • 6-202.15: OBSERVED OPENINGS AT BASE OF REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • 4-501.11: OBSERVED DAMAGED DOOR GASKET ON WALKIN FREEZER DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE ALL DAMAGED AREAS OF DOOR GASKET ON WALK IN FREEZER DOOR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • 6-303.11: OBSERVED NON WORKING MIDDLE LIGHT IN HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE OR REPAIR NON WORKING MIDDLE LIGHT IN HOOD AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • 6-501.14: OBSERVED DUST AND GREASE BUILDUP ON FILTERS OF HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FILTERS OF HOOD AND MAINTAIN.
  7. Canvass

    9 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED OPENINGS AT BASE OF REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED DAMAGED DOOR GASKET ON WALKIN FREEZER DOOR. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR/REPLACE ALL DAMAGED AREAS OF DOOR GASKET ON WALK IN FREEZER DOOR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED NO IRREVERSIBLE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR FOR MEASURING SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF UTENSILS AND OTHER DISHES. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005 NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKING FROM REAR OF MIDDLE COMPARTMENT OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAKING THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND MAINTAIN.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED CARDBOARD ON GROUND IN DUMPSTER ENCLOSURE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN DUMPSTER ENCLOSURE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MULTIPLE NON SMOOTH AREAS OF FLOOR IN PREP AREA OF BASEMENT. INSTRUCTED TO SMOOTHLY REPAIR NON SMOOTH AREAS OF FLOOR IN PREP AREA OF BASEMENT FOR EASE OF CLEANABILITY.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BLACK BUILDUP ON INTERIOR OF FLOOR DRAIN AND FLOOR DRAIN COVERS NEAR THREE COMPARTMENT SINK AND WOK BURNERS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN INTERIOR AND COVERS OF FLOOR DRAINS IN SAID AREAS AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED NON WORKING MIDDLE LIGHT IN HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE OR REPAIR NON WORKING MIDDLE LIGHT IN HOOD AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED DUST AND GREASE BUILDUP ON FILTERS OF HOOD. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FILTERS OF HOOD AND MAINTAIN.
  8. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  9. Canvass

    9 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED LOW TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINE SANITIZING IMPROPERLY AT 0PPM CHLORINE IN REAR PREP. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN, SANITIZE ALL EQUIPMENT AND DISHES IN LOW TEMPERATURE DISHMACHINES WITH 50-100PPM CHLORINE SANITIZER. CORRECTED ON SITE LOW TEMPERATURE DISH MACHINE IN REAR REPAIRED AND SANITIZING AT 50PPM CHLORINE BEFORE COMPLETION OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025 CITATION ISSUED.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED NO PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK ON PREMISES. PEST CONTROL LOG BOOK WITH MONTHLY INSPECTION REPORTS DATED 6/30/2022-3/29/2024 DELIVERED TO FACILITY BEFORE CONCLUSION OF INSPECTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-020(C) CITATION ISSUED.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED OPENINGS IN FRONT ENTRANCE DOUBLE DOOR IN MIDDLE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM AND REAR EXIT DOOR RIGHT AND BOTTOM BASE. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRANCE.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED ICE MACHINE IN REAR PREP AREA WITH A BUILDUP OF A GRAY SUBSTANCE ON BOTTOM BASE OF SHIELD. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN SHIELD AND MAINTAIN IN GOOD CONDITION TO PREVENT CONTAMINATION OF ICE.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LEAKING DRAINPIPE FROM MIDDLE COMPARTMENT OF THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR LEAK FROM DRAINPIPE.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED SELF CLOSING DOORS OF MEN AND WOMEN'S WASHROOM NOT TIGHT FITTING. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR BOTH SELF CLOSING DOORS OF MEN AND WOMEN'S WASHROOMS SO THAT THEY SHALL BE TIGHT FITTING.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED DEBRIS ON GROUND NEAR DUMPSTER IN ENCLOSURE. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN DUMPSTER ENCLOSURE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED BROWN BUILDUP IN FRONT PREP AND REAR DISHWASHING FLOOR DRAINS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN FLOOR DRAINS IN FRONT PREP AND REAR DISHWASHING AREAS. OBSERVED BLACK BUILDUP ON FLOORS AND ALONG BASES OF WALL UNDERNEATH COLD AND HOT HOLDING EQUIPMENT IN REAR PREP, FRONT AND REAR PREP HANDWASHING SINKS AND THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN SAID AREAS.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED DUST BUILDUP ON LIGHTS AND INTERIOR OF HOOD IN REAR PREP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN.
  10. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  11. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 35. APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED
      • FROZEN RAW FISH HAS BEEN THAWED WHILE STILL COMMERICIALLY WRAPPED IN REDUCED OXYGEN PACKAGING (ROP). PACKAGING MUST BE REMOVED FROM FISH IN ROP PRIOR TO THAWING UNDER REFRIGERATION OR RUNNING WATER.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED OPEN HOLES ON BOTTOM OF SIDEDOOR WHICH ALLOWS FOR PESTS. EXTERIOR DOORS SHALL BE: SELF-CLOSING, SOLID AND TIGHT FITTING, AND LIMITED TO DESIGNATED USE.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE NOT FOUND ON ICE MACHINE. FACILITY MUST PROVIDE.
    • 57. ALL FOOD EMPLOYEES HAVE FOOD HANDLER TRAINING
      • FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATIONS NOT PROVIDED ON SITE. ALL EMPLOYEES WHO DO NOT HAVE A CITY MANAGER CERTFICATION, MUST OBTAIN A VALID FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATION.
  12. License

    0 infractions

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