Mystery Diner: Shakou combines contemporary vibe with Japanese cuisine

ST. CHARLES – Within minutes of stepping into Shakou Modern Japanese Cuisine, it was clear that an enjoyable experience was among the top priorities of the St. Charles restaurant.

From the decor on the walls to the overall vibe you feel upon opening the door, it may not be what you typically expect from modern Japanese cuisine.

As my lunch companions and I were seated inside the restaurant at 312 W. Main St., we were greeted by a more than helpful waiter, who was very knowledgeable and more than accommodating to any questions we may have had.

After looking through the number of options, our waiter made some recommendations that prompted our mouths to water.

My lunch companions ordered two types of sushi. Their choices were the Dragon Fire, which on the menu had two symbols for its spicy taste, and the Ocean Drive.

One of my lunch companions preferred the Ocean Drive, while the other had more of a taste for the Dragon Fire.

The Ocean Drive maki ($18) comes with tuna, yellow tail, avocado, cilantro, green pepper and spicy mayo, wrapped in a soy bean paper and topped with freshly squeezed lime juice.

My companion “never really thought of maki being refreshing, but the lime and cilantro in this roll seemed to make lunch a revitalizing experience.”

For those with a taste for the spices, the Dragon Fire ($17), which our waiter said was his top choice on the menu, is a butter pan seared roll with crab, cucumber and avocado, topped with spicy tuna, spicy tako, citrus mayo and habanero and unagi sauces.

Needless to say, both dishes were empty upon our departure from the restaurant.

What probably sparked my interest most during my experience at Shakou was the ability to order something other than sushi. Some sushi restaurants have a limited choice outside of their main dishes, but not Shakou.

What grabbed my attention most, which are provided during the lunch hours, were the Bento Box Specials. I chose to order the Chicken Teriyaki Bento Box ($12).

The Bento box came with tiers, if you will, with the top tier in three separate compartments containing the rice, a variety of fried vegetables, and a couple of dumplings in the final compartment.

Underneath was where the grilled chicken breast with teriyaki sauce was located on a bed of freshly sautéed vegetables. Also in the bottom tier, was a small side salad, with a garlic-type dressing with shredded carrots.

The chicken tasted very fresh, and the amount of teriyaki sauce was the perfect amount to have a long-lasting flavor throughout each bite. I added some of the extra teriyaki sauce to the rice, which made for a delicious taste.

For one with a rather large appetite, even I found myself taking leftovers home.

With his service and quick-witted humor, our waiter made my first experience at Shakou a memorable one. It was hard to leave with anything other than a smile on our faces, all agreeing that there was more than a small chance we would find ourselves back at Shakou for a future visit.

If you go
• WHAT: Shakou Modern Japanese Cuisine
• WHERE: 312 W. Main St., St. Charles
• HOURS: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 11 a.m. to midnight Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays; 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturdays; and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays
• CONTACT: 630-444-0850 or www.shakousushi.com

• The Mystery Diner is a newsroom employee at the Kane County Chronicle. The diner’s identity is not revealed to the restaurant staff before or during the meal. The Mystery Diner visits a different restaurant every other week and then reports on the experience. If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a review.