Chicago’s North Shore Restaurant Month

We’re thrilled to join Chicago's North Shore Restaurant Month this March. This event ends in only 10 days. Exciting dining experiences await you at Tenjin! This March will be our third time taking part in this event since we first participated as Renga-tei in 2024. Thanks to this experience, we developed a special Plex Fix Menu, which has received great feedback from our customers. As a result, we now offer this course menu irregularly, rather than just during Restaurant Month.

While writing this blog post, I realized I didn’t have a clear understanding of where Chicago's North Shore is. According to Chicago's North Shore Convention & Visitors Bureau, Lincolnwood, where Tenjin is situated, is indeed part of this area. Here is the map.

Regarding the Plex Fix Menu, the first course features three appetizers served in tasting sizes. As mentioned earlier, there are occasional minor changes to the offerings. My recommendation for this time around is 'Eel Tempura.' Tempura is an uncommon way to enjoy eel in Japan, at least in Fukuoka, and I had never tried it myself until I came up with the idea and created a prototype. To my surprise, it turned out to be delicious!

The second course features the DIY Spicy Tuna Hand Roll, a staple on our menu since 2024. In Japanese households, this dish is typically served on special occasions. We arrange sushi rice, nori seaweed, and a variety of fillings—like sashimi, cucumbers, and other vegetables—on the table, allowing everyone to roll their own hand rolls. It’s a popular dish because it’s incredibly easy to prepare.

For the main course, you can choose from our standard menu, and to finish, you’ll enjoy homemade coffee jelly. Coffee jelly is a popular cold dessert in Japan, often served with coffee milk or half-and-half; personally, I prefer it with whipped cream. As a result, the Tenjin’s default coffee jelly is with whipped cream. The balance of sweetness and subtle bitterness creates a refreshing taste.

With spring approaching, Chicago's North Shore Restaurant Month is in full swing, featuring many restaurants offering creative culinary experiences. Tenjin looks forward to welcoming you!