10 Food Bites With… Chef Chao

When Chicago’s Best Restaurants caught up with Chef Chao of Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar (USBB), the executive chef disclosed several bites about the River North eatery.

Executive Chef Chao and partner of Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar constructs a delectable masterpiece. (Photo Courtesy of EatAtUnion.com)

FYI: Union Sushi, renowned for its perennial menu, specializes in Japanese inspired, Asian cuisine, seared on a robata grill.

Why Union Sushi rocks:

Chef Chao: Most of the time people go out and one person wants steak and the other sushi. We cater to every appetite with: the grilled meat, sushi, vegetarian, small plates and plates to share.  

Union Sushi regulars are addicted to…

Chef Chao: Our buffalo duck wings. (This comes with sweet chili butter sauce, Nappa cabbage slaw and Yuzu blue cheese dressing).  

 

Latest, wonders to savor… 

Chef Chao: Our guests are raving about the grilled Australian kangaroo and alligator ribs (from Louisiana).    

Chicago restaurant patrons would be shocked to know…

Chef Chao:   Ninety-five  of the Yakisoba (egg noodles) soup served at other Chicago restaurants are frozen or dried noodles. We make our Yakisoba (egg) noodles the traditional way. Ours are made fresh in Chinatown. Then, we use the duck fat from our duck wings.

About the sushi…

Chef Chao: Every roll has its own character. We do classics and our own list of specialty rolls.

Menu fact: Union Sushi + Barbecue Bar named one of its specialty rolls after Chicago’s River North neighborhood. The roll consists of eel, gobo, red onion, pickled chili, tempura flake, and black pepper sauce. But, it’s wrapped in a collard green.

Veggies pleasure…

Chef Chao: We have several. Kabosha squash our (fall dish), the Shiitake on the grill and/or the grilled cauliflowers.

Executive chef and partner of Union Sushi Barbeque Bar, Chef Chao. (Photo Courtesy of USBB).)Union Sushi’s most memorable moment of 2012 was…

Chef Chao: The duck wing eating contest. It was on two levels in our space. I made 30 duck wings per contestant, and they had five minutes to devour them. First place ate seven of them. 

In terms of impromptu get togethers…

Chef Chao: Our sharing menu lets people sample many of our signatures with a serving for each person. The prices are at $35, $45 and up to $60 per person. We can even make everything ahead of time for the business gathering. But most big groups just show up and order. We are flexible.

Most famous and recognized diners…

Chef Chao: Bears running back, Matt Forte and former senator Jesse Jackson Jr.  

2013 highlight…

We plan to have our sushi making and mixology class. We’re also planning a sake tasting dinner.

Did you know? Union Sushi will turn two years old this year. Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar | 230 West Erie Street | River North |Chicago, IL 60654 | 312.662.4888