Mako

Mako is a Japanese sushi restaurant in Chicago from Chef B.K. Park, known as one of the country's premier sushi chefs. Born in Jeju, South Korea, Park was two years into studying hotel management before he relocated to Chicago to continue his education. While working as a server in a sushi restaurant, he was invited to join the line when the chef needed extra help, and he threw himself into the technique and culture of sushi. He moved on to Tsunami in the Gold Coast, where within two years he had established himself as head chef. In 1999 he joined Mirai Sushi, spending seven years as head chef before co-opening Arami in West Town. After three successful years, he opened Juno in 2013, which was lauded for its authentic omakase menu and earned three stars from the Chicago Tribune, with critic Phil Vettel calling it "one of Chicago's very best Japanese restaurants."

After developing the omakase concept, Chef Park opened Mako in 2019. Named after a species of shark known for its speed, precision, focus and instinct, Mako is his passion project, a culmination of his years of expertise seeking out and serving the most pristine fish in the world. Within six months of opening, Mako was awarded one Michelin star and a four-star review from the Chicago Tribune, and it has held One Michelin Star every year from 2020 to 2025.