“Dined here while visiting from out of town with friend's recommendation. Though pricey for what you get, our party of 5 was very satisfied. Good quality was very high due to ingredients and preparation. Though we forgot to get a reservation, they were able to seat us in about 30 minutes. Our server was extremely helpful and accommodating.“
“Absolutely excellent bar, amazing staff who are calm, kind, and knowledgeable. The entire environment is intentional and high quality. We sat at the bar and got to see the drinks being prepared which was a great experience. Have heard good things about the food though we didn’t try any this time. The drinks are INCREDIBLE. This is a MUST GO in Chicago. We made a mistake with our reservation and they were kind enough to still put us on the waiting list and we were able to include this in our trip. Very grateful and will come again!“
“2023 update: our first experience with the sushi here was impressive, but we have since ordered a few more times and I have to say that the food has been inconsistent. It's not bad and it's still a good value (esp. the party trays) , but it also hasn't lived up to that first tray the last few times we tried it. YMMV.Original review:Super friendly and helpful staff, fast delivery, and amazing sushi. Great value, too. My wife and I have lived in South Loop for years and have tried probably a dozen sushi restaurants in the area. This one is a little far from us so we didn't try it until today, but we were blown away by how tasty it was, especially given the affordable pricing and laid-back vibe.We got the Roll Out platter for ourselves and some friends. It's an incredible value for the amount of sushi included, and every roll was delicious. Fish portions were large and very fresh. A substantial part of the platter is "spicy" rolls which I was a little worried about - many sushi places grind up the meat into a mushy paste mixed with who-knows-what, but not here. These were easily the best spicy tuna, spicy salmon and spicy yellowtail rolls I've ever had - they're good-sized bits of quality meat mixed with a delicious spicy mayo sauce. No meat paste. They were delightful.Anyway, we may have found a new favorite sushi spot. I just wish we had tried it sooner!“
“Q Sushi absolutely lives up to the reviews. The atmosphere is cute, not stuffy or pretentious, and very welcoming. The service was phenomenal. Really personable, friendly staff. We did the omakase menu and everything was fantastic and we were SO full by the end. 5 stars all around.“
“Came across this spot while randomly searching for brunch spots. And Itoko did not disappoint at all! We did reserve and the place was fairly full, the interior was nice and the staff were patient and kind. They have a separate brunch menu which we ordered off of. We got a southport set with the deviled eggs and the egg souffle, the teishoku japanese breakfast and the ebi tom yum and ginger crab temaki hand rolls for 3 of us. Everything tasted great, the presentation was actually really nice and my favorite were the hand rolls! Would definitely recommend trying this place out!“
“The food is the highlight! For the most part, every dish we ordered was great. The highlights for us were the tenderloin w/brussels, miso glazed cod, lobster croquette w/curry, and the salmon skin hand roll.The matcha ebi bites were a miss for us and the oysters left much to be desired since some weren’t fresh and the flavors didn’t really do much.The croquette served with the tenderloin was great texturally, but the marshmallow was a miss. It made the dish too sweet because the sauce on the steak and Brussels is already sweet.The front of the house was a little chaotic. We arrived at the time of our reservation and there were 3 groups waiting to be helped. The hostess was disheveled and had a bit of an anxious energy which made us feel uneasy like we were in the way. But there’s no where else to stand so it was a little awkward. The complimentary sake was a nice touch though.“
“This place is delicious and fairly priced. Go for Happy Hour and it’s a helluva deal! The service is friendly and attentive.They are SERIOUS about their reservations so if you’re not serious about punctuality, go somewhere else that’s more casual.“
“Awesome veggie maki rolls. I’m usually very hesitant to try new places because I love my regular spot but I’m so glad I did. The lunch special prices are amazing. Cant recommend enough.Update: if I could eat here every day, I would. One of my new favorite restaurants in the entire city.“
“Great service paired with very affordable sushi options for the size of the portions, and you can't go wrong with a sake flight!I hope more people come here, we came on a Thursday and we were the only people in there at 8p which was sad given how good everything was.Our server was so nice and all of the food came out quickly.Apps:-We started with the Wings and Gyoza and both were fineSushi:-We did the windy city and Hi Jack and we loved both of them and the rolls were huge!Drinks:-$25 for Sake flight is great!We will def come back but I hope more people start to support them.“
“The sea food was the freshest possible and the 2 rolls I had, with soft shell crab and eel were of exquisite taste. Appetizers were delicious, especially the rich green salad with ginger dressing. The dry cold sake, recommended by the waiter, was very good, their list being impressive.“
“Me and my friend decided to stop by this cute sushi place since we're always passing by it. We ordered the Taylor St roll, crab Rangoon, sushi Family B, and the pepper salmon nigiri set. We also ordered the avocado smoothie and oolong milk tea. Everything tasted phenomenal especially the Taylor st roll We also got a shrimp fried rice for take out. The fried rice was very tasty, but there was too soy sauce for my preference. Overall, everything was very good. The interior design is super cute and the staff members are very friendly. I will most definitely be back. I highly recommend this place to college students looking for a sushi at a fair price.“
“Unbelievable ramen! I could have just drank the broth! The noodles and the pork belly were an added bonus lol! Come hungry, a lot of food! Will be back for sure! I had the umami ramen and the spicy level 2 is not really spicy at all, which was fine with me. Can’t wait to go back!“
“We discovered this authentic Japanese style Korean BBQ restaurant over 30 years ago. The husband wife team make sure you enjoy your food. The chef is a highly trained Japanese chef and his skills are reflected in the exceptional quality meat choices, appetizers and soups. You could just order appetizers and be delighted but the meats are the highlight for their delicious marinades and seasonings. Real charcoal made of specialty hardwoods give the meats that unique smoky flavor. The prices will reflect the careful attention to quality and is well worth it in my opinion of 30 years of enjoying my favorite BBQ place. This is a one of a kind experience. The reason there are so many baseball photos and memorabilia in the restaurant is because this restaurant has been a favorite of every Japanese baseball player in Chicago and around the country and the owners are huge fans of baseball. This restaurant is famous in Japan when visiting Chicago.Parking: Easy street parkingKid-friendliness: Family friendly restaurant. I've been bringing my kids since they were babies“
“Recently tried Sushi Hall and loved it. Such a cool new spot in Lincoln park with a speakeasy bar. Really like the colors and vibes of this place . The service is also quick and the staff is friendly. The food was a 10/10. Unforgettable taste, impeccable craftsmanship, and a symphony of freshness await you at Sushi Hall. This is probably my FAVORITE spot I've been to recently. It has an outdoor patio too, making it the perfect spot for SUMMER. We tried the Hamachi on the Hall, The Friends Night Out, The Moulton, Gyoza, and Togarashi Fries. Each dish was so flavorful and the portion sizes were good too. Hamachi on the hall was my absolute favorite. I will definitely be back to try other things on their menu.“
“A real gem, I gotta say this is my favorite restaurant in the city. Every time I come here the servers and kitchen staff are amazing as well as the food. I love that it’s an izakaya style restaurant, I would recommend ordering a little bit of everything to share with your table. The top three recommendations I have are: Maze Soba, Akami, and tomato bacon skewer.“
“One of the best sushi restaurants I tried so far!! We order the all you can eat menu. The appetizers are so varied and tasty! The signature rolls are beyond tasty! We were four adults and two kids and they were able to accommodate us. We waited for some time wasn’t too long though. We also joined the waitlist on yelp. So the total wait time was around an hour. We repeated some appetizers for sure!! Also the motchi ice cream was so good. Will visit again for sure.“
“Talk about heaven in a bowl. It was my bday week and a friend wanted to take me out. I had seen this video on Instagram of someone enjoying a bowl of ramen with a colossal beef rib and was intrigued enough to see it for myself. The interior had a fabulous island Filipino vibe with greens and oranges. The staff was diverse and accommodating. I spilled my water in the first minutes of my experience, and the staff was so quick and helpful to respond. My friend and I got drinks. I initially ordered Old Fashioned, and I can't remember what she first did, but it was purple, and I ended up liking hers more, so we traded. For appetizers, we got delicious dumplings and the roasted duck bun, which was also super tasty, and I highly recommend it. Regarding the main course, I came here for one mission, the beef Rib Ramen. Words can't fully express or comprehend how delicious this bowl of excellence was. So many flavors of spice balance in the broth accompanying fresh noodles, and laid enormously over the bowl is a four-hour roasted bone-in rib. Upon picking the rib up, the meat fell into the broth as if to say I was ready. It was simply delicious and, by far, one of the best meals I've ever had. The broth and noodles were also excellent and complemented the meal perfectly. My friend and I both enjoyed it as she also enjoyed her meal. Overall, this was the most accessible five stars I've ever given. Please enjoy Bite. They deserve your business. 5 out of 5“
“The food was absolutely AMAZING. But the SERVICE!! Was top notch! We are sushi lovers and when I saw this place in TikTok I begged my husband to go. And let me tell u.. it did not disappoint! Every single thing we ate was DELICIOUS. 10/10 HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!! Definitely adding this place to the roster!“
“Fantastic spot for a delicious and enjoyable Japanese meal ?!!!Ekiben was a wonderful dining experience! From the moment I walked in.... the atmosphere was cosy and inviting. The staff was friendly and helpful, offering recommendations on the menu.I had the salmon teriyaki don. It tasted so fresh and flavorful. The ingredients were perfectly cooked and delightful ?.While the food was delicious, I'm also very optimistic that they will continue to innovate and introduce exciting new dishes in the future. ? For example, chef's choice section on the menu where they can showcase their culinary creativity, or loyalty program to reward frequent customers would be excellent (hopefully I don't ask them too much?)I truly enjoyed my experience at Ekiben, and I will definitely revisit and try another dish ?.“
“In my view, Ora is far and away the best sushi spot in Chicago, and among the best restaurants period. The quality of the fish and the attention to detail in preparation are outstanding. On top of that, they've got great service, reasonable prices, and it's BYOB. If you haven't tried it, give it a shot, you won't be disappointed!“
“Sen Sushi is a tad hidden off of Oak Park Street near Addis’ Cafe. It’s a clean no frills place that offers good amount of specialty rolls and great Sashimi and Nigiri sets.They don’t take reservations and it is small, but seems like turn over is pretty fast. Definitely a place to try if you want decent sushi this side of the burbs.Parking: There is paid parking in front of the building or if u go about half a block down, free parking in front of the houses.“
“Loved my experience at Gorilla Sushi with my two girlfriends. We ordered the spicy miso soup, edamame, and several of the rolls. Our server was T, and she was so kind and helpful. Our favorites were the Mexican, the spicy tuna, the Godzilla roll, and the volcano roll. Thank you T and staff for providing us 6 plates of ginger also!“
“Went to try this place for my 1st time. When I went in I wasn't sure if I was in the right place. They have construction going on inside and there wasn't a name on the building or inside. Felt confused if I was in some type of office warehouse or something not sure. But I have to admit their food was amazing ?. They have so many choices to pick from. I definitely will be going back to try different plates. The price for the bowls is fair not over priced.“
“Nuki Sushi serves some of the best sushi in Chicago. It's totally fresh, offers an amazingly large and original selection of sushi, sashimi, maki and other dishes. If that weren't enough, the service is superb, prices are incredibly reasonable, and it's BYOB. It is a real gem.“
“The variety and healthy choices keep me coming back to Poke Okie. Whether I'm really hungry or just want a drink, this place is great. I love the Blue Avocado smoothie and I like the options in building my own sushi bowl. The place is modern and the staff are very friendly.“
“I went in because I was craving affordable sushi and wanted to try a new place. To my surprise no sushi offered at this time :( Oh well. I was suggested the lunch special. It was a good deal and was fresh. General Tso's Chicken- The chicken was juicy with a nice crisp breading. The sauce was tangy, sweet and spicy! Yum :) The rice had a really good onion flavor with the right wok char. Not greasy and will leave you feeling good and satisfied. As for the location I found free street parking across the street. The place was quiet and clean.“
“I called ahead on a Tuesday for their dinner reservations, we were told they weren't busy that night so we went ahead and made the one hour drive just for their sushi and their great reviews. We had the best experience and their sushi was truly top notch. We basically ordered everything on the menu from sushi, caviar to desserts and drinks. they did not disappoint, customer service was superb. The owner even came outside to attend us, he showed up with his own bottle of sake. I truly appreciate the great experience we had at this beautiful and clean restaurant. I have nothing bad to say, the food was high quality and extremely delicious. I definitely recommend this location, even if you have kids which I did. We left so happy and satisfied, loved it.“
“Ordered ahead and it took about 20 minutes to be ready. Got back and was amazed by the quality of the bread / filling. My favorite had to be the bulgogi sando or the strawberry ube. Would definitely recommend trying as someone who is from out of town.“
“I always recommend it for the variety, assortment and prices. The best offers. In food without competition.Vegetarian options: For every taste.Dietary restrictions: Choice. There's a lot.Parking: Spacious and comfortable...Kid-friendliness: YeahWheelchair accessibility: Very good“
“The sushi was surprising, innovative and delicious! Sake flight was a highlight. Seating was comfy and our waitress was super nice. It could have been a tad darker in there in terms of lighting.Would recommend trying a classic maki as well as one of the four-piece sashimi options. (I was skeptical of fish wrapped around fruit, but after one bite I was a believer ? I was also a fan of the pickled onion and scallion in the maki) Our favorite signature was the red dragon.“
“Not bad! Food and service were both good, nothing to complain about but not amazing. We got beef skewers and scallop skewers and they were a little tough and chewy. We enjoyed the sushi more, the fish was fresh, although the rice tasted slightly cold/refrigerated, which I don’t love. We had the tuna on chip appetiser which was probably our favorite since the tuna was so fresh.“
“The sushi is delicious, the sashimi is also delicious, the meaty meatballs with glutinous rice are quite special, I will want to order them again next time I go there, the skewers are not bad, the fried rice is creative and delicious, and the first dessert is delicious. The banana miso one is just average.Parking is quite difficult, so I suggest you park your car.“
“Got the omakase. The first half was great! Loved the first half. After the second half it was regular foods, simple sushi/nigiri. I was expecting more customization like the first half. At $90 I expected to be wowed the whole time but it definitely got mediocre after the shooters. We got their toro from the today's special and that alone was better than the omakase.**Overall would come back but not for omakase.“
“04/02/24 - What an awesome add to the neighborhood. Teriyaki Madness is in the mall next to The Smash burger on Foster Ave. It's less than 1/2 mile from my house. I actually sampled their chicken teriyaki @ a Yelp event up in Lake Bluff @ Bernie's Book Bank. Teriyaki Madness has a store up in Gurnee, IL The teriyaki comes in 3 different sizes, Junior, regular or large. I ordered the regular sized chicken teriyaki bowl & it was more than enough for me as I had a little bit of left overs to take home. They have different options like regular or spicy chicken, chicken breast teriyaki, steak teriyaki, salmon teriyaki, tofu teriyaki & chicken katsu. Wry good seasoning w Great options. They also have appetizers like edamame, egg rolls, chicken potstickers & crab Rangoon. I was very pleasantly surprised w/the grilled chicken teriyaki served over brown rice w/veggies like cabbage & broccoli. I really enjoyed my meal & scarfed it down. I will definitely be back to try some of their other items like the steak teriyaki or chicken katsu.“
“Food was delicious. We wanted to find a ramen spot and we were not disappointed in our orders. It would have been nice to have more than the two options for ramen, but it was well prepared and flavorful. The noodles I especially enjoyed, since they were a little chewy. We also had appetizers and a miso soup, which was also very yummy. Service was reasonable and responsive. Music was modern and pop, too.“
“Amazing and delicious. All of the rolls were tried were so yummy and not overly saucy like most others. My favorite was the crispy rice with salmon. Love the texture. And the turtle roll was fun and different. Knocked one star off because we felt like we were rushed out of there after only being there an hour but overall this place is really great!“
“I’ve been here a couple times and it keeps getting better. If you went when they first opened you must return for an experience devoid of all the opening jitters , now with impeccable hand roles with Crispy nori for the perfect crunch. The nigiri pieces of Ora king salmon and chutoro were very tasty. The sake pours are generous and the highballs are delicious. Don’t miss out on highball and hand roll happy hours form 5-6 on wed, thur, and Friday! Overall a great Japanese experience for sushi, nigiri, hand rolls ( which are hard to come by) , and perfect highballs! There’s more to offer but I’ll have to wait until next time to try.“
“This place is really really good. Have been twice with my wife. Easily the best Omakase in Chicago. Service and environment are actually friendlier and lighter then many other stuffier Michelin and non Michelin starred Omakase places. They have a really good wine selection. I never found a place I liked chawanmushi before, but here, I order two orders of it. It’s incredible. Everything here is extremely flavorful and fresh. 10/10“
“Great place for sushi, great drinks. I loved the green tea creme brûlée. Service is a bit slow cause there are only a few servers but I’ve come back cause I love it so much.Dietary restrictions: I am a bad vegan and they had plenty of vegan options and they were spectacular!“
“Chef Roberto and team are always super welcoming - whipping up amazing margaritas (I’m usually a sake guy, but I’ve gotten margs to go before, don’t judge me), and a delicious selection of sushi, sashimi, hand rolls and more. Our kids love it too - very family friendly (but even better for a date night away).“
“Incredible- loved Arami and would highly recommend. We have done a la carte as well as omakase and both have been phenomenal.The omakase experience was particularly lovely. Each course was meticulously prepared and thoughtfully crafted. They are also able to accommodate to gluten free.Dietary restrictions: Very accommodating to gluten freee“
“My fiance and I were looking for a new sushi spot and stumbled upon Juno, honestly not expecting much.We were completely blown away.. the food and service were absolutely incredible. Sushi was fresh and delicious & the appetizers were elite as well.We’re telling all of our friends and will be back very soon.“
“Awesome sushi spot on Archer Ave. The location seems a little random, but don't let it deter you. The service is very friendly and welcoming. Sushi was fantastic. Everything was very fresh. It seems like it turns into a kareoke bar after 10 pm which is pretty fun. Definitely need to go back for that. This place is a hidden gem. Highly recommend.“
“The best omakase experience I have ever had. The wine/sake pairing was perfection, the staff are welcoming and knowledgeable, the chefs are outstanding. The food is stunning and delectable of the highest quality. There are not enough superlatives or adjectives to express how much I enjoyed my meal and the entire experience.“
“Very nice place, especially if you just want a really relaxing atmosphere, great vibes, super sweet and friendly and not to mention quick service with a smile. Sushi is fresh, Ramen is very delicious and flavorful. I can drink the broth by itself. But all and all, "It's a must go check out." ... This was family time!!!Parking: Yes, you still have to pay the parking meter on the weekends. I'm just telling you now. CPD is down the street...“
“wowwww what a place!!!! What a mix of emotions!! Ever since I enter the restaurant I felt like I was in Japan. Really good environment, good place and better service!! There was a server with long hair, I think it was Ernesto that was amazing, best service I received in Miami so far. Will come back for sure. The bartender Lucas is too cute!! And Noah omg!!!! I felt in love. Really great people, enjoyed a lot my lunch, will be back soon! Thank you Ernesto!!!“
“Not bad, but definitely not so good.The sashimi is good quality and delicious, however that’s the end of the good part.We also ordered curry udon, basically all appetizers, and a couple sushi rolls. The appetizers are okay except the Dashi tofu is meh. Sushi roll is good. Udon is quite insulting, it tastes blend, doesn’t have the key ingredients to make it an authentic curry udon, huge disappointment.Given the quality of the food, I think the the price is definitely on the pricier end than it should have been.One other thing that bothers me a lot is the decoration inside are non-Japanese related theme when it is a Japanese restaurant.Overall, not a bad place to visit. Granted, this is probably the best somewhat affordable Japanese restaurant within blocks, but surely won’t be the first couple places to revisit for me.Kid-friendliness: This place provides high chair“
“This may make sense to those who are of my generation and perhaps even older; have you ever experienced wanting a good old fashioned simple and greasy hamburger or cheeseburger but have found it difficult to find one? Too many places you go, they have created 'gourmet' burgers with 'inspiration' from various places. While these are good/decent, you just want your good, old, original, simple hamburger! That out of the way, imagine the same for Japanese food.I'm not a Japanese cuisine specialist by any means however I do know some flavors since I grew up in Tokyo. I so miss the tori no karaage (chicken karaage) but everywhere I have been to (not too many to be fair), it's way too Americanized which is ok but come on, someone's got to have authentic or close to authentic chicken karaage.I honestly gave up on Japanese food (Japanese curry rice, ramen, chicken karaage and takoyaki) in the US till I came across Rakkan Ramen.The founder, Ryohei Ito brought the idea of Rakkan Ramen with one goal in mind; bring authentic Japanese food to the world. Is the chicken karaage exactly how I remember having it in Tokyo growing up or on my various trips back there? I'd say 98% yes. The 2% is probably the type of chicken available here, the oils, water, etc. No nonsense specially made aolis drizzled on top and topped with tiny things to make it pretty; Rakkan Ramen's chicken karaage is as close as it gets to what you get in Japan.So let's get on with it. It was about 2 or 3 months ago, a friend and I visited Rakkan Ramen based on reviews and I figured let's check it out.You enter and you are transported to Japan with the word, Irrashaimase coming out of the staff's mouth within the first 2 seconds that you enter the door. OMG. I AM LOVING IT SO FAR.We are seated way back in the corner (which I don't mind. I'm an introvert anyway). We ordered the takoyaki which was outstanding. We also ordered a side of the chicken karaage (which I have already described above).We each ordered a ramen. I ordered the Amber. The broth was a BOMB. While vegan, the flavor profile it had was so Japanese and outstanding. The seasoned egg was PERFECTLY done. The bamboo shoots, hmmmm, that crunch in your mouth and lastly the chachu (grilled pork). The chachu I will say I've had better at other spots in the US. The actual noodles too I think there are spots that have better ones. Overall, this ramen HIT THE SPOT and I felt like I found a JACKPOT.Fast forward a while later, I went in solo for a lunch special on a Friday afternoon and ordered the Pearl ramen AND of course, my chicken karaage. The karaage again was exactly how it was the first time I had it. The ramen too was so amazing. Salty (not too salty but just right) and truly umami.One additional thing I wish Rakkan would do is to start adding wakame. This is the wet/soft seaweed that is a common ingredient across Japan in ramen, udon and miso soups. I have yet to come across a Japanese restaurant in the US that serves wakame (again, I have probably tried at most 50 Japanese restaurants in the US and I know there are thousands)I am so glad to have found this place. Now that I'm back, I plan on having my ramen fix every other week for a Friday lunch.“
“Don't let the mediocre presentation fool you because despite the way they slice and roll, sashimi dinner and wasabi roll surprised us with it's freshness. Recommend sticking with the special rolls because wasabi roll was just way better than the rainbow or chicago roll. Seared tuna was ok and it looked much better than it tasted. Mixed flavors with sesame oil never gave us the wow sensation.Service was awesome.Byob charge is 3 per person.They have a strict way of eating the special rolls without soy sauce or ginger.“
“I have been going here for years and I'm happy they survived COVID. They were mostly take out until recently, when they reopened their dine in area. It's a quiet, nice restaurant with good sushi. I have gone to other places for sushi both in surrounding suburbs and in the city and this place is still the best one.“