Delicious and authentic Japanese food. Highest quality ingredients. Here there is no mayonnaise and other disgusting dressings for sushi.The rice is cooked right and music is pleasant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rahim Raja
Best meal we've ever had. Not just food but a complete experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christian Man
Michelin-grade cooking happening at this unassuming
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Aza Verove
I had the Omakase on 2/10/24. It was, without a doubt, the best dining experience I have had in years. Ken is an expert and extremely gracious host. His knowledge and explanation of the dishes as well as the casual and extremely enjoyable conversation made this a dinner to remember.This was my first visit to Ishi & Kaori and I have already told my friends about it. We are currently checking our calendars for future months in hopes of another experience. I hope to come back soon for the regular menu, as well as another Omakase.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Juliet Dimayuga
We had an Omekase that you can book via google maps app. (Reservations are needed). They’re family owned business so expect to have a limited availability hours which means you have to plan ahead.All in all, authentic, great quality of food, and experience! We felt our visit are so personalized. Definitely a hidden gem!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mackerel, Miso Soup, Roll, Salmon Nigiri, Toro Nigiri, Mochi, Albacore, Sushi, Uni and Hotate, Cake
Hannah Landis
Took my sushi loving son to lunch. Everything was incredible. Will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Roxanne Concepcion
Some of the best sushi and nicest people you will EVER meet. I will definitely be back again and again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anthony
Unbelievable sushi and nigiri; I’ve been given a new standard by which to judge all sushi and nigiri in the future!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cecilia D.
I am glad CU has a nice authentic Japanese restaurant. I am a big fan of raw fish and seafood in general, and I've tried Omakase, Kaisen Don, Sushi plate, all great!I also love the salmon miso soup served each time. The deserts here are also delicious, just the sweetness level I like. Try the cloud cake, cheese cake, and matcha cake.
This is a small place only about 12 seats which is run and staffed by two people and is currently only open for lunch. So this isn't going to be a quick in and out kind of thing most of the time. But both owners are very friendly and the food is fantastic. You have to try the bacon shizo cream cheese pastry! The miso soup was fantastic, it had really thinly sliced daikon and a little bit of fish (salmon I think) in it. You can get food to go also.
Runzer W.
An amazing Japanese restaurant in town! I would say it might be the best one. The space is a little limited inside, but the environment is nice and quiet, with just a few tables and seats. I think they have different special menus every day, and the choices are limited cuz there were only about ten options on the whiteboard when I went there today. Also, they're really friendly and used to chat with some customers like they've been friends for a long time! The appetizer soup was rich in taste, the vegetable pancakes were delicious, the salmon and tuna were very fresh and soft, and even the rice was better tasted than many other common Asian restaurants. I also had a Matcha cake as the dessert, which was balanced in flavors. Highly recommend it as a Sushi bar!
Eduardo A.
I feel like this was/is the only true restaurant in the CU area.The owners are super kindly Japanese folks. We always felt super welcomed, and it was fun to chat with them about their experiences living in/out of CU as well as overseas.Ken's dedication to food and insistence on sourcing high quality ingredients is something that I couldn't really find outside of ISHI sushi with respect to non-baked goods. Special shoutouts to Suzu and Bakelab for holding it down with their comparable pastries and treats.In terms of location, it's really hard to notice and is right next to a convenience store IIRC. True to Japanese dining, it's a no-frills establishment with limited seating. If you don't manage to come early and take one of the treasured walk-ins on the Omakase days, cross your fingers and toes that there's a slot later in the day. Otherwise, you'll probably be looking to reserve a spot at least a month down the line.Both Ken and Kaori make incredible food and are wonderful people :). I hope other places in CU can follow suit. If y'all are reading this, thank you both for what you do!!
Nicole Cantoni
The best nigiri and sashimi you will find in Champaign! Ken and Kaori are incredibly kind and added to the already positive atmosphere. Will definitely be back!
The best Japanese restaurant in town!! My favorite place to eat, wonderful owners!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seared Foro Nigiri, Uni Hand Roll, Lunch Omakase, Mackerel, Toro Unagi, Toro Nigiri, Shiso Bacon Cream Cheese Wraps, Sushi, Sashimi Appetizer, Cake, Omakase Tasting Menu, Salmon Nigiri
Delicious and authentic Japanese food. Highest quality ingredients. Here there is no mayonnaise and other disgusting dressings for sushi.The rice is cooked right and music is pleasant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best meal we've ever had. Not just food but a complete experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michelin-grade cooking happening at this unassuming
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had the Omakase on 2/10/24. It was, without a doubt, the best dining experience I have had in years. Ken is an expert and extremely gracious host. His knowledge and explanation of the dishes as well as the casual and extremely enjoyable conversation made this a dinner to remember.This was my first visit to Ishi & Kaori and I have already told my friends about it. We are currently checking our calendars for future months in hopes of another experience. I hope to come back soon for the regular menu, as well as another Omakase.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had an Omekase that you can book via google maps app. (Reservations are needed). They’re family owned business so expect to have a limited availability hours which means you have to plan ahead.All in all, authentic, great quality of food, and experience! We felt our visit are so personalized. Definitely a hidden gem!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mackerel, Miso Soup, Roll, Salmon Nigiri, Toro Nigiri, Mochi, Albacore, Sushi, Uni and Hotate, Cake
Took my sushi loving son to lunch. Everything was incredible. Will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Some of the best sushi and nicest people you will EVER meet. I will definitely be back again and again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Unbelievable sushi and nigiri; I’ve been given a new standard by which to judge all sushi and nigiri in the future!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I am glad CU has a nice authentic Japanese restaurant. I am a big fan of raw fish and seafood in general, and I've tried Omakase, Kaisen Don, Sushi plate, all great!I also love the salmon miso soup served each time. The deserts here are also delicious, just the sweetness level I like. Try the cloud cake, cheese cake, and matcha cake.
Restaurantji Recommends
This is a small place only about 12 seats which is run and staffed by two people and is currently only open for lunch. So this isn't going to be a quick in and out kind of thing most of the time. But both owners are very friendly and the food is fantastic. You have to try the bacon shizo cream cheese pastry! The miso soup was fantastic, it had really thinly sliced daikon and a little bit of fish (salmon I think) in it. You can get food to go also.
An amazing Japanese restaurant in town! I would say it might be the best one. The space is a little limited inside, but the environment is nice and quiet, with just a few tables and seats. I think they have different special menus every day, and the choices are limited cuz there were only about ten options on the whiteboard when I went there today. Also, they're really friendly and used to chat with some customers like they've been friends for a long time! The appetizer soup was rich in taste, the vegetable pancakes were delicious, the salmon and tuna were very fresh and soft, and even the rice was better tasted than many other common Asian restaurants. I also had a Matcha cake as the dessert, which was balanced in flavors. Highly recommend it as a Sushi bar!
I feel like this was/is the only true restaurant in the CU area.The owners are super kindly Japanese folks. We always felt super welcomed, and it was fun to chat with them about their experiences living in/out of CU as well as overseas.Ken's dedication to food and insistence on sourcing high quality ingredients is something that I couldn't really find outside of ISHI sushi with respect to non-baked goods. Special shoutouts to Suzu and Bakelab for holding it down with their comparable pastries and treats.In terms of location, it's really hard to notice and is right next to a convenience store IIRC. True to Japanese dining, it's a no-frills establishment with limited seating. If you don't manage to come early and take one of the treasured walk-ins on the Omakase days, cross your fingers and toes that there's a slot later in the day. Otherwise, you'll probably be looking to reserve a spot at least a month down the line.Both Ken and Kaori make incredible food and are wonderful people :). I hope other places in CU can follow suit. If y'all are reading this, thank you both for what you do!!
The best nigiri and sashimi you will find in Champaign! Ken and Kaori are incredibly kind and added to the already positive atmosphere. Will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mackerel, Toro Unagi, Miso Soup, Roll, Salmon Roe, Salmon Nigiri, Albacore, Sushi, Sashimi Appetizer
Probably the best meal I’ve had in the five years I’ve lived in Champaign. Incredible food, even better service.