“Many years ago we visited Koyasan in Japan and it was a village that was the center of Shingon Buddhism with 117 temples scattered around a cedar forest. We stayed overnight in one of the monasteries and dined on shojin ryori meals, made without meat, fish or animal products (and without onions or garlic). What does this have to do with Koya, the Japanese restaurant in Highland Park? Nothing, I'm afraid--the restaurant's name simply evokes memories of a very meaningful travel experience and I found myself reminiscing. This visit my Saba sashimi was cut a little thicker and did not seem to have the usual marinade. The Rainbow roll was ok but bland. The wait staff was a little argumentative when my companion checked if he was given the Dynamite roll. It was spicy but kind of meagre. We usually love dining here although this visit did not seem up to the usual standard. They do provide free miso soup if you want and complimentary mochi ice cream and Couque D'asse cookies. Though this visit was not our usual, we do love the food generally and will be back.“
“My family and I love to go to Happy sushi and it’s my absolute favorite restaurant. Our favorite rolls to get are the carnival roll and the crispy rice. Absolutely amazing service and the food is out of this world. Would highly recommend stoping by and checking out Happy sushi if you have the chance!!“
“This was my first time here and the food was overall good I think the all you can eat is definitely worth it. The staff was very friendly, knowledgeable, helpful and attentive. It was very loud the day I went the were tables put together for a big party that had kids at it and it was really annoying and not very enjoyable to be there with all the noise. Food: chicken karaage was my least favorite I wasn't a fan of the batter and the texture/flavor was not what I expected. I really enjoyed my sushi rolls and the ramen was good for the most part it was basic and I added some additives (fish cakes (upcharge to add), corn and bean sprouts)“
“I read and read reviews and most of them comment about how it's not the most appealing looking restaurant on the outside, but once you walk inside-it changes the atmosphere. It's cute little quaint restaurant. The food is incredible, and the presentation is beautiful as well. Very well done. We ordered the veggie tempera (delicious), as well as the YAYA, Five Star, Windy City and Philadelphia Roll with fresh salmon, it was delicious. Will definitely come back..“
“I was hesitant to start writing, since I wanted to keep the place all to myself! But this would not be fair, so here goes my review. First, consider my vocabulary of superlatives to be already exhausted by previous reviewers. Second, these are the facts: we ate there twice in one week: we had a dinner and then immediately scheduled an omakase. Both time it was a life-changing experience. I kid you not! The sushi dinner was probably the best I ever had this side of the Pacific and this deep inland. In a 'regular' sushi place all sushis taste, well, like the defrosted raw fish with soy sauce. Not chef's Jino's! Each piece was different, complex, and exciting. The omakase performance was on par with a multi-Michelin-star restaurant I've ever been to with the difference being the absence of the usual hits or misses - hits only, be it a souffle, or sashimi, or filet. The host and waiter Danny was helpful and knowledgeable. And the place itself was pretty close to my ideal of a modern upscale restaurant - sleek, contemporary, and yet cosy. To the detriment of my convenience, I can only wish the place to have a month-long waiting list soon enough!“
“Would highly recommend Kuro bistro for the playful menu, house-made sauces, fresh ingredients, great service, and relaxed ambience. We had hibachi scallops, sushi pizza on crispy rice, several rolls, and hibachi shrimp. We also ordered a side of the amazing spicy fermented daikon pickes and gomae. The kyuuri roll would be a perfect lunch choice too. Everything was very good and service was excellent. Lots more to explore on the menu, will be returning many times.“
“Don't be fooled by the appearance! Behind the modest dining area with 3 tables and a narrow counter is hiding an amazing Japanese chef who is not only brilliant in delivering the highest quality of sushi and sashimi, cooking delightful hot dishes but also pays close attention to the presentation of his creations. My sashimi selection was delightful and miso soup very tasty. The nice nod to the classic Japanese cuisine was a delicious assortment of Japanese pickles. My husband loved the incredible dressing of the house salad, the right consistency of the egg rolls, and the freshness of the shrimp tempura roll. He was particularly fond of the rich flavor of his gyoza. Kelly made us feel very welcome at her restaurant. We cannot wait to be back at this hidden gem! Bravo, Akira-San! Save our table“
“It was my first time here and wow, it was so good! I need to try the other dishes, but the Beef Yakiniku Donburi was so delicious!!! The dish has butter corn and beef in a garlic bbq sauce. I also ordered the Plain Bob Ramen with Torino broth, which taste the same from Torino Restaurant. The place is small but there's one large table. It's a great place for take out as their containers are perfect. Can't wait to try this place again!“
“I can't believe I never tried Torino until now! We live walking distance and I placed an order for pickup. Wow, the freshness and quality of the food was fantastic. Loved my tuna avocado roll! The space is warm and inviting and it looks like a nice bar, too. Will definitely be back to dine in!“
“First time here last week and last night (2/23/2024), we came back and dined with friends. There were 9 of us in the group. Food was delish! We had diff types of sushi, ramen, gyoza, edamame, and Taiyaki with vanilla ice cream for dessert. All were delish and brought to our table quickly. The place was clean and staff were efficient. We sat on the part of the restaurant where you sit on the floor while you eat. We enjoyed the authentic Japanese dining set-up. They have various Japanese beer and wine, and dessert options as well. Prices are slightly higher than other Japanese restaurants nearby (Ari Sushi in Des Plaines & Sushi Nikko in Arlington Heights) but we can deal with it because of the efficient service. I think this becoming one of our fave sushi places.“
“The food delicious , sushi was very tasty . The desserts were pretty good . My family and I enjoyed the atmosphere here as well as the delicious sushi rolls . We got spicy salmon, spider roll ,caterpillar ,kamikaze ,chili mango . All very delicious .“
“Mt family and I recurrently visit Dotombori for the excellence of the food and service. The inside is nice and warm, giving a peaceful environment for a nice dinner. They always have amazing options, high quality food, and are consistent! Seriously a must try.“
“Typically I give this place all 5 stars but had to only give 4 stars for the service. The place was busy as usual, but one meal did not come until 20 mins after everyone else was done eating. They kept saying another 5 mins. Don't get me wrong the sushi is great and I will be coming back, but it would have nice if they offered us a discount or a free dessert.“
“I recently dined at this delightful Japanese/Thai fusion restaurant, and it was a flavor-packed experience. The Spicy Creamy Tom Yum Noodle broth was rich, tangy, and had just the right amount of heat. The egg noodles were perfectly cooked, and the fragrant aromatics—garlic, chilies, and kaffir lime leaves—elevated the dish. And fav dish was Yakiniku don. The savory-sweet yakiniku sauce tied everything together. It was comfort food at its finest. The Beef Tongue was our adventurous choice. Thinly sliced and grilled, it had a unique texture—tender but slightly chewy. The marinade was flavorful, and the hotstone grill made it even more enjoyable (10/10 for this dish!!)“
“Ordered takeout from Nobori for an outing. Nothing fancy, just California Rolls, spicy tuna, and shrimp tempura rolls. All were excellent. Very tasty and fresh. I ordered during a busy dinner time and they still were ready very quick. I will be back to try the harder to make items.... Five stars.“
“I stumbled into this gem of a restaurant by accident and has been a patron 1-2 times a month. I have brought friends and visitors and they all loved the food, service, and ambiance. Everything that I have tried is delicious and you will not regret dining in this restaurant.“
“Food was delicious and they had so many choices. Our server was nice. Some of our food didn't even come out until the rest of us were almost done but we went during lunch so maybe they didn't have the staff that day. Would live to go again soon.“
“I came here for a pick up order. Had the steak bowl and chicken bowl. The bowls were very tasty. I particular the steak which I really enjoyed. The steak had a grilled taste and was marinated perfectly. The bowls came with a cup of miso soup which was not watered down like many other places. I initially felt bad ordered 10 minutes before closing but the young lady working behind the register and owner were very nice and welcoming. The interior of the restaurant had a Chipolti fell to it but much brighter and less sterile. For a quick lunch or dinner, this is a great spot centrally located in Wilmette downtown. I will definitely be coming back.“
“We absolutely the food, service, and vibe at Jimoto and have been here a number of times. Last night we went with friends (& fellow sushi-lovers) who experienced Jimoto for the first time. They also loved it and swore to return soon. We went for the "Happy Hour" and were happy we did. We ate our weight in sushi rolls and cucumber salad. It was a very nice, delicious, and moderately-priced dinner, even with six glasses of wine and a beer. We will be back soon; Happy Hour or not.“
“We haven’t been in the restaurant yet, but of the couple of times we’ve ordered food through GrubHub- the food has been some of our favorite in the area. It’s one of the few times we’ve really felt like care was put into making the food. We will keep ordering!“
“Jin is my absolute FAVORITE place to grab lunch. It is truly a hidden gem. The crab ragoon is the best I have ever had. Its my favorite thing!!! Although, everything I have tried is amazing. The serving sizes are so generous and the food is so fresh and clean, not greasy. Its the BEST! You have to give it a try!“
“Manooben is a gem of a Japanese spot, with its cozy house-like ambiance and welcoming atmosphere. I indulged in their scrumptious udon, which was delightfully light and not too overpowering, along with their crispy tempura. The experience was made even better by the kind and attentive service from the lady who took care of me. Highly recommend this place for a solo dining experience that feels like home.“
“This is a small locally owned Japanese restaurant. The food is always great and well-prepared. I have tried many things on the menu and it is always delicious. The bubble tea is also especially good. The employees are always very courteous and care about maintaining a positive atmosphere. The sushi and sashimi dishes are also very reasonably priced and high quality. Highly recommend this place!“
“I have driven by this restaurant for 3 years and finally tried it. I wish I would have stopped sooner. A gem of a restaurant, with amazing food and great service. I am a sucker for breakfast so when I saw that they serve it until 230, I had to try. The Alaska Benedict was TO DIE FOR!! The Wasabi hollandaise was such a surprisingly delightful taste. The cucumbers and lemon added a flavor and crunch that I never knew I needed in my benedict. It also came with potatoes and brussel sprouts that blew me away. Seriously, you have to try it. I also ordered a Philly roll and it was the best I've had. The smoked salmon on the Benedict and the roll was so good. The breakfast menu looks fantastic, along with the regular menu. I absolutely will be returning, I need to make up for lost time!“
“Blufish is a hit in our house, the go-to for sushi. What stands out? The fish-to-rice ratio—it’s just perfect, ensuring every bite is packed with fresh, delicious fish. We’re big fans of their nigiri and usually pick a roll or two to complete the meal. A must-try is the house salad with extra ginger sauce, big enough to share and a real standout. For two people, ordering nigiri, a roll, and the salad, the cost comes around thirty-five dollars per person, without drinks. This place is a gem for sushi lovers.“
“Anytime we're back visiting this is THE sushi spot. They have incredible staff and servers and you can also sit outside which is nicely heated when it's chilly out. We order the fire dragon roll, carnival, volcano roll and the fiesta roll. Their dessert is also insane.. they have a chocolate melting cake that's hard not to order after our meal. You have to try Kansaku if you haven't already!“
“I am not local, this is a regular go-to place for a friend, so when I visit with her, she wants to bring me. I had a Chinese Eggplant with chicken dish, flavorful and spicy. Also had some nigiri sushi, all very good. The Black Tobiko was plentiful and fresh. The Tamago and Inari, which are types of sushi that are deceptively simple seeming but really show a chef's knowledge and artistry, were excellent. I'm sure I will go again.“
“Stopped in here due to the many positive reviews and it didn't disappoint! The place looks so much bigger inside than it seems from the exterior as it's located in a mini strip mall. Our server was quick and attentive. The food was fresh. It was our first time trying a hand roll and I was impressed! Will definitely come back here in the future.“
“Awesome place! One of the best sushi restaurant in northshore. I’m so happy I found this place. Food - especially sushi and sashimi are fresh and delicious.Staffs are friendly and nice, too. Highly recommended!!분위기도 좋고 음식도 맛있습니다.“