30 Best Japanese Restaurants near Lake Forest

“Best sushi. Better than your fancy Chicago spot. It’s the only restaurant we frequent regularly. They have something for everyone including non sushi lovers.“

“I love reviewing and eating Japanese food, and being from Japan, I find it very difficult to come across truly authentic Japanese cuisine. Most American Japanese restaurants barely scratch the surface of what Japanese food really is.

This place not only captured the atmosphere of a real Japanese restaurant, but the food itself was genuinely close to what you’d find in Japan. I had the pleasure of ordering the Zaru Soba Tempura, and I honestly haven’t had authentic tempura in a long time. I’m happy to say it exceeded my expectations, the food was outstanding.

What made the experience even better was that the waiter spoke to us in Japanese, which really showed the restaurant’s respect for the culture and added to the authenticity.

Japanese authenticity rating (if this restaurant were in Japan): 7.8/10
American-Japanese restaurant rating: 8.9/10

Overall, this place is amazing and absolutely worth visiting.“

“I stop at Hayashi’s for lunch on a Saturday. Only one table was occupied, so I got a seat right away. The menu offered a wide selection of items to choose from.
I ordered two of the special rolls and a green tea, and they arrived at the table promptly. The rolls were good but not outstanding.
I went to the women's bathroom and found it needed some cleaning, although it was spacious.
Hayashi has very good service, a special menu, and is well-decorated. They just need to make their rolls extraordinary.“

“Insanely delicious and fresh sushi.“

“Food was out of this world. Super super delicious! Food came out extremely quickly. We ordered filet mignon and golden shrimp combo with fried rice and the chicken teriyaki entree. California roll was tender and fresh. Fried rice was cooked perfection as well. Perfectly balanced overall. Excellent service. I really appreciate the attention to filling waters /drinks when necessary. Atmosphere was friendly and so is the staff.“

“One of the best sushi spots in the suburbs 😍“

“Everything was excellent!!!“

“Sushi cravings, this is the place to savor good sushi and rolls. The ambiance is excellent, with plenty of space, a very artistic atmosphere, and outstanding table service. Highly recommended. Walk-ins are welcome, but for large parties, reservations are required.“

“I beg my partner to take me here as a treat. Best sushi place to dine in, at Waukegan. I love it here 😭. They have so many different options, and the food is always delicious, the presentation is always there too. The service is always friendly and quick. Things can add up pretty quickly, but I’ll definitely keep coming back for the sushi! The Foxy Roll is my new favorite. I wish they had more desert options though. It’s never hard to find parking but the roads to the parking lot could use repairs.“

“From the moment we walked in, we felt so welcomed. Mason, our server, greeted us with such great energy and immediately walked us through the menu and the specials of the day. While we were still deciding what to order, he surprised us with a complimentary appetizer, which was such a thoughtful touch!

The bluefin toro we ordered was absolutely stunning — beautifully presented, incredibly delicate, and most importantly, delicious. My family also tried the Baby Shark Maki, Salmon Obsession Maki, and the Sushi & Maki Bento Box. Every dish was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. It truly felt like a perfect dinner from start to finish.

Just when we thought the experience couldn’t get any better, Mason asked about our meal while we were paying and then surprised us with a complimentary plate of Super White tuna as a welcome gift for first-time guests! He even took the time to explain how it was prepared — super professional and clearly passionate about what he does.

Fantastic food, outstanding service, and such a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Huge thanks to Mason and the Starfish Sushi team — we’ll definitely be back! 🍣✨“

“I cannot say enough good things about Koya. I was so happy to find this restaurant. Everything we ordered, tempura, tempura udon soup, kids bento boxes, and sushi was incredibly good. Can't wait to go back!

Kid-friendliness: The bento box options for the kids were great! My 2 and 5 year olds loved it.“

“Love this place. Very fresh sushi!“

“A Big Shout Out to Happi Sushi in Highland Park. We were lucky enough to try a number of their apps and rolls. Every single thing we got was SO delicious 😋. Their sushi was fresh, tasty, and so yummy. The apps are unique and full of flavor. We just love this family owned restaurant. The staff goes above and beyond for each patron. Please try Happi Sushi, Friends. You will not be disappointed!!“

“The drinks are great and food does not disappoint. We celebrated Valentine’s Day today with good service and a gorgeous atmosphere. Love this spot for work happy hours, a special night out or dinner with the family.“

“Always great entertainment and food!!!“

“Love it!!!, the food and service was amazing. Would go for it again. 10/10!“

“Great place to hangout and good sushi“

“Food was absolutely delicious!! Highly recommend!!“

“What a great experiences! The food was amazing! The family enjoyed themselves in the beautiful restaurant and wonderful staffs! Definitely reminded my daughters of grandma's cooking! 🫰“

“Very kind gentleman who offered a sample of teriyaki chicken… That what got me to get food here lol. He was quick and piled as much food as humanly possible into the box. They definitely make sure you have enough for lunch AND dinner (if you can’t finish it all in one sitting). Good price for the amount of food you get, definitely recommend.“

“delicioso! 100% recomendado“

“I ordered food for takeout. The app was easy to use. My food was ready at the time I requested. I was greeted when I arrived and my food was hot. I really enjoy the chicken bowl and chicken potstickers. It appears they have vegetarian options available for those who prefer that. I also feel they have a good rewards program.“

“awesome sushi place it was yummy“

“Really good place! I was expecting generic Chinese but I was pleasantly surprised. I asked the owner if the egg foo young was made with real eggs, or eggs from a carton. He was kind of shocked at the notion he would use eggs from a carton and assured me it was made with fresh eggs and freshly-made vegetables, like he would not be caught dead doing it any other way. That gave me a good feeling about the place - he clearly had pride in what he does. We had a vegetarian and a celiac in the party and he was very understanding and respectful of their needs. We are picky eaters but were all very happy with our meals, which were really good. Big portions too!“

“The best tasting thai food i have had in a long time. It is a little gem I will be returning to again. I had the shumai and they were light and delicate, the pad thai was well balanced with the sweet and sour notes from the tamarind even with it being ordered extra spicy, the heat was there but tge flavor of the dish still shined through.“

“great place to eat, very good service and very large portions. loved it here“

“Fuji Thai is the best restaurant in the area! I worked here for 4 years when I was younger and Ive been back as a customer every time I’m in town for the past 5 years. I can say from first hand experience, everything is clean and sanitary. The staff was always great to work with. For a first job, I couldn’t have asked for more. And Mona and her family (owners) are amazing! The food is incredible. Almost everything on the menu is made fresh and from scratch. Favorites: Tom kha soup Panang curry Double shrimp lover“

“Stopped by on Wednesday 02/06! And was greeted and attended by Mercedes. She was SUPER kind and attentive with my order! Very grateful she took my needs seriously since I fast on Wednesday's/Friday's & can only eat vegan. She went above & beyond to make sure my needs were meet! & as I was waiting I noticed how clean the area is. & once I got my order it came out so fresh; plan on visiting again! & thank you for the great experience!“

“My wife and I totally enjoyed their food. We were a bit surprised to see that the AYCE went up to $28.99. We will go back.“

“Just enjoyed an amazing meal! The sushi was so so good and the service couldn’t have been better. Don’t skip this restaurant if you’re in the mood for sushi!“