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    Kai Sushi

    4.2 (61 reviews)
    ModerateSushi Bars
    Open 12:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Order Kai Sushi Takeout or Delivery

    Kai Sushi Photos

    Business Info

    KAI SUSHI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Intimate
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Kai Sushi

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    Athena B.

    My go to spot for take out! Takes less than 10min, I rarely ever have to wait once I've arrived!

    Green turtle and spicy tuna. Great!
    Rosie V.

    Great spot for byob sushi. Came on a Friday night with 2 friends and had a good time. It was pretty empty in the dining room (most people were sittinf outside), but the server was just lovely and wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed a spicy tuna roll and green turtle. I really appreciate that they do not charge a corking fee for the wine we brought. Would come back.

    Sushi Platter Chicago Fire Roll
    Anna T.

    I got the sushi platter and the Chicago roll to go. Very quick service!! Overall this was eh. I would not recommend to a big sushi lover. The salad was fine, it would have been nice with iceberg lettuce. The nigiri was okay, the fish quality was not the best. The Chicago roll was the best part but didn't blow me away

    Kentucky Hot Brown sandwich and Mac n Cheese
    Jeff N.

    There are no words! I had the Kentucky hot sandwich and the mac & cheese. I am one step closer to Heaven.

    Ordered the scallop special, salmon avocado, shrimp tempura, dynamite and tuna avocado roll. Not the best quality sushi I've ever had but you can't beat the price at around $10-$16 per roll. The scallop special was the best one and I would order it again.

    2 Rolls Lunch special ($15)
    Miss A.

    I cannot in good conscience recommend this place to any true Yelper, mostly because of unfriendly waitstaff. The food was fine, just nothing wow about it. Maybe take out would be a more pleasant option. I walked in during lunch hour last week, the entire staff was sitting at the sushi bar eating and there were no customers. The host welcomes me as she gets up from eating, mouth still chewing and walks me to a table. I point out that it's dirty with bits of rice still present. She walks me to another table, this one is clearly not bussed from whomever ate here earlier with soy sauce streaks, and now I'm feeling like Goldilocks!! I point to a table that at least has a window view and requested she wipe it down. Oh the look of scorn in her eyes said it all! I should have left then but I was craving sushi and tried to give the benefit of the doubt. Although I have never been to Kai before, I did take mental note when I was out with friends and we passed it, one of them said it was a great lunch spot. I digress... I immediately noticed the menu was soiled but asked for the lunch specials. She flips the menu over pointing to the options on the menu. I tell her I need a minute. Almost 10-minutes pass. I end up walking up towards the sushi bar and the whole staff turns to look at me - AWKWARD!! I announce I was ready to order and the same girl says "ok what you want?" "I'll take the sushi roll lunch special" I say. One guy jumps up from the sushi bar and walks around to the kitchen. A few minutes pass then miso soup and water are brought to me. The girl said "excuse me, what sushi you want?" I say again "I'll take the sushi roll lunch special." Now this girl says "you no tell me what sushi, I no make nothing" yeah this really happened. In hindsight I should have just left but I pointed to which rolls I wanted and she wrote them down on her notepad and shuffled away. I truly hope it was a lack of communication, clearly English isn't her first language, but still the whole dynamic was rude! I picked a tempura crab roll and a spicy yellowtail roll, each 8 pieces. They arrived together on a platter ($15). Not completely filling but an adequate portion for a midweek lunch. The girl never checked on me or asked if I needed anything else. I walked up to the counter to pay my bill and for the first time in a very long time I did not feel a tip was justified. Without even so much as a thank you from any of the staff for my business I left. Kinda makes me wonder how they stay in business treating customers this way.

    Sashimi Appetizer
    Wendy H.

    It's a pretty good neighborhood sushi spot. Our favorite roll is the Hamachi Special Roll. For the price, the food isn't bad. I think the sashimi was pretty large. And I like that they prepare an orange for you at the end. Service is barebones but it's a small shop and the workers are friendly. The otoro was still a little frosty when we got it but I think they give generous fish slices for their sashimi so the value is there.

    Adrienne N.

    I'm picky about my sushi and have to say this was really good!!! It seems small but it's a great small neighborhood spot. Would highly recommend their scallop special roll. All the rolls were perfectly cut and everything tasted fresh. The service and staff were fast and friendly. I'd come back!

    I really wanted to like Kai Sushi, but it was a disappointment. The miso soup had a very strange taste -- not the comforting flavor you expect. The sushi itself was just okay, nothing memorable, and definitely not worth coming back for. With so many other sushi spots in the area that are fresher and better, I won't be returning here.

    spicy crab salmon mango Spicy Tuna Roll
    Eric C.

    it's perfect down the street from our house. mango salmon roll was well made and the service was fast. we sat on the outdoor patio it was clean. nice to people watch. they have coke products & mochi ice cream

    Janet R.

    Just moved into the building and I'm loving this place! Have had the super crunchy roll, ocean roll and cucumber salad, can't wait to try it all!

    Victoria W.

    I've been to their state street location multiple times and was happily surprised to see that they had also opened up a location in river North! I ordered my favorite, the ocean roll, and it was just as delicious as it usually is from their state street location. The staff was attentive and kind. The only feedback that I would give is that the day that I dined here, for some reason there was several fruit flies that kept hanging over our table, which was distracting and detracted a little bit from the meal.

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    1 year ago

    Avoid this place --flies were everywhere, even on the sushi and swarming inside tables! Didn't eat 80% of meal and restaurant did nothing.

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    1 year ago

    Great delivery, superb quality! Chicago Fire roll, West Town roll, and Spicy Hamachi roll are all on point!

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    SUSHI-SAN - Truffle Shiitake Maki

    SUSHI-SAN

    4.3(1.3k reviews)
    0.6 miNear North Side
    $$$

    The express lunch deal is so good! You get to choose 3 items from a nice list of options for $21!…read moreIt's really nice if you want to try multiple things or are indecisive. I got the salmon bowl, the salmon avocado maki, and tuna crispy rice. The salmon bowl was definitely my favorite. The salmon was cooked very nicely so that it wasn't dry, and I loved the miso glaze that they put on top. It added a very nice sweetness to the salmon and created a very nice char. It was pretty small portion size though. The salmon avocado maki was solid too. It was the most filling! You get 5 pieces :) The tuna crispy rice was just alright. The rice part was good, but there was a bit too much mayo in the tuna. The miso soup that came complimentary with it was good too! I like how generous they were with the seaweed. Such a nice vibe inside! It's definitely a nicer spot, but still casual enough for lunch. I wanna come back for dinner! Service was quick and server was kind.

    genuinely one of the worst service experiences i've had in chicago…read more my friends and i were seeing each other for the first time in almost a year, so we came in excited and talkative. somehow, this was interpreted as us being excessively intoxicated. we weren't. the alcohol itself was NEVER the issue. restaurants should refuse service when someone is visibly intoxicated. the issue was an assumption about our table becoming a game of telephone among the staff. there appeared to be a staff or shift change, and whatever concern existed about our supposed "intoxication" was passed along rather than independently assessed. we were told we needed to get "food in us" before ordering drinks. we ate, asked again, and ultimately had to ask at least THREE times before being served. even then, our server made a pointed comment about how we finally had "food in us." i've eaten at sushi-san before and ordered drinks before food without ANY issue, so the contrast was jarring. then, when my friend finally received her drink, she was specifically told, "it wasn't you." if it wasn't her, who exactly at our table had been designated the problem, and based on what? apparently there was plenty of communication ABOUT us, just none WITH us. meanwhile, patrons who appeared FAR more intoxicated continued to be served normally. i also experienced an explicitly racist interaction with another patron in the bathroom who appeared considerably more intoxicated than anyone at our table. obviously sushi-san cannot control another customer's behavior, but the contrast was hard to ignore. they eventually brought us a sake bomb to make amends, but it was delivered with such visible reluctance that the gesture felt almost insulting. by that point, we ordered considerably less than planned because we wanted to leave. if someone is genuinely too intoxicated to serve, address them directly and respectfully. don't pass assumptions between employees, make a table repeatedly ask for drinks after meeting your "food in us" requirement, and tell one person "it wasn't you" while leaving everyone else to wonder who had been singled out. we came in excited to see each other after almost a year apart and left early because of the service. for a restaurant at this price point, the way this was handled was embarrassingly unprofessional.

    Photos
    SUSHI-SAN - Interior

    Interior

    SUSHI-SAN - Togarashi Chicken Nuggets

    Togarashi Chicken Nuggets

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    Sushi Plus Rotary Sushi Bar

    Sushi Plus Rotary Sushi Bar

    4.3(558 reviews)
    2.8 miChinatown
    $$

    Rotary Sushi! Yes! Was so excited to go and treat Hubby for a pre-birthday lunch date after a day…read moreat the Japanese Botanical Garden:) The restaurant is nice and clean. The service was awesome, friendly and welcoming. We did plates off the belt and it was a good experience for us! Looking forward to going back again!

    What to Get/Not to Get/Do: All the food is great. What my complaint would be the poor customer…read moreservice, unfortunately Customer Service: Worst possible experience. I have recently got a gift card at Printer's Row location for my birthday. It clearly is for all their locations. Unfortunately, here at Chinatown's location, when they attempted to scan the card, the staff said it does not work and only works at the Printer's Row location. I ended up calling the Printer's Row location and had the team talk to the manager at the Chinatown location, and the manager at the Chinatown location kept their stance that it does not work, stating Printer's Row location does not know why the gift card does not work at the Chinatown location, and will not make any exceptions to accepting the gift card. Thankfully at the Printer's Row location, they are stating it's due to their system being new as they are a new location, and reason why the gift card is not working at all the locations yet which they are now working on to fix so it does not happen to any other customer moving forward. I just wish the Chinatown location showed some compassion to address the issue and still accommodate the inconvenience instead of us having to go back to the Printer's Row location to use the gift card Price: Approximately $20, not including tip for 2 people. There are lunch specials! Ambience: Indoor Seating Overall: Worst experience, especially to follow up my birthday celebration

    Photos
    Sushi Plus Rotary Sushi Bar
    Sushi Plus Rotary Sushi Bar - May no longer be on the menu

    May no longer be on the menu

    Sushi Plus Rotary Sushi Bar - May no longer be on the menu

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    May no longer be on the menu

    Miru

    Miru

    4.3(336 reviews)
    1.3 miThe Loop
    $$$

    This place is expensive but the views and service make up for it…read more We each got to order our favorite drinks. Mine was a highball which really tasted like Tokyo, I was taken back on the first sip. We ordered the little gems, miso cod, edamame, duck yakisoba, hamachi sashimi, and chicken kaarage. Everything was good, and we didn't leave hungry so that's the good thing. I think you can go up there to get a drink and enjoy the views just the same, we went outside briefly for pix but recommend eating inside due to the windy conditions.

    Ambiance is really the entire concept here. The right seat at Breakfast and you see a glorious…read moresunrise in the Fall. Always a view to the Lake and The Chicago River. The best wait staff in the City of Chicago. I recommend the Tokyo Breakfast and a glass of Dom Perignon for starters. For those more interested in a traditional Midwestern breakfast they have plenty of eggs and always perfectly prepared to your liking. The best seating for cocktails is actually their rooftop lounge that is literally on top of the Chicago River and again looking at Lake Michigan and Navy Pier. It is so Chicago I expect Abe Frohman might just be sitting next to me at dinner. Next time you need a day off work to play bookie, begin or end your day at Miru or in a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder. Make sure Sloane Peterson buckles up and Bon Apettit !

    Photos
    Miru - Inside

    Inside

    Miru - Tempura Rock Shrimp

    Tempura Rock Shrimp

    Miru - Cherry Blossom G&T

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    Jinsei Motto

    Jinsei Motto

    4.6(150 reviews)
    0.6 miWest Loop, Near West Side

    Came here for the lunch omakase, which features dry-aged fish. Overall, the fish was fresh and…read morewell-prepared--nothing particularly mind-blowing, but definitely good quality, especially for a more affordable omakase option. My only critique is the pacing. Since the chef already had the fish sliced and prepped, I expected a smoother flow, but the meal took about an hour and a half for 14 pieces of sushi. It felt a bit slow, especially for a lunch service. That said, if you're looking for a reasonably priced omakase with quality fish, this is a solid choice.

    Went for restaurant week with friends. Got there early after work and was able to hit the happy…read morehour which is a decent deal. Got the snow maiden sake and the spicy scallop hand roll. Both were great. Our bartenders were lovely and very friendly. Found out this is a Malort tasting room and we were able to sample some different Malorts (the cocoa one was good!). Then we were taken back to our table for dinner. Our server was super friendly as well. Started with the miso soup and crispy tuna bites which were probably my favorite dishes. The taki yoki fritters weren't bad either. We saw people getting omakase, so we ordered a yummy looking piece they were receiving. It was just okay (chutoro truffle). The nigiri was also okay. The tuna piece was the only I really loved. The fish quality wasn't as high as I was expecting. The sushi was decent. A little too much truffle in the spicy blue fin tuna and a little too vegetable forward in the hamachi serrano. All in all, the atmosphere and amazing service pushed this up to a 4 for me.

    Photos
    Jinsei Motto - Madai

    Madai

    Jinsei Motto - O toro

    O toro

    Jinsei Motto - Akami

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    Akami

    Sushi by Bou- Fulton Market Chicago @ Emily Hotel

    Sushi by Bou- Fulton Market Chicago @ Emily Hotel

    4.5(133 reviews)
    0.6 miFulton Market, West Loop, Near West Side

    This was an amazing experience, I cannot wait to attend one of their limited seatings when I get…read moreback to Manhattan. 12 course omakase tasting menu and they played old school hiphop and rap from the 80s and 90s all night! My personal fav. Grafitti all over the walls and plush velvet furnishings. 1. Yellowtail 2. bluefin tuna 3. Salmon roe 4. Albacore tuna 5. Chopped toro 6. Scallops 7. Miso cod 8. Fluke 19. Uni 10. Otoro 11. Wagyu with uni 12. Tuna Hand Roll Sushi by BOU Fulton Market was perfectly intimate sexy and cool. The fish was fresh and delicious, and the chefs are so fast, and knowledgable! I love sitting at sushi counters and getting to see them work, I love the stimulation. Service was outstanding the chefs made wonderful reccomendations including their secret menu item ' The BIG MAC' Ambiance was killer and its a small space with limited seatings every night. Perfect for a sexy date night experience and great for talking !!

    This rating is SOLELY on how I perceive the dollar value of the experience. There's too many…read moreamazing omakase options in this city to where this one I'm still left a little hungry, a little wanting for more unique flavors rather than just nigiri, and a little more broke!! I've been here 2-3 times and each time it's just because I've gotten such a strong omakase craving and my other go-to spots are full for the night but this one just doesn't do it for me. There's other less expensive, more innovative omakase places in Chicago, I promise Upside: Chefs are absolute gems. The vibes are chic, cool and intimate, so my boyfriend and I have gone as a date spot. We got the upgraded "bougie" package and a few additional rolls cause again, basic menu doesn't hit the spot. Taken a friend there before too also opting for "bougie" because we wanted more rolls, but we split some dumplings on the way home if you catch my drift lol. For a slimmer 5'4" gal (my friend being literally a 4'10" gal) with a pretty decent appetite but nothing crazy, that shouldn't be happening consistently!

    Photos
    Sushi by Bou- Fulton Market Chicago @ Emily Hotel - The Big Mac

    The Big Mac

    Sushi by Bou- Fulton Market Chicago @ Emily Hotel
    Sushi by Bou- Fulton Market Chicago @ Emily Hotel - Ikura - Salmon Roe

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