I have had nothing but the best of times here. I am surprised it has taken me this long to write this wonderful review for the wonderful team here. It starts with the service, Michelle and her family do a phenomenal job in making sure they try to accommodate anyone and everyone and their preferences. They offer so much good advice on what to order based on what your likes and dislikes are. The ambience inside is subtle and has a nice dimmed lighting with greenery/plants galore. They have indoor and outdoor seating as well as boots that stretch into the back of the restaurant. It's a very nice date spot or family spot because they do have picnic tables outside as well. Now for the food, the quality of ingredients here is beyond exceptional. They use fresh ingredients and you can tell immediately. The fish is fresh and the combinations for the specialty rolls are out of this world. The rice is nice and soft and doesn't feel old like most places. The quality the fish is very fresh and does not smell. They have come up with great specialty role selections and pairings and even do customer specific rolls. They end each meal with a serving of mango, which is very unique and lovely to end your meal with as a pallet cleanser. This place is a hidden gem tucked away on the busy street of Randolph within West Loop. I need to say this more than once the food and quality of service here is beyond exceptional and everyone needs to make it out here to give them a shot. They also have a happy hour lunch that is worth checking out, which has Bento boxes. Love everything about this place and will definitely be coming back here for years to come read more

Tanoshii West Loop - Custom Spicy Tuna with avocado/chili oil crunch - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I popped in for dinner. Was going to try omakase but it was pretty quiet so i decided to grab a couple snacks instead. The miso was good, a bit salty. The ginger house salad was delicious! Zesty and flavorful! This was the highlight of my visit. The squid nigiri was good. I would have preferred it not be torched but it was still good. I added the ponzu sashimi appetizer because the sauces sounded delectable. It wasnt quite as loaded with flavor and texture as Id hoped but it was still good. I would have loved a stronger essence of the accents of chili oil and sesame oils. My server Kaylie was a sweetheart, very warm and attentive. It was nice that they offer happy hour specials. read more

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This place is amazing. Low-key, delivery is great. Very fresh. A great. Easy place to hit up. Sit outside if you can. Awesome set up. read more

I don't even know where to start--every single dish we tried was absolutely incredible! I'm not kidding when I say this is my favorite sushi restaurant ever, and that's a bold statement coming from me. We went all in with the full omakase experience, and it was phenomenal: * Scallops * Fish and Chips (trust me, this is an experience!) * Bluefin Tuna served with radish and avocado -- pro tip: make sure each bite includes both for the perfect flavor balance. * 8 pieces of sashimi * Salmon and avocado rolls And then there were the off-menu items--do yourself a favor and ask for these: * "The Pepper" * Fatty Tuna Roll Desserts: black sesame, and red bean. For drinks, we loved the Red Panda and Insult to Injury--both were fantastic. A huge shoutout to Michelle, our server. She was wonderful--attentive, knowledgeable, and gave great tips on how to enjoy each dish as it came out. The restaurant itself is beautiful: cozy yet upscale, elegant without feeling stuffy. We will absolutely be back--again and again! read more

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The specialty roll is an absolute must-try! One of the best parts is letting the chef surprise you-just tell them what you like or don't like, and they'll create something delicious and unique every time. Everything tasted fresh and well-balanced, and you can tell a lot of care goes into the food. The miso soup and edamame are also a perfect combo to start with and pair really well with the rolls. Great experience overall and definitely a spot worth coming back to. read more

Tanoshii West Loop - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Tanoshii Sushi in West Loop is easily one of my favorite sushi spots in Chicago! If you're craving high-quality, fresh, and creative sushi, this is the place to be. The Chef's Special is what makes Tanoshii extra special--you never know exactly what you're getting, but it's always amazing. You just tell the chef what you like (and don't like), and they work their magic. Every time, it's something fresh, flavorful, and beautifully put together. We also tried the Greentea Apple Mocktail, but honestly, I wasn't a fan--the flavors just didn't mix the way I hoped. That said, their happy hour is solid, so there are plenty of other drinks and bites to enjoy at a great price. Pro tip: Make a reservation! This place fills up fast, especially during peak hours, so don't risk the wait. The service is always great, and the cozy, welcoming vibe makes it perfect for a fun night out. read more

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Came on a whim for restaurant week and was very impressed by the food! The sushi was fresh, the starters were unique and flavorful and the katsu was top tier. Definitely check out the lunch menu if you can - great deals and you'll leave very full. read more

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I was there yesterday rice was cold fish wasn't fresh so disappointed. My stomach still not feel good read more

This place was so good. My boyfriend and I did the Valentine's Day special and it was so delicious. The flavors in each course were so well-balanced, and we had some unique courses. Standouts were the truffle tuna, all of our specialty rolls but especially the salmon, and the AMAZING uni. Fish was very fresh, but we wish there were 8 pieces per roll instead of 6. Service was good, some courses came out at the same time but it was very busy. read more

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Service was really good, dinner was well paced. The vibe is chill but could be romantic and larger than I thought. Dinner was good! Really unique and creative dishes. The hamachi just missed a little, didn't taste as fresh as the other pieces of fish. That aside, really solid dinner and HH had $12 sake so that was a win! read more

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Great food, service, and the workers are very personable. Service is efficient and there are a variety of options for both standard sushi lovers and those with dietary restrictions (vegan/vegetarian). Ambiance is solid too, read more

Bit disappointed by the experience. The pros: the fish was fresh and the rolls are creative. There are apps that are best described as sushi fusion that are quite unique and tasty. The cons: service was overwhelmed the night we visited, a little surprising for a Thursday so it took a long time and the order wasn't completely correct. Neither quality or quantity lined up with the price for me. Either one and I'd have bumped up to 4 stars. read more

Tanoshii West Loop - Special roll - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Checked this off the list during RW for dinner and it was just ok. I think for the amount of food, it was a steal for RW but I think there are better places for fresh sushi in the city. Service was slow and somewhat abrupt, which is surprising for second week of RW service since I assumed they would have ironed out issues by then. We got to try everything on the RW menu which was fun: - scallops - it's one piece but was tasty - fish and chips - one piece and had nice chopped spicy tuna - nigiri flights - definitely recommend upgrading to the Otoro for $3 which is a steal. So buttery and decisions - special rolls - disclaimer that these had a lot of interesting flavor profiles and not necessarily up my alley - hamachi by far and way the best tasting and cleaning taste profile - maguro - good flavor but the chili aioli overpowered - sake - truffle honey masked everything else - escolar - I usually love escolar but we didn't even finish this roll bc there was such an odd flavor in it. I think it was the chive sauce and wouldn't order again Overall, glad we got to try it but I think there are better sushi places in the city read more

Tanoshii West Loop - Maguro, Hamachi, escolar, Sake - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Amazing rolls!! Service was wonderful! Definitely would return and restaurant week menu was very solid read more

My friend really liked Tanoshii when she came by, so I was very excited to join come try this place out with her last Sunday night. She was a big fan of their creative 'omakase' rolls, where you indicate some preferences (what type of fish, overall flavour profile, etc.) and the chefs make a unique (and presumably customised) roll - roughly 9-10 pieces. We started with an agedashi tofu. It was just so-so - nicely crispy but a bit bland on the inside. We had a Chicago roll (with tuna and salmon) and a spicy tuna roll, too. Both were very delicious. The fish was fresh and high quality, and it really felt like each bite had a careful pairing of rice and seaweed to fish. We also ordered three of the 'omakase' rolls - one with salmon, one with hamachi, and one with soft shell crab. The salmon one was really delicious, with a fun chilli-crisp-esque sauce on top and a lightly sweet/tangy sauce around. The hamachi one had more of a kick, and was extremely tasty as well. The soft shell crab was probably my favourite of the three - extremely generous helpings of delicious juicy crab meat paired with a wonderful light ponzu-like sauce. Overall, a really wonderful meal. I love how creative all the custom rolls were, and every bite was really such a pleasure to eat. I would love to come back again and see whatever new and unique combinations the chefs can prepare for different fish. Definitely would recommend this restaurant! read more

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Possibly because we came here for restaurant week, but the service was painfully slow. The meal took over 2 hours but it wasn't the good kind. Pacing was off, and there was a lot of just waiting around. The food was good, there was variety in the flavors and some unique takes in there that were interesting and usually delicious. The restaurant week option wasn't particularly worth it -- coming at any other time would probably be better from a service perspective as they wouldn't be overwhelmed. I enjoyed the seating options. They weren't too close together and even the tables for 2 were quite large. Overall a fan. read more

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Had an amazing impromptu lunch after finding this spot in Andersonville after a WGN TV spot myself and my fellow cast mate just finished. I believe they had opened just 15 minutes before we came in, so we were the first guests in the space. Everyone was very friendly, professional and the sushi was amazing. We were grateful our waitress helped us with opening our drinks as we were struggling lol. Definitely recommend!! read more

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First visit to Tanoshiii for Chicago Restaurant week, drawn by the attractive and generous menu, dinner offering 5 selections for $60. The restaurant ambience was great, casual and well lit, spacious enough for families and couples to enjoy comfortably. Our server Dave was wonderful and gave us a pro tip to consider ordering the Omakase which is essentially the restaurant week menu with a few upscale items added to our liking (Otoro and Uni) for an extra $10). Chef preparations were delicious, nigiri was perfect & special rolls were very creative. Some of the best sushi we have eaten! It was a busy Saturday night but service was friendly and great. We will definitely come here again! read more

Was looking for a place that was open on Christmas and found Tanoshii had reservations. We decided to do the omakase, which the waiter prefaced it being non traditional. It was a great experience and the food was spectacular. The fish was fresh, and the flavors were complex and well balanced. Definitely recommend! read more

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Oh, I'm so excited to share my thoughts on Tanoshii Sushi on Randolph Street! This place is a hidden gem for sushi lovers. The first thing that struck me was the freshness of their ingredients. You can really taste the difference when the fish is so incredibly fresh. Now, let's talk about the Uni Toro and Salmon with Foie Gras. These dishes are simply divine! The Uni Toro, which is sea urchin and fatty tuna, is a melt-in-your-mouth delight. The combination of the rich, buttery flavor of the toro with the delicate and creamy uni is a match made in sushi heaven. And the Salmon with Foie Gras is a true indulgence. The velvety texture of the foie gras complements the buttery salmon perfectly. It's a unique and decadent twist on traditional sushi that will leave you craving for more. But it's not just about the Uni Toro and Salmon with Foie Gras. Tanoshii Sushi offers a wide variety of sushi rolls and sashimi options, all made with the same attention to detail and quality. The presentation of each dish is exquisite, and the flavors are well-balanced and delicious. The ambiance at Tanoshii Sushi is cozy and inviting, making it a great place to enjoy a meal with friends or a special someone. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, always ready to help you navigate the menu and make recommendations. Overall, Tanoshii Sushi on Randolph Street is a must-visit for sushi enthusiasts. The fresh ingredients, creative dishes like the Uni Toro and Salmon with Foie Gras, and the warm atmosphere make it a memorable dining experience. Trust me, you won't be disappointed! FYI It is restaurant week so they are busyyyy but worth it! read more

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As far as good sushi restaurants in Chicago go, Tanoshii hits the mark. The lauded honey truffle sauce is good and unique. Never had it until I came here. It was a pervasive addition to 3-4 plates; I sure got the point. The rest of my omakase was good just not very good. Some nigiri were meager cuts of fish-- the cuts so small I thought they were amuse bouchés. The last two dishes were specialty rolls, not typical omakase fare, prolly designed to fill us up. I've never been served sushi rolls during an omakase in LA or Japan. Finally, was a bit worried when some fish were served warm, another plate, ice cold. Fish was sliced at the wrong angle and irregular thickness. It's clear from my meal here that the sushi chef(s) who prepared my omakase was not a (or trained by a) Japan trained chef. I wish we would get this point in America--you can't serve sushi unless you are trained properly. Customers pay good money for sushi and we deserve great sushi. While many think Taneoshii is a great sushi restaurant, it has quite a ways to go. An untrained sushi chef poses too many health risks for the customer. The chef I had here clearly is not trained properly. Service was excellent however. Probably not coming back until I see a sign that their sushi chefs were/are trained properly--by a Japan trained chef. End of Yelp. read more

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I am quite picky with my sushi but this place meets all my expectations, they gave me a memorable experience. I am so happy to have received a chance to try it here, the fish is so fresh, the chef Clifford really took the time to make everything so perfect and the waited David knew his sushi, he told us what to eat first, second, third... to give us the best culinary adventure. Thank you again Tanoshii for an amazing time. I will come back for sure! read more

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We ordered some edamame while looking over the menu, then realized with a cost/benefit analysis that our best bet was to do the Omakase, where the chef prepares the meal based on preferences, availability, taste, and seasonality of the ingredients they have on hand. Base price $60 per person for appetizer, nigiri, and a special roll. -The appetizer turned out to be a scallop (not a fan of scallops but was perfectly fine) and one of the fish and chips. -The nigiri and sashimi were very fresh and delicious. We had upgraded to tuna belly ($11 per slice) and it was perfectly buttery. -The Special Rolls (4 different ones since there were 4 of us at the table) were all just fine. Nothing that stood out as being a must have. Overall, we paid for fish quality and the experience. While it was fun, I probably won't be returning for the Omakase or a la carte because I was hoping for something that stood out to me as a Tanoshii-star plate. However, a great place for a date night! The ambiance was welcoming and calm. read more

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Love the chefs choice concept menu option. You can tell the server your preferences and dietary restrictions and the chef makes you a special roll. Mine was very yummy with salmon, crab, gojung sauce and avocado. My friends got some veggie rolls which they said were delicious too. They have outdoor seating.. a little loud by the street but couldn't resist being outside on a beautiful night. They have some good happy hour specials too that were advertised right by the front door on a sign. read more

If you're looking for an Omakase style sushi dinner, this is a good place. They have a selection of chef style rolls (half roll for each person) that goes for $60 to start, and you can add to it if you want more. Their rolls are chef selected (after getting your preferences) and served to you one by one. The rolls are creative, beautiful and definitely different. You won't get your typical California roll here, although they do have that option for you. The service is great, and if you want to add to your meal, you can. The rolls are fresh and is a cool take on sushi, your taste if's are definitely elevated. To try Omakase, come here, enjoy the service, and the ambiance. read more

Tanoshii West Loop - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I think that Tanoshii is a great staple type of sushi place. We came here on a Saturday night & it wasn't super packed, but we did make a reservation. I would recommend making one because they do seem to get busier as time goes on. The selection is broad, but not so broad that you get overwhelmed. To me, the menu covered all of the basics, with some wild/fun choices. The server recommended the omakase rolls, where the chef gets free range (based on a few of your likes) on what you eat - I would love to come back here and try that. We ordered enough sushi to feed a small army and I was honestly surprised at how reasonable the bill was. Especially in this area, I know prices can get out of hand, but they don't price gauge here. Overall, the atmosphere of the restaurant was super pleasant - honestly a little quiet at times, but it was a relaxing dinner for sure. read more

Excellent sushi and service. We had a tasting experience and just told them what we didn't like (eel in our case). Plate after plate came out and everyone was fresh, delicious, and prepared with care. Wish I live closer. read more

The restaurant was located right on the edge of west loop near freeway entrance. The place is classy and enclosed. We ordered a special roll, chu toro nigiri, chicago roll, spider roll and unagi roll. Everything tasted fresh besides the spider roll. The soft shell crab didn't taste fresh and had an over fried taste. The highlight of the night was the special roll and chutoro. The special roll had many different flavors to it from the mushrooms to the fish and the truffle oil they used. Chu toro was fresh and melted in our mouths. The rolls itself were really small and tasted fresh but there wasn't anything surprising to it. I would recommend ordering their special rolls. read more

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No equal. It's been a while since I left a review, but I found a sushi place here in Chicago that is now the place to beat. Most of my reviews are on sushi places, but this one is officially at the top of the list. Their menu is minimal, but the appetizers are stunning. They serve Ozeki sake which has a bit of a wood smoke to it; absolutely delightful! I usually check my defaults like the rolls, but there is a Shishito peppers app and a bluefin. Tuna that is a very unique presentation with avocado and is amazing. ... and they have mochi ice cream!! read more

This is slowly becoming my favorite sushi spot as the 2 times I have been I had a great time in reference to food and service. Both times I had the pleasure of having Choeun P as my waiter and he's a really good guy with great charisma. I sat inside once in the front near the window and more recently, I sat outside while it was still warm outside. I have eaten the Seaweed salad, Chicago Roll, Hamachi Yellowtail sashimi, Fresh Salmon nigiri and spicy tuna roll and theywere all delicious. When you come here you have to get the Mike's Special rolls as he makes rolls that are not on the menu that are amazing. As the menu states, they have exciting flavor combinations. I dont even recall what was in them but they were delicious and some of the best rolls I had and most included tuna. I'll post a couple pics for yall lol! Definitely a great date spot in West Loop right at the start of the famous restaurant row. Do yourself a favor and check this awesome spot for the sushi. read more

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Overall I enjoyed my meal at Tanoshii. I'd say 3.49 stars. Had expectations not been so high considering the pictures and reviews, I may've enjoyed more. As others have mentioned the prices are on the higher end, but not too crazy. We allowed the waiter to order for us. ..a few items off menu and a few of their signature items. Everything was fresh, but not as flavorful as I'd hoped. Very nice plating. Service was serviceable. .. I'd go back if in the immediate area, but this wouldn't be a top choice for sushi. read more

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I recently moved to the neighborhood and have walked by this place multiple times and finally decided to give it a try and it did not disappoint! We sat at the bar and had a lovely bartender/server. She was very knowledgeable about the menu and drinks and gave some great recommendations! We decided to get the edamame, ponzu sashimi, seaweed salad, omikase special role, and the softshell crab roll. Everything was very fresh and prices were reasonable! They also had creative drinks that all had syrups made in house! We will definitely be back. read more

Came for restaurant week, they had a great deal. The food was amazing but service was backed up so dishes were slow to come out in the beginning. Server was extremely apologetic and the delicious food made up for it. The sushi was extremely fresh and the chefs did a great job with adding different flavors but still allowing the fresh taste to be a part of the profile. read more

Tanoshii West Loop - Sushi - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Best sushi experience I have had. Chef understands how to curate expertly balanced dishes that get increasingly tasty as the omakase menu progresses. Service by Cayley was attentive, professional, and warming. The ambiance was neutral, nothing special. read more

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Great service and sushi! We wandered over here and were quickly seated without a reservation. My hibiscus was light and flavorful, and a bit strong. The Alaskan roll was fresh and light! I enjoyed how each individual ingredient was highlighted in the roll. The salmon nigiri was fresh and tender, although there was too much rice underneath to my liking. The Chicago roll was well balanced between the tuna and salmon inside. The avocado provided a creamy binding element to the whole roll. Service was quick and attentive! I appreciate how fast they were to seat us, take our order, and return our check. Overall, I look forward to returning and trying their omakase course. read more

Tanoshii West Loop - Alaskan Roll, Chicago roll, edamame - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

If you're scouring the city for a great dining experience devoid of the usual West Loop pretentiousness, look no further than this hidden gem sushi restaurant! The food is nothing short of spectacular, with each dish boasting fresh ingredients and delicious flavors. But what truly sets this place apart is the service; attentive, friendly, and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure your experience is perfect. Highly recommended 10/10. I'll get a picture of that. read more

Tanoshii West Loop - Omakase roll - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We sat at the sushi bar with our son, and the sushi chef was amazing! He was very interactive and passionate about his craft. We have been going here for many years and happy to see that they are still coming up with new plates. We'll be back again soon! read more

Everything is fantastic here from the tasty "shareables" to the house cold sake to the ramen bowls. Service rocks and the vibe is cool. We started with a Okonomiyaki Waffle--YUM! and the Oyster Mushroom plate along with some Kimchi. Lovely! We then ordered two bowls: a pork ramen and a chicken ramen. The chicken ramen broth was spicy just the way I like it! My eyeballs were sweating...in a good way! Plentiful bowl filled with braised chicken, kimchi, onsen egg, scallion, microgreens, crispy onion, green oil. Their house cold sake is the perfect companion to all the flavors. Go there now. read more

I recently dined at Tanoshii in the West Loop during Restaurant Week. Despite knowing this would be a busy time, I went anyways; and as expected the service was a bit slower than usual, but it didn't dampen my experience. The sashimi was absolutely delicious, with the freshest fish I've ever tasted! I highly recommend getting the uni toro hand roll read more

Tanoshii West Loop - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Went for restaurant week. Food was good and so was the waiter. However, terrible management overall bc kitchen and staff could not keep up with the number of customers. We had reservations for 8:15 and didn't get out until well past 11, which ruined our after dinner ticketed plans. My party ordered the omakase, and with a bite or two every 20-30 minutes, it took waaay too long and somehow we still ended up slight hungry. Our digestive systems should not be faster than service. If this was all because of RW, they really did themselves a disservice. I would've have shortlisted this as a place to go for the food but wouldn't ever again because of the experience with the service. read more