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Name: Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill
Address: 1751 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL, 60622
Telephone: (312) 666-4100
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.26

Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill

1751 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL, 60622

(312) 666-4100
Store is closed

Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill Menu

Starter

Edamame

Miso Soup

Gyoza

Cucumber Salad

Curry Puff

Soft Shell Crab

Avocado Mango Salad

Tempura

Sweet Potato Tempura

Tuna Poke

Seaweed Salad
Bowls

Pad Thai

Pad See Ewe

Spicy Drunken Noodles

Udon Noodle Soup
Robata Grill

Chicken Wing

Chicken Satay

Pork Shoulder

Beef Short Rib

Asparagus Bacon

Tuna Miso

Salmon

Shitake Mushroom

Asparagus

Bacon Scallop

Tofu

Nasu

Shishito

Zucchini

Cauliflower

Eryngii
Sushi A La Carte

Ebi

Hamachi

Ikura

Inari

Maguro

Masago

Scallop

Sake

Smoked Salmon

Super White Tuna

Tako

Tamako

Tobiko

Unagi
Special Rolls

Asparagus

Andre 3500

Alaska

Black Sea

Boston Crunchy

California

Cantaloupe Island

Chicago Spring

Dragon

Green Harbor

Guru

A Hundred Years Of Solitude

Motown Effect

Mayo Out

My Favorite Midwest Roll

Sweet Peta

Philly

Pier 99

Pot River

Over The Rainbow

Shrimp Tempura

South Beach

Monster Spider

Very Spicy Tuna

Spicy Scallop

Whats My Name

Unagi

Sweet Potato Tempura
Box

Tempura

Chicken Teriyaki

Salmon Teriyaki

Steak Teriyaki

Healthy Meal suggestions for Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill

Starter

Edamame [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Miso Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gyoza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cucumber Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Curry Puff [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soft Shell Crab [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Avocado Mango Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tempura [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Potato Tempura [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Poke [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seaweed Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Bowls

Pad Thai [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pad See Ewe [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Drunken Noodles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Udon Noodle Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Robata Grill

Chicken Wing [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Satay [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Shoulder [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Short Rib [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Asparagus Bacon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Miso [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shitake Mushroom [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Asparagus [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bacon Scallop [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tofu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Nasu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shishito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Zucchini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cauliflower [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eryngii [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sushi A La Carte

Ebi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hamachi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ikura [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Inari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maguro [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Masago [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Scallop [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Super White Tuna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tako [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tamako [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tobiko [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Unagi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Special Rolls

Asparagus [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Andre 3500 [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Alaska [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Black Sea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Boston Crunchy [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

California [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cantaloupe Island [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicago Spring [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dragon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Green Harbor [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Guru [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

A Hundred Years Of Solitude [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Motown Effect [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mayo Out [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

My Favorite Midwest Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Peta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Philly [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pier 99 [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pot River [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Over The Rainbow [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Tempura [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

South Beach [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Monster Spider [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Very Spicy Tuna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Scallop [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Whats My Name [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Unagi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Potato Tempura [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Box

Tempura [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Teriyaki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon Teriyaki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steak Teriyaki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Beth G.

Oh, Yuzu. Your food is inventive and relatively good, and BYOB is always nice. And yet ... your atmosphere is crowded and your service is lacking. After our last go-round, my bf and I decided we will not be back. There are too many good sushi spots in the neighborhood (my favorite of which remains Gari) to keep trying a place that doesn't live up to the competition. He ordered food from the robata grill, while I got two sushi rolls. He received all of his grilled items and I was still waiting for my rolls. I encouraged him to go ahead without me, since his food was hot. He *finished* eating all of his items before I had even one roll. We reminded the waitress, and she gasped and scurried away. Five minutes later, I got ONE of my two tolls. Having finished that, we asked her to simply cancel the order of my second one. It was an awkward dining experience to say the least, and while I appreciate the challenges of a dinner crowd and a slammed kitchen, things should have been staggered better. Even carry out is sometimes a challenge, as it is SO crowded that there is little-to-no waiting area at the door when you are checking out. As I said, there are too many other great sushi spots in the neighborhood to keep trying this one. But if you'd like to give it a whirl, I recommend making reservations, and trying the My Favorite Midwest roll an the mango salad.
(3)
Peter g.

I have only just recently started to like sushi, and I never expected to. It is given a well known stereo type of just raw fish. But let me say that they make quite a long list of interesting possibilities. While they offer lots of things your non fish friends would sample, I am getting a little braver and the spice here got a lot higher. I tried the Boston Crunchy, wow that had bite, the FIRE was very tasty with lots of flavor but no fire, which was OK with me ( I stayed away from the siracha on the side so that helped). We also had I'm so Drunk and a few other names I don't quite remember but wow they had lots of heat in some and lots of flavor in others. When you add some lightly cooked elements and mix the hell out of the roll ingredients like these guys do, you get quite an uncommon experience, worth trying even if this is not your main thing. Atmosphere needs a little help, get ready for a tight fit. (FYI BYOB)
(4)
Samantha G.

This has become my go-to place for sushi/robata when I am at work or anywhere in this neighborhood. The food is always amazing and the prices are reasonable. All of the chicken robata items are fantastic, and the pork shoulder is really good. Asparagus with bacon is tasty, but sometimes the asparagus is really thick and not grilled enough to be tender. Miso isn't the best I've ever had, but it has plenty of tofu in it. My favorite appetizer is the baked mushrooms. YUM. You need to order these...in fast, just go ahead and get two orders because they take a while to cook and you will want more! I love everything about this place except how small and narrow it is, so you really need reservations or order it to go. Even their water is delicious -- it's served with lemon and cucumber slices. We always end up ordering a ton of different things to share and have only been disappointed in a few things. Skip the desserts; they aren't that great. Street parking (paid) is plentiful in the area and shouldn't be a problem. BYOB. If you like your sake hot, they will heat it for you as well, but it takes a little while.
(5)
Andrew D.

Places like Yuzu are the heart and soul of the Ukrainian Village foodie scene. Not only is their sushi delicious, fresh, and innovatively created, but their robata selection is among the best in Chicago. Being BYOB does not hurt, either. Obviously there is a rhyme and reason to the usual 45 minute to 2-hour wait associated with coming here. It is best to come early in the evening, or you will surely be waiting. Or make a reservation... I have eaten here with my family, on a date, and with a group of friends, and each time it was simply stupendous! Couple the delicious food with an awesome ambience and atmosphere (awesome artwork on the walls), and you have one the finest gems of Japanese dining in all of Chicago.
(5)
Minh D.

Very nice place for robata grill and tuna poke. The poke here tastes almost like the poke you get in Hawaii, except the poke at this restaurant is not as spicy. I prefer the poke a bit more spicy. Both the pork and beef robata grills are very tasty. Between the two, I like the pork robata more. The nigiri sushi is and maki rolls are pretty standard, not outstanding. Fish slices on the nigiri may look much at first, however upon close inspection I find it's the cut they use that make the nigri looks like it has more fish. Instead of the typical more rectangular cut for the fish, the fish is sliced and presented in elongated/pointy shape which appears to look like you are getting a lot of fish. IMO they should slice the fish a bit thicker and use the shorter more stubby cut, which IMO also makes the nigiri tastes better. The Midwest maki roll is very tasty and also has a very nice texture. Tastes and quality of our other maki rolls are pretty standard. Desert is very nicely presented, quality and taste is pretty standard. Presentation is 5*, however I rate my review based on quality, taste and value. Price is a bit on the expensive for the small and very tightly packed restaurant with little service.
(3)
Brandon M.

This place is fantastic, they have a regular menu as well as a changing menu with specials that are creative and all that I have tried were delicious. The lemon/cucumber water they serve you is AMAZING! The regular menu items are good and they have a decent range of fresh sushi as well as grill items which are also really good. I would definitely recommend this place if you really like sushi but have friends or, God Forbid, a significant other that doesn't. This is a quaint little spot which is perfect for a semi-intimate date (it is quite loud due to the small space) or a small gathering of friends. We went with another couple and it was quiet enough for us to have an intimate conversation without shouting and loud enough so that we wouldn't be overheard. I like the feel of the place as well, it's small and a little cramped but they manage to make enough room so you're not bumping into each other. I like a sushi restaurant where I can get fresh fish. I don't buy too much into sushi in roll form, though I do partake on occasion. This place had really fresh fish with no complaints from me, namely no 'fishy' smell. I eat a lot of fresh fish in a lot of places and I'm happy with the quality here. Overall I'd say 5 stars!
(5)
Valreyrib ..

Sushi rocks!! Fresh fish, creative maki with balanced flavors, awesome staff. However, place is uncomfortably small, espesh if you come on a weekend when everyone is trying to check out this very talked about place. Be prepared to wait 30 minutes, while hovering over peoples' tables (kinda awkward). My husband and I waited in our car and watched Netlfix lol- no bars really worth walking to (that I was aware of at least). 4 stars because of how tiny it was and I came on a busy weekend. BUT 5 stars for delivery! Service rocks. I wish I remembered our servers name to give him a shout out- so adorable, attentive, funny, nice. My husband and I sat at the sushi bar, which was cool because I like watching them make stuff, and I like looking at good fresh fish which was in our face. You can honestly order anything. But do order the octopous, yum!, South beach roll and add cilantro. They roll their rolls tight and use a good amount of rice (I hate a lot of rice on my maki rolls, blah).
(4)
Gina H.

I am sort of disappointed in my Yelpers for once. Number 1 Sushi in Chicago when you search?? You all need to get out more. Nothing was "phenomenal" about this place. Zero. I tried really hard too. Parking, great, sat right away without a res on a Monday, great, nicer than pie staff, great, cozy and BYOB great, and cheap, our bill was rather small for once. Other than that, a big meh. Bathroom is GROSS. They have a shared unisex bathroom and I was horrified to think the kitchen was using it. That was the only really gross thing. Clean up those walls folks. yuck. Glad it was after I ate that I used the restroom. As for the food... Was trying to get out of my typical sushi places and wanted to try something new. We had a few of the robato grill it was tasty but anyone with a grill can get meat on a skewer right. We had the specialty roll for the day and another big roll on the menu BOTH that the waitress recommended. Both were very bland and were very unremarkable. They were not bad (fish was fresh tasting) but it was like eating white rice. I'm not saying douse it in spicy mayo or wasabi but at least add something that has a flavor punch. It would also have been nice if the waitress refilled our water at some point as well. Again, not a BAD place but for heaven's sake we are in Chicago, and this is not even close to the best place. I am not going to mention my favorite but it was rated here in the top ten...and much much better.
(2)
Justin B.

Although I have really enjoyed sushi at a number of places in Chicago (Tank in Lincoln Square, Ora in Andersonville, Kamehachi in Old Town, Seadog Sushi in Noble Square), Yuzu might be the best when you factor prices for the amount of sushi you get and its proximity to my house! We tried a bunch of things: "very" spicy tuna rolls, shrimp tempura rolls, gyoza, veggie/shrimp tempura, sweet potato tempura, and 3-4 other rolls that I'm just not remembering because they weren't on my plate first. But all of it was great; as other reviewers mention, this stuff tasted really fresh and the maki were big...hell, the tempura appetizer plate is almost enough on its own, especially if you get the sweet potatoes. We took this out so I can't comment on the atmosphere/dine-in experience, but when 500+ reviewers average a 4.5-star, you know the place is solid!
(5)
Alyssa C.

This is definitely a gem in the city. I recommend every sushi lover to venture out here! When we initially walked by, we immediately missed the restaurant. Right as we entered the establishment, there was no room to move. Every seat in this restaurant was taken, and for good reason! My tip to everyone is make a reservation. It will be your saving grace for the hungry on a Friday night! We finally got a seat within 10 minutes and the menu had a huge array of sushi. I had the Motown effect which was absolutely delicious. It was a fried roll with cream cheese, salmon, eel, fish roe, and scallions. This roll took my taste buds to heaven and back. The only small detail I was upset about was that the roll was not as aesthetically pleasing as what the pictures from yelp somewhat leads you to believe. However the taste made up for any misconceptions! I also got the tuna poke. The tuna poke, although was a small dish, it really packs a punch of great flavor. It was beautifully decorated with avocado and seasoned very well with a good amount of spice. I thought there was a tad too much of sesame oil but it was still great nonetheless! This is the sushi place to go in the city!!! If you are ever in this part of time, take the time to come here and try a roll!
(5)
Mamatha C.

AMAZING sushi that also comes with some really impressive art, all at a very affordable price! Came here with my friend on a Tuesday night and the place was packed, luckily managed to get a table without waiting but I'd suggest getting a reservation. Ordered edamame and a beef short rib for appetizers, both were super yummy. For our sushi rolls we got the pot river and over the rainbow, both were delicious and came with the cutest designs made out of sauces! The ambiance of the place is definitely targeted toward younger folk (low lighting and loud top 40 party music playing) so might not be a place to take your parents. Overall though it was awesome and is now my favorite sushi place in Chicago.
(5)
Suhyun K.

It's a very small restaurant but it's definitely worth the money and time! I have gone here couple of times, and the staff never failed to please me with their assistance. The whole time, I can tell that the staff really cares about their customers and their needs. We got a nigiri platter and couple rolls and they were all fantastic. The nigiri, unlike other places, the fish is really big and the rice is small so you can definitely taste the depth and freshness of the fish. The price is a little on the pricier side, but I'd definitely recommend this place to my friends and go again.
(5)
Mercy F.

I've been here many times for lunch as I used to work 1 block away and once for dinner. It's a whole new place for dinner where reservations are even made! Some sushi expert was there for dinner and we were very impressed with his food art. It's alway been delicious and the staff is so friendly and kind! I will go again!
(5)
Cindy H.

Every piece of sushi and sashimi tasted fresh and the portions were perfect. The perfect bite, sushi is neither dry nor doused in too much sauce. When I went on a Friday night the place was packed and literally felt like I was entering a bar/lounge since people were lined up by the entrance. Luckily, I made a reservation and make sure you do too (made it at 2PM that day and the only time they had left was 9PM which was perfect). The crowd glared at my boyfriend and I as we cut the line and were immediately seated. The other reason it felt like a bar/lounge besides the crowd was the hip hop music playing loudly. This adds to the understated glamour of the place. It is a very cool vibe and people seem to really get dressed and look hip. There are a couple of high tops but my boyfriend and I were seated at the small tables which are so close together I was glad I took fellow yelpers advice and left my purse in my car. Overall we had a great time. Go for the cool atmosphere, BYOB and impressive sushi.
(5)
Melissa N.

So yummy! The breaking bad is amazing not as spicy as I wanted, but still amazing. The service is good they are pretty attentive. The vibe is pretty chill, worth the uber ride!
(5)
McKenzie S.

Eh. Not the greatest sushi I've ever eaten. The caviar or ikura or whatever those fish eggs are called were way too plentiful on the outside of the rolls. Also, not the best service I've ever received. I asked the waitress what her recommendations were, and her only response was, "I don't know what you like." That was definitely not helpful and it kind of made me want to throw my glass of water at her. But I'm dramatic. I would pass it by if given the opportunity.
(3)
Tiffany T.

The restaurant is really small and usually packed so even with a reservation expect a wait. A 45 minute wait turned into well over an hour on Friday night. However, the sushi is amazing and inexpensive so you get your money's worth if you decide to wait. On a bad note, I had the breaking bad sushi role last night and it still had the shell on the shrimp. I have ordered this role many times before and have never encountered this problem. When I requested a new role they said they couldn't exchange it because the menu says "soft shell shrimp". I felt after waiting an hour the least they could have done was remake the roll without the shell. I am not sure if I will go back after this but if I do I will make sure not to order this role again.
(3)
Lily L.

I think this place just did me a big favor. They made the best sushi for my "chicken" friend that didn't what to try anything but tacos. The "Born to chill" roll had no hint of fishy smell. However, the complaint of rushing is not a myth, the attentiveness of staff makes people feel rush, plus this place is like a peanut side.
(5)
Eric H.

Yuzu is my new favorite sushi spot in Chicago. The menu is always full of creatively named and crafted specialty rolls, great appetizers, and an delicious selection of robata grill items that I like to add on to my orders for a little taste of something I may have a craving for. The staff is always helpful, kind, and accommodating. For instance, one time that I went, a roll took longer than expected to come out (about 10 min after the rest of the meal), so our waitress gave it to us for free. The late roll was the most expensive roll of the meal, so it brought our total for two people with appetizers and rolls to about $60 (a total steal for the quality). Most importantly however, the sushi is just amazing. Everything is so well balanced and made to taste and look perfect. Plus there are unique items on this menu that you just can't get as good anywhere else that I've found. Pro tip: get the Mango Avocado appetizer. The balance of spicy Ponzu, creamy avocado, and sweet mango is unreal. Highly recommend.
(5)
Laura F.

LOVE the bento box lunch deal. Love eating sushi at lunch. Perfect mid-day pick me up. I'm down for sushi anytime but especially randomly on a weekday afternoon when you've been sitting at your desk all day muttering expletives about your boss. Love the cups and cutlery and plates. Love how heavy the chairs are. Cute interior. The only bad thing is that on the Maki bento box, it comes with one spicy tuna roll and one "chef's choice" roll. They sometimes bring out two spicy rolls which taste very similarly. Its spicy overload. I enjoy it more when they balance the two rolls!
(4)
Scott H.

Solid sushi spot in Chicago and the Robata skewers added another level to the usual standard sushi experience. We ordered a Robata sampler - Korean style ribs, chicken satay, pork shoulder. The chicken satay was ok, but the ribs and pork shoulder were both tender and flavorful, would order them both again. Roll call - Very Spicy Tuna - properly named, a spicier than usual tuna roll. Monster Spider - also properly named, BIG pieces and delicious. Born to Chill - can't recall all that was in this giant roll. It was big, fresh, and hit the spot Definitely recommend Yuzu and plan to visit again.
(4)
Linda L.

Great place to get sushi! Presentation is second to none. Their restaurant is a bit larger now since they moved down the street, but still make sure to call and get a reservation. Definitely recommend the tuna poke. The avocado fan is beautiful and takes a bit of bite off the slight spiciness of the tuna. I had the the Rainbow Roll the last time I went. I was impressed by how thick cut their fish was, and that they used eel and avocado inside the roll (instead of keeping it a California roll, as most places do). Mochi ice cream is house made. Raspberry white chocolate, chocolate coffee, and strawberry were the flavors they had when we went. The raspberry white chocolate was to die for! MMMMM! They even added a sparkler even though it wasn't anyone's birthday, haha.
(5)
Elisa G.

Yuzu has become my favorite sushi Japanese in Chicago! Yes, it is. There are so many reasons. 1) You go there on a Saturday night without reservation and get seated in 5 minutes; 2) Ambience is super cool!! 3) The food is sophisticated, fun and delicious. Although the maki are expensive, you are not going to find so many around that are so well presented and fresh! 4) You can go there also with people that don't eat sushi because they are going to LOVE the robata grill. Try the ribs and let me know... they are a MUST!! 5) Least, but not last, it is BYOB!!! I am going to become a frequent customer. Need to ask them for a membership :-)
(5)
Johnny R.

I've been eating at Yuzu for two years and there's a reason I keep coming back. It is bar none the best sushi for your buck in Chicago. I always leave with a smile on my face, a full belly, and drunk (I guess to be fair, I leave most BYOB places drunk). Whatever you do must start with some grilled stuff on sticks. My favorites are the rib eye, bacon wrapped asparagus, and bacon wrapped scallops. You can find grilled stick stuff at a few other Japanese restaurants in the city but they won't be nearly as good as Yuzu's. Their rolls and few sushi have never disappointed. Massive rolls and beautifully cut fish. My favorite rolls are the Pot River and Black Sea. Service wise, they are usually understaffed compared to their size but I've never felt unattended. They portion out food perfectly and offer buckets of ice for BOYB beverages. I've bought lots of friends here and they have all ended up going back because of how good Yuzu is. I've also brought large parties here and they take reservations. Bring some Japanese whiskey. It's the best thing to blackout with over raw salmon.
(5)
Rachel P.

I was excited to try this place out as one of the best rated sushi places in Chicago, and was a little underwhelmed from the hype. The photos here look gorgeous, the descriptions sound delectable, what arrives to your table is good. Don't get me wrong, I'm not hating on Yuzu or disliked anything I ordered, I guess I was just expecting THE BEST SUSHI EXPERIENCE EVER and had a standard meal. Maybe it was just the rolls we chose that didn't have as cool of a presentation as many other Yelpers seem to have gotten; or the short ribs that came on our Robata sampler that also had a lot of tough, chewy, inedible bits, though the chicken satay was off the hook. Quick service, decently priced sushi, but I personally prefer Seadog Sushi to this restaurant.
(3)
Mallory Z.

I loved this place! The space is actually bigger than I expected but play it safe and make a reservation. I didn't see them on open table but they do take reservations over the phone. I called Sunday afternoon and it was no problem getting a table Sunday night. Our server was great and the service was fast. Started with the tuna poke. So much tuna. It was delicious. It came out very fast and then we were so busy eating we forgot to read the menu to order our entree. We got the born to chill and the boy meets world. Boy meets world was good but not great. I would pass on that one. The born to chill is probably the best roll I've ever had. Absolutely amazing. The prices are steep but they give you so much fish in the rolls. Not somewhere I'll go everyday but it's worth the price and worth the occasional splurge. An app and 2 rolls was enough for 2 people. Only downside for me is location. It's hard to get to from lakeview. I took the Ashland bus there but took a cab home. It looks like there's street parking but it's also byob so bring a bottle and designate a driver.
(5)
Rachel B.

I have eaten at Yuzu twice and ordered takeout probably six or seven times. They really have the best affordable sushi in the Bucktown-Ukrainian Village-Wicker Park area. So many creative rolls! As someone who has to eat gluten free, I love that they don't lean too heavily on tempura to make their signature rolls interesting and tasty. Means that I have a lot more options to choose from! I love that they are BYOB, and they were great about letting me bring in my cocktail-in-a-jar the last time I ate in. My takeout is always ready in less time than projected too. The staff have always been very helpful and pleasant. I am knocking off one star because they have been a little inconsistent lately. In particular, in my last takeout order, the cucumber-avocado roll contained no cucumber, and the avocado was quite underipe. That said, I'm sure I'll be back - Yuzu is so good that I will happily ride out the rockier moments in our relationship!
(4)
Stefanie A.

Some of the best sushi around! Very fresh- never fishy. Their special rolls are seriously artwork (see pics) and they taste just as good as they look. Def recommend this place for quality sushi that's not ridiculously priced. They are FAST too, without feeling rushed. Oh and how can I forget- they play the best music. Think nelly, master p, & other '00s rap stars.
(5)
Mala S.

This place is amazing! Great service and wonderful food. I love the Anime decor on the walls and on the restroom doors. When our food arrived, all that I could do was smile as I appreciated the work of the artist that took their time to draw a colorful fish made of soy sauce and other condiments to go with my sushi. I had the Green Harbor Yuzu Roll which was super delish! I am most definitely coming back.
(5)
Christina C.

This place is amazing! I live right around the corner, so waiting for a table was not an issue for me, but if you don't live here, you might want to call ahead and make a reservation! They'll text you when your table is available. You must try the skewers and the sushi. We had the second sampler for the skewers, which had chicken, pork, and beef. The marinade on the beef was sweet and spicy. They were cooked to perfection, and it melts in your mouth. I ordered the Over the Rainbow roll. The presentation of their sushi is A+. The Instagrammer in me was overjoyed to take pictures of food. (I am not ashamed). The fish was very fresh and they gave generous pieces of fish in the sushi. The roll comes with salmon, tuna, and white tuna. Also, it's BYO! They have limits on what you can bring and varies based on party size.
(5)
Kaitlin G.

Fantastic appetizers, sushi looks amazing, but more importantly the sushi tastes amazing!
(5)
ChingWa C.

First time here and looooove this place. My siblings and I took my parents here for my moms birthday. It's a Monday night and there were 6 of us that arrived at 7pm with no reservation. The wait was a little over 45 mins but it's our fault for not making a reservation. During our wait, we saw that everyone was enjoying their BYOB. The interior design is pretty "rustic"? (Or didn't bother fixing up the ceiling?) and the lights above us didn't turn on? Haha but it's all good. The ambiance was chill and music was good. Perfect for a group of friends. Just be sure to make a reservation if you have a group of 4+. Food was good (I am not a foodie), we ordered their avocado mango salad, fried pork belly salad, and pork Katsu? We ordered 5 rolls ... They all taste the same to me. And the sashimi platter was fresh. In the end, the waitress brought out the complimentary birthday dessert (ice cream mochie WITH SPARKLER) So cute my mom loved it. Service was good too. I would definitely come back!
(5)
Bear D.

Went there for my sons birthday and he we were expecting more. Lots of flys kept landing on me as well as others so that I couldn't pay attention to the food as I was too busy trying to swat them away. Service was good, hence the 3 stars. The food was average but not worth the trip out to the city. This restaurant was highly ranked but I fail to see why. It's a nice neighborhood joint but not above average. We ended up going to another restaurant to try to impress our 11 year old. To be fair, I may have had too high of expectations and the flys bugged me.
(3)
Heather F.

Very cool environment. The staff is super friendly. Their sushi is good! My favorite part is select sushi rolls, they do a painting with all different sauces on the cutting board. I made a reservation on a Thursday for 6:15 and there was no wait. In and out in a half hour. Very good but quick bite to eat. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Jill J.

this place is delightful! friendly service, great atmosphere, and really legit food. fresh and tasty with INCREDIBLE presentation! heads up...the Breaking Bad Roll is crazy spicy lol. love all the skewers too. really love that it's BYOB. this totally cuts down on the bill at the end of the meal!
(4)
Tracey S.

I've been a loyal customer of Yuzu since the first week they opened. My friends actually joke about how often I go there. Unfortunately, I will no longer go back. The food is excellent, but the customer service has simply gone downhill - WAY downhill - over the past several months. From reservation issues, to delivery order issues, to service in the restaurant. I love that they've grown and are so popular, but their service across the board has suffered. I actually spoke with the manager to tell her my experience and it was like I spoke to a blank wall. So disappointing. The two stars is because the food is so good. Otherwise, it would have been one. Chicago is an amazing town with a ton of great restaurants - and many, many great sushi restaurants. Good food simply isn't enough.
(2)
Shahzad A.

This is an awesome place with great sushi that is economically priced. They do a great job with making their food look good. The food is very creatively presented. One complaint I had was that the space was very tight but they recently took care of that problem by expanding.
(5)
Polly S.

Have I been living under a rock? How have I not discovered this place sooner? LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Yuzu! Some would say the BYOB with no corkage fee is it's BEST quality, but I contend that diminishes the true star of the show, The Food! You are missing out if you don't order: tuna poke, age tofu, the South Beach and River Walk rolls. Don't go without a reservation - they are small, popular, and strict on canceling your reservation if you arrive more than 10 minutes late. Dump your dining buddies who you know always show up late. Service was great in my experience, but they run a tight ship and turn over tables quickly. This efficiency might rub some people the wrong way but I understand the reasoning behind it. The rolls are larger than your average bear so one per a person is more than enough if you're also ordering a few starter dishes. We definitely over ordered calculating 3 rolls per a couple. The interior of the restaurant is hip, but not overdone. I like the fact that it's on Chicago Ave. and a little removed from the busy dining hubs. New found LOVE.
(5)
Abhishek M.

Until last weekend, I was certainly going to award Yuzu 5 stars but I guess good things don't last forever. As of this weekend, Yuzu's prices went up 20% or more on most items. They now have a makeshift menu with higher prices listed in a black marker. That said, Yuzu is our new favorite BYO sushi restaurant in Chicago. Also, unless you have a reservation, be prepared to wait for a while on the weekends. The sushi is phenomenal! And I am not just referring to the plethora of rolls they have. The sushi is fresh, have great cuts and generous in size. The miso soup is awesome as are the robata grilled food choices. Ask for the salmon since it wasn't on the new menu. We tried a couple of rolls and they were good but I would go back for the Sushi Gold - 9 pieces of assorted sushi and 1 roll.
(4)
Dan O.

We love trying new places and was recommended Yuzu by a friend who loves sushi. I must say this place does not disappoint. The food is delicious and the presentation is unmatched by any sushi I've been to in Chicago. Can't wait to return.
(5)
Norm J.

Food = 4 stars Service = 2 stars Overall = 3 stars When I made the Valentine's Day reservation at Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill I was told (1) they were offering a special 7 course menu and if I selected to do that option right there on the spot I'd get a 10% discount and (2) that with a 7pm reservation we would need to be out of there by 8:30pm. I was fine with this and confirmed we'd do the menu and be up and outta there at the specified time. Arriving at our reserved time we had to wait 19 minutes to be seated and all I could think about was that 8:30pm deadline. After being seated in a tight space up against the kitchen counter area we waited a good 7-10 minutes before our waitress came to ask if we wanted anything to drink and to explain the menu. Since the place was packed I didn't give her my East Coast attitude like I normally would when the service starts off at a 2 out of 10. After placing the order for the first 4 courses I felt like Ben Affleck in Gone Girl when it came to tracking down our waitress to (a) ask where our food was and (b) place the order for our remaining 3 courses because she just disappeared on us. When our food started coming out it was in such a random order (i.e the 4th course came out before the 1st course). By this time it was about 7:45pm, we only had 2 of our 4 courses and we still needed to order 3 more. By 8pm we'd received our other 2 courses and was finally able to place the ordered for our remaining 3 courses. Thankfully my Valentine was/is awesome so i didn't mind the crazy wait, that much. When course 5 (order of 5 rolls) and 6 (sushi a la carte) came out it was almost 8:20pm so I knew we'd no way/how/chance be up and out by that "deadline" I was given when I made the reservations. I sent a silent I'm sorry to the group of 14-16 people huddled near the door waiting to be seated because I knew two of those people were suppose to be getting seated at my table in 10 minutes. In the end we didn't get outta there until about 9:10pm after finishing course 5,6 and 7 which was the dessert. All and all I think the food was really good, but the wait time to actually get the food was terrible. Also, the service gets two thumbs down! I know it was Valentine's Day and they were packed, BUT poor planning on their part doesn't require kind words from this reviewer. Next time they want to offer a 7 course special they should hire more kitchen and wait staff. Course 1: Warm Up *Miso Soup Course 2: Salad *Avocado Mango Salad Course 3: Starter *Squash Bloom *Wagyu Course 4: Robata *Hustler Lamb *Pork Shoulder *Beef Short Rib *Scallop Wrapped Bacon *Chicken Truffle Sausage *Tofo Robata Course 5: Yuzu Roll *Breaking Bad *Popeyes on Duty *Sin Nombre *Pot River *Born to Chill Course 6: Sushi A La Carte *Gome Ae Nigiri *Tuna Truffle Nigiri *Foie Gras Nigiri *Holy Hotategai Course 7: Dessert *White Chocolate Yuzu
(3)
Hayley Z.

My favorite sushi in Chicago. Everything is amazing but the Tuna Poke is absolutely unbelievable and melts in your mouth. Oh, and the Born to Chill roll. You MUST get this roll. Their service is nothing special but the food more than makes up for it. And they just recently moved to a bigger space so it's a bit easier to get a table on a weekend night. If you're looking for BYOB with average prices and above-average sushi then this is it. Yuzu will change your life.
(5)
Sara T.

Yuzu lives up to the hype. I'm already planning my next visit -- that's how good it is! To start, it's BYOB; music to my wine-enthusiast ears. We ordered the shishito pepper skewers for our app, the miso soup, and the pot river roll and sashimi platter for our entrees. Everything we ordered was grade A. I'm convinced you can't go wrong with anything you order. Whatever you order, there's no doubt it will be fresh, flavorful, and prepared to perfection. Be forewarned that due to its popularity and small dining space, even on a Tuesday night, you can expect a 45 min wait around dinner time.
(5)
Catherine P.

Yuzu used to be my secret spot, but I have a feeling others have discovered this gem as well. Packed to the gills every weekend, Yuzu finally expanded into a sleek, larger spot that still maintains the Yuzu vibe I loved from the former location. 90s hip hop, stemless glassware, and casually clad servers help to create a unique experience. What to order: first things first... The avocado and mango salad is not to be missed. Generous slices of fruit pair nicely with a spicy, creamy dressing topped with crunchy noodles. The grilled octopus and agedashi tofu are stand outs as well. From the robota grill, I always order a few skewers of pork belly and filet. All I can say is wow. Now for the aspect that sets Yuzu apart from the rest... The sushi. Incredibly fresh, thick cuts of salmon and white tuna sashimi always kick off the second portion of my meal here. The rolls are presented with elaborate sauce art alongside robust, larger than normal maki rolls. See photos below for proof. Yuzu is Byob, casual enough to pop in on a Sunday in your yoga pants, but also vibrant enough for a date or birthday dinner. Beware of wait times... So make a reservation! Dinner for two runs about 70$, but you will leave full and satisfied, with a perfect Instagram shot of your dinner.
(5)
Nadi S.

Food is delicious but had to give it only two stars because THERE WERE WORMS IN OUR SOY SAUCE! Sorry Yuzu! Please make sure you're hygiene standards are higher! This is just gross. UPDATE: Thank you to the staff and especially the manager for taking care of us for this incident. Our meal was complimentary and we truly appreciate the service. This is what good customer service is about and we will be coming back. This is STILL my favorite sushi spot, but I can't give it full 5 stars because of what happened. I will update this on my next visit.
(4)
Jamie H.

Fabulous! I typed sushi in Yelp and this wonderful gem popped up. With 4 1/2 stars it sounded perfect. I made a reservation for five on a Tuesday night at 7:00. We got our table no problem; the place stayed consistently busy for the two hours my friends and I were there. The service was very good. The food was wonderful. I tried the Shrimp Tempura roll, Pot River - jumbo was in the description - that was no understatement and the South Beach. All three were so good. A few of the rolls came out on plates with cute decorations made out of sauce. The place is very small and i don't think they take parties bigger than six. Fun atmosphere and delicious food! I will definitely be back!
(5)
Jen B.

My dinner mate and I came to Yuzu for sushi and robata this past Friday night. My dinner mate had read the reviews and made a reservation, and we both arrived early and were seated promptly. The tables have chair and bench seating. Bench seating is attached to a wall, and there are hooks on the walls for your personal belongings. Given how cramped the seating is, this was greatly appreciated. Service is attentive, but it feels rushed. The food is beautifully presented. From the fan-shaped avocado slices that accompany the tuna poke to the rainbow of sauces that frame the rolls, the food is exceptionally well-prepared and presented. Tuna poke is a good bet, with a spicy kick and generous portion size. I'm glad we ordered this even though there is a salmonella outbreak associated with raw tuna at sushi restaurants in 9 states, including IL. I took the risk, and I'm glad I did. I liked the inclusion of cilantro in the River Walk roll. The robata reminded me of Korean BBQ. I preferred the sweetness of the beef short rib over the chicken golek, but if you like a wet dressing to your meat, then the chicken golek may be your best bet. Overall, I enjoyed my meal, but I wish the seating area was larger and the service wasn't as rushed.
(4)
Jessica M.

Yuzu is relatively petite and a reservation is necessary. The tables are neatly and tightly aligned against the wall. There is no room left for coats and bags. Coat hangers can be found in the back but bags will have to sit on the floor or have it uncomfortably rest on your legs throughout the meal. For two, we shared the sashimi gold, grilled lamb, asparagus and bacon, eggplants, pork shoulder, and monster spider roll. The sashimi gold came in a beautifully assorted platter of 12 pieces of raw fish per the chef's selection. It was fresh and generous. Of what I can recall, it came with salmon, tuna, octopus, and yellowtail. The grilled lamb was smothered in a mint leaf sauce. I wished the lamb flavor itself was stronger. The pork shoulder was flavorful but the meat was not tender enough. I enjoyed the eggplants and asparagus skewers the most. The monster spider roll came in five pieces. Judging by the menu description, it probably had the least amount of sauce if that is also what you're looking for. Service was quick and I especially enjoyed how they would take note of when you finish a certain dish before bringing out the rest. There was a good flow of food delivery without feeling rushed.
(3)
Trevor D.

Great restaurant serving some of the best robata and sushi I've ever eaten. They happily took us in even though we didn't have reservation, however I do highly recommend you make a reservation before since they were extremely busy. The ambience inside was definitely catering to a much younger crowd with the rnb and hip hop music playing in the background. As mentioned in the previous reviews the sushi and robata were excellent. The skewers were definitely a must have and compliment to any other item. The sushi was some of the best and freshest I've had in Chicago since they have some very creative roles. Service was excellent however I do have to mention it was at times too dark to see the menu but other than that this place is a must try
(5)
T G.

Hubby and I went there last night for dinner to celebrate our anniversary. Love the BYOB, the skewers were the high light, pork belly, chicken, beef and scallop wrapped bacon were great. The maki was ok, we ordered Boy Meets World and description said it had mango in it but wasn't in the roll, Born to Chill and Spicy scallop. The fish was fresh but the rolls didn't have much flavor based on the descriptions. I miss Tank Sushi on Lincoln that has since closed their maki was creative and outstanding. Here they try to fool you with the fancy art work with the maki presentation.
(3)
Carolyn I.

I went for lunch on the first day at their new location. There were a few problems with service, but I didn't mind since I knew they had just relocated. Food: I was really craving poke and looked around for restaurants that had it. The tuna poke did not disappoint. It consisted of Hawaiian tuna, avocado, green and white onions, Japanese chili pepper, soy sauce and sesame oil. It was delicious and the presentation was beautiful. Another appetizer I got was the tempura soft shelled crab. It was crispy and I loved the dipping sauce that came with it. I ordered the beef short rib, pork shoulder and shishito peppers (Japanese sweet peppers) from the robata grill. The meat was so tender and flavorful. I ordered the Japanese eggplant, but they didn't have any so I ordered the shishito peppers instead. It was my first time eating shishito peppers and I really enjoyed eating them! I also got the unagi roll - fresh water eel, cucumber and sweet soy sauce. It was good, but my least favorite out of everything else I ate. I think it needed more sauce. Overall, I think Yuzu has great Japanese food. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Ashley C.

Sorry, Yuzu, this is just not working out and you are being dumped. This is not because of their food, but because of their bad service. In particular, we dealt with at least two different employees trying to make a reservation. We were put on hold for over five minutes before we were hung up on. Accidents understandably happen so we called back. My husband was explaining that we were on hold and got hung up on, but without listening, they already put us back on hold. We waited about 10 minutes and nothing. My husband hung up and called again. This time the employee was very rude which left a bad taste in our mouth. We hung up and decided to go elsewhere. It should not be that hard to make a reservation (get on opentable!) and certainly an employee should not be so rude. I'll take my business elsewhere. EDIT: I am impressed that Yuzu monitors its Yelp, comments promptly, and seeks to improve. Given their effort, I will consider returning.
(2)
Elizabeth F.

Do I have to actually eat at this place in order to leave this review? I have been looking forward to trying the place out per a friends raving review several months ago. I finally got around to making dinner plans with some friends and suggested Yuzu. As the weekend approached I sifted through the Yelp reviews to find 2 reviews with pictures of maggots in the food!!!??? The reviews are one thing but with the pictures (one video actually) to prove it (both within the last month) I will absolutely not be dining here. The food looks beautifully prepared but evidently that's all they have going for them. Inexcusable. Yuck :(
(1)
Ewa T.

I'm not going to be able to represent anything majorly different than what other posters have already said, but here are my two cents: 1) the robota scallop and bacon and bacon quail egg were only so-so 2) be aware that the food comes fast. It's not like a 20 min wait to get food. It is out in probably less than 10 However, everything else was great!
(5)
Jake C.

I came in here recently on a Thursday I opted for the sushi rolls (obviously) They were large pieces with much product rolled into it. Excellent value. I will return.
(5)
Dalia M.

Sushi craving so decided to try this spot. I liked: -The sashimi platter: fresh, sizable pieces and they listened to what we didn't want -BYOB. Duh. Rolls: pretty creative but not overwhelming for the most part -Decor: rustic, manly, modern Service: Nice and fast Didn't like: -Overtly loud dirty rap that made me feel like I should stop eating and start grinding on someone or something -Rice. Too much on the rolls Can they turn down the music, please? I would've enjoyed my meal if I wasn't yelling over it and debating a twerk the whole time. Good, better than Butterfly but Coast is still #1 for sushi in Chicago in my book.
(3)
Thomas V.

This place is Amazing. It is affordable, delicious, great music, and BYOB. Yuzu has a cool ambiance and actually play If it is your first time going you should definitely get the rainbow roll, it has a number of different types of sushi rolls in there you can try out.
(5)
Jaquie K.

The sushi was really great and artistic. The Hoya was pretty good (I've had better). I had the scallop Robata and it was excellent. My biggest complaint is that I felt like all of the rolls were a variation of the same exacting just listed Ina different order. Almost every roll was a tuna or Unami roll. I just want more variation!
(3)
Larry F.

QUICK HIT (Must Go vs. Consider Checking It Out vs. Pass/Don't Bother): Pass/Don't Bother I came to Yuzu Sushi for lunch this past week. It had been on my "need to go to" list for awhile, but due to the size of the restaurant, securing a reservation had proven difficult. Regardless, I ordered two orders of the short rib (seemed to be a Yelp favorite), and three sushi rolls (black sea, what's my name,and chicago spring). The short rib was quite good: flavorful, tender, well cooked. With that being said, its $3.50 for one skewer of short rib (yes, one skewer), and the quality did not justify the pricing. The sushi, which is what I truly came for, was unimpressive. I wanted to like the sushi, but was legitimately underwhelmed. The fish did not seem fresh, nor did the flavor "wow" me. Very disappointed. Perhaps this was because it was lunchtime, that I am unsure of, but nothing provokes me to come back at dinnertime to find out.
(2)
Annelise F.

I ordered the uberEATS option of a roll and edamame. There was a maggot in the edamame!!!!
(1)
Aaron W.

One of the best sushi places in Chicago the rolls are insane!! Now that I live in California this place will be missed. I still can't find a place quite like this the way they designed their sauces with their sushi is like art. You really feel like you get an original art piece with every role that you get. it is simply the best sushi place I've ever had.
(5)
Juliette R.

Fun urban interior design inside after having a long wait to be seated. Creative display of roll sauces but the bite sizes were too big to taste all of the flavors in one bite. They were super busy with a line out of the door but they were unprepared with no available drinks other than water and tea. Kind and friendly wait staff. Tight quarters for dining, not much room to move when squeezing bw tables to get up. Audio recorder got stuck on Beyonce's Partition about 5x's. Bathroom clean, smelled nice. Seemed like the hype was more over the experience and the artisan presentation and less for the flavor.
(4)
Amelia S.

Yuzu is a cute little spot for very good sushi. What was really impressive was the sauce decoration on the plates. I have never seen anything like it. Sushi spots in Los Angeles tend to not decorate plates as elaborately. I got the "over the rainbow" roll, which was very tasty. The roll was a little bit loosely constructed, so it tended to fall apart. I did enjoy using some of the colorful sauce with the sushi. There are some fusion of flavors in the dishes here, which is cool. I also ordered a cauliflower robata. There were four florettes on the skewer. These were just OK, so I would recommend opting for the asparagus, which I heard was great. I wish the cauliflower were a little bit more charred. Service was friendly and quick.
(4)
Ali R.

It's aight. Had the Robata Bento Box Lunch Special C, which is a vegetarian option. The tofu was a little too fried for my liking but I really enjoyed their peanut sauce and the tempura sweet potato.
(3)
Shari B.

Checked this place out on a Friday night. I made reservations in advance since I don't like to wait. Definitely can snag a table for two without reservations if you can get there before 6pm. Shortly after we were seated, the place filled up pretty quickly. The sushi did not disappoint. The fish was fresh, presentation was nice, the rolls were interesting and the names were fun. Only tried one of their grilled items, so can't really comment much about that. The short ribs tasted like korean bbq.. soo, that's good. Portion sizes for the rolls we ordered were spot on for the price, so I have no gripes about that either. The place is pretty trendy and the atmosphere is also fun. Music is on the louder side and the lighting is pretty dim. Solid place, I like it.
(4)
Sarah R.

Definitely some great sushi. It was fresh, presented well, and a nice spot to catch up with friends.
(5)
Minh-An C.

My friends and I arrived around 8 PM for dinner on Labor Day 2014. Prior to this, I tried to call to find out the wait time and see if we could do a last minute reservation but they just kept putting me on hold so I gave up. We requested a table for 4 and they said the wait was about 30-45 minutes. They took down my name and number and said I would get a text when a table is ready. However, we got a table in less than 20 minutes, so the wait was definitely not bad! We ordered the robata set 2 (2 bacon asparagus skewers, 4 shrimp skewer, and 1 chicken skewer) and 4 rolls (black sea, motown, monster spider, and the midwest favorite) and the total came out to less than $20/person which is a great deal considering we were all satisfied afterwards. Robata Set - I liked all of the skewers! The shrimp was an interesting flavor of lemony and saltiness. I really like the unique flavor. There were 4 skewers of shrimp so it was perfect for my party of 4. The chicken was good but nothing unique. The bacon wrapped asparagus was my favorite! And the asparagus was huge so they definitely aren't cheap on this. The black sea roll has a nice kick to it, definitely the spiciest of the 4 rolls I had. This is one of the smaller roll. The motown was the biggest roll of the night, and you get a good 10 piece/roll. I really like the design of this, it looked like an art piece. I enjoyed this roll but honestly don't remember the specific details of it except it was a bit creamy from the cream cheese. The midwest favorite was similar to the motown in the cheesy aspect. This is the smallest roll out of the 4. Nothing too special about this. The monster spider is like any other spider rolls other sushi place offers. This is a BYOB place so feel free to bring your drinks. I would definitely come back because it is affordable sushi and good quality. It can get a bit loud so if you want something romantic and quiet, I wouldn't recommend this place. It is a bit small in size so a party of 4 or less would be best. There is also outside patio seating.
(4)
Elizabeth C.

My ultimate favorite sushi place. This place turned me into a sushi snob. The sushi is absolutely amazing no matter what you get. I always order way too much!!! They make awesome designs with the sauces as well. Love love love this place
(5)
Victoria T.

I hail from the coast, and I have to say this is absolutely amazing sushi. The presentation is fabulous with sauce art like the chicago flag. I loved the Sorry I'm Drunk Roll and basically everything we have ever ordered there. I have always made reservations when going on the weekends, so I am not sure about walk-ins. Service is fast. Fish is fresh. I highly recommend this place if you want good sushi.
(5)
Mouse C.

I went to Yuzu last night with my bf to satisfy a sushi craving. We showed up about 6:30p on a Saturday with no reservation and were seated outside, as their inside was reserved for those with reservations only. Good thing we got there when we did because the place is small and fills up fast. Tip: make a reservation! Upon being seated outside we were given red solo cups for our wine, because, oh yeah, it's BYOB! (Major score) The solo cup added just a touch of hillbilly chic to our dining experience. Anyhoo on to the food. Gyoza and edamame were a natural fit...both delicious. The menu has rolls on rolls on rolls. It's was honestly hard to decide. We went with the Pot River, Motown, and the Dragon. All were soooo good and HUGE! Not the mention, their presentation was killer. Bonus points for the artistry! (See picture below) All in all, Yuzu is a great little BYOB sushi spot in west town. Just make sure to come early or call ahead.
(4)
Jackie M.

In respond to the Yuzu representative, I understand that every restaurant is different and Yuzu is different, which is good. It's inevitable that customer will always compare their previous experience and express their opinion in yelp. I apologize that i publicly namedrop and compare Yuzu to other robata grill. Despite that I felt Yuzu is average, but I'm still a frequent patron. However, I'm just disappointed that the Yuzu representative made racial comment in comparing customers with brown hair vs blonde hair. By the way, comparing different restaurant is not the same analogy as brown vs blonde hair. This statement is very unprofessional and offensive. Not a good representation for the restaurant. Good luck .. you have lost a frequent patron ...
(3)
Roger J.

Wow. Yuzu blew us away again. Great service, fantastic food, overall excellent experience. Dragon Roll, Boy Meets World, etc. Everything is so good. Here's the pictures...
(5)
Kara E.

Kai Zan is dead to me. Yuzu 4 eva. (Kai Zan is actually mind-blowing, go to both places. but Yuzu is heartier, simpler, cheaper, and more casual. and the fish is No Slouch.)
(5)
Rich M.

I just had dinner in the new Yuzu and the space is great! I was worried about them moving but they did a great job and the restaurant is sleek and comfortable. The sushi is till amazing although I have to say I can not stand that they are now using food coloring when they create a cool design on the sushi boards. I go to eat clean fresh sushi and something about an electric blue or lime green sauce throws it way off. Please Mr. Yuzu go back to your regular sauces without the added dyes.
(4)
Tom Y.

My favorite sushi place in Chicago, period. Affordable, nice atmosphere, and just amazing food.
(5)
Nick D.

One of my favorite everyday restaurants in Chicago. The Robata grill items are mouthwateringly delicious, and the sushi is quite good too. Servers can be spread a little thin at times but work really hard, and the prices are an incredible value (especially with the opportunity to BYOB). Only downside is the smallish seats/tables, but it does give it that cozy neighborhood charm.
(5)
Devanjali L.

This is our new favorite sushi restaurant in Chicago. The ambience is great and it is a very busy restaurant especially on weekends. So be prepared to wait for a while before being seated. They do take reservations, therefore definitely make one to avoid endless waiting. They have amazing rolls as well as their sushi platters are great. The rolls are very creative and the sushi is very fresh with great cuts. My next visit would entail trying out the robata grill items!!
(4)
Arcadian B.

They have some pretty BIG ASS roles here that are not your typical California roll or rainbow roll....they really pack it In with a lot of interesting ingredients and they also decorate it really nicely with sauces on the plate....I don't remember exactly what we ordered but it was good and they have a lot of different types of rolls....majority of the rolls are a bit spicy tho It's a really small place so be prepared to wait but it was worth it
(4)
Geoffrey S.

I can't comment on the quality of the food, since it took more than 10 minutes to try to place a delivery order due to being repeatedly put on hold. Then they claimed they would have to charge me an extra delivery fee due to the fact that I'm supposedly out of their delivery range (I live 1 mile away from them). Thanks, I'll take my business elsewhere.
(2)
I B.

The presentation of the food was amazing, not to mention it's delicious as well. The staff was friendly and can't beat the BYOB!
(4)
Matthew A.

Maybe the worst customer service in the city. Trying to make a reservation is absolutely painful. They were really understanding of the situation and they rectified the experience. That's noteworthy.
(4)
kathleen l.

The food here is magical. Amazing menu, quality and presentation. Love the BYOB aspect as well.
(5)
Natalia C.

Went with my gal pals on a busy Friday night. They don't mess around at this delicious, tiny joint. The wall art is absolutely awesome; especially because I'm an anime nerd & recognized all of them. The ambience was nice although a bit loud. You had to speak in higher than normal volume to hear the person across the table from you. The good was amazing! I ordered the dragon roll and my friends ordered rolls of their own that I can't remember at the moment. The presentation of the food was ridiculous! Such detail and awesomeness almost made me want to NOT eat it...almost, but I was starving and didn't regret it because it was amazing. Make a reservation and be ready to be impressed!
(5)
Kate W.

Yuzu is my husband and my's new go-to casual sushi joint. We really, really love it here. The atmosphere is great, the menu is vast, and it's BYOB with no corkage fee!!! They are also always playing fantastic music when we visit. It's like they know we love 90s rap music! I will say this: MAKE A RESERVATION. It gets crazy here, and waiting sucks because it's so small. They do have a great ticketing and wait system, but it's super cramped. Keep that in mind. It's not usually too hard to get a reservation--we were able to get in a 8:00 on a Sunday night after touching down on a plane three hours earlier. We love: (1) the shishito pepper skewers (the sauce is heaven); (2) the eggplant skewers (the sauce is also heaven); (3) all of the funky fancy rolls; (3) the super cheap but super tasty miso soup. Sushi can always get expensive, but you get a lot of food for your money here. The only negative is because the restaurant is so busy, it's not hard to feel rushed or pressed by the wait staff. Also, I definitely wouldn't recommend this tiny space to large groups.
(4)
Tim P.

I will keep this review short and sweet. This place has a lot of great reviews. However, I am gonna base my rating solely on the food alone, and not that this is a BYOB place. I think the food warrants three stars...everything we tried was relatively good, but nothing special or outstanding. The rolls are tasty and prices are reasonable, but you get what you pay for...decent quality sushi but not the best.
(3)
Tracy H.

LOVE the new location! My boyfriend and I used to go to Yuzu a lot, but we hadn't been in quite a while. We were therefore quite surprised to see that it had moved! Now it's like a block down from where it was, and wow, what an improvement. The old location was super cute, but just way, way too cramped. The new location must be twice the size, and it rocks. Me, my boyfriend and another couple had Saturday reservations at 8. We were seated promptly and proceeded to have a lovely meal. Everything we had was excellent, and the service was great. The new place feels much bigger, is loftier, and has more room for people to wait, which is nice. Also, is has much nicer restrooms, which is always a plus. We've been saying forever that they needed to get a bigger place, so we're happy they were able to. Will definitely be coming back more often!
(5)
Dani L.

Okay seriously disappointed!!! I planned my trip to Chicago and was surprising my best friend with a beautiful dinner here and was met with utter disappointment. We uber'd 35 minutes here only to see a dark restaurant and a closed until July 24th sign on it...WHAT?!! I understand restaurants close but why would not put this anywhere on their website or an answering machine?? I even called to make reservations many times but it just rings once and says the line is busy. Thank u for a wasted $30 uber ride!! :(
(1)
Cynthia R.

Met some friends here Saturday eve and were quite pleased with the experience. Thanks to the Yelp reviews, we knew to make a reservation, otherwise we never would have gotten a table! Tiny little place it is. We also felt a bit rushed after we were done eating, as the staff hovered around our table and continued to come over and take things off the table one by one....like, chopstick wrappers, one utensil, and so on. Ha. I get it. It was Saturday night and they had a line of folks waiting. On the positive tip, the rolls were delish!! The fish was so fresh and very generous portions! We got the Breakiing Bad, which was a favorite. We also got the Pot River...YUM! We got a few traditional rolls, the Very Spicy Tuna (which wasn't spicy at all btw), and the tuna avocado. Oh! I can't forget this! You need to order the Salmon from the Robata Grill menu. OMG was that sooooo delicious! That Yuzu sauce they grilled it with was the BOSS! Food gets me so excited...what a crack up :P.
(4)
Ashley F.

Yuzu is a very small place - they do pack in the tables to maximize dining area. Be ready to bet on top of someone's conversation. What makes up for this is their food. They have unique sushi and it is very tasty. They also have small plates and robata (I had a bacon wrapped scallop robata). Also, if you get the opportunity to try the breaded peppers as an appetizer you WILL NOT be disappointed.
(4)
Kelvin J.

If you're looking for fresh sushi that's not absurdly overpriced in Chicago this is the place. I would suggest making reservations since it' pretty small, but usually a 30-40 minute wait will get you in. If you're bringing a big party I would definitely make reservations since there's only 2 or 3 areas that can seat more than 4 people. It's BYOB so don't forget to bring a bottle of sake. I usually order the sushi platter. The Gold comes with 9 pieces of sushi and a maki, and is the best deal. The maki they give you isn't a cheap side roll (aka California Roll), but actually something decent. They have lots of maki and most of them are good. They have a couple that use cream cheese, and if you don't like cream cheese make sure you read the descriptions carefully. Another plus is the food comes out crazy fast and their service is really good. They'll clear you're table the second you finish something and bring out the next dish. Good food and great service makes Yuzu a great place to eat at.
(5)
Danny W.

Best sushi in Chicago? Possibly. Best sushi in Chicago that won't put you in the poor house? Almost certainly. This place is super fresh, very affordable, and BYOB so it's basically the best spot this side of town to get your fix. The menu is loaded with almost any a la carte item you could ask for, tons of unique rolls, and a robata grill serving up some succulent hot plates as well. It's great for accommodating a variety of tastes including those who are relatively novice to Japanese cuisine. They also have some killer lunch specials so if you come during the day like I normally do you can save even more skrillah while being extremely satisfied. With all the options in town it can be tough to choose, but if you're over this way put Yuzu at the top of your list.
(5)
Lindsay M.

Yes please... Again and again. I have been coming here for quite some time now and I adore it. The increased popularity has caused some major waits, but be patient- it's worth it. I love mixing up things up with each visit, ordering from the specials, some yummy Robata skewers, rolls, and of course ending with dessert. The last visit, we waited about 30 mins past our quotes time (we were walk-ins bc I didn't realize they changed their reservations policy... THEY TAKE RESOS!). The restaurant handled the problem so cool and sent over apps as soon as we sat for the long wait. Super cool. The service is always spot on and everyone is really friendly. It's a tight squeeze in there so if small spaces aren't your thing order the food ToGo and have a picnic at home. Bring a bottle of wine or some beer bc it's BYOB. So happy to have this place here in Chicago.
(5)
Charlotte B.

4 stars for food, but does anyone else mind being told they can seat you , but they need you to be out in 45 min?? This is so customer unfriendly. We love their food , but this "Rush act" is ridiculous. They are busy, but it's never good to turn down business & frankly comes off as super cocky. Gonna try few other places. Also servers should know the menu better. Especially since it's changed. Been here at least 10 15 times in past 2 years . Really don't love that "greeting"! I've been called a liar & have been "schooled " by this incompetent excuse for "hostess", claiming this incident didn't happen. Needless to say, our friends & family won't be back. Lots of much better sushi, I hear out there where you don't get insulted. Yea!
(4)
Glo K.

Yuzu is my favorite sushi spot in Chicago and appears to be the Ukie Villagers' favorite neighbors. The restaurant is almost hidden on Chicago Avenue, and the inside of the restaurant is small, narrow. What makes this place so lovable besides their delicious and artfully crafted sushi is that it's BYOB and they take reservations (SAY WHAT? Reservations? So unheard of in many hot joints in Chicago). Yes, reservations are highly recommended. My sister and I were lucky enough to squeeze in a spot which we had to eat very quickly. Since the place is so small, you kind of have to dine and dash so the next hungry reservation can get seated next. My favorite sushi is the South Beach ($15 spicy tuna, mango, sesame oil, japanese pepper, masago, mayo, red & black tobikio with super white tuna) which was very refreshing and savory. The service was fast and efficient. If my sister and I weren't in a hurry, the service would definitely feel a little rush, but overall, I enjoyed my time here and will be returning to try the grill (my sister don't really eat meat, so I missed out).
(5)
Jenny P.

I think there are enough reviews regarding the food (it's good, highly recommended!) so I'll write about the service. The service is really, really fantastic. There was a long wait when we arrived so the waitress gave us free edamame to munch on. We ordered some sort of sashimi platter and it was decorated beautifully and there were sparklers in it. SPARKLERS!! I LOVE SPARKLKERS!! I tried to take a picture but it went off before I could take a photo, and the waitress offered to replace the sparkler so I could take a picture. So of course I said yes! and she got another sparkler and lit it up for me and I was able to take a picture!!!! Didn't come out nice because my camera sucks :( but she was so nice about it!! -1 star because I'm a sushi snob and I've had better sushi but!!! I really like this place and the food/presentation is great.
(4)
Rick B.

Best salad of our lives - avocado and mango - amazing. Great sushi with beautiful presentation. The grill items were very good too.
(4)
Melissa W.

Robata was delicious. Sushi was not. Place was adorable. Service was slow. This was my least dazzling meal in Chicago.
(3)
Jennifer A.

Food was awesome loved the Boston crunchy sushi and the Motown my fav.. But service was awful advice don't go too late they rush you ..but on the plus side food game out fast .. Loved the music and byob is always awesome . because rushing is not polite.
(3)
Xiaoyi z.

Yuzu was great a year ago. But!!! But!! The owner of the restaurant is changed. Right now they don't make tasty sushi and grill. They make Thai flavor sushi and grill instead!!!! Really horrible! I miss the old yuzu seriously!!! They put sour and sweet sauce on bbq and sweet sesame sauce on vegetables. Horrible......! Edit version: Right now I am not sure if the owner is changed. But I did research before I went to yuzu. I loved yuzu before because the food was amazing. However, today I went to yuzu the grill is not tasty anymore. Sweet sour sauce at bbq and sesame sauce on vegetable are typical Thai style but not Japanese style. I also like Thai food but I don't like Thai mixed with Japanese sushi!
(1)
Evelina L.

This place is a very good value. For the money you get absolutely huge portions and rolls and they don't skimp on fish either. BUT, everything feels super-sized, so it was hard to handle for 2 people. I love sushi for the ability to be able to try lots of various things, but we could have left Yuzu after the appetizers! So, if you like Arami or Kai Zan down the street, this is probably not your cup of tea... Tuna poke was pretty decent, but it was served with LITERALLY almost a whole avocado which was frozen. It was totally beautiful, but the fan of avocado would have been enough, I didn't need the other half just to prop it up in the back. The ratios were totally off and I never like wasting food. The whole grilled squid had excellent flavor and really didn't need the jalapeno dipping sauce that it came with. But the portion was HUGE and for $9! Was definitely a struggle for 2 people to finish and try to enjoy anything else afterwards. We ordered 3 rolls (since we didn't realize how huge apps were going to be) and tried the black sea, what's my name and a plain salmon maki. The highlight was the plain salmon maki and black sea was pretty decent, but nothing I would ever crave or want to order again. Scallop sushi pieces that we got were HUGE, but tasted pretty watery... In summary - great value, good vibe, byob, but not good if you are in the mood for something dainty and its the 2 of you... Come with a huge group (and a knife) to cut some of the ginormous sushi rolls. :)
(3)
Chou Y.

This place has ALOT on their menu! Lots of different rolls you normally wouldn't find at other sushi places (they have a lobster roll that comes out with sparklers). My friends love this place. I would recommend making reservations. There was 5 of us, we each picked a roll and shared a couple of appetizers. -Tuna poke, comes with a lovely decorated avocado. Big chunks of tuna -Tempura, standard. Fried veggies! -2 orders bacon scallops (probably my favorite of the night). Bacon. Scallops. Fatty, juicy, delicious. All these came plated creatively and beautifully. As I ate here less than a week ago and I'm trying to remember which rolls stuck out...They all kind of blended and none stood out. -Monster Spider -Sin Nombre -What's my name -Breaking bad -Spicy Scallop
(3)
T. L.

Awesome presentation but the rolls were just ok...had the dragon and a spicy tuna, the tuna was much better.
(3)
Erin M.

Hands down my favorite sushi place in Chicago. Decently priced, amazingly fresh & BYOB! I suggest making a reservation if you plan to dine in on a weekend night.
(5)
Diana S.

Went for lunch on the weekend. I called and made a reservation because of the reviews. The place wasn't packed once we got there though. The decor is urban and rustic. The staff is so friendly as well. The prices are reasonable compared to other places charging the same amount and not being as good. The sushi rolls have so many different flavors that explode in your mouth! And to top it off the art that they place on the dish is amazing. Definitely going back!
(5)
Joy L.

Yuzu was an impromptu 9:30 dinner for me and a friend; unlike another restaurant we tried, they were happy to seat us and didn't rush us while we were chatting. They even sent over some unagi (mmm the fat is so good) since they were clearing up the kitchen. Service was lovely! My friend ordered some pork shoulder, which was tasty, while I got the miso soup, which was miso soup. We shared three rolls: South Beach, Over The Rainbow, and Monster Spider. The fish tasted fresh if a little soft and the spicy and sweet sauces definitely came through! The crab could have been fried a bit crispier, but all in all it was delicious. The plating here is gorgeous - photos galore. I later saw photos of the sauce art other people received, and am tempted to go back just so I can get something epic.
(4)
Tiffany R.

I wish negative starts were available!!! I was excited to check this place out. The pictures look cool and I like trying different sushi places. This was one of the worst experiences I've had and I didn't even eat. We put our name on the list and patiently waited the hour to be seated because we figure it will be worth it. They call our name we go to the front to be seated. The guy starts talking to us and says right this way and then he sees two white guys behind us that had not been waiting as long as us and without saying anything tells them to come on and then seats them. He didn't say just a moment, we're getting your table ready cat, dog, bitch or anything to us. Then he says to us I have a table for you but you need to be done by 9:30pm (in an hour). Are you kidding me!!!!! Then I polite ask why he sat the two white gentlemen before seating us. He walks away without warning and says something to the gentlemen. He comes back and I express that that is not fair and how can we have a wait limit when he just gave our table away to someone else. He gets loud and rude. I ask for the manager. She is no better. The two of them speak to each other in front of us about us in a different language. I ask them not to do that please speak English so that we can understand, they continue in a different language (they both were able to speak perfect English). After her arguing rudely with us for 30 minutes she admits that her host was wrong but does nothing about it and is basically like fuck off. The manager then replies to this review and says we checked in late, never said that at restaurant, we were right in front of the restaurant so that was not even possible. She finally admitted they were wrong in our presence at the restaurant so to reply to this review saying otherwise is unprofessional and untrue. Just admit you made a mistake and do better for your customers. Many people have reviewed on the poor customer service so obviously that is an issue. Whether it's racial or not is immaterial, perhaps those guys were regulars I don't know, the point is that we were there first standing in the restaurant and skipped over and then given an unreasonable timetable to eat and leave their restaurant after they gave our table away to someone who came after us. With that being said if you are looking for a cool trendy sushi place, there are plenty others to try Kai Zan, Momotaro, Sushi Duhko, Japonais, just don't give these jerks your money.
(1)
Jackie M.

Eye-catching. Artistic. Colorful. I understand nowadays we have a plethora of sushi joints from casual, all you can eat to upscale sushi. Dining out has never been so easy. Yuzu offers casual dining with incredible displays of sushi rolls. I could easily dine here solo on a regular night or bring a few (by few, maybe a group of 4) to experience this gallery of sauce and variety. The work is spectacular! Clearly, there's been many photos posted on yelp to showcase, but it's so much better in person. Aside from rolls, the sashimi platters offer great, big cuts of fish. Robata grill the items are coated in sweet soy - japanese eggplant was exquisite. The grill experience was a bit of a misnomer and not the same as you would find in Japan where they actually grill bits of food on top charcoal. Some items seem to be cooked in a pan. Wasn't quite sitting at the kitchen, so just a headsup. Notes: Place is cramped and there's only 1 bathroom. Yuzu is not shy of telling you to leave after 2hours, but they are very polite in doing so. Bring sake/beer.
(5)
Victoria G.

The food was delicious! The service was steady but slow. We ordered the Tuna Poke, tempura assortment, robata 2, and the Boy meets world roll. Not one bad thing. I'll definitely be back for more.
(4)
Holly O.

This is a go-to date spot for me and my man - and often double dates with friends. You can get sushi AND robata meats - and it's BYOB. Yum yum yum. Fave sushi here: Pot River roll, anything tuna - and you can get sea urchin here! Just ask if they have it available. We got it in shooter form - "uni shooters" - not for those of you out there with texture issues, but otherwise - awesome. Make a reso (call, they aren't on open table) - as it's tiny and popular.
(4)
Joe O.

small place but BIG on flavor. the plates are decorated pretty nice, i almost feel bad dipping my sushi into the sause :(, service is good. Perfect place to take a date. oh and its BYOB!
(5)
Dustin H.

I had a most delicious lunch this week at Yuzu. I had heard it was good, but I wasn't quite prepared for how good it actually is. It's actually pretty fantastic. The atmosphere is quaint... it's a small restaurant with the open kitchen taking up a third of the available space. But really, as the food starts coming out you really lose sense of where you are. Everything is beautifully plated, and the flavor combinations are righteously balanced. We ordered the tempura pork as an appetizer, and it was served moist and hot with a delightful tang. It came with a bit of salad that had a traditional creamy sweet dressing. Great for sharing but would also be a delicious entree for one. The "south beach" roll was gorgeous, with a bright red masago on top of bright white tuna. The combo of the spicy tuna and mango inside, with sesame, mayo and lime was just wonderful. The "monster spider" roll was classic and perfect. Fried soft shell crab is a no brainer, go-to dish as far as I'm concerned and Yuzu's version stands up to some of the best I've had. The peppered yuzu sauce was a nice touch. Service was attentive but stayed out of our hair, and I loved the free cucumber water. Such a delightful restaurant! 5 stars, and zero complaints.
(5)
Pam D.

Yuzu is one of Chicago's top 3 sushi restaurants! We first visited Yuzu in their original location about 1 block east of where they recently expanded to a larger facility. Several friends recommend we try Yuzu. The original location was pretty small, only a few a tables and no reservations. The good news: in their new location, they take reservations! It's still BYOB, make sure you check out the limit on how much beer and wine you can bring. They are pretty strict. We decided to visit Yuzu to celebrate my birthday. Our waitress was prompt and very polite. She offered to chill our bottle of wine and beer in a rustic, ice filled bucket. FYI, there is no corkage fee, yeah! We skip the soup and salads and dive right into the Sushi rolls. We order 2 per person and share. The waitress brought out wood carving boards with the rolls on display. The chefs create an artful design on the boards using colored sauces (we're not sure what it is). We've never seen these creations at other sushi joints but, were impressed with the added dimension to an otherwise boring board. The designs were specific to the rolls we ordered: flowers, a dragon, abstract, etc. Note: the food coloring used in these sauces will turn your lips and tongue blue, red or whatever color. Some of our favorite rolls include: Breaking Bad, Dragon Roll, Spicy Shrimp Roll, omg! Getting hungry just writing about them. Desert is very simple at Yuzu. Which is a good idea, cause we've usually eaten so much sushi we have little room left. Desserts are ordered individually and are seasonal. This night they were serving Matcha chocolate Raspberry Mochi and simple green tea mochi's. Yum! 2 each is enough and helps get the fish breath out of your mouth. Matcha is the new powdered green tea which everyoneis going crazy over. It's been around for 100's of years, recently discovered by the 21st century. The only down side to this restaurant, the food comes out too fast. We thought it might have been an anomaly the 1st time we ate at Yuzu, but it happened to us a 2nd time. I would recommend start with 4 rolls for 4 people and then order the next 4 rolls when you are done eating these. Add the soft shell crab which is an appetizer. Absolutely crunchy & sweet crab meat.
(5)
Megan B.

I think this is my favorite sushi place in town. Everything tastes fresh and has a high quality. The presentation is great too. You have to try the robata! Especially the bacon wrapped asparagus.
(5)
Kripa P.

Absolutely recommend this place to anyone who either 1) loves sushi or 2) loves deliciously grilled meats. Everything we received, from each robata grill option (bacon wrapped scallops. enough said.) to each of the sushi rolls, was delicious. Also, the service was so rapid, we had all of our food out right after finishing the entree before. Will go back! PS: For the Robata grill portion we got the bacon wrapped scallops, pork shoulder, and beef short rib. All amazing.
(5)
Yanja B.

This place is awesome!! Super cute inside but it is a tight squeeze! I've been here twice already and have had a great experience each time. Service was great- I believe his name was Anthony... He was super sweet and helpful. I suggest making reservations prior to arriving because I often see a group of people waiting in the front and the area is so small it make standing crowded and unmanageable. Mango avocado salad is great!! We honestly got a variety of sushi- all fantastic! My highlight is def the green tea chocolate cake for dessert! This is a must order!
(5)
Rosanna L.

Planning a birthday dinner and the birthday girl request Asian cuisine, well, we all know the first thing I did was to go straight to Yelp to find something good. Once again Yelp you did a mighty fine job. Yuzu was still popping when we strolled in with our bottle of sangria (BYOB y'all), so reservations are the way to go. It's a small little joint with a few outdoor seating and fun anime decor. We were seated and greeted and our service was quick and consistent. This little place might be small but it sure does pack a punch. Bacon Scallop - scallops were quite small, nothing special Pork Shoulder - quite tender, needs a bit more flavor Tuna Poke (hawaiian tuna salad: avocado, green & white onions, Japanese chili pepper, soy sauce, sesame oil) - soy sauce and sesame oil is one of the simplest sauce you can make that packs a powerful flavor, but a little bit too much oil and you'll have to start over, but Yuzu got the it just right, what a simple yet refreshing dish South Beach (spicy tuna - mango - sesame oil - Japanese pepper - masago, mayo, red & black tobiko - lime juice topped with super white tuna) - we're big tuna lovers, but this didn't do it for us, a bit bland in flavor, however, if you dip it on the sauce that the plate is decorated with it gives it some life Pot River (jumbo roll - packed with tuna - super white tuna - salmon - avocado - cucumber - cilantro - jalapeno - scallion - tempura crumbs - wasabit tobiko - chili sauce - wasabi - mayo - sweet soy sauce) - they were NOT kidding when they said "jumbo roll." The presentation of this roll is too pretty to eat, but we devoured it quickly as it came with thick slices of tuna and salmon and had delicious flavors Breaking Bad (tempura soft shell shrimp - grilled asparagus - mayo mixed with spices - avocado - cucumber - green onion - topped with marinated tuna seared with fried ginger) - oh breaking bad, you got it bad alright. Another one of our favorite with the delicious soft shell shrimp and mayo mix, yum. Birthday girl was happy with the meal (whew thanks Yelp!) and I can't wait to come back to try more of their rolls and grill items.
(4)
Liz L.

This place is awesome! Super fresh, delicious rolls that span the range of classic to creative (prosciutto and mango, what?! delish). I've been here a couple of times and haven't had anything mediocre or less than scrumptious. BYOB, friendly service, fun atmosphere...ya can't go wrong. Sitting at the sushi bar is like going to a private cooking demo, so fun to watch them prep (if you are into cooking). I wish we had this place in Charleston so I could be their MFC. (Most Frequent Customer. Duh.)
(5)
Mike M.

Stopped in for dinner tonight with the family. Awesome atmosphere (kid friendly), and excellent sushi! We'll be back!
(5)
Trisha K.

BYOB.... Yuzu recently moved up the street, larger space. Still fills up. Cozy, intimate, friendly place. Servers know what they are doing. Yu, the owner welcomes us everytime we walk in. He makes us feel like family. The sushi is always fresh. Try something new everytime, but it's hard once you know exactly what you want. Check it out, oh oh the secret is out
(5)
Horner P.

Haven't been on a 1st date in awhile. She wanted sushi and I found this place online. From the minute I walked in and hearing Biggie on the surround sound I knew I was going to have a good time. The vibe in this restaurant is through the roof. She loved it, I was Mr. Cool Guy and the rest of the night was history! Breaking Bad roll was off the charts! Pot River roll was bangin! But the star of the show was the beef short rib off the robata grill.....DAAAAYUM! So tasty. Could've ate just that all night.
(5)
Dan G.

Second time we've been and we'll go back next time we're in town. Wonderful food, great presentation and excellent service. We use Noble Grape for wine delivery to the restaurant (BYOB) and they've not disappointed us yet. Sushi is fresh, tasty and great variety.
(5)
Ashley R.

Anime on the walls, super friendly staff, great music, and delicious food, both raw and cooked. What's not to love? We arrived for my husband's birthday, though somehow there was a mixup with the reservation. I'm not sure who made the mistake, so I'll chalk it up to my own silliness. Regardless, the hostess was very helpful and gave us a seat anyway. We got hot and cold items. The sushi and the sauce was beautiful, delicious, and fresh. The owner was there and made sure to check in and see how we were doing. The staff seemed like a well oiled machine. Overall a very pleasant experience.
(4)
Ania W.

Great and affordable sushi! and BYOB!
(4)
Paul B.

Very cool place, very hip. Hour and a half wait on a Friday night, but worth the wait. The nigiri sushi was excellent, so were all the robata items. Got the first combination, will get it again the next time I go. Highly recommend
(5)
Dusty K.

Update your website, Brah!!! If you say you're open Monday for lunch, be open Monday for lunch. I felt like I was living in an episode of Seinfeld. A wasted trip due to lies! Deceit! Anguish! My life is ruined! "Ruuuuuuned I says". Okay so it's not that big of a deal but why the hell aren't any restaurants open on Monday in Chicago?
(1)
Shawn B.

Great sushi and fair prices. The nigiri was excellent. The Yellowfin was some of the best I've ever had. The only problem is Yelp's map. Don't trust it. If you do, you'll end up walking about a mile. The location they give is no where near where Yuzu Sushi actually is.
(5)
Nancy H.

Fun place for a small group dinner. Love that they play hip-hop all night long! A little bit of Jay-Z + BYOB never hurt nobody! Their service is pretty great too - the waitresses are so nice, keep a watchful eye on your drink refills, and one of the chefs came by one time to offer us more skewers on the house! So I highly recommend the tuna poke, especially if you love avocado and sesame oil. You can also get it with salmon instead. I also recommend the chicken & onion skewer, bacon wrapped scallops, pork belly, and the veggie ones are good too (eggplant, cauliflower, shishito sweet peppers, mushrooms)... uh, basically everything. As for the maki rolls, they're all pretty fantastic. I think I prefer the simpler ones, though. If there's a Yelp check-in coupon for $10 off, our bill will usually come out to around $20/pp after tax & tip! Love that! But if the Yelp check-in coupon isn't available, then a meal here usually costs me $25-30. Beware that it can get a little hot in here (the kitchen is right in the middle of the restaurant), so your clothes might attract some of the food odors too. Or cold... if it's winter, and you're sitting by the door. If I were to subtract a star, it would be for the small size of this bumpin' restaurant! However, street parking is pretty easy, as Yuzu is located on a pretty dead block.
(5)
Lauren M.

My new favorite sushi place! Seriously, this place is awesome! I made a reservation, as this place is so popular (love that they take reservations) and went on a Monday night at 6 pm - when we left around 7 pm, many tables were filled. The decor is super cute, although the one restroom is in need of a makeover. We ordered the Sin Nombre and Over the Rainbow rolls. The rolls were huge, incredibly fresh, beautifully presented and so delicious! I'm so happy that this place is a 5 min walk from my new place!
(5)
Val J.

Love! Love! Love! Came here for lunch on a Thursday just as it opened. The lunch specials were reasonably priced. However, my sister and I opted to try three rolls and a bunch of robata selections. For sushi rolls- had the A Hundred Years of Solitude (had more heat than I expected), Sorry I am Drunk (yummy) and Pier 69 roll (DEE-LICIOUS!!!). Fish was fresh and the rolls were made with just enough rice so you wouldn't get full to fast. As for the grilled items - I highly recommend the pork shoulder, ribeye, and the korean style kalbi. Lots of flavor and very inexpensive. We also tried the soft shelled shrimp and tofu which were very good. Thanks to fellow reviewers I used the Yelp check-in coupon to get $10 off. Will definitely be back here!
(5)
Eric B.

This is one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. This was probably the best thing about Chicago for me. If my crazy relative gets married in Chi-town, I will mainly be motivated to come back and eat here again. Outstanding food all around. Try the short ribs. The service was good, maybe because we were right in front of the cooks and the management. They played classic 90s R&B, rap, and hip hop hits. I felt like I was a kid again. Surprisingly, there was only one very attractive waitress, but I'm not complaining. And apparently the majority of the staff aren't Japanese.
(5)
May Y.

A good yakitori option in Chicago! Sauce plays an important role in yakitori. Without doubt, the ponzu, miso and peanut sauces were just right. Although peanut sauce is not traditionally used in Japanese food, the peanut sauce of Yuzu went well with the tofu grill. My favorite grills were nasu (eggplant), shishitto (green pepper) and tofu. I would love to try out asparagus and mushroom grills next time. I also had the sweet potato tempura, which was slightly disappointing. The breading is not only American-style rather than Japanese style, but also is way too thick. However, as always, the spicy sauce was great. 1 star was off because the waitress gave me the wrong bill and she took more than twenty minutes to fix it. Although I do not live in the neighborhood of Yuzu, I would consider coming back. The next dinner would determine whether I should put Yuzu or Kikuya on my list of the top 5 Japanese restaurants in Chicago. P.S. My throat still hurt after an hour I ate the tempura. Do not order Yuzu's tempura, unless you really crave for it. Food: 4 (1 star off for the tempura) Service: 3 Decor: 3
(3)
Niti B.

Reuniting with old friends couldn't have been more delicious! We started with the Tuna Poke- flavorful fish, simple yet complex flavors at the same time. Next we ordered from the robata grill menu. I had the shishito japanese sweet peppers and they were amazing! Sweet and smokey flavor from the grill and juicy with every bite I took. The chef was nice enough to bring our table an extra two orders which was greatly appreciated! We also ordered from the sushi menu. The Boston Crunchy roll, Very spicy tuna roll and Cantaloupe Island roll. Each with a burst of flavor and punch were not a disappointment at all! The added bonus was it was byob and no corkage fee...plus a check in on yelp gave us an extra $10 off! the place started of quiet but was bumping by the time we left with no explination needed...the food spoke for the place! Will be back soon!
(5)
Marcy l.

I've eaten there and I think the food is okay, but don't call to try to make a reservation. I was on hold twice for over 6 minutes. I had to hang up, the first time and call again. The hostess had forgotten I was on hold, did not apologize and put me on hold again. And again she forgot about me and I hung up. I called at 5:10 pm, I'm sure they weren't packed. I hate places that don't treat potential customers well.
(2)
Haruka Y.

They have wonderful meals!!!!!! Grilled vegetable, grilled chicken and pork. Also awesome rolls and sushi. The service is great as well. BYOB. Love the place!!!!!!
(5)
K J.

Absolutely delicious and the staff was extremely friendly!! Will definitely go back again! Fyi, it's BYOB!
(5)
Erika K.

Do you see any Japanese people reviewing this restaurant? Nope, because it's not real Japanese food! First of all, real sushi restaurants are very clean. Actually they need to be obsessively clean everywhere such as the counter top, the floor, and especially the bathrooms. Why? Because you are handling raw fish and if I see anything less than obsessively clean surfaces, I don't feel confident eating the food. I ordered sashimi and it had some spicy pepper sauce and lemon on my fish! No, no no no! Like I said, raw fish needs to be fresh and if I see lemon and some weird sauce on it, I'm thinking that it's old and fishy and they have to mask it by putting some weird sauce on it. I want to taste the fish, not the spicy crazy sauce. How would you feel if they put A1 steak sauce with ketchup on your Chicago-Style hot dog? That is how I feel about most Japanese restaurants in the Chicago area and it's very disappointing.
(1)
Courtney W.

Since moving from San Diego I haven't been able to find sushi that is anywhere as good as back home until tonight. We were looking for a sushi place by a friends house and found this place on yelp and thought why not. We walked in about 9:45pm and the place was packed with a group of 4 standing outside waiting for a table.. However we were sat right away. Ordered our food, which came very fast for as packed as it was and ate and was out of there by 10:15! By far this is the best sushi place I've eaten at since moving to Chicago and we will totally come back to this place in the future.
(5)
Erica L.

So I was really hesitant to return to the Chicago sushi scene after our amazing trip to Tokyo and Taiwan last month. However, it's hard to go without sushi for so long. Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill did not disappoint. Hubby and I shared a mix of grilled items that reminded us of the yakitori we had in Tokyo and the sashimi platter. I really wanted to try the curry puff as an appetizer, but they had run out for the night, so we ordered the whole grilled squid, which turned out good. We ordered the Robata Set 1 which had two of the following, listed in the order of deliciousness: beef short rib, pork shoulder, and chicken satay. The beef and pork were so tender and juicy! The chicken was flavored well. Then we split the Sashimi Gold platter. The pieces were fresh, but cut rather thick, so I wasn't used to how big the pieces were sliced. The sliced avocado was a nice touch. The prices are reasonable, and pretty good for the sashimi. We also split a shrimp tempura roll, which was also delicious, but I only ate one piece because I was stuffed at that point. Hubby cleaned up the rest. The place itself is tiny and cozy. We didn't have reservations, but were able to be seated immediately since it was relatively early. However, it got pretty crowded while we were eating and there was a steady traffic of reservations, walk-ins, and carry-out pick-ups. Our table was the closest to the door, so sometimes it was a little crowded as well as cold with the door constantly opening and closing. Would recommend reservations and bringing good wine. We didn't know it was BYOB, but luckily there's a liquor store a few blocks east across the street for convenience. The staff were able warm and friendly. We didn't have a dedicated server, but it seems that everyone just worked together and the coordination was seamless. This is a nice sushi place to return home to, reminding me we don't have it too bad here in Chicago.
(4)
Macy H.

This place is amazing! The neighborhood it is in is a little rough. Make a reservation before you come because the place is packed and is on the small side. I love that it is BYOB, that always makes things fun. Bring liquor before you come because the liquor places around it are SKETCH. Their rolls and their prices can't be beat in Chicago. I also loved their lemon cucumber water, very refreshing. This is hands down the best sushi in the city. They are very creative with their rolls, making them absolutely delicious.
(5)
Trisha K.

The best sushi i have ever had!!! At first I was shocked by how small the place was. But the food was so good and the staff so inviting and sweet. We went on a Wednesday night and it was so busy. the wait was only 30 min which was good cuz we didn't know that it was byob. (we are from out of town) so we walked down to a liquor store and grabbed some wine. When we got back our table was almost ready. the sweet potato tempura is amazing. And we also ordered the tuna poke OMG it was so good we ordered a second one. we were sitting outside and it started to rain and we all ran in and the staff was so accommodating by hustling and getting us places to sit. they kept apologizing for the rain, lol i told them not to worry they cant control the weather. so we finished up with some more rolls and then some complimentary lil ice cream balls idk what they were called but they were delicious. As for Allisons review you seem like an impossible person to please. and to Yuzu keep doing what your doing and dont take any crap from anyone. we will definitely be returning to your establishment. i can hardly wait.
(5)
Ashley B.

There's so many good places for sushi! This place does give larger portions but it lacks in so many areas. For one they cut each maki roll a different size, stuff falls out because it's sloppily rolled, and they didn't bother to give soy, or chop sticks in my pick up order! Too much rice also, not a good ratio! For good sushi go to coast, or my favorite kohan by uic!
(2)
Dax R.

This is our favorite Sushi place. You can't go wrong with anything on their menu. I am happy that they now deliver to Old Town!
(5)
Shannon C.

Fast, friendly, and good food. The service was good and quick. The ambience is awesome and scored some major points with my boyfriend on the Art Deco. Love the grilled food. I got the satay and asparagus, super flavorful and quality peanut sauce. We also got shrimp tempura roll and a California roll. The shrimp tempura roll was amazing and just the right size. The price was reasonable too. I would recommend this place and go again!
(4)
Coleman, C.

Love this place.. The vibe, the food...
(5)
Jami S.

All I really have to say is GO! Amazing sushi! Some of the best ever if not the best. The sushi chefs are seriously artists. They create art on each sushi plate with all the sauces. Very tasty! I will DEF be back. If you love sushi this is a MUST TRY.
(5)
Caroline A.

Don't go on a weekend night or else you'll be waiting 45-minutes for a table WITH a reservation. I definitely preferred their grilled items over their sushi/sashimi. The bacon wrapped scallops and asparagus were delicious. However, their beef was way too fatty. It was inedible. Their selection of fresh fish for nigiri is very limited, and most of their rolls seem to be covered in sweet unagi sauce/sweet soy/panko/cream sheez. Cute art work on the walls. And the people who work here are very nice. However, drinking wine out of a mason jar just seems wrong.
(3)
Jessica K.

I typically don't order sushi for delivery for obvious reasons, but it's finals week and that means I'm basically not allowed to even think about leaving my desk/computer for like four days. Going out wasn't an option and I was having a mad craving for some maki. I gave in, pulled up grubhub, and picked the most legit looking place I could find. And I am so glad I did. 1- Fresh 2- Fast. Like, the fastest I have ever received any grubhub order. 3- Fucking delicious The delivery guy was super nice, too. All around win. I will definitely be stopping here next time I want sushi.
(5)
SJ I.

Went here last night with my family. Was told "about an hour wait" (which is 9.9/10 padded) but ending up waiting more than 90 min. Food was good (Tuna Poke and Robata grill platter were excellent) but my family was not super impressed with the service and food when compared to the wait. On top all this, they added in a mandatory service charge for our group (5 people), which by most restaurant standards would not be considered large (6 or more). Didn't argue about it, as I usually tip this much, but with all things considered, it just added to my dissatisfaction. Would I try it again, yes, but not for awhile. Plenty of other Japanese/sushi options in the Ukie/Wicker/Bucktown area. Tips: 1) Get a reservation (though I was told via phone for small groups, they no longer take reservations) 2) Try the Tuna Poke, Bento boxes and Robata Grill platters 3) From what I've read after the fact, after doing direct searches within Yelp, they charge service charges it seems for any sized party. While I guess this is their prerogative, I felt that the food/service didn't warrant it (this isn't Charlie Trotter's or the French Laundry). Ymmv.
(2)
Phil T.

Sushi gold is 4.5 stars (only the cooked fish sushi not good enough BUT THE SALMON SUSHI IS 6 STARS OUT OF 5. IF YOU LIKE SALMON SUSHI, GO AHEAD AND YOU WILL BE SUPER SATISFIED. Tuna poke is creative as 5 stars, a good try. Udon is too salty, 3 stars. Service is 5 stars. Seat is not comfortable but that's not counted into my review.
(5)
Daniel G.

Wish I took pictures of the food, it was sushi art. The sushi was amazing, and. Love the byob aspect. They need to expand cause this place is rightfully popular. Make a reservation.
(5)
Anna C.

Delicious food, fast service, great value. The sushi presentation is beautiful and artistic. I have been there 3 times now and each has been a great experience.
(5)
Theresa K.

Why pay the obscene prices for a great sushi dinner? Personally, I enjoy cozy atmosphere, good service, reasonable prices and oh yeah, delicious sushi! I was devastated to learn that Sushi Wabi closed. Luckily, I stumbled upon Yuzu and realized afterward that one of the chefs from Sushi Wabi runs the place! This place is cute, cozy, casual and delicious. Yuzu is also BYOB making your dinner even more affordable. I recommend their Very Spicy Tuna and Fire roll. I love the creative design of the Fire roll. Beautiful. Every friend I've taken here has taken a picture of it. Their spicy rolls are extremely spicy - which I appreciate dearly. Only downfall is the music. Last time I came here Enimen was blasting on the speakers. We would have valued a little variety. Affordable good sushi without the fuss and expensive price tag.
(5)
David H.

I wish I could have had a better experience. And I do realize it was Valentines Day yesterday, however it still shouldn't have taken over two hours to get the food. Grub hub said it would arrive between 830-840, we'll over an hour from the time we ordered. We got the food at about 930 and everything was cold. The sushi was good but I couldn't even touch the entrees that were supposed to be hot. I see I'm not the only ones who had problems yesterday!!
(1)
Charles Z.

Hands down my favorite Sushi spot in Chicago. If I think Sushi, I think 'YUZU'! I heard of this place on check please and went that same weekend to check it out. The sushi was delicious and it was relatively inexpensive; considering that you are paying for GOOD sushi. I have tried about 80% of their menu and have yet to be disappointed. It is small so reservations are recommended. I went once without making reservation and had to wait about an hour for a party of two. Other than that, I love this place.
(4)
Mary M.

I am really annoyed of the restaurant's rebuttal to my review. They did NOT make us aware that there was a 90 minute time frame nor that there was a reservation for a party after us. I do not appreciate the lie. If you do eat here, just beware that you can only be there for 90 minutes if it is busy, even if you have a reservation and order plenty of good. I do stand by my review that only 1 maki roll was really good. Needless to say, I will not be returning. There are much better Chicago options. --------------------------------------------------Â------------------- 2nd response to the owner's response: I did do research. There were 4 of us in the party and we all discussed it as soon as it happened. I am positive that no one was aware of the time limit. Second, we were not a walk-in. We had a reservation. But thanks for the professional response.... --------------------------------------------------Â-------------------- 3rd response to the owner's response: On the phone, you were given the name that the reservation was under; it was not under Mary M. I give up.
(1)
Tim J.

I've only been here once, but I think this is the best sushi I've had. And I've had quite a bit sushi in my day. I'm a huge fan of the Philly roll, and the Philly roll here is bomb. I loved the pork robata as well. Miso soup was great. If I were to go again, I would get several Philly rolls and skip specialty rolls.
(5)
Maggie M.

Yuzu is an all around solid sushi spot. BYOB- Check. Delicious Robata- Check, don't skip the beef short rib! Fresh Fish- Check. Gorgeous presentation- Check. Friendly/Fast Takeout- Check. Mochi Ice Cream- Check. Great spot for a date night, although it can get pretty packed in here. More often than not we opt for the takeout because it's never fun to wait in a small sushi place. Plus the Animae won me points with the BF. All is good. Yuzu love- no complaints.
(4)
Margot Wanders K.

I have such a hard time finding Good Japanese food around here but I think yuzu is one of the few places that's closer to the authentic flavor in Chicago. It's become one of my go-to places for when I'm homesick and hungry for raw goodness! 1 star off for not enough seatings but I could live with that, how reminiscent of Shinjuku.. haha
(4)
Ellie H.

We ordered the grilled set 1, udon noodle soup, south beach rolls and they were all so delicious!
(5)
JNadene A.

These sushi chefs are artists! The presentation and flavors of the sushies was soo good! The ice cream was yummy and the design on the plate of it was SOOO PRETTY!!!! I'm definitely coming back here next time I'm in Chicago. Only downer, the bathroom didn't have any toilet seat covers. I'm sitting here wondering why? Aren't restaurants suppose to be sanitary for the customers too? Anyways, good food, good times!
(5)
cookie m.

Super great staff, who faired well with my super demanding family. Food was super fresh and delicious and reasonably priced. Definitely going to head back. Had some really interesting and original maki. Sashimi and sushi were also well prepared.
(5)
Jerianne G.

Whats my name roll has melt in your mouth white tune. I tried half of the robatas and they were all delicious and cooked to perfection. Highly recommend this place. Good music playing all night and its BYOB!
(5)
Erin H.

This is my favorite Sushi restaurant in Chicago. Always fresh fish and it has changed my opinion of good sushi. Here are some of my top menu picks: My Favorite Midwest Roll - WOW. Just the right amount of flavors going on. It's tuna based with a little heat from jalapeno. No rice - wasn't sure I was going to like that but it's been my favorite item so far. It's lightly battered and served warm. YUM YUM Sweet Potato Tempura Roll - I don't think this was on the menu but was great. A little crunch, a little sweet. Grilled Asparagus wrapped bacon - I'm not a big meat eater but I gave this a try and am glad I did. Atmosphere - Dimly lit with low volume hip hop. Perfect for conversation. I've had a great time on a date and with my friends. Service - Couldn't be friendlier. I never feel rushed but they are quick to serve. Also, the presentation for their food is beautiful.
(5)
Joel P.

We went to Yuzu tonight to try still another great Chicago sushi restaurant. The food was great especially the Pot River roll. The Robata short rib was excellent also. Overall, great sushi for a really reasonable price. ( just at $50 for three large rolls, and two appetizers). The place is small with no frills, but well worth it. We will be back!
(5)
Kathy K.

I checked out this restaurant after a friend's recommendation. I've been looking for a go - to, "always delivers quality sushi" place in the Chi after living in the city for 5 yrs. This is definitely a place that delivers pretty sushi platters that also are tasty. For starters, my friend and I had the fresh baked Shitake mushrooms. These were good (baked in butter so how could you go wrong) but nothing special. We also ordered 2 rolls including the South Beach and the Motown Effect. Btw I am a fan of sushi places that have fun, creative names for their rolls instead of the run of the mill "Dragon Roll". I feel like it adds to the experience and helps make it one of kind which is something I always look for when visiting a restaurant for the first time. Both of these rolls had great presentation and we're delicious. The Motown roll was fried so always a crowd pleaser. In addition to the rolls, we also shared the sushi gold platter. Now my friend had been raving about the sashimi for weeks and the pieces were so fresh it tasted like butter. I was a little skeptical since I'm a bit harsher in my opinions compared to her. However I have to say, the sashimi was just as tender, fresh and buttery as she promised. So I ate my words...literally. Overall the experience was positive. The food tasted good, reasonably priced, descent portions and great presentation to go along. The menu had enough variety to keep the locals coming back for more and yet still had enough traditional items on the menu for the sushi purists. Parking is on the street but definitely has enough spots available( these are the cheap meters, at least by city standards). It was a refreshing change of pace from the typical Loop or River North trendy sushi spots. It's definitely worth a little drive out of the way.
(4)
Emilija P.

Amazing sushi place! Their rolls are delicious, affordable, and you get a lot of food. It's small on the inside but that makes it so much more cozy. Staff is very friendly and super quick. We accidentally ordered way too much food but that just meant we got to enjoy it the next day as leftovers. I'll definitely be back. Five stars for sure!
(5)
Elaine L.

awesome, great, and fun! these are the best words to describe Yuzu. It was a crowed night and we did not have not have a reservation but they found us a little table with out a problem. I really think their small plates and entrees are fantastic. There are so many great things so order a variety of their skewers. The shrimp was my favorite. It is BYOB and I THINK there is no corkage fee. Go and enjoy this gem.
(5)
Raytus C.

We dined here after a glowing review in Metromix. The first thing I noticed was huge piles of pre-cut sushi. Sorry Metromix, no sushi place that pre-cuts deserves even an honorable mention on any sushi list. Pre-cutting sushi is the quickest way to kill the taste of the fish as it oxidizes,loses flavor and starts tasting like the fridge. Anyone who knows anything about sushi knows this. We went at lunch, and the fish was already suffering, and there was easily enough to push through dinner. It was being used for rolls, sashimi and nigiri alike. We ordered one slice of sake, hamachi and whote tuna nigiri (cooked?) and stopped there - and we are big eaters. We also had the robata which was amazingly good, and worth going for Yuzu just to sample these grilled wonders. We had a bunch of the different offerings - all were amazingly well grilled. It should be noted my girlfirend got an MSG headache after dining here, and we suspect some of the sauces served with the robata, FYI. We got two rolls - tempura sweet potato which was wonderful, and the black sea roll which had enough spicey sauce to disguise the fish inside. Yuzu has so much potential - the presentation of the rolls was really top shelf. The guys are slaving on this stuff. But we counted at least ten guys working in Yuzu during lunch, you would think one of them could cut fresh fish and honor the elaborate presentations and excellent grilled fare with fresh fish. Yuzu would be 5 stars if it abandoned the inexcusable practice of pre-cutting.
(2)
Ryan P.

I was actually a serious hater of Chicago sushi before here, either its insanely expensive, garbage quality, or a combination of both. I have had too many of each experience and was going to put sushi in Chicago behind me. Fiance saw this place on check please and basically dragged me in here. We started with a few skewered meats, I call em street meat. They were as good as any I've had in the streets of China. Packed with flavor, fantastic. On to the real winner. The nigiri here was my favorite I've had in the city, melt in your mouth good. Get the chef selection, you won't be disappointed, comes with 9 pieces of fish and chefs choice of roll. More than enough for the largest appetites. Not into the specialty rolls thing much, but my date had a few and they were also fantastic... Service was good, sat us immediately for our reservation as well. Reasonably priced and BYOB. LOVE. TL;DR: BYOB with my new fav sushi in the city. Win.
(4)
Coby S.

This place has slow service. I understand that it is not fast food but we waited 30 minutes for our rolls. The waitress was not friendly, and when we asked her which roll was which she gave the answers with attitude. I feel like most of the rolls had a weird taste especially the Monster Spider and My Favorite Midwest Roll. I was really excited about this place after seeing it on Chicago's Best but I definitely will not return.
(1)
Stephanie L.

Give a girl a half!!!!! 4.5 LOVE THIS PLACE!!! Space...great, clean, dark, nice, there are comics on the walls in the main area. The seating is so-so. The chairs are a little awkward but other than that...its a pretty standard sushi restaurant Service...our server was on top of us...but not in a bad way. She came over several times to ask about food, fill waters, take orders, clear plates, etc. Food...BYOB!!!!!!! Also, the Robata grill is FANTASTIC and CHEAP!!!!! Pork shoulder had AMAZING flavor. OMG, great. There was two skewers to each. Also, we had the bacon wrapped scallops. Also really flavorful. The sushi was fantastic. The spicy rolls are spicy...which I enjoy. I like really spicy. Also, the unagi was great. It didnt have any of that chewy gross skin like stuff in it that I have gotten at some cheaper sushi restaurants. Only complaint would be that they only have green tea flavored mochi...not really all that bad but more flavors would be nice :) Price...did I mention BYOB....??? Did I mention that if you check in on Yelp you get $10 off a $40 purchase??? Did I mention that all of the prices are so reasonable, ie CHEAP AS HELL. Parking...easy as pie street parking...like you could have parked a stretch hummer limo right in front on Chicago.... LOVE! I will be back
(4)
Maggie Z.

Fresh and well decorated rolls in big portions. It is a great place to hangout for young people but not very suitable for families as it was a little bit loud.
(4)
Erica J.

Yuzu is an unassuming little place off of Chicago avenue. It was pretty busy, and definitely blasting the "top 40" as another reviewer put it, but I didn't mind, especially when the menu boasted a roll named the "Andre 3500." The food here was very very good. The tofu robata grill (grilled individually portioned skewers) was really good; the peanut sauce wasn't too thick and it was nicely crispy on the outside. The Green Harbor roll was very good with an inventive combination of fresh crispy tempura broccoli, sweet potato tempura, grilled asparagus, sunflower seeds, avocado cucumber and sweet soy sauce (I ordered it minus the mayo). I also tried another roll that was a soy paper wrap with oshinko, mango, cucumber, avocado and jalepeno topped with crunchy rice puffs. The chefs sent over free edamame when they saw that we were waiting a little while for our meal, and also sent over complimentary Inari wrapped rice purse with crunchy fried scallops. Overall, I was very impressed with the kind staff, good service, and quality and presentation of the food. I would definitely go back.
(5)
Allan C.

The kitchen works fast. They were able to keep the food flowing for an absurdly large party of 20 and staggered the food so that just about everyone was eating something as they were going. The grilled stuff there was actually my favorite. In particular the grilled squid where they tossed it in some yummy light vinegar sauce. The sushi was very good, but not likely to the point where you'd drive past a a boat of other places in town for. Overall the most impressive thing that they accomplished was handling our large party in such a small space.
(3)
Monte H.

2.5 stars Guided by Yelp and Check Please! to this place. Dined here for a birthday (not mine!). The space is a hole-in-wall and was cramped on a Sat night. Waits are to be expected. Feels like NYC, no Brooklyn, and the sushi, maki & robata were superb...the first time. With that in mind, ordered takeout (they will not deliver to Logan Square!) a few times, and had a different and decidedly worse experience each time. The robata (the grilled stuff) has been great each time. Usually opt for the Tuna with miso paste, always great. The sushi and maki on the other hand get worse every time I place an order. With my last order, the Unagi was chewy, coarse and borderline inedible. Wow, with a restaurant of this caliper, I didn't expect this. What a disappointment! Plus, some of the maki rolls have been off too. Also, I can't get over the fact that they don't serve real crab (they only have the fake stuff) when sushi joints such as Green Tea Sushi serve the real thing for the same price. And to add further insult, they shorted me a piece of sushi! Unacceptable! If I order from them again, it'll be for the robata and not the sushi/maki.
(2)
candace l.

This place is creative, consistent and super yummy! Plus they deliver when I'm not feeling like waiting for a table in their small space (which I do too, often enough, and have been satisfied with service). I've dreamt of their robata grilled veggies. Yum! They are byob which seals the deal.
(5)
Char Y.

we came for lunch and ordered the lunch special B & D beef skewer - really tender pork skewer - flavorful chicken skewer - dry tune poke - really good but need more! will come back for the beef and pork skewers!!
(4)
Edward S.

The joint looks a little out of place in Ukrainian Village, but the food was decent (presentation is pretty awesome for a $20 place). I had: Tuna Poke - I'd skip this, wasn't anything spectacular. Sesame seed oil kind of took the dominant taste here. Salmon and Hamachi nigiri - Legit nigiri if you want to spend some cash to fill up. South Beach Roll - This roll was good, liked the sweet mango and spice from the pepper, little different from the normal specialty rolls. Motown Roll - Wouldn't order again. The mix just didn't work out for me and nothing stood out.
(3)
Hope H.

I love love this restaurant! I have been to this restaurant many times and the restaurant has never let me down. Once, the rice they used for Maki rolls was a little overcooked, but other than that, the ingredients are consistently fresh and the presentation of each dish is very nice. It's a BYOB place so they don't always forget to bring a ice bucket to our table when we bring our champagne, beer, or white wine. My favorite sushi is Hamachi on the belly side (you have to make a special request for that) and my favorite robata grill dishes are short ribs and egg plants. I can't wait to go back there again!
(5)
Amy G.

I wish all restaurant staff were as polite, relaxed, and accommodating as the fine folks at Yuzu. Chicago has a lot of sushi restaurants, but not too many that are fresh, super delicious, reasonably-priced, BYOB, and appealing to non-sushi/fish eaters. So I understand the demand and don't mind a wait. This place was pretty packed on a Friday night, and I was quite pleased when I was told 20 minutes for a party of two. My friend was still on her way, but I was able to put our name in and wait outside for her. By the time she arrived we were seated in five minutes as seats at the bar had opened. This was apparently offensive to the table-Nazi lady who felt the need to educate the hostess on other restaurants' seating policies. ("At other restaurants, your whole party must be present to put in your name.") Expendable-income-maker problems. Nonetheless, I really appreciated the calmness the Yuzu staff expressed in the presence of so many ravenous Mid-westerners. If you want immediate service, go to Long John Silvers. Most importantly the sushi was fantastic. (We abstained from the Robata Grill, but it looked/smelled awesome, as did the sweet potato tempura.) We tried a variety of rolls and loved the extra spicy tuna and one with unagi. They put our cheap white wine over ice and refilled water glasses consistently, all while catering to the starving, vulnerable, sushi-deprived masses. With four rolls and edamame the bill was under $50 total.
(4)
Christopher G.

This is a great place with amazing rolls. They have fun names and are some of the best in Chicago. Even the basic Cali is great quality. The seats aren't as comfy as they should be, but the service is great and the sushi is awesome!
(4)
Hauwei L.

Super fresh fish, reasonable prices, BYOB, friendly staff. The small space is often crowded and can be hard to get a table, but the food is worth it. The grill and raw parts of the menu are equally good. Tried over 10 different skewers and almost all were winners including the pork shoulder, ribeye, chicken & green onion, eggplant, etc. Sashimi pieces are huge and melt in your mouth. Tuna poke appetizer is delicious. Many different rolls, 1 I remember was the pot river which is packed with different sorts of tasty fish.
(5)
Arjun M.

What I'm basing this review on: Miso Soup Robata set 1 Fire roll Mango Mochi Miso Soup: Pretty average, which is to say, good. Miso soup is pretty consistent from place to place and this dish met my expectations. Robata set 1: Yum! Loved this. The chicken satay was well grilled with a delicious peanut sauce drizzled on top. The winner in the set was the pork shoulder. Will double down on this next time I go. Fire roll: Very beautiful presentation and extremely tasty with all the sauces. Mango Mochi: Expectedly delicious. Overall I highly recommend this place. Great experience!
(4)
Lauren S.

LOVE this place!!! All the rolls were amazing!!! The have beautiful presentation, can't wait to venture back!! Make a resos, it isn't big and it gets very busy!!
(5)
Allyce B.

I LOVED Yuzu. My friends and I dropped in one day with a sushi craving. We were shocked at how reasonable the prices were when we opened the menus. Frankly I just started ordering things for the hell of it just because the prices allowed. Good Choice. Their small bites = delicious!! But not as good as the sushi itself. Honestly I don't remember what my friends and I ordered that day, but I remember I was shocked by the flavor and effort put into the decorative presentation. I knew before I was even finished eating that I needed to come back. We finished the meal with mochi ice cream. Again, shockingly good flavors and presentation. The syrup they put on the side really makes the dessert. I would recommend this place to anyone.
(5)
Keith A.

My sushi kick hasn't ended yet. And with that, it brought me to yuzu on the first snow storm of the winter. I mean, what else is there to do when it's snowing a bunch but to eat sushi. I only ordered for pickup, but I got there a bit early. I was impressed by them on first bite. They don't mess around on the portion size, you get some nice sized pieces of fish from them. I ordered some hamachi and salmon nigiri and I couldn't believe the size of the pieces. It was no joke, and made me very happy. Never mind the fact that the fish was excellent as well. The raw side of things didn't end there as I got some spider maki and spicy tuna maki. The spice on the tuna wasn't holding back, it's nice to see them not dumbing it down for people. The spider maki was huge. It was hard for me to do it in one bite. All sorts of delicious crab was in this and the pieces were perfectly put together. Now, yuzu isn't just a sushi bar. Nope, they also have some cooked meats as well. I had to do some skewers and I wasn't disappointed. I got two pieces of chicken+green onions. These were done great and the perfect size as well. The salmon skewer was also excellent with there being a nice hunk of salmon on it. I have to mention how great the staff was. To say that they were extremely nice would be an understatement. It's just that little bit of extra that makes one want to go back, and I plan on it
(4)
Na S.

Best lunch special!!!
(5)
Eleni G.

We are enamored with this place. The restaurant is BYOB, they have no corkage fees, and the staff is attentive without being pushy and in your face all throughout the meal. They offer to chill/warm any alcohol that you choose to bring and are very acoomodating. Some highlights of the menu include the Tuna Poke - delicious tuna and avocado drizzled with soy sauce and seasme oil. The avocado mango salad, where the dressing is a fresh but spicy match to the avocado and mango. The pork shoulder or asaparagus wrapped in bacon robata are excellent. The mushroom robata is delicious too for anyone who's not a fan of meats. For the sushi part of the menu, we love the black sea roll, the pot river roll, over the rainbow roll, green harbor roll... pretty much every roill we've had off of the menu. It's a great way to eat as a group as well, since the rolls are big enough to share and the robata is affordable enough that you can order a few different selections and share those as well. We love coming here with friends from out of town as well as ones who just haven't been. It's worth the trip, and you'll definitely want to go back.
(5)
Mark J.

Came here on a Thursday night with a few of my friends. Place was pretty packed, but we had a reservation and were seating right away. It's a very small place so i t can crammed at times. To start, we had miso soup, sweet potato tempura, and some grilled squid. The squid was the best out of these, but the other two were still pretty good. ' As far as sushi goes, it definitely is better than most places in the area. You can tell the fish is fresh. Our favorite rolls were the Breaking bad, Fire and Monster Spider. Very fast service. Highly recommended!
(4)
Amer A.

I don't usually give 5 stars. This place is the casual, yummy, non-pretentious sushi joint I have spent the last year looking for. The sushi menu ranges from the traditional to the American hyper-roles. In addition to the good quality sushi, Yuzu serves up tasty grills. The kalbi beef and eggplant skewers were delicious. Lunch specials are generous and cheap. Entrees are well priced. Finally, the service. The wait staff is friendly, eager to serve and efficient.
(5)
John S.

This place is amazing and now my new favorite sushi spot. Everything is delicious and the presentation is beautiful. The staff is nice and the though the space is small, it makes for a great atmosphere. The rolls are extremely creative and fun. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Christine D.

This is now my favorite spot for sushi in Chi-Town!! The robata grill comes with 6 skewers of beef, chicken and tasty pork thats just incredible!! I love their handmade sushi flavors and designs...not only creative but very delicious with good texture of rice and ingredients. Overall, I give it 7 stars! Its BYOB too so come prepared!!
(5)
Elina K.

This place is tiny. So if you are clausterphobic or eating in a box amongst robata smoke bothers you you might not want to come here. Otherwise, the food was fantastic. I started with the avocado mango salad which was refreshing and came with a delicious sauce. Then I tried a pork shoulder skewer from the robata grill. YUM. Finished with a couple maki rolls. One was the Pot River and I can't remember the other one. One was delicious and the other one was pretty good but it was fried and warm. I didn't realize this when I ordered and wasn't too happy about that. But overall, excellent sushi spot. And it's BYO, no corkage fee.
(4)
Seth F.

A crazy good place to order delivery from. The quality was really good and it came fast and hot (that sounded a lot grosser than I meant it to, I'm sorry if you wouldn't have even considered that w/o this aside). And on top of all that, Yuzu offers a menu that's large and contains a large number of items that are difficult to find anywhere else. Mainly everything from the Robata Grill Section. To be fair, the portions are bit small for the price, but I have little qualms with attributing that higher price to the variety they offer. Outside of that, the only reason I don't order more often is that choosing one meal of food out of all the options is a daunting task. The sushi was of acceptable quality as well, and since I have the same issues ordering sushi I felt that shouldn't really be a knock against it.
(5)
Jeff S.

I've been to Yuzu twice now, and both times I've left incredibly satisfied, full, and happy. Let's start off with the reservations - easy. Easy to get into, and there's nothing like scheduling dinner day of and still being able to get your restaurant of choice. Don't get me wrong, Yuzu was still fully packed when I ate, but it wasn't a giant mess to try to get a table. Let's talk about the food. First of all, the grilled skewers are amazing. Amazing price, and they definitely know how to grill. I don't think I've been disappointed by any of the grilled items, but the standouts have been the bacon wrapped scallops, the pork shoulder, and the beef. I enjoyed the sauces that came on the latter half, although I feel like they're a bit too generous with them; I've never been much of a sauce guy, the key is always in moderation. Ok, they also have bento boxes. Oh man, I love bento boxes! They're basically the perfect food for me...rice, meat, salad, all presented in a convenient compartmented box. And the price! They start at $10 and go up to $14, and you're seriously getting A LOT of food. Of course, this never stops me from getting a couple of skewers on top of it all, but hey, I like my food. I've also tried a few of the maki rolls, and the fish seems to be pretty fresh and tasty. But the real stars of the show here are the skewers and bento boxes...and those are worth the trip back multiple times. Quick word about service - excellent. Nary a problem. Always a pleasure to go here. And street parking is ridiculously easy. To sum up, Yuzu is easy - easy to get to, easy to park, easy to get a table, easy to order, and easy to leave full and happy.
(5)
Jeanne L.

Cute restaurant (I love all the manga on the walls), pretty good sushi. I was in a superwhite tuna mood, so I got the "what's my name" roll and 3 superwhite tuna sushi's, and then the Alaska roll. The superwhite was great, and the rolls were creative and pretty tasty. My friends and sister seemed to enjoy the robata skewers they got too. It was refreshing to see young sushi chefs, and their young creativity really shines through in the rolls and the plating (such pretty designs made with sauce!). Green tea was also an order once and continuous refill for 1 pot that 4 of us shared, which I really appreciate, as I hate being charged per cup of such a cheap drink at many other sushi restaurants.
(4)
Evan A.

This is everything you want from a mid priced sushi joint. Simple, fresh decor. Good enough service, good prices, great food, and BYOB. Rolls range in price from $6-$15. For 2 people, I had an appetizer, a couple robata skewers, and 2 rolls and with tax and tip spent $50. Not the cheapest place, but the correct price for the quality of food. Everything we had was very good. My date lived in Hawaii for a while and said that the Tuna Poke was the best tasting, most authentic she has had since she left. The ribeye and bacon scallop robata were very flavorful. We had the boston crunchy roll which was the low point but that's relative because it was still very good. We also had a roll that was shrimp tempura topped with tuna and unagi that was amazing. All fish was super fresh. It is a hike for me from Lakeview, but I'll go back.
(5)
Rebekah L.

Never have I ever... Had sushi this good. I love my wasabi and soy like no other and it wasn't needed. The need to spice up my rolls never came. We got the south beach and motown rolls ORDER THEM you wont regret it! It's also a BYOB joint which is awesome. I wish Yuzu was in Cali for me.
(5)
Julia D.

Mmm, Yuzu. I've dined here several times, and always leave satisfied. Wish I could rate a 4.5 (Yelp, you must add a half-star option!), for I am in lust/love with several Yuzu specialty items. A few of my personal favorites: 1. Black Sea Roll: Tuna, super white tuna (one can never have too much tuna), salmon, hamachi, kani kama, sunflower seeds, masago, spicy mayo, sesame oil, black tobiko, scallion. A deliciously loaded specialty roll for only eight dollar bills, y'all. 2. Tuna Poke: Hawaiian tuna salad, avocado, green and white onion, Japanese chili pepper, soy sauce, sesame oil. Served in a beautiful display, and quite delectable. Bravo, Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill; y'all serve an exceptional poke. (Side note: Tuna poke may be one of the best dishes to exist.) 3. Pot River: A jumbo roll (and let me tell you, it is JUMBO) of tuna, super white tuna, salmon, avocado, cucumber, cilantro, jalapeÃ±o, scallion, tempura crumbs, green tobiko, chili sauce, wasabi mayo, sweet soy sauce. A zesty roll--with just the right amount of kick. 4. South Beach: Super white tuna, spicy tuna, mango, Japanese pepper, sesame oil, masago, spicy mayo, lime, red and black tobiko. The combo tobiko adds a nice finishing touch to this light, unique Yuzu specialty roll. Also good options: Over the Rainbow, What's My Name and Very Spicy Tuna. As for restaurant atmosphere, Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill is a great BYO spot for a group dinner or for a date. It is on the smaller side, so be sure to call in prior to ensure there is an open table. Service team is friendly and attentive. Wall decor is artsy. Old-school hip hop beats play in the background. Basically, if you'll enjoy jamming to Boyz II Men and Notorious B.I.G. while dining on delicious cuisine, iRecommend you check out Yuzu Sushi today.
(4)
Stephanie H.

So I previously made a very honest review about a horrible experience I had with this restraunt and I was very surprised to see that the restraunt commented on my review in a very childish unproffetional manor. Which I guess shouldn't really shock me too much because that is exactly how they treated my first unfortunat encounter with them. I am quite embarrassed for their actions and am thoughly happy for standing up for myself and letting everyone else know how they treat their costumers. They clearly have never heard they saying "the costumer is always right" it's pretty funny because as they are trying to tell me off they just proved my point on how they fail at costumer service.
(1)
Jackie F.

Definitely one of my favorite sushi spots in the city. Everything is very good, its BYOB, and cheap. My favorite roll is the Chicago roll. Pot River was also very good but ONLY get if you like cilantro. Midwest roll was good but doesn't top the Chicago Roll. As for the Robata grill - I like the bacon wrapped scallops but didn't like the Chicken Satay as much. Seaweed salad was good and so were Gyoza for apps. The staff is friendly and if you check in on the yelp app you can save 10% on your bill!
(5)
Jason W.

Wow! I didn't eat much sushi, but the couple rolls that I tried were gorgeous and tasted as good as they look. I came here for the cooked meats. They have a multitude of satays, and I heard they were delish. I head right! They were around $2 a piece and some of the best beef and pork that have ever tried on a stick. BYOB which is always wonderful and overall a hip little place!
(5)
Myles G.

I loved the vibe of this place upon walking in. It was what a sushi place should be. Very tight quarters, people looking happy, and a sea of chefs behind the sushi bar. I only had to wait about 5 minutes before being escorted to a dark corner of the room to be seated. I didnt feel bad for bringing two bottles of wine as I observed a couple nearby with four. My friend and I were both also very impressed by the constant stream of vintage hip-hop coming through the speakers. We jumped right into ordering. Two items I will not be ordering again: soft-shell shrimp and gyoza. Both were quite bland, dry, and tasteless. We decided to try some more robata items before rolls and finally got some winners. The short rib, bacon-scallop, pork shoulder, and ribeye robotas were all very tender and flavorful. The most creative roll I have seen recently is Yuzu's "Pot River". It is a very unique mix of seafood and surprisingly cilantro among other things. The"sorry im drunk" roll and the "black sea" were also quite impressive. The most tragic part of this experience was the service. The server appeared to have never performed this task before. She was very pushy yet highly unknowledgeable about the menu. In the first five minutes, she requested that we order 5 times while we continued to inform her that we would be ordering in several shifts. She appeared highly uninterested in general and when we asked for recommendations on two occasions. she stated"I dont really like or eat sushi, so you are kind of on your own" or "I guess I have had someone order that one before" Really?! I am sure that I saw other servers who were better in the place, but that was mine. Yet and still, check it out.
(3)
Denise G.

Got delivery and came early! Fresh, tasty, and inventive.
(5)
Di M.

Sushi was ok. Place is small. It's was my date's first experience with Sushi. We were requested to leave immediately after we paid and had 1/2 a glass of wine to finish. Furthermore, we there less than an hour. I was embarrassed I won't be returning
(3)
Stefanie P.

This sushi restaurant is different because it has a grill too. Thats probably why its in the name! We had scallops and bacon on a stick, and pork shoulder. To be honest, I wanted to cancel the sushi order and eat more of that stuff. All of the items off the grill are great! We got the Black Sea roll Rubata Roll. The presentation is amazing, and the flavor and the freshness of the fish is just as wonderful. My friend ordered the japanse icecream (not sure of the name) I got the green tea and it was sweet but also refreshing. I say try it! The waitstaff is always smiling like they just hugged a teddy bear and have animated cartoon hearts flying around their body. That makes the meal so much more enjoyable The walls are covered with Japanese black and white anime but the furniture is modern rustic (thats a fancy design phrase iI made up) This place is fantastic.
(5)
Olivia M.

Popped my sushi cherry here and was not disappointed, but I am slightly humiliated that people had to witness me using chopsticks. It was bad. However, the food was tasty. I tried sashimi and a variety of other things my boyfriend force fed me but I really enjoyed the experience. We sat right in front of the kitchen which was fun too, and our waiter was nice and attentive.
(4)
Nicholas W.

Friendly and prompt service, but honestly, the food was very inferior to other sushi places around the area. The bacon scallop had a sharp taste with no subtlety - I thought the two ingredients would play each other off in texture, but it was a hot scalding mess. The beef short rib had an interesting sauce but was overdone and boring. The serving size of black sea roll was tiny and it tasted bland, and could have had more character. For the copious description of this dish, it was severely underwhelming. I also ordered some sashimi which taste would be passable only if I bought it at some supermarket. Gawd, even the supermarket sashimi tastes better. Extremely disappointing experience. I was ready to sample some good dishes, given the rave reviews on yelp, but I quickly paid and left, and went to Dominicks to buy my dinner.
(1)
andy s.

really good food, and prices are definitely reasonable. BYOB is a plus. make a reservation because seating is limited. there isn't a ton of seating, and there isn't a ton of space either. but you go here for the food, not for a nice quiet date.
(5)
Zak O.

Went here last night for the first time after receiving several recommendations. We left saying (1) why didn't we go here sooner and (2) we can't wait to come back and try even more stuff on the menu. We loved the robata grilled peppers and beef short ribs. The sushi rolls and pieces were also fantastic! The yellow tail and super white tuna just melted in our mouths. We sat at the bar and watched one beautiful platter after another head to tables. These guys are artists. Add to that a cool vibe, music, B.Y.O. and the reasonable prices and you have a place that is well worth the trip.
(5)
Lily D.

Really enjoyed the rolls, nice atmosphere
(5)
Jon O.

This is one of my favorite places to eat in Ukrainian Village. I've been here a couple times with different groups of friends, and every time everybody leaves full and satisfied. The specialty here is robata, which you can consider a sort of Japanese barbecue. Robata are a la carte skewers with a variety of meats and veggies available. The bacon wrapped scallops and the white miso tuna are definitely my faves. The sushi is nothing to scoff at, either. There's a lot of great sushi in the vicinity, but the offerings here are nothing to sneeze at. I've had at least half of these before, and I've enjoyed every one I've tried. I'm a big unagi fan in particular, so I really enjoyed the dragon roll. You can treat this restaurant as you would a tapas place - feel free to order one or two more robata if you feel like you're not quite full. The place is pretty cozy but service is friendly. It's BYOB if you're so inclined, and I don't remember ever paying a corkage fee. Most of the food is made to share - make sure to get the cucumber salad. Finally, if you order over $50 (no small task), you can save $10 by checking in on Yelp. If you like sushi or Korean BBQ at all, you should absolutely check this place out.
(5)
Traci T.

I first learned about Yuzu on TastingTable, an online magazine that I completely trust. Eating at Yuzu has been on my to-do list for a while. It's also in my 'hood and have passed it a few times. Completely kicking myself for not eating there sooner. My friend and I decided to try it out on a late Sat afternoon. So the restaurant was basically empty. I think we were the only party being served. What came to mind immediately was how fresh everything was. The food at Yuzu really stands out in a great way. The chef came over and offered us complimentary white tuna drizzled with an amazing citrus sauce. It was unbelievably good. I'm hooked. Give Yuzu a try and you'll be too!
(5)
Temi C.

Great value for your money! If you're a fan of Lawrence Fish Market, you'll love Yuzu. The prices are only slightly higher for a clean, byob dining experience. Big fat sashimi pieces range from $2-3 and basic rolls are $4. Although it falls short of Toro standards, it's a quick sushi fix. They have some interesting skewers like miso tuna and pork shoulder ( tastes like beef teriyaki). They're only $1.50-2.50 and very generous in size. They have 50% off some rolls until the end of June if you dine in.
(3)
Elizabeth W.

I LOVE YU! (ZU!) Came in on a night when I was grumpy, didn't want to cook and didn't particularly care what I ate, so my soft shell crab-lovin' man ordered a little something from each part of the menu. I prefer raw sushi, but the cooked rolls and deep-fried appetizers here completely floored me. By the end of the meal my frown was completely gone. Life's too short to be grumpy when you're seat-dancing to "Regulator" and stuffing your face with tempura.
(5)
David C.

So I received a message from the owner of Yuzu, who claimed that the four fake reviews were written by an overzealous person on their wait staff. Having friends in the service industry, I am not sure why a waiter would take the effort to write four fake reviews for his employer (but my friends are all pretty surly). However, I will take Yuzu's word for it. Adding a star for correcting the problem and having the fake reviews taken down. Still kinda suspect.
(2)
Katherine O.

loved the lunch specials!!! The spicy tuna roll was so good! =). Good prices too.
(4)
John P.

This is the best Japanese restaurant I know in Chicago. Check it for yourself, you wont be disappointed. You cannot find better value for your money. I feel like I am stilling the food.
(5)
Danielle C.

The food was different than other sushi restaurants and delicious! The have skewers called robatas which are $1.50 - $3 which includes seared ahi! Super cheap compared to other sushi restaurants and worth the trip. I have had the Pad Thai twice there and think it's one of the best I've had before. The owner is nice and comes to the table to make sure everything is ok and the servers are very cute and attentive. I would definitely recommend it!
(5)
Grace F.

Ughhh!!! Love this place to pieces!!! Okay, so, I know the head chef that works here and I'm not writing all the good things as a favor for him. Nope!!! I'm doing this because this place deserves to be known. The service was extremely attentive, friendly and efficient. Our water were always full. We had the Pier 99, South Beach, some regular makis, like sweet potatos, dragon and our most favorite was the My Favorite Midwest Roll. It's super good!!! We ordered it twice, that's how good it was. The robata were really yummy too, I highly recommend the Pork Shoulder. The atmosphere is nice, very spacious for a tiny restaurant and I love the japanese comic wall art. I'm happy with my experience and definitely will be back.
(5)
David P.

At first i was unsure of trying out another japanese yakitori place. I thought it would just be another craptastic cloned restaurant featuring such wonderful creations as tasteless grilled 0.2oz chicken breast on a stick and 1 fried shrimp wrapped in seaweed along with spicy mayo, fried crumbs, cream cheese, rice, call it a (cityname) roll and charge $$ per roll. Insert Ikea furniture, decor from Chinatown gift shops, non-Japanese speaking staff/owners, yuppy neighborhood and voilÃ , another small business loan waiting to default in less than three years. Well...I guess this place isn't 100% different than other non-Japanese owned Japanese restaurants but here's the good part: The skewers here are for people with taste buds and appetites bigger than a 2 yr old. And at $1.5 - $2.5 a skewer, you can actually get full without spending $$$. You should probably get in before they figure out that they can get away with charging you $2 for 0.2oz of chicken with no seasoning. They try to innovate with other Asian inspired dishes like the curry puff...which is a Samosa but sweet. Not sure if I like it but at least they didn't photocopy their menu like every other Japanese restaurant. I think the decent portions of their tasty skewers, plus BYOB and the convenient parking is a winning combo in itself. Although they still offer the (city name) $$ rolls, but I guess without it the majority of the populace won't understand what sort of Asian food it is they are ingesting. The service was mixed, said they weren't expecting so many ppl on a monday night. Long wait times and they forgot the skewers I ordered. But they gave me a discount and they at least tried. I'm sure with more experience in entering orders and kitchen setup they'd get it right.
(4)
Rebecca W.

I love this place! It has really great food that is surprisingly inexpensive. The service is great-and you don't feel rushed like at a lot of byobs. I'd definitely recommend a reservation for dinner because it's understandably busy.
(5)
Diana D.

We had the Robata Sets 1 and 2 and I had some sushi too. Good music playing in the restaurant as well. Service was pretty good, the place is small, so you may wait, but really great food. Many hipsters in attendance,
(4)
Julia S.

Great BYOB sushi place. NO CORKAGE FEE!!! It's a great place for groups to gather and try new food. It's noisy inside, so not the best place for a one-on-one date. The sushi is fairly priced (between $8-$17) and the options on the Robata menu are good (lots of veggies!). Make a reservation because it gets crowded- they also do take out.
(4)
Andrea D.

Yuzu is great - you cannot beat the quality at this price point, especially if you use the yelp coupon when you check in! The service is always good and the wait staff is super nice. My favorite roll is hundred years of solitude, with cantaloupe island coming in at a close second!
(5)
Katherine M.

excellent grill--and I love the fact you can get many small grilled dishes at a decent price. best Japanese to eat since sushi wabi bit the dust. The people handling lines/crowds not very informative and several times I felt like I had to be a little more forward to get a table or seat at the bench. My son has always been accommodated but not so great a place for toddlers/young kids due to the crush unless you come when not very busy. Great food but space-challenged at times.
(5)
Liza O.

This is some of the best sushi I've had in a long time. Really fresh. And ripe avocado and mango which just put the rolls over the top. Had a couple of skewers too, which were also delicious. We went shortly after work on a weeknight, so it wasn't crowded. Bonus: BYOB with no corkage fee!
(5)
Sarah M.

Literally the best sushi I've ever had! Only downside is the place is about as cramped as a sardine can. But it is well worth it to eat their delicious food! I will be coming here again for certain!!!!!
(5)
Karen B.

as being new to sushi and rolls, this place is amazing!!! the tempura sweet potatoes are yummy, and the bacon wrapped asperagus was yummy. we ate till we burst, and it was cheap!!! i highly recommend the philly rolls, and the chicago rolls are good too.
(5)
Kat T.

Love this place! I've been here twice and I was satisfied both times. The staff is friendly and attentive and the food is super delicious. Yuzu has an awesome vibe during the day and an even better vibe in the evening. I'm sure this place is going to be around for a while. =)
(4)
Ece A.

Delicious sushi and if you have people that doesn't like Sushi in your party, Robata grill is a great alternative. It's a small place and you may be likely to smell food a bit due to the robata grilling, but it's worth it! BYOB and super reasonably priced food. Blacksea and southbeach rolls are fantastic!
(5)
A. F.

Let me just say, this was possibly the best sushi I've had in Chicago. Hands down. There are only two negative things that I can say about this place and the first is that it's tiny...seriously tiny. The second thing was our waiter rushing us out before we could finish our food, wine, and order dessert. I was a little understanding of this because the place is so small and there was a line forming outside, but at the same time at least ask if we'd like to order dessert before you bring us our bill (while we're still eating). BUT the food saves any negative things about this place. For our appetizer we ordered the gyoza and the tempura (we attempted to order the curry puff, but apparently they sold out for the day...smh). Both items were DELICIOUS...especially the gyoza. The rolls we ordered were the Fire, Chicago Spring, Pier 69, and Motown Effect. These were all excellent and the presentation was beautiful. We found the Chicago Spring to be the most delightful and refreshingly fresh. Bottom line is if you're looking for great sushi (regardless of price or atmosphere) then this is the place for you. I will be back. And there's a $10 off when you spend $50 Check-in Offer!
(5)
J J.

I came here for the first time with a group of ladies and we all loved it. The food is affordable, delicious, and the staff are friendly. I came here a second time and they gave us a complimentary roll, which was absolutely amazing. It is also byob, which is a huge bonus. I will continue to come back again and again.
(5)
Casey K.

amazing! quality rolls and grilled foods. we ordered some robata items (aparagus wrapped in bacon, tofu, shishito) and some rolls (asparagus, shrimp tempura, black sea, shitake). oh and some miso soup. everything was uber tasty; service was top notch. more of a small group place than a date place. would have been nice if they switched up the hip hop with some LCD soundsystem. just sayin'.
(5)
Dina I.

Visited right when they opened so obviously they were still working out the kinks...that being said, the food was solid, the service was a-ok. Timing of food could have been done a bit better as we had no food for awhile then all the sushi and grilled proteins came out all at once.
(3)
Jeff R.

Small, unassuming place, but the food is great! We had the drunken noodles, beef short ribs, and asparagus bacon skewers. Everything was very tasty! Watching the chefs make the sushi was very entertaining! Service was good too! They kept my cucumber water glass full the whole meal! Love the background music!
(5)
Bill S.

The pork shoulder and beef short rib robata are amazing!! Sushi is okay for the price. And a couple of friends had the mango-avocado salad and it was delicious too and a lot for six bux. Two thumbs up!! Coming back many times in the future.
(4)
X X.

the food was nice, especially considering the price point... service was fine... the food came out a little too quickly... I fully understand the concept of "banquet", but our table was so full that there was nearly not a spot to move... my main purpose for this review is the windows... I understand that there is a fair amount of disrespectful traffic on this strip of Chicago Ave., but the windows were so filthy that it completely distracted from the experience... it was my first impression of your restaurant... I hope this is taken as a helpful note... otherwise, a pleasant experience...
(3)
Gino B.

I chose Yuzu to celebrate a special occasion, and I chose well. Yuzu came through with a great atmosphere, flawless service, and a selection of artfully prepared, fresh, tasty, and interesting sushi selections. We dined on a 90+ degree day, so we didn't try anything grilled. But given what we experienced, I imagine their robata offerings would be equally outstanding. All in all, highly recommended.
(5)
kelly h.

All in all not bad. Very friendly staff, even if you can't understand what they're saying! The cataloupe roll was delish. As far as the robata grill went, pork shoulder was by far the best. The chicken wings sounded better than they tasted, way too big. Mango salad would've been great if they knew how to cut it, but the dressing was tasty. Not sure dine there again but I would consider carryout.
(3)
Mahra C.

robata grill at its best , with byob!! nothing beats this place:
(5)
Bethany J.

I never would have noticed this place if I hadn't been looking for it. From the looks of the exterior I was a little nervous at first, but the staff was incredibly friendly from the moment we entered. We were quickly greeted with jars of water laced with lemon and cucumber-- refilled enough to make me use their bathroom before the meal had ended (the bathroom passed the clean test by the way). We started with tuna and shitake mushrooms from the robata grill: both were good, but the mushrooms were the gustatory winner. We ordered several rolls: spicy tuna, my favorite midwest roll (no rice), dragon, south beach and Pier 99. All were good enough to merit a second visit, but the dragon and Pier 99 were my two favorites. Next time I plan to sample a few sashimi pieces so I can experience the true quality of the fish, but based on tonight's experience alone Yuzu has earned itself a reservation in my future of sushi consumption. If you live in the area, it's definitely worthy of a visit.
(4)
Shalene M.

great atmosphere and food. good stuff!
(4)
Jay E.

i went there for their robata grill and it was fantastic. the pork shoulder and beef short ribs stole the show. i ordered 3, maybe 4 of each, it's hard to remember with the byob; i just kept ordering. i left full with a smile on my face and my date was happy too since sushi was her reason for being there (which she thought was quite delicious).
(5)
Monica A.

I had high hopes for Yuzu but sadly our visit was dissappointing. While the service is great the food needs work. Our Miso was cold, bad start. The appetizers, short ribs, tuna and pork were also cold and over cooked. The sushi was good, not the best but not the worse. It was certainly the highlight of the meal. I would recommend for a casual weekday sushi dinner...skip the starters.
(2)
K P.

nigiri is pretty good, especially considering the price (much better than most in chicago, but not the best either). The rice was not perfect. The robata items had good taste, however they were not served as prepared. Rather they were served all together. As a result the temperature was off. Served right off the grill, i'm sure it would've been better. We had the Katsu special too, it was pretty bad. The oily taste was wayyy too prevalent. It was the end of the night, so maybe the oil needed to be changed. Nice atmosphere, friendly owner and the staff was mostly nice (some extremely polite, others not so much).
(3)
simon y.

ordered sashimi gold - 15 pieces of sashimi. unfortunately 3/15 were unagi (cooked, saucy eel). i really don't call that sashimi. the pieces were relatively small. this alone would have pushed me to give 1 or 2 stars, but the second order i placed of 2 different roe and more hamachi was half decent.
(3)
brian d.

ok, the food rocks, the art on the walls is really cool but most of all the thai sweetness of the owners comes thru in every aspect of how they treat everyone. this place is a treat for the belly, the soul and the spirit!
(5)
emma r.

Guess I'd better try it again. Went in at 6pm for take out, and the "soundtrack" was x-rated gangsta. Loud. And the lights were on dim. Couldn't see the menu. The music was so offensive that I ordered quickly to get out. Fish was fresh enough. Salad of sashimi and avocado was good. Certainly not a relaxing time. I agree about the decor, but at least it's not boring. But lose the mother******* music.
(3)
Jessica M.

I LOVE THIS PLACE! Everything I have tried here is amazing and everyone I have brought with me loves it as well. I have never walked out disappointed and have been here countless times. Plus, it's BYO, they play the best music and everyone is very friendly.
(5)
Jason W.

This place is great! The sushi is really good. The robata grill items are good too. I love the scallops (both kinds). I've actually eaten here a few times, and don't remember all that I have had, but everything has been great. It's got a cool theme, and is lively. Love the BYOB too!
(5)
MeandMr D.

Visited Yuzu on a Friday night with a large group. The food was good and the staff was friendly. We were able to get parking right out front which was good. For the price, Yuzu is great value.
(3)
Erin D.

My boyfriend brought me to Yuzu on Friday night. He had already read a few great reviews and wanted to try the skewers. We loved it. We went on the early side (6:30ish) and got a seat right away. We orded the gyoza and the mango salad to start. The gyoza was fantastic. The salad looked great, but was difficult to pull the mango pieces off the skin with chopsticks. Next we ordered 3 skewers, beef short ribs (of which we ordered two more at the end of our meal), pork shoulder, and chicken and onion. Short ribs were the best of all three. We also ordered three sushi rolls...the midwest, boston crunchy, and hamachi jalapeno simple roll. All were excellent, not the best sushi I had had, but great for the price. As we ate there were a lot of people coming in, by the time we left people were waiting for tables. Servicers were friendly albeit a bit hard to understand. The dishes either all came out at once, or we had to wait. The food was so good we didn't really care. We will definitely go back. One of Chicago's hidden gems.
(4)
Perry W.

Hands down my favorite sushi spot in Chicago! Everything is so fresh and tasty - not to mention presented beautifully. The roll selection is great and goes way beyond the standard sushi spot options. Still can't believe a place this good is byob! Keep in mind they are sticklers on the maximum amount of beer/wine each person can consume. So if you're looking for a really boozy byob dinner this might not be your best bet.
(5)
Tushar B.

What a great experience. Came here with a friend early Sunday evening just to avoid any rush. The restaurant is small and crammed so make reservations if you have more than 2 in your group. We started with some appetizers to get a taste of items coming off the grill. Our selection included chicken satay, scallops wrapped in bacon, and pork shoulder. Hands down the pork shoulder was the best of the three. For sushi, we ordered a Dragon, South Beach, and My Favorite Midwest rolls. Both Dragon and South Beach has really awesome artistic presentation. Overall, the Dragon was the best with a tie between the South Beach and Midwest rolls. We also ordered a couple of Tako (boiled octopus) and uni nigri, which were tasty but could have been better. We had a really pleasant and awesome experience. The service was fairly decent, which is a major compliant of many others, but it may be due to the fact that we came when it first opened for the day. It is BYOB but you should check out the specific rules they have for number of bottles per person. Overall, if you are looking food that taste great and is visually appealing, then this is the place for you. I look forward to my next visit.
(5)
Angie P.

My boyfriend and I came to the place for the first time over the weekend and we loved it! The food was excellent and the service was great. We will definitely be coming back :)
(5)
Anca M.

My 1st time here and will defiantly be back for more. Loved everything about this place!
(5)
Ilse H.

Great place! Its a great place to come for a birthday and it's byob. I came here in the afternoon with my sister and mother and they also thought the place was good. My sister felt at home with the naruto art on the back wall. The bathrooms have mouthwash which I thought was different and convenient if you're on a date or just eat a lot of sushi.
(4)
Daniel N.

I've been disappointed lately with sushi. So much that I've been avoiding sushi places and I think Yuzu reaped the benefits. We ordered rolls that we don't typically get with the exception of the spicy tuna. They were all pretty good and at $9 a piece not bad. The place is BYOB so don't forget your booze.They have kind of weird rules, not sure if they follow them strictly but you can only have like 1 bottle of wine per 2 people or 1 6 pack of beer per two people. These guys were fast too!. I don't know if it was the night or what but it seemed like they had 8 people working an were pumping out the rolls.
(4)
Jen M.

So I've recently seen Yuzu every where. Friends and neighbors recommending it over and over. However I just tried it and oh my god it was disgusting. The crab was fake and dry. The shrimp was slimy and smelly. Never ever again! I am so disappointed. I'll stick with Butterfly.
(1)
Nicki W.

Seriously, Yuzu is my FAVORITE sushi spot in the whole city right now. I'm moved to the neighborhood within the past year and there's not a huge selection of good spots close to me. I frequent Yuzu quite often and order delivery as well. It's SUPER small...but they'll soon be re-locating to a larger space right down the street (closer to me!). Be prepared for a wait any night of the week as this place packs them in! I love to sit at the sushi bar and watch the magic happen. I've had so many things on the menu, but one of my favorites continues to be the South Beach Roll. YUM. The presentation of the dishes is always something to see. They create all sorts of colorful designs on the wood blocks that the sushi is served on. It's artistic and something different. They're always playing hip-hop in there too which creates a fun vibe. You can always count on super fresh fish here, so if you haven't been...GO!
(5)
Lex B.

I'm liking their new location, though I have to admit that I kind of miss seeing more manga on their walls. But their new space is mainly brick so there's only a little tiny one on the back wall...anyhoot... First of all, BYOB - so that already gets tons of points from me (who doesn't like saving money but still being able to drink with their meal)!! Went on a Wednesday evening (7PM), and it was quite packed. Thankfully I had a reservation. Got the tuna poke like many suggested and it was perfect! I remember reading that it was so huge and that the avocado was frozen, so I thought it would be bigger, but it was fine. I love tuna and avocado, so I thought it was amazing, especially when you had a bite of both together. We split the soft shell shrimp and and salmon from the robata grill and also ordered the black sea roll. Everything was great! Just to finish off the meal (and the bottle of wine), we ordered another order of salmon and tried the shishito peppers. I don't know if I've had the peppers before, but they were quite delicious. Slightly sweet, with an ever so slight kick. I thought it went well with the salmon. The whole meal was just under $40 and the both of us were comfortably full. P.S. They are kind of strict about their one bottle/six pack per table. We had both brought a bottle of wine (slight miscommunication...but things could be worse!), and they would not let us open the second one what so ever. You've been warned!
(5)
Katie V.

Excellent!!! The service and food were both wonderful. The rolls are beautiful and full of fresh fish. We were a party of 3 and one appetizer and 4 rolls filled us up.
(5)
Rebecca N.

Fantastic place! I have been wanting to go here for so long and it lived up to the hype. Surprisingly, I like the sushi appetizers/ salads and robata grill items more than the sushi rolls. We got the avocado and mango salad and tuna poke to start. Both had great flavors and big portions. Then we got the pork shoulder, eggplant and shashitos from the robata grill. These were my favorite items. All better than the next and just the right about of food. Lastly we got the south beach, sorry I'm drunk and Black Sea rolls. They were good, but nothing was omg amazing. I think something was a bit off with the texture or consistency of the rice. I would try just sashimi next time. Maybe the fish in the rolls weren't the highest quality (although the tuna poke was just fine). Maybe I was just a bit full. Either way--Definitely coming back. Byob and great service as well.
(4)
Vania C.

Yuzu is an awesome place!! I loved the art work on the walls and the dork in me loved the Naruto mural. This place plays nothing but hiphop,while you eat ,so I was pretty much in heaven! The water glasses are mason jars and the bottles of water are chunky/ flask-like (reminded me of cough syrup bottles.) Everything about this place screams trendy & urban. The sushi was delicious and all the plates have funny/creative names. The design for each of the rolls coincide with the name, so if you order the "Windy City" rolls, be prepared to have the Chicago Skyline drawn on your plate with a variety of sauces! Although I don't venture out to Ukrainian Village very often, I cannot wait to come here again.
(5)
C K.

Checked in again after moving out of Chicago (to Japan) for awhile. Testimony to how unique this place is that I was craving dragon rolls even in Japan. Thank goodness this place is still as wonderful as I imagine (the new location is down the street and about exactly the same in layout, just bigger). Come here for Byob, amazingly creative rolls, and great service. Recommended order: Appetizers: Pork shoulder and tuna poke Rolls: Dragon, black sea, and sweet potato tempura.
(5)
Mandi P.

Awesome sushi!!! We live right around the corner from this little gem so we had to try it. It was amazing. We have stopped in several times and the food is always consistent. The place is small and gets busy quick. The staff is super friendly and the service is quick and efficient. We have tried most of the sushi and recommend just about anything on the menu. The only reason I take one star away is due to the BYOB. I am one of the few that actually prefer bars in restaurants as opposed to bringing my own liquor and beer. I'm weird. I get it. I highly suggest this place to anyone who loves sushi whether you live in the neighborhood or not.
(4)
Kulsum J.

Amazing food. Loved the robata plates! Service is great!! Brought my friend from Vegas here, let's just say he fell in deep love after every plate!!
(5)
Zaad T.

The food was ok. The service was below average. We had to ask for everything twice or maybe three times! They didn't even check to see if you like the food! I ordered a sushi role that was super spicy and couldn't eat at al. When I asked for the check the waitress offers to bring me another one! As if, it's written in the book so it doesn't matter if the costumer is already done with the food, just offer the replacement!!! I would not go back!
(2)
Meghan B.

Yuzu is a fantastic BYOB sushi option, but with the space being on the smaller side, I wouldn't recommend it for large groups. I'd also recommend making a reservation, as when I went on a rainy Wednesday evening, it was packed. All that aside, the food and presentation are wonderful and service is quick. They definitely turn over tables quickly here, so don't plan on lingering long. I split 4 rolls (What's My Name, Super Spicy Tuna, Boston Cruncy & Monster Spider) with a friend + edamame and our bill was $45, so not too shabby. Definitely an affordable option and no corkage fee is a bonus. One of the downsides of living in Chicago is that our seafood options don't always lean towards "super fresh", but Yuzu's rolls are amazing and of very high quality. I also love that the restaurant has character; rap music and anime on the walls all lead to a unique dining experience. I'll be back!
(4)
Kristen B.

Simply, Yuzu delivers the best sushi I've ever had. The rolls have a rich and savory flavor which you can combine with a myriad of delicious accompanying sauces. The presentation adds the wow factor, with intricate dragons, peacocks, and other artistic displays which are crafted using the colorful sauces. This is truly my favorite restaurant in Chicago and I love showing it off to visiting friends. My favorite roll by far is the incredibly tasty Rainbow Roll. The items on the Robatta grill are delicious as well. They are prepared quickly and make a great starter. Pork shoulder and beef short rib are my favorites. I can't say enough positive things. It is absurd how reasonable the prices and wait time are for what Yuzu offers. BYOB.
(5)
J R.

This place HANDS DOWN is my favorite sushi restaurant in Chicago. It's a hidden gem that I'm so thankful not everyone is fully aware of yet. They clearly need a bigger space, the words starting to get out and its always jam packed in there. I can't say anything bad about the rolls form your basic "spicy tuna" to their fun and fancy "Born to Chill", they are all outstanding. If you've never been, you HAVE TO get the Tuna Poke, Born to Chill & What's my name. (trust me...) This restaurant is wonderful for all levels of sushi connoisseurs, It's wonderful for "first timers" and its the best for us "sushi snob" who know whats GOOD and whats not.
(5)
Manu A.

Great Japanese cuisine & great prices. Order a piece of the Beef Short Rib Yuzu Robata Grill. Tuna poke is amazing!
(5)
Chelsea M.

Yes. Just...yes. Sushi = amazing Everything else = also amazing. BYOB, wonderful customer service. Definitely recommend making a reservation, because even on a Sunday night, this place is HOPPIN. Only downside is that it's sooooo far from my neighborhood. I have to go back. I HAVE TO.
(5)
Nish R.

The place is tiny and seem to be very popular among the locals. I don't really come to this area too much but a friend picked this place for a girls night out. The place is BYOB.They don't have big tables. We had about 15 ppl so we were all crammed in to back table. So with the food and the booze that we had brought with us it was pretty crammed. But service was good and they were friendly. I thought the sushi was interesting, presentation was great. My dragon was a piece of art and I felt kind of bad to ruin it. Some of the sushi was a bit hard to eat. One person ordered a cucumber roll and it was wide with pieces of cucumber sticking out. So she had to break it apart and eat it piece by piece. But no biggie. One tiny restroom. So there was bit of a wait. At the end of the meal we were asked to leave before a few of us finished our drinks because another party was waiting for our table. We had to improvise and put stuff in plastic cups and uhm a few of us started chugging. But can't blame them for rushing us out since they only have one big table. Overall nice little place.
(3)
Marianne A.

New favorite sushi spot! Been here at least half a dozen times. The maki rolls, nigiri, Robata pieces are all delicious and decently priced. The only thing is to make sure you either make a reservation or be prepared to wait up to an hour any given night. This is because the space isn't that big and there's always a ton of people. Street parking, CVS nearby to pick up a bottle of wine to BYOB. Sign up for emails- specials on pick-up and Valentine's Day!
(5)
Diem N.

I love this place!!! I've been here countless times and every time I leave really happy and full. Their new location is amazing and provides more room. The sushi price and their plate presentations are phenomenal. I love taking friends and family here because of the vibe and how impress everyone gets when the sushi comes out. The tuna poke app, breaking bad and dragon rolls are a must. Also their grill meats are delicious. Don't forget to bring your booze!!! I rave about this place to everyone I know because no other sushi place does it right like Yuzu. It is my favorite sushi spot here in Chicago and I will be coming back many more times. Please don't ever close or change!!! Xoxox
(5)
Allison J.

Really awesome sushi place. It's small and cozy inside so if you're goin on a busy night, I recommend reservations. We stuck with a pretty standard order of miso soup and multiple different sushi rolls. It's BYOB, which we didn't know before hand but now that we know we'll be prepared next time (there definitely will be a next time). Affordable as well, extra plus!
(4)
Kateryna G.

While I love the new location, I'm not a fan of the recent changes to their menu. Everything went up in price and some of their specialties taste different now. They also got a lot of new staff, so the service is now on the slower and less attentive side.
(2)
Farrah S.

There are no words. Fresh sushi, byob, fast, tasty, and overall an amazing experience. I got the pier 69 roll, but will probably get another roll next time that is a little more 'raw'. Amazing. Must go!
(5)
Jon S.

Yuzu's new space is great in comparison to old one. Always fresh fish, inventive menu and reasonably priced. Sometimes they rush you out, so note to order gradually. All in all great neighborhood sushi spot!
(4)
Diana D.

This place has relatively nice quality inexpensive japanese food. Portions are huge. Lots of people and very loud. I would recommend if you don't mind cheaply looking interiors and people waiting and talking almost over you table.
(4)
Jill Z.

New place much bigger. Phenomenal service with same great food. Be aware only one bottle of wine per 2 people. Table of 6 limited to 3 bottles of wine.
(5)
c k.

The food is still fantastic but the service in the new location falls short. Last night was our third visit to the new location and our server was just bad (first 2 visits it wasn't good either but this time it was horrible). We were seated 10 minutes before we got water or wine glasses. We were ready to order our rolls (35 minutes after sitting) and pointed out to server that we still hadn't received the robata we ordered 15 minutes prior. Instead of offering to check - he just walked away (like he was going to) and then didn't come back. We will probably stick to take out until they can get the service up to the level of the old place.
(3)
Lea M.

I went to Yuzu Sushi with my partner and another couple of friends on a Saturday night. We had to wait for about an hour but I was definitely worth it! Our rolls were as beautiful as on the photos and at reasonable price. The restaurant is trendy and modern.
(5)
Lily Z.

YUZU, why do you have to do this to me?! I'm so frustrated that I'm giving this place one star because I enjoyed my last experience so much! I came here for lunch with the boy. We sat at the bar and ordered a tempura appetizer and two rolls (what's my name and another one with a dipping sauce). Everything was fine and dandy until I noticed a long piece of hair in the dipping sauce. WHY?! We were halfway through the roll until I noticed it at the bottom of the small cup. The other roll (what's my name) wasn't very good either. Too much cilantro for my taste. After that discovery, I lost my appetite. I don't know if the sushi chefs heard me freaking out about the piece of hair, but we just left it alone. Yuzu, I'm so disappointed. I can't come here again because my paranoia is too strong!
(1)
Sarah V.

The sushi is good, but the presentation is great! Sadly, its not consistent. One day your sushi looks like a Picasso painting and the next time, not so much. It's worth a try, even if you don't end up with a masterpiece you will at least have a delicious meal.
(4)
Christina C.

This place is my favorite sushi place in the city of Chicago. We came here for a birthday and had an amazing time. The food was beautifully presented. The staff is great. Very well priced and the quality was excellent. Make reservations, BYOB and enjoy. Old school hip hop on the speakers.... i like. Yuzu I am in love with you.
(5)
Stephanie W.

So good! Try it and you will not be disappointed. The space is a bit small but the food definitely makes up for it!!!
(5)
Diane G.

Updating to 5 stars! Went here for my roommate's birthday dinner and had impeccable service. They gave us a free appetizer because our table wasn't quite ready when we arrived at our reservation time. We waited less than 5 minutes, the owner was very apologetic (none of us minded by the way), and the free grilled mushrooms appetizer was delicious. They also gave my roommate a free plate of greentea cheesecake and assorted mochi for her birthday. Last but not least, I tried the South Beach roll this time round--amazing and absolutely recommend it. I like this place even more than I like Seadog. If you like sushi or food in general, you must start going here!!!
(5)
Seyi O.

I went in to get takeout after reading the great reviews. I wish I hadn't bothered. If there was a negative rating system, this place would get it. I got the pier 69 roll and tuna poke. They were both pretty bad. I haven't been to a sushi restaurant where I couldn't finish the food until today. I took one of the rolls apart trying to figure out why it tasted so horrible. The ingredients were old! They looked like they had been sitting around for days. Please don't waste your money here. I'd recommend ensu, coast, sea dog, even nori. Anywhere else just not here. It sucks because I was so excited to find a sushi restaurant within walking distance of my place. Oh and the 1 star I gave was for service. They were pretty welcoming when I went in.
(1)
Robin W.

My friends and I went to Yuzu last night for the first time. We were very much in the mood for sushi, and we're trying to hit every sushi spot in the city...literally. I have to say that the appetizers (beef short rib, sirloin, and gyoza) were the highlight of the meal...for us anyway. If you are looking for "fusion" style sushi, then you will probably love this place. We had the Thug Life roll, which contained picked onions and cilantro. While the presentation was absolutely beautiful, it was just OK. We also had the spicy tuna and spider rolls, and they, again, were just OK. One thing I will say is that the atmosphere and music are AWESOME!
(3)
Nadeem S.

Just signed up for yelp today and thought I would write a review for this amazing place. Been here multiple time and every time the food is what true Japanese food should be. The decor with the anime cut scene is awesome, nice close feel. Yuzu is always great
(5)
Nikki P.

Soo I am a Sushi SNOB and only have one place that is exceptional every time. One day a friend and I wanted sushi and were in Ukrainian Village. We saw Yuzu and saw it had great reviews so we decided to check it out. The place was SMALL and we were quoted a 25 minute wait...we got in within 5 minutes. The menu was so extensive and every roll looked DELICIOUS! They serve Cucumber water! YUM! So refreshing. I never really start with apps at a Sushi place because all I want is sushi. But, we got the Tuna Poke. DELICIOUS! The Tuna was seasoned so well and seasoned perfectly. The avocado was fanned out to look like a birds wing for a beautiful presentation. I got a couple pieces of Nigiri; Sake, Maguro, Tako, and Super White Tuna. Sooo delicious and fresh. My salmon just melted in my mouth and they weren't skimpy little pieces. My friend got their usual Spicy Tuna Roll; extra Spicy...we always get that and it was so fresh. We debated what rolls to get and we got the My Favorite Midwest Roll, , Boston Crunchy, South Beach Roll, and Fire Roll. Can I just say this is not sushi...its a work of art. I didn't want to touch the sauce since the designs were so intricate but once you tried it...you went back for more. All the rolls were beyond delicious and we left with our bellies FULL and brought some of the pieces home (which tasted delicious like they were just made the next day). Thats when you know the sushi was high quality. I will DEFINITELY be back. The staff was welcoming and warm and the sushi was out of this world. Try this place.
(5)
Stella W.

Since i first came here, i have been bringing my friends back coz i really love the qualities of their nigiris... It had always been a off the beaten path and always had been easy to get seats until recently. Despite resos, we still had to wait for a while to get seated on a weekday =/ perhaps, time to expand?! :)
(4)
Jonathan S.

Amazing. Our go to spot on Thursday nights. Robata is amazing. Sushi (nigiri and sashimi) are phenomenal. Staff always treats us well with quick service. Some of my favorites: Robata set 1, tuna poke, South Beach, Black Sea, and What's My Name. Only downside is that this place is now very popular with long wait times, plus it's tiny. Definitely recommend calling ahead for a reservation.
(5)
Steve P.

Yuzu is great! Every other sushi joint I visit, Yuzu is the template for comparison. It's byob and I highly recommend making a reservation. My girlfriend and I cannot get enough. The robata is melt-in-your-mouth great, which many other sushi places do Not offer. My mother always told me that the best way to classify the quality of a Japanese restaurant is to try their tempura. Which, to say the least, is outrageously delicious. We fight over the vegetables, it's that good. Every time we go we always order the Tuna Poke for appetizer. We brought my folks once. Their response, "When can we go back?".
(5)
Janet X.

Whoa. First you get AMAZING sushi, which is a given. But the robata grill was so much better than I expected!!! My friend and I had the short rib and the pork shoulder, and both were soooo flavorful and tender. They were the perfect appetizer to our rolls -- a Dragon for him and a Over the Rainbow for me. Mine was an awesome take on the regular Rainbow roll, with unagi and avocado in the middle instead of the boring old California roll. There is only one reason why I don't give this place five stars: I didn't really like the menu system of listing all the ingredients, not really giving you an idea of what's in the middle, what is the main ingredient, etc etc. But that's just me not really liking huge quantities of cucumber. (ALSO, for all of you non-mayo eaters, the sauces come on the side!)
(4)
Mad I.

This place isn't in the neighborhood I thought.....I didn't realize "Ukrainian Village" was just a tad further down the road from West Loop, and my other off the beaten path sushi place, Butterfly. I say off the beaten path because I joke that I do not travel south of Fullerton or north of Addision.....I live &play in my Lincoln Park/Lakeview bubble, but don't worry, it really is just a joke! This girl gets around the Chi, in a foodie way of course :) I digress..... This place is really not "cheap" like some yelpers say....I don't consider $15 rolls cheap...or the $3 a piece Robata grill "bite-lets" (yup, just made that up, as they don't even constitute a full bite). I may have gone with 3 stars, but the customer service was a-w-e-s-o-m-e! They let me change my reservation like 3 times, which was so nice (I'm soo annoyed with myself for doing that!) and our table was ready right at 8, with prompt service, great attentiveness to my food allergy, and swooping in and out as a fine tuned machine to take away my plates and bring the check. Bill was $65 and it's BYOB! We had 4 rolls, 2 'big ones' and 2 smaller ones. 3 skewers from the Robata grill. Here is the breakdown: Skewers: *Tofu-chuck of grilled tofu-skip it! *Pork shoulder-very yummie!! I wish these were bigger ! *Beef Short rib-delish grilled beefy flavor *South Beach roll-Great chunks of Superwhite on top, but I expect that for $15 *A hundred years of...-not bad, good amount of tuna *Black Dragon-similar to the above, good amount of tuna, spicy hot, not spicy sweet *Pier 69-soft shell crab, avocado and cream cheese, tasty Would probably go to butterfly instead, sorry Yuzu!
(4)
Jessica S.

I have found you, new favorite Chicago sushi joint! We stopped in Yuzu last Friday night and they were still packed to the brim at almost 10pm. Yuzu is small, so whole reservations are not required, I would suggest making these in advance. From the robata portion of the menu, the tofu, bacon wrapped scallops and the beef short ribs are all a must try. The What's my name and the My favorite Midwest roll were all crowd pleasers. Our party had beginner sushi enthusiasts and veterans and Yuzu left us all full with big smiles. A must try!
(5)
Jacqueline K.

Love it here. It is reasonable and lunch bento boxes are delicious. BYOB is awesome. We always have a lot of fun when we eat here.
(5)
Ellen M.

The place is packed. Make a reservation. The artistry and flavor they present are everything you could hope for in a sushi place. The Robata grill items are equally delicious. The service is polite. The plating is unforgettable. Go to Yuzu. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Andrea R.

I was one bummed sushi lover when Sushi Wabi shut their doors years ago. And I was one happy sushi lover when I discovered their chef of 7 years had opened Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill. After a long drive to Yuzu in a storm I couldn't be more excited for a glass of wine (or 2). While waiting for our table with friends we noticed people leaving the restaurant with bottles. Somehow I'd missed that Yuzu was BYOB! Fortunately, my husband and his friend saved the day by running across the street to get a few bottles of wine at Walgreens. While Walgreens isn't normally my first choice for wine shopping, any alcoholic beverage would do on this night. Yuzu is small, cozy and the perfect neighborhood spot. We started our meal by ordering a bunch of apps & everything was delicious. Then again pretty much all the apps we ordered were fried and you can never go wrong with fried apps. As for our entree we ordered a variety of their rolls to share. I couldn't tell you which ones since I left the ordering to my husband & his friend, while enjoying my Walgreens wine. They did an excellent job ordering cause everything was very tasty. Overall, pretty good sushi! It's not quite up to sushi wabi standards, but definitely compares to some of my favorite sushi spots in Chicagoland.
(4)
Brad W.

First, I am far from being labeled a sushi expert. That said, I feel comfortable in my knowledge and my opinion that anyone that enjoys a good roll will be able to taste the quality and care that goes into this food. This place is one of the best sushi joints around.
(5)
Jieyu L.

If you are picky about fresh sushi, this place is not very satisfying. I ordered the Sushi Gold, 9 pieces of chef's choice plus one roll. It is pretty basic: two pieces of salmon, yellow tail, red tuna, white tuna, and one piece of "unknown" fish over the rice. The taste was watery. It felt like it was frozen and just got defrozen. Dry on the skin but watery inside. Ughhhhh. Then my boyfriend ordered Grilled Whole Squid as a starter. The taste was actually good. It reminded him Taiwan's night market's food stand. The only problem was squid seemed not fully cooked. It was too chewy. So we finished the meal in 40 minutes, spent like 60+ bucks (not bad), and wished to hop on a bus to China Town and have some real grill food.
(3)
Yayo T.

It's worth the hype! The avocado (or was it mango?) salad rocks! Very small and BYOB, so make sure you come prepared to wait in line, or make a reservation. There is a spot to buy booze a block east. Affordable, and they deliver Too!
(5)
Jenny Y.

Yuzu stayed on my restaurant wish-list for the longest time since it's one of the few Japanese robata grills in Chicago. The 4.5 stars rating set high expectations but felt more like 3-3.5. The space is compact and trendy with small tables and limited bar seating. Cucumber water is served in mason glasses. The robata sets were good, and I liked that they were a balance of different meats with some greens: pork shoulder, chicken satay, chicken green onion, chicken black bean, beef short rib, shrimp and asparagus bacon. However, many of the specialty rolls contained non-traditional ingredients like cream cheese, mayo, chili oil and sesame oil that I don't favor in sushi. Between three people, we sampled the two robata sets (12 skewers) and two rolls. The portions were more appropriate as appetizers and not very filling, and we paid a little over $20 per person for lunch. Interesting visit, but there was no standouts.
(3)
Suzy D.

This review is more like 3.5 stars. My husband and I came here around 6 on Friday and were able to sit outside. It was our first time here and we heard that the Ahi poke was good so we made sure to order that as our starter. I found the sesame oil flavor to be a bit overpowering but overall it was fine. The amount of avocado they gave was quite generous as well. We also had the bacon wrapped asparagus to start and as expected that was tasty. We had the robata set to share and we found all the meat to be juicy and tender. We ordered some salmon and ika nigiri. The slices of fish were very generous, but we found the rice to be sub par. The rice was still too warm and falling apart. It also wasn't seasoned enough. A lot of sushi is the rice so the rice is just as important as the fish. This is where we feel Yuzu falls short. The pot river and "whats my name" rolls were tasty (rice was still not amazing, but the rolls were good). We were actually pretty stuffed by the time we left so the portions are pretty generous. We probably could have ordered 1 fewer roll and been fine.
(3)
Andrew M.

This place nails the presentation and atmosphere. A really great place to be in, and easy to get to. The sushi was good for the price. Not the best, but still fresh and tasty. This is certainly a great spot to visit
(4)
Bud M.

Went back again with two sons, wife and four grandkids. Reservations were smooth as silk, and went with the old favorites plus a few new robata goodies. The bacon wrapped scallops were the tastiest dish I've had in a long time. Even the grandchildren like the robata sets. Service was excellent and I can't think of a better place to spend Fathers Day with loved ones eating delicious food. Place was packed by 6:00 PM so I'm glad we made reservations in advance.
(5)
Erika M.

I have been to this place 2 times in the past three weeks! So happy to have found this little sushi spot thanks to Yelp! It has now become tied with my other favorite sushi spot in Chicago, but I'm almost leaning towards calling it my favorite. Here's why: 1) Robata Grill - This really makes this sushi spot stand out! Ordering from the Robata Grill before ordering your sushi is a must. The beef short rib was amazing! I ordered 2 servings of this due to how delicious the flavor was. The prices on the robata grill are great and make it easy for groups to order a bunch of things and try a variety of meats/vegetables. I also tried the shrimp, bacon wrapped scallop, chicken satay, pork shoulder, and asparagus. The pork shoulder was another standout. 2) BYOB - No corkage fees! Once our waitress saw that we had a bottle of wine, she immediately came over with a bucket of ice and opened our wine. Excellent service! 3) Takes Reservations - This place can get pretty packed, so it is nice that you can make reservations ahead of time. Both times my group was seated immediately, while others who did not have reservations were waiting for tables. The other sushi spot I also like a lot does not take reservations, so this is a huge plus for me. Most importantly, the sushi here is top notch. There is a huge variety and literally everything we ordered was amazing. I would definitely recommend the Chicago Spring Roll and the Sorry I'm Drunk Roll. I can't wait to go back again!
(5)
Abby K.

Wow. This place is fabulous. Super tiny space with eight guys moving non stop preparing food in their open kitchen. We were happy with everything! Appetizers were tuna with loads of sesame oil and avocados (tuna poke) and avocado mango salad with an amazing dressing. Perfect. We shared a bunch of rolls and Steve got a sashimi plate. Wonderful. They were all yummy. One star off for being so freaking tiny that tables for 5 or 6 disrupt everything. This place is awesome but do make a reservation.
(5)
Brie Y.

Love Yuzu, the best it gets in Chicago! Amazing Poke just like in Maui. Great rolls and robata grill items, loved the skirt steak.
(5)
Csc C.

Tonight was date night with my sweetie and we chose Yuzu. We had a great meal & friendly service. Thanks
(5)
Andrea J.

I was at Yuzu this past Sunday (party of 2). We did not have a reservation so we were told that we'd have to wait 30 minutes for a seat. Yuzu is very small so a 30 minute wait time is actually good considering there capacity can't be more than 50. While we waited were were offered cold water and edamame. We were also offered to sit at the bar (we refused) and our table was actually ready in less than 30 minutes. The Sweet Potato Tempura is AMAZING and the Pot River roll was outstanding. We were also offered complimentary green tea cheesecake at the end of our meal. I highly recommend this place for outstanding service and incredible food! Kudos to Yuzu!
(5)
Lee V.

After cross checking all sources of information ( as I obsessively usually do ) I realized that a former head chef of one of my old go-to sushi spots, Sushi Wabi, had opened this little treat in my neighborhood and it's byob too- yes please!! If you're looking for a quiet, spacious place.. this is not it. Surprisingly tiny, couldn't have had more than 25 tables, one unisex bathroom that needs a little tlc..and the Robabta grill seems to take up entirely too much space, but the skewers are worth the waste! Started with Tuna Poke, super fresh, bright pink color, crisp flavors, beautiful spray of avocado ( how the heck to they do that? ) and just the right amount of bite. Gyoza was nothing to write home about, but nothing to complain about either. For skewers we fired in pork shoulder, great flavor, tender; the short rib, melt in your mouth and somewhat fatty but delicious; Ribeye, had the most amazing sauce with it, like a thai marinade I've found in Food & Wine foodandwine.com/recipes/â€¦ Scallop and Bacon.. how could anything with Bacon be bad, only 2 in order so not as easy to share! For rolls we went with the Motown Effect, I only tried 1 of these ( not a big fan of eel -a reminds me of the evil ones on Little Mermaid and b- they are longer and creepier than anchovies) but it was still tasty, and the batter was truly light unlike some other places where you might as well have had a donut. On the lighter side, we did the South Beach, the whitest super white tuna I've seen, nice balance between mango, jap pepper and lime, last but not least the Pot River, finally a jumbo roll that you can actually fit in your mouth (don't attempt the Po Boy roll at Coast, I don't know who could take that thing down)..also delicious and a crowd pleaser. All sauces, ie. wasabi mayo, sweet soy, eel sauce are displayed next to the roll, its freaky the patterns that they produce.. literally an art form and nice because you can have as much or as little as you want. We had more wine to drink so we ordered mochi ice cream in every flavor, each was great and sweet and chewy on the outside, great way to end the evening. Definitely going back, and will be ordering take out too. Waiting to see this place outgrow itself, how hasn't it by now?
(4)
g t.

Eh.
(3)
Rita P.

I LOVE YUZU'S SUSHI AND THEIR ROBATA GRILLI! Everyone there is extremely friendly and the owner is one of the nicest guys around making sure to always say "HI"! I've lost count of how many times I've gone, but it's been consistently great every time. Things I (usually) order and love: Avocado Mango Salad- the dressing is the best part. Shishito Peppers Skewer- A bit of pepper spice and tasty teriyaki-ish sauce Tuna Miso- has that great "grilled" flavor Black Sea Roll- six different fish and two tobikos! What's My Name- fattiness of white tuna is always delicious. There is casual feel of the restaurant with repurposed wooden bar and wall, art school chairs, anime painted wall and not so loud hip hop playing on the speakers. Yuzu is definitely one of my top sushi spots! Go! You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Brian F.

Very small and oddly shaped sushi restaurant with friendly service and very good food. I tried a couple of their Robata skewers and really enjoyed them. The sushi, though, was sensational! I will definitely be back to try more of their treats.
(4)
Sarah E.

Wall decor: love. Wish I could read Japanese. Tuna poke: love. Thank you for the abundance of avocado. Pork belly & Korean BBQ robata: great. Tender, juicy, right amount of sauce. Asparagus bacon & Bacon scallop: not so much. Soggy, bacon overpowers both asparagus and scallop. Green tea cheesecake: eh. It really does taste like green tea and cheesecake...but I"m not sure I like that combination. Here's my complaint: the Black Sea maki sounds AWESOME...but it's not. The description makes it seem like the whole sea's gonna be in there but it's actually mostly kanikama (imitation crab) drenched in spicy mayo and tiny bits and pieces of what I can spot to be tuna and a speck of super white tuna (the first four ingredients stated tuna, salmon, white tuna, and hamachi). This was very, very, very disappointing. I really wanted to like this place but this was a deal breaker for me :(
(3)
Kamil K.

Amazing sushi, very flavorful, colorful and nicely made. It looks like an art piece on your plate. Best sushi I ever ate. It's made by Japanese guys. Not like some other restaurants using south of the border folks, witch is still good but not authentic "Japanese" cousin. Be careful, this restaurant is packed most of the time, because it is a very tiny and very popular place... That's the only bad thing about it.
(5)
Abby Z.

By far our favorite sushi place we've been to in Chicago! The fact that you can make reservations is great. We usually haven't had the foresight to reserve in advance but have been able to get in with a little wait. The sushi here is so fresh and delicious. We have tried all the large rolls that come with the crazy sauce art on the plate and even though the look of it is impressive (as are the rolls by themselves), the last time we went we decided to try the simpler rolls. By far, the simple rolls (such as Spicy Scallop and Alaska) were our preference. Sushi rice is seasoned perfectly and the rolls were amazing. Like I said, even though the sauce is pretty, their sushi doesn't need it and is perfect on its own with a dab of wasabi.
(4)
Stephanie G.

I have had 2 great experiences at Yuzu. Great rolls and appetizers. Over the top friendly staff. Cucumber water (simple, but somehow very special) I recommend grabbing a bottle of wine and trying it out.
(4)
Ross K.

Went here the other night with a few friends for dinner. We had a selection of Sushi Rolls and some things from the frill. All were excellent. Quality of the ingredients, presentation were both top notch, and the kicker? It was very reasonably priced. I also really like the space, its small but cool, as opposed to the impersonal, gymnasium sized places opening up in this neighborhood. I'll be back soon!
(5)
Jeff R.

I can't believe it's been a month since we went to Yuzu but time flies when you're having fun (or working everyday). Yuzu fits the bill of a small BYO neighborhood sushi spot serving solid food for great value. Small is a key word because there are not a lot of tables so plan ahead and they enforce a two hour limit to make sure they turn tables. Another fun aspect of the authenticity is that communicating with the staff sometimes involves non verbal techniques. All for good fresh fish of course. I did none of the ordering, which was a nice change of pace. We started with a cool and large green salad with mango and avocado. Delicious and refreshing. The only robata grill item we had was the beef short rib, but we ordered a lot because the sweet miso sauce was fantastic. (An aside: I really like the sushi + robata trend in chicago right now, but few have done it well. Yuzu is what I expect, a nice and small grill menu with simple yet tasty items without complication). We had a veggie tempura as another side (one of my favorite Japanese starters - always a nice change of texture, flavor before sushi), followed by some of the best salmon sashimi I've had in a while. It was a really nice balance of flavor and freshness that gave it a great all around bite. I couldn't tell you which maki rolls we ordered, except one of them came out with crazy looking sauce on the plate (and was very good). I think my favorite roll was a shrimp tempura, with spicy mayo and sweet soy. Really good. I wish I still lived in the neighborhood to eat at Yuzu more often. Plain and simple - it fits the bill as an affordable, fun, cozy, BYO sushi (& robata) spot.
(4)
Theresa W.

Very fishy. Small, uncomfortable seating. Highly recommended- highly disappointed. Very pretty, awful tasting. We ordered 4 different rolls and left to travel to WOOW a few bites into the sushi.
(1)
Eric M.

Great sushi, BYOB is a plus as well.
(5)
Pete B.

love. love. love. a great concept. grilled japanese goodness with sushi AND BYOB. The ambience was cozier than I thought. price was affordable too. $10 off for an order over $50 (with a yelp checkin) with a mandatory 20% tip which I didn't mind because service was great.
(4)
Mike D.

I've never had a more cost effective lunch at a sushi place.... EVER. top notch food, quality service, and a redicuously low price point. nuff said. I can't wait to try them for dinner
(5)
Saren F.

We went here the other night and had a wonderful experience! The decor and music were fun, the staff extremely attentive and courteous and the food was great, well priced and with lovely presentation. We tried the Robata (pork shoulder and chicken) and both had great flavor. The rolls were creative, fresh and delicious, and I would recommend the cantaloupe and pot river. We will be sure to go back here again, hopefully before everyone else finds out about it.
(5)
Raquel D.

Move over Arami, there's a new kid on the block - and he's way cooooler!!! From the moment you walk in, you catch the sexy cool vibe this place has to offer. Hip hop music and the animation on the wall is so head bopping and eye-catching that you almost forget your purpose for the evening: SUSHI! I was already drooling from reading the menu. ALOT of super white tuna here and I LOVE IT! The cantelope roll is AH-MAZING - they add these cute, teeny, crunchy balls on top that really gives it that extra zing - definitely original and unforgettable. The catepiller is very good as well as the oh so generous sashimi pieces! I also tried the pot river and crunchy roll, I believe. All so good and HUGE - I was super surprised that the rolls were that big AND had more than 6 pieces. Absolutely unheard of - especially for the price AND BYOB. But wait, that's not all, folks. They also have a robata grill, which offers a nice escape from the sushi. I like to think of it as Japanese tapas even though I'm sure that's totally wrong. But, basically, they have a menu of grilled items that come in 2 - 4 pieces or so for all under $5 each. We tried the bacon wrapped asparagus (GET IT!) and the short rib (yum!) as well as pork belly (delish!). Yuzu already had me at this point - but what really made me a fan was that the owner/head chef? dude came around each table thanking his patrons. He also was giving out samples of super white tuna (gasp!)with "flavors/recipes" he was working with. Uhm, what? Yes, please. I actually gave my honest feedback on one I wasn't too fond of and he asked what I thought would make it better then he made it that way and asked if it was better. Whoa - now that's going the extra mile. If he does this every night, I may get stalkerish... So all in all, excellent food for excellent value - def bang for your buck in a hip environment. Oh! And awesome "chef" hats! Love the hipster/trendy vibe!
(5)
Natalia M.

Delicious, great variety & fair prices. The fire & south beach rolls are awesome as well as pork shoulder (small skewer $3) !! Small place so expect a long wait . BYOB
(5)
Amanda Z.

Oh, yes please. On the hunt for a relatively affordable evening out, yet something that would make our taste buds have all sorts of smiles, my husband and I ended up here. Reservation was made, wine was chilled, mascara applied...we were ready. While it appeared that a reservation might not have been necessary, I tend to make them if allowed, mainly to ensure I can eat when I am actually hungry. Here is my ordering advice to you: Start with the tuna poke (which is a huge portion of beautiful tuna and an artfully knifed perfectly ripe avocado), try as many robata items as you can (short ribs, pork shoulder, bacon-wrapped scallops, shishito peppers) and order maki if you're really feeling hungry. (We found we didn't even need them.) The robata items were our favorite, along with the tuna appetizer. The maki wasn't particularly memorable, to be honest. Most of the rolls seemed very heavy which just wasn't appealing to me...the two we ordered were good, but not remarkable. Go with the tuna poke if you're craving raw...and then go crazy with the robata items. We left completely full, food still on the plate, for $35 TOTAL (pre-tip). Amazing. Service was lovely. We were seated right away, our waters were kept full (and I loved the touch of cucumber and lemon!) and our wine was put on ice right when we sat down. Very nice.
(4)
Ashley S.

Yuzu = Yu(zu)mmy! The sushi was fresh, fairly priced and pretty. (I'm the kind of girl who likes to take photos of her food, so I consider pretty eats a plus.) The rolls ran between $6 and $13. We also ordered an appetizer, the Tuna Poke, which was tuna sashimi and thinly sliced green onion over avocado slices. Can you spell D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S? Our waitress was extremely nice and attentive (not overly attentive, however). She was cheerful, recommended various things off the menu and came by frequently to fill us up on water. (The water, by the way, was served in fun mason jars with paper-thin lemon and cucumber slices. Two thumbs up.) The atmosphere was relaxed and quiet--it was only our table and one or two others, though we went for lunch. I've walked by a few times at night and it looks pretty hoppin'. It's a fairly small, intimate space and decorated with large Japanese comic prints (I think they're called Manga??) on the walls. It struck me as a place that would be nice for a date or dinner with a friend. All in all, we had a really nice experience. I will definitely be back and highly recommend it!
(4)
Allison S.

This is one of those moments where you wish ZERO was an option for number of stars given. The woman managing the restaurant and reservations should be fired. She lost our group reservation for a special occasion. Fine, OK, mistakes can happen. So, we wait an hour (despite being told it would take a half hour). Then, without so much as even an apology, she very rudely blamed the fact that we still hadn't been seated on trying to add more people to the reservation earlier that day...which was never confirmed, so we showed up with the number originally guaranteed. It made no sense for her to have such a bad attitude to us about it when we did nothing wrong and were patient about waiting outside. Food was decent, waiter was fine. When we hand our credit cards over to pay the bill, the same terrible-attitude woman comes over to tell us that she can only split the bill 5 ways. 1. Everyone knows that's a made-up rule for lazy staff. We've worked in the industry before. We get it. 2. Nowhere does it say that there policy is to split no more than 5 ways. She then calls the police to tell them that we refused to pay. Lady, you are a psycho. Probably the most nightmarish dining experience I have ever had. There went 12 people who will never come back and who will make sure to tell their friends. Hope the owner sees how bad you are for business.
(1)
Dan L.

went here last week and was very very impressed. very small place and gets crowded but for good reason. Fish was very fresh, scallops wrapped in bacon were amazing and the rolls were very cool & well made. would go back here again time and time again. Plus you can never go wrong with BYOB
(5)
Susan C.

This place is fantastic. I love the fresh fish and the small, cozy atmosphere. There can be a long wait but it is worth it. Sushi is delicious as well as their small plates.
(5)
Leslie M.

Great place! Very small expect to wait long if you have no reservations. I wasn't impressed with all the great reviews but it's good. Sushi was good and affordable prices and the screwers and mushrooms were delicious. Great place to try. BYOB
(4)
Puja S.

I really enjoyed my meal! As a vegetarian sushi lover I don't have many choice that are good. But they will be seeing a lot of me and my veggie friends. The only advise is to stick to the roll over the salad. While the salad is pretty good, it's nothing special and the roll is something you don't want to miss. I like!!
(4)
S H.

best sushi in town! My husband and I are very picky about sushi and we both love Yuzu. Their fish is fresh and flavorful, the place is small and always busy. Make sure to bring your own sake, red burgundy or prosecco and you'll have a fantastic time. Items to try: -tuna poke (always have to have it) -pier 69 -sin nombre (my favorite roll) -sashimi gold plater or you can never go wrong with some hamachi, super white tuna or unagi a la carte
(5)
BR S.

This place is so awesome. Everything is so good. Byob which is cool. Great value for the food. Eat everything you can. Both the robata and sushi are excellent. 5-star all around.
(5)
Gloriann G.

Suzu is an excellent sushi experience. Their appetizers were very good, unique in taste and flavors. They have a wide variety of sushi and they are big portions, very artistically placed. The huge thing that I have to commend is their service! They were very observant of our meals. The head chef was so nice and very respectful to us during our dinner. I would highly recommend this place to anyone who enjoys excellent food with really good service.
(5)
Kelsey H.

Great atmosphere, great food. The only thing I wish was that I had room for my elbows at the table! It's definitely part of the vibe to have the small tables in a condensed space, but I still wish it was a bit roomier. Some of the highlights in terms of food were: -The monster roll (sushi with SOFT SHELL CRAB!! so yum) -The ribeye (pieces or ribeye "yakitori" style with a delicious dipping sauce) -The soft shell shrimp (I didn't even know these existed!!) -The whole grilled squid (came with a spicy mayo dipping sauce) Everything else I ate here was also yummy (I didn't taste a bad dish) and coming from someone who lived in Japan for 13 YEARS, I would definitely recommend this place to anyone in Chi-town searching for a Japanese food fix! Also, BYOB. I'd recommend the food with white wine (chardonnay or a pinot grigio) because it is on the lighter side.
(4)
Jason A.

I'm really particular about my sushi and this and Juno are the only spots in Chicago that I will regularly eat at. The sweet potato and gyoza are fun starters that are consistent. The robata grill is a nice add on because you can make them starters, an add on, or have something to order for non sushi overs. My favorite is the pork. The sashimi tuna with truffle is a must try. The rolls are on the American side with lots of fruit and additives but they are great. The salmon fire is good. I've never had a bad roll or experience, this is must try for sushi lovers.
(4)
Vincent Y.

Ordered the bento lunch combos! Surprisingly cheap (for a very yuppie-looking place) and more than decent. Robata apparently refers to an old grill-style and specifically the skewers that this place specializes. And for 7-8 dollars you get rice, salad, miso, and four skewers which is a pretty fantastic lunch. The meat was cooked wonderfully and although the chicken was (a bit) tough, it's hard to complain for 7-8 dollars. The manga in the back walls is a nice touch as well.
(4)
M D.

Consistently delicious sushi. Reasonably priced. I do not get the robata much but when I do it is usually also delicious. Get carry our here usually once every two months.
(5)
Frank D.

Yes, its really that good. I think you can't go wrong, everything I've had here has been spectacular. Definitely try the pork shoulder robata. Lunch special cannot be beat. $10 for two rolls, soup, salad, and gyoza? Yes please. I think I will go so far as to declare this best sushi in the city.
(5)
Lauren G.

It's rare that we don't finish sushi...we barely touched this restaurant's sushi. After rave reviews from friends about how great this place is, I decided to give it a try via delivery. Everything just tasted old and rotten. Such a disappointment. Everyone in my group who ate the sushi last night felt ill after a few pieces. I'll give them credit that their delivery was very timely, and they do have nice coupons for free additional dishes if you order enough - but that doesn't really change the fact that their fish tastes old. After throwing out all of the rotten fish, I decided to see if yelp reviews seconded this experience, or if it was just an off night, which I could understand. I was appalled by the responses this restaurant gives to reviews. There is no need to attack people for simply sharing their experiences with others. That's what this site is for. I would have given this restaurant another try, but after reading how mean they have been to people with less than stellar reviews, I'll take my business elsewhere.
(2)
Lauren P.

I think Yuzu is my new favorite japanese spot! I was sold when i tasted the Tuna Poke and the Tuna Miso Robata skewer. I honestly love everything about this restaurant -- minus getting lost. (they should get a brighter and bigger sign) They should also expand too! Anyways, their food is phenomenal! There wasn't anything we didn't love. We ordered the following: (Appetizers) Cucumber Salad Curry Puff Avocado Mango Salad Tuna Poke * Seaweed Salad (Robata grill) Pork Shoulder Beef Short Rib Tuna Miso * (Sushi) Black Sea My Favorite Midwest Roll * Pot River South Beach Monster Spider Spicy Scallop I starred my personal favorites - but seriously everything is just so good! There are just not enough words to explain how awesome this place is. Just go now and try it!
(5)
Amanda B.

My bosses took me here for a anniversary type dinner. They ordered so much food!! and I must say everything was delicious. Very very good! The place is really tiny so I would recommend making a reservation. They run the place very well for it being so small, I was impressed. I will definitely be coming back here:)
(5)
Patrick S.

Before you write a review about this overhyped sushi dive...ask yourself when is the last time you actually had a proper sushi experience? I don't think you'd rate Yuzu anything above two stars at best. And if you do...I'd hold off on bringing both beer and saki next time. Save your money kids, this place is riddled with disgruntled staff, too close of quarters and second rate fish. Pass!!!
(1)
Nicole S.

One of my favorite sushi places in Chicago. Thou the restaurant is very hard to find, it will never disappoint you any time you go there.
(5)
Margie D.

BEST sushi in our area. Consistently delicious and high quality. Their presentations are gorgeous. The price is so reasonable. Both the Robata and the Sushi are wonderful. My Husband is not a huge sushi fan and he always ends up sneaking in a few bites of my sushi. He orders the Robata, and I always sneak in a few bites as well, which I normally don't do. Even their gyoza is better than standard. The food is fresh, not greasy, and always a hit. I've yet to find a "fishy" piece. I even order the rolls, which I normally steer clear from but they such a fantastic job that I can't resist. I love this place. Can't say enough good things about them. Even the rice isn't too sweet.
(5)
Dennis T.

This place only gets better every time despite getting more busy. Is that possible with any restaurant? My favorites are the robata: shishito peppers, beef short ribs, and pork shoulder. If you are still hungry, you can go for any of their visually and palate appealing rolls. They are extremely generous with their fish (sushi and sashimi). The service remains top notch,extremely attentive despite large a busy atmosphere. And... It's byob!
(5)
Bernice D.

Service was excellent. We had to wait a long time because we had a large group so they gave us edamame. Everything we delicious and reasonably priced. Staff was attentive and friendly even though they were packed and busy. Only complaint was that the food came out at awkward intervals. Definitely will be back!
(5)
Zoe Z.

Loved this restaurant. It is the best sushi I have ever had in Chicago. And it is not expensive. We had a party of 6, and all of us spoke highly of the food.
(5)
Mary Ann C.

I came in on a Monday for carry out and was thrilled with my great lunch. Ordering over the phone was easy. The space was super tiny with very loud music playing...pretty awesome. I enjoyed two rolls: Black Sea and Whats My Name. A great combination for lunch. I will be back!!!!
(4)
Priscilla C.

I did my research prior to coming here so to avoid the crowd we went for a very late dinner (9ish) on a Thursday night and were seated promptly. We ordered The Sin Nombre roll which I nicknamed "mouthgasm," and The Breaking Bad roll, which was spicy hot in the best way! These are not your typical spicy mayo-doused sushi. They were flavorful and original. I am a fan of their minimalist style-fewer ingredients but perfectly blended and enhanced by their unique sauces. Unlike most generic sushi places, their rolls are served in perfect bite-sized pieces-I hate when sushi becomes a choking hazard. Ambiance was great and the servers were very attentive. Overall, I don't have a single complaint about this place and it definitely deserves a 5-star rating and a spot in my top 3
(5)
Ed J.

My go-to for sushi. I had a get together with my friends here, and everything from decor, service, food, you name it-was a delight! oh! and BYOB! Perfect...they have these anime designed walls, awesome 90s music, cozy lighting and tables, delicious sushi, fresh sashimis, unique presentation, great attentive service all at a very reasonable price. Love it!
(5)
Sandra L.

Made a reservation on a Monday for that Sunday. When I arrived they lost it and blamed me for not making a proper reservation. I was treated rudely. I won't be visiting this place when there is a better Sushi restaurant 3 blocks away. GO TO BUTTERFLY INSTEAD !!! Bigger restaurant and better food. Great customer service.
(1)
Benjamin D.

So I decided to go again tonight because I was craving their udon and the meal ended up bumping up my impression of the place all around. Similar to what I said before though, I really enjoyed all the non-sushi items! My order was as follows: Seaweed Salad (great portion) Gyoza's (tasty) Baked Shitake Mushrooms (AMAZING - TRY TRY TRY) Tuna Poke (tons of tuna, tons of avocado, awesome!) Udon Soup with Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura (What brought me back) Salmon Nigiri (nice pieces of fish) Spicy Tako Roll (off the menu but never as good as Arami's) Yuzu, you get bumped up!
(4)
Double L.

I've been back a few more times and ordered take out and think this place is great. The Guru roll is probably one of the tastiest rolls I've had in Chicago. Not a huge roll person typically but I like the unique offerings here, if you can get past a lot of the flashier standards they have. The Curry Puff is something I could eat every day for the rest of my life. Wish they had more curry options on the menu. As I mentioned previously, this place and your experience is all about what you order. Tasty, quick, friendly and affordable. BYOB doesn't hurt.
(4)
Jaime L.

My favorite Sushi restaurant hands down. Where else can you listen to 2 chains and other hip hop music while enjoying great service and even better sushi and Robata in fact the bacon wrapped scallops starts my dinner every time I enjoy this place but surprisingly there take out is just as good. This place is a must so don't waste time !
(5)
Sheila S.

The food is awesome! There really isn't much more to say. The only thing that would make it better is the restaurant was a little bigger. It's a great place to go for dinner and drive right down the street and take a walk downtown.
(4)
Nikki G.

I've eaten here several times and the food is pretty solid indeed.
(4)
Pete V.

Hmmm. I'm not quite sure what to make of Yuzu. I like the decor...which is sort of Anime meets unfinished painter's loft. The perfect first date venue for the classic comic nerd. The Robata grill is a cool and unique concept. Two thumbs up for me...meats (chicken, beef, veges, seafood, cooked on a open grill) like they do in Japan as I've learned by watching No Reservations. Of course, they also tout respectable sushi menu and I would be remiss not to mention they are BYOB. For the price, Yuzu is a good, if not great value. In fact considering that it's BYOB, I must bump up my rating and consider it a great value. The sushi was merely average, but for the price I can't complain. We ordered a few items off the robata menu and they were good, the short ribs being our favorite, although we did enjoy the chicken as well (just thought it was too dry). Leaving with a $30 check after ordering a bunch of sushi, robata and an appetizer or two...you can't beat that price in Chicago. It's nice to see Yuzu is doing something new and I hope they expand the Robata concept as I'd love to explore their grilled menu a little more next time.
(3)
Melanie S.

Pleasantly surprised. A friend and I went here for dinner last night and we both really enjoyed it, even after finding out the hard way that it was byob and we came woefully unprepared. We like our cocktails with dinner! Anyway, we started with an order of tuna poke and sweet potato tempura for appetizers. The tempura was lightly battered with panko, and served with a spicy mayo dipping sauce. They're sweet potatoes, and they're fried, so not much to dislike about that. The tuna poke was fresh, and had a slightly spicy sauce and was served with fanned slices of creamy avocado. Highly enjoyable. After our starters, we focused mainly on items from the robata grill portion of the menu. There is plenty to choose from and we pretty much ordered at least one of everything. They have chicken, beef, pork, seafood, and vegetables, and everything is grilled with lovely things like ponzu, soy butter, or miso. Items from the robata grill are appetizer size, but by no means were these teeny tiny portions. Each skewer was plenty enough for both of us to have a couple bites apiece. We also thought it was funny how they announced what each item was when brought to our table. I'm pretty sure we can tell the difference between cauliflower and asparagus, but thanks. We tried the chicken satay, pork shoulder, short rib, shiitake mushroom, cauliflower, asparagus, and bacon scallop. Everything was delicious, cooked perfectly, and each came with its own distinct sauce. Our favorites were the shiitake mushroom and the scallop, but really there wasn't one thing we didn't devour or wouldn't order again. Best of all, we left content and pleasantly stuffed. Our wallets didn't suffer though - all of this food was just over $30. My only complaint is that I thought the chairs were terribly uncomfortable. I kept shifting my weight around hoping to settle in, but I guess I have a bony butt because it was nearly numb by the time I went home. Maybe next time I come here I'll just bring a pillow to sit on. ;-p
(4)
Logan S.

It's just okay. Pros : Price and Presentation. Service is good. Cons : It is small, dark, and loud.
(3)
Cynthia A.

First off, let me say - this place is TINY and packed as hell. As we rolled down the street looking for the place, there was one storefront with two tables outside and an overflow of people outside... bingo, there it is! Plenty of metered street parking on a Friday night. Unless you're coming here on off hours, I highly suggest you GET A RESERVATION. We came 15 minutes early with a reservation for our anniversary on a Friday night, and were seated soon after our actual reservation, yay! Since we were waiting, we perused the menu throughly. There is a "Robata Grill" section along with a couple other entrees, pieces, signature rolls, etc. The kitchen and the sushi bar are in plain view when standing (even though I'm 5'1, lol), so we could see the portion size of the grill pieces. $2 for marinated chicken? I usually eat lots of meat, but I know you can buy a whole frigging chicken instead... pass up the meat and invest in some seafood, here! Anyway, time well spent waiting while looking at the menu (except that our BYOB wine was warm, but they supplied a bucket of ice as soon as we were seated) because we selected some rolls with generous portions of fish inside (Black Sea, Pot River). Look at the pictures on Yelp! They helped immensely and even encouraged us to get the tuna poke. Jumbo rolls were numbered at 8-9 pieces. Basic Food Highlights: Tuna Poke - Refreshing, huge portion I thought! Not spicy despite listing of Japanese chili pepper. Served with a whole avocado, literally. Pot River (9 pieces) - Tuna, super white tuna, salmon. Tempura crumb (I love tempura crumb textured rolls) and probably the jalapeÃ±o made it spicier than the sauces on the side. This is LOADED with cilantro, the damn roll probably tastes like too much cilantro that it mutes everything else, but! I also love cilantro. Black Sea (8 pieces) - tuna, super white tuna, salmon, hamachi. That's four fish in one roll! Lots of seeds, enjoyable if only for the amount inside. Salmon x2 (6 pieces) - Not a bad portion per piece. Not loaded with rice either. My Favorite Midwest (??? I forgot, last roll) - I think this was the only deep fried roll on the menu (I could be wrong). Cream cheese mutes the spiciness, I don't think I'd go for this next time. PS - I checked in on Yelp! on 7/19/13 and the check in special was $10 off $50, but 20% gratuity was automatically added to the bill. OK fine, I had no qualms with that because even though the house was packed, the staff was awesome! Water is served in a mason jar w/ a slice of lemon and cucumber, very refreshing... and refilled like clockwork. Food came out in a timely manner, very pleased with the overall experience.
(5)
Paulina S.

I love this place. Yes it is tiny and yes it is crowded, but if you make a reservation this shouldn't be a problem. The food is great. Personally I love this Robata Grill. The Pork Shoulder and the scallops wrapped in bacon are my favorite The sushi is very good. Probably my favorite sushi place in the area. The staff is really nice too. We had reservations but had to wait measly 6 minutes because it was full and the waitress gave us free appetizer!! It is BYOB with no corking fee, and they will provide a cooler outside if waiting in the hot weather. I will definitely return to this place!
(5)
Laura M.

I have dined in and carried out. The food is good but when you order online to carry out they take longer then they say. This last time I ordered I ordered early and called to confirm they got my order and about how long it would take. I was told 15 min so my husband went to pick up our order and they took over 30 min to get our order ready. I have no problems with 30 min if they would just tell me it would take that long to I'm not just waiting there.
(3)
Roger L.

My favorite sushi place in Chicago. Atmosphere is great, music is dope, food is delicious and affordable. Plus who doesn't love a sushi place with Naruto manga on the walls?
(5)
Laila C.

Amazing. Definitely one of my favorite new restaurants. super delicious food, very good service, quick and extremely affordable AND BYOB!!! We came on Saturday night at 8pm, on a gorgeous night, and was able to sit outside! Could not have been more perfect! BF and I were so excited to be here we ordered far too much food. It's hard to find good non-sushi in Chicago so I was so excited for all the robato grill items. We started with the tuna poke and the grilled whole squid. The tuna poke was delicious and savory, the soy sauce/sesame oil combo was amazing. AND IT CAME WITH A WHOLE AVOCADO!!!! The whole squid was chewy and delicious, I couldn't get enough of the tentacles. We also ordered the Robata set 1 and 2 and the shishito peppers. Favorites were: -shishito: the ponzu teriyaki sauce is fabulous, dipped lots of other stuff in it and it was fabulous. -short rib, pork shoulder and softs shell shrimp (loved the yuzu sauce on top) The chickens all seemed a bit too overcooked and relied too much on the sauces for flavor, probably wouldn't order any of those again. We also got the monster spider and salmon avocado rolls. Definitely too much food but such a good value. Yup....soooo glad I came. Can't wait to go back again very, very soon. It's got the good atmosphere for both romantic dates and fun girls nights. I will be bringing LOTS of people here.
(5)
Jared D.

Came here last night after making a reservation on opentable. It opened up a little over a year ago, but seems to be quickly gaining popularity in the area. Everything we had was excellent. The robata grill dishes we had (short rib, chicken, asparagus, zucchini) were all awesome. For sushi, we got the Pier 99, Boston crunchy, and 100 Years of Solitude rolls. My favorite was Pier 99. A lot of different flavors going on, but it worked. 100 years was spicier than I anticipated, but tasted good. Also, it's BYO w/ no corkage fee and there's a $10 off coupon if you check in on yelp. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Lady L.

I was pissed at the fiancee for suggesting this place as I parked on Chicago Ave. It looks like a creepy dump from the outside. But wow, was I wrong. The sushi is outstanding. I have been there 5 times in the last month. It's affordable, it's inventive, it's great. You must try. I have never had issues with ressies as others have mentioned. Also, they chill your BYOB wine in old paint cans (totally stealing that idea). stuff to try: -My fave midwest role -robata (it's all really good) -very spicy tuna roll Everything else was solidly good. Go and enjoy.
(4)
Brett F.

Another Saturday night, a whole new experience. Kudos to Yuzu (and its amazing manager, Bua!) for the amazing step up and its turnaround to best in show. It has to be said, I'm Yuzu converted and honestly think that not only are they an impeccably run operation but actually set the bar in service. It's true. I'm cuckoo for Yuzu! Not one to be deterred by a few lackluster reviews, Bua set out to change the minds of our doubting group and change them - well, at least mine - she did! From the timely, honored reservation (that, in being totally honest, was set super last minute and still accommodated) to the attentive service, to the thoughtful little touches like constantly refilled ice buckets for the BYO drinks and sending us home with adorable, tasty desserts... it was like being in a completely different restaurant! No more chaos, no more clutter, no more disarray. Nothing but a well-oiled sushi and robata machine. True to form, their food was still very tasty! I embraced my traditionally non-enthused maki side and made a beeline for the rolls I'd heard so much about. Appearing at our table like genuine artwork and tasting like heaven, the Black Sea Roll and Chicago Spring Roll were better than any maki I'd ever had - and probably just as sinful to boot! Looking for something a bit lighter? Stick to the robata. It's still the shining star of Yuzu, in my opinion. The grilled items are TO DIE FOR. Marinated to perfection, you can easily make a meal out of charred scallop, short rib and asparagus beauties, trust me. FIVE glorious stars to Yuzu! Being proven wrong never tasted so good.
(5)
Madalyn T.

By far my favorite sushi place in Chicago! Always super fresh- even when we order for delivery. The robatta grill is so good and the presentation of the food is always something to look forward too. Great atmosphere!
(5)
Ariel L.

Came here on Friday night t 7pm. I had made a reservation, but when i arrived there were plenty of open tables. By the time we left however, the small restaurant was full. The place is BYOB so we brought our own wine and beer and there was no corkage fee. I really liked the interior, but after having sat on their chairs for about an hour, my as started to really hurt. Bring a pillow. These are not comfortable chairs. More importantly, the food was quite good. I sampled most of the grilled skewers and was pretty happy with them. The poke was salty and greasy, but still tasty. My wife ordered several sushi rolls and was very pleased. We sweet potato tempura was good as an appetizer and the Edamama was fine (although small). We did not order dessert. The staff was very friendly and a bit unorganized and as the place filled up, they paid us less attention. But that's too be expected when a restaurant first opens. We actually ended up getting several skewers free because they brought us one of our orders twice. The bill for 4 people was $88.00, and we ordered way more then we all needed. I will definitely be back for round two....
(3)
Cindy R.

This was delicious. Had tuna poke, a few robata items: scallops and eggplant (also asparagus but it was boring). Also some rolls: black sea, dragon, very spicy tuna & california. Will definitely be back to try more things. They had a good variety of apps & grill items, plus I loved their sushi.
(5)
Zara H.

Wow. This place really needs to get it together. We went in at 8 on a Friday night, put our names down and were told that we'd have to wait around 45 minutes. We left our number for a text and walked a block away for a drink. After about an hour and fifteen minutes we decided to call in and ask about our table since we hadn't heard. The guy who answered was pretty rude and said he couldn't provide any info, we'd have to be transferred to the host for that. He transferred, I waited on hold for literally seven minutes and nothing. I called back again and explained - still no help. At around 10 (2 hours after we put our names down) we decided to give up and go to Butterfly, which is nearby and has MUCH better service. Skip this place unless you want your entire night ruined. I've never had such a bad experience anywhere here before. All around completely unacceptable. I've been before and while I thought the food was good, the service during my first visit was awful as well - this experience just took the cake though.
(1)
Stephanie B.

This is by far one of my favorite sushi places in Chicago. Blob, great service, delicious sushi. Definitely recommend to make a reservation since it's always packed. Try anything on the menu and your mouth will water!
(5)
Bob M.

Feeling deprived because I haven't been in NYC for four weeks I decided to take a client to lunch at this small urinviting looking store front. Don't let the exterior fool you. Great service and even better food. Artfully presented and the taste will keep me coming back for more! The Pot River is gorgeous and taste even better. The neighborhood is fine and street parking a breeze. Try it you'll like it!
(5)
Eileen K.

I went to yuzu for lunch on a Saturday with my boyfriend. I got to admit the food was great. I got the pork shoulder n scallop wrapped bacon robata. We also got 3 different rolls (black sea, pot river, and motown). Therefore, we used the $10 off coupon if we checked in on yelp. However, they charged us a 26percent service charge after tax for just the two of us during lunch hour. For me thats just ridiculous! If it was for an outstanding service, i dont really mind. But here, they need to be called upon for ordering, refilling the water.. And there were only two other guests at that time.
(2)
Shane E.

"I am all-knowing, all-seeing genie and I grant you THREE wishes... Yuzu want a sushi? POOF. Do Yuzu want attentive service? BOOM. Yuzu say yuzu want cool interior? IT IS DONE." On the real though, all the ingredients were fresh, not funny smelling and little details, like the plating of sauces were all there. Memorable rolls: MONSTER spider!, Black Sea, sweet potato and the Mo Town. Everything was solid, though. I don't think you could go wrong.
(4)
Travis R.

DELICIOUS. That's really all you need to know, but keep reading if you're one of those who require testimony. This little spot has all of the best elements that make for a great dining experience: great food, friendly service, attractive decor, and it's BYOB! The menu is more diverse than one would usually expect from a typical sushi restaurant, partly because of the "Robata" selections, but also because of the original maki roll combinations. All appetizers are delicious - I've sampled the sweet potato tempura, curry puffs, and tuna poke. Each of these were fresh and tasty. The Robata skewers are a great choice for those who'd like to sample and share a diverse range of items. These also serve as fine alternatives for those members of a group who may not be fond of the traditional raw fish sushi and/or maki rolls. I found the shishito (mini Japanese sweet peppers) wonderful, and my dining companions couldn't eat enough of the bacon-wrapped scallops and asparagus. Yuzu's specialty rolls are a MUST. The My Favorite Midwest roll is sure to please, with just the right amount of flavors, textures and spice! The Pier 99 is another deliciously original selection - its toasted coconut coating offers a totally unique flavor and texture. The fantastic food aside, Yuzu is always a pleasurable experience thanks to the waitstaff. The servers are superbly attentive (you'll never be short of water), but they never seem to interrupt the conversation and/or feasting at their tables. NOW VISIT YUZU!
(5)
Alex G.

Five stars all the way. I love love love this place and am definitely going back asap. Went for an early dinner with four other people. We were parked by the window. Music is great, staff is great and the food is just absolutely delicious. Mango avocado salad, tuna poke appetizer, seaweed salad and several items off the robata grill:Short ribs, mushrooms and bacon wrapped scallions. All of it was really fantastic. This coupled with our couple bottles (BYOB!), it was a fantastic experience all around. Going back for sushi in 5...4...3....2...see ya there.
(5)
Nikki L.

YUUUUUUUMY! What a little hidden gem. Located on the west side of Chicago ave. this tiny sushi and robata grill is definitely producing some quality eats! I want to say we pretty much ordered one of everything and were tempted to order seconds and thirds! For those of you who like BYOB's this is a great place to grab a casual dinner any day of the week. If you are looking for recommendations, I would say it's ALL good...literally, you won't be disappointed! The space is a bit small, but it didn't stop me from ordering a boat load of food.
(5)
Sally M.

Pros: Great food! The lunch special was very reasonably priced, especially for how much food we received. I would definitely go back. Cons: The place was kind of dirty, and so was my water glass and a few of the dishes. Nobody else seemed to notice this, so maybe its because I'm not from the city? Also small chairs.
(4)
Sarah C.

I went here a few days ago for a special occasion and I cannot understand how this place got such good reviews. First, its not much to look at. Its in an area where all the stores have bars in the windows and the place itself is small, dark, and cramped. Not exactly some place I would recommend taking a date you're trying to impress. But I'd never judge a restaurant by its cover so we ordered and stayed optimistic even after being seated at a small table in the back that was clearly in the way of the servers entering and leaving the kitchen. But on to the food: Soft shell crab starter: disgusting. Seriously. A slightly burnt deep fried mess that looked like half of a small crab had just been thrown into the deep frier. My boyfriend and I pulled it apart and found the smallest bit of crab meat and the rest went into the trash. Completely inedible and it cost $7. Midwest roll: the only thing I got that was actually decent and why this place didnt get 1 star Boston crunchy: basically a spicy tuna roll with avocado. Hardly a chef special Pier 69: pretty sauce artwork but another completely inedible food. It tasted like whatever part of the roll was deep fried got burnt and I had to pick it apart to eat even a little bit of it. Yuck Overall, bill came to be a bit over $50 and I left the place hungry. I absolutely love sushi but this place just isnt good. Save yourself the trouble and choose a place in the loop or on the north side.
(2)
Bethami M.

Dined here last night with a few friends after watching Check Please, along with hearing amazing reviews. Got in without a reservation. Let me preface this by saying as pretty as the sushi is here, I'm not sure what makes it so much more amazing than all the sushi places in town, so I couldn't give it 5 stars. BYOB, a plus, although we couldn't partake. We ordered edamame, tofu from the Robata Grill, the Dragon, the Pot Roll, the My Favorite Midwest Roll, and the Shrimp Tempura roll. Every piece of sushi was eaten, and the sauce served on the cutting boards were really pretty and really enhanced the flavors. However, I thought what made the restaurant most unique and stand out, was the Robata Grill. The tofu was pretty fabulous, and it was one large piece. We wished we could cut it, but we only had chopsticks. Another reason I can't give this place 5 stars is a service issue. We had a party of three, and our third was stuck in traffic. Our server came by three times before our friend arrived, asking if we wanted appetizers. Each time we had the same answer, "we're going to wait for our third." I am all about attentive service (in fact I'm a stickler about absent service) but asking us MULTIPLE times about appetizers and later desserts seems like you're trying to rush us out. We were maybe there for a total of an hour. I'd say if you're in the area, stop in, and I wouldn't mind going back. But it's not in my top 3 in Chicago, and there's probably a few other options closer to home.
(4)
Alisa d.

Love this place! I'm always excited to find a good, moderately priced sushi place in Chicago, and this place fits the bill. Everything I've had has been delicious, and they've even made me a believer in vegetarian rolls (for shame!). The sushi chefs all wear cute black hats, and the music is good. A great tasting, fresh seaweed salad as well. Also, you can't beat BYOB. Two thumbs up!
(5)
Chelsea B.

My husband and I found this little gem on Yelp and will now become regulars. We started with a few items from the Robata grill and every one was better than the last. The sushi is so fresh and they really create some unique rolls. Trendy spot with a great atmosphere. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Megan G.

Lunch specials here are pretty excellent- you get 2 rolls, salad, and soup for a steal! I'll normally add on an additional roll just so I can get two separate meals out of it. I've only ever had the california, spicy tuna, and shrimp tempura rolls- the spicy tuna I felt was pretty plain, but the shrimp tempura was huge and tasty! I've only ever done takeout here (it's on Grubhub), but want to go back at some point to dine in.
(5)
A R.

So word is that Yuzu is the place to go now for sushi. Reasonable prices, and super fresh fish. It was very unsuspecting as I drove by. I actually missed it because it's so dimly lit. But when I walked in--on a Wednesday--it was packed. And rightfully so. My friend had quite the appetite so we ordered 5 rolls and a sashimi plate. Everything was delicious and fresh but the highlights for me were the Black Sea and the Motown Effect. The Black Sea, especially. The Sweet Potato Tempura was surprisingly good too. This will now be my go-to sushi place. So delicious!
(4)
Kevin T.

Decent sushi. They didn't really show me anything special. It was packed on a Sunday. Much of the sushi/rolls in Chicago is similar. I have difficulty differentiating them. Sashimi was ok, some parts of the fish were still frozen. The selection on the Robata Grill is somewhat small. Would like to see some more obscure cuts of meat. i.e. tongue, heart, etc.
(3)
Laura L.

I wasn't blow away. But it was really good. Great place to go for inexpensive fare for sure! And BYOB...who isn't a fan of that. I walked in with a reservation and we did wait a bit longer for out table. I am pretty sure they had our table all ready to go until a larger group walked in just before our reservation time. But it was a great place to chill with my freans and drink cheap wine!
(3)
Nikki K.

Fresh sushi and amazing pork shoulder robata - that's all you need! This place delivers on portions and most of all, flavor. The slices of sushi are very thick but they still maintain a tender bite. I've been here now 5 times and have only walked away super full and never disappointed. Great service and it's BYOB.
(4)
Adrienne A.

Their food is just amazing. BYOB, make the reservation to avoid standing around. Since we had to wait so long for a table for 3 the manager brought out three chairs and we were able to sit outside, sipping cold drinks while we waited. Yummy sweet potato tempura rolls. I highly recommend it.
(5)
Joey H.

Yuzu is incredibly tasty! My friends and I eat here at least once a week! Initially I checked it out because my go to sushi favorite isn't open for lunch, needless to say I fell in love! Favorites: Tuna Poke, all sashimi (it's all fresh daily), pork shoulder & short rib robata, honestly, pork shoulder is SO awesome! Pot River Roll, Black Sea YUM! Honestly, I've never had anything I didn't like here. The only reason I am giving Yuzu 4 out 5 is because the chairs are awful. I'm not sure if they are trying to have table turn quick or what but they are bad. My parents were in town and we had to call and specify we wanted the one table with normal chairs because my dad has a bad back and we knew he couldn't take the woodshop class chairs. I am thinking I may BYOB and BYOC! In conclusion, great food, bad chairs and fantastic service! Typically we request Grace! Grace is very accommodating and knowledgeable! It's great to come to our favorite spot and see the same great server, being in the service industry it is something I greatly appreciate! Thanks Grace:-) Check out Yuzu... You're buns will be the only thing that will be disappointed. My boyfriend doesn't even eat sushi but the robata has him heading back for more!
(4)
Peter B.

Unquestionably some of the best sushi in town. Add on the grilled goodies, and this place becomes my new go-to Japanese spot. Went there tonight and had a little bit of everything. Starters: the sweet potato tempura was remarkable, with a nice touch of spicy heat. Grilled squid was perfect, seasoned just right. Even my daughter's miso soup was better than any I've ever tasted, fresh and flavorful. The sushi: we shared four rolls, loved the Very Spicy Tuna and the Sin Nombre (albacore, avocado, cucumber, and more, topped with a tasty slab of salmon). The Black Sea and Pot River (a jumbo roll) were great too. And the grilled goodies - WAY better than I expected. We did Robata Set 2, with soft shell shrimp, asparagus wrapped in bacon, and chicken two ways. Each uniquely flavored and soooo good. Try this as an appetizer. Or order your own selection, each is just $2 or 3 bucks. Yep, prices here are very reasonable. It's BYOB, and they go out of their way to make that easy (decent glasses, ice buckets ready to go). Yeah, the room is small, and the chairs kinda suck, but you're here to eat and you're not going to be sitting around that long anyway. Or get it to go, they do a brisk business. So eat your fill of yumminess, and tell your friends. I'll be back...
(5)
Christopher D.

Wow, my girlfriend and I went to this place last night. I had one roll that I thought was okay, but I kind of figured that I might not like it personally. I was right about that but the "what's my name" roll with some wasabi.. HOLY F BOMB. Perfect in every way sushi could be. The fact that you can bring your own alcohol is amazing. It was definitely crowded, which I am not a big fan of, but soley based on the food... Bacon wrapped asparagus, sweet chili pork shoulder and that roll. No doubt this gets 5 stars.. The food is perfect and cheap. What more can you ask for? More room maybe?
(5)
Moe f.

Solid sushi. Host forgot about us and we got a free app. Nigiri was fresh. Rolls were unique and dug the skewers. It's super small. Would definitely go back.
(3)
S S.

I don't know the first thing about sushi and hardly ever have it because I can't use chop sticks so I'm overwhelmed and intimidated but my friend is a sushi expert so I agreed to try this place. It's very small but were able to get a table right away without reservations on Monday at 8pm. The service is great but the seats are really quite uncomfortable. Well, every roll I tried was better than the last. We had the dragon, the 100 years of solitued, motown effect, and I believe the black sea. Delicious. Amazing. I am now a Sushi lover and can't wait to go here with my friends. Thank you for such awesome service.
(5)
Dan S.

I have been here twice,the robata grill is very good as is the sushi. The service is good too and it's reasonably priced.
(4)
Galina M.

Just leaving this place now...it was good. The mango salad is a must and shishito peppers are amazing!!! Basically the robata grill stuff is mich better than the sushi. The special rolls r slightly too much ingredients...like u almost cant taste the fish. The service is outstanding and very fast! Also - its BYOB which is awesome! The place is small and dimly lit. Great for dates ;) ohhhh and they play sweet hip hop like Common style! Totally awesome! They gave us free mochi after dinner - super sweet. So its a solid 3 star and yes i would recommend it to others but order from the robata grill more than sushi. Cheers
(3)
Toula M.

This place is amazing. I've tried quite a few different rolls and they've all been great. They're gyoza is so good, I actually crave it sometimes :/ What I love most about this place is the robata grill. I've tried almost all of the skewers and my favorite is the bacon wrapped scallop! There are so many sushi places in this city, the grill sets yuzu apart from the others. Good stuff.
(5)
Alexy K.

Favorite sushi spot in the city. Love the hip hop beats playing every time I dine here. Fish is always fresh and they can accommodate special requests which is cool. Owner usually has a new recipe for regulars to try and give feedback on which makes you feel part of the action. I asked them to put jalapeÃ±o pepper in the miso soup to warm up on a cold day and they always hook it up and it tastes great and hot going down.
(5)
Rachel R.

First time trying out Yuzu after moving back to Chicago from Southern California, and I have to say it was a wonderful experience! Ordered: Miso Soup - delivered hot and yummy! Scallop roll - scallop was fresh and overall a great roll. Chicken, Beef and Pork robatas - love this concept. all of the meat was very fresh and served with delicious sauces. Will definitely order from Yuzu again. Overall a wonderful sushi experience! PS - Free gyozas with order of $20 or more!
(4)
Ryan P.

They are super nice, the service is good and the food is very good. It is not a huge place, but a decent amount of seating. I highly recommend this place.
(4)
Kyle H.

I love this place. So far, I've eaten in once and gotten delivery twice. I have had no negative experiences so far. Both deliveries came quickly and were hot with nothing missing. They also offer coupons for delivery via Grub Hub. When we ate in, we had a great time. Some folks might not like the music, but I was really into the fact that they were playing loud rap music from the late 1990s and early 2000s. It was loud, but not so loud that we couldn't talk to each other, and I heard a lot of songs I haven't heard in awhile, which was fun. My mother cracked up when I informed her that ladies is pimps too, and brushed her shoulders off. The food was delicious. Benjamin K.R. ordered one of everything from the robata grill for all of us to share, which seems like a lot of food, but only cost a little over $20 and was enough for all of us to have one or two bites of everything. It was awesome to be able to try everything without having to worry about spending a ton of money or having a ton of leftovers. We also got a few maki rolls, which were all delicious, and the drunken noodle, which was also delicious. The service was very friendly and attentive without being overbearing. I also quite like the cute Japanese comic panels that are painted onto the walls. We didn't even spend very much money, even after getting so much food - and they had a discount coupon for checking in on Yelp. All in all, an excellent experience and we will be back soon.
(5)
Tori C.

We come here every Thursday and can't stop. The service is great - they are so nice. Once we went in 5-10 minutes before they were closing, so we said we would just order carry out, but they insisted we sit down and stay to eat. When we did have to wait for a table, we were given free edamame (I'm probably spelling that wrong) and the server offered to open up our BYOB bottle for us while we waited. We order the South Beach roll every time we come - some of the best sushi I've had. Oh yea, and great music, if you like hip hop. Cannot stay away from Yuzu :)
(5)
Jeff W.

The hype for Yuzu is blowing up, so I had to hop over to the Village of Ukranians to check out why. I'm often let down when I build a place up, but not this time. I'm not gonna lie, I came to Yuzu 3 times in 1 week. I was a little embarrassed when the waitresses were asking me 'back again?' Doesn't matter if you come here with a group or on a date, the experience & food is great. Make sure you call ahead for a reservation. All 3 times I called pretty last minute and was able to get tables for prime dinner times on Weds & Thurs nights. On Friday, our group of 4 got a table for 9pm. The workers are incredibly nice. They're like little Asian elves that just want to make sure you are enjoying yourselves. No, but for real. My first visit, my group had to wait for a 4 top to finish. They took their sweet time and chatted and finished their wine, which is pretty expected and not a huge deal. The hostess kept apologizing and pouring our wine for us. She brought us complimentary edamame to eat while we waited. I'm not sure who was more uncomfortable with the wait, us or the hostess. After 30 minutes, she informed the table that we were waiting for their table. I imagine this annoyed them because this is typically really rude, but in such a small restaurant with limited seating I can kind of understand. They were pretty cool about it, too. At the end of our meal, the hostess apologized again for the wait and gave us a $5 gift certificate for our next visit. My 2nd and 3rd times visiting that week were just as great. The food was sushi at it's best. Tasty and fresh, and not covered with sauces that muddle every roll to be indistinguishable... aka 'white people sushi' For the sake of length, here are a few reccos for any future visitors: Starters Avocado Mango Salad - A light way to start your meal. Dressing is a little spicy but offset with avocados and mango slices. All3 times this was great and I could eat this every day. Tuna Poke - Artfully presented and equally delicious. Not fishy at all and really good. Also good for avocado lovers. Robata Grill - Must try Pork Shoulder - Unreal. The glaze on this is like crack. Beef Short Rib - One of my favorites, but consensus is it was too fatty. I love fatties... er I mean meats, of course, so I loved this. If you're not into fatty meats, go with the pork shoulder. Probably unnecessary to get both cuz they're very similar. Bacon Scallop - Can't go wrong with Bacon Tuna Miso - My least favorite thing I've gotten here. Thought the fish was kinda dry and chewy. It was thick cut and glazed. Maki My Favorite Midwest Roll - $8.50 Riceless roll? Weird so I had to try. I ordered it all 3 times. I am not a fan of cream cheese in my maki rolls, but this is really creative and well done. Lightly battered and not too heavy. Try this. Black Sea Roll - $8.50 Really simple but really good. Sunflower seeds are a nice touch. Pier 69 - $14.50 Everyone raves about this roll. It's good but all I could taste was the fried soft shell crab. It's beautifully presented though. Didn't really taste the coconut. Fire Roll - $15.00 For the jumbo rolls, this one was my favorite. And I don't even like spicy food! Took a chance and the spice is really subtle. Minimal sweat, thank god. Highly recommend this roll over their other jumbo rolls! Pot River - $15.00 Another good one. Fresh but the cilantro turned me off. Sorry I am Drunk Roll - $11.00 So good for unagi lovers. Small and simple roll but really tasty. It's like a better version of a unagi roll that I would get at other sushi restaurants. Damnit, I did it again. I have had comments that my reviews are too long but I wanted to do this place justice. Also worth noting... they play rap and the sushi chefs look young and trendy. I can appreciate a sushi chef wearing a fedora and jamming to Kanye while he's crafting my maki. Also, they gave us free dessert that was bomb. Just go and enjoy!
(5)
Frank P.

Rolls are great. Robatas are awesome. BYOB is fantastic.
(5)
Kim B.

We go here once a week....it's top notch. Check in on Yelp for a $10 discount!
(5)
Stephanie M.

Finally made it here - have to stay that I was disappointed - not as good as everyone raves about....and definitely not worth a special trip in from the 'burbs.
(3)
Samantha E.

Food was delicious. Highly recommend the pork shoulder skewer. We stayed for a while after we paid the bill and they brought us a complimentary dessert.
(4)
Anabella J.

Let me just start by saying this place has the best customer service.everyone is super extra nice.we came in party of 4 and had to wait longer for table because place is smaller which was fine.they apologized over and over again and even gave us free edamame for free while waiting.talk about nice. It was near close and we only had one hour to order and eat and had already waited over 45 min they even gave us a discount off our bill.i even told them they dont have to do that because we would wait anyway because for good quality food i would wait all night long.and it was worth it.so far the best maki rolls in the city.specific taste that just melts in your mouth.everything is very fresh and the atmosphere of the place is very relaxing.our friend has shrimp allergy and they were very careful explaining which maki rolls has shrimp so he can avoid those.Chicago roll is amazing by the way.oh i forgot about the art that comes with sushi.a real masterpiece.if i could give them more than 5 stars i would.trust me and visit this place if you are in the neighborhood.
(5)
A A.

We've been here 4 times total (once to pick up). We've never had a reso and always end up getting seating pretty quickly (once even in a Saturday night). The place is usually very busy, but not annoyingly packed. The sushi is very good, we've probably tried everything and the best rolls are "Sorry I am Drunk" and another called (I think) "What's my Name". There is a dipping sauce that goes with one of those that looks like soy but is actually really bad. The rolls are far better without it. It's BYOB and a little tight, but overall it's a great spot to try.
(4)
alex b.

As soon as that 96' hip-hop turned on, I knew I would enjoy this restaurant. We ordered two tapas-like dishes. The scallops wrapped in bacon were okay, nothing out of the ordinary. The pork was delicious though. Probably could have ate three or four more of those. Thoroughly enjoyed the sushi rolls and definitely looking forward to coming back.
(4)
Bobby D.

Another good find, From what was a fast food place (but unfortunately closed due to some ruffian clientele from some nearby school, by some rumors), A Spanish record store before that, But originally a camera shop. From below an old EL stop, Which existed a long, long time ago. And YES, i DO remember the "L" pastry shop,But NOT the EL that once existed there. But I do remember the wonderful aromas that came from there, The bakery that is.. Which was next door, But now a unisex salon. Now it's a great Japanese sushi-grill place. The Udon noodle soup with tempura is great. Yet my one qualm is the cucumber & lemon water that's given out. I don't mind the lemon, But cucumber????. In a glass of water????. I actually believe it should be given on the side. The sauce for dipping the tempura was creamy and slightly spicy hot. But nevertheless, A treat. Next time I'll try one of their sushi dishes.
(4)
Kimberly L.

What a lovely experience! Yuzu is a BYOB so we grabbed some bubbles from Noble Grape, which is just a few blocks away. We had tried to come here once before and found to our dismay that it was closed. But not this evening, though it may look that way from the street. If you drive, parking here is a snap. The interior is simple and charming. Reclaimed wood surfaces, cartoon-like artist renderings on the walls, dim lights, and quaint touches like Ball jars for water glasses and a paint can for an ice bucket. Everything is clean and streamlined. There's lively music that complements the atmosphere without overtaking it. Nice. Now on to the food, the real star of the show. To begin, we ordered gyoza, which was crispy and delicious and tuna poke, which was slightly spicy and completely addictive. We then ordered some maki: the What's My Name and the Boston Crunchy both of which were really tasty. We also had a pot of hot tea. Overall a very satisfying meal. Great service, friendly and fun atmosphere, and under $40 with tip. I will be back soon!
(4)
Cynthia A.

Took some out-of-town girlfriends for a Saturday night dinner. All agreed that it was some of the best sushi they've ever had (one friend even said better than her experience in Japan--you can't beat that). The service is top notch and the food comes out quickly so, be ready when you order. The presentation of each dish shows the care the chefs take in making these mouth-watering rolls. Also, love the grilled items with delicious sauces. They will see me once at week as this is worth the drive through rush hour traffic.
(5)
Arun L.

Super fresh fish with amazing presentation. We were almost afraid to destroy the culinary artwork by eating it. Fun ambiance but it is a small space - we squeezed a group of 7 in, but it's better for smaller groups. We ate well for $26/pp including tax and tip. There's also a great Yelp check-in offer. Oh yeah - BYOB.
(4)
Donna D.

Wonderful!
(5)
John M.

I dined at Yuzu on Saturday night and the service was horrible. My wife and I waited for a waitress for 15 minutes before even ordering drinks. I was constantly told "someone will be right with you." The food was excellent, but the service and attention we received was sub par at best. I would not recommend this place due to the lack of service and attention the waitress paid to our table.
(1)
Michelle S.

Very solid sushi place with great service and a lovely atmosphere. They got a bucket for my wine the moment they saw me bring it in, very attentive and polite the whole time, and answered all of our questions. Thanks to all on the tips about the tuna poke - soooo yummy! Solid and interesting rolls (South Beach was my fave - nice heat!). The sauces are definitely their specialty. One in particular was a citrusy and spicy soy based sauce with the What's My Name? roll. Tried several mochi for dessert, and they threw in a red bean for us to try, which was really good. And again, the sauces! They swirl a lovely lime with another vanilla sauce into a pretty design, which paired really well with the mango and strawberry mochi.
(4)
Italo C.

There's a balance between being over-served and being welcomed/ comfortable in a restaurant. Yuzu is inviting, hip, and truly welcoming. The decor seems thoughtful on a budget, and is comfortable despite its small size. The presentation (99% of the law of sushi) was delicate and aesthetically enjoyable (Check the photos!), and for the price, you CANNOT go wrong. This place is a semi-hidden gem on a mostly run-down block that has a lot of future ahead of it. There are a lot of sushi places. I suggest Yuzu for an anywhere between t-shirt and jeans (or sneakers and leggings) to button down and whatever you do to your hair (or casual heels and something semi-formal) event or date. Its BYOB, and great for last minute "crap, the place has a 2 hour wait" alternative, or a nice date on the cheap before hitting a bar or club.
(5)
Leang E.

I saw the online deal and the fact that it was close to my place, I couldn't resist trying it out. I got 10% off ordering online, and this deal goes on until March. In addition to this there was a special offer of a california maki, gyoza or edamame if you order $20 worth! It was easy to order, but I feel like they missed the special instructions where I asked for no cream cheese on one of my rolls. Luckily it wasn't very heavy. I ordered the Unagi, A Hundred Years of Solitude, and My Favorite Midwest Roll, and then I took the free California Roll. They were all very good, and I will probably order from here again. The place inside is pretty cool as well and it's also BYOB. I want to try the yuzu next time!
(4)
Ivette S.

Great little place for sushi. The sushi is delicious, there's a lot of variety. We had the pot river jumbo roll which is about 10 pieces. The presentation is beautiful and we were lucky enough to sit in front of the bar, which is where they're putting your sushi together. It was really cool to see how the magic happens. The roll was great, the sauce they put on the side was a little spicy but good nonetheless. We also had the pork shoulder which is marinated and so tender. We had the tuna poke, my only complaint was that there was too much avocado and not enough tuna. They give u cucumber water with a slice of lemon which is really nice. Overall great experience, but they really need to expand. Everyone is sitting elbow to elbow, so it feels like a fire hazard. Good thing there's not much happening on the grill. Be prepared to wait for over an hour. They do take reservations so call ahead!
(4)
Nakia B.

This place is literally down the block from me and its the best thing ever. I love the beef short rib. Its like a meat lollipop for meat eaters. I also tend to order their spicy rolls which are really fresh and delicious. I've been to alot of sushi places around Chicago and this place is in my top 3 for sure.
(5)
Bryan H.

Atmosphere: Nice laid back atmosphere with great music and cool Anime on the wall. Great vibe. Server was great. Made some good recommendations. Food: Started with Robata and Sweet Potato Tempura 1.) Short Rib Robata- This was delicious. Sweet, salty, tender fatty pieces of meat. I could seriously just have eaten about 10 of these and be a happy glutton. So good we ordered another one. 2.) Shishito Peppers: Server recommended these. Basically grilled Japanese sweet peppers. I had one that was really hot so be careful. I just looked these peppers up on Wiki and they said for some reason 1 in 10 peppers are spicy. Makes it kind of fun. These were delicious. Can take a bite of this with meat for a little spice but better straight up. Sweet, soft and a great mushy consistency. 3.) Shrimp: Comes with Shell and Head which doesn't bother me but some people may not like. Had a kind of bitter lemon rhiny taste to it that wasn't very complimentary. Not a huge fan and wouldn't order again. Girl friend agreed. 4.) Sweet Potato Tempura: These were so good. Sweet potatoes are cut really thin and the tempura was unlike the traditional tempura I have had in other restaurants. Super crispy and golden brown. Light for what it is almost like a chip. Great when you dip it into the spicy mayo. Definitely order these again. 5.) "Sorry I am Drunk Roll": This role is fantastic. Probably my new favorite roll. So much flavor, again a little sweet, a little salty and very savory. What I loved the most was the texture. You get the crunchy pop from the tobiko (flying fish roe) and the chewiness of the nori. I just kept chewing and it just kept popping. Sounds crazy but so good. You will understand what I mean when you try it. 6.) Sin Nombre: Sounded really good on paper but the flavor didn't explode like the other food we had here. Had more of a nice fresh flavor. On the top there was a small dollop of something that tasted a little like capers. This was OK but I wouldn't order again with all of the other delicious food on the menu. All in all the food was delicious and our server was good. It is great that it is BYOB. They do not sell beer or liquor at all so be sure to bring your beverages. I will be back I just hope the owner finds a better way to turn over clients than giving them a time limit.
(4)
Jonathan L.

Awesome. Best robata in the city. Better value than sumi. And way better more friendly service. Better atmosphere! Awesome food.
(5)
Ivanka B.

I've only had delivery from this place and not only are the quick but tasty too! I highly recommend the short rib, asparagus and mushroom skewers. Though being short rib, watch out for the gristle and the mushroom was kinda bland one time. The sushi is fresh and while I didn't sample any of their signature rolls the regular stuff was great - good rice and nice fish cuts.
(4)
Amber S.

Love the 'I m drunk' roll'!!!!!!!!!! Yum yum!!!!
(5)
Avneet M.

Went with the family and it was great sushi. Not only the sushi that came out was a work of art it tasted great. If you have not been here it is a must visit.
(5)
G. T.

Took my family (which includes a 13 and 15 yr old) for a birthday celebration. To my surprise, the young'uns thoroughly enjoyed their food. The ordered items were tempura, Ebi cooked shrimp, Robata Grill #1 (chicken, pork and short rib), Udon noodle soup, super white tuna and soft shell shrimp. Even with ordering a second round of food, the tab came up to less than $50 and it is a BYOB establishment The food was delicious! The soup was flavorful, the pork shoulder and beef were really good, and my husband enjoyed the tuna while my daughter ended up ordering three soft shell shrimp. I was going to order some pop but the cucumber water served in a canning jar was quirky and delicious. Only drawback was the seating: metal chairs with small seats were not kind to my bottom. The seating area is very small but we were immediately seated. I guess it helped that we arrived on a Sunday evening so there were seats available around the restaurant. Staff is courteous and refreshed our glasses at every turn. Food was good especially for the non-sushi crowd. If requested, I will return with my family to enjoy the food again.
(4)
Selin A.

As my mom came to visit me in Chicago, I picked this place just for a quick dinner, bc it was very close to my place. I was really suprised how delicious the food was. And now, it is one of my favorite places... At the first time, we just walked in, but make sure that you have a reservation, if you dont want to wait a long time...
(5)
Tim R.

Very nice neighborhood sushi place. First, they brought us cucumber water with slices of lemon, which was much appreciated and very tasty. We ordered our meal along with iced green tea. The teas were refreshing, subtly sweet, and slightly citrusy: exactly what I expect and everything I wanted. We then enjoyed bowls of miso soup - once again, great flavor, crunchy scallions, little pieces of tofu. The sushi was great. We chose several vegetarian-friendly rolls, including avocado, sweet potato tempura, tamako (egg nagiri), and shitake mushroom. Each were presented on small sushi boards and arranged neatly. The flavor was spot-on for each roll, and the prices were very agreeable. The priciest roll of the lot was $5 a roll, but you can find some very decent 1 ingredient rolls for $3. The final total came to be around $30. All in all when weighed against the price, this sushi does not disappoint. The interior is decorated with Japanese manga, which is fun. Our only grievance was the seating, as the metal chairs were the uncomfortable kind you'd sit on in school a cafeteria. Other than that, however, this restaurant is a breath of fresh air compared with nearby Manee Thai and Butterfly Sushi, and we'll be coming back here again for sure.
(4)
Steve H.

Yum! Freshest raw fish, artistic rolls and plates, do recommend reservations though rather austere setting.
(5)
H A.

Very good grilled items and roll that came with was very fresh. I prefer sushi to rolls though... will be back for grilled items including the beef and chicken. Also, wished I ordered the Poke as the reviews below made my mouth water :) Soft shell crab and robata miso tuna a miss - soft shell crab over cooked/deep fried very brown and the tuna over cooked (for me) as well. But plenty of other delicious items to chose. Worth a trip.
(4)
Paul F.

From the exterior, I was not looking forward to this place and expecting it to be another sushi place that comes and goes. I finally went there for lunch and was blown away by the robata grill options and the sushi is top notch as well. Those koren bbq rib and tuna skewers are to die for. Seriously, just go to try the skewers. Seating is a little cramped but it would be fun if the place was full to the brim with people. If Arami down the street is too expensive or too foo foo, this place is a great alternative!
(5)
Kiki A.

Amazing sushi! Can't wait to go back! the Robata grill meats are delish! And all the rolls are not only delicious but very artistic and uniquely designed! Yummy!
(5)
Peter C.

great sushi place. byob, as so many chicago sushi places are, which saves a bunch of money. (hint: there's a nearby liquor store. a bit gnarly, but they've got the goods!) there are japanese comics on the wall, including my favorite, naruto! the place itself is super small, so expect to be bumped into a bit. we went at a pretty prime time, so were happy to get a table so quickly. (note: we called to make reservations, then they said they don't take reservations, then when we arrived they asked if we'd made a reservation.) be sure to get lots of robata (grilled stuff on skewers)!
(4)
Cindy K.

Reasonable prices and pretty decent portions. Tasted good, so I would return. The grilled food were pretty tasty. And as always, I'm a fan of BYOB. It gets very busy, even on weekdays, so make a reservation.
(4)
Stacey K.

My new favorite place to get Sushi. I have both dined-in and carried-out and both have been great experiences. The My Favorite Midwest Roll was amazing, no rice and packed with flavor. They also have great lunch box deals. I have gotten the Bento Maki box and the Robata Bento D box which BOTH come with a delicious salad, the best miso soup I've had in a long while and enough sushi or robata to fill you up and still have some to enjoy later.
(5)
Jiratt P.

Real bargain, best comfort food, friendly services. What Else Do I Need?
(5)
Carl H.

Seated immediately ahead of those without reservations. Great meal and place.
(5)
Lauren K.

This spot was delicious and the service so wonderful! We'd never tried Japanese BBQ but they are great at it! Make sure to get the short ribs. The Black Sea roll was also fantastic! BYOB a big plus. Bringing our family and friends here next time!
(5)
Kristina D.

Tasty but the items add up quickly. Nice to have small bites and chill but probably not a whole dinner.
(3)
Chelsea F.

I'm excited about Yuzu and while it's a bit out of the way for me, I can see myself becoming a regular. I love that they don't charge a corking fee and I love that my boyfriend and I have finally found a place we both love - he eats the stuff off the grill and I eat the sushi - they are honestly both fantastic. We started with a few of the skewers and I'd have to say my favorites were the short ribs and the pork shoulder. For rolls, I had the Chicago roll which was fantastic and the spicy scallop which was equally yummy. I have found that a lot of sushi places don't use raw scallop in their scallop rolls but Yuzu does. Everything is reasonably priced but that's not the reason I love it - I love it because it's so darn good! Also - good service! The only downside is that they close at 10 but hopefully they decide to close later once the place really starts to pick up.
(5)
Tiffany K.

This place definitely lives up to its hype! I came here with my bf on a Friday night, an hour before they closed. (I don't like going to restaurants when they are about to close because I hate when they rush your meal.) Yuzu was awesome and did not rush us at all and the sushi chef even came out to see if we liked our food. :) I was so sad that they ran out of super white tuna and curry puff. But we were extremely satisfied with everything else we ordered! Miso soup- It was good. i don't see how you can go wrong with miso soup anywhere. Pot River Roll- i expected this roll to be super huge but it wasn't. it was the perfect size to stuff in your mouth. ha! i love how yuzu adds the sauce on the side and not all over the roll. the roll didn't come apart and wasn't drenched with sauce. this roll wasn't too spicy either. spicy tuna- again, the tuna was fresh. perfect blend of spicy tuna! sushi gold- came with a spicy something roll. i forgot what kind of fish i was. woops! 9 nigiri (4 tuna, 2 sake, 1 eel, 1 mackerel, and i believe the last one was yellow tail) Tuna Poke- MMM! i liked this the best. fresh tuna and perfect blend of sauce for the perfect taste. i love how they added avocado in thin slices and huge chunks. super nice touch to the taste. Chicken satay skewers- interesting concoction of curry that tasted very good with the juicy chicken beef short rib- again, very good. full of flavor and tender. this restaurant has a casual atmosphere, dim and small. but don't let the restaurants decor fool you... the quality of food is just as fresh as a Michelin star restaurant!
(4)
Jeff K.

Great food, BYOB, great service even great water. It's a semi small restaurant with about 10 tables in a changing neighborhood but it's completely safe. To start we sat down and they had cucumber, lemon tap water ready for us, very good. Then were ordered a few things from the grill. I thought the mushroom was just okay but everyone else really like it and they got the bacon wrapped something and they like that too. For dinner we did sushi and all the rolls were awesome. They had sauce served next to them so you really didn't need soy sauce. I also liked that they served them one roll at time so you knew what you were eating. Also the sushi was taking a long time (not really) so they gave us complimentary edamame, :)! We ordered pier 99, cantaloupe, south beach, and black sea, all very good! For dessert we had the moche ice cream, tried each flavor and it was delicious! I like this place a lot, very friendly, great sushi at a great price. And a good location, can't wait to go back!
(5)
Carlo D.

Went here with a friend a few months back. The service was excellent! Very friendly and polite. The sushi here was very fresh and prob top 3 best tasting in Chicago. The art on the wall was amazing and love the fedoras on all the chefs. I could tell a true creative artist was behind the decor. Overall experience was excellent and can't wait to come back again!
(5)
Bob D.

The $10 off offer is kind of funny, you have to say "yummy" before you order, well good thing because that wasn't coming off my tongue after eating. Once again I have fallen victim to Yelp Hypesteria! Sure the anime walls are fun, the weathered boards ripped from some dilapidated Wisconsin barn give it some aged charm and I found my server pleasant. Unfortunately the food was one miss after another. There is a thing called curry puff? or something, it is reminiscent of a dense monosyllabic curried potato ball wrapped in puff pastry. It is dense and heavy, a terrible appetizer for someone about to eat Sushi. The flavor isn't bad but it would be more appropriate stuffed in your pocket for a trek across the Himalaya's. Tuna Poke, bland, warm, mushy tuna perched atop a ridiculously large serving of avocado that is unseasoned. I love avocado, but squirt some lime and sprinkle some sea salt. Wheres the love? Pork shoulder skewer, over marinated, had a grainy texture. Short rib skewer, better, but a bit sweet. Chicken thigh skewer, OK congrats you can grill a chicken thigh! Salmon skewer, good, but ho hum. Mango and avocado salad, the best item besides the cucumber water. Lightly dressed with very fresh greens. Rainbow roll, Yawn! over cooked rice, rubbery seaweed, and more warm mushy fish. Black Sea roll, same rice and same fish. They are trying really hard to be cool, chefs are wearing fedoras, anime, pop tunes on satellite radio. If you have to try this hard to be cool then guess what? Please bring back the rising sun bandanna, good sushi rice and some market fresh fish instead of the ubiquitous salmontunawhitetuna!
(2)
Elena E.

I never write reviews, but the experience, service and food were all exceptional! After watching the restaurant on Check Please!, I wanted to go there for my birthday dinner. The grilled items were so good especially the beef. The sushi is not only delicious but the most beautiful sushi I have ever seen. The prices are shockingly low and the fact that they're BYOB is a huge plus. At the end of our amazing dinner, my boyfriend got on one knee and asked me to marry him :) The restaurant was the perfect setting for this special moment. A bottle of champagne came out and they comped our entire dinner!!! How nice is that?!? This is my new favorite restaurant in Chicago. I can't wait to go back!!
(5)
Cyril P.

Great rolls and sushi. It was about a 45min wait without a reservation on a Friday night, but once we got in, it was nice. Cramped, but nice. Good service, surprisingly reasonable prices for EXCELLENT sushi-quality fish brilliantly prepared and good service.
(5)
Jon M.

Bento boxes are the best value for lunch and their contemporary sushi is a welcomed visual change.
(5)
Tim R.

Best sushi and robata grill this side of Humboldt Park (well, that is if there is even a sushi place in Humboldt Park or a survivor left to tell)! Yes, what I am trying to say is not to waste your time or money at Arami (next door), or any other sushi place for that matter. This place is cozy and always full so be sure to make reservations in advance. You MUST order from the Robata Grill..the skewers are all so good so you can't go wrong with any, but I definitely recommend the Tuna Miso, Chicken Satay, Pork Shoulder, Shishito, and Crying Tiger! As for all of their rolls not only being fresh and delicious, Yuzu has the best presentation and plating of sushi I have seen in the City! And can I tell you how much I love the Servers...I swear they never have a day off so you will always see a familiar face! This place is also BYOB so there really isn't anything you can complain about! What did Roll A say to Roll B? Wazzup B? [Wassabi]
(5)
chris c.

I have really fallen out of love with sushi in the city. Most places that get raves, Coast and butterfly come to mind, are just barely average at best. Too many places serving average at best food. Well Yuzu is different. Their product is really fresh and it is a tremendous value (of course BYOB helps) For four people to do apps, robata and two platters of sashimi and 2 rolls for 100 bucks is ridiculous. This place will def be put in reg rotation.
(4)
Michelle L.

We had a great experience at Yuzu... The sushi was super fresh and inventive, the Pot River roll was amazing and all of the rolls were presented beautifully and artistically. They also have a great selection of rolls for those that don't want raw fish, and one vegetarian roll that is absolutely amazing (for my vegetarian friend is was a great, unexpected surprise). But don't even think about going to Yuzu and not getting something from the grill, the beef shortrib had a wonderful marinade and was grilled beautifully, with the perfect amount of chewiness and fattiness. Grilled asparagus wrapped in bacon was awesome, and the app of the curry puff was a completely different and unexpected flavor - more Indian to me, but it was a nice burst of unique yumminess. Love the byob aspect with no corkage fee! Plus, prices in general are very reasonable. Atmosphere was small and minimalistic trendy - fun paintings on the wall and a good vibe, especially with the great music they were playing. Service was very friendly. Yuzu is our new sushi go-to place, can't wait to go back and try some more!
(5)
Katrina A.

I heart Yuzu! *Accessible - easy parking **Great decor ***Wonderful servers AND service ****Amazing menu selection, food quality AND price! I love their curry puffs, pork shoulder skewers, and all of their rolls are worth trying once...depending on your taste - each are superb with reasonable prices. I would go here weekly if I didn't live in the burbs!
(5)
Nancy Z.

I'm happy to put myself out there as one of the dense ingrates who do not usually feel good about paying two dollars for one bite of raw fish. I prefer to live in a world of quantity, and am a fan of endless anythings on Monday nights. Yuzu, however, makes it hard to not cough up the money for what they give. While it doesn't quite hit the mark of a favorite izakaya in Tokyo, Yuzu has certainly shown that it's possible for Chicago to give a good faith effort. FOOD: Sashimi are served as generous, generous cuts of some of the higher quality fish as of late, and the salmon and super white will stick with you (in a good way). Pork and chicken grill sticks were tasty, but somewhat forgettable. If you're not a follower of honey-based sauces, opt for sauce on the side. Reviews for this place are probably going to be splattered all across the board. I personally believe that the ones who love this place, aside from those who think everything tastes better off a stick, love this place because of some sort of nostalgia. It's true, stuff on a stick, stuck on a grill, turned once, and flopped on a platter doesn't quite give the gastrophysics of the new age food culture a run for its money in terms of being the hottest kid in school, but the Japanese version of a grill and pub just makes it a better kid to hang around when you are set for the long run. SERVICE: All food tastes better when it's not slammed on your table, and new places can seem like familiar haunts the very first time when the sushi chef takes down sake with you at the end of their last shift, and hands you complementary hand rolls made with what they've noticed to be our table's favorite fishes. I received encouraging and somehow even fond looks from the main waitress who saw me engaged in a pathetically losing battle of liar's dice as I lost wagers of dignity and self-esteem while the minutes ticked by. OVERALL: I stayed for 3 hours, left over a pile of polished skewers, and split a shy 1.5L of sake with the boyfriend. Go there. Bring lots to drink, a game, and your game face.
(5)
Kristin K.

Oh Yuzu...how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. 1. Completely comfortable and welcoming environment, with lovely employees. 2. BYOB- need I say more? 3. Reasonably priced! 4. A menu that can accommodate almost any palate, making this a great place for a fantastic dinner or just a light snack. My meal this evening: Started off with a few skewers: salmon, tuna, mushroom- grilled to perfection; simple and delicious. Then moved onto the Sashimi Gold plate. Great selection of fresh melt in your mouth fish (though I didn't care for the octopus, but my date ate it). We kept it really simple and light tonight, but I can also tell you that the salon teriyaki is also excellent. My boyfriend and I are huge supporters of this place, and almost anytime we go somewhere else, ultimately our conclusion is "I'd rather be at Yuzu."
(5)
Bryan H.

This is one of my favorite sushi spots. So many great choices with the grill and great maki rolls. I go for lunch often because you get soup salad and either sushi or robata grill for $8-$10.
(5)
Lei D.

I have to say first and foremost - they are the sweetest, least pretentious, but dare I say hip sushi place in the city. The food is yummy and its a BYOB!!! Avocado Mango Salad, Pork shoulder skewer, some sashimi and the chicago spring maki is the way to go. Its a bargain too!
(5)
R F.

I'll give you an actual review once you don't botch the reservation we made the week prior and have a chance to sit down and eat. You also handled the situation horribly once we arrived (3 couples who each hired babysitters to eat at our RESERVED table at your establishment). Finally, when you do clearly botch a reservation...don't blame the patron. Maybe the worst restaurant reservation experience I've ever had...but I live close and want to support local places that have good food. I'll try again and hope you keep my reservation this time.
(1)
Rick C.

I really enjoyed Yuzu. It really touched home on a lot of what I was looking for that night. We met some friends out for dinner here and had a great time. Right from the start, I was hoping for a good experience. It's a cozy neighborhood place with a nice sense of style. Some great hip hop playing when we walked in, cool manga on the walls, welcoming chefs and servers. My kind of place. After checking the menu, the first thing I noticed was that the prices were very reasonable. It's BYO, so all things considered you get a great bang for your buck here. We started with some of the pork shoulder and short rib skewers. Nice marinade on both. I definitely will come back and try some of the others. We also tried a ton of the sushi rolls. If you're hungry, go with the jumbo rolls. They're huge. I think we tried half of the menu, but the one that stood out to me was the Black Sea. It had tuna, super white tuna, albacore tuna, salmon, hamachi, marinated crab meat, sunflower seeds, masago, and spicy mayo. I found the sunflower seeds really different and added nice texture. The most expensive roll was like 12 bucks and the portions and quality were damn good. We'll be back. It was a great setting for a nice dinner with friends.
(5)
Magoons B.

4 times have I eaten at this yummo spot-all super fantastic, delicious and right around the corner- convenience & divine Japanese intervention!! Inexpensive and explosive in flavor!!! GO! Go! GO!
(5)
Linda L.

I went to Yuzu on Saturday night and fell in love. For starters, it's an adorable restaurant with comics painted onto the walls. You can eat and absorb your thoughts in the wonderful world of anime. Very creative! Their sashimi pieces are generous in size, innovative and fresh! Absolutely loved the canteloupe roll. It had little crunchy balls that topped the roll. I love when you order super white tuna, and it melts in your mouth in a buttery kind of way. You know what I'm talking about. We've all sunk in our chairs with delight from that perfect piece of sashimi. Let's see...I also tried.... * robata grill beef skewers- amazing and very flavorful * Asparagus wrapped in bacon- C'mon. bacon wrapped anything is deee-lish! They just opened about a week ago, and I can't wait to go back. BYOB and friendly service? Yes. More Please. Thank you.
(5)
Michelle H.

Yuzu. A fun little place offering a cozy atmosphere, BYOB and an exciting mix of foods. Enjoyed sashimi (amazing super white tuna), Robata grill skewers (tuna, chicken,mushrooms) , noodle dishes - all of it delighted. Service is pretty loose - be prepared to exert and question where your orders might be - but I'm sure it'll tighten up over time. Welcome to the 'hood Yuzu!
(4)
Jeff S.

So glad this place is right down the road! Fantastic sushi and service.
(5)
Grennan K.

Right by my office. cozy place. Love running in here for a quick lunch. They're super nice & the owner rocks.
(4)
Julie A.

I'm thrilled to finally have a sushi place within walking distance from my house. I thought it was really good. My dining partner is gluten free, so no soy sauce can be anywhere and they did a wonderful job taking care of her. We had the pork shoulder and the tuna robata, and then some pieces and the Asparagus roll and Rainbow roll. We did have to choose wisely because it seemed like there was a lot of tempura involved in everything. Regardless, it was delicious and for 6 pieces, 3 rolls and two robata it was $40 which was totally reasonable!
(4)
Eazmg C.

I think this may be one of Chicago's best BYOB sushi joints. We were fortunate enough to have a reservation here for a party of 8 last Saturday evening. Great food, good service, and fairly reasonable on the wallet too. Some things I can recall eating that I'd recommend are the sweet potato tempura, robata grill skewers (pork shoulder, asparagus bacon, bacon scallop), and the 'my favorite Midwest roll'.
(5)
Glen W.

Fun atmosphere, diverse dishes, competes for best Chicago sushi (though not quite Kai Zan).
(4)
Megan R.

Soo good! Our new go to, plus they deliver! Went on a Monday early since we were bringing our baby (yes I know), but they were super accommodating and nice. We literally ate everything! The mango salad had a great dressing and big enough for 4, we got both robata samplers, the Midwest roll and the gold sashimi platter. My husband and I took it all down no problem. Byob is a major plus. Don't skip this place!!
(5)
Mark P.

Yuzu is great - the sushi is wonderful, the staff is nice/respectful and the atmosphere is pleasant. I'd recommend the spicy tuna roll and if you've got the $$$, the gold sashimi plate. And here's the thing - go here now before Yuzu gains a following. Remember a few years ago, when Coast was relatively undiscovered? OK, if you do, cool - go there, bring some booze and enjoy yourself like you used to be able to do at a place like that. I've got a feeling that this place will blow up soon.
(5)
Bryan W.

This place is fantastic!! My new go to for Sushi BYOB. The food was delicious and the staff was very friendly. The place has a good vibe and I loved the music. My only gripe would be the metal high school shop chairs are a tad unforgiving. I guess this helps prevent people from setting up shop for the evening ;-) All in all a great experience; it's going to be my go to for reasonably priced Sushi close to home.
(5)
Dan G.

This is my new favorite sushi place. It can be busy and reservations are a must but it is well worth it. Must tries here are: Sweet Potato Tempura. I have dreams about this appetizer. Thick slices of sweet potato dipped in tempura batter, and fried to perfection. The fried crust that they get on those things is amazing. The texture of the crunchy salty crust with the sweet soft inside is a thing of beauty a real yin-yang. Robata Grill: Skewers of meat or veggies grill quickly, Some of my favorites are the pork shoulder, beef short rib, and miso rubbed tuna. These skewers are packed with tons of flavor and are great for sharing with a group. Of course the star of the show is the sushi. Some of the freshest tasting in the city and some of the most beautiful plating I have ever seen for sushi. Some of my favorite rolls here are: Chicago Spring (shrimp tempura, cream cheese, chili sauce), Black Sea (tuna, salmon, sunflower seeds), and South Beach (tuna, mango, pepper). All the rolls are unique and one of a kind stuff. The service is very fast and helpful. A must go for sushi lovers in Chicago.
(5)
Rick C.

Wow. One of those restaurants that you wake up the next morning thinking about. Everything was great from the grilled skewers to sushi and especially the artistic way they prepared and served their food. This place is a steal for what you get, the variety you will try, and it's byob. Place is tiny so call for a reservation. For four of us the bill was 87 bucks and I left full, happy, and beautifully buzzed. Do yourself a favor and go here now!
(5)
Will J.

My life has never been the same after finding this gem!!! Well worth it. Especially LOVED the roll with soft shell crab.
(5)
Robin D.

This is my new go to sushi place if I want good fish for sushi and sashimi. I used to really like oysy but I dont think its good value anymore. Our server Kong was really good and helpful. The place is not upscale or she she, its kind of loud and tight but they serve some good food. The vegetarian sushi with shitake mushroom that my bf ordered was to die for, I thought it was going to be bland and boring but I liked it better than my spider roll I had. The sweet shrimp was also yummy. I would definitely be back at this place and would recommend it.
(4)
Jess H.

I was very pleased we tried this new sushi place. I got the Boston Crunchy and the Alaska roll. Both delicious, fish was fresh and the spicy filling in the alaska was delish. I did pick up. Both waitresses were very friendly. One suggested something I try next time. (Probably because they are new and seeking repeat business but I appreciated the effort and what they suggested seemed pretty interesting.) The only thing weird was the miso soup was terrible. Kind of a strange thing to be bad since the rolls were so good. I'm just counting it as a bad batch of soup.
(5)
Wayne B.

2nd time around better than the first! Seriously, if you like hip tunes in a cool space, then this might be your place...but if you also love quality sushi and hate paying $$$ for it, then this IS your place!
(5)
Amy J.

Not horrible, not great. We got hamachi, white tuna, maguro and super white nigiri and it was decent but not nearly as good as our usual spots (Mirai, Hachi's Kitchen). We also got two rolls and again just okay. Miso soup was super salty (more than normal) and the robata grill was bleh. We got the pork shoulder, beef short rib and tofu. The meat was tough and chewy. The decor was cute, but we sat at the sushi bar and it was slanted (towards us- weird). Probably won't ever go back, but it wasn't the horrible by any means. Just not nearly as good as what I am used to.
(3)
Samantha E.

The best sushi place. My boyfriend and I eat here at least every other date night and never leave unsatisfied. The service is great and the food is even better!
(5)
Erik J.

My wife and I have been to Yuzu a number of times and after last night's trip it's finally time for a review. Yuzu has emerged from a large and powerful field of competitors as our favorite sushi restaurant in the city. First, the basics: They take reservations by phone, and it's BYOB (no corking fee). It's a small and lively space, but they get the most out of the square footage without feeling too cramped. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful. The thing I really love about Yuzu is that they take the robata as seriously as they take the sushi. At a lot of top-notch sushi joints, it often feels like the hot items are an afterthought, tacked on for non-sushi people who've been dragged there by friends. Not so at Yuzu. All of the little grilled skewers are fantastic and well-prepared. There's a big variety, so you can pick what suits your tastes. We've had just about all of the skewers, but three of our favorites are the pork shoulder, short rib and shishito peppers (if you've never had those, don't be scared by their appearance -- they're sweet, not hot). The salmon skewer is great too, but we have this weird thing about not getting grilled fish when we're about to eat raw fish. They have an extensive selection of maki rolls, where again you'll certainly find something that appeals to your tastes. We're big on rolls that involve spicy and/or crunchy tuna, so we often go for the Boston Crunchy, South Beach or Over the Rainbow. If you have similar preferences, you won't be disappointed by those choices. The sashimi and nigiri are also excellent at Yuzu -- the fish is fresh and the pieces are generously sized. Yuzu is also a great place to bring people who have never had sushi or aren't sure about it. Since they have the delicious robata as a backstop, you can ease them into the sushi by cherrypicking a couple items that make sense for a newbie without overwhelming them. We have never been disappointed at Yuzu. It's a busy restaurant, so it's best to try and make a reservation if you can. The good news is that they're pretty good about not letting people linger over their bottle of wine after they finish eating, so even if you don't have a reservation they wait is rarely more than 30 minutes. And it's a great value too -- two people can go pretty overboard and still get out for around $50-$60.
(5)
Lindsay Y.

Yuzu was a great, little spot to grab some quality Japanese food. I decided to try the robots grill Instead of my regular sushi rout and I wasn't disappointed. I had the sampler platter which came with soft shelled shrimp, marinated chicken and bacon wrapped asparagus (my fave) each individual item was prepared nicely and it was just the right amount to fill me up. I also loved the outdoor seating.
(4)
Kelley L.

Best Sushi in Chicago! Hands down. also, its a byob, so what's not to love?
(5)
JG S.

After being hung up on two times and being put on hold three times (just to make reservations) I should have taken that as a sign. In one of my calls I was hung up on in the middle of giving my name and number. Definitely some issues going on here, but that's not even the half of it. Like a few other reviewers we didn't realize Yuzu was BYOB, as we were quickly searching for sushi while on the road. Upon arriving we were a little bummed to find that they were BYOB, but the silver lining was the sake my husband found at Lush down the street. (Since I hate when people comment on liking something, but don't share the details I am listing the info for you sake lovers. This is a lovely sake to enjoy cold: Sato no Homare "Pride of The Village" Junmai Ginjo Sake, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan) Back to Yuzu... we placed an order for various robata items as well as some sushi. A word of warning, the tables for two here are tiny. Since we tend to order a little bit of everything when eating somewhere new, I told the server who brought out the first few dishes (who was different from the person who took our order) that we ordered quite a bit, and asked if we could pull over a second table. There was an empty table just a couple feet away, and she proceeded to move around the vase, candle, bottle of water and four glasses on our table (two of which had water and two that were empty???) and she completely ignored my request. When she first came out with the food she stood there waiting for me to play musical chairs with all the c&@% they had littered on the table. Give me a break! It took us asking a second person when more food arrived to get another table moved over. The place was not packed, not even half full, otherwise I wouldn't have asked. Note to Restaurants: If you insist on cluttering a small table for two with junk like vases, bottles of water, extra glasses, then please add a second table! That just makes me not want to order more food. Proceeding to the food... Robata items were VERY oily, and the zucchini was unimpressive, and barely grilled (or warm) with some sort of Thai-esque oily peanut sauce on top that looked like the consistency of gravy with corn starch. Needless to say, yuck! My sushi was just ok. The fish didn't have that melt in your mouth buttery taste & feel that good sushi should. One of my rolls came unrolled. In general the sushi on the menu was more on the fusion side with ingredients such as bacon and cream cheese, and sauces all over. Stupid me for trying this last minute and not reading more. From start to finish this was not a good experience. I was shocked to read Andrea R's review and see that this is Sushi Wabi's chef of 7 years! I loved Sushi Wabi and this is no where near the caliber of Sushi Wabi. The staff, other than the one young twenty-something male working on the floor, were inattentive, frosty and some just plain rude. I had one woman trying to take my plate away while I still had food on it. When we tried getting some assistance, the staff were either standing around chatting at the sushi bar, or were nowhere to be found. Not impressed with the service, ambiance and definitely not the food. Reading the reviews where the owner/staff scold former patrons for sharing their experiences is disgusting. Read some of their responses and decide if this is how you wish to spend your money and be treated. I'm sure I'll get my tongue lashing... Do yourself a favor and take your appetite (and money) elsewhere while they either learn that there is merit behind some reviews, or until the competition moves in.
(1)
Lisa O.

Simply amazing. I would of took pictures but we all ate it too fast. Service was excellent and fast. The variety of food was excellent.
(5)
Cindy W.

Had the tuna poke, what's my name, midwestern roll, and sampled the scallop and pot river roll. First of all, if you want the beautiful sauces that are also quite delicious, you'll have to pay the $15 price range for that. I picked the what's my name because of the yelp reviews. Never again. Such an ordinary roll that I could pick up at the super market. HOWEVER, this restaurant is still 5 star worthy b/c of the tuna poke (super super fresh and lucious tuna with an avocado fan). Also, the midwestern roll was a lovely surprise-- slightly battered on the outside with tuna. But my friend got the pot river roll and that was the best. Of course, it was also more expensive. MAKE SURE you get reservations because this place tends to fill up fast! especially Friday and Saturday nights!!!
(5)
Tesia K.

Went there again tonight with my roommate and her little sister! Once again, it was amazing! Everything tasted great and service was impeccable as usual. For barata we got shishito peppers and asparagus. The peppers were great but be careful because some can be really spicy. For rolls we got Dragon and black sea. The dragon was beautiful and very tasty. It was a little sweet because of the teriyaki sauce. The black sea had a little spice to it which I like. Great service, yummy food, affordable.
(5)
Evan P.

Absolutely delicious sushi! I really enjoyed the Breaking Bad, South Beach, and Sunrise rolls. Warning - the Breaking Bad has some spice to it. Double warning- this place is BYOB so do not make the same mistake we made by NOT bringing your own beer! The service was great. I like the fact that this is sort of a hidden gem. It is easy to walk by and is pretty inconspicuous. Inside is a little crammed. I also was a huge fan of their music selection - Tupac, Biggie, and other popular rap songs were playing lightly in the background. At the end of the day- the food was delicious, the prices were reasonable, service and atmosphere were great. I'm glad that I stopped by.
(5)
Sael R.

One of the best places in Chicago to have sushi!!share with friends and have a great time!!..
(5)
Tavi J.

Yuzu has got to be one of my favorite Sushi places. We had reservations this past Friday for 9:15, but we arrived earlier than expected and were lucky enough to be seated right away. This place is always pretty crowded and small, so I suggest making reservations or you could be waiting up to a half hour for walk ins. Yuzu has excellent Sushi at a great price point and you gotta love a BYOB. Definitely not a fancy place, but still a great date spot or a get together with friends. Every time I visit they have rap music at a low volume playing in the background. That's a definite plus for me because I'm not expecting that. My appetizer recommendation would be the Sweet Potato Tempura. I have never gone here without ordering it. As for the rolls the Motown Effect is my favorite, but the Fire Yuzu rolls are a close second. Another plus is the area. We're always able to find street parking fairly close if not in front of the restaurant. Great place to come if you want relatively cheap and delicious Sushi.
(4)
K N.

This was tough, I wanted to issue a full 5 stars, however, my friend had a few maki pieces that had something "off" in them. He had to spit it out into his napkin. Our server was extremely apologetic and immediately indicated the item would be removed from our bill. Now, onto the good stuff. We walked into Yuzu on a Sunday just around 5 p.m. and the tiny restaurant was essentially full. We were seated right away, the bottle of wine was opened (no corking fee but there is a byob limit based on the amount of people in the party), and we got to scoping out the menu. My friend orders take-out from Yuzu all the time and I had yet to try it so I was pretty excited to start ordering. We started with the Tuna Poke - fresh tuna tar-tar style tuna tossed in a Japanese chilli pepper and light soy sauce and sesame oil with a lot of freshly sliced avocado. It was absolutely delicious! We also ordered the grilled whole squid. While the pieces were large, it was a bit rubbery. I feel like squid is like shrimp, if left on the grill for just a second too long, it becomes tough. I doused it with fresh lemon juice and the jalepeno dipping sauce helped with the rubbery texture. While inhaling our appetizers and already on my second glass of wine, I was super happy with how chill the small restaurant environment was as those types of settings tend to feel overly crowded and loud. Not Yuzu, the music was on point (really good hip hop - Aquemeni had been playing in order - big points). I knew Yuzu had become a place I would revisit over and over and over again. It was time to order again, I went with two pieces of Unagi nigiri and two pieces of Escolar (super white tuna) nigiri. They were immense but incredibly fresh. My friend ordered a couple of traditional rolls and we proceeded to devour our food. The only hang-up was the two or three bad individual pieces he had to spit out into his napkin. We sat, chatted a bit more, I wanted two more pieces of nigiri, and that was all she wrote. We were in our sushi coma and tickled about it. The bill came and I was shocked by how much food we had ordered and how cheap our bill was...I can't wait to go back! Good job Yuzu, you have acquired a new fan and rightfully so.
(4)
Kimberly H.

I was a little worried when our water arrived in mason jars that I had wandered into a pretentious hipster parlour, but WOAH was I pleasantly surprised. 100% worth the hype. Ambiance + artistry + flavour rolled into one glorious little date night in Chicago. Easily my new favourite sushi joint in the country.
(5)
Tori W.

Nothing but a great experience here and probably the best sushi I've had in Chicago. My boyfriend and I had a reservation for 7 pm on a Saturday night, we arrived at 6:45 and they sat us immediately. Our waiter was very nice and helpful in explaining the menu. We got two robatas to start (beef short rib and pork shoulder). Both were extremely tender and delicious, I think I personally enjoyed the short rib more. We decided to share 4 rolls and we had more than enough food! The rolls are big! The first two rolls that came out were Breaking Bad and Thug Life. Breaking Bad was so good, but definitely has kick to it so be warned. I did like how they didn't bring all the rolls at once, as the tables are small so they wouldn't have fit. The second two we got were Boy Meets World and Monster Spider. Yum yum yum. A very cool place with good music playing. Recommend it for food and atmosphere!
(5)
Marcia B.

Japanese cuisine is our favorite therefore we've enjoyed it often in Chicago and in our travels coast to coast. Hands down Yuzu is the best! Since we discovered this gem 6 months ago every visit has met and surpassed our expectations. We had the pleasure of briefly meeting the owner but we could already guess what type of person he was by the staff he chooses to be the face of his business. Mai, Nat and Pim are extremely professional and such a pleasure! They make sure your experience is a joyful one. Our order usually consists of: Sashimi (sake, hamachi, tako) Rolls: Born to Chill---absolutely delicious! River Walk is also good. Vegetable Tempura-perfectly breaded and cooked Specials and deserts also wonderful. The price is extremely fair for Yuzu's quality and experience. It's one of our favorite restaurants in Chicago. You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Bryan P.

I rarely take the time to write reviews. Ordered this based on their high ratings, but couldn't finish anything. I ordered 3 specialty rolls and a miso soup. My friend and I were able to try a bite or two of each roll before we gave up. I would not recommend.
(1)
Gino W.

While hanging out in Noble Square, I wandered upon this Japanese sushi and robata grill. I had been to a robata grill in downtown Chicago and loved it, so I wanted to see if this one was comparable. Let's just say that after I finished feasting on tuna poke, nasu, shishito, chicken with black bean sauce, soft shell shrimp, whole grilled squid, a delectable sushi roll, and a plate of mochi ice cream, well, that gives you an idea of just how much I liked it - for the first visit. I returned for a second visit, this time meeting with a friend. I am officially addicted to soft shell crab. The sweet potato tempura is still calling my name. Don't get me started on their dragon roll. Fresh, delicious, popping with taste. My friend and I were in awe. And I didn't even mention the flight of sushi - octopus, white fish, tuna, shrimp, and yellowtail. Think that wasn't enough? I'm looking forward to a third visit, I say.
(5)
Raju L.

First, if I can please take a moment and mention why we go out to a restaurant to eat. By we, I mean my wife and myself as I cannot speak for everyone. We cook stunning dishes at home but we like to go out to relax once in a while and be served and have a relaxing evening. That being said, on a Friday evening recently, my wife and her colleague went to Yuzu for dinner. They took a seat outside at a table that was meant for only 2 people because it was a tiny table and had only 2 chairs. After paying the bill, they wanted to just sit for another 10 to 15 minutes as they were in the middle of discussing something. There was a group of 4 people waiting to get into the restaurant and there was some room left to accomodate the party of 4. Astonishingly, the server asked my wife and her colleague to leave if they were done!!!!!. We are not the kind of people who tie up a table on purpose especially when we see there are people waiting to be seated but in this case, there clearly was plenty of space. This unacceptable action on the server's part is the reason I am giving this restaurant a 2 star review. 1 Star for the ridiculous service and 1 star for great food but I think I'd rather take my business somewhere else where I'll be treated like a customer.
(2)
Ashley S.

My favorite spot for Sushi in Chicago! This place is so dope! It's a bit small so I wouldn't go with a large group just 2-4 people tops. It's kind of a hipster spot, good vibes going in there. They play rap music which I personally love! Tons of energy going on as your able to view the chefs as they cook in the middle of the restaurant. They present everything beautifully with art makes the experience awesome! (will attach photos) Service is always good and the staff is friendly. Lets just say I go there at least once a month now!
(5)
Cat G.

The most pressing thing here is that THE ROBATA GRILL ITEMS ARE SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE SUSHI. Phew, now that that's out of the way. We started with the tuna poke and the avocado/mango salad, which were both awesome. The tuna poke is basically chunks of delicious tuna with avocado (the avocado lover in me screams with delight). The avocado and mango salad included a pretty traditional mix of salad greens, a nice dressing, and tons of both avocado and mango. As for the robata grill, we had the bacon-wrapped scallop, the pork shoulder, the short rib, and the tuna miso. The scallop was just meh, nothing to write home about. I would absolutely recommend the other three, though - and in particular, the tuna miso. nom. We were almost full at that point, but we ordered two sushi rolls as well - the Chicago Spring and the Sorry I Am Drunk (mostly for the chuckles over the name). Neither of us had been to the restaurant before, so we were pretty blown away by the sauce art that came with the Chicago Spring roll. That being said, I didn't think either roll was that phenomenal - the Chicago Spring had some good elements but overall just felt like way too many ingredients crammed into one sushi roll, while the Sorry I am Drunk was a little too salty for my taste (but again, had some ingredients that I liked a lot). It may have been because we'd already eaten a lot at that point, and because the robata grill is hard to beat, but there you have it. Also, it's a pretty small restaurant, so reservations are definitely a good idea. Okay. So the TL;DR here is that you should try the starters and stick mainly to the robata grill. I don't doubt that there are some standout sushi rolls worth trying, but I didn't personally come across any.
(4)
Weston M.

If I could rate this restaurant higher than 5 stars, I would rate it with as many as would be allowed. This place is the pinnacle of not only spectacular sushi, but of hospitality as well. I've never felt so welcomed and appreciated as a guest before. Jab, who is one of the sushi chefs, remembers my name after maybe 5 interactions spread out over a one year period. He/they always get creative with the lunch bentos, and as a result. I've never had the same lunch twice. I have brought all of my friends who are visiting or who've recently moved to the city, to Yuzu, which is BY FAR my favorite restaurant in Chicago, and for all the right reasons. Try this place, and I guarantee you'll leave already planning your next visit! Thank you Yuzu! Thanks just for existing!!
(5)
Olivia K.

Pretty amazing sushi. Large pieces of fish and always vey fresh. I don't go to any other sushi place but this one.
(5)
Chicago A.

Pricey but awesome!!! We have ordered pickup a few times from this place because it's so good. All the rolls huge and delicious. Although be aware that the robata meats come with just one small taste.
(4)
Bobbie Z.

My favorite sushi place (and restaurant) in Chicago, hands down! Superb quality food at affordable prices. Plus it's BYOB. What else could you ask for? Checcckkk it out!
(5)
Mike T.

Dayum, my fun parts get all sensitive and tingly when I think about going here because it's so damn good. Here's why it makes me throb with pleasure in my signature bullet point format. --The Sushi is Fresh & Well Textured-- The Sushi is very well done, ingredients are fresh & well textured (many sushi places serve soggy sushi with old-tasting or flimsy ingredients) and they don't go too overboard on things like mayo. They'll give you a lot of the delicious sauce, but they'll put it on the side with an artful design so that you can have as much. The head chef knows their shit. --They have light options (Robata) and they're goood-- The Robata is decently cheap and it's nice and light. So if you're not feeling like you want to stuff yourself, you can order the robata (things like Tofu, Asparagus, etc.) and it's seasoned and textured in a way that will give you a tongue orgasm. The ambiance of this place is a bit like a sardine can, but the food is well freaking worth it.
(5)
Elina S.

Okay, so I really wanted to love this place since my husband has been insisting that the reviews are too good not to try out this place considering we are sushi snobs. And that's the problem right there, the fact that we are sushi snobs and we know what amazing fish is supposed to taste like. Anyways, more food talk later. The place is pretty small and we kinda got a sh*tty table but it was packed so we couldn't really do anything about it, but towards the front of the restaurant is where all the good stuff is at. The service was good, no mistakes, no issues, they have a check in on yelp where you get $10 off a $50 order which works very well! Now onto the food, some things were great but the fancy rolls were kinda blah. The fancy rolls that are like $15 a piece had more veggies and rice than the actual fish. I mean I'm here for the raw stuff and the cooked stuff, but the stuff means fish. I needed more fish overall. Here was what we got and what we thought of it: -Tuna Poke-Hawaiian tuna salad, an amazing avocado fan, this was the dish of the night and for only $9 it is a must have here. -Black sea roll-another really good one full of fish and priced at a reasonable $8. It has tuna, super white tuna, salmon, masago, spicy mayo, sesame oil, black tobiko, very spicy but delicious as well. -Chicago spring jumbo roll-a BIG disappointment and although the decor was great with the sauce being very artistic, this was not enough fish for me. It has shrimp tempura, avocado, cream cheese, tempura flakes, red tobiko, masago, sweet sauce. -Over the Rainbow-It's supposed to be avocado and unagi on the inside even though it was mostly avocado and very little unagi but the fish on top was good, with salmon, tuna, super white tuna and avocado. But it's like where are the inside goods?! I'm not dying to come back here again even thought it was an overall okay experience, some rolls were awesome and some need some major sashimi makeover.
(3)
Jennifer N.

Beautiful knife work on the tuna poke and wonderful staff - also the food came out super quickly. My grips are the lack of certain items on the menu like beef tongue, hamachi kama (grilled hamachi collarbone), also found some of the grilled meats to be slightly over cooked. Solid dinner place for BYOB.
(4)
Andrew H.

Where to start. I ordered delivery from them on 6/4/2011. Well, they obviously don't check the quantities on the orders. Two items I ordered in multiple quantities arrived with just one of each. Then the rolls: when there is a roll on the menu (other than California) that says "crab", it should have real crab in it. I was disappointed to find imitation crab in a rather expensive roll. Finally, the drunken noodles had no spice at all. I was extremely disappointed after reading positive reviews. I would not order from here again.
(1)
Stacey H.

I've only ordered take out from here. Seems like a claustrophobic nightmare to eat in the restaurant. It would be like eating in a sardine can while screaming across the table from your dinning companions, due to the extremely loud noise. Also, if you are seated by the door, you will get to enjoy eating with people waiting for tables (up to an hour and 1/2) standing over you and staring at your food. Their sushi is good, but I only get it really because it's close to my house. I don't see what the hype is all about.
(2)
kevin C.

one of my favorites in the city. the rolls are delicious. hiphop music playing and its BYOB... no brainer
(4)
Robert P.

I live super close so its our go to spot. Solid rolls and robata. BYOBers in particular will enjoy.
(4)
Michelle M.

The Goods : Fairly priced food, BYOB, and urban decor. The Bads: Is it really necessary to drown sushi in salty sauces? WHY?!! (Sad face.) Save your tummies and head to Arami down the street. Just do it.
(2)
Penny L.

Glad we made reservations. We paced our orders. Fried or grilled, the food arrived hot and well seasoned. You hear that Slurping Turtle! Yuzu was awesome! Definitely will come back.
(4)
Lauren E.

Awesome BYOB sushi spot! Food is great, carry-out or dine-in...almost as good as their jamz! Who doesn't love Notorious BIG while eating sushi??? Make reservations!
(5)
Richard S.

Great grilled steak, pork and asparagus! The best. Sushi is ok. Come here for the grilled food! BYO too.
(4)
Austin A.

Best sushi, great atmosphere right around the corner from my place
(5)
Borbine K.

Robata grill items were good, especially the beef, pork, and chicken, in that order. Tried the tuna, wasn't very good-had texture like chicken breast. Sushi rolls were mediocre, nothing to write home about, other than they come with a lot of sauce so you can't really taste what you're eating.
(3)
Jen J.

I was lucky enough to walk in with my friends and be seated without a reservation. (We went on a Wednesday at 6pm) The chicken satay and bacon rolled scallops were delicious and cooked well. You have to get the pricier rolls to get more for your money, I recommend the Breaking Bad. Fair warning:It is pretty spicy. Overall, the food was good but the portions were really small, this is a place where quality beats quantity.
(4)
Petar T.

The tuna tartar is to die for! Small, chic/urban feel, cozy and fun(where else can you rock out to Jay z's black album while scarfing down some fantastic sushi) Plus it's BYOB!!!! Need we say more
(5)
Mark M.

Amazing. The sushi is good but I looove the grill. Now everyone stop going please. Just too damn busy some days.
(5)
Mike W.

great sushi and it traveled well for our take-out order
(4)
Lois A.

I really like this place and I love that it is BYOB. The prices are great and the staff is very friendly and helpful. The water servered in mason jars with cucumber and lemon is very refreshing. The curry puffs are awesome! The caramelized onions in them give them this great sweet taste that is great to have a little bite of after having some of the items with more heat, like the scallop rolls, which were good and very spicy. The skewers really are the stars here and I didn't have a bad one. The short ribs with sweet miso were fantastic - exactly what I was craving and hoping they would taste like. The chicken wing, chicken with green onions, chicken satay, and pork shoulder skewers are all awesome too. And don't forget the shitake mushrooms! This may not be a typical 4 star place but it's perfect for a really great, quick lunch that doesn't leave you feeling like you ate the world, just the perfect amount.
(4)
Jacob K.

My favorite new sushi place. Robata is a great appetizer, shiitakes and pork shoulder excellent. Black Sea roll and monster spider, very yummy. Unagi sashimi is the pork belly of fish!
(5)
Daniela B.

This place is great! The tuna poke is a must! The pork belly on the robata grill is very good. I highly recommend the south beach roll and the sin nombre. I've really liked most things on their menu, so it's hard to go wrong. Don't forget to BYOB!
(4)
Rachel A.

I'm reluctant to write this review...because I don't want everyone else to know how GOOD this place is! I'd been looking for a good, authentic sushi go-to place since I'd moved back to Chicago and am so happy I've found it. I went on a Sunday evening so I didn't have the wait issues that other commenters mentioned. My friend and I ordered from the Robata grill and also ordered sushi. The Robata options were delicious - we sampled the tuna, chicken, and eggplant, peppers. The sushi was also excellent - we ordered the black sea and the rainbow and another roll I can't remember. It also is presented artfully with pretty sauce designs. This is such good value for the quality of sushi and makes it very difficult for me to ever go to another "chi-chi" sushi place when I can just come here and get the best. We were even presented with a free mochi desert. Also, the service was so friendly and helpful - just the perfect amount of attention. I can't wait to come back and feed my sushi craving again soon! Warning - the place is small (I don't think there's more than 10 tables!) so if you come with a group, come on an off time - I imagine it is swamped on Fri/Sat nights.
(5)
Jayde L.

4.5 Stars really. I'm planning to go to the infamous Roka Akore soon so I may just upgrade or downgrade the rating soon afterwards. Nevertheless, even for restaurants that I thoroughly enjoy, for the most part, since there's so many options in Chicago, in most cases, I won't go there again. However, I know I'm going to come back to Yuzu again because I didn't felt like I ordered enough from the menu to fully appreciate them. However, from what I had, definitely a fan. My favorite appetizer from what I ordered was definitely the pork shoulder-- fans of The Purple Pig would love this. As for the rolls, they were fresh. One of the rolls we had ordered was recommended by the waitress - Hundreds Year of Solitude, and I would def recommend this to those who enjoys a kick to their fish. It's not overwhelming spicy and what I mean by that is you can still appreciate the flavor and it's not one note - hot. Also, overall, the prices were really low and it's BYOB so you can definitely save by going here. Thumbs up for sure!
(4)
Sean M.

Love having this place in the neighborhood. We've been a few times, had a variety of dishes and the food never lets us down. They have developed a great environment with rap playing in the background, byob, an extremely reasonably priced menu, and you aren't rushed in/out of the restaurant.
(5)
Terry H.

Actually giving the place a 4.5 star. what a great little hidden gem. The place is small but with very cool and relaxing vibe. I order the Tuna Poke and the presentation is absolutely amazing. I also order Sushi gold which comes with 9 pieces of nigiri and 1 roll. The nigiri pieces are so fresh and cut in thick slices. This place use the freshest fish, probably the freshest in town. The service is very attentive and the order arrives fast. Definately will return soon.
(4)
Maureen C.

Good selection of sushi and the robots grill was really good. Would love to go back and try some more!
(4)
Alan W.

Best prices and freshest sushi in town! Robata is pretty good as well.
(5)
L R.

The place is somewhat small but I love the fact that its BYOB and good food. The sashimi was really fresh, especially hamachi, yum!! I thought the skewers was good (had pork shoulder) but their rolls, OMG, yummy! We ordered three rolls and my favorite was the rainbow. The service was excellent! We brought some beers with us and I love the fact that they brought you the beer cooler with ice/water combo which really chilled our beer (it was lukewarm when we brought it in). Also love the fact they have $10 off couponhen you use Yelp Check in! I would definitely recommend highly.
(4)
Andrea K.

Went to this place late Thursday night and the place was lively! We were seated immediately and a friend told us we couldn't go wrong with anything on the menu. We put that to the test: For starters we had: Miso soup, Tempura and Miso Salad. Then we moved onto the Pork Shoulder, Short Rib, Nasu and Cauliflower. As far as rolls go, we tried several and they were ALL very tasty. Delicious food at a great price. Will definitely be back! (I hear they have great lunch specials as well.)
(4)
Lotta Y.

I've been coming here since they have opened and eat in/carry out a few times a month. Still can say it's my favorite place for sushi. Food is excellent, service is awesome. Keep it up :)
(5)
Julie Y.

ive eaten a lot of sushi in my life and this place has to be one of the best!! and its byob... cant go wrong with that!.. the midwest, spider and the chicken satay was amazing!!!
(5)
Kristin M.

Overall very disappointing experience after reading such great reviews. While the fish did taste fresh (not the best I've had but certainly not fishy) the rest fell flat. We ordered pork shoulder and beef short rib skewers and they both were really fatty to the point it was hard to chew (my fiancee had to spit it out- gross!) The miso soup was bland. I even tried to add soy sauce to it but it didn't help. The salmon and unagi sushi were good but nothing special. We ordered the Boston Crunchy roll which was pretty flavorless and the crunches made the rice taste stale. The highlight was My Favorite Midwestern Roll and was the only thing I would order again. Athough anything deep fried with cream cheese is delicious, it is not the reason why I go out for sushi so I will not return. Oh and the chairs were really that bad. BYO was nice but not unique to other Asian restaurants in the city.
(2)
anna v.

Absolutely loved Yuzu! Great atmosphere and the skewers are amazing. Will be going back soon.
(5)
M. Ryan M.

Lovely food, great soundtrack, tasty options for a smaller place and BYOB. These are all plusses! BUT...our server misplaced our order, forgot some items entirely and it took about an hour from order to all of our food. Meanwhile the other servers were asking us if we would like anything else (as if we were almost ready for the bill), and asked us if we wanted to order (as in place our food order) while others around us were sat, served and given their bill. They kindly tried to make up for it with free mochi and 10% off. This, combined with the deliciousness of the food, is why we'll go back and would love to give our neighborhood sushi place another chance.
(2)
Jen P.

Went here last night and can't wait to come back. Awesome sushi with the byob bonus.
(5)
Nhu N.

Diamond in the rough. Just the food that is. All the rolls were delicious. I especially enjoyed the sweet potatoe roll. The robata Skewers were very tasty as well. The service definitely needed help. We didn't have any problems with our reservations and being seated in a timely matter. Although, after we seated it took a while for a server to arrive. It was quite busy for a Friday night and not sure if they have enough staffing to accommodate a busy hungry crowd. I had to ask multiple times for water, condiments, cups and an ice bucket for my wine. The tables were also very sticky. The staff just looked completely overwhelmed. I would probably visit again because of the amazing food but with high hopes of management properly training their staff.
(3)
Julisa V.

I AM A FAN! Not only is the sushi absolutely asthentically stunning but it tastes fresh! You can't go wrong with YUZU. Its byob and make sure to make a reservation if you're planning to go on the weekend!
(5)
Ceal P.

i was highly disappointed in Yuzu.. not necessarily because it was that bad. i think the 4.5 average star rating to this restaurant is HIGHLY over-rated and i'm not sure how it got it. Space: Tight, a bit warm because of the robata grill in the middle. Industrial loft style, very casual BYOB is a positive. $10 off $50 when you check in on yelp. Food: This the big downer. - The robata grill is cheap but a bust. King mushroom tasted a bit sour; cauliflower is an after thought because there was absolutely no grill flavor (should be taken off menu), salmon/tuna had no robata flavor at all - Sushi rolls were passable. 100 years of solitude was really not flavorful, just a bit of spice. i was so uninspired. - Chicken teriyaki bento box: So the idea of a bento box is that you fill the box up. There's a small square in the center that should have either a small potato salad or some sauce or something, but nothing! there was a ball of rice, a lot of dry--ish chicken, a bowl of teriyaki sauce which should already be on the chicken and a salad. disappointing! Not sure how to explain the 4.5 star, +100 reviewer rating. Perhaps because its cheap. The last kicker is the addition of 3-4 thai food items on the menu. I should have known. *sigh.
(2)
Ali C.

I can't believe it has taken me this long to write a review. This is my favorite spot in the neighborhood for a few reasons. #1-they are so nice there, every time, without fail. #2-the food is fresh, flavorful and unique. #3-the play great hip-hop. #4-the decor is simple and has a kind of organic industrial vibe with a nice manga mural on the wall. #5-it's BYOB. Their miso-glazed tuna on the robata grill is amazing. Also, I love the mango-avocado salad, they make a great dressing for this one that is the perfect mix of spicy, citrus and smoky (from the sesame oil). Great for carry-out or dining in and VERY affordable.
(5)
Minoli P.

Beautiful sushi. yummy too. This was my first time there and I am definitely a fan. The place is small, and a bit loud, but delish. BYO makes it even better. The Pot River was my fav. - very fresh tasting.
(4)
Meera R.

I'm so pleased with Yuzu!! I see I'm late to the join the party, but I'm grateful to have Yuzu joing the growing list of options in the area besides mediocre Thai and admittedly good Mexican food. I even found some viable vegetarian options among the lunch specials, which offer a large amount of fresh, first-rate food food for the price. The asparagus and shitake rolls are delicious. Even the plain salad was something special because of the dressing. Will be back to try the vegetables robata.
(5)
Nell R.

Fantastic sushi!
(5)
Matthis H.

So good... That will be all.
(4)
Monica B.

I think some of the best sushi in Chicago! Love the super white tuna, the south beach roll and almost all of the robata items. Service is great and the ambience is very cool and artistic.
(5)
Kathrina O.

so delicious the robota grill set b!!! great choice for dinner! u have say the rolls were also huge!!!
(5)
Bradley R.

So when I see a restaurant reviewed on Check Please on Chicago's Best I channel my inner Ronald Regan......trust but verify. The way that I verify is by reading the reviews on Yelp. I was stunned because I could not find a review that was under four stars. I made the long trek from the south burbs around 4 on a Sunday evening. There wasn't much traffic and we were at the restaurant by 5 with a stop for beer. There were about three tables seated and we were greeted and asked if we would like to sit at the bar. Since I was with my son we did that but if it had been a date I think I would rather have a table. I had trouble deciding with the long list and everything looked very good. One of the things that stood out to me from the other reviews was the sweet potato tempura roll. I am allergic to shellfish so there is only so much that I can eat. It was the best sushi I have ever had hands down. I also had the mixed robata grill with two skewers of pork, chicken and steak. All were delicious. My son had his normal shrimp tempura and a monster spider roll which he sucked up in mere seconds. Service was attentive and I could not have asked for a better dinning experience on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
(5)
Erin A.

I've been here twice and both times had a great experience. Yes they're busy and it's a small place but they take reservations on weekends for parties of 4 or more. When I was there they were really sweet to a couple that was waiting. They opened their bottle of wine, put it on ice, and grabbed them chairs so they could sit and drink while they waited. The sushi is great. The grilled appetizers are super yummy. And for all those parents wishing they could go out for sushi --- they have high chairs!
(5)
Grant N.

FABULOUS - try the house salad w/ Artichoke and spicy dressing, UNREAL, Sushi is great too, very fresh.
(5)
Adam R.

What a great little gem. The restaurant is not that big, but space is well utilized. My dinner date and I tried a variety of rolls. Each one was prepared with care with flavors that worked well together. Presentation was also quite impressive.
(5)
Puttamon T.

Yuzu rolls were great. Staff were nice and friendly. Its worth to come here. I would definitely come back again. Try south beach!
(5)
Abbey J.

Way overpriced and they got my order wrong.
(1)
Mike Y.

It is not always easy to eat alittle crow. I was hard in my original review because the service was not up to my expectations. Management contacted me to apologize and do better next time, and there will be a next time. I want for better and so do they. The Robata I am a fan of. You can't go wrong with any, but as I stated before, the scallops with bacon, the pork and the peppers were excellent. I enjoyed the mango avocado salad very much and finished it all. That and the softshell crab app were outstanding. Stick with the more conventional sushi and you will enjoy the food very much. Reservations are a must.
(4)
Kris R.

came here again and ordered the spider roll again. this time we ordered skewers! the pork shoulder was my favorite, but they are all pretty delicious. i forgot to mention last time how much i really liked the selection of music - hip/hop/top 40. not for everyone, but definitely for me.
(4)
Michael S.

Great place to get some grilled Japanese food and sushi. It always gets full and the owner is always behind the counter cooking too so he makes sure everything is great. They make some great designs with sauces too!
(5)
Katherine L.

I was almost tempted to avoid doing this, b/c I selfishly didn't want this fabulous neighborhood secret getting out. But hell. This place is great. After snobby Ruxbin shut down my attempt to bring 7 of us over there, I had to find an alternative nearby. My friends and I walked over a bit late, at least 20 min. past the reservation--but no worries, the table was waiting for us, and our server (and hostess) could not have been more attentive or kind. We ordered a TON of food, all of it really delicious, and the sum total, including 20% tip, was $25 a person!!! (Of course, this place is BYOB, so we had forgotten to purchase the sake beforehand.) Still: everyone was amazed, and loved this place. They have some delicious sauces (Midwest roll, fabulous; sweet potato tempura, love; basically everything they recommended was excellent). And they create fun artworks out of the sauce mixtures. Fabulous presentation, fun and tres hip music; not too loud, great for our group, who could all keep up conversation and hear one another throughout our fantastic dinner. Thank you, Yuzu!!!
(5)
Amy T.

Very well priced small sushi restaurant. The service was very good, but we went on a Monday and it was not busy at all. For $130, we bought a ton of food, and took home plenty. The presentations were beautiful, and the sushi rolls were huge!! All the food was delicious. My husband was disappointed they didn't have alcoholic beverages, but this place is a BYOB establishment. He didn't like the chairs (small and uncomfortable), but I didn't mind. I rather have good food for excellent prices than a fancy atmosphere with subpar food and high prices. The monster spider roll is a huge recommendation from me. The sauces were also very good, and I enjoyed the artistry of sauces that accompany some of the maki rolls. My son ordered udon and it came with a side of chicken breast enough to feed two people, and grilled to perfection. This wasn't your typical slimy gross chicken meat you get at most Japanese restaurants. I would definitely go back. I just wish they were closer to my home as most Japanese restaurants I live near are horrible. I've been a sushi eater for over 20 years, and this was a really nice experience.
(4)
Neil A.

My fiancee and I went to Yuzu for the first time the other day. The staff was amazing, the sushi was tasty and artful, and the prices were not bad at all. They even gave us a free dessert. We felt great about the whole experience. We're going back, for sure! Our favorite was the "favorite Midwest roll."
(5)
Katie C.

Love this place...great energy. A perfect low-key go to dinner spot. It helps that it's in my neighborhood, but I'd still travel for it. Delicious robata (asparagus, chicken, pork belly, tuna - all of it tasty!), yummy sushi, and spicy drunken noodles too... Plus nice lighting, chill atmosphere and the handful of times I've been there I've loved the music. It's BYOB. Weeknights are perfect, weekends get busy but never unbearable. Keep it up and we'll keep eating, Yuzu. Thanks!
(5)
shivi d.

Even the takeout sushi is perfect. This place makes me want to eat sushi three times/week.
(5)
Jessica L.

My husband and I went to Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill a few weeks ago, shortly after we moved to Chicago. The food was delicious! We ordered the seaweed salad and I had one of the specialist sushi's...I forget which one, but it was so good. It had plenty of sauce with a beautiful design. It was almost too pretty to eat! My husband doesn't love sushi as much as I do, but is a big fan of meat. He loved the grilled meat and the riceless sushi he got. I don't enjoy meat as much as he does, but I must say it was amazing! Two small downsides to this restaurant. The customer service was not great, but I've had worse. I'd also recommend driving if you have access to a car. I'm not sure how close it is to the brown or blue lines, but the only line that is close to where we live that goes somewhat close to the restaurant is green and it was kind of a far walk - not that big of a deal, but it was a little bit on the shady side.
(4)
Yellow F.

I like this place, the staff is friendly the food is good BUT I was hoping for a more ADVENTUROUS selection in the Robata grill part of the menu. Sushi is sushi in this area but when you're the only Robata grill in the west side of Chicago then you should have a waaaaaaaaay bigger Robata selection.
(3)
Tony A.

The place is small, but has excellent food at a decent price. The rolls are great and the cooked entrees are equally as good. Definitely recommend a reservation.
(5)
Dave F.

Spectacular !! Best sushi restaurant service we have had in over 20 of Chicago's "top sushi places". Food was amazing, the Midwest roll is worth all the hype. The owner let us try a new steak skewer which is amazing! Great great place !
(5)
Jen C.

Love this place. Incredibly accommodating and friendly staff and owners. Cute decor on the walls. Particularly love their lunch specials set - a lot of food for a great deal. I'm privy to Set B; husband likes set A. Pad See Ewe is humongo. Chicken teriyaki is great - love the sauce. Robata grilled options are fabulous! Definitely worth a try and to try again and again. :)
(5)
Rits T.

I like the decor of this tiny restaurant. I took my mom to try out this cool place. Everything were awesome except grill squid was over cooked. Def go back to try other thing.
(3)
Meredith D.

We went to Yuzu after reading a few Yelp reviews on a Sunday night. Walking by, it looked pretty dead and my friend was a bit nervous, but I dragged him in despite the lack of clientele, and we weren't disappointed! The edamame were perfectly salty, the sweet potato tempura crunchy and tasty, and my sushi rolls were great! While we may be in a land locked state, if you aren't a super fussy sushi person, you will appreciate the ambiance and great price. BYOB so plan ahead... Enjoy!
(4)
Jennifer B.

This place was insanely good. The food and service was a knockout. It's BYOB with no corkage fee!!!! My boyfriend and I ate like it was our last meal. We started off with the Tuna Poke and tempura sweet potatoes. The tuna poke was fresh and seasoned perfectly. The sweet potatoes were nicely cooked and served with a spicy mayo. For round two we ordered from the Robata grill portion of the menu. The server let me know that each item was about three small bites and served on skewers. We ordered ten items( two of each item) including: honey glazed pork shoulder, kalbi marinated beef short ribs, ponzu glazed shitake mushrooms, bacon wrapped scallops, and the shishito peppers. EVERY single bit was just as good as the last. You would think after all that food we would be stuffed but we wanted more. Round three was maki from the sushi portion of the menu. We ordered the Black Sea, the Pot River, the spicy scallop, and the dragon. They were all fresh and amazing. the presentation was very nice also. Our rolls were a nice balance between sweet and spicy and cool and refreshing. We were absolutely blown away by the food. The service was top notch to boot. If you go here just keep in mind that it is a small joint that looks very deceiving from the outside. We actually walked by it on accident. I live in Nashville but my boyfriend lives here. I hope we visit this place on every visit I make back to Chicago.
(5)
Elizabeth S.

I just had dinner at Yuzu, and had to write a review! My boyfriend and I passed their unassuming storefront on the way back from the grocery store, and knowing nothing about the place decided to give it a try. We were the only customers (they've only been open a week), so we told them to surprise us. We started with skewers of grilled pork shoulder, beef short rib, and asparagus wrapped in bacon. While the bacon and asparagus was good, the pork shoulder was amazing. It was spicy and just a little bit sweet, and very well priced for a skewer. Next the chef made us a sushi roll covered in super white tuna and filled with a delicious mix of fish and spicy wasabi mayo. I'm not usually a mayo fan when it comes to sushi, but it brought a lot of flavor and a good amount of heat, without tasting like mayo. Yum. At this point we were starting to get full, but the chef made us each a spicy tuna hand roll, and we finished with a nigiri "dessert" of unagi (eel) that was warm and delicious. All in all we spent under $40. I almost didn't want to write this review because I think Yuzu is a hidden gem, but if you don't give it a try you're definitely missing out. At dinner we easily counted a dozen other sushi restaurants within a few miles, but this is my new favorite.
(5)
VT C.

Arrived here around 8pm on a Saturday night but called ahead to make sure the wait wasn't outrageous. On arrival we were given a 30-45 minute wait time and decided to stick it out since we wanted use the yelp discount and already had a bottle of wine in hand for BYOB. They were kind enough to give all waiting guests free, warm, edamame for sticking around. The wait was actually much shorter (20 minutes) than their estimate which was a pleasant surprise. We were seated at a table along the wall with a view of the sushi chefs. Our server was excellent, very attentive, helpful, and patient. He opened our bottle of wine immediately after greeting us. The sushi was pretty good and the small plates were also good. I'd recommend their pork shoulder and bacon asparagus from the grill and the shrimp tempura or "What's My Name" rolls. The "Very Spicy Tuna" was just that and probably a little too spicy for most as it was spicy for me and I tend to enjoy very spicy foods. The atmosphere was casual, not necessarily romantic but nice enough for a casual date.
(4)
V B.

LOVE!!! LOVE! LOVE! we love yuzu so much that we wanted to give it 5 star reviews as soon as we finished our dinner! the food is EXCELLENT. the service is GREAT! we enjoyed the food and time there! 8 thumbs up from our whole family!! thank you yuzu! P.S. EASY PARKING TOO!!!
(5)
Pat N.

Did not disappoint - flavorful, generous portions, and BYOB makes it a keeper.
(4)
Luciana B.

Awesome sushi (lots of great combinations and lots of spicy rolls which I love). The presentation was great - very beautiful, the sushi plates looked like art! And the restaurant, though small, was really cute, great chill atmosphere, friendly and fast wait staff. And the cucumber/lemon water was amazing - a very nice touch. Also not crazy expensive. I highly recommend it!
(5)
Liz O.

This is the best hidden gem I've found in a while in Chicago. Since I first went 2 months ago I've been back about 4 times so that says a lot! Every single thing I've tried from the robata grill to the sushi has been delicious which is very rare in restaurants these days. I recommend the tuna poke, pork shoulder, shishito peppers, bacon scallops, and the My Favorite Midwest sushi roll. The sauces on everything are not only pretty to look at but tasty! prices are so reasonable...you can try so many things for an affordable cost compared to other places in the city. It is a very small place though so make reservations.
(5)
Eric D.

This place took me by complete surprise, and probably one of the most underrated sushi joints I've ventured out to try. I knew Chicago had a lot of good American Continental types of food, but I had to try out their sushi fare to see how it stacked up against NYC. This place is definitely not in the middle of the urban area of the city (Magnificent Mile), and you're sojourning to another side of town to check it out, but it is certainly worth it! The place is small, and there is not a lot of space. If you are going here, ABSOLUTELY make a reservation! I arrived at 6PM, and within 15 minutes of arriving, their wasn't an empty seat left in the place. Soon after, a line started forming, and people had to start being turned away. I could tell this place had some promise when it picked up that fast, and when all the people showing up looked like they were locals. The servers were very nice, and they could totally tell I was from out of town (I was way too over-dressed, and definitely felt out of place, next time I'm going in shorts and a T-Shirt). They could also tell I was new to the place, and even went as far as to tell me NOT to order more food, because the rolls I already ordered were going to be big and I wouldn't be able to finish them. They tried to help me along, and even cautioned me against the Very Spicy Tuna roll, but I said "Bring It!" and they brought their A-game. The rolls themselves have some funny names, like "Sorry I'm Drunk" roll, which is worth noting. They even gave me an extra specialty piece of sushi, just because it was my first time there, and they wanted me to come back. While I appreciated the gesture, they certainly didn't need to do it, because the sushi was terrific and I was completely sold on the place on what I ordered. Overall, a hidden gem in a far-flung corner of Chi-town, and it was nice to get away from the ritzy side of the city for a change. The staff look like a group of young hipsters making it in a new business venture, and if so, then I wish them the best. This was my first foray into the city's sushi, but I'd be hard pressed to find something better in the area. PS: Their avocado mango salad is a must! It is terrific, and comes in a huge bowl!
(5)
richard a.

i had lunch at yuzu's today! i have to admit i am not a big fan of sushi i ordered the cucumber salad on a hot summer day and it was cool and very tasty! next up i ordered the shrimp tempura rolls wow not only was my plate presentation good ....the tempura was excellent to finish off my lunch i ordered the mango ice cream what a way to finish off my lunch! now i ask myself will i go back???????? Yes in a new york minute!y yuzu you got another new and happy customer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(4)
Mike Y.

Lunch specials get 5 stars! I've been here probably a dozen times for lunch and the lunch specials are always on point. I gave it 4 stars because I ordered a sushi roll today ("Sorry I am Drunk" --hilarious name!) and the pieces fell apart while I was trying to pick it up with my chopsticks. This is a sign of a roll that is not put together well. Aesthetics are always beautiful (just see the pictures). If I'm paying $13 for a roll, I just want the piece to stay together. Overall, great spot, fresh sushi, and the short rib off the robata grill - LEGIT. Definitely check it out if you're in the area for lunch.
(4)
Lyndsey G.

Yuzu is consistently the best sushi. period. The new space is adorable and much easier to move around in
(5)
Lindsay D.

Love love love!!! Very small place so expect to wait but they give you complimentary edamame during that time and it is BYOB. Not to mention the sushi is fantastic and comes with the most creative designs. The staff is very friendly and provides great customer service. One time we asked if they would be able to save a Tuna Poke for our meal since they sold out of it the last time we came; not only did they save one for us, they also gave it to us on the house! My fav is the dragon roll and the skewers!
(5)
Howard L.

Went to this very popular and highly rated Sushi house last night near me in Ukie Village. The place is very small, a no-frills storefront with limited seating (my guess maybe 30 tops?) It was not full when we arrived at 7:00 but by 7:30 there was a long line, which is surprising for a school night. We had the edamame along with eel, tuna and shrimp fish. We also had the Black Sea and South Beach, all of which was outstanding. Tip: This is a BYOB so bring your own and also get there early if you have no reservations. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Bri A.

I think I've found my new favorite sushi spot! Yuzu is small and a bit cramped, but the food and service are worth it. The waiters are friendly and accomodating. Our last guest showed up and pulled out a bottle of white wine. In a flash, it was put right into a bucket of ice. I ordered the Sin Nombre and What's My Name rolls which were excellent. The flavors went really well together, then again you can't go wrong with avocado and fish! I don't remember what everyone else ordered, but what I sampled was delicious. The presentation of the sushi is so beautiful that you can't help but take a picture. Cause you know that it's rude not to Instagram your food. I regret not getting anything from the robata grill! What was I thinking? We lingered around a little after eating and were never rushed out. I know, I know....we were THAT group, but it wasn't my fault! p.s. No corking fee! Yay!
(5)
Mandy M.

I was excited to try this place out based on yelp reviews but ended up being very disappointed. They really tried to rush us out of here! We came in with a reservation on a saturday evening. We ordered an appetizer and 2 specialty rolls. The waitress brought out the appetizer and immediately followed it with both rolls. There was not even room on our table for all the plates...it was way too crowded....and p to the s - please wait until we finish our appetizer (or at least have time for a few bites!) before bringing out the entree. There are so many amazing sushi restaurants out there...don't waste your time on this one. Their main objective seems to be to flip the table as opposed to offering a nice customer dining experience.
(2)
Joe W.

Some of the rolls were large and difficult get in one bite. Overall, the presentation was beautiful (it was like artwork), the service was spot on, and all the food tasted great!!
(5)
Leah C.

Came here for a random lunch based on other Yelp reviews... and I'm glad I did! I'm really picky about sushi but I thought Yuzu did a decent job. However, my one sushi complaint would be that the Alaska Roll had a TON of avocado and very little rice on the outside. We all have our preferences and I'd actually prefer the opposite - little avocado with more rice. To each her own, right? Also, I would not recommend the gyoza. They were a bit bland and skimpy on the filling. The restaurant itself is pretty small and narrow. The "chairs" at our table were more like stools - not very comfy. They have one unisex bathroom. The highlights of our visit were: - Asian staff with good English - Large assortment of menu items (apps, robata grill, sushi, etc) - Fair prices and good size portions - Seaweed salad (enough for 2!) - Poke (so fresh and delicious) - Large pieces of sashimi - Robata pork shoulder and spare rib were both very tasty Haven't been back since my first visit but if I'm in the area again, I would definitely stop in!
(4)
G Thomas C.

Spicy scallop roll was money. Robata wasnt my favorite but the service was excellent (very few people in there late Sunday afternoon) Will go again.
(4)
Jesus P.

The mood of this place is definitely a change up. They had a great mix of modern hip hop and rap music with some throw backs! I took a date there but it really wasn't a date kinda place. It felt more like a causal night out. It would be perfect for a second or third date out. The table was small but nice because it made it easier to share food. Overall, I would definitely go back with a bottle of wine since it is byob. Pricing was great for a sushi place and the art on the sushi platers was just phenomenal!! Still wondering how they create all that art.
(4)
Jasmine M.

I have always been a fan of Yuzu. They have incredible sushi and the staff is always so welcoming. I didn't really think it could get any better, and then I went there Saturday night! OMG! Yuzu has totally revamped and renovated their entire space! It is absolutely beautiful! There's much more room now, and the decor is phenomenal! The food now tastes as good as the restaurant looks! I called earlier on a Saturday to ask about a reservation that night, and they were able to fit us in, and were so accommodating. They have even added new menu items to the Robata and sushi options! Plus.....they have an entire new section full of delicious appetizers such as gnocchi with uni butter! Um, yaassssss! They even have a little specials card, with rotating items! To say the very least, they have truly stepped their game up. We had the Dragon roll, Green Harbor roll, and the Big River roll, which were amazing! We also tried the special Rich Kids roll, which was out of control! All of the rolls come beautifully decorated on a plank! The artwork is stunning! From the Robata, we had the short rib which was so flavorful and perfect! I also had super white tuna a la carte. The fish is so fresh, and literally melts in your mouth like butter! And on top of this, Yuzu is byob. Doesn't get much better than this folks....
(5)
Danielle Y.

The bacon wrapped scallops were amazing. Must try.
(5)
Tanya A.

Sushi is my favorite food. In order to receive 5 stars it must be out of this world. This restaurant is very small so I suggest making reservations prior to coming in for dinner. Service was extremely quick. We receives 3 large rolls within 10 mins after ordering them. Tuna Poke was very good. Fish was fresh. Out of 3 rolls ordered, I only liked one of them. The Black Sea was great! Has a spicy kick to it, awesome roll. The Pot River has cilantro which gives it a very strange taste. South Beach roll is decent if you remove the white tuna on top. It tastes more like fatty tuna not white tuna. I asked the waitress for recommendations on their BEST rolls, and this is what she suggested. The presentation was nice, they create a design with various sauces. Unfortunately, that does make the food taste any better. Sorry, will not be returning.
(2)
Crystal A.

My sister in law is from California and she is super picky about her sushi. Being in Chicago we don't have the best sushi restaurants, the reason I say that is because the sushi restaurants usually do not have original rolls. Come here if you want something other than a rainbow roll, caterpillar, Godzilla, volcano....this spot is fireeeeee!!!! I'm not even going to post a pic because you need to see it for yourself!! Lol
(5)
Yahira M.

The food was so good ! We had the Fire roll, Chicago Spring and the Motown. So yummy. Great service and definitely the BEST miso so far
(5)
Stephanie C.

Theeeeeee best. Have never had a bad roll and the robata is amazing too! I love the favorite Midwest roll and the bacon wrapped asparagus robata. Yuzu is also very reasonably priced. If you go on the weekends make sure you make a reservation!
(5)
Jie J.

The food here is well designed and good flavor! Rolls are fantastic, we ordered two kinds of rolls, the flavor of sauce are so well mixed. Will come back again!
(5)
Paul G.

This place get 5 stars for sure! It has become my favorite new sushi spot. What I love to get: // sweet potato sushi (5$ for 8 pieces! A steal) // Black Sea. Yummmmmy black roe that delightful pop! // my Midwest roll. No rice in this one but tons of fish! // south beach. White tuna on top with a awesome spicy sauce on the side. The presentation is beautiful and it has mango in it. If you're into that thing. // Chicago Spring roll. The BEST for last. Yummmmm. Also they offer 10% off when you order online ANDDD A FREE California roll. But sitting there is awesome too. Byob. And cool tiny interior. Vicky if you're reading this.. JUST GO! And invite me! Ahahah. And also. The robato menu is very interesting and good. I like the pork shoulder and the white tuna.
(5)
Giovanni B.

Would I recommend Yuzu? The real question is when can I return!! Who in the world wouldn't?! It's such a hole in the wall, but its the whole shabang! It has amazing robatayaki and the sushi there looks tasty. I'm def going to go back when I get a chance and try the sushi. The service there is amazing and they are super friendly, which seems terribly hard to find in today's world. It is a little on the expensive side, but that doesn't mean it's not worth it. It's a great place for special events, just don't bring a huge group cuz it will be cramped. Remember hole in the wall. Overall I can't wait to go back! :D
(5)
Terry O.

I will never go back into this place again........ On several occasions I have dined at this establishment and has satisfactory meals.......but tonight i was deeply offended by the behavior of a person who identified themselves as the owner. Two ladies at the table next to us went to use a coupon that was mailed out to them by the restaurant, but were told they did not meet the $35 minimum that was required. Apparently, the $34.80 bill was not close enough for them to qualify... So, after the waitress and so-called owner stood pat on there policy, the nice ladies ordered a pot of tea so that they could use the coupon. After paying the bill and tipping 15% gratitude the lady or so-called owner came over and began screaming at the ladies about the tip and tried to throw them out..... Much to the ladies credit, they stayed and finished there tea.... This owner ruined the evening of ever patron... ....... The owners response confirms my initial thoughts on the owner....... The customer was $1 fricking dollar away from honoring the gift card........ What reasonable owner does not wave the $1??????? If you are that cheap I can only imagine the short cuts you are taking in the kitchen.... You were a lunatic last night and you owe that table an apology... $1 fricking dollar......
(1)
Chastin P.

This place is absolutely amazing. Best sushi I've had since California! I will definitely be going back. Prices are reasonable especially considering its byob:)
(5)
H L.

The food was decent. decent, but nothing wowed me. the music was way too loud to hold a conversation and the tables are packed together. waiters were very nice, but felt a little rushed.
(3)
Julie A.

This is one of my favorite places. The short ribs are fantastic. I have only had one sushi roll I didn't like. and that was due to an ingredient, not the chef. Try the mango avocado salad. Share it with someone or make it your meal. Service is always good. It is a very small place, so make a reservation if you can. Also BYOB!
(5)
Matthew G.

Always love this place. Never had a bad experience and the food keeps getting better and better. Definitely try the Shishito and Nasu from the robata, just to name a few. And their sushi rolls never disappoint.
(5)
Richelle M.

This place was amazing!!! So, I read a lot of yelp reviews and many told me to create a reservation. So glad I that I did cause it was packed on a Wednesday night! We had issue finding parking, so we were about 15 minutes late and other restaurants would give away your table if you're late, but they kept our table surprisingly. My boyfriend and I order the tuna poke, dragon roll, south beach roll, spicy scallops, and asparagus. The presentation was beautiful!!! And since this was the first time my boyfriend ever had sushi, he said he really enjoyed it and neither one of us got sick. The waitress was great. She even recommended the south beach roll. I would definitely recommend coming here for awesome sushi! And creating a reservation.
(5)
Tyan S.

This place is phenomenal!!! Love the small intimate room...reminds me of Japan or Europe. Got a reso at 8pm on Sunday night and they were hopping!!-Good sign!! We brought a nice bottle of white and got started. Ordered shisito peppers, soft shell shrimp (never heard of it), tofu and miso eggplant from the Robata grill...AMAZING. Large portions for the $2-3 price per portion. Japanese curry puffs were fantastic!! Flaky firm crust, dense smooth curry interior with lots of potato and sweet potato. Ordered 2-rolls with hilarious names...I think it was 'I Think I'm Drunk' or something like that LOL & another one. Both with rice outside, not too large, great balance, fresh... and then 6 pieces of sashimi: yellowtail, salmon, super white tuna, tobiko...so fresh. Also had miso soup and tea. All of this for $60??? LOVE IT!! I'll be back for sure.
(5)
Joslynn G.

The white fish sashimi is the best I've ever tasted!! You must get it!! We also got a few rolls which were also very good. Fun environment, great music and speedy service. Priced very reasonable. This is a must try sushi place in Chicago!
(5)
Stephen S.

The rolls are creative, I wasn't terrible impressed by the quality of the fish but the quantity by price was on spot. Pair that with the fact that this is BYOB and you can walk out of here with a good meal without a major hit on the wallet. I was most surprised by the curry puff which is a fried potato with Japanese curry. I love the flavor of Japanese curry so this was a big win for me.
(4)
Holly S.

Super yummy, but a bit expensive. Have dined in several times and have done carry out a couple of times. Food is consistently of great quality and staff is always friendly. Worth it if you are willing to spend a little more
(4)
Rotem E.

Good stuff. The best roll was black sea. We were sitting right infront of the sushi chef and it was very impressive to see how much attention he puts into his work. robota set 1 was MUCH better then set 2. The mango avocado salad was refreshing and is recommended as well. Brought our own wine and were very happy with the check :)
(4)
Aggie L.

My favorite sushi place in Chicago! The sushi is always fresh and great and looks amazing. Fast service. Great ambience. I wish it was bigger because the seating is tight. It's BYOB!
(5)
Rebecca B.

The food here is incredible, and you get a lot of food considering how relatively inexpensive it is. That being said, I cannot give Yuzu 5 stars because both times I have been there I have encountered problems with my reservation. The first time we were 10 minutes late, and rather than calling us to see if we were still coming (we were on our way, just stuck in some traffic), they gave away our table. But when we first got there, they said our table was being set and that we would be seated right away. They proceeded to give that table to another party and then had us wait 45 minutes for another table to open up. The host's bedside manner was also seriously lacking. He was pretty rude. The second time I went, I had called earlier that day to change our reservation from 4 people to 3 after one of my friends had to cancel. So, I changed the reservation from 4 to 3 and confirmed the time. My friend got a confirmation text later that day from the restaurant. We were good to go. When we got there, the host (same one from before) said that we had no reservation because someone had called and canceled earlier in the day. We told him that, no, we had called to change the reservation and confirm it, and that we also had a confirmation text from the restaurant. He kept trying to convince us that we had canceled it. After telling us there was no table for us because our reservation had been canceled, we were led over to a table one minute later. I can only assume that this was another party's reserved table, and that they were subjected to the same fate as I was in my previous visit. Anyway, food and atmosphere are both great, but make sure you a) make a reservation and b) confirm that reservation over and over and over. And over.
(4)
Malik S.

One of my favorite Sushi places in Chicago! Highly recommend the grilled Squid! It's BYOB and does not charge cork fees. The place is small so I recommend calling ahead for reservations.
(5)
Ngoc N.

Loved this place. I took a few friends who came to visit Chicago. We hum'd and ha'd about which sushi restaurant to go to. Literally took us an hour to figure out where. Luckily we settled on this place. It's relatively small/cramped space so make sure you make reservations before heading there. it's BYOB and there's a liquore store a block or so away. :) I can't remember everything we got, but I just remember our sashimi. The fish was soooo fresh and mouth watering. I love it when salmon is buttery and just melts in your mouth. Not only is it fresh, they give you a healthy cut of each piece of fish. We left full and then was pleasantly surprised by our bill. We couldn't believe ourselves. Must. Go. Back.
(5)
Jenny A.

This is my all time favorite sushi bar in Chicago... and I've tried a lot. It is small and intimate, such a good value (GREAT prices for basic rolls) and has a very creative selection of food. Try the baked mushrooms... so good. It is also BYOB and has a nice sidewalk cafe in the summer. I love taking a walk through UK Village and ending up at Yuzu for dinner... followed by gelato at Black Dog.
(5)
Khush S.

Yuzu Sushi is honestly amazing!! I found Yuzu Sushi through a recommendation from a friend. For my husband's 30th birthday I wanted to have a unique experience for my guests so I asked Yuzu if they do Sushi Station with sushi chef's making sushi in front of the guests. The manager (Bua) was so helpful and she said the restaurant has never done it before but they are willing to do it as they want to expand their services. Bua was absolutely fantastic!! She helped me plan the event from top to bottom and took away so much of my stress from party planning. She is an incredibly hard worker and really has a passion for event planning & sushi. Many of my guests were vegetarian so she helped me choose rolls for the party with a great variety of veg and non-veg choices. I called other sushi places and their prices were way over my budget but Bua was very willing to work within my budget. The day of the party she arrived early with her assistant and set up the venue with gorgeous fresh flower arrangements and all the sushi tables meticulously! The sauce decoration was custom made to 30th birthday decor and all the guests were in awe. The sushi chefs were so talented and had friendly personalities. Now for the sushi...where do I start?! I'm not joking when I say almost every single guest (60 total) told me that the sushi was so amazing! Even some vegetarian guests who have never tried sushi before, loved it. I'm so happy I went with Yuzu Sushi for my event, they truly did a remarkable job and made my husband's birthday a memorable experience for us and all our guests. I would 100% recommend Yuzu Sushi to everyone and I know we will be regulars along with many of our friends. Thank you Yuzu for making my event so unique, fantastic and memorable!
(5)
Nghia V.

hands down the best price/quality ratio restaurant i have been to. Their Nasu, salmon, pork shoulder grills are amazing. The rolls are great as well. Me and my friends had "breaking bad", "south beach", "over the rainbow" and their were fantastic. Their mochi firework dessert is one of a kind. Great atmosphere for youngster. reserve if you can due to limited room (our group had to wait 15 mins at 10pm on Friday night). I would definitely visit this place again next time visiting Chicago.
(5)
Dustin L.

Ok, food was amazing! The dragon roll and South Beach not only tasted great but were visually amazing. So why did I give two stars? The service was the horrible. I took my girlfriend here for her birthday. I even made a reservation a week in advance. It was pretty busy but they had our table ready. So far so good. Then came the order. So I don't know about most of you, but when I order an appetizer and then my food order you'd think it would come out in that order. Well not at yuzu! If they're busy and need to flip your table they bring it all out at once. If I wanted a fast food experience I could have taken my girlfriend to Wendy's!
(2)
Heather M.

Awesome!! I'm pretty skeptical of eating sushi in the flyover, but this place made me feel at ease. The tuna poke was awesome, and the fish was very fresh. The 100 Years of Solitude was amazing - and not just because that's one of my favorite books of all time! I ordered it with salmon instead of tuna, and they graciously delivered - it was delicious. Boston crunchy was also quite good. We were very pleasantly surprised by the robata. The ribeye was excellent and the pork shoulder was over the top. I can't wait to come back, hopefully with a big group next time. Overall, 4.5 Stars. Half off only because they don't make their gyoza in house.
(4)
Marta S.

BEST SUSHI place in Chicago!!!!!! my favorite is pier69 roll and salmon robata grill. I don't usually leave reviews but this place is really great!!! They recently moved to a bigger location so there is more room and they can seat more people now!!!!
(5)
Mookie S.

I have been here 3 times and have been impressed each time. Delicious!
(5)
Nari H.

There's a reason why it's hard to get a reservation here. The food is good, they have BYOB and the restaurant is very small. Came here on a Saturday night and the dinner reservation we ended up being able to snag was at 5:30PM. When we arrived, the restaurant was already 80% filled. That being said, I'm guessing there are about 10-15 tables that seat max 4 people. It's not a huge space, but just enough for us. FOOD (this is what I tried, but our group ordered a lot more) - Grilled Skewers = Delicious. I even enjoyed the crayfish. Meat felt little undercooked though. i think thats what they were going for, but sometimes I'd rather just have my meat cooked all the way through. - Spider Monster Roll ($10) = Overall good - very large, 5 pieces, can't go wrong with this one. - Born to Chill Roll ($16) 8-9 pieces This came recommended. Was very good. The flavors almost melted into each other. I would get this one again. Has salmon if you are a fan. - Edamame: This was pretty good and the portion size was rather plentiful, considering I've been in other restaurants where they give you less. - Sashimi: If you order one a la carte, you will get one super long piece, which will be the equivalent of two shorter pieces. On this particular night... Salmon = good, Inari = Good. Yellow Tail = not so fresh, Uni = excellent. - Mochi: They had mango, strawberry and green tea. Cut into quarters and decorated nicely. These were yummy and easy to share. ATMOSPHERE: it's hip and urban with enough recycled materials in the restaurant to make any semi-tree-hugging-sushi-loving person feel good about themselves. It's edgy enough with all these chefs and servers with tattoos or equivalents to make you believe you are cool for frequenting a place like this. And the music gets slightly retro-enough to make any Gen X or Y-er feel like they belong. OTHER OBSERVATIONS/TIPS: - Service was very good. The gal that served our table was very nice and helpful. - This is not super great for kids, but they do have highchairs! - Portion sizes are pretty good! - Can you spot the Buddha? Look towards the back. IN CONCLUSION: Great place for a date, a small group of friends, or a semi-adventurous family bringing their own superb bottle of wine (as we were ha!). PS. I didn't bring my phone, so I wasn't able to check in or take pics :(
(4)
Asia W.

This place was so yummy! I had the Bento Sashimi and soft shell crab. It was so flavorful. The place is small so if you have more than 2 people make a reservation. The service was good as well. Love it!
(5)
David P.

I love this place, good quality sushi at a good price. Oh, it's also BYOB, which is awesome. My girlfriend and I always get at least a couple orders of yellow tail nigiri sushi. The avocado and tuna salad appetizer is wonderful. The robata grill combos are great to share. We love the beef short rib, pork, asparagus wrapped with bacon and the sweet shrimp special. Also love the Uni shooter special on our last visit. Just trust in the quality and venture out and try something new. I think you will be very happy with the quality of the ingredients creativity of the chef. I look forward to visiting again soon.
(5)
Glenda C.

The wait on a Thursday night at 8pm was about an hour long. Unfortunately because the place is tiny, you end up waiting outside. The bad news about this is that the street is not really enjoyable to walk around. No nearby bars to catch a few drinks with your friends or cute boutiques to shop. It is BYOB, so remember to bring your booze. There is a nearby liquor store but limited on its selection. Go here with your girlfriends or on a date....don't go here with your kids or large groups because as you've read it's super tight cramped in there! The food ...AMAZING! Well worth the wait. The price a great value for the deliciousness that came out. Unique rolls and scrumptious pork shoulder on a skewer... Can't get better than that!
(5)
Allyson B.

Wow! What an awesome find. Wonderful service and the icing on the cake is that it's BYOB! Tuna poke was fantastic .... As was the Midwestern roll and the South Beach ..there were so many unique rolls to try - we will be back ! Make a reservation if you are going for dinner ... It was very packed !
(5)
M R.

Amazing, great sushi. Wonderful and friendly service. I am impressed.
(5)
Suzanne O.

Great sushi, great prices. I only tried the sushi, but all the other menu items I saw also looked delicious. Not only is the sushi tasty, but the presentation is awesome too. We had the seaweed salad, very spicy tuna roll, unagi roll, and the chicago spring roll. I'd order them all again. Another great thing about this place is that you can bring your own wine, and there's no corkage fee!
(5)
Chun R.

fantastic sushi! i love the im drunk sushi and who am i sush. And the grill is fantastic.
(5)
Tina W.

Ordered delivery from here and it wasn't quite as good as dining in (their plating adds to the experience) but still very good. I particularly like the river walk and summer breeze + ocean.
(4)
D. I.

This is the best sushi I have ever had. Nothing compares. The variety and custom rolls are incredible.
(5)
Sam G.

I just want to say that right from the beginning my party was misjudge and rushed to order! I felt like they wanted us to get out of there as soon as possible. The server never introduced herself to us or asked us if we wanted something to drink. After reading so many reviews on this place I was assuming the sushi rolls would've made up for the experience. Man, was I wrong to believe that. The sushi rolls are just masked with the extensive sauce they come with and everything has imitation crab or tempura! If you want real sushi go to Yumi's Sushi Bar and I bet you it'll be worth the drive.
(2)
Gaae A.

I'ved been to many sushi restaurants in the city and this is by far the best one yet! The price is really good considering the quality of the food you get! The rolls and appetizers were amazing. They are very creative with what they make, so it's not the typical menu you see everywhere else. The service was great and they were very attentive. The ambience is fun and they play great music. Also BYOB! I would recommend this spot to everyone and I am definitely looking forward to go again.
(5)
I. J.

My favorite sushi spot! Drool...Midwest Roll! Drool...Tuna Poke! Double Triple Quadruple Drool...Pork Shoulder Robata!!! Ahhhh everything I've ever had here is just delicious. Staff is ultra friendly and puts on a great presentation. The place is small, so be prepared to wait, but it's sooo worth it!
(5)
Food Junkie S.

The food is good and well prepared. The service is also very good. Just don't ever order delivery. Was told an hour, called after 90 min and was told the delivery guy forgot and that it wasn't his/their fault. So, who's fault is it? I know it wasn't my fault! The guy who picked up the phone needs to take some customer service training. Waited another 40 min and called again and the guy says it's on his way. I'm beyond furious so I canceled it. 2 hours and 15 min later the food arrived. I told them to leave. Nowhere in Chicago do you ever wait over 2 hours for food that was promised in an hour. And not even an apology for ruining our dinner and night... I think a call saying sorry and that they are running late would have gone a long way. I'm an understanding person. Never again, Yuzu. We must break up and go our separate ways...
(2)
Anna G.

There is probably not much I can say about Yuzu that hasn't already been said. Since discovering it right after their opening, it has become our sushi spot. We really don't bother even trying any other place anymore and it has definitely taken over Coast as my #1 spot (if they came up with a white dragon roll similar to Coast's, I'd probably never go anywhere but Yuzu again!). I love all of the robatas and particularly enjoy the Midwest Roll. The prices are amazing, it's BYOB and they take reservations.
(5)
Karolina S.

Yuzu has delicious sushi and will make adorable pictures of Octupi on your plate out of sauce. :) It is BYOB which is also a plus. The only downfall, such a tiny space. So tiny and super busy is a bad combo. Feels a bit cramped and you have to wait a bit for a table. Please go and support Yuzu and eat up some large amounts of delicious sushi so they can get a bigger space.
(4)
Allana I.

Fantastic byob sushi! Lovely patio, fresh fish, visually stimulating and allows hard alcohol!
(5)
mark j.

I've been to almost every sushi restaurant in Chicago. I would have to say that this place is number 1. It's byob and very reasonable and super delicious!
(5)
christy c.

Excellent food paired with top notch staff. Our server was just splendid (Amy and the sushi men are brilliant!
(5)
Bettina S.

I really like this hidden gem of a BYOB. The service is really fast, and the staff is really nice. The space is very intimate, but cute. I don't know that I would bring a huge group of people on the weekend just cause there's not a ton of room. Yuzu has a great selection of delicious shareable food. Great rolls, delicious little small plates and it's BYOB. We ordered a sample platter of small plates and two larger rolls, and were totally satisfied. The food was fresh, well seasoned, and really tasty. Tip: If you're dining on the weekend I highly recommend that you make a reservation. This place gets really crowded, and there's not a huge waiting area. If you are waiting for a table, you'll likely find yourself waiting on the sidewalk outside the restaurant. But it is worth the wait.
(4)
Vikki Y.

An unexpected delight. Came here for dinner with a former boss. He recommended the mango-avocado salad and it was delicious! We also had the Dead Sea sushi (pretty good but the pieces were smaller) and another type of roll. It is BYOB so bring your own libations! Ample parking on Chicago Ave but I did not like how there is not much around the location itself. Attentive servers but the atmosphere was kind of too loud and the restaurant itself is kind of small. Food is delicious and filling! Sushi def is higher end- but will not leave you going home hungry like at certain high end places. PS: LOVED the wall art! Life size Japanese manga!
(4)
Angie S.

Sushi Sundays with my best bud, my sister, is made possible only at Yuzu. Every Sunday we look forward to their beautiful display of sushi. Yuzu is a cozy spot with good service and it's BYOB. We definitely recommend the dragon or any other their spicy choices. Enjoy!
(4)
C N.

I live a mile down the road and have been here a few times now. All the dishes I have ever tried have been delicious! The service has been consistently good. This place is often packed, so get a reservation or prepare to wait! The only sad thing is that both times that I have tried to get a dessert closer to the end of the night they have been out. I can only imagine that it is because it is delicious. I hope to try a dessert soon.
(5)
Jennifer P.

Yuzu sushi would be a great place to take a date. What I love about Yuzu is the lighting, and the Anime looking graphics on the wall, called Manga art, created by Mangaka. They both seem to play off of each other. The lighting is warm, slow, and intimate; while the art seems impersonal and highly active, creating drama while everyone dining is clearly trying to relax. To boost the irony, the restaurant is always busy. What's nice is that the tables are spaced far enough away from each other, giving you ample elbow room to effectively use your chopsticks to grasp a hold of that lovely sushi. As for the Robatayaki grillers.. I wasn't quite sure what the most polite way was to eat this moist and tasty meat on a stick. I wanted to pick it up and eat the meat directly from the skewer, but I saw my friend using chopsticks to separate it away. I just loved the busy restaurant because I had my own space to sit back and enjoy it. It was super noisy, but the music wasn't too loud, so the noise level stayed tolerable. The music was excellent, mostly hip hop from the early 90's which was considered "gangster" at the time, now is regarded as mainly a novelty. The best example: I Got 5 On It, by Luniz. If you have been messing with that "endo weed," then you're really in for a treat by eating here. For as busy as Yuzu is, your food comes out promptly and the wait staff is always around if you want to order more. From the Robata grill, my friend and I had the Chicken and Green Onions, Asparagus Bacon, and the Cauliflower. For the sushi rolls, we had My Favorite Midwest Roll, Fire, Unagi, and the Boston Crunchy. All of these were so good. I'd say the Boston Crunchy made the least sense to me because it had cream cheese inside of it. I've heard most Asians are lactose intolerant. The cream cheese did nothing to bring out the flavor of this roll, along with the crunchy exterior. Perhaps when you go, I'd consider ordering something else. What stood out to me the most was the Asparagus Bacon. I have never seen a restaurant do this before and which proves once more that everything tastes better with bacon! I will definitely be coming back to this swanky sushi venue!
(5)
Mrs. H.

I love LOVE love this place! I go here so often, I hate it's taken me this long to write a review. Their selection is amazing and the prices are great! BYOB? Absolutely! It's super small so get there early or make a reservation. There isn't an ideal waiting area. The staff is nice, music is great, and they make beautiful rolls! Try a few things off the grill, mix and match to share, or keep it all to yourself like I do sometimes :) I tried the Green Harbor veggie roll the other day and it was delish! I'm talkin' sweet potato tempura, asparagus, avocado, broccoli, and some. Do yourself a favor and go to Yuzu!
(5)
Jess J.

Moving to UKV next week so finding a new sushi place was a must! Yuzu definitely did not disappoint. I made a reservation as recommended by their website and even though I arrived a bit early, our table was ready and waiting. My Philly roll was delicious and my date enjoyed his chicken teriyaki. The place is small but did not feel overly crowded. Will be a frequent visitor!
(5)
Sara H.

Yuzu really stands out from the crowd of BYOB Sushi places in chicago. Whether you go there to eat (GET RESERVATIONS), grab take out, or get delivery, it's worth a try. Highlights: - Great specialty rolls, excellent nigiri - The Robata Grill features items ranging from japanese sweet peppers, to chicken satay w/peanut sauce, to bacon wrapped scallops. All have great and very different seasonings just bursting with bold flavor. - Seaweed salad rocks This place is always busy but the wait staff and management really care about their customers. Last week we got take-out and had a small problem with our order. They not only brought the correct item TO OUR HOUSE but they included dessert. This is way above and beyond what I could have expected! They deserve 10 stars for this amazing customer service and it is VERY appreciated. Thank you Yuzu!!
(5)
Betty C.

Although the place is small has a very good vibe. Great music and very pleasant and attentive servers and to the warm feeling you have here. Tuna poke and grilled squid apps are tasty and leave you wanting a lot more! The grilled squid dipping sauce is like a mustard/horseradish sauce with a kick. The robota grill items are excellent - the pork shoulder a little more savory than the short rib which is sweeter and Korean tasting. Both are tender, juicy and worth trying. The rib-eye was OK but not as good as the other two. Rolls were good but as many others have commented - they do seem to lack fish except for the Over the Rainbow which has tuna, salmon and super white tuna. The very spicy roll is too hot - you can't taste the fish. Many of the others tasted the same as one another - they like a lot of avocado here so be prepared for that.
(4)
Amanda W.

I can't say enough great things about this place. I got there really early on a Friday night and they were able to seat me right away while I waited for my friend to arrive. I observed the waitstaff being super accommodating to everyone who arrived for reservations or carry out orders. When a toddler spilled his entire glass of water they were very responsive and helped the parents clean up. It's a small, but very busy place with a great vibe. They played hip-hop/R&B music from the 90's, which made me a very happy girl while I waited. Mua was very kind and friendly. We took our time eating and never felt rushed to leave so they could seat another guest. Now to the glorious FOOD! The presentation and custom artwork on the trays was beautiful. Every bite was amazing! Try the "What's My Name" roll. You won't be disappointed. TIP: Make reservations!
(5)
Astrid R.

They don't make reservations, but are well organize, so the tables move really fast. My wating time was about 30 mints. on a Saturday at the prime time... It was the beging of winte and we waited outside. my only suggestion will be to put some heating lamps outside at the winter season The food was excelent, the octopus, black sea roller, dragon roller, miso soup, Robata tuna, coliflower and cuccumber. Service excelent. No my kind of place for dessert.
(5)
Antaash U.

This was my first time actually eating at Yuzu. My first experience here was carry-out. However, the food was so good that I felt like I needed to go back. I think the food is really, really good considering where it is and how small the space is. there are no frills about the ambiance or the staff, but when the food brings me back, I tend not to care so much about all the extras. What my party ordered: For Starters: Avocado Mango Salad, Tune Poke, Chicken and from the Robata Grill: Ribeye, Green Onion and Chicken Satay. Every single thing was EXCELLENT. The portions from the Robata Grill are tiny, so be sure to order multiples if your party happens to be larger than 2 people. Sushi: Hamachi Jalapeno My Favorite Midwest Roll (my absolute fave): ahi tuna, avocado, cream cheese, jalapeno, scallion, masago, spicy mayo, wasabi mayo. sweet soy sauce What's My Name: super white tuna, avocado, jalapeno mayo, red tobiko served over spicy yuzu sauce Very Spicy Tuna (NOT SPICY AT ALL!) : tuna, chili sauce, masago, mayo seasame oil I would order every roll again except for the Very Spicy Tuna. It was very disappointing. Also, there was some confusion about the 10% off for Yelp check-in. In the end, they cleared up the confusion and honored the coupon for us. That made me happy. With all the sushi palces in Chicago, this is one of my favorites for a quick, satisfying yet affordable meal.
(4)
Pedro L.

One of my favorite grub hub joints. For take out sushi its pretty damn good. Ate in house a few times also. Very intimate dining area.
(4)
Rebekka T.

The robata items are great, I don't bother with sushi as I prefer more traditional Japanese sushi. This sushi is American fusion style with sauces etc. Anyway, it doesn't matter because the robata is awesome. 4 or 5 grill items + a bowl of rice = one satisfying meal! Also, the lunch bento box is a great thing to get, you can try a little but of everything.
(5)
Lixi L.

Had a great first time experience and this time I brought my friends here to celebrate a birthday. Amazing sushi, the eye candy plating and exquisite combinations of flavors and textures are a rarity to savor. Can't go wrong with any item on the menu. The best part? They let us bring in our own cake!
(5)
Susan A.

We must have ordered half the menu when we were there. gasp! The ingredients are high-quality and the sauces seem to be made fresh. It is BYOB and they will direct you to the nearest store if you didn't know that. Their rolls were good, but the best came from the grill. Rolls we ordered Before Sunset, Monster Roll, and something else I forget now. The eggplant from the grill was good, as were the bacon scallops, chicken & black bean sauce, kalbi beef, etc. The asparagus was tasty but we ordered 3 orders not knowing how big that would be.
(4)
Angie M.

It's Saturday night. You have an 8:00pm reservation for a new sushi joint in the neighborhood with two of your nearest and dearest. You're decked out in the shortest of skirts and the highest of heels. Clearly you're ready for a good time. Then Yuzu and their waiting game happened. Nothing infuriates me more than having to wait a very long time for a table. That's why I make reservations. I want to come in at 8pm and BE SAT. I don't know if the reservation situation that left an entire herd of potential diners crowded in a minuscule entryway was a product of Yuzu being a new restaurant and not properly factoring how long it takes tables to eat or blatant disregard for keeping on task, but waiting 40 minutes past my reservation time for a table is just not acceptable. Turns out that sometimes the squeaky wheel does get a table and an attempt at making some amends to our uber-long wait. The manager, who was very lovely and accommodating, gave our table 20% off our tab and complimentary edamame and moshi. It was appreciated, especially since our bill ended up being under $20/person when all was said and done. During the ridiculous wait time, I spent some time checking out the restaurant logistics. The space is cramped and small. I would never come to Yuzu with more than 4 people because I could only imagine the seating would be uncomfortable to say the least. The walls boast cool comic book art work, the servers are decked out in their hipster finest of flannel shirts and all the chefs wear fedoras. I get the vibe they're going for and admittedly, it's a cool, neighborhood-appropriate vibe. Had I been sitting in my seat rather than crammed against the wall getting smoke blown on my by the robata grill, I probably would have appreciated it more. There were some definite hits and misses on the menu. ** The Hits ** - Bacon-wrapped Scallops and Asparagus brushed with soy butter off the robata grill. In all honesty, it's hard to miss with bacon-wrapped anything, but these tasty morsels from the sea and the swine were divine. Also, the asparagus was nice and charred, which I love. - Black Sea Maki Roll - Filled with tuna, super white tuna, albacore tuna, salmon, hamachi, kani kama, sunflower seeds, masago, spicy mayo, sesame oil, black tobiko and scallion, it was delish. - South Beach Maki Roll - Super white tuna, albacore tuna, cucumber, japanese pepper, sesame oil, masago, mayo, red & black tobiko and lime. The flavors were okay, but what was truly mind-blowing was the presentation. See image. Unbelieveable. That stuff on the left is the SAUCE. It was almost too pretty to eat. ** The Misses ** - Beef Short Ribs of the robata grill were simply too fatty to eat. I prefer my meat on the leaner side. - Spider soft shell crab maki roll - Filled with marinated crab meat, cucumber, masago, mayo, black tobiko and pepper vinegar sauce, it just lacked flavor. Would I go back? Sure. Probably on a weeknight and even more probably for an early seating time. Yuzu is BYOB, which I love and I like where they're going with the presentation of the maki rolls. I just wish there was more fresh fish variety on the docket to keep my tastebuds dazzled and really wanting more.
(3)
Brent B.

Loved the hip hop and r&b music and the art that came with the rolls. The bbq sticks were very flavorful especially the beef! Byob and no corkage fee!
(5)
Amy D.

Bottom line: LOOOVE IT! Skip everything and head for the SUSHI! Time: Around 8PM on a Monday night - This place is always packed. - Take my word and make reservations! Service: Good - Staff is awesome. - Consistent on that water refill, trust me, you will need it! Food: The roll! The sauce! - Skip the appetizers and the grill and head straight for the rolls! - In love with their sauce that comes with the rolls. - Haven't had a bad roll, but I highly recommend the ones with tuna or salmon in them because they are super generous on the slice of fish you get! - When they say JUMBO, they aren't kidding! Second time here and still amazing! Small place, but who cares because the food is delicious! Make a new friend. Share a drink. It's BYOB! I tell you the sauce! It's spicy, it's creative, and it's tasty! To top it all off, I even for free dessert! Mochi ice cream with all types of sauces to pair it with too. Even the dessert comes with yummy sauces! I'm a fan, can you tell? Keep up the good work.
(5)
Alissa L.

I'll start off by saying I really do enjoy Yuzu's food. They have a great selection including a lot of fun and unique rolls. I've tried a number of rolls and so far I think the Motown is my fav! It is a bit pricey though, but most of the more expensive rolls are big and filling. I do however find it frustrating with all the extra charges for things like modifying a roll or requesting extra sauce. If you're going to charge extra for things like eel sauce at least fill up the container! Bottom line, Yuzu is near or at the top of my list for great Japanese food in the Ukrainian Village area. I would give it a 5, but they've gotten our delivery orders wrong a few times and especially as a regular customer I find it frustrating with all the extra charges and not even half filled cups of sauce.
(4)
H H.

Cute space! BYOB. Pork shoulder was terrific. Seemed like anything off of the grill would be good. $2-3 eah. Black Sea roll $8 and tasty.
(5)
Steve H.

Some of the most gorgeous looking maki rolls in the city, all with a BYOB policy makes this place truly shine.
(4)
Lindsey P.

How can people even rate this place! Sushi is horrible! My husband spit every roll out of his mouth. As for the robata food... Tasted like it was straight out of the microwave! Zero stars for this place.
(1)
Volkan Y.

This was my second time sushi experience and absolutely loved it. My great friends introduced me to Yuzu last night and now I can't wait to take more friends there. Go there and enjoy it if you love yourself!
(5)
Wagner V.

I'm visiting Chicago for a couple of weeks and I hit the jackpot when I dropped in Yuzu. The service was amazing and the staff are so friendly. I had the Pot River Roll on my 1st visit and on my second I added the dragon roll (both rolls were Fantastic) Amazing and the presentation of the food will blow you away. This is my new Sushi spot in Chicago.
(5)
Kathleen O.

The owner of Yuzu had reached out to me in regards to my last review, urging me to try Yuzu again. I told him I would, and when I give someone my word, I mean business. My colleague just called me tubby because I ordered (all to myself): - Sweet Potato Tempura Rolls - Cucumber Rolls - Cucumber Avocado Rolls - Asparagus Robata & a Sprite The Sweet Potato Rolls have a great consistency... a tiny bit of crunch and a whole lot of NOM. The cucumber rolls were jam-packed with cucumber... none of the weak shiznat where you can barely taste the fresh cucumber taste! The cucumber avocado rolls were massive and delicious. The asparagus robata stole the show though. My jelly rolls agreed. I am so full right now that I look three months pregnant. I swear, Mom, it's Danny Devito's child... I mean a Yuzu baby.
(5)
Matthew R.

An unspoken gem. Best sushi I've had in Chicago yet. Great presentation; they drew faces and designs on the tray with sauce. Ask what the most popular are and start with those. Sashimi and nigiri(sp?) are extremely generous. BYOB and no corking fee.
(5)
Ryan V.

I enjoyed this restaurant for the awesome creative and unique bento box. Really fun way for me and my girlfriend to share a meal whole trying out this restaurant for the first time. Fresh sashimi, tasty fried food, and loved the presentation! I definitely recommend any foodie to try this spot while in Chicago!
(4)
Adam R.

Great place. Only complaint is some of the food is too cold. The avocado that was served with my tuna poke was almost frozen. The time before some of the nigiri was too cold to eat.
(5)
Kathy S.

So I've been here about 5-6 times now and I am super impressed with the staff here. They do their best to accommodate everyone and always go the extra mile. Case in point, we were a group of 20 on Saturday night and somehow they made it work (if you've been here before and saw the space, that's quite the feat). We also had a late reservation (9:30 but we didn't really all get seated until around 10ish) so they patiently waited for us to finish our meal around midnight, even though the restaurant technically closed at 11. There are very few restaurants where I leave happy everytime but Yuzu is definitely one of them!
(5)
Selena L.

5 of us came here last night and just as other yelpers have stated: this place is SMALL SMALL SMALL! We probably made up half of their capacity. Ok, over-exaggerating, but it's seriously tiny! I made reservations (thanks to other reviews) and luckily we got a table outside so we didn't have to sit on other peoples' laps and hear everyone else's conversations. I had the Black Sea, 100 Years of Solitude (LOVED!!) and the Shrimp Tempura rolls - all were delish! My friends all enjoyed their orders as well (Dragon, Sorry I'm Drunk (?), Gyoza, Spicy Scallop, Salmon, and Spider). Highly recommend making reservations and asking to sit outside if possible! Don't forget to bring your libations - byob!
(5)
Laura S.

food is great, service is pretty mediocre. They take reservations....sometimes? Really confusing reservation policy/procedure.
(3)
Fuffie G.

Here's another perfect example of how bad service or attitude can ruin your dining experience. Went on Saturday night and it was crowded. I expected that as Yuzu was just on Check Please. Hostess was rude and servers rush you through. Sushi was good but I have certainly had better. Presentation gets high marks. Some of the Robata dishes were good. Short ribs and the bacon wrapped asparagus. Thumbs up. Icing on the cake, rude hostess came to us after we were just finished with dinner and had the check in front of us for maybe 5 minutes, told us we had to pay our check as they needed the table. On my way out, I politely pulled her aside and told her how rude she was and she was the reason I will probably never be back.
(2)
Tawny S.

This place is INcREDibLE. Hands down one of the best in the city. The only reason I am giving this four stars is because when we sat down there was a faint smell of gasoline in the room and the small space for seating. I consider myself to be a sushi snob and if you can present a simple Maki roll with hamachi, scallions, and jalapeno perfectly I will obviously give you a good rating. I have only been here for lunch but it was a really good deal only $35 for two bento boxes, classic roll, and tea. I was really digging the green tea my boyfriend said it tasted kind of fishy but I thought it went perfectly with the miso soup. This place is probably pretty difficult to get into for dinner so I highly recommend going for lunch for your first time to check it out!
(4)
Anna P.

The food is absolutely delicious. The only issue was the ambiance. It was a really small space and my date and I felt like we were on top of the other patrons. Will definitely be back.
(4)
matthew c.

I REALLY LIKE THIS PLACE! Even though I didn't win the free food raffle I signed up for over 7 times, I still go here.
(5)
Anna Y.

Ummm these people are really scary! They have been sendings threatening messages for crying out loud! Ps; I called restaurant before we came to check on a table in nothing to do with Saturday I have receipt ! You guys are seriously psychotic ! It's funny how u attack everyone by calling them a lier when they leave a poor review I guess everyone is lying???? And ur just the innocent party? Riggght
(1)
Dan M.

The positive "check please" and yelp reviews made this neighborhood place very inviting to try however the food and bill left us rather disappointed. We ordered a number of rolls and robata grills for delivery. On a positive note, I will say that the robata short rib was very tasty. Aside from this, we are not quite sure why this place warrants all of these great reviews-the sushi was mediocre and the prices were not what we thought. The presentation of the rolls are great but the taste is average. The proportion of fish against rice or other ingredients is awful. Some rolls are too meaty and some are too heavy. Every price on yelp is inaccurate and probably outdated as things have increased significantly since. Thus, I prefer Coast for the money as the quality is much better.
(2)
Irene G.

I have been waiting for a sushi place that I can walk to from my place and I finally found it! Any sushi restaurant that is convenient and walking distance automatically gets a plus in my book. I dined here on a Friday night (make reservations because it does get busy) with a few friends and we were seated right away. It's a very small space and you're crammed in like sardines, but the food is so worth it. By the way, this place is BYOB, no cork fee, and no limit to the amount of liquor you can bring-our party of five brought 4 bottles of wine so I know. The menu is extensive so it can take awhile for you to choose what you want, but I guarantee you that whatever you choose will be fantastic. I highly recommend the Pot River and Super Spicy Tuna rolls. Their sauce is real good, too. The service was excellent so the automatic 20% tip on our bill didn't bother me at all. I am already planning my return to Yuzu.
(4)
Jocelyn H.

Always a great experience. Byob, awesome sushi, great prices, and when I was there during a storm one of the employees escorted us to our car with an umbrella after we ate. So gracious.
(5)
Nichole M.

Yuzu Sushi is my new favorite casual sushi spot in Chicago! Since Sushi Wabi closed, I have been bouncing around aimlessly from sushi spot to sushi spot, desperately seeking one that would stick. Needless to say, life was a letdown for awhile... until now! I LOVE YUZU! The maki and nigiri are endlessly creative and delicious. The menu has something for everyone -- from the traditionalist to the "I Like Sushi with Creamcheese and Tempura" fan, everyone is covered here! The ingredients are fresh, the knife skills are stealth and the service is great. And, most importantly, they consistently deliver the same experience! I've been to Yuzu about a dozen times now, and I am always impressed. Great job, Yuzu!
(5)
Michael K.

My wife took me here on my birthday. This place was everything you could want from a place. The servers were very accommodating. The food was delicious and was presented extremely well. The wasabi here was particularly good. The owner was there in the preparation area and was extremely nice. This place is casual and trendy but not overly hipster. I will definitely return.
(5)
Angela R.

This place is great. The sushi rolls are big and filling and the space is casual yet trendy and fun. Usually it's nearly impossible to find rolls that aren't littered with krab stick and cream cheese but not here. The service wasn't exactly warm but it was efficient. I agree with Ashley that coming with a group of 4 or less is ideal. It's a small space so make reservations (there was a wait on a Sunday night) and note that it's BYOB! That fact unfortunately wasn't clear to us.
(4)
Samantha R.

I love coming here for two reasons: 1. The food (obvious choice) and 2. It makes me feel kind of cool & artsy. Ha ha I'm kind of embarrassed to admit the latter but oh heck, who cares. I like that it's not located on a block with 8 million other sushi joints on a crazy busy street-- it's a unique restaurant, in an up and coming area, that has a very eclectic feel to it. Onto the food...Or shall I say art? Either way. It's something that must be experienced firsthand. The Robata, delicious/fabulous/succulent meats on little wooden skewers, are a must have. My top two favorites are the beef short rib and the pork shoulder. I love these things so much that I'm thinking of going back soon and just ordering off the Robata menu. I could like 50 of them and be a happy camper. Perfectly cooked & seasoned every time I've been there. When I said art before, I was definitely more so referring to the sushi aspect of my food experience. Their sauce designs are beautiful. If the chef offered a class on how to make them, I would sign up in a heartbeat.. they're that cool. The Pot River is my favorite sushi roll, with My Favorite Midwest Roll being the runner up. The only thing I didn't quite love were the chairs in the restaurant-- reminiscent of those uncomfortable metal lab stools in my middle school chemistry lab, preparing to use the bunsen burners. Okay, okay-- I will say that although, they're not the most comfortable recliners-- they do work with the overall ambiance of the restaurant.
(4)
Patty C.

We came for a friend's birthday dinner. We were a group of 10, so space was very tight for us. We had to sit all the way in the back with 2 people hanging out into the walking aisle. The servers and bus boys had to walk around us all night. The service was friendly and quick, but due to the tight space, our waiter spilled sauce on our coats. He tried to help clean them, and brought us club soda to get the stains out. So no harm done. The food was very good here, and nicely presented. The maki rolls are very pretty and tasty. The sashimi was very fresh too.
(4)
Happy C.

Looking for an unpretentious, authentic, fresh & delicious sushi restaurant, that's BYOB? THIS IS THE PLACE! I've been coming here for over a year. Dining in, taking out, delivery... it's always super yummy, fresh, and tastes amazing. This is the same quality you'll get at high end restaurants at a fraction of the price and without any of the fancy-restaurant pretentiousness. I heard that the chef here actually used to be the head chef at one of those high-priced restaurant-row restaurants. I'll admit it, I love going to those restaurants on a special occasion, but you can't afford to eat there every week. At Yuzu however, the prices are affordable enough to dine here whenever your heart desires. It's my favorite sushi place in all of Chicago.
(5)
Andrew K.

Very good sushi. Tuna Poke is a required dish. Went on a Wednesday night and place was busy but no wait (it is 7 degrees out).
(5)
Wayne H.

I had such a fun date night here! We had reservations, but a few tables were lingering around so we ended up eating at the sushi bar instead. I love eating at the sushi bar anyway, so perfecto! This place is BYOB and the decor was super cool. They have Japanese anime cartoon strips painted on the wall and they play really good music. It was such a fun atmosphere for a date. We started off with pork shoulder skewers, which were amazing! We tried the fried tofu skewer also and those were just okay. We had the Pier 99 and Pot River rolls and both were delicious. The Pot River was my favorite of the two. We also ordered some Nigiri, which were also good. I am definitely making my way back to Yuzu!
(5)
Anna P.

Allow me to add yet another stellar review for Yuzu! I have been 4 times, and they never disappoint. Their robata grill items and sushi items are both phenominal. Their fish is so fresh. Also, they have some of the prettiest "sauce decorations" I have seen! They are BYOB, so be sure to grab something on the way. Reservations are definitely recommended, especially on the weekends since the space is very small.
(5)
Alexandra D.

Holey moley delicious. I worked at a sushi resturant in San Diego so I've been underwhelmed with the sushi pickings in Chi Town. But Yuzu nails it on the head. The ambiance is warm and the sushi is so fresh and creative. I sat at the sushi bar and the chefs made me a special roll :). The waitresses really stood out for me as they were all so attentive and sweet. I came in with a sweaty beer after walking over a mile and they promptly brought me a nice bucket. I couldn't look over their way without one smiling at me. Top notch service... And I'm a server
(5)
Anthony B.

Awesome sushi... Very cool house rolls that were close to the best if not the best I have ever had. It's not the nicest decor you will find but the food is fresh (important with sushi) and their creations are definitely among the best.
(4)
bridget l.

Love this place. We have been here twice for lunch and they are always the best. Fresh, clean. And decently priced. They have some great short ribs and steak too! Try it! BYOB
(4)
t c.

What a pleasant surprise! There were 6 of us for dinner. Everything was great. We tried poke and both of the grill sets. Very tasty. Then we ordered a bunch of rolls. All were very fresh and tasty. The presentation for the rolls were also delightful. Did I mention Byob. There was also live music playing. That was a plus. The service was also A+. The food came out about 5 minutes after we ordered. We will be back for sure. The place is small but very well decorated.
(5)
Hector T.

Friendly staff. Byob with no corking fee. Sushi tasted fresh. Really good flavors. Reasonably priced. Small place so reservations are recommended.
(4)
Jane Y.

THE SUSHI IS PRETTY DARN GOOD like the FISH MAYN. so good. BUT MY WALLET IS CRYING if youre on a budget dont come here hungry you wont get a fill me and a friend ordered three rolls and while our taste buds were excited and then satisfied our stomachs were not funny how we ended up going to ihop because we because MORE hungry OH and btw the comics/mango on the wall were awesome i love the decorations/atmosphere of the place however it is way way loud for my liking
(4)
Brian W.

Busy busy busy, but don't let this give up. Friendly owner and helpful staff. It's tight inside but everything just tastes so good. Rolls are done right, rice is perfect. Grilled meats are tasty and don't disappoint. Byob and will open your bottle and keep it on ice too. Give them your name and number and you'll be updated when your table is ready. Menu isn't large which is nice. Try everything its all good. Owner takes pride in succeeding and it shows. Keep it up! I'll keep coming back!
(5)
Melody Z.

Very good sushi at lower than average price. Very friendly staff and homy atmosphere in this tiny spot. Bring your own drink.
(5)
Hac T.

This review is long overdue. Went here back in October for my birthday after watching the segment on Check Please! Looked amazing so I had to try it out. Made reservations for 4 at 8PM on a Friday night. I got there a little earlier, and it was extremely packed. You definitely have to make reservations for this spot. There's outdoor seating (in the summer/Fall), and the inside, though a little small is comfortable and intimate. The lighting is dim, which really creates a welcoming ambiance. Though aesthetics aren't what I judge a restaurant on, it's nice to be eating and drinking (BYOB) in a dope ass environment. The food was amazing. From the sushi to the robata grilled skewers, I don't think there was one dish that did not succumb my palate to umami flavors. Not only is the food to die for, the ambiance and aesthetics top notch, the staff are the friendliest of friendly. Very attentive and great service. Definitely one of my top spots to bring folk on a Friday/Saturday night.
(5)
Vishal S.

This is a small Japanese restaurant and gets packed tight on weekends and Fridays. I recommend making a reservation or waiting for 45 minutes if it is walk in. The service is very brisk and for appetizers we had the Tempura, Chicken Satay (Not Japanese) and Miso soup. Everything tasted good and as expected but did not awe me either. For the Maki, we had the Spicy Shrimp and an Ahi Tuna, both of which I felt I have tasted better at Wasabi and Sushi X. I am not saying that the maki was bad. It is definitely good but just my personal taste. This restaurant is definitely worth a visit but I am not sure if I can get myself to go again.
(3)
Arthur M.

I spent the whole day in the apartment- the next afternoon I got out and had lunch at Yuzu, the neighborhood's best little sushi and robata place. Grey clouds covered the sky and it was snowing outside. What happened to meteorological spring? The best part was the warming miso soup, and the price. Ten dollars for soup and a bento box with two types of sushi and a salad.
(5)
Ania W.

Great and affordable sushi! and BYOB!
(4)
Paul B.

Very cool place, very hip. Hour and a half wait on a Friday night, but worth the wait. The nigiri sushi was excellent, so were all the robata items. Got the first combination, will get it again the next time I go. Highly recommend
(5)
Eric H.

Yuzu is my new favorite sushi spot in Chicago. The menu is always full of creatively named and crafted specialty rolls, great appetizers, and an delicious selection of robata grill items that I like to add on to my orders for a little taste of something I may have a craving for. The staff is always helpful, kind, and accommodating. For instance, one time that I went, a roll took longer than expected to come out (about 10 min after the rest of the meal), so our waitress gave it to us for free. The late roll was the most expensive roll of the meal, so it brought our total for two people with appetizers and rolls to about $60 (a total steal for the quality). Most importantly however, the sushi is just amazing. Everything is so well balanced and made to taste and look perfect. Plus there are unique items on this menu that you just can't get as good anywhere else that I've found. Pro tip: get the Mango Avocado appetizer. The balance of spicy Ponzu, creamy avocado, and sweet mango is unreal. Highly recommend.
(5)
Laura F.

LOVE the bento box lunch deal. Love eating sushi at lunch. Perfect mid-day pick me up. I'm down for sushi anytime but especially randomly on a weekday afternoon when you've been sitting at your desk all day muttering expletives about your boss. Love the cups and cutlery and plates. Love how heavy the chairs are. Cute interior. The only bad thing is that on the Maki bento box, it comes with one spicy tuna roll and one "chef's choice" roll. They sometimes bring out two spicy rolls which taste very similarly. Its spicy overload. I enjoy it more when they balance the two rolls!
(4)
Scott H.

Solid sushi spot in Chicago and the Robata skewers added another level to the usual standard sushi experience. We ordered a Robata sampler - Korean style ribs, chicken satay, pork shoulder. The chicken satay was ok, but the ribs and pork shoulder were both tender and flavorful, would order them both again. Roll call - Very Spicy Tuna - properly named, a spicier than usual tuna roll. Monster Spider - also properly named, BIG pieces and delicious. Born to Chill - can't recall all that was in this giant roll. It was big, fresh, and hit the spot Definitely recommend Yuzu and plan to visit again.
(4)
Linda L.

Great place to get sushi! Presentation is second to none. Their restaurant is a bit larger now since they moved down the street, but still make sure to call and get a reservation. Definitely recommend the tuna poke. The avocado fan is beautiful and takes a bit of bite off the slight spiciness of the tuna. I had the the Rainbow Roll the last time I went. I was impressed by how thick cut their fish was, and that they used eel and avocado inside the roll (instead of keeping it a California roll, as most places do). Mochi ice cream is house made. Raspberry white chocolate, chocolate coffee, and strawberry were the flavors they had when we went. The raspberry white chocolate was to die for! MMMMM! They even added a sparkler even though it wasn't anyone's birthday, haha.
(5)
Elisa G.

Yuzu has become my favorite sushi Japanese in Chicago! Yes, it is. There are so many reasons. 1) You go there on a Saturday night without reservation and get seated in 5 minutes; 2) Ambience is super cool!! 3) The food is sophisticated, fun and delicious. Although the maki are expensive, you are not going to find so many around that are so well presented and fresh! 4) You can go there also with people that don't eat sushi because they are going to LOVE the robata grill. Try the ribs and let me know... they are a MUST!! 5) Least, but not last, it is BYOB!!! I am going to become a frequent customer. Need to ask them for a membership :-)
(5)
Johnny R.

I've been eating at Yuzu for two years and there's a reason I keep coming back. It is bar none the best sushi for your buck in Chicago. I always leave with a smile on my face, a full belly, and drunk (I guess to be fair, I leave most BYOB places drunk). Whatever you do must start with some grilled stuff on sticks. My favorites are the rib eye, bacon wrapped asparagus, and bacon wrapped scallops. You can find grilled stick stuff at a few other Japanese restaurants in the city but they won't be nearly as good as Yuzu's. Their rolls and few sushi have never disappointed. Massive rolls and beautifully cut fish. My favorite rolls are the Pot River and Black Sea. Service wise, they are usually understaffed compared to their size but I've never felt unattended. They portion out food perfectly and offer buckets of ice for BOYB beverages. I've bought lots of friends here and they have all ended up going back because of how good Yuzu is. I've also brought large parties here and they take reservations. Bring some Japanese whiskey. It's the best thing to blackout with over raw salmon.
(5)
Rachel P.

I was excited to try this place out as one of the best rated sushi places in Chicago, and was a little underwhelmed from the hype. The photos here look gorgeous, the descriptions sound delectable, what arrives to your table is good. Don't get me wrong, I'm not hating on Yuzu or disliked anything I ordered, I guess I was just expecting THE BEST SUSHI EXPERIENCE EVER and had a standard meal. Maybe it was just the rolls we chose that didn't have as cool of a presentation as many other Yelpers seem to have gotten; or the short ribs that came on our Robata sampler that also had a lot of tough, chewy, inedible bits, though the chicken satay was off the hook. Quick service, decently priced sushi, but I personally prefer Seadog Sushi to this restaurant.
(3)
Mallory Z.

I loved this place! The space is actually bigger than I expected but play it safe and make a reservation. I didn't see them on open table but they do take reservations over the phone. I called Sunday afternoon and it was no problem getting a table Sunday night. Our server was great and the service was fast. Started with the tuna poke. So much tuna. It was delicious. It came out very fast and then we were so busy eating we forgot to read the menu to order our entree. We got the born to chill and the boy meets world. Boy meets world was good but not great. I would pass on that one. The born to chill is probably the best roll I've ever had. Absolutely amazing. The prices are steep but they give you so much fish in the rolls. Not somewhere I'll go everyday but it's worth the price and worth the occasional splurge. An app and 2 rolls was enough for 2 people. Only downside for me is location. It's hard to get to from lakeview. I took the Ashland bus there but took a cab home. It looks like there's street parking but it's also byob so bring a bottle and designate a driver.
(5)
Rachel B.

I have eaten at Yuzu twice and ordered takeout probably six or seven times. They really have the best affordable sushi in the Bucktown-Ukrainian Village-Wicker Park area. So many creative rolls! As someone who has to eat gluten free, I love that they don't lean too heavily on tempura to make their signature rolls interesting and tasty. Means that I have a lot more options to choose from! I love that they are BYOB, and they were great about letting me bring in my cocktail-in-a-jar the last time I ate in. My takeout is always ready in less time than projected too. The staff have always been very helpful and pleasant. I am knocking off one star because they have been a little inconsistent lately. In particular, in my last takeout order, the cucumber-avocado roll contained no cucumber, and the avocado was quite underipe. That said, I'm sure I'll be back - Yuzu is so good that I will happily ride out the rockier moments in our relationship!
(4)
Stefanie A.

Some of the best sushi around! Very fresh- never fishy. Their special rolls are seriously artwork (see pics) and they taste just as good as they look. Def recommend this place for quality sushi that's not ridiculously priced. They are FAST too, without feeling rushed. Oh and how can I forget- they play the best music. Think nelly, master p, & other '00s rap stars.
(5)
Mala S.

This place is amazing! Great service and wonderful food. I love the Anime decor on the walls and on the restroom doors. When our food arrived, all that I could do was smile as I appreciated the work of the artist that took their time to draw a colorful fish made of soy sauce and other condiments to go with my sushi. I had the Green Harbor Yuzu Roll which was super delish! I am most definitely coming back.
(5)
Christina C.

This place is amazing! I live right around the corner, so waiting for a table was not an issue for me, but if you don't live here, you might want to call ahead and make a reservation! They'll text you when your table is available. You must try the skewers and the sushi. We had the second sampler for the skewers, which had chicken, pork, and beef. The marinade on the beef was sweet and spicy. They were cooked to perfection, and it melts in your mouth. I ordered the Over the Rainbow roll. The presentation of their sushi is A+. The Instagrammer in me was overjoyed to take pictures of food. (I am not ashamed). The fish was very fresh and they gave generous pieces of fish in the sushi. The roll comes with salmon, tuna, and white tuna. Also, it's BYO! They have limits on what you can bring and varies based on party size.
(5)
Kaitlin G.

Fantastic appetizers, sushi looks amazing, but more importantly the sushi tastes amazing!
(5)
ChingWa C.

First time here and looooove this place. My siblings and I took my parents here for my moms birthday. It's a Monday night and there were 6 of us that arrived at 7pm with no reservation. The wait was a little over 45 mins but it's our fault for not making a reservation. During our wait, we saw that everyone was enjoying their BYOB. The interior design is pretty "rustic"? (Or didn't bother fixing up the ceiling?) and the lights above us didn't turn on? Haha but it's all good. The ambiance was chill and music was good. Perfect for a group of friends. Just be sure to make a reservation if you have a group of 4+. Food was good (I am not a foodie), we ordered their avocado mango salad, fried pork belly salad, and pork Katsu? We ordered 5 rolls ... They all taste the same to me. And the sashimi platter was fresh. In the end, the waitress brought out the complimentary birthday dessert (ice cream mochie WITH SPARKLER) So cute my mom loved it. Service was good too. I would definitely come back!
(5)
Bear D.

Went there for my sons birthday and he we were expecting more. Lots of flys kept landing on me as well as others so that I couldn't pay attention to the food as I was too busy trying to swat them away. Service was good, hence the 3 stars. The food was average but not worth the trip out to the city. This restaurant was highly ranked but I fail to see why. It's a nice neighborhood joint but not above average. We ended up going to another restaurant to try to impress our 11 year old. To be fair, I may have had too high of expectations and the flys bugged me.
(3)
Heather F.

Very cool environment. The staff is super friendly. Their sushi is good! My favorite part is select sushi rolls, they do a painting with all different sauces on the cutting board. I made a reservation on a Thursday for 6:15 and there was no wait. In and out in a half hour. Very good but quick bite to eat. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Jill J.

this place is delightful! friendly service, great atmosphere, and really legit food. fresh and tasty with INCREDIBLE presentation! heads up...the Breaking Bad Roll is crazy spicy lol. love all the skewers too. really love that it's BYOB. this totally cuts down on the bill at the end of the meal!
(4)
Tracey S.

I've been a loyal customer of Yuzu since the first week they opened. My friends actually joke about how often I go there. Unfortunately, I will no longer go back. The food is excellent, but the customer service has simply gone downhill - WAY downhill - over the past several months. From reservation issues, to delivery order issues, to service in the restaurant. I love that they've grown and are so popular, but their service across the board has suffered. I actually spoke with the manager to tell her my experience and it was like I spoke to a blank wall. So disappointing. The two stars is because the food is so good. Otherwise, it would have been one. Chicago is an amazing town with a ton of great restaurants - and many, many great sushi restaurants. Good food simply isn't enough.
(2)
Shahzad A.

This is an awesome place with great sushi that is economically priced. They do a great job with making their food look good. The food is very creatively presented. One complaint I had was that the space was very tight but they recently took care of that problem by expanding.
(5)
Polly S.

Have I been living under a rock? How have I not discovered this place sooner? LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Yuzu! Some would say the BYOB with no corkage fee is it's BEST quality, but I contend that diminishes the true star of the show, The Food! You are missing out if you don't order: tuna poke, age tofu, the South Beach and River Walk rolls. Don't go without a reservation - they are small, popular, and strict on canceling your reservation if you arrive more than 10 minutes late. Dump your dining buddies who you know always show up late. Service was great in my experience, but they run a tight ship and turn over tables quickly. This efficiency might rub some people the wrong way but I understand the reasoning behind it. The rolls are larger than your average bear so one per a person is more than enough if you're also ordering a few starter dishes. We definitely over ordered calculating 3 rolls per a couple. The interior of the restaurant is hip, but not overdone. I like the fact that it's on Chicago Ave. and a little removed from the busy dining hubs. New found LOVE.
(5)
Abhishek M.

Until last weekend, I was certainly going to award Yuzu 5 stars but I guess good things don't last forever. As of this weekend, Yuzu's prices went up 20% or more on most items. They now have a makeshift menu with higher prices listed in a black marker. That said, Yuzu is our new favorite BYO sushi restaurant in Chicago. Also, unless you have a reservation, be prepared to wait for a while on the weekends. The sushi is phenomenal! And I am not just referring to the plethora of rolls they have. The sushi is fresh, have great cuts and generous in size. The miso soup is awesome as are the robata grilled food choices. Ask for the salmon since it wasn't on the new menu. We tried a couple of rolls and they were good but I would go back for the Sushi Gold - 9 pieces of assorted sushi and 1 roll.
(4)
Norm J.

Food = 4 stars Service = 2 stars Overall = 3 stars When I made the Valentine's Day reservation at Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill I was told (1) they were offering a special 7 course menu and if I selected to do that option right there on the spot I'd get a 10% discount and (2) that with a 7pm reservation we would need to be out of there by 8:30pm. I was fine with this and confirmed we'd do the menu and be up and outta there at the specified time. Arriving at our reserved time we had to wait 19 minutes to be seated and all I could think about was that 8:30pm deadline. After being seated in a tight space up against the kitchen counter area we waited a good 7-10 minutes before our waitress came to ask if we wanted anything to drink and to explain the menu. Since the place was packed I didn't give her my East Coast attitude like I normally would when the service starts off at a 2 out of 10. After placing the order for the first 4 courses I felt like Ben Affleck in Gone Girl when it came to tracking down our waitress to (a) ask where our food was and (b) place the order for our remaining 3 courses because she just disappeared on us. When our food started coming out it was in such a random order (i.e the 4th course came out before the 1st course). By this time it was about 7:45pm, we only had 2 of our 4 courses and we still needed to order 3 more. By 8pm we'd received our other 2 courses and was finally able to place the ordered for our remaining 3 courses. Thankfully my Valentine was/is awesome so i didn't mind the crazy wait, that much. When course 5 (order of 5 rolls) and 6 (sushi a la carte) came out it was almost 8:20pm so I knew we'd no way/how/chance be up and out by that "deadline" I was given when I made the reservations. I sent a silent I'm sorry to the group of 14-16 people huddled near the door waiting to be seated because I knew two of those people were suppose to be getting seated at my table in 10 minutes. In the end we didn't get outta there until about 9:10pm after finishing course 5,6 and 7 which was the dessert. All and all I think the food was really good, but the wait time to actually get the food was terrible. Also, the service gets two thumbs down! I know it was Valentine's Day and they were packed, BUT poor planning on their part doesn't require kind words from this reviewer. Next time they want to offer a 7 course special they should hire more kitchen and wait staff. Course 1: Warm Up *Miso Soup Course 2: Salad *Avocado Mango Salad Course 3: Starter *Squash Bloom *Wagyu Course 4: Robata *Hustler Lamb *Pork Shoulder *Beef Short Rib *Scallop Wrapped Bacon *Chicken Truffle Sausage *Tofo Robata Course 5: Yuzu Roll *Breaking Bad *Popeyes on Duty *Sin Nombre *Pot River *Born to Chill Course 6: Sushi A La Carte *Gome Ae Nigiri *Tuna Truffle Nigiri *Foie Gras Nigiri *Holy Hotategai Course 7: Dessert *White Chocolate Yuzu
(3)
Hayley Z.

My favorite sushi in Chicago. Everything is amazing but the Tuna Poke is absolutely unbelievable and melts in your mouth. Oh, and the Born to Chill roll. You MUST get this roll. Their service is nothing special but the food more than makes up for it. And they just recently moved to a bigger space so it's a bit easier to get a table on a weekend night. If you're looking for BYOB with average prices and above-average sushi then this is it. Yuzu will change your life.
(5)
Ashley C.

Sorry, Yuzu, this is just not working out and you are being dumped. This is not because of their food, but because of their bad service. In particular, we dealt with at least two different employees trying to make a reservation. We were put on hold for over five minutes before we were hung up on. Accidents understandably happen so we called back. My husband was explaining that we were on hold and got hung up on, but without listening, they already put us back on hold. We waited about 10 minutes and nothing. My husband hung up and called again. This time the employee was very rude which left a bad taste in our mouth. We hung up and decided to go elsewhere. It should not be that hard to make a reservation (get on opentable!) and certainly an employee should not be so rude. I'll take my business elsewhere. EDIT: I am impressed that Yuzu monitors its Yelp, comments promptly, and seeks to improve. Given their effort, I will consider returning.
(2)
Elizabeth F.

Do I have to actually eat at this place in order to leave this review? I have been looking forward to trying the place out per a friends raving review several months ago. I finally got around to making dinner plans with some friends and suggested Yuzu. As the weekend approached I sifted through the Yelp reviews to find 2 reviews with pictures of maggots in the food!!!??? The reviews are one thing but with the pictures (one video actually) to prove it (both within the last month) I will absolutely not be dining here. The food looks beautifully prepared but evidently that's all they have going for them. Inexcusable. Yuck :(
(1)
Ewa T.

I'm not going to be able to represent anything majorly different than what other posters have already said, but here are my two cents: 1) the robota scallop and bacon and bacon quail egg were only so-so 2) be aware that the food comes fast. It's not like a 20 min wait to get food. It is out in probably less than 10 However, everything else was great!
(5)
Jake C.

I came in here recently on a Thursday I opted for the sushi rolls (obviously) They were large pieces with much product rolled into it. Excellent value. I will return.
(5)
Dalia M.

Sushi craving so decided to try this spot. I liked: -The sashimi platter: fresh, sizable pieces and they listened to what we didn't want -BYOB. Duh. Rolls: pretty creative but not overwhelming for the most part -Decor: rustic, manly, modern Service: Nice and fast Didn't like: -Overtly loud dirty rap that made me feel like I should stop eating and start grinding on someone or something -Rice. Too much on the rolls Can they turn down the music, please? I would've enjoyed my meal if I wasn't yelling over it and debating a twerk the whole time. Good, better than Butterfly but Coast is still #1 for sushi in Chicago in my book.
(3)
Thomas V.

This place is Amazing. It is affordable, delicious, great music, and BYOB. Yuzu has a cool ambiance and actually play If it is your first time going you should definitely get the rainbow roll, it has a number of different types of sushi rolls in there you can try out.
(5)
Jaquie K.

The sushi was really great and artistic. The Hoya was pretty good (I've had better). I had the scallop Robata and it was excellent. My biggest complaint is that I felt like all of the rolls were a variation of the same exacting just listed Ina different order. Almost every roll was a tuna or Unami roll. I just want more variation!
(3)
Larry F.

QUICK HIT (Must Go vs. Consider Checking It Out vs. Pass/Don't Bother): Pass/Don't Bother I came to Yuzu Sushi for lunch this past week. It had been on my "need to go to" list for awhile, but due to the size of the restaurant, securing a reservation had proven difficult. Regardless, I ordered two orders of the short rib (seemed to be a Yelp favorite), and three sushi rolls (black sea, what's my name,and chicago spring). The short rib was quite good: flavorful, tender, well cooked. With that being said, its $3.50 for one skewer of short rib (yes, one skewer), and the quality did not justify the pricing. The sushi, which is what I truly came for, was unimpressive. I wanted to like the sushi, but was legitimately underwhelmed. The fish did not seem fresh, nor did the flavor "wow" me. Very disappointed. Perhaps this was because it was lunchtime, that I am unsure of, but nothing provokes me to come back at dinnertime to find out.
(2)
Annelise F.

I ordered the uberEATS option of a roll and edamame. There was a maggot in the edamame!!!!
(1)
Aaron W.

One of the best sushi places in Chicago the rolls are insane!! Now that I live in California this place will be missed. I still can't find a place quite like this the way they designed their sauces with their sushi is like art. You really feel like you get an original art piece with every role that you get. it is simply the best sushi place I've ever had.
(5)
Juliette R.

Fun urban interior design inside after having a long wait to be seated. Creative display of roll sauces but the bite sizes were too big to taste all of the flavors in one bite. They were super busy with a line out of the door but they were unprepared with no available drinks other than water and tea. Kind and friendly wait staff. Tight quarters for dining, not much room to move when squeezing bw tables to get up. Audio recorder got stuck on Beyonce's Partition about 5x's. Bathroom clean, smelled nice. Seemed like the hype was more over the experience and the artisan presentation and less for the flavor.
(4)
Amelia S.

Yuzu is a cute little spot for very good sushi. What was really impressive was the sauce decoration on the plates. I have never seen anything like it. Sushi spots in Los Angeles tend to not decorate plates as elaborately. I got the "over the rainbow" roll, which was very tasty. The roll was a little bit loosely constructed, so it tended to fall apart. I did enjoy using some of the colorful sauce with the sushi. There are some fusion of flavors in the dishes here, which is cool. I also ordered a cauliflower robata. There were four florettes on the skewer. These were just OK, so I would recommend opting for the asparagus, which I heard was great. I wish the cauliflower were a little bit more charred. Service was friendly and quick.
(4)
Ali R.

It's aight. Had the Robata Bento Box Lunch Special C, which is a vegetarian option. The tofu was a little too fried for my liking but I really enjoyed their peanut sauce and the tempura sweet potato.
(3)
Shari B.

Checked this place out on a Friday night. I made reservations in advance since I don't like to wait. Definitely can snag a table for two without reservations if you can get there before 6pm. Shortly after we were seated, the place filled up pretty quickly. The sushi did not disappoint. The fish was fresh, presentation was nice, the rolls were interesting and the names were fun. Only tried one of their grilled items, so can't really comment much about that. The short ribs tasted like korean bbq.. soo, that's good. Portion sizes for the rolls we ordered were spot on for the price, so I have no gripes about that either. The place is pretty trendy and the atmosphere is also fun. Music is on the louder side and the lighting is pretty dim. Solid place, I like it.
(4)
Sarah R.

Definitely some great sushi. It was fresh, presented well, and a nice spot to catch up with friends.
(5)
Devanjali L.

This is our new favorite sushi restaurant in Chicago. The ambience is great and it is a very busy restaurant especially on weekends. So be prepared to wait for a while before being seated. They do take reservations, therefore definitely make one to avoid endless waiting. They have amazing rolls as well as their sushi platters are great. The rolls are very creative and the sushi is very fresh with great cuts. My next visit would entail trying out the robata grill items!!
(4)
Minh-An C.

My friends and I arrived around 8 PM for dinner on Labor Day 2014. Prior to this, I tried to call to find out the wait time and see if we could do a last minute reservation but they just kept putting me on hold so I gave up. We requested a table for 4 and they said the wait was about 30-45 minutes. They took down my name and number and said I would get a text when a table is ready. However, we got a table in less than 20 minutes, so the wait was definitely not bad! We ordered the robata set 2 (2 bacon asparagus skewers, 4 shrimp skewer, and 1 chicken skewer) and 4 rolls (black sea, motown, monster spider, and the midwest favorite) and the total came out to less than $20/person which is a great deal considering we were all satisfied afterwards. Robata Set - I liked all of the skewers! The shrimp was an interesting flavor of lemony and saltiness. I really like the unique flavor. There were 4 skewers of shrimp so it was perfect for my party of 4. The chicken was good but nothing unique. The bacon wrapped asparagus was my favorite! And the asparagus was huge so they definitely aren't cheap on this. The black sea roll has a nice kick to it, definitely the spiciest of the 4 rolls I had. This is one of the smaller roll. The motown was the biggest roll of the night, and you get a good 10 piece/roll. I really like the design of this, it looked like an art piece. I enjoyed this roll but honestly don't remember the specific details of it except it was a bit creamy from the cream cheese. The midwest favorite was similar to the motown in the cheesy aspect. This is the smallest roll out of the 4. Nothing too special about this. The monster spider is like any other spider rolls other sushi place offers. This is a BYOB place so feel free to bring your drinks. I would definitely come back because it is affordable sushi and good quality. It can get a bit loud so if you want something romantic and quiet, I wouldn't recommend this place. It is a bit small in size so a party of 4 or less would be best. There is also outside patio seating.
(4)
Elizabeth C.

My ultimate favorite sushi place. This place turned me into a sushi snob. The sushi is absolutely amazing no matter what you get. I always order way too much!!! They make awesome designs with the sauces as well. Love love love this place
(5)
Victoria T.

I hail from the coast, and I have to say this is absolutely amazing sushi. The presentation is fabulous with sauce art like the chicago flag. I loved the Sorry I'm Drunk Roll and basically everything we have ever ordered there. I have always made reservations when going on the weekends, so I am not sure about walk-ins. Service is fast. Fish is fresh. I highly recommend this place if you want good sushi.
(5)
Arcadian B.

They have some pretty BIG ASS roles here that are not your typical California roll or rainbow roll....they really pack it In with a lot of interesting ingredients and they also decorate it really nicely with sauces on the plate....I don't remember exactly what we ordered but it was good and they have a lot of different types of rolls....majority of the rolls are a bit spicy tho It's a really small place so be prepared to wait but it was worth it
(4)
Mouse C.

I went to Yuzu last night with my bf to satisfy a sushi craving. We showed up about 6:30p on a Saturday with no reservation and were seated outside, as their inside was reserved for those with reservations only. Good thing we got there when we did because the place is small and fills up fast. Tip: make a reservation! Upon being seated outside we were given red solo cups for our wine, because, oh yeah, it's BYOB! (Major score) The solo cup added just a touch of hillbilly chic to our dining experience. Anyhoo on to the food. Gyoza and edamame were a natural fit...both delicious. The menu has rolls on rolls on rolls. It's was honestly hard to decide. We went with the Pot River, Motown, and the Dragon. All were soooo good and HUGE! Not the mention, their presentation was killer. Bonus points for the artistry! (See picture below) All in all, Yuzu is a great little BYOB sushi spot in west town. Just make sure to come early or call ahead.
(4)
Jackie M.

In respond to the Yuzu representative, I understand that every restaurant is different and Yuzu is different, which is good. It's inevitable that customer will always compare their previous experience and express their opinion in yelp. I apologize that i publicly namedrop and compare Yuzu to other robata grill. Despite that I felt Yuzu is average, but I'm still a frequent patron. However, I'm just disappointed that the Yuzu representative made racial comment in comparing customers with brown hair vs blonde hair. By the way, comparing different restaurant is not the same analogy as brown vs blonde hair. This statement is very unprofessional and offensive. Not a good representation for the restaurant. Good luck .. you have lost a frequent patron ...
(3)
Roger J.

Wow. Yuzu blew us away again. Great service, fantastic food, overall excellent experience. Dragon Roll, Boy Meets World, etc. Everything is so good. Here's the pictures...
(5)
Kara E.

Kai Zan is dead to me. Yuzu 4 eva. (Kai Zan is actually mind-blowing, go to both places. but Yuzu is heartier, simpler, cheaper, and more casual. and the fish is No Slouch.)
(5)
Rich M.

I just had dinner in the new Yuzu and the space is great! I was worried about them moving but they did a great job and the restaurant is sleek and comfortable. The sushi is till amazing although I have to say I can not stand that they are now using food coloring when they create a cool design on the sushi boards. I go to eat clean fresh sushi and something about an electric blue or lime green sauce throws it way off. Please Mr. Yuzu go back to your regular sauces without the added dyes.
(4)
Tom Y.

My favorite sushi place in Chicago, period. Affordable, nice atmosphere, and just amazing food.
(5)
Nick D.

One of my favorite everyday restaurants in Chicago. The Robata grill items are mouthwateringly delicious, and the sushi is quite good too. Servers can be spread a little thin at times but work really hard, and the prices are an incredible value (especially with the opportunity to BYOB). Only downside is the smallish seats/tables, but it does give it that cozy neighborhood charm.
(5)
Geoffrey S.

I can't comment on the quality of the food, since it took more than 10 minutes to try to place a delivery order due to being repeatedly put on hold. Then they claimed they would have to charge me an extra delivery fee due to the fact that I'm supposedly out of their delivery range (I live 1 mile away from them). Thanks, I'll take my business elsewhere.
(2)
I B.

The presentation of the food was amazing, not to mention it's delicious as well. The staff was friendly and can't beat the BYOB!
(4)
Matthew A.

Maybe the worst customer service in the city. Trying to make a reservation is absolutely painful. They were really understanding of the situation and they rectified the experience. That's noteworthy.
(4)
kathleen l.

The food here is magical. Amazing menu, quality and presentation. Love the BYOB aspect as well.
(5)
Natalia C.

Went with my gal pals on a busy Friday night. They don't mess around at this delicious, tiny joint. The wall art is absolutely awesome; especially because I'm an anime nerd & recognized all of them. The ambience was nice although a bit loud. You had to speak in higher than normal volume to hear the person across the table from you. The good was amazing! I ordered the dragon roll and my friends ordered rolls of their own that I can't remember at the moment. The presentation of the food was ridiculous! Such detail and awesomeness almost made me want to NOT eat it...almost, but I was starving and didn't regret it because it was amazing. Make a reservation and be ready to be impressed!
(5)
Kate W.

Yuzu is my husband and my's new go-to casual sushi joint. We really, really love it here. The atmosphere is great, the menu is vast, and it's BYOB with no corkage fee!!! They are also always playing fantastic music when we visit. It's like they know we love 90s rap music! I will say this: MAKE A RESERVATION. It gets crazy here, and waiting sucks because it's so small. They do have a great ticketing and wait system, but it's super cramped. Keep that in mind. It's not usually too hard to get a reservation--we were able to get in a 8:00 on a Sunday night after touching down on a plane three hours earlier. We love: (1) the shishito pepper skewers (the sauce is heaven); (2) the eggplant skewers (the sauce is also heaven); (3) all of the funky fancy rolls; (3) the super cheap but super tasty miso soup. Sushi can always get expensive, but you get a lot of food for your money here. The only negative is because the restaurant is so busy, it's not hard to feel rushed or pressed by the wait staff. Also, I definitely wouldn't recommend this tiny space to large groups.
(4)
Tim P.

I will keep this review short and sweet. This place has a lot of great reviews. However, I am gonna base my rating solely on the food alone, and not that this is a BYOB place. I think the food warrants three stars...everything we tried was relatively good, but nothing special or outstanding. The rolls are tasty and prices are reasonable, but you get what you pay for...decent quality sushi but not the best.
(3)
Tracy H.

LOVE the new location! My boyfriend and I used to go to Yuzu a lot, but we hadn't been in quite a while. We were therefore quite surprised to see that it had moved! Now it's like a block down from where it was, and wow, what an improvement. The old location was super cute, but just way, way too cramped. The new location must be twice the size, and it rocks. Me, my boyfriend and another couple had Saturday reservations at 8. We were seated promptly and proceeded to have a lovely meal. Everything we had was excellent, and the service was great. The new place feels much bigger, is loftier, and has more room for people to wait, which is nice. Also, is has much nicer restrooms, which is always a plus. We've been saying forever that they needed to get a bigger place, so we're happy they were able to. Will definitely be coming back more often!
(5)
Dani L.

Okay seriously disappointed!!! I planned my trip to Chicago and was surprising my best friend with a beautiful dinner here and was met with utter disappointment. We uber'd 35 minutes here only to see a dark restaurant and a closed until July 24th sign on it...WHAT?!! I understand restaurants close but why would not put this anywhere on their website or an answering machine?? I even called to make reservations many times but it just rings once and says the line is busy. Thank u for a wasted $30 uber ride!! :(
(1)
Cynthia R.

Met some friends here Saturday eve and were quite pleased with the experience. Thanks to the Yelp reviews, we knew to make a reservation, otherwise we never would have gotten a table! Tiny little place it is. We also felt a bit rushed after we were done eating, as the staff hovered around our table and continued to come over and take things off the table one by one....like, chopstick wrappers, one utensil, and so on. Ha. I get it. It was Saturday night and they had a line of folks waiting. On the positive tip, the rolls were delish!! The fish was so fresh and very generous portions! We got the Breakiing Bad, which was a favorite. We also got the Pot River...YUM! We got a few traditional rolls, the Very Spicy Tuna (which wasn't spicy at all btw), and the tuna avocado. Oh! I can't forget this! You need to order the Salmon from the Robata Grill menu. OMG was that sooooo delicious! That Yuzu sauce they grilled it with was the BOSS! Food gets me so excited...what a crack up :P.
(4)
Ashley F.

Yuzu is a very small place - they do pack in the tables to maximize dining area. Be ready to bet on top of someone's conversation. What makes up for this is their food. They have unique sushi and it is very tasty. They also have small plates and robata (I had a bacon wrapped scallop robata). Also, if you get the opportunity to try the breaded peppers as an appetizer you WILL NOT be disappointed.
(4)
Kelvin J.

If you're looking for fresh sushi that's not absurdly overpriced in Chicago this is the place. I would suggest making reservations since it' pretty small, but usually a 30-40 minute wait will get you in. If you're bringing a big party I would definitely make reservations since there's only 2 or 3 areas that can seat more than 4 people. It's BYOB so don't forget to bring a bottle of sake. I usually order the sushi platter. The Gold comes with 9 pieces of sushi and a maki, and is the best deal. The maki they give you isn't a cheap side roll (aka California Roll), but actually something decent. They have lots of maki and most of them are good. They have a couple that use cream cheese, and if you don't like cream cheese make sure you read the descriptions carefully. Another plus is the food comes out crazy fast and their service is really good. They'll clear you're table the second you finish something and bring out the next dish. Good food and great service makes Yuzu a great place to eat at.
(5)
Danny W.

Best sushi in Chicago? Possibly. Best sushi in Chicago that won't put you in the poor house? Almost certainly. This place is super fresh, very affordable, and BYOB so it's basically the best spot this side of town to get your fix. The menu is loaded with almost any a la carte item you could ask for, tons of unique rolls, and a robata grill serving up some succulent hot plates as well. It's great for accommodating a variety of tastes including those who are relatively novice to Japanese cuisine. They also have some killer lunch specials so if you come during the day like I normally do you can save even more skrillah while being extremely satisfied. With all the options in town it can be tough to choose, but if you're over this way put Yuzu at the top of your list.
(5)
Lindsay M.

Yes please... Again and again. I have been coming here for quite some time now and I adore it. The increased popularity has caused some major waits, but be patient- it's worth it. I love mixing up things up with each visit, ordering from the specials, some yummy Robata skewers, rolls, and of course ending with dessert. The last visit, we waited about 30 mins past our quotes time (we were walk-ins bc I didn't realize they changed their reservations policy... THEY TAKE RESOS!). The restaurant handled the problem so cool and sent over apps as soon as we sat for the long wait. Super cool. The service is always spot on and everyone is really friendly. It's a tight squeeze in there so if small spaces aren't your thing order the food ToGo and have a picnic at home. Bring a bottle of wine or some beer bc it's BYOB. So happy to have this place here in Chicago.
(5)
Charlotte B.

4 stars for food, but does anyone else mind being told they can seat you , but they need you to be out in 45 min?? This is so customer unfriendly. We love their food , but this "Rush act" is ridiculous. They are busy, but it's never good to turn down business & frankly comes off as super cocky. Gonna try few other places. Also servers should know the menu better. Especially since it's changed. Been here at least 10 15 times in past 2 years . Really don't love that "greeting"! I've been called a liar & have been "schooled " by this incompetent excuse for "hostess", claiming this incident didn't happen. Needless to say, our friends & family won't be back. Lots of much better sushi, I hear out there where you don't get insulted. Yea!
(4)
Glo K.

Yuzu is my favorite sushi spot in Chicago and appears to be the Ukie Villagers' favorite neighbors. The restaurant is almost hidden on Chicago Avenue, and the inside of the restaurant is small, narrow. What makes this place so lovable besides their delicious and artfully crafted sushi is that it's BYOB and they take reservations (SAY WHAT? Reservations? So unheard of in many hot joints in Chicago). Yes, reservations are highly recommended. My sister and I were lucky enough to squeeze in a spot which we had to eat very quickly. Since the place is so small, you kind of have to dine and dash so the next hungry reservation can get seated next. My favorite sushi is the South Beach ($15 spicy tuna, mango, sesame oil, japanese pepper, masago, mayo, red & black tobikio with super white tuna) which was very refreshing and savory. The service was fast and efficient. If my sister and I weren't in a hurry, the service would definitely feel a little rush, but overall, I enjoyed my time here and will be returning to try the grill (my sister don't really eat meat, so I missed out).
(5)
Jenny P.

I think there are enough reviews regarding the food (it's good, highly recommended!) so I'll write about the service. The service is really, really fantastic. There was a long wait when we arrived so the waitress gave us free edamame to munch on. We ordered some sort of sashimi platter and it was decorated beautifully and there were sparklers in it. SPARKLERS!! I LOVE SPARKLKERS!! I tried to take a picture but it went off before I could take a photo, and the waitress offered to replace the sparkler so I could take a picture. So of course I said yes! and she got another sparkler and lit it up for me and I was able to take a picture!!!! Didn't come out nice because my camera sucks :( but she was so nice about it!! -1 star because I'm a sushi snob and I've had better sushi but!!! I really like this place and the food/presentation is great.
(4)
Rick B.

Best salad of our lives - avocado and mango - amazing. Great sushi with beautiful presentation. The grill items were very good too.
(4)
Melissa W.

Robata was delicious. Sushi was not. Place was adorable. Service was slow. This was my least dazzling meal in Chicago.
(3)
Jennifer A.

Food was awesome loved the Boston crunchy sushi and the Motown my fav.. But service was awful advice don't go too late they rush you ..but on the plus side food game out fast .. Loved the music and byob is always awesome . because rushing is not polite.
(3)
T G.

Hubby and I went there last night for dinner to celebrate our anniversary. Love the BYOB, the skewers were the high light, pork belly, chicken, beef and scallop wrapped bacon were great. The maki was ok, we ordered Boy Meets World and description said it had mango in it but wasn't in the roll, Born to Chill and Spicy scallop. The fish was fresh but the rolls didn't have much flavor based on the descriptions. I miss Tank Sushi on Lincoln that has since closed their maki was creative and outstanding. Here they try to fool you with the fancy art work with the maki presentation.
(3)
Dan O.

We love trying new places and was recommended Yuzu by a friend who loves sushi. I must say this place does not disappoint. The food is delicious and the presentation is unmatched by any sushi I've been to in Chicago. Can't wait to return.
(5)
Sara T.

Yuzu lives up to the hype. I'm already planning my next visit -- that's how good it is! To start, it's BYOB; music to my wine-enthusiast ears. We ordered the shishito pepper skewers for our app, the miso soup, and the pot river roll and sashimi platter for our entrees. Everything we ordered was grade A. I'm convinced you can't go wrong with anything you order. Whatever you order, there's no doubt it will be fresh, flavorful, and prepared to perfection. Be forewarned that due to its popularity and small dining space, even on a Tuesday night, you can expect a 45 min wait around dinner time.
(5)
Catherine P.

Yuzu used to be my secret spot, but I have a feeling others have discovered this gem as well. Packed to the gills every weekend, Yuzu finally expanded into a sleek, larger spot that still maintains the Yuzu vibe I loved from the former location. 90s hip hop, stemless glassware, and casually clad servers help to create a unique experience. What to order: first things first... The avocado and mango salad is not to be missed. Generous slices of fruit pair nicely with a spicy, creamy dressing topped with crunchy noodles. The grilled octopus and agedashi tofu are stand outs as well. From the robota grill, I always order a few skewers of pork belly and filet. All I can say is wow. Now for the aspect that sets Yuzu apart from the rest... The sushi. Incredibly fresh, thick cuts of salmon and white tuna sashimi always kick off the second portion of my meal here. The rolls are presented with elaborate sauce art alongside robust, larger than normal maki rolls. See photos below for proof. Yuzu is Byob, casual enough to pop in on a Sunday in your yoga pants, but also vibrant enough for a date or birthday dinner. Beware of wait times... So make a reservation! Dinner for two runs about 70$, but you will leave full and satisfied, with a perfect Instagram shot of your dinner.
(5)
Nadi S.

Food is delicious but had to give it only two stars because THERE WERE WORMS IN OUR SOY SAUCE! Sorry Yuzu! Please make sure you're hygiene standards are higher! This is just gross. UPDATE: Thank you to the staff and especially the manager for taking care of us for this incident. Our meal was complimentary and we truly appreciate the service. This is what good customer service is about and we will be coming back. This is STILL my favorite sushi spot, but I can't give it full 5 stars because of what happened. I will update this on my next visit.
(4)
Jamie H.

Fabulous! I typed sushi in Yelp and this wonderful gem popped up. With 4 1/2 stars it sounded perfect. I made a reservation for five on a Tuesday night at 7:00. We got our table no problem; the place stayed consistently busy for the two hours my friends and I were there. The service was very good. The food was wonderful. I tried the Shrimp Tempura roll, Pot River - jumbo was in the description - that was no understatement and the South Beach. All three were so good. A few of the rolls came out on plates with cute decorations made out of sauce. The place is very small and i don't think they take parties bigger than six. Fun atmosphere and delicious food! I will definitely be back!
(5)
Jen B.

My dinner mate and I came to Yuzu for sushi and robata this past Friday night. My dinner mate had read the reviews and made a reservation, and we both arrived early and were seated promptly. The tables have chair and bench seating. Bench seating is attached to a wall, and there are hooks on the walls for your personal belongings. Given how cramped the seating is, this was greatly appreciated. Service is attentive, but it feels rushed. The food is beautifully presented. From the fan-shaped avocado slices that accompany the tuna poke to the rainbow of sauces that frame the rolls, the food is exceptionally well-prepared and presented. Tuna poke is a good bet, with a spicy kick and generous portion size. I'm glad we ordered this even though there is a salmonella outbreak associated with raw tuna at sushi restaurants in 9 states, including IL. I took the risk, and I'm glad I did. I liked the inclusion of cilantro in the River Walk roll. The robata reminded me of Korean BBQ. I preferred the sweetness of the beef short rib over the chicken golek, but if you like a wet dressing to your meat, then the chicken golek may be your best bet. Overall, I enjoyed my meal, but I wish the seating area was larger and the service wasn't as rushed.
(4)
Jessica M.

Yuzu is relatively petite and a reservation is necessary. The tables are neatly and tightly aligned against the wall. There is no room left for coats and bags. Coat hangers can be found in the back but bags will have to sit on the floor or have it uncomfortably rest on your legs throughout the meal. For two, we shared the sashimi gold, grilled lamb, asparagus and bacon, eggplants, pork shoulder, and monster spider roll. The sashimi gold came in a beautifully assorted platter of 12 pieces of raw fish per the chef's selection. It was fresh and generous. Of what I can recall, it came with salmon, tuna, octopus, and yellowtail. The grilled lamb was smothered in a mint leaf sauce. I wished the lamb flavor itself was stronger. The pork shoulder was flavorful but the meat was not tender enough. I enjoyed the eggplants and asparagus skewers the most. The monster spider roll came in five pieces. Judging by the menu description, it probably had the least amount of sauce if that is also what you're looking for. Service was quick and I especially enjoyed how they would take note of when you finish a certain dish before bringing out the rest. There was a good flow of food delivery without feeling rushed.
(3)
Trevor D.

Great restaurant serving some of the best robata and sushi I've ever eaten. They happily took us in even though we didn't have reservation, however I do highly recommend you make a reservation before since they were extremely busy. The ambience inside was definitely catering to a much younger crowd with the rnb and hip hop music playing in the background. As mentioned in the previous reviews the sushi and robata were excellent. The skewers were definitely a must have and compliment to any other item. The sushi was some of the best and freshest I've had in Chicago since they have some very creative roles. Service was excellent however I do have to mention it was at times too dark to see the menu but other than that this place is a must try
(5)
Carolyn I.

I went for lunch on the first day at their new location. There were a few problems with service, but I didn't mind since I knew they had just relocated. Food: I was really craving poke and looked around for restaurants that had it. The tuna poke did not disappoint. It consisted of Hawaiian tuna, avocado, green and white onions, Japanese chili pepper, soy sauce and sesame oil. It was delicious and the presentation was beautiful. Another appetizer I got was the tempura soft shelled crab. It was crispy and I loved the dipping sauce that came with it. I ordered the beef short rib, pork shoulder and shishito peppers (Japanese sweet peppers) from the robata grill. The meat was so tender and flavorful. I ordered the Japanese eggplant, but they didn't have any so I ordered the shishito peppers instead. It was my first time eating shishito peppers and I really enjoyed eating them! I also got the unagi roll - fresh water eel, cucumber and sweet soy sauce. It was good, but my least favorite out of everything else I ate. I think it needed more sauce. Overall, I think Yuzu has great Japanese food. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Xiaoyi z.

Yuzu was great a year ago. But!!! But!! The owner of the restaurant is changed. Right now they don't make tasty sushi and grill. They make Thai flavor sushi and grill instead!!!! Really horrible! I miss the old yuzu seriously!!! They put sour and sweet sauce on bbq and sweet sesame sauce on vegetables. Horrible......! Edit version: Right now I am not sure if the owner is changed. But I did research before I went to yuzu. I loved yuzu before because the food was amazing. However, today I went to yuzu the grill is not tasty anymore. Sweet sour sauce at bbq and sesame sauce on vegetable are typical Thai style but not Japanese style. I also like Thai food but I don't like Thai mixed with Japanese sushi!
(1)
Evelina L.

This place is a very good value. For the money you get absolutely huge portions and rolls and they don't skimp on fish either. BUT, everything feels super-sized, so it was hard to handle for 2 people. I love sushi for the ability to be able to try lots of various things, but we could have left Yuzu after the appetizers! So, if you like Arami or Kai Zan down the street, this is probably not your cup of tea... Tuna poke was pretty decent, but it was served with LITERALLY almost a whole avocado which was frozen. It was totally beautiful, but the fan of avocado would have been enough, I didn't need the other half just to prop it up in the back. The ratios were totally off and I never like wasting food. The whole grilled squid had excellent flavor and really didn't need the jalapeno dipping sauce that it came with. But the portion was HUGE and for $9! Was definitely a struggle for 2 people to finish and try to enjoy anything else afterwards. We ordered 3 rolls (since we didn't realize how huge apps were going to be) and tried the black sea, what's my name and a plain salmon maki. The highlight was the plain salmon maki and black sea was pretty decent, but nothing I would ever crave or want to order again. Scallop sushi pieces that we got were HUGE, but tasted pretty watery... In summary - great value, good vibe, byob, but not good if you are in the mood for something dainty and its the 2 of you... Come with a huge group (and a knife) to cut some of the ginormous sushi rolls. :)
(3)
Chou Y.

This place has ALOT on their menu! Lots of different rolls you normally wouldn't find at other sushi places (they have a lobster roll that comes out with sparklers). My friends love this place. I would recommend making reservations. There was 5 of us, we each picked a roll and shared a couple of appetizers. -Tuna poke, comes with a lovely decorated avocado. Big chunks of tuna -Tempura, standard. Fried veggies! -2 orders bacon scallops (probably my favorite of the night). Bacon. Scallops. Fatty, juicy, delicious. All these came plated creatively and beautifully. As I ate here less than a week ago and I'm trying to remember which rolls stuck out...They all kind of blended and none stood out. -Monster Spider -Sin Nombre -What's my name -Breaking bad -Spicy Scallop
(3)
T. L.

Awesome presentation but the rolls were just ok...had the dragon and a spicy tuna, the tuna was much better.
(3)
Erin M.

Hands down my favorite sushi place in Chicago. Decently priced, amazingly fresh & BYOB! I suggest making a reservation if you plan to dine in on a weekend night.
(5)
Diana S.

Went for lunch on the weekend. I called and made a reservation because of the reviews. The place wasn't packed once we got there though. The decor is urban and rustic. The staff is so friendly as well. The prices are reasonable compared to other places charging the same amount and not being as good. The sushi rolls have so many different flavors that explode in your mouth! And to top it off the art that they place on the dish is amazing. Definitely going back!
(5)
Joy L.

Yuzu was an impromptu 9:30 dinner for me and a friend; unlike another restaurant we tried, they were happy to seat us and didn't rush us while we were chatting. They even sent over some unagi (mmm the fat is so good) since they were clearing up the kitchen. Service was lovely! My friend ordered some pork shoulder, which was tasty, while I got the miso soup, which was miso soup. We shared three rolls: South Beach, Over The Rainbow, and Monster Spider. The fish tasted fresh if a little soft and the spicy and sweet sauces definitely came through! The crab could have been fried a bit crispier, but all in all it was delicious. The plating here is gorgeous - photos galore. I later saw photos of the sauce art other people received, and am tempted to go back just so I can get something epic.
(4)
Victoria G.

The food was delicious! The service was steady but slow. We ordered the Tuna Poke, tempura assortment, robata 2, and the Boy meets world roll. Not one bad thing. I'll definitely be back for more.
(4)
Holly O.

This is a go-to date spot for me and my man - and often double dates with friends. You can get sushi AND robata meats - and it's BYOB. Yum yum yum. Fave sushi here: Pot River roll, anything tuna - and you can get sea urchin here! Just ask if they have it available. We got it in shooter form - "uni shooters" - not for those of you out there with texture issues, but otherwise - awesome. Make a reso (call, they aren't on open table) - as it's tiny and popular.
(4)
Tiffany R.

I wish negative starts were available!!! I was excited to check this place out. The pictures look cool and I like trying different sushi places. This was one of the worst experiences I've had and I didn't even eat. We put our name on the list and patiently waited the hour to be seated because we figure it will be worth it. They call our name we go to the front to be seated. The guy starts talking to us and says right this way and then he sees two white guys behind us that had not been waiting as long as us and without saying anything tells them to come on and then seats them. He didn't say just a moment, we're getting your table ready cat, dog, bitch or anything to us. Then he says to us I have a table for you but you need to be done by 9:30pm (in an hour). Are you kidding me!!!!! Then I polite ask why he sat the two white gentlemen before seating us. He walks away without warning and says something to the gentlemen. He comes back and I express that that is not fair and how can we have a wait limit when he just gave our table away to someone else. He gets loud and rude. I ask for the manager. She is no better. The two of them speak to each other in front of us about us in a different language. I ask them not to do that please speak English so that we can understand, they continue in a different language (they both were able to speak perfect English). After her arguing rudely with us for 30 minutes she admits that her host was wrong but does nothing about it and is basically like fuck off. The manager then replies to this review and says we checked in late, never said that at restaurant, we were right in front of the restaurant so that was not even possible. She finally admitted they were wrong in our presence at the restaurant so to reply to this review saying otherwise is unprofessional and untrue. Just admit you made a mistake and do better for your customers. Many people have reviewed on the poor customer service so obviously that is an issue. Whether it's racial or not is immaterial, perhaps those guys were regulars I don't know, the point is that we were there first standing in the restaurant and skipped over and then given an unreasonable timetable to eat and leave their restaurant after they gave our table away to someone who came after us. With that being said if you are looking for a cool trendy sushi place, there are plenty others to try Kai Zan, Momotaro, Sushi Duhko, Japonais, just don't give these jerks your money.
(1)
Jackie M.

Eye-catching. Artistic. Colorful. I understand nowadays we have a plethora of sushi joints from casual, all you can eat to upscale sushi. Dining out has never been so easy. Yuzu offers casual dining with incredible displays of sushi rolls. I could easily dine here solo on a regular night or bring a few (by few, maybe a group of 4) to experience this gallery of sauce and variety. The work is spectacular! Clearly, there's been many photos posted on yelp to showcase, but it's so much better in person. Aside from rolls, the sashimi platters offer great, big cuts of fish. Robata grill the items are coated in sweet soy - japanese eggplant was exquisite. The grill experience was a bit of a misnomer and not the same as you would find in Japan where they actually grill bits of food on top charcoal. Some items seem to be cooked in a pan. Wasn't quite sitting at the kitchen, so just a headsup. Notes: Place is cramped and there's only 1 bathroom. Yuzu is not shy of telling you to leave after 2hours, but they are very polite in doing so. Bring sake/beer.
(5)
Joe O.

small place but BIG on flavor. the plates are decorated pretty nice, i almost feel bad dipping my sushi into the sause :(, service is good. Perfect place to take a date. oh and its BYOB!
(5)
Dustin H.

I had a most delicious lunch this week at Yuzu. I had heard it was good, but I wasn't quite prepared for how good it actually is. It's actually pretty fantastic. The atmosphere is quaint... it's a small restaurant with the open kitchen taking up a third of the available space. But really, as the food starts coming out you really lose sense of where you are. Everything is beautifully plated, and the flavor combinations are righteously balanced. We ordered the tempura pork as an appetizer, and it was served moist and hot with a delightful tang. It came with a bit of salad that had a traditional creamy sweet dressing. Great for sharing but would also be a delicious entree for one. The "south beach" roll was gorgeous, with a bright red masago on top of bright white tuna. The combo of the spicy tuna and mango inside, with sesame, mayo and lime was just wonderful. The "monster spider" roll was classic and perfect. Fried soft shell crab is a no brainer, go-to dish as far as I'm concerned and Yuzu's version stands up to some of the best I've had. The peppered yuzu sauce was a nice touch. Service was attentive but stayed out of our hair, and I loved the free cucumber water. Such a delightful restaurant! 5 stars, and zero complaints.
(5)
Yanja B.

This place is awesome!! Super cute inside but it is a tight squeeze! I've been here twice already and have had a great experience each time. Service was great- I believe his name was Anthony... He was super sweet and helpful. I suggest making reservations prior to arriving because I often see a group of people waiting in the front and the area is so small it make standing crowded and unmanageable. Mango avocado salad is great!! We honestly got a variety of sushi- all fantastic! My highlight is def the green tea chocolate cake for dessert! This is a must order!
(5)
Horner P.

Haven't been on a 1st date in awhile. She wanted sushi and I found this place online. From the minute I walked in and hearing Biggie on the surround sound I knew I was going to have a good time. The vibe in this restaurant is through the roof. She loved it, I was Mr. Cool Guy and the rest of the night was history! Breaking Bad roll was off the charts! Pot River roll was bangin! But the star of the show was the beef short rib off the robata grill.....DAAAAYUM! So tasty. Could've ate just that all night.
(5)
Dan G.

Second time we've been and we'll go back next time we're in town. Wonderful food, great presentation and excellent service. We use Noble Grape for wine delivery to the restaurant (BYOB) and they've not disappointed us yet. Sushi is fresh, tasty and great variety.
(5)
Pam D.

Yuzu is one of Chicago's top 3 sushi restaurants! We first visited Yuzu in their original location about 1 block east of where they recently expanded to a larger facility. Several friends recommend we try Yuzu. The original location was pretty small, only a few a tables and no reservations. The good news: in their new location, they take reservations! It's still BYOB, make sure you check out the limit on how much beer and wine you can bring. They are pretty strict. We decided to visit Yuzu to celebrate my birthday. Our waitress was prompt and very polite. She offered to chill our bottle of wine and beer in a rustic, ice filled bucket. FYI, there is no corkage fee, yeah! We skip the soup and salads and dive right into the Sushi rolls. We order 2 per person and share. The waitress brought out wood carving boards with the rolls on display. The chefs create an artful design on the boards using colored sauces (we're not sure what it is). We've never seen these creations at other sushi joints but, were impressed with the added dimension to an otherwise boring board. The designs were specific to the rolls we ordered: flowers, a dragon, abstract, etc. Note: the food coloring used in these sauces will turn your lips and tongue blue, red or whatever color. Some of our favorite rolls include: Breaking Bad, Dragon Roll, Spicy Shrimp Roll, omg! Getting hungry just writing about them. Desert is very simple at Yuzu. Which is a good idea, cause we've usually eaten so much sushi we have little room left. Desserts are ordered individually and are seasonal. This night they were serving Matcha chocolate Raspberry Mochi and simple green tea mochi's. Yum! 2 each is enough and helps get the fish breath out of your mouth. Matcha is the new powdered green tea which everyoneis going crazy over. It's been around for 100's of years, recently discovered by the 21st century. The only down side to this restaurant, the food comes out too fast. We thought it might have been an anomaly the 1st time we ate at Yuzu, but it happened to us a 2nd time. I would recommend start with 4 rolls for 4 people and then order the next 4 rolls when you are done eating these. Add the soft shell crab which is an appetizer. Absolutely crunchy & sweet crab meat.
(5)
Megan B.

I think this is my favorite sushi place in town. Everything tastes fresh and has a high quality. The presentation is great too. You have to try the robata! Especially the bacon wrapped asparagus.
(5)
Kripa P.

Absolutely recommend this place to anyone who either 1) loves sushi or 2) loves deliciously grilled meats. Everything we received, from each robata grill option (bacon wrapped scallops. enough said.) to each of the sushi rolls, was delicious. Also, the service was so rapid, we had all of our food out right after finishing the entree before. Will go back! PS: For the Robata grill portion we got the bacon wrapped scallops, pork shoulder, and beef short rib. All amazing.
(5)
Rosanna L.

Planning a birthday dinner and the birthday girl request Asian cuisine, well, we all know the first thing I did was to go straight to Yelp to find something good. Once again Yelp you did a mighty fine job. Yuzu was still popping when we strolled in with our bottle of sangria (BYOB y'all), so reservations are the way to go. It's a small little joint with a few outdoor seating and fun anime decor. We were seated and greeted and our service was quick and consistent. This little place might be small but it sure does pack a punch. Bacon Scallop - scallops were quite small, nothing special Pork Shoulder - quite tender, needs a bit more flavor Tuna Poke (hawaiian tuna salad: avocado, green & white onions, Japanese chili pepper, soy sauce, sesame oil) - soy sauce and sesame oil is one of the simplest sauce you can make that packs a powerful flavor, but a little bit too much oil and you'll have to start over, but Yuzu got the it just right, what a simple yet refreshing dish South Beach (spicy tuna - mango - sesame oil - Japanese pepper - masago, mayo, red & black tobiko - lime juice topped with super white tuna) - we're big tuna lovers, but this didn't do it for us, a bit bland in flavor, however, if you dip it on the sauce that the plate is decorated with it gives it some life Pot River (jumbo roll - packed with tuna - super white tuna - salmon - avocado - cucumber - cilantro - jalapeno - scallion - tempura crumbs - wasabit tobiko - chili sauce - wasabi - mayo - sweet soy sauce) - they were NOT kidding when they said "jumbo roll." The presentation of this roll is too pretty to eat, but we devoured it quickly as it came with thick slices of tuna and salmon and had delicious flavors Breaking Bad (tempura soft shell shrimp - grilled asparagus - mayo mixed with spices - avocado - cucumber - green onion - topped with marinated tuna seared with fried ginger) - oh breaking bad, you got it bad alright. Another one of our favorite with the delicious soft shell shrimp and mayo mix, yum. Birthday girl was happy with the meal (whew thanks Yelp!) and I can't wait to come back to try more of their rolls and grill items.
(4)
Liz L.

This place is awesome! Super fresh, delicious rolls that span the range of classic to creative (prosciutto and mango, what?! delish). I've been here a couple of times and haven't had anything mediocre or less than scrumptious. BYOB, friendly service, fun atmosphere...ya can't go wrong. Sitting at the sushi bar is like going to a private cooking demo, so fun to watch them prep (if you are into cooking). I wish we had this place in Charleston so I could be their MFC. (Most Frequent Customer. Duh.)
(5)
Mike M.

Stopped in for dinner tonight with the family. Awesome atmosphere (kid friendly), and excellent sushi! We'll be back!
(5)
Trisha K.

BYOB.... Yuzu recently moved up the street, larger space. Still fills up. Cozy, intimate, friendly place. Servers know what they are doing. Yu, the owner welcomes us everytime we walk in. He makes us feel like family. The sushi is always fresh. Try something new everytime, but it's hard once you know exactly what you want. Check it out, oh oh the secret is out
(5)
Perry W.

Hands down my favorite sushi spot in Chicago! Everything is so fresh and tasty - not to mention presented beautifully. The roll selection is great and goes way beyond the standard sushi spot options. Still can't believe a place this good is byob! Keep in mind they are sticklers on the maximum amount of beer/wine each person can consume. So if you're looking for a really boozy byob dinner this might not be your best bet.
(5)
Tushar B.

What a great experience. Came here with a friend early Sunday evening just to avoid any rush. The restaurant is small and crammed so make reservations if you have more than 2 in your group. We started with some appetizers to get a taste of items coming off the grill. Our selection included chicken satay, scallops wrapped in bacon, and pork shoulder. Hands down the pork shoulder was the best of the three. For sushi, we ordered a Dragon, South Beach, and My Favorite Midwest rolls. Both Dragon and South Beach has really awesome artistic presentation. Overall, the Dragon was the best with a tie between the South Beach and Midwest rolls. We also ordered a couple of Tako (boiled octopus) and uni nigri, which were tasty but could have been better. We had a really pleasant and awesome experience. The service was fairly decent, which is a major compliant of many others, but it may be due to the fact that we came when it first opened for the day. It is BYOB but you should check out the specific rules they have for number of bottles per person. Overall, if you are looking food that taste great and is visually appealing, then this is the place for you. I look forward to my next visit.
(5)
Angie P.

My boyfriend and I came to the place for the first time over the weekend and we loved it! The food was excellent and the service was great. We will definitely be coming back :)
(5)
Anca M.

My 1st time here and will defiantly be back for more. Loved everything about this place!
(5)
Ilse H.

Great place! Its a great place to come for a birthday and it's byob. I came here in the afternoon with my sister and mother and they also thought the place was good. My sister felt at home with the naruto art on the back wall. The bathrooms have mouthwash which I thought was different and convenient if you're on a date or just eat a lot of sushi.
(4)
Daniel N.

I've been disappointed lately with sushi. So much that I've been avoiding sushi places and I think Yuzu reaped the benefits. We ordered rolls that we don't typically get with the exception of the spicy tuna. They were all pretty good and at $9 a piece not bad. The place is BYOB so don't forget your booze.They have kind of weird rules, not sure if they follow them strictly but you can only have like 1 bottle of wine per 2 people or 1 6 pack of beer per two people. These guys were fast too!. I don't know if it was the night or what but it seemed like they had 8 people working an were pumping out the rolls.
(4)
Nicki W.

Seriously, Yuzu is my FAVORITE sushi spot in the whole city right now. I'm moved to the neighborhood within the past year and there's not a huge selection of good spots close to me. I frequent Yuzu quite often and order delivery as well. It's SUPER small...but they'll soon be re-locating to a larger space right down the street (closer to me!). Be prepared for a wait any night of the week as this place packs them in! I love to sit at the sushi bar and watch the magic happen. I've had so many things on the menu, but one of my favorites continues to be the South Beach Roll. YUM. The presentation of the dishes is always something to see. They create all sorts of colorful designs on the wood blocks that the sushi is served on. It's artistic and something different. They're always playing hip-hop in there too which creates a fun vibe. You can always count on super fresh fish here, so if you haven't been...GO!
(5)
Lex B.

I'm liking their new location, though I have to admit that I kind of miss seeing more manga on their walls. But their new space is mainly brick so there's only a little tiny one on the back wall...anyhoot... First of all, BYOB - so that already gets tons of points from me (who doesn't like saving money but still being able to drink with their meal)!! Went on a Wednesday evening (7PM), and it was quite packed. Thankfully I had a reservation. Got the tuna poke like many suggested and it was perfect! I remember reading that it was so huge and that the avocado was frozen, so I thought it would be bigger, but it was fine. I love tuna and avocado, so I thought it was amazing, especially when you had a bite of both together. We split the soft shell shrimp and and salmon from the robata grill and also ordered the black sea roll. Everything was great! Just to finish off the meal (and the bottle of wine), we ordered another order of salmon and tried the shishito peppers. I don't know if I've had the peppers before, but they were quite delicious. Slightly sweet, with an ever so slight kick. I thought it went well with the salmon. The whole meal was just under $40 and the both of us were comfortably full. P.S. They are kind of strict about their one bottle/six pack per table. We had both brought a bottle of wine (slight miscommunication...but things could be worse!), and they would not let us open the second one what so ever. You've been warned!
(5)
Katie V.

Excellent!!! The service and food were both wonderful. The rolls are beautiful and full of fresh fish. We were a party of 3 and one appetizer and 4 rolls filled us up.
(5)
Rebecca N.

Fantastic place! I have been wanting to go here for so long and it lived up to the hype. Surprisingly, I like the sushi appetizers/ salads and robata grill items more than the sushi rolls. We got the avocado and mango salad and tuna poke to start. Both had great flavors and big portions. Then we got the pork shoulder, eggplant and shashitos from the robata grill. These were my favorite items. All better than the next and just the right about of food. Lastly we got the south beach, sorry I'm drunk and Black Sea rolls. They were good, but nothing was omg amazing. I think something was a bit off with the texture or consistency of the rice. I would try just sashimi next time. Maybe the fish in the rolls weren't the highest quality (although the tuna poke was just fine). Maybe I was just a bit full. Either way--Definitely coming back. Byob and great service as well.
(4)
Jen M.

So I've recently seen Yuzu every where. Friends and neighbors recommending it over and over. However I just tried it and oh my god it was disgusting. The crab was fake and dry. The shrimp was slimy and smelly. Never ever again! I am so disappointed. I'll stick with Butterfly.
(1)
Vania C.

Yuzu is an awesome place!! I loved the art work on the walls and the dork in me loved the Naruto mural. This place plays nothing but hiphop,while you eat ,so I was pretty much in heaven! The water glasses are mason jars and the bottles of water are chunky/ flask-like (reminded me of cough syrup bottles.) Everything about this place screams trendy & urban. The sushi was delicious and all the plates have funny/creative names. The design for each of the rolls coincide with the name, so if you order the "Windy City" rolls, be prepared to have the Chicago Skyline drawn on your plate with a variety of sauces! Although I don't venture out to Ukrainian Village very often, I cannot wait to come here again.
(5)
C K.

Checked in again after moving out of Chicago (to Japan) for awhile. Testimony to how unique this place is that I was craving dragon rolls even in Japan. Thank goodness this place is still as wonderful as I imagine (the new location is down the street and about exactly the same in layout, just bigger). Come here for Byob, amazingly creative rolls, and great service. Recommended order: Appetizers: Pork shoulder and tuna poke Rolls: Dragon, black sea, and sweet potato tempura.
(5)
Mandi P.

Awesome sushi!!! We live right around the corner from this little gem so we had to try it. It was amazing. We have stopped in several times and the food is always consistent. The place is small and gets busy quick. The staff is super friendly and the service is quick and efficient. We have tried most of the sushi and recommend just about anything on the menu. The only reason I take one star away is due to the BYOB. I am one of the few that actually prefer bars in restaurants as opposed to bringing my own liquor and beer. I'm weird. I get it. I highly suggest this place to anyone who loves sushi whether you live in the neighborhood or not.
(4)
Kulsum J.

Amazing food. Loved the robata plates! Service is great!! Brought my friend from Vegas here, let's just say he fell in deep love after every plate!!
(5)
Zaad T.

The food was ok. The service was below average. We had to ask for everything twice or maybe three times! They didn't even check to see if you like the food! I ordered a sushi role that was super spicy and couldn't eat at al. When I asked for the check the waitress offers to bring me another one! As if, it's written in the book so it doesn't matter if the costumer is already done with the food, just offer the replacement!!! I would not go back!
(2)
Meghan B.

Yuzu is a fantastic BYOB sushi option, but with the space being on the smaller side, I wouldn't recommend it for large groups. I'd also recommend making a reservation, as when I went on a rainy Wednesday evening, it was packed. All that aside, the food and presentation are wonderful and service is quick. They definitely turn over tables quickly here, so don't plan on lingering long. I split 4 rolls (What's My Name, Super Spicy Tuna, Boston Cruncy & Monster Spider) with a friend + edamame and our bill was $45, so not too shabby. Definitely an affordable option and no corkage fee is a bonus. One of the downsides of living in Chicago is that our seafood options don't always lean towards "super fresh", but Yuzu's rolls are amazing and of very high quality. I also love that the restaurant has character; rap music and anime on the walls all lead to a unique dining experience. I'll be back!
(4)
Allison J.

Really awesome sushi place. It's small and cozy inside so if you're goin on a busy night, I recommend reservations. We stuck with a pretty standard order of miso soup and multiple different sushi rolls. It's BYOB, which we didn't know before hand but now that we know we'll be prepared next time (there definitely will be a next time). Affordable as well, extra plus!
(4)
Andrew D.

Places like Yuzu are the heart and soul of the Ukrainian Village foodie scene. Not only is their sushi delicious, fresh, and innovatively created, but their robata selection is among the best in Chicago. Being BYOB does not hurt, either. Obviously there is a rhyme and reason to the usual 45 minute to 2-hour wait associated with coming here. It is best to come early in the evening, or you will surely be waiting. Or make a reservation... I have eaten here with my family, on a date, and with a group of friends, and each time it was simply stupendous! Couple the delicious food with an awesome ambience and atmosphere (awesome artwork on the walls), and you have one the finest gems of Japanese dining in all of Chicago.
(5)
Minh D.

Very nice place for robata grill and tuna poke. The poke here tastes almost like the poke you get in Hawaii, except the poke at this restaurant is not as spicy. I prefer the poke a bit more spicy. Both the pork and beef robata grills are very tasty. Between the two, I like the pork robata more. The nigiri sushi is and maki rolls are pretty standard, not outstanding. Fish slices on the nigiri may look much at first, however upon close inspection I find it's the cut they use that make the nigri looks like it has more fish. Instead of the typical more rectangular cut for the fish, the fish is sliced and presented in elongated/pointy shape which appears to look like you are getting a lot of fish. IMO they should slice the fish a bit thicker and use the shorter more stubby cut, which IMO also makes the nigiri tastes better. The Midwest maki roll is very tasty and also has a very nice texture. Tastes and quality of our other maki rolls are pretty standard. Desert is very nicely presented, quality and taste is pretty standard. Presentation is 5*, however I rate my review based on quality, taste and value. Price is a bit on the expensive for the small and very tightly packed restaurant with little service.
(3)
c k.

The food is still fantastic but the service in the new location falls short. Last night was our third visit to the new location and our server was just bad (first 2 visits it wasn't good either but this time it was horrible). We were seated 10 minutes before we got water or wine glasses. We were ready to order our rolls (35 minutes after sitting) and pointed out to server that we still hadn't received the robata we ordered 15 minutes prior. Instead of offering to check - he just walked away (like he was going to) and then didn't come back. We will probably stick to take out until they can get the service up to the level of the old place.
(3)
Lea M.

I went to Yuzu Sushi with my partner and another couple of friends on a Saturday night. We had to wait for about an hour but I was definitely worth it! Our rolls were as beautiful as on the photos and at reasonable price. The restaurant is trendy and modern.
(5)
Brandon M.

This place is fantastic, they have a regular menu as well as a changing menu with specials that are creative and all that I have tried were delicious. The lemon/cucumber water they serve you is AMAZING! The regular menu items are good and they have a decent range of fresh sushi as well as grill items which are also really good. I would definitely recommend this place if you really like sushi but have friends or, God Forbid, a significant other that doesn't. This is a quaint little spot which is perfect for a semi-intimate date (it is quite loud due to the small space) or a small gathering of friends. We went with another couple and it was quiet enough for us to have an intimate conversation without shouting and loud enough so that we wouldn't be overheard. I like the feel of the place as well, it's small and a little cramped but they manage to make enough room so you're not bumping into each other. I like a sushi restaurant where I can get fresh fish. I don't buy too much into sushi in roll form, though I do partake on occasion. This place had really fresh fish with no complaints from me, namely no 'fishy' smell. I eat a lot of fresh fish in a lot of places and I'm happy with the quality here. Overall I'd say 5 stars!
(5)
Valreyrib ..

Sushi rocks!! Fresh fish, creative maki with balanced flavors, awesome staff. However, place is uncomfortably small, espesh if you come on a weekend when everyone is trying to check out this very talked about place. Be prepared to wait 30 minutes, while hovering over peoples' tables (kinda awkward). My husband and I waited in our car and watched Netlfix lol- no bars really worth walking to (that I was aware of at least). 4 stars because of how tiny it was and I came on a busy weekend. BUT 5 stars for delivery! Service rocks. I wish I remembered our servers name to give him a shout out- so adorable, attentive, funny, nice. My husband and I sat at the sushi bar, which was cool because I like watching them make stuff, and I like looking at good fresh fish which was in our face. You can honestly order anything. But do order the octopous, yum!, South beach roll and add cilantro. They roll their rolls tight and use a good amount of rice (I hate a lot of rice on my maki rolls, blah).
(4)
Ashley S.

My favorite spot for Sushi in Chicago! This place is so dope! It's a bit small so I wouldn't go with a large group just 2-4 people tops. It's kind of a hipster spot, good vibes going in there. They play rap music which I personally love! Tons of energy going on as your able to view the chefs as they cook in the middle of the restaurant. They present everything beautifully with art makes the experience awesome! (will attach photos) Service is always good and the staff is friendly. Lets just say I go there at least once a month now!
(5)
Jill Z.

New place much bigger. Phenomenal service with same great food. Be aware only one bottle of wine per 2 people. Table of 6 limited to 3 bottles of wine.
(5)
Gina H.

I am sort of disappointed in my Yelpers for once. Number 1 Sushi in Chicago when you search?? You all need to get out more. Nothing was "phenomenal" about this place. Zero. I tried really hard too. Parking, great, sat right away without a res on a Monday, great, nicer than pie staff, great, cozy and BYOB great, and cheap, our bill was rather small for once. Other than that, a big meh. Bathroom is GROSS. They have a shared unisex bathroom and I was horrified to think the kitchen was using it. That was the only really gross thing. Clean up those walls folks. yuck. Glad it was after I ate that I used the restroom. As for the food... Was trying to get out of my typical sushi places and wanted to try something new. We had a few of the robato grill it was tasty but anyone with a grill can get meat on a skewer right. We had the specialty roll for the day and another big roll on the menu BOTH that the waitress recommended. Both were very bland and were very unremarkable. They were not bad (fish was fresh tasting) but it was like eating white rice. I'm not saying douse it in spicy mayo or wasabi but at least add something that has a flavor punch. It would also have been nice if the waitress refilled our water at some point as well. Again, not a BAD place but for heaven's sake we are in Chicago, and this is not even close to the best place. I am not going to mention my favorite but it was rated here in the top ten...and much much better.
(2)
Justin B.

Although I have really enjoyed sushi at a number of places in Chicago (Tank in Lincoln Square, Ora in Andersonville, Kamehachi in Old Town, Seadog Sushi in Noble Square), Yuzu might be the best when you factor prices for the amount of sushi you get and its proximity to my house! We tried a bunch of things: "very" spicy tuna rolls, shrimp tempura rolls, gyoza, veggie/shrimp tempura, sweet potato tempura, and 3-4 other rolls that I'm just not remembering because they weren't on my plate first. But all of it was great; as other reviewers mention, this stuff tasted really fresh and the maki were big...hell, the tempura appetizer plate is almost enough on its own, especially if you get the sweet potatoes. We took this out so I can't comment on the atmosphere/dine-in experience, but when 500+ reviewers average a 4.5-star, you know the place is solid!
(5)
Kateryna G.

While I love the new location, I'm not a fan of the recent changes to their menu. Everything went up in price and some of their specialties taste different now. They also got a lot of new staff, so the service is now on the slower and less attentive side.
(2)
Farrah S.

There are no words. Fresh sushi, byob, fast, tasty, and overall an amazing experience. I got the pier 69 roll, but will probably get another roll next time that is a little more 'raw'. Amazing. Must go!
(5)
Alyssa C.

This is definitely a gem in the city. I recommend every sushi lover to venture out here! When we initially walked by, we immediately missed the restaurant. Right as we entered the establishment, there was no room to move. Every seat in this restaurant was taken, and for good reason! My tip to everyone is make a reservation. It will be your saving grace for the hungry on a Friday night! We finally got a seat within 10 minutes and the menu had a huge array of sushi. I had the Motown effect which was absolutely delicious. It was a fried roll with cream cheese, salmon, eel, fish roe, and scallions. This roll took my taste buds to heaven and back. The only small detail I was upset about was that the roll was not as aesthetically pleasing as what the pictures from yelp somewhat leads you to believe. However the taste made up for any misconceptions! I also got the tuna poke. The tuna poke, although was a small dish, it really packs a punch of great flavor. It was beautifully decorated with avocado and seasoned very well with a good amount of spice. I thought there was a tad too much of sesame oil but it was still great nonetheless! This is the sushi place to go in the city!!! If you are ever in this part of time, take the time to come here and try a roll!
(5)
Mamatha C.

AMAZING sushi that also comes with some really impressive art, all at a very affordable price! Came here with my friend on a Tuesday night and the place was packed, luckily managed to get a table without waiting but I'd suggest getting a reservation. Ordered edamame and a beef short rib for appetizers, both were super yummy. For our sushi rolls we got the pot river and over the rainbow, both were delicious and came with the cutest designs made out of sauces! The ambiance of the place is definitely targeted toward younger folk (low lighting and loud top 40 party music playing) so might not be a place to take your parents. Overall though it was awesome and is now my favorite sushi place in Chicago.
(5)
Suhyun K.

It's a very small restaurant but it's definitely worth the money and time! I have gone here couple of times, and the staff never failed to please me with their assistance. The whole time, I can tell that the staff really cares about their customers and their needs. We got a nigiri platter and couple rolls and they were all fantastic. The nigiri, unlike other places, the fish is really big and the rice is small so you can definitely taste the depth and freshness of the fish. The price is a little on the pricier side, but I'd definitely recommend this place to my friends and go again.
(5)
Mercy F.

I've been here many times for lunch as I used to work 1 block away and once for dinner. It's a whole new place for dinner where reservations are even made! Some sushi expert was there for dinner and we were very impressed with his food art. It's alway been delicious and the staff is so friendly and kind! I will go again!
(5)
Cindy H.

Every piece of sushi and sashimi tasted fresh and the portions were perfect. The perfect bite, sushi is neither dry nor doused in too much sauce. When I went on a Friday night the place was packed and literally felt like I was entering a bar/lounge since people were lined up by the entrance. Luckily, I made a reservation and make sure you do too (made it at 2PM that day and the only time they had left was 9PM which was perfect). The crowd glared at my boyfriend and I as we cut the line and were immediately seated. The other reason it felt like a bar/lounge besides the crowd was the hip hop music playing loudly. This adds to the understated glamour of the place. It is a very cool vibe and people seem to really get dressed and look hip. There are a couple of high tops but my boyfriend and I were seated at the small tables which are so close together I was glad I took fellow yelpers advice and left my purse in my car. Overall we had a great time. Go for the cool atmosphere, BYOB and impressive sushi.
(5)
Melissa N.

So yummy! The breaking bad is amazing not as spicy as I wanted, but still amazing. The service is good they are pretty attentive. The vibe is pretty chill, worth the uber ride!
(5)
McKenzie S.

Eh. Not the greatest sushi I've ever eaten. The caviar or ikura or whatever those fish eggs are called were way too plentiful on the outside of the rolls. Also, not the best service I've ever received. I asked the waitress what her recommendations were, and her only response was, "I don't know what you like." That was definitely not helpful and it kind of made me want to throw my glass of water at her. But I'm dramatic. I would pass it by if given the opportunity.
(3)
Tiffany T.

The restaurant is really small and usually packed so even with a reservation expect a wait. A 45 minute wait turned into well over an hour on Friday night. However, the sushi is amazing and inexpensive so you get your money's worth if you decide to wait. On a bad note, I had the breaking bad sushi role last night and it still had the shell on the shrimp. I have ordered this role many times before and have never encountered this problem. When I requested a new role they said they couldn't exchange it because the menu says "soft shell shrimp". I felt after waiting an hour the least they could have done was remake the roll without the shell. I am not sure if I will go back after this but if I do I will make sure not to order this role again.
(3)
Lily L.

I think this place just did me a big favor. They made the best sushi for my "chicken" friend that didn't what to try anything but tacos. The "Born to chill" roll had no hint of fishy smell. However, the complaint of rushing is not a myth, the attentiveness of staff makes people feel rush, plus this place is like a peanut side.
(5)
Samantha E.

The best sushi place. My boyfriend and I eat here at least every other date night and never leave unsatisfied. The service is great and the food is even better!
(5)
Erik J.

My wife and I have been to Yuzu a number of times and after last night's trip it's finally time for a review. Yuzu has emerged from a large and powerful field of competitors as our favorite sushi restaurant in the city. First, the basics: They take reservations by phone, and it's BYOB (no corking fee). It's a small and lively space, but they get the most out of the square footage without feeling too cramped. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful. The thing I really love about Yuzu is that they take the robata as seriously as they take the sushi. At a lot of top-notch sushi joints, it often feels like the hot items are an afterthought, tacked on for non-sushi people who've been dragged there by friends. Not so at Yuzu. All of the little grilled skewers are fantastic and well-prepared. There's a big variety, so you can pick what suits your tastes. We've had just about all of the skewers, but three of our favorites are the pork shoulder, short rib and shishito peppers (if you've never had those, don't be scared by their appearance -- they're sweet, not hot). The salmon skewer is great too, but we have this weird thing about not getting grilled fish when we're about to eat raw fish. They have an extensive selection of maki rolls, where again you'll certainly find something that appeals to your tastes. We're big on rolls that involve spicy and/or crunchy tuna, so we often go for the Boston Crunchy, South Beach or Over the Rainbow. If you have similar preferences, you won't be disappointed by those choices. The sashimi and nigiri are also excellent at Yuzu -- the fish is fresh and the pieces are generously sized. Yuzu is also a great place to bring people who have never had sushi or aren't sure about it. Since they have the delicious robata as a backstop, you can ease them into the sushi by cherrypicking a couple items that make sense for a newbie without overwhelming them. We have never been disappointed at Yuzu. It's a busy restaurant, so it's best to try and make a reservation if you can. The good news is that they're pretty good about not letting people linger over their bottle of wine after they finish eating, so even if you don't have a reservation they wait is rarely more than 30 minutes. And it's a great value too -- two people can go pretty overboard and still get out for around $50-$60.
(5)
Lindsay Y.

Yuzu was a great, little spot to grab some quality Japanese food. I decided to try the robots grill Instead of my regular sushi rout and I wasn't disappointed. I had the sampler platter which came with soft shelled shrimp, marinated chicken and bacon wrapped asparagus (my fave) each individual item was prepared nicely and it was just the right amount to fill me up. I also loved the outdoor seating.
(4)
Kelley L.

Best Sushi in Chicago! Hands down. also, its a byob, so what's not to love?
(5)
JG S.

After being hung up on two times and being put on hold three times (just to make reservations) I should have taken that as a sign. In one of my calls I was hung up on in the middle of giving my name and number. Definitely some issues going on here, but that's not even the half of it. Like a few other reviewers we didn't realize Yuzu was BYOB, as we were quickly searching for sushi while on the road. Upon arriving we were a little bummed to find that they were BYOB, but the silver lining was the sake my husband found at Lush down the street. (Since I hate when people comment on liking something, but don't share the details I am listing the info for you sake lovers. This is a lovely sake to enjoy cold: Sato no Homare "Pride of The Village" Junmai Ginjo Sake, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan) Back to Yuzu... we placed an order for various robata items as well as some sushi. A word of warning, the tables for two here are tiny. Since we tend to order a little bit of everything when eating somewhere new, I told the server who brought out the first few dishes (who was different from the person who took our order) that we ordered quite a bit, and asked if we could pull over a second table. There was an empty table just a couple feet away, and she proceeded to move around the vase, candle, bottle of water and four glasses on our table (two of which had water and two that were empty???) and she completely ignored my request. When she first came out with the food she stood there waiting for me to play musical chairs with all the c&@% they had littered on the table. Give me a break! It took us asking a second person when more food arrived to get another table moved over. The place was not packed, not even half full, otherwise I wouldn't have asked. Note to Restaurants: If you insist on cluttering a small table for two with junk like vases, bottles of water, extra glasses, then please add a second table! That just makes me not want to order more food. Proceeding to the food... Robata items were VERY oily, and the zucchini was unimpressive, and barely grilled (or warm) with some sort of Thai-esque oily peanut sauce on top that looked like the consistency of gravy with corn starch. Needless to say, yuck! My sushi was just ok. The fish didn't have that melt in your mouth buttery taste & feel that good sushi should. One of my rolls came unrolled. In general the sushi on the menu was more on the fusion side with ingredients such as bacon and cream cheese, and sauces all over. Stupid me for trying this last minute and not reading more. From start to finish this was not a good experience. I was shocked to read Andrea R's review and see that this is Sushi Wabi's chef of 7 years! I loved Sushi Wabi and this is no where near the caliber of Sushi Wabi. The staff, other than the one young twenty-something male working on the floor, were inattentive, frosty and some just plain rude. I had one woman trying to take my plate away while I still had food on it. When we tried getting some assistance, the staff were either standing around chatting at the sushi bar, or were nowhere to be found. Not impressed with the service, ambiance and definitely not the food. Reading the reviews where the owner/staff scold former patrons for sharing their experiences is disgusting. Read some of their responses and decide if this is how you wish to spend your money and be treated. I'm sure I'll get my tongue lashing... Do yourself a favor and take your appetite (and money) elsewhere while they either learn that there is merit behind some reviews, or until the competition moves in.
(1)
Lisa O.

Simply amazing. I would of took pictures but we all ate it too fast. Service was excellent and fast. The variety of food was excellent.
(5)
Cindy W.

Had the tuna poke, what's my name, midwestern roll, and sampled the scallop and pot river roll. First of all, if you want the beautiful sauces that are also quite delicious, you'll have to pay the $15 price range for that. I picked the what's my name because of the yelp reviews. Never again. Such an ordinary roll that I could pick up at the super market. HOWEVER, this restaurant is still 5 star worthy b/c of the tuna poke (super super fresh and lucious tuna with an avocado fan). Also, the midwestern roll was a lovely surprise-- slightly battered on the outside with tuna. But my friend got the pot river roll and that was the best. Of course, it was also more expensive. MAKE SURE you get reservations because this place tends to fill up fast! especially Friday and Saturday nights!!!
(5)
Tesia K.

Went there again tonight with my roommate and her little sister! Once again, it was amazing! Everything tasted great and service was impeccable as usual. For barata we got shishito peppers and asparagus. The peppers were great but be careful because some can be really spicy. For rolls we got Dragon and black sea. The dragon was beautiful and very tasty. It was a little sweet because of the teriyaki sauce. The black sea had a little spice to it which I like. Great service, yummy food, affordable.
(5)
Evan P.

Absolutely delicious sushi! I really enjoyed the Breaking Bad, South Beach, and Sunrise rolls. Warning - the Breaking Bad has some spice to it. Double warning- this place is BYOB so do not make the same mistake we made by NOT bringing your own beer! The service was great. I like the fact that this is sort of a hidden gem. It is easy to walk by and is pretty inconspicuous. Inside is a little crammed. I also was a huge fan of their music selection - Tupac, Biggie, and other popular rap songs were playing lightly in the background. At the end of the day- the food was delicious, the prices were reasonable, service and atmosphere were great. I'm glad that I stopped by.
(5)
Sael R.

One of the best places in Chicago to have sushi!!share with friends and have a great time!!..
(5)
Tavi J.

Yuzu has got to be one of my favorite Sushi places. We had reservations this past Friday for 9:15, but we arrived earlier than expected and were lucky enough to be seated right away. This place is always pretty crowded and small, so I suggest making reservations or you could be waiting up to a half hour for walk ins. Yuzu has excellent Sushi at a great price point and you gotta love a BYOB. Definitely not a fancy place, but still a great date spot or a get together with friends. Every time I visit they have rap music at a low volume playing in the background. That's a definite plus for me because I'm not expecting that. My appetizer recommendation would be the Sweet Potato Tempura. I have never gone here without ordering it. As for the rolls the Motown Effect is my favorite, but the Fire Yuzu rolls are a close second. Another plus is the area. We're always able to find street parking fairly close if not in front of the restaurant. Great place to come if you want relatively cheap and delicious Sushi.
(4)
K N.

This was tough, I wanted to issue a full 5 stars, however, my friend had a few maki pieces that had something "off" in them. He had to spit it out into his napkin. Our server was extremely apologetic and immediately indicated the item would be removed from our bill. Now, onto the good stuff. We walked into Yuzu on a Sunday just around 5 p.m. and the tiny restaurant was essentially full. We were seated right away, the bottle of wine was opened (no corking fee but there is a byob limit based on the amount of people in the party), and we got to scoping out the menu. My friend orders take-out from Yuzu all the time and I had yet to try it so I was pretty excited to start ordering. We started with the Tuna Poke - fresh tuna tar-tar style tuna tossed in a Japanese chilli pepper and light soy sauce and sesame oil with a lot of freshly sliced avocado. It was absolutely delicious! We also ordered the grilled whole squid. While the pieces were large, it was a bit rubbery. I feel like squid is like shrimp, if left on the grill for just a second too long, it becomes tough. I doused it with fresh lemon juice and the jalepeno dipping sauce helped with the rubbery texture. While inhaling our appetizers and already on my second glass of wine, I was super happy with how chill the small restaurant environment was as those types of settings tend to feel overly crowded and loud. Not Yuzu, the music was on point (really good hip hop - Aquemeni had been playing in order - big points). I knew Yuzu had become a place I would revisit over and over and over again. It was time to order again, I went with two pieces of Unagi nigiri and two pieces of Escolar (super white tuna) nigiri. They were immense but incredibly fresh. My friend ordered a couple of traditional rolls and we proceeded to devour our food. The only hang-up was the two or three bad individual pieces he had to spit out into his napkin. We sat, chatted a bit more, I wanted two more pieces of nigiri, and that was all she wrote. We were in our sushi coma and tickled about it. The bill came and I was shocked by how much food we had ordered and how cheap our bill was...I can't wait to go back! Good job Yuzu, you have acquired a new fan and rightfully so.
(4)
Kimberly H.

I was a little worried when our water arrived in mason jars that I had wandered into a pretentious hipster parlour, but WOAH was I pleasantly surprised. 100% worth the hype. Ambiance + artistry + flavour rolled into one glorious little date night in Chicago. Easily my new favourite sushi joint in the country.
(5)
Tori W.

Nothing but a great experience here and probably the best sushi I've had in Chicago. My boyfriend and I had a reservation for 7 pm on a Saturday night, we arrived at 6:45 and they sat us immediately. Our waiter was very nice and helpful in explaining the menu. We got two robatas to start (beef short rib and pork shoulder). Both were extremely tender and delicious, I think I personally enjoyed the short rib more. We decided to share 4 rolls and we had more than enough food! The rolls are big! The first two rolls that came out were Breaking Bad and Thug Life. Breaking Bad was so good, but definitely has kick to it so be warned. I did like how they didn't bring all the rolls at once, as the tables are small so they wouldn't have fit. The second two we got were Boy Meets World and Monster Spider. Yum yum yum. A very cool place with good music playing. Recommend it for food and atmosphere!
(5)
Marcia B.

Japanese cuisine is our favorite therefore we've enjoyed it often in Chicago and in our travels coast to coast. Hands down Yuzu is the best! Since we discovered this gem 6 months ago every visit has met and surpassed our expectations. We had the pleasure of briefly meeting the owner but we could already guess what type of person he was by the staff he chooses to be the face of his business. Mai, Nat and Pim are extremely professional and such a pleasure! They make sure your experience is a joyful one. Our order usually consists of: Sashimi (sake, hamachi, tako) Rolls: Born to Chill---absolutely delicious! River Walk is also good. Vegetable Tempura-perfectly breaded and cooked Specials and deserts also wonderful. The price is extremely fair for Yuzu's quality and experience. It's one of our favorite restaurants in Chicago. You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Bryan P.

I rarely take the time to write reviews. Ordered this based on their high ratings, but couldn't finish anything. I ordered 3 specialty rolls and a miso soup. My friend and I were able to try a bite or two of each roll before we gave up. I would not recommend.
(1)
Gino W.

While hanging out in Noble Square, I wandered upon this Japanese sushi and robata grill. I had been to a robata grill in downtown Chicago and loved it, so I wanted to see if this one was comparable. Let's just say that after I finished feasting on tuna poke, nasu, shishito, chicken with black bean sauce, soft shell shrimp, whole grilled squid, a delectable sushi roll, and a plate of mochi ice cream, well, that gives you an idea of just how much I liked it - for the first visit. I returned for a second visit, this time meeting with a friend. I am officially addicted to soft shell crab. The sweet potato tempura is still calling my name. Don't get me started on their dragon roll. Fresh, delicious, popping with taste. My friend and I were in awe. And I didn't even mention the flight of sushi - octopus, white fish, tuna, shrimp, and yellowtail. Think that wasn't enough? I'm looking forward to a third visit, I say.
(5)
Raju L.

First, if I can please take a moment and mention why we go out to a restaurant to eat. By we, I mean my wife and myself as I cannot speak for everyone. We cook stunning dishes at home but we like to go out to relax once in a while and be served and have a relaxing evening. That being said, on a Friday evening recently, my wife and her colleague went to Yuzu for dinner. They took a seat outside at a table that was meant for only 2 people because it was a tiny table and had only 2 chairs. After paying the bill, they wanted to just sit for another 10 to 15 minutes as they were in the middle of discussing something. There was a group of 4 people waiting to get into the restaurant and there was some room left to accomodate the party of 4. Astonishingly, the server asked my wife and her colleague to leave if they were done!!!!!. We are not the kind of people who tie up a table on purpose especially when we see there are people waiting to be seated but in this case, there clearly was plenty of space. This unacceptable action on the server's part is the reason I am giving this restaurant a 2 star review. 1 Star for the ridiculous service and 1 star for great food but I think I'd rather take my business somewhere else where I'll be treated like a customer.
(2)
Cat G.

The most pressing thing here is that THE ROBATA GRILL ITEMS ARE SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE SUSHI. Phew, now that that's out of the way. We started with the tuna poke and the avocado/mango salad, which were both awesome. The tuna poke is basically chunks of delicious tuna with avocado (the avocado lover in me screams with delight). The avocado and mango salad included a pretty traditional mix of salad greens, a nice dressing, and tons of both avocado and mango. As for the robata grill, we had the bacon-wrapped scallop, the pork shoulder, the short rib, and the tuna miso. The scallop was just meh, nothing to write home about. I would absolutely recommend the other three, though - and in particular, the tuna miso. nom. We were almost full at that point, but we ordered two sushi rolls as well - the Chicago Spring and the Sorry I Am Drunk (mostly for the chuckles over the name). Neither of us had been to the restaurant before, so we were pretty blown away by the sauce art that came with the Chicago Spring roll. That being said, I didn't think either roll was that phenomenal - the Chicago Spring had some good elements but overall just felt like way too many ingredients crammed into one sushi roll, while the Sorry I am Drunk was a little too salty for my taste (but again, had some ingredients that I liked a lot). It may have been because we'd already eaten a lot at that point, and because the robata grill is hard to beat, but there you have it. Also, it's a pretty small restaurant, so reservations are definitely a good idea. Okay. So the TL;DR here is that you should try the starters and stick mainly to the robata grill. I don't doubt that there are some standout sushi rolls worth trying, but I didn't personally come across any.
(4)
Weston M.

If I could rate this restaurant higher than 5 stars, I would rate it with as many as would be allowed. This place is the pinnacle of not only spectacular sushi, but of hospitality as well. I've never felt so welcomed and appreciated as a guest before. Jab, who is one of the sushi chefs, remembers my name after maybe 5 interactions spread out over a one year period. He/they always get creative with the lunch bentos, and as a result. I've never had the same lunch twice. I have brought all of my friends who are visiting or who've recently moved to the city, to Yuzu, which is BY FAR my favorite restaurant in Chicago, and for all the right reasons. Try this place, and I guarantee you'll leave already planning your next visit! Thank you Yuzu! Thanks just for existing!!
(5)
Olivia K.

Pretty amazing sushi. Large pieces of fish and always vey fresh. I don't go to any other sushi place but this one.
(5)
Chicago A.

Pricey but awesome!!! We have ordered pickup a few times from this place because it's so good. All the rolls huge and delicious. Although be aware that the robata meats come with just one small taste.
(4)
Bobbie Z.

My favorite sushi place (and restaurant) in Chicago, hands down! Superb quality food at affordable prices. Plus it's BYOB. What else could you ask for? Checcckkk it out!
(5)
Mike T.

Dayum, my fun parts get all sensitive and tingly when I think about going here because it's so damn good. Here's why it makes me throb with pleasure in my signature bullet point format. --The Sushi is Fresh & Well Textured-- The Sushi is very well done, ingredients are fresh & well textured (many sushi places serve soggy sushi with old-tasting or flimsy ingredients) and they don't go too overboard on things like mayo. They'll give you a lot of the delicious sauce, but they'll put it on the side with an artful design so that you can have as much. The head chef knows their shit. --They have light options (Robata) and they're goood-- The Robata is decently cheap and it's nice and light. So if you're not feeling like you want to stuff yourself, you can order the robata (things like Tofu, Asparagus, etc.) and it's seasoned and textured in a way that will give you a tongue orgasm. The ambiance of this place is a bit like a sardine can, but the food is well freaking worth it.
(5)
Elina S.

Okay, so I really wanted to love this place since my husband has been insisting that the reviews are too good not to try out this place considering we are sushi snobs. And that's the problem right there, the fact that we are sushi snobs and we know what amazing fish is supposed to taste like. Anyways, more food talk later. The place is pretty small and we kinda got a sh*tty table but it was packed so we couldn't really do anything about it, but towards the front of the restaurant is where all the good stuff is at. The service was good, no mistakes, no issues, they have a check in on yelp where you get $10 off a $50 order which works very well! Now onto the food, some things were great but the fancy rolls were kinda blah. The fancy rolls that are like $15 a piece had more veggies and rice than the actual fish. I mean I'm here for the raw stuff and the cooked stuff, but the stuff means fish. I needed more fish overall. Here was what we got and what we thought of it: -Tuna Poke-Hawaiian tuna salad, an amazing avocado fan, this was the dish of the night and for only $9 it is a must have here. -Black sea roll-another really good one full of fish and priced at a reasonable $8. It has tuna, super white tuna, salmon, masago, spicy mayo, sesame oil, black tobiko, very spicy but delicious as well. -Chicago spring jumbo roll-a BIG disappointment and although the decor was great with the sauce being very artistic, this was not enough fish for me. It has shrimp tempura, avocado, cream cheese, tempura flakes, red tobiko, masago, sweet sauce. -Over the Rainbow-It's supposed to be avocado and unagi on the inside even though it was mostly avocado and very little unagi but the fish on top was good, with salmon, tuna, super white tuna and avocado. But it's like where are the inside goods?! I'm not dying to come back here again even thought it was an overall okay experience, some rolls were awesome and some need some major sashimi makeover.
(3)
Jon S.

Yuzu's new space is great in comparison to old one. Always fresh fish, inventive menu and reasonably priced. Sometimes they rush you out, so note to order gradually. All in all great neighborhood sushi spot!
(4)
Diana D.

This place has relatively nice quality inexpensive japanese food. Portions are huge. Lots of people and very loud. I would recommend if you don't mind cheaply looking interiors and people waiting and talking almost over you table.
(4)
Lily Z.

YUZU, why do you have to do this to me?! I'm so frustrated that I'm giving this place one star because I enjoyed my last experience so much! I came here for lunch with the boy. We sat at the bar and ordered a tempura appetizer and two rolls (what's my name and another one with a dipping sauce). Everything was fine and dandy until I noticed a long piece of hair in the dipping sauce. WHY?! We were halfway through the roll until I noticed it at the bottom of the small cup. The other roll (what's my name) wasn't very good either. Too much cilantro for my taste. After that discovery, I lost my appetite. I don't know if the sushi chefs heard me freaking out about the piece of hair, but we just left it alone. Yuzu, I'm so disappointed. I can't come here again because my paranoia is too strong!
(1)
Kristen B.

Simply, Yuzu delivers the best sushi I've ever had. The rolls have a rich and savory flavor which you can combine with a myriad of delicious accompanying sauces. The presentation adds the wow factor, with intricate dragons, peacocks, and other artistic displays which are crafted using the colorful sauces. This is truly my favorite restaurant in Chicago and I love showing it off to visiting friends. My favorite roll by far is the incredibly tasty Rainbow Roll. The items on the Robatta grill are delicious as well. They are prepared quickly and make a great starter. Pork shoulder and beef short rib are my favorites. I can't say enough positive things. It is absurd how reasonable the prices and wait time are for what Yuzu offers. BYOB.
(5)
J R.

This place HANDS DOWN is my favorite sushi restaurant in Chicago. It's a hidden gem that I'm so thankful not everyone is fully aware of yet. They clearly need a bigger space, the words starting to get out and its always jam packed in there. I can't say anything bad about the rolls form your basic "spicy tuna" to their fun and fancy "Born to Chill", they are all outstanding. If you've never been, you HAVE TO get the Tuna Poke, Born to Chill & What's my name. (trust me...) This restaurant is wonderful for all levels of sushi connoisseurs, It's wonderful for "first timers" and its the best for us "sushi snob" who know whats GOOD and whats not.
(5)
Manu A.

Great Japanese cuisine & great prices. Order a piece of the Beef Short Rib Yuzu Robata Grill. Tuna poke is amazing!
(5)
Chelsea M.

Yes. Just...yes. Sushi = amazing Everything else = also amazing. BYOB, wonderful customer service. Definitely recommend making a reservation, because even on a Sunday night, this place is HOPPIN. Only downside is that it's sooooo far from my neighborhood. I have to go back. I HAVE TO.
(5)
Nish R.

The place is tiny and seem to be very popular among the locals. I don't really come to this area too much but a friend picked this place for a girls night out. The place is BYOB.They don't have big tables. We had about 15 ppl so we were all crammed in to back table. So with the food and the booze that we had brought with us it was pretty crammed. But service was good and they were friendly. I thought the sushi was interesting, presentation was great. My dragon was a piece of art and I felt kind of bad to ruin it. Some of the sushi was a bit hard to eat. One person ordered a cucumber roll and it was wide with pieces of cucumber sticking out. So she had to break it apart and eat it piece by piece. But no biggie. One tiny restroom. So there was bit of a wait. At the end of the meal we were asked to leave before a few of us finished our drinks because another party was waiting for our table. We had to improvise and put stuff in plastic cups and uhm a few of us started chugging. But can't blame them for rushing us out since they only have one big table. Overall nice little place.
(3)
Marianne A.

New favorite sushi spot! Been here at least half a dozen times. The maki rolls, nigiri, Robata pieces are all delicious and decently priced. The only thing is to make sure you either make a reservation or be prepared to wait up to an hour any given night. This is because the space isn't that big and there's always a ton of people. Street parking, CVS nearby to pick up a bottle of wine to BYOB. Sign up for emails- specials on pick-up and Valentine's Day!
(5)
Diem N.

I love this place!!! I've been here countless times and every time I leave really happy and full. Their new location is amazing and provides more room. The sushi price and their plate presentations are phenomenal. I love taking friends and family here because of the vibe and how impress everyone gets when the sushi comes out. The tuna poke app, breaking bad and dragon rolls are a must. Also their grill meats are delicious. Don't forget to bring your booze!!! I rave about this place to everyone I know because no other sushi place does it right like Yuzu. It is my favorite sushi spot here in Chicago and I will be coming back many more times. Please don't ever close or change!!! Xoxox
(5)
Ellen M.

The place is packed. Make a reservation. The artistry and flavor they present are everything you could hope for in a sushi place. The Robata grill items are equally delicious. The service is polite. The plating is unforgettable. Go to Yuzu. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Howard L.

Went to this very popular and highly rated Sushi house last night near me in Ukie Village. The place is very small, a no-frills storefront with limited seating (my guess maybe 30 tops?) It was not full when we arrived at 7:00 but by 7:30 there was a long line, which is surprising for a school night. We had the edamame along with eel, tuna and shrimp fish. We also had the Black Sea and South Beach, all of which was outstanding. Tip: This is a BYOB so bring your own and also get there early if you have no reservations. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Beth G.

Oh, Yuzu. Your food is inventive and relatively good, and BYOB is always nice. And yet ... your atmosphere is crowded and your service is lacking. After our last go-round, my bf and I decided we will not be back. There are too many good sushi spots in the neighborhood (my favorite of which remains Gari) to keep trying a place that doesn't live up to the competition. He ordered food from the robata grill, while I got two sushi rolls. He received all of his grilled items and I was still waiting for my rolls. I encouraged him to go ahead without me, since his food was hot. He *finished* eating all of his items before I had even one roll. We reminded the waitress, and she gasped and scurried away. Five minutes later, I got ONE of my two tolls. Having finished that, we asked her to simply cancel the order of my second one. It was an awkward dining experience to say the least, and while I appreciate the challenges of a dinner crowd and a slammed kitchen, things should have been staggered better. Even carry out is sometimes a challenge, as it is SO crowded that there is little-to-no waiting area at the door when you are checking out. As I said, there are too many other great sushi spots in the neighborhood to keep trying this one. But if you'd like to give it a whirl, I recommend making reservations, and trying the My Favorite Midwest roll an the mango salad.
(3)
Peter g.

I have only just recently started to like sushi, and I never expected to. It is given a well known stereo type of just raw fish. But let me say that they make quite a long list of interesting possibilities. While they offer lots of things your non fish friends would sample, I am getting a little braver and the spice here got a lot higher. I tried the Boston Crunchy, wow that had bite, the FIRE was very tasty with lots of flavor but no fire, which was OK with me ( I stayed away from the siracha on the side so that helped). We also had I'm so Drunk and a few other names I don't quite remember but wow they had lots of heat in some and lots of flavor in others. When you add some lightly cooked elements and mix the hell out of the roll ingredients like these guys do, you get quite an uncommon experience, worth trying even if this is not your main thing. Atmosphere needs a little help, get ready for a tight fit. (FYI BYOB)
(4)
Samantha G.

This has become my go-to place for sushi/robata when I am at work or anywhere in this neighborhood. The food is always amazing and the prices are reasonable. All of the chicken robata items are fantastic, and the pork shoulder is really good. Asparagus with bacon is tasty, but sometimes the asparagus is really thick and not grilled enough to be tender. Miso isn't the best I've ever had, but it has plenty of tofu in it. My favorite appetizer is the baked mushrooms. YUM. You need to order these...in fast, just go ahead and get two orders because they take a while to cook and you will want more! I love everything about this place except how small and narrow it is, so you really need reservations or order it to go. Even their water is delicious -- it's served with lemon and cucumber slices. We always end up ordering a ton of different things to share and have only been disappointed in a few things. Skip the desserts; they aren't that great. Street parking (paid) is plentiful in the area and shouldn't be a problem. BYOB. If you like your sake hot, they will heat it for you as well, but it takes a little while.
(5)
Mad I.

This place isn't in the neighborhood I thought.....I didn't realize "Ukrainian Village" was just a tad further down the road from West Loop, and my other off the beaten path sushi place, Butterfly. I say off the beaten path because I joke that I do not travel south of Fullerton or north of Addision.....I live &play in my Lincoln Park/Lakeview bubble, but don't worry, it really is just a joke! This girl gets around the Chi, in a foodie way of course :) I digress..... This place is really not "cheap" like some yelpers say....I don't consider $15 rolls cheap...or the $3 a piece Robata grill "bite-lets" (yup, just made that up, as they don't even constitute a full bite). I may have gone with 3 stars, but the customer service was a-w-e-s-o-m-e! They let me change my reservation like 3 times, which was so nice (I'm soo annoyed with myself for doing that!) and our table was ready right at 8, with prompt service, great attentiveness to my food allergy, and swooping in and out as a fine tuned machine to take away my plates and bring the check. Bill was $65 and it's BYOB! We had 4 rolls, 2 'big ones' and 2 smaller ones. 3 skewers from the Robata grill. Here is the breakdown: Skewers: *Tofu-chuck of grilled tofu-skip it! *Pork shoulder-very yummie!! I wish these were bigger ! *Beef Short rib-delish grilled beefy flavor *South Beach roll-Great chunks of Superwhite on top, but I expect that for $15 *A hundred years of...-not bad, good amount of tuna *Black Dragon-similar to the above, good amount of tuna, spicy hot, not spicy sweet *Pier 69-soft shell crab, avocado and cream cheese, tasty Would probably go to butterfly instead, sorry Yuzu!
(4)
Jessica S.

I have found you, new favorite Chicago sushi joint! We stopped in Yuzu last Friday night and they were still packed to the brim at almost 10pm. Yuzu is small, so whole reservations are not required, I would suggest making these in advance. From the robata portion of the menu, the tofu, bacon wrapped scallops and the beef short ribs are all a must try. The What's my name and the My favorite Midwest roll were all crowd pleasers. Our party had beginner sushi enthusiasts and veterans and Yuzu left us all full with big smiles. A must try!
(5)
Jacqueline K.

Love it here. It is reasonable and lunch bento boxes are delicious. BYOB is awesome. We always have a lot of fun when we eat here.
(5)
Robin W.

My friends and I went to Yuzu last night for the first time. We were very much in the mood for sushi, and we're trying to hit every sushi spot in the city...literally. I have to say that the appetizers (beef short rib, sirloin, and gyoza) were the highlight of the meal...for us anyway. If you are looking for "fusion" style sushi, then you will probably love this place. We had the Thug Life roll, which contained picked onions and cilantro. While the presentation was absolutely beautiful, it was just OK. We also had the spicy tuna and spider rolls, and they, again, were just OK. One thing I will say is that the atmosphere and music are AWESOME!
(3)
Nadeem S.

Just signed up for yelp today and thought I would write a review for this amazing place. Been here multiple time and every time the food is what true Japanese food should be. The decor with the anime cut scene is awesome, nice close feel. Yuzu is always great
(5)
Andrea R.

I was one bummed sushi lover when Sushi Wabi shut their doors years ago. And I was one happy sushi lover when I discovered their chef of 7 years had opened Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill. After a long drive to Yuzu in a storm I couldn't be more excited for a glass of wine (or 2). While waiting for our table with friends we noticed people leaving the restaurant with bottles. Somehow I'd missed that Yuzu was BYOB! Fortunately, my husband and his friend saved the day by running across the street to get a few bottles of wine at Walgreens. While Walgreens isn't normally my first choice for wine shopping, any alcoholic beverage would do on this night. Yuzu is small, cozy and the perfect neighborhood spot. We started our meal by ordering a bunch of apps & everything was delicious. Then again pretty much all the apps we ordered were fried and you can never go wrong with fried apps. As for our entree we ordered a variety of their rolls to share. I couldn't tell you which ones since I left the ordering to my husband & his friend, while enjoying my Walgreens wine. They did an excellent job ordering cause everything was very tasty. Overall, pretty good sushi! It's not quite up to sushi wabi standards, but definitely compares to some of my favorite sushi spots in Chicagoland.
(4)
Brad W.

First, I am far from being labeled a sushi expert. That said, I feel comfortable in my knowledge and my opinion that anyone that enjoys a good roll will be able to taste the quality and care that goes into this food. This place is one of the best sushi joints around.
(5)
Jieyu L.

If you are picky about fresh sushi, this place is not very satisfying. I ordered the Sushi Gold, 9 pieces of chef's choice plus one roll. It is pretty basic: two pieces of salmon, yellow tail, red tuna, white tuna, and one piece of "unknown" fish over the rice. The taste was watery. It felt like it was frozen and just got defrozen. Dry on the skin but watery inside. Ughhhhh. Then my boyfriend ordered Grilled Whole Squid as a starter. The taste was actually good. It reminded him Taiwan's night market's food stand. The only problem was squid seemed not fully cooked. It was too chewy. So we finished the meal in 40 minutes, spent like 60+ bucks (not bad), and wished to hop on a bus to China Town and have some real grill food.
(3)
Yayo T.

It's worth the hype! The avocado (or was it mango?) salad rocks! Very small and BYOB, so make sure you come prepared to wait in line, or make a reservation. There is a spot to buy booze a block east. Affordable, and they deliver Too!
(5)
Lyndsey G.

Yuzu is consistently the best sushi. period. The new space is adorable and much easier to move around in
(5)
Lindsay D.

Love love love!!! Very small place so expect to wait but they give you complimentary edamame during that time and it is BYOB. Not to mention the sushi is fantastic and comes with the most creative designs. The staff is very friendly and provides great customer service. One time we asked if they would be able to save a Tuna Poke for our meal since they sold out of it the last time we came; not only did they save one for us, they also gave it to us on the house! My fav is the dragon roll and the skewers!
(5)
Jenny Y.

Yuzu stayed on my restaurant wish-list for the longest time since it's one of the few Japanese robata grills in Chicago. The 4.5 stars rating set high expectations but felt more like 3-3.5. The space is compact and trendy with small tables and limited bar seating. Cucumber water is served in mason glasses. The robata sets were good, and I liked that they were a balance of different meats with some greens: pork shoulder, chicken satay, chicken green onion, chicken black bean, beef short rib, shrimp and asparagus bacon. However, many of the specialty rolls contained non-traditional ingredients like cream cheese, mayo, chili oil and sesame oil that I don't favor in sushi. Between three people, we sampled the two robata sets (12 skewers) and two rolls. The portions were more appropriate as appetizers and not very filling, and we paid a little over $20 per person for lunch. Interesting visit, but there was no standouts.
(3)
Suzy D.

This review is more like 3.5 stars. My husband and I came here around 6 on Friday and were able to sit outside. It was our first time here and we heard that the Ahi poke was good so we made sure to order that as our starter. I found the sesame oil flavor to be a bit overpowering but overall it was fine. The amount of avocado they gave was quite generous as well. We also had the bacon wrapped asparagus to start and as expected that was tasty. We had the robata set to share and we found all the meat to be juicy and tender. We ordered some salmon and ika nigiri. The slices of fish were very generous, but we found the rice to be sub par. The rice was still too warm and falling apart. It also wasn't seasoned enough. A lot of sushi is the rice so the rice is just as important as the fish. This is where we feel Yuzu falls short. The pot river and "whats my name" rolls were tasty (rice was still not amazing, but the rolls were good). We were actually pretty stuffed by the time we left so the portions are pretty generous. We probably could have ordered 1 fewer roll and been fine.
(3)
Andrew M.

This place nails the presentation and atmosphere. A really great place to be in, and easy to get to. The sushi was good for the price. Not the best, but still fresh and tasty. This is certainly a great spot to visit
(4)
Bud M.

Went back again with two sons, wife and four grandkids. Reservations were smooth as silk, and went with the old favorites plus a few new robata goodies. The bacon wrapped scallops were the tastiest dish I've had in a long time. Even the grandchildren like the robata sets. Service was excellent and I can't think of a better place to spend Fathers Day with loved ones eating delicious food. Place was packed by 6:00 PM so I'm glad we made reservations in advance.
(5)
Mike Y.

Lunch specials get 5 stars! I've been here probably a dozen times for lunch and the lunch specials are always on point. I gave it 4 stars because I ordered a sushi roll today ("Sorry I am Drunk" --hilarious name!) and the pieces fell apart while I was trying to pick it up with my chopsticks. This is a sign of a roll that is not put together well. Aesthetics are always beautiful (just see the pictures). If I'm paying $13 for a roll, I just want the piece to stay together. Overall, great spot, fresh sushi, and the short rib off the robata grill - LEGIT. Definitely check it out if you're in the area for lunch.
(4)
Bri A.

I think I've found my new favorite sushi spot! Yuzu is small and a bit cramped, but the food and service are worth it. The waiters are friendly and accomodating. Our last guest showed up and pulled out a bottle of white wine. In a flash, it was put right into a bucket of ice. I ordered the Sin Nombre and What's My Name rolls which were excellent. The flavors went really well together, then again you can't go wrong with avocado and fish! I don't remember what everyone else ordered, but what I sampled was delicious. The presentation of the sushi is so beautiful that you can't help but take a picture. Cause you know that it's rude not to Instagram your food. I regret not getting anything from the robata grill! What was I thinking? We lingered around a little after eating and were never rushed out. I know, I know....we were THAT group, but it wasn't my fault! p.s. No corking fee! Yay!
(5)
Mandy M.

I was excited to try this place out based on yelp reviews but ended up being very disappointed. They really tried to rush us out of here! We came in with a reservation on a saturday evening. We ordered an appetizer and 2 specialty rolls. The waitress brought out the appetizer and immediately followed it with both rolls. There was not even room on our table for all the plates...it was way too crowded....and p to the s - please wait until we finish our appetizer (or at least have time for a few bites!) before bringing out the entree. There are so many amazing sushi restaurants out there...don't waste your time on this one. Their main objective seems to be to flip the table as opposed to offering a nice customer dining experience.
(2)
Joe W.

Some of the rolls were large and difficult get in one bite. Overall, the presentation was beautiful (it was like artwork), the service was spot on, and all the food tasted great!!
(5)
Leah C.

Came here for a random lunch based on other Yelp reviews... and I'm glad I did! I'm really picky about sushi but I thought Yuzu did a decent job. However, my one sushi complaint would be that the Alaska Roll had a TON of avocado and very little rice on the outside. We all have our preferences and I'd actually prefer the opposite - little avocado with more rice. To each her own, right? Also, I would not recommend the gyoza. They were a bit bland and skimpy on the filling. The restaurant itself is pretty small and narrow. The "chairs" at our table were more like stools - not very comfy. They have one unisex bathroom. The highlights of our visit were: - Asian staff with good English - Large assortment of menu items (apps, robata grill, sushi, etc) - Fair prices and good size portions - Seaweed salad (enough for 2!) - Poke (so fresh and delicious) - Large pieces of sashimi - Robata pork shoulder and spare rib were both very tasty Haven't been back since my first visit but if I'm in the area again, I would definitely stop in!
(4)
G Thomas C.

Spicy scallop roll was money. Robata wasnt my favorite but the service was excellent (very few people in there late Sunday afternoon) Will go again.
(4)
Jesus P.

The mood of this place is definitely a change up. They had a great mix of modern hip hop and rap music with some throw backs! I took a date there but it really wasn't a date kinda place. It felt more like a causal night out. It would be perfect for a second or third date out. The table was small but nice because it made it easier to share food. Overall, I would definitely go back with a bottle of wine since it is byob. Pricing was great for a sushi place and the art on the sushi platers was just phenomenal!! Still wondering how they create all that art.
(4)
Jasmine M.

I have always been a fan of Yuzu. They have incredible sushi and the staff is always so welcoming. I didn't really think it could get any better, and then I went there Saturday night! OMG! Yuzu has totally revamped and renovated their entire space! It is absolutely beautiful! There's much more room now, and the decor is phenomenal! The food now tastes as good as the restaurant looks! I called earlier on a Saturday to ask about a reservation that night, and they were able to fit us in, and were so accommodating. They have even added new menu items to the Robata and sushi options! Plus.....they have an entire new section full of delicious appetizers such as gnocchi with uni butter! Um, yaassssss! They even have a little specials card, with rotating items! To say the very least, they have truly stepped their game up. We had the Dragon roll, Green Harbor roll, and the Big River roll, which were amazing! We also tried the special Rich Kids roll, which was out of control! All of the rolls come beautifully decorated on a plank! The artwork is stunning! From the Robata, we had the short rib which was so flavorful and perfect! I also had super white tuna a la carte. The fish is so fresh, and literally melts in your mouth like butter! And on top of this, Yuzu is byob. Doesn't get much better than this folks....
(5)
Danielle Y.

The bacon wrapped scallops were amazing. Must try.
(5)
Tanya A.

Sushi is my favorite food. In order to receive 5 stars it must be out of this world. This restaurant is very small so I suggest making reservations prior to coming in for dinner. Service was extremely quick. We receives 3 large rolls within 10 mins after ordering them. Tuna Poke was very good. Fish was fresh. Out of 3 rolls ordered, I only liked one of them. The Black Sea was great! Has a spicy kick to it, awesome roll. The Pot River has cilantro which gives it a very strange taste. South Beach roll is decent if you remove the white tuna on top. It tastes more like fatty tuna not white tuna. I asked the waitress for recommendations on their BEST rolls, and this is what she suggested. The presentation was nice, they create a design with various sauces. Unfortunately, that does make the food taste any better. Sorry, will not be returning.
(2)
Crystal A.

My sister in law is from California and she is super picky about her sushi. Being in Chicago we don't have the best sushi restaurants, the reason I say that is because the sushi restaurants usually do not have original rolls. Come here if you want something other than a rainbow roll, caterpillar, Godzilla, volcano....this spot is fireeeeee!!!! I'm not even going to post a pic because you need to see it for yourself!! Lol
(5)
Yahira M.

The food was so good ! We had the Fire roll, Chicago Spring and the Motown. So yummy. Great service and definitely the BEST miso so far
(5)
Stephanie C.

Theeeeeee best. Have never had a bad roll and the robata is amazing too! I love the favorite Midwest roll and the bacon wrapped asparagus robata. Yuzu is also very reasonably priced. If you go on the weekends make sure you make a reservation!
(5)
Jie J.

The food here is well designed and good flavor! Rolls are fantastic, we ordered two kinds of rolls, the flavor of sauce are so well mixed. Will come back again!
(5)
Paul G.

This place get 5 stars for sure! It has become my favorite new sushi spot. What I love to get: // sweet potato sushi (5$ for 8 pieces! A steal) // Black Sea. Yummmmmy black roe that delightful pop! // my Midwest roll. No rice in this one but tons of fish! // south beach. White tuna on top with a awesome spicy sauce on the side. The presentation is beautiful and it has mango in it. If you're into that thing. // Chicago Spring roll. The BEST for last. Yummmmm. Also they offer 10% off when you order online ANDDD A FREE California roll. But sitting there is awesome too. Byob. And cool tiny interior. Vicky if you're reading this.. JUST GO! And invite me! Ahahah. And also. The robato menu is very interesting and good. I like the pork shoulder and the white tuna.
(5)
Giovanni B.

Would I recommend Yuzu? The real question is when can I return!! Who in the world wouldn't?! It's such a hole in the wall, but its the whole shabang! It has amazing robatayaki and the sushi there looks tasty. I'm def going to go back when I get a chance and try the sushi. The service there is amazing and they are super friendly, which seems terribly hard to find in today's world. It is a little on the expensive side, but that doesn't mean it's not worth it. It's a great place for special events, just don't bring a huge group cuz it will be cramped. Remember hole in the wall. Overall I can't wait to go back! :D
(5)
Gaae A.

I'ved been to many sushi restaurants in the city and this is by far the best one yet! The price is really good considering the quality of the food you get! The rolls and appetizers were amazing. They are very creative with what they make, so it's not the typical menu you see everywhere else. The service was great and they were very attentive. The ambience is fun and they play great music. Also BYOB! I would recommend this spot to everyone and I am definitely looking forward to go again.
(5)
I. J.

My favorite sushi spot! Drool...Midwest Roll! Drool...Tuna Poke! Double Triple Quadruple Drool...Pork Shoulder Robata!!! Ahhhh everything I've ever had here is just delicious. Staff is ultra friendly and puts on a great presentation. The place is small, so be prepared to wait, but it's sooo worth it!
(5)
Terry O.

I will never go back into this place again........ On several occasions I have dined at this establishment and has satisfactory meals.......but tonight i was deeply offended by the behavior of a person who identified themselves as the owner. Two ladies at the table next to us went to use a coupon that was mailed out to them by the restaurant, but were told they did not meet the $35 minimum that was required. Apparently, the $34.80 bill was not close enough for them to qualify... So, after the waitress and so-called owner stood pat on there policy, the nice ladies ordered a pot of tea so that they could use the coupon. After paying the bill and tipping 15% gratitude the lady or so-called owner came over and began screaming at the ladies about the tip and tried to throw them out..... Much to the ladies credit, they stayed and finished there tea.... This owner ruined the evening of ever patron... ....... The owners response confirms my initial thoughts on the owner....... The customer was $1 fricking dollar away from honoring the gift card........ What reasonable owner does not wave the $1??????? If you are that cheap I can only imagine the short cuts you are taking in the kitchen.... You were a lunatic last night and you owe that table an apology... $1 fricking dollar......
(1)
Chastin P.

This place is absolutely amazing. Best sushi I've had since California! I will definitely be going back. Prices are reasonable especially considering its byob:)
(5)
H L.

The food was decent. decent, but nothing wowed me. the music was way too loud to hold a conversation and the tables are packed together. waiters were very nice, but felt a little rushed.
(3)
Julie A.

This is one of my favorite places. The short ribs are fantastic. I have only had one sushi roll I didn't like. and that was due to an ingredient, not the chef. Try the mango avocado salad. Share it with someone or make it your meal. Service is always good. It is a very small place, so make a reservation if you can. Also BYOB!
(5)
Matthew G.

Always love this place. Never had a bad experience and the food keeps getting better and better. Definitely try the Shishito and Nasu from the robata, just to name a few. And their sushi rolls never disappoint.
(5)
Richelle M.

This place was amazing!!! So, I read a lot of yelp reviews and many told me to create a reservation. So glad I that I did cause it was packed on a Wednesday night! We had issue finding parking, so we were about 15 minutes late and other restaurants would give away your table if you're late, but they kept our table surprisingly. My boyfriend and I order the tuna poke, dragon roll, south beach roll, spicy scallops, and asparagus. The presentation was beautiful!!! And since this was the first time my boyfriend ever had sushi, he said he really enjoyed it and neither one of us got sick. The waitress was great. She even recommended the south beach roll. I would definitely recommend coming here for awesome sushi! And creating a reservation.
(5)
Tyan S.

This place is phenomenal!!! Love the small intimate room...reminds me of Japan or Europe. Got a reso at 8pm on Sunday night and they were hopping!!-Good sign!! We brought a nice bottle of white and got started. Ordered shisito peppers, soft shell shrimp (never heard of it), tofu and miso eggplant from the Robata grill...AMAZING. Large portions for the $2-3 price per portion. Japanese curry puffs were fantastic!! Flaky firm crust, dense smooth curry interior with lots of potato and sweet potato. Ordered 2-rolls with hilarious names...I think it was 'I Think I'm Drunk' or something like that LOL & another one. Both with rice outside, not too large, great balance, fresh... and then 6 pieces of sashimi: yellowtail, salmon, super white tuna, tobiko...so fresh. Also had miso soup and tea. All of this for $60??? LOVE IT!! I'll be back for sure.
(5)
Joslynn G.

The white fish sashimi is the best I've ever tasted!! You must get it!! We also got a few rolls which were also very good. Fun environment, great music and speedy service. Priced very reasonable. This is a must try sushi place in Chicago!
(5)
Rebecca B.

The food here is incredible, and you get a lot of food considering how relatively inexpensive it is. That being said, I cannot give Yuzu 5 stars because both times I have been there I have encountered problems with my reservation. The first time we were 10 minutes late, and rather than calling us to see if we were still coming (we were on our way, just stuck in some traffic), they gave away our table. But when we first got there, they said our table was being set and that we would be seated right away. They proceeded to give that table to another party and then had us wait 45 minutes for another table to open up. The host's bedside manner was also seriously lacking. He was pretty rude. The second time I went, I had called earlier that day to change our reservation from 4 people to 3 after one of my friends had to cancel. So, I changed the reservation from 4 to 3 and confirmed the time. My friend got a confirmation text later that day from the restaurant. We were good to go. When we got there, the host (same one from before) said that we had no reservation because someone had called and canceled earlier in the day. We told him that, no, we had called to change the reservation and confirm it, and that we also had a confirmation text from the restaurant. He kept trying to convince us that we had canceled it. After telling us there was no table for us because our reservation had been canceled, we were led over to a table one minute later. I can only assume that this was another party's reserved table, and that they were subjected to the same fate as I was in my previous visit. Anyway, food and atmosphere are both great, but make sure you a) make a reservation and b) confirm that reservation over and over and over. And over.
(4)
Malik S.

One of my favorite Sushi places in Chicago! Highly recommend the grilled Squid! It's BYOB and does not charge cork fees. The place is small so I recommend calling ahead for reservations.
(5)
Ngoc N.

Loved this place. I took a few friends who came to visit Chicago. We hum'd and ha'd about which sushi restaurant to go to. Literally took us an hour to figure out where. Luckily we settled on this place. It's relatively small/cramped space so make sure you make reservations before heading there. it's BYOB and there's a liquore store a block or so away. :) I can't remember everything we got, but I just remember our sashimi. The fish was soooo fresh and mouth watering. I love it when salmon is buttery and just melts in your mouth. Not only is it fresh, they give you a healthy cut of each piece of fish. We left full and then was pleasantly surprised by our bill. We couldn't believe ourselves. Must. Go. Back.
(5)
Jenny A.

This is my all time favorite sushi bar in Chicago... and I've tried a lot. It is small and intimate, such a good value (GREAT prices for basic rolls) and has a very creative selection of food. Try the baked mushrooms... so good. It is also BYOB and has a nice sidewalk cafe in the summer. I love taking a walk through UK Village and ending up at Yuzu for dinner... followed by gelato at Black Dog.
(5)
Stephen S.

The rolls are creative, I wasn't terrible impressed by the quality of the fish but the quantity by price was on spot. Pair that with the fact that this is BYOB and you can walk out of here with a good meal without a major hit on the wallet. I was most surprised by the curry puff which is a fried potato with Japanese curry. I love the flavor of Japanese curry so this was a big win for me.
(4)
Holly S.

Super yummy, but a bit expensive. Have dined in several times and have done carry out a couple of times. Food is consistently of great quality and staff is always friendly. Worth it if you are willing to spend a little more
(4)
Rotem E.

Good stuff. The best roll was black sea. We were sitting right infront of the sushi chef and it was very impressive to see how much attention he puts into his work. robota set 1 was MUCH better then set 2. The mango avocado salad was refreshing and is recommended as well. Brought our own wine and were very happy with the check :)
(4)
Aggie L.

My favorite sushi place in Chicago! The sushi is always fresh and great and looks amazing. Fast service. Great ambience. I wish it was bigger because the seating is tight. It's BYOB!
(5)
Steve P.

Yuzu is great! Every other sushi joint I visit, Yuzu is the template for comparison. It's byob and I highly recommend making a reservation. My girlfriend and I cannot get enough. The robata is melt-in-your-mouth great, which many other sushi places do Not offer. My mother always told me that the best way to classify the quality of a Japanese restaurant is to try their tempura. Which, to say the least, is outrageously delicious. We fight over the vegetables, it's that good. Every time we go we always order the Tuna Poke for appetizer. We brought my folks once. Their response, "When can we go back?".
(5)
Khush S.

Yuzu Sushi is honestly amazing!! I found Yuzu Sushi through a recommendation from a friend. For my husband's 30th birthday I wanted to have a unique experience for my guests so I asked Yuzu if they do Sushi Station with sushi chef's making sushi in front of the guests. The manager (Bua) was so helpful and she said the restaurant has never done it before but they are willing to do it as they want to expand their services. Bua was absolutely fantastic!! She helped me plan the event from top to bottom and took away so much of my stress from party planning. She is an incredibly hard worker and really has a passion for event planning & sushi. Many of my guests were vegetarian so she helped me choose rolls for the party with a great variety of veg and non-veg choices. I called other sushi places and their prices were way over my budget but Bua was very willing to work within my budget. The day of the party she arrived early with her assistant and set up the venue with gorgeous fresh flower arrangements and all the sushi tables meticulously! The sauce decoration was custom made to 30th birthday decor and all the guests were in awe. The sushi chefs were so talented and had friendly personalities. Now for the sushi...where do I start?! I'm not joking when I say almost every single guest (60 total) told me that the sushi was so amazing! Even some vegetarian guests who have never tried sushi before, loved it. I'm so happy I went with Yuzu Sushi for my event, they truly did a remarkable job and made my husband's birthday a memorable experience for us and all our guests. I would 100% recommend Yuzu Sushi to everyone and I know we will be regulars along with many of our friends. Thank you Yuzu for making my event so unique, fantastic and memorable!
(5)
Sarah V.

The sushi is good, but the presentation is great! Sadly, its not consistent. One day your sushi looks like a Picasso painting and the next time, not so much. It's worth a try, even if you don't end up with a masterpiece you will at least have a delicious meal.
(4)
Christina C.

This place is my favorite sushi place in the city of Chicago. We came here for a birthday and had an amazing time. The food was beautifully presented. The staff is great. Very well priced and the quality was excellent. Make reservations, BYOB and enjoy. Old school hip hop on the speakers.... i like. Yuzu I am in love with you.
(5)
Stephanie W.

So good! Try it and you will not be disappointed. The space is a bit small but the food definitely makes up for it!!!
(5)
Diane G.

Updating to 5 stars! Went here for my roommate's birthday dinner and had impeccable service. They gave us a free appetizer because our table wasn't quite ready when we arrived at our reservation time. We waited less than 5 minutes, the owner was very apologetic (none of us minded by the way), and the free grilled mushrooms appetizer was delicious. They also gave my roommate a free plate of greentea cheesecake and assorted mochi for her birthday. Last but not least, I tried the South Beach roll this time round--amazing and absolutely recommend it. I like this place even more than I like Seadog. If you like sushi or food in general, you must start going here!!!
(5)
Seyi O.

I went in to get takeout after reading the great reviews. I wish I hadn't bothered. If there was a negative rating system, this place would get it. I got the pier 69 roll and tuna poke. They were both pretty bad. I haven't been to a sushi restaurant where I couldn't finish the food until today. I took one of the rolls apart trying to figure out why it tasted so horrible. The ingredients were old! They looked like they had been sitting around for days. Please don't waste your money here. I'd recommend ensu, coast, sea dog, even nori. Anywhere else just not here. It sucks because I was so excited to find a sushi restaurant within walking distance of my place. Oh and the 1 star I gave was for service. They were pretty welcoming when I went in.
(1)
Nikki P.

Soo I am a Sushi SNOB and only have one place that is exceptional every time. One day a friend and I wanted sushi and were in Ukrainian Village. We saw Yuzu and saw it had great reviews so we decided to check it out. The place was SMALL and we were quoted a 25 minute wait...we got in within 5 minutes. The menu was so extensive and every roll looked DELICIOUS! They serve Cucumber water! YUM! So refreshing. I never really start with apps at a Sushi place because all I want is sushi. But, we got the Tuna Poke. DELICIOUS! The Tuna was seasoned so well and seasoned perfectly. The avocado was fanned out to look like a birds wing for a beautiful presentation. I got a couple pieces of Nigiri; Sake, Maguro, Tako, and Super White Tuna. Sooo delicious and fresh. My salmon just melted in my mouth and they weren't skimpy little pieces. My friend got their usual Spicy Tuna Roll; extra Spicy...we always get that and it was so fresh. We debated what rolls to get and we got the My Favorite Midwest Roll, , Boston Crunchy, South Beach Roll, and Fire Roll. Can I just say this is not sushi...its a work of art. I didn't want to touch the sauce since the designs were so intricate but once you tried it...you went back for more. All the rolls were beyond delicious and we left with our bellies FULL and brought some of the pieces home (which tasted delicious like they were just made the next day). Thats when you know the sushi was high quality. I will DEFINITELY be back. The staff was welcoming and warm and the sushi was out of this world. Try this place.
(5)
Stella W.

Since i first came here, i have been bringing my friends back coz i really love the qualities of their nigiris... It had always been a off the beaten path and always had been easy to get seats until recently. Despite resos, we still had to wait for a while to get seated on a weekday =/ perhaps, time to expand?! :)
(4)
Jonathan S.

Amazing. Our go to spot on Thursday nights. Robata is amazing. Sushi (nigiri and sashimi) are phenomenal. Staff always treats us well with quick service. Some of my favorites: Robata set 1, tuna poke, South Beach, Black Sea, and What's My Name. Only downside is that this place is now very popular with long wait times, plus it's tiny. Definitely recommend calling ahead for a reservation.
(5)
Janet X.

Whoa. First you get AMAZING sushi, which is a given. But the robata grill was so much better than I expected!!! My friend and I had the short rib and the pork shoulder, and both were soooo flavorful and tender. They were the perfect appetizer to our rolls -- a Dragon for him and a Over the Rainbow for me. Mine was an awesome take on the regular Rainbow roll, with unagi and avocado in the middle instead of the boring old California roll. There is only one reason why I don't give this place five stars: I didn't really like the menu system of listing all the ingredients, not really giving you an idea of what's in the middle, what is the main ingredient, etc etc. But that's just me not really liking huge quantities of cucumber. (ALSO, for all of you non-mayo eaters, the sauces come on the side!)
(4)
Nghia V.

hands down the best price/quality ratio restaurant i have been to. Their Nasu, salmon, pork shoulder grills are amazing. The rolls are great as well. Me and my friends had "breaking bad", "south beach", "over the rainbow" and their were fantastic. Their mochi firework dessert is one of a kind. Great atmosphere for youngster. reserve if you can due to limited room (our group had to wait 15 mins at 10pm on Friday night). I would definitely visit this place again next time visiting Chicago.
(5)
Dustin L.

Ok, food was amazing! The dragon roll and South Beach not only tasted great but were visually amazing. So why did I give two stars? The service was the horrible. I took my girlfriend here for her birthday. I even made a reservation a week in advance. It was pretty busy but they had our table ready. So far so good. Then came the order. So I don't know about most of you, but when I order an appetizer and then my food order you'd think it would come out in that order. Well not at yuzu! If they're busy and need to flip your table they bring it all out at once. If I wanted a fast food experience I could have taken my girlfriend to Wendy's!
(2)
Heather M.

Awesome!! I'm pretty skeptical of eating sushi in the flyover, but this place made me feel at ease. The tuna poke was awesome, and the fish was very fresh. The 100 Years of Solitude was amazing - and not just because that's one of my favorite books of all time! I ordered it with salmon instead of tuna, and they graciously delivered - it was delicious. Boston crunchy was also quite good. We were very pleasantly surprised by the robata. The ribeye was excellent and the pork shoulder was over the top. I can't wait to come back, hopefully with a big group next time. Overall, 4.5 Stars. Half off only because they don't make their gyoza in house.
(4)
Marta S.

BEST SUSHI place in Chicago!!!!!! my favorite is pier69 roll and salmon robata grill. I don't usually leave reviews but this place is really great!!! They recently moved to a bigger location so there is more room and they can seat more people now!!!!
(5)
Mookie S.

I have been here 3 times and have been impressed each time. Delicious!
(5)
Nari H.

There's a reason why it's hard to get a reservation here. The food is good, they have BYOB and the restaurant is very small. Came here on a Saturday night and the dinner reservation we ended up being able to snag was at 5:30PM. When we arrived, the restaurant was already 80% filled. That being said, I'm guessing there are about 10-15 tables that seat max 4 people. It's not a huge space, but just enough for us. FOOD (this is what I tried, but our group ordered a lot more) - Grilled Skewers = Delicious. I even enjoyed the crayfish. Meat felt little undercooked though. i think thats what they were going for, but sometimes I'd rather just have my meat cooked all the way through. - Spider Monster Roll ($10) = Overall good - very large, 5 pieces, can't go wrong with this one. - Born to Chill Roll ($16) 8-9 pieces This came recommended. Was very good. The flavors almost melted into each other. I would get this one again. Has salmon if you are a fan. - Edamame: This was pretty good and the portion size was rather plentiful, considering I've been in other restaurants where they give you less. - Sashimi: If you order one a la carte, you will get one super long piece, which will be the equivalent of two shorter pieces. On this particular night... Salmon = good, Inari = Good. Yellow Tail = not so fresh, Uni = excellent. - Mochi: They had mango, strawberry and green tea. Cut into quarters and decorated nicely. These were yummy and easy to share. ATMOSPHERE: it's hip and urban with enough recycled materials in the restaurant to make any semi-tree-hugging-sushi-loving person feel good about themselves. It's edgy enough with all these chefs and servers with tattoos or equivalents to make you believe you are cool for frequenting a place like this. And the music gets slightly retro-enough to make any Gen X or Y-er feel like they belong. OTHER OBSERVATIONS/TIPS: - Service was very good. The gal that served our table was very nice and helpful. - This is not super great for kids, but they do have highchairs! - Portion sizes are pretty good! - Can you spot the Buddha? Look towards the back. IN CONCLUSION: Great place for a date, a small group of friends, or a semi-adventurous family bringing their own superb bottle of wine (as we were ha!). PS. I didn't bring my phone, so I wasn't able to check in or take pics :(
(4)
Asia W.

This place was so yummy! I had the Bento Sashimi and soft shell crab. It was so flavorful. The place is small so if you have more than 2 people make a reservation. The service was good as well. Love it!
(5)
David P.

I love this place, good quality sushi at a good price. Oh, it's also BYOB, which is awesome. My girlfriend and I always get at least a couple orders of yellow tail nigiri sushi. The avocado and tuna salad appetizer is wonderful. The robata grill combos are great to share. We love the beef short rib, pork, asparagus wrapped with bacon and the sweet shrimp special. Also love the Uni shooter special on our last visit. Just trust in the quality and venture out and try something new. I think you will be very happy with the quality of the ingredients creativity of the chef. I look forward to visiting again soon.
(5)
Glenda C.

The wait on a Thursday night at 8pm was about an hour long. Unfortunately because the place is tiny, you end up waiting outside. The bad news about this is that the street is not really enjoyable to walk around. No nearby bars to catch a few drinks with your friends or cute boutiques to shop. It is BYOB, so remember to bring your booze. There is a nearby liquor store but limited on its selection. Go here with your girlfriends or on a date....don't go here with your kids or large groups because as you've read it's super tight cramped in there! The food ...AMAZING! Well worth the wait. The price a great value for the deliciousness that came out. Unique rolls and scrumptious pork shoulder on a skewer... Can't get better than that!
(5)
Allyson B.

Wow! What an awesome find. Wonderful service and the icing on the cake is that it's BYOB! Tuna poke was fantastic .... As was the Midwestern roll and the South Beach ..there were so many unique rolls to try - we will be back ! Make a reservation if you are going for dinner ... It was very packed !
(5)
M R.

Amazing, great sushi. Wonderful and friendly service. I am impressed.
(5)
Suzanne O.

Great sushi, great prices. I only tried the sushi, but all the other menu items I saw also looked delicious. Not only is the sushi tasty, but the presentation is awesome too. We had the seaweed salad, very spicy tuna roll, unagi roll, and the chicago spring roll. I'd order them all again. Another great thing about this place is that you can bring your own wine, and there's no corkage fee!
(5)
Chun R.

fantastic sushi! i love the im drunk sushi and who am i sush. And the grill is fantastic.
(5)
Tina W.

Ordered delivery from here and it wasn't quite as good as dining in (their plating adds to the experience) but still very good. I particularly like the river walk and summer breeze + ocean.
(4)
D. I.

This is the best sushi I have ever had. Nothing compares. The variety and custom rolls are incredible.
(5)
Sam G.

I just want to say that right from the beginning my party was misjudge and rushed to order! I felt like they wanted us to get out of there as soon as possible. The server never introduced herself to us or asked us if we wanted something to drink. After reading so many reviews on this place I was assuming the sushi rolls would've made up for the experience. Man, was I wrong to believe that. The sushi rolls are just masked with the extensive sauce they come with and everything has imitation crab or tempura! If you want real sushi go to Yumi's Sushi Bar and I bet you it'll be worth the drive.
(2)
Food Junkie S.

The food is good and well prepared. The service is also very good. Just don't ever order delivery. Was told an hour, called after 90 min and was told the delivery guy forgot and that it wasn't his/their fault. So, who's fault is it? I know it wasn't my fault! The guy who picked up the phone needs to take some customer service training. Waited another 40 min and called again and the guy says it's on his way. I'm beyond furious so I canceled it. 2 hours and 15 min later the food arrived. I told them to leave. Nowhere in Chicago do you ever wait over 2 hours for food that was promised in an hour. And not even an apology for ruining our dinner and night... I think a call saying sorry and that they are running late would have gone a long way. I'm an understanding person. Never again, Yuzu. We must break up and go our separate ways...
(2)
Anna G.

There is probably not much I can say about Yuzu that hasn't already been said. Since discovering it right after their opening, it has become our sushi spot. We really don't bother even trying any other place anymore and it has definitely taken over Coast as my #1 spot (if they came up with a white dragon roll similar to Coast's, I'd probably never go anywhere but Yuzu again!). I love all of the robatas and particularly enjoy the Midwest Roll. The prices are amazing, it's BYOB and they take reservations.
(5)
Karolina S.

Yuzu has delicious sushi and will make adorable pictures of Octupi on your plate out of sauce. :) It is BYOB which is also a plus. The only downfall, such a tiny space. So tiny and super busy is a bad combo. Feels a bit cramped and you have to wait a bit for a table. Please go and support Yuzu and eat up some large amounts of delicious sushi so they can get a bigger space.
(4)
Allana I.

Fantastic byob sushi! Lovely patio, fresh fish, visually stimulating and allows hard alcohol!
(5)
mark j.

I've been to almost every sushi restaurant in Chicago. I would have to say that this place is number 1. It's byob and very reasonable and super delicious!
(5)
christy c.

Excellent food paired with top notch staff. Our server was just splendid (Amy and the sushi men are brilliant!
(5)
Bettina S.

I really like this hidden gem of a BYOB. The service is really fast, and the staff is really nice. The space is very intimate, but cute. I don't know that I would bring a huge group of people on the weekend just cause there's not a ton of room. Yuzu has a great selection of delicious shareable food. Great rolls, delicious little small plates and it's BYOB. We ordered a sample platter of small plates and two larger rolls, and were totally satisfied. The food was fresh, well seasoned, and really tasty. Tip: If you're dining on the weekend I highly recommend that you make a reservation. This place gets really crowded, and there's not a huge waiting area. If you are waiting for a table, you'll likely find yourself waiting on the sidewalk outside the restaurant. But it is worth the wait.
(4)
Vikki Y.

An unexpected delight. Came here for dinner with a former boss. He recommended the mango-avocado salad and it was delicious! We also had the Dead Sea sushi (pretty good but the pieces were smaller) and another type of roll. It is BYOB so bring your own libations! Ample parking on Chicago Ave but I did not like how there is not much around the location itself. Attentive servers but the atmosphere was kind of too loud and the restaurant itself is kind of small. Food is delicious and filling! Sushi def is higher end- but will not leave you going home hungry like at certain high end places. PS: LOVED the wall art! Life size Japanese manga!
(4)
Jennifer P.

Yuzu sushi would be a great place to take a date. What I love about Yuzu is the lighting, and the Anime looking graphics on the wall, called Manga art, created by Mangaka. They both seem to play off of each other. The lighting is warm, slow, and intimate; while the art seems impersonal and highly active, creating drama while everyone dining is clearly trying to relax. To boost the irony, the restaurant is always busy. What's nice is that the tables are spaced far enough away from each other, giving you ample elbow room to effectively use your chopsticks to grasp a hold of that lovely sushi. As for the Robatayaki grillers.. I wasn't quite sure what the most polite way was to eat this moist and tasty meat on a stick. I wanted to pick it up and eat the meat directly from the skewer, but I saw my friend using chopsticks to separate it away. I just loved the busy restaurant because I had my own space to sit back and enjoy it. It was super noisy, but the music wasn't too loud, so the noise level stayed tolerable. The music was excellent, mostly hip hop from the early 90's which was considered "gangster" at the time, now is regarded as mainly a novelty. The best example: I Got 5 On It, by Luniz. If you have been messing with that "endo weed," then you're really in for a treat by eating here. For as busy as Yuzu is, your food comes out promptly and the wait staff is always around if you want to order more. From the Robata grill, my friend and I had the Chicken and Green Onions, Asparagus Bacon, and the Cauliflower. For the sushi rolls, we had My Favorite Midwest Roll, Fire, Unagi, and the Boston Crunchy. All of these were so good. I'd say the Boston Crunchy made the least sense to me because it had cream cheese inside of it. I've heard most Asians are lactose intolerant. The cream cheese did nothing to bring out the flavor of this roll, along with the crunchy exterior. Perhaps when you go, I'd consider ordering something else. What stood out to me the most was the Asparagus Bacon. I have never seen a restaurant do this before and which proves once more that everything tastes better with bacon! I will definitely be coming back to this swanky sushi venue!
(5)
Mrs. H.

I love LOVE love this place! I go here so often, I hate it's taken me this long to write a review. Their selection is amazing and the prices are great! BYOB? Absolutely! It's super small so get there early or make a reservation. There isn't an ideal waiting area. The staff is nice, music is great, and they make beautiful rolls! Try a few things off the grill, mix and match to share, or keep it all to yourself like I do sometimes :) I tried the Green Harbor veggie roll the other day and it was delish! I'm talkin' sweet potato tempura, asparagus, avocado, broccoli, and some. Do yourself a favor and go to Yuzu!
(5)
Sara H.

Yuzu really stands out from the crowd of BYOB Sushi places in chicago. Whether you go there to eat (GET RESERVATIONS), grab take out, or get delivery, it's worth a try. Highlights: - Great specialty rolls, excellent nigiri - The Robata Grill features items ranging from japanese sweet peppers, to chicken satay w/peanut sauce, to bacon wrapped scallops. All have great and very different seasonings just bursting with bold flavor. - Seaweed salad rocks This place is always busy but the wait staff and management really care about their customers. Last week we got take-out and had a small problem with our order. They not only brought the correct item TO OUR HOUSE but they included dessert. This is way above and beyond what I could have expected! They deserve 10 stars for this amazing customer service and it is VERY appreciated. Thank you Yuzu!!
(5)
Betty C.

Although the place is small has a very good vibe. Great music and very pleasant and attentive servers and to the warm feeling you have here. Tuna poke and grilled squid apps are tasty and leave you wanting a lot more! The grilled squid dipping sauce is like a mustard/horseradish sauce with a kick. The robota grill items are excellent - the pork shoulder a little more savory than the short rib which is sweeter and Korean tasting. Both are tender, juicy and worth trying. The rib-eye was OK but not as good as the other two. Rolls were good but as many others have commented - they do seem to lack fish except for the Over the Rainbow which has tuna, salmon and super white tuna. The very spicy roll is too hot - you can't taste the fish. Many of the others tasted the same as one another - they like a lot of avocado here so be prepared for that.
(4)
Amanda W.

I can't say enough great things about this place. I got there really early on a Friday night and they were able to seat me right away while I waited for my friend to arrive. I observed the waitstaff being super accommodating to everyone who arrived for reservations or carry out orders. When a toddler spilled his entire glass of water they were very responsive and helped the parents clean up. It's a small, but very busy place with a great vibe. They played hip-hop/R&B music from the 90's, which made me a very happy girl while I waited. Mua was very kind and friendly. We took our time eating and never felt rushed to leave so they could seat another guest. Now to the glorious FOOD! The presentation and custom artwork on the trays was beautiful. Every bite was amazing! Try the "What's My Name" roll. You won't be disappointed. TIP: Make reservations!
(5)
Astrid R.

They don't make reservations, but are well organize, so the tables move really fast. My wating time was about 30 mints. on a Saturday at the prime time... It was the beging of winte and we waited outside. my only suggestion will be to put some heating lamps outside at the winter season The food was excelent, the octopus, black sea roller, dragon roller, miso soup, Robata tuna, coliflower and cuccumber. Service excelent. No my kind of place for dessert.
(5)
Antaash U.

This was my first time actually eating at Yuzu. My first experience here was carry-out. However, the food was so good that I felt like I needed to go back. I think the food is really, really good considering where it is and how small the space is. there are no frills about the ambiance or the staff, but when the food brings me back, I tend not to care so much about all the extras. What my party ordered: For Starters: Avocado Mango Salad, Tune Poke, Chicken and from the Robata Grill: Ribeye, Green Onion and Chicken Satay. Every single thing was EXCELLENT. The portions from the Robata Grill are tiny, so be sure to order multiples if your party happens to be larger than 2 people. Sushi: Hamachi Jalapeno My Favorite Midwest Roll (my absolute fave): ahi tuna, avocado, cream cheese, jalapeno, scallion, masago, spicy mayo, wasabi mayo. sweet soy sauce What's My Name: super white tuna, avocado, jalapeno mayo, red tobiko served over spicy yuzu sauce Very Spicy Tuna (NOT SPICY AT ALL!) : tuna, chili sauce, masago, mayo seasame oil I would order every roll again except for the Very Spicy Tuna. It was very disappointing. Also, there was some confusion about the 10% off for Yelp check-in. In the end, they cleared up the confusion and honored the coupon for us. That made me happy. With all the sushi palces in Chicago, this is one of my favorites for a quick, satisfying yet affordable meal.
(4)
Pedro L.

One of my favorite grub hub joints. For take out sushi its pretty damn good. Ate in house a few times also. Very intimate dining area.
(4)
Rebekka T.

The robata items are great, I don't bother with sushi as I prefer more traditional Japanese sushi. This sushi is American fusion style with sauces etc. Anyway, it doesn't matter because the robata is awesome. 4 or 5 grill items + a bowl of rice = one satisfying meal! Also, the lunch bento box is a great thing to get, you can try a little but of everything.
(5)
Lixi L.

Had a great first time experience and this time I brought my friends here to celebrate a birthday. Amazing sushi, the eye candy plating and exquisite combinations of flavors and textures are a rarity to savor. Can't go wrong with any item on the menu. The best part? They let us bring in our own cake!
(5)
Angie S.

Sushi Sundays with my best bud, my sister, is made possible only at Yuzu. Every Sunday we look forward to their beautiful display of sushi. Yuzu is a cozy spot with good service and it's BYOB. We definitely recommend the dragon or any other their spicy choices. Enjoy!
(4)
C N.

I live a mile down the road and have been here a few times now. All the dishes I have ever tried have been delicious! The service has been consistently good. This place is often packed, so get a reservation or prepare to wait! The only sad thing is that both times that I have tried to get a dessert closer to the end of the night they have been out. I can only imagine that it is because it is delicious. I hope to try a dessert soon.
(5)
Angie M.

It's Saturday night. You have an 8:00pm reservation for a new sushi joint in the neighborhood with two of your nearest and dearest. You're decked out in the shortest of skirts and the highest of heels. Clearly you're ready for a good time. Then Yuzu and their waiting game happened. Nothing infuriates me more than having to wait a very long time for a table. That's why I make reservations. I want to come in at 8pm and BE SAT. I don't know if the reservation situation that left an entire herd of potential diners crowded in a minuscule entryway was a product of Yuzu being a new restaurant and not properly factoring how long it takes tables to eat or blatant disregard for keeping on task, but waiting 40 minutes past my reservation time for a table is just not acceptable. Turns out that sometimes the squeaky wheel does get a table and an attempt at making some amends to our uber-long wait. The manager, who was very lovely and accommodating, gave our table 20% off our tab and complimentary edamame and moshi. It was appreciated, especially since our bill ended up being under $20/person when all was said and done. During the ridiculous wait time, I spent some time checking out the restaurant logistics. The space is cramped and small. I would never come to Yuzu with more than 4 people because I could only imagine the seating would be uncomfortable to say the least. The walls boast cool comic book art work, the servers are decked out in their hipster finest of flannel shirts and all the chefs wear fedoras. I get the vibe they're going for and admittedly, it's a cool, neighborhood-appropriate vibe. Had I been sitting in my seat rather than crammed against the wall getting smoke blown on my by the robata grill, I probably would have appreciated it more. There were some definite hits and misses on the menu. ** The Hits ** - Bacon-wrapped Scallops and Asparagus brushed with soy butter off the robata grill. In all honesty, it's hard to miss with bacon-wrapped anything, but these tasty morsels from the sea and the swine were divine. Also, the asparagus was nice and charred, which I love. - Black Sea Maki Roll - Filled with tuna, super white tuna, albacore tuna, salmon, hamachi, kani kama, sunflower seeds, masago, spicy mayo, sesame oil, black tobiko and scallion, it was delish. - South Beach Maki Roll - Super white tuna, albacore tuna, cucumber, japanese pepper, sesame oil, masago, mayo, red & black tobiko and lime. The flavors were okay, but what was truly mind-blowing was the presentation. See image. Unbelieveable. That stuff on the left is the SAUCE. It was almost too pretty to eat. ** The Misses ** - Beef Short Ribs of the robata grill were simply too fatty to eat. I prefer my meat on the leaner side. - Spider soft shell crab maki roll - Filled with marinated crab meat, cucumber, masago, mayo, black tobiko and pepper vinegar sauce, it just lacked flavor. Would I go back? Sure. Probably on a weeknight and even more probably for an early seating time. Yuzu is BYOB, which I love and I like where they're going with the presentation of the maki rolls. I just wish there was more fresh fish variety on the docket to keep my tastebuds dazzled and really wanting more.
(3)
Brent B.

Loved the hip hop and r&b music and the art that came with the rolls. The bbq sticks were very flavorful especially the beef! Byob and no corkage fee!
(5)
Amy D.

Bottom line: LOOOVE IT! Skip everything and head for the SUSHI! Time: Around 8PM on a Monday night - This place is always packed. - Take my word and make reservations! Service: Good - Staff is awesome. - Consistent on that water refill, trust me, you will need it! Food: The roll! The sauce! - Skip the appetizers and the grill and head straight for the rolls! - In love with their sauce that comes with the rolls. - Haven't had a bad roll, but I highly recommend the ones with tuna or salmon in them because they are super generous on the slice of fish you get! - When they say JUMBO, they aren't kidding! Second time here and still amazing! Small place, but who cares because the food is delicious! Make a new friend. Share a drink. It's BYOB! I tell you the sauce! It's spicy, it's creative, and it's tasty! To top it all off, I even for free dessert! Mochi ice cream with all types of sauces to pair it with too. Even the dessert comes with yummy sauces! I'm a fan, can you tell? Keep up the good work.
(5)
Alissa L.

I'll start off by saying I really do enjoy Yuzu's food. They have a great selection including a lot of fun and unique rolls. I've tried a number of rolls and so far I think the Motown is my fav! It is a bit pricey though, but most of the more expensive rolls are big and filling. I do however find it frustrating with all the extra charges for things like modifying a roll or requesting extra sauce. If you're going to charge extra for things like eel sauce at least fill up the container! Bottom line, Yuzu is near or at the top of my list for great Japanese food in the Ukrainian Village area. I would give it a 5, but they've gotten our delivery orders wrong a few times and especially as a regular customer I find it frustrating with all the extra charges and not even half filled cups of sauce.
(4)
H H.

Cute space! BYOB. Pork shoulder was terrific. Seemed like anything off of the grill would be good. $2-3 eah. Black Sea roll $8 and tasty.
(5)
Steve H.

Some of the most gorgeous looking maki rolls in the city, all with a BYOB policy makes this place truly shine.
(4)
Lindsey P.

How can people even rate this place! Sushi is horrible! My husband spit every roll out of his mouth. As for the robata food... Tasted like it was straight out of the microwave! Zero stars for this place.
(1)
Volkan Y.

This was my second time sushi experience and absolutely loved it. My great friends introduced me to Yuzu last night and now I can't wait to take more friends there. Go there and enjoy it if you love yourself!
(5)
Wagner V.

I'm visiting Chicago for a couple of weeks and I hit the jackpot when I dropped in Yuzu. The service was amazing and the staff are so friendly. I had the Pot River Roll on my 1st visit and on my second I added the dragon roll (both rolls were Fantastic) Amazing and the presentation of the food will blow you away. This is my new Sushi spot in Chicago.
(5)
Kathleen O.

The owner of Yuzu had reached out to me in regards to my last review, urging me to try Yuzu again. I told him I would, and when I give someone my word, I mean business. My colleague just called me tubby because I ordered (all to myself): - Sweet Potato Tempura Rolls - Cucumber Rolls - Cucumber Avocado Rolls - Asparagus Robata & a Sprite The Sweet Potato Rolls have a great consistency... a tiny bit of crunch and a whole lot of NOM. The cucumber rolls were jam-packed with cucumber... none of the weak shiznat where you can barely taste the fresh cucumber taste! The cucumber avocado rolls were massive and delicious. The asparagus robata stole the show though. My jelly rolls agreed. I am so full right now that I look three months pregnant. I swear, Mom, it's Danny Devito's child... I mean a Yuzu baby.
(5)
Matthew R.

An unspoken gem. Best sushi I've had in Chicago yet. Great presentation; they drew faces and designs on the tray with sauce. Ask what the most popular are and start with those. Sashimi and nigiri(sp?) are extremely generous. BYOB and no corking fee.
(5)
Ryan V.

I enjoyed this restaurant for the awesome creative and unique bento box. Really fun way for me and my girlfriend to share a meal whole trying out this restaurant for the first time. Fresh sashimi, tasty fried food, and loved the presentation! I definitely recommend any foodie to try this spot while in Chicago!
(4)
Adam R.

Great place. Only complaint is some of the food is too cold. The avocado that was served with my tuna poke was almost frozen. The time before some of the nigiri was too cold to eat.
(5)
Kathy S.

So I've been here about 5-6 times now and I am super impressed with the staff here. They do their best to accommodate everyone and always go the extra mile. Case in point, we were a group of 20 on Saturday night and somehow they made it work (if you've been here before and saw the space, that's quite the feat). We also had a late reservation (9:30 but we didn't really all get seated until around 10ish) so they patiently waited for us to finish our meal around midnight, even though the restaurant technically closed at 11. There are very few restaurants where I leave happy everytime but Yuzu is definitely one of them!
(5)
Selena L.

5 of us came here last night and just as other yelpers have stated: this place is SMALL SMALL SMALL! We probably made up half of their capacity. Ok, over-exaggerating, but it's seriously tiny! I made reservations (thanks to other reviews) and luckily we got a table outside so we didn't have to sit on other peoples' laps and hear everyone else's conversations. I had the Black Sea, 100 Years of Solitude (LOVED!!) and the Shrimp Tempura rolls - all were delish! My friends all enjoyed their orders as well (Dragon, Sorry I'm Drunk (?), Gyoza, Spicy Scallop, Salmon, and Spider). Highly recommend making reservations and asking to sit outside if possible! Don't forget to bring your libations - byob!
(5)
Laura S.

food is great, service is pretty mediocre. They take reservations....sometimes? Really confusing reservation policy/procedure.
(3)
Fuffie G.

Here's another perfect example of how bad service or attitude can ruin your dining experience. Went on Saturday night and it was crowded. I expected that as Yuzu was just on Check Please. Hostess was rude and servers rush you through. Sushi was good but I have certainly had better. Presentation gets high marks. Some of the Robata dishes were good. Short ribs and the bacon wrapped asparagus. Thumbs up. Icing on the cake, rude hostess came to us after we were just finished with dinner and had the check in front of us for maybe 5 minutes, told us we had to pay our check as they needed the table. On my way out, I politely pulled her aside and told her how rude she was and she was the reason I will probably never be back.
(2)
Tawny S.

This place is INcREDibLE. Hands down one of the best in the city. The only reason I am giving this four stars is because when we sat down there was a faint smell of gasoline in the room and the small space for seating. I consider myself to be a sushi snob and if you can present a simple Maki roll with hamachi, scallions, and jalapeno perfectly I will obviously give you a good rating. I have only been here for lunch but it was a really good deal only $35 for two bento boxes, classic roll, and tea. I was really digging the green tea my boyfriend said it tasted kind of fishy but I thought it went perfectly with the miso soup. This place is probably pretty difficult to get into for dinner so I highly recommend going for lunch for your first time to check it out!
(4)
Anna P.

The food is absolutely delicious. The only issue was the ambiance. It was a really small space and my date and I felt like we were on top of the other patrons. Will definitely be back.
(4)
matthew c.

I REALLY LIKE THIS PLACE! Even though I didn't win the free food raffle I signed up for over 7 times, I still go here.
(5)
Anna Y.

Ummm these people are really scary! They have been sendings threatening messages for crying out loud! Ps; I called restaurant before we came to check on a table in nothing to do with Saturday I have receipt ! You guys are seriously psychotic ! It's funny how u attack everyone by calling them a lier when they leave a poor review I guess everyone is lying???? And ur just the innocent party? Riggght
(1)
Dan M.

The positive "check please" and yelp reviews made this neighborhood place very inviting to try however the food and bill left us rather disappointed. We ordered a number of rolls and robata grills for delivery. On a positive note, I will say that the robata short rib was very tasty. Aside from this, we are not quite sure why this place warrants all of these great reviews-the sushi was mediocre and the prices were not what we thought. The presentation of the rolls are great but the taste is average. The proportion of fish against rice or other ingredients is awful. Some rolls are too meaty and some are too heavy. Every price on yelp is inaccurate and probably outdated as things have increased significantly since. Thus, I prefer Coast for the money as the quality is much better.
(2)
Susan A.

We must have ordered half the menu when we were there. gasp! The ingredients are high-quality and the sauces seem to be made fresh. It is BYOB and they will direct you to the nearest store if you didn't know that. Their rolls were good, but the best came from the grill. Rolls we ordered Before Sunset, Monster Roll, and something else I forget now. The eggplant from the grill was good, as were the bacon scallops, chicken & black bean sauce, kalbi beef, etc. The asparagus was tasty but we ordered 3 orders not knowing how big that would be.
(4)
Irene G.

I have been waiting for a sushi place that I can walk to from my place and I finally found it! Any sushi restaurant that is convenient and walking distance automatically gets a plus in my book. I dined here on a Friday night (make reservations because it does get busy) with a few friends and we were seated right away. It's a very small space and you're crammed in like sardines, but the food is so worth it. By the way, this place is BYOB, no cork fee, and no limit to the amount of liquor you can bring-our party of five brought 4 bottles of wine so I know. The menu is extensive so it can take awhile for you to choose what you want, but I guarantee you that whatever you choose will be fantastic. I highly recommend the Pot River and Super Spicy Tuna rolls. Their sauce is real good, too. The service was excellent so the automatic 20% tip on our bill didn't bother me at all. I am already planning my return to Yuzu.
(4)
Jocelyn H.

Always a great experience. Byob, awesome sushi, great prices, and when I was there during a storm one of the employees escorted us to our car with an umbrella after we ate. So gracious.
(5)
Nichole M.

Yuzu Sushi is my new favorite casual sushi spot in Chicago! Since Sushi Wabi closed, I have been bouncing around aimlessly from sushi spot to sushi spot, desperately seeking one that would stick. Needless to say, life was a letdown for awhile... until now! I LOVE YUZU! The maki and nigiri are endlessly creative and delicious. The menu has something for everyone -- from the traditionalist to the "I Like Sushi with Creamcheese and Tempura" fan, everyone is covered here! The ingredients are fresh, the knife skills are stealth and the service is great. And, most importantly, they consistently deliver the same experience! I've been to Yuzu about a dozen times now, and I am always impressed. Great job, Yuzu!
(5)
Michael K.

My wife took me here on my birthday. This place was everything you could want from a place. The servers were very accommodating. The food was delicious and was presented extremely well. The wasabi here was particularly good. The owner was there in the preparation area and was extremely nice. This place is casual and trendy but not overly hipster. I will definitely return.
(5)
Angela R.

This place is great. The sushi rolls are big and filling and the space is casual yet trendy and fun. Usually it's nearly impossible to find rolls that aren't littered with krab stick and cream cheese but not here. The service wasn't exactly warm but it was efficient. I agree with Ashley that coming with a group of 4 or less is ideal. It's a small space so make reservations (there was a wait on a Sunday night) and note that it's BYOB! That fact unfortunately wasn't clear to us.
(4)
Samantha R.

I love coming here for two reasons: 1. The food (obvious choice) and 2. It makes me feel kind of cool & artsy. Ha ha I'm kind of embarrassed to admit the latter but oh heck, who cares. I like that it's not located on a block with 8 million other sushi joints on a crazy busy street-- it's a unique restaurant, in an up and coming area, that has a very eclectic feel to it. Onto the food...Or shall I say art? Either way. It's something that must be experienced firsthand. The Robata, delicious/fabulous/succulent meats on little wooden skewers, are a must have. My top two favorites are the beef short rib and the pork shoulder. I love these things so much that I'm thinking of going back soon and just ordering off the Robata menu. I could like 50 of them and be a happy camper. Perfectly cooked & seasoned every time I've been there. When I said art before, I was definitely more so referring to the sushi aspect of my food experience. Their sauce designs are beautiful. If the chef offered a class on how to make them, I would sign up in a heartbeat.. they're that cool. The Pot River is my favorite sushi roll, with My Favorite Midwest Roll being the runner up. The only thing I didn't quite love were the chairs in the restaurant-- reminiscent of those uncomfortable metal lab stools in my middle school chemistry lab, preparing to use the bunsen burners. Okay, okay-- I will say that although, they're not the most comfortable recliners-- they do work with the overall ambiance of the restaurant.
(4)
Patty C.

We came for a friend's birthday dinner. We were a group of 10, so space was very tight for us. We had to sit all the way in the back with 2 people hanging out into the walking aisle. The servers and bus boys had to walk around us all night. The service was friendly and quick, but due to the tight space, our waiter spilled sauce on our coats. He tried to help clean them, and brought us club soda to get the stains out. So no harm done. The food was very good here, and nicely presented. The maki rolls are very pretty and tasty. The sashimi was very fresh too.
(4)
Happy C.

Looking for an unpretentious, authentic, fresh & delicious sushi restaurant, that's BYOB? THIS IS THE PLACE! I've been coming here for over a year. Dining in, taking out, delivery... it's always super yummy, fresh, and tastes amazing. This is the same quality you'll get at high end restaurants at a fraction of the price and without any of the fancy-restaurant pretentiousness. I heard that the chef here actually used to be the head chef at one of those high-priced restaurant-row restaurants. I'll admit it, I love going to those restaurants on a special occasion, but you can't afford to eat there every week. At Yuzu however, the prices are affordable enough to dine here whenever your heart desires. It's my favorite sushi place in all of Chicago.
(5)
Andrew K.

Very good sushi. Tuna Poke is a required dish. Went on a Wednesday night and place was busy but no wait (it is 7 degrees out).
(5)
Wayne H.

I had such a fun date night here! We had reservations, but a few tables were lingering around so we ended up eating at the sushi bar instead. I love eating at the sushi bar anyway, so perfecto! This place is BYOB and the decor was super cool. They have Japanese anime cartoon strips painted on the wall and they play really good music. It was such a fun atmosphere for a date. We started off with pork shoulder skewers, which were amazing! We tried the fried tofu skewer also and those were just okay. We had the Pier 99 and Pot River rolls and both were delicious. The Pot River was my favorite of the two. We also ordered some Nigiri, which were also good. I am definitely making my way back to Yuzu!
(5)
Anna P.

Allow me to add yet another stellar review for Yuzu! I have been 4 times, and they never disappoint. Their robata grill items and sushi items are both phenominal. Their fish is so fresh. Also, they have some of the prettiest "sauce decorations" I have seen! They are BYOB, so be sure to grab something on the way. Reservations are definitely recommended, especially on the weekends since the space is very small.
(5)
Alexandra D.

Holey moley delicious. I worked at a sushi resturant in San Diego so I've been underwhelmed with the sushi pickings in Chi Town. But Yuzu nails it on the head. The ambiance is warm and the sushi is so fresh and creative. I sat at the sushi bar and the chefs made me a special roll :). The waitresses really stood out for me as they were all so attentive and sweet. I came in with a sweaty beer after walking over a mile and they promptly brought me a nice bucket. I couldn't look over their way without one smiling at me. Top notch service... And I'm a server
(5)
Anthony B.

Awesome sushi... Very cool house rolls that were close to the best if not the best I have ever had. It's not the nicest decor you will find but the food is fresh (important with sushi) and their creations are definitely among the best.
(4)
bridget l.

Love this place. We have been here twice for lunch and they are always the best. Fresh, clean. And decently priced. They have some great short ribs and steak too! Try it! BYOB
(4)
t c.

What a pleasant surprise! There were 6 of us for dinner. Everything was great. We tried poke and both of the grill sets. Very tasty. Then we ordered a bunch of rolls. All were very fresh and tasty. The presentation for the rolls were also delightful. Did I mention Byob. There was also live music playing. That was a plus. The service was also A+. The food came out about 5 minutes after we ordered. We will be back for sure. The place is small but very well decorated.
(5)
Hector T.

Friendly staff. Byob with no corking fee. Sushi tasted fresh. Really good flavors. Reasonably priced. Small place so reservations are recommended.
(4)
Jess J.

Moving to UKV next week so finding a new sushi place was a must! Yuzu definitely did not disappoint. I made a reservation as recommended by their website and even though I arrived a bit early, our table was ready and waiting. My Philly roll was delicious and my date enjoyed his chicken teriyaki. The place is small but did not feel overly crowded. Will be a frequent visitor!
(5)
Jane Y.

THE SUSHI IS PRETTY DARN GOOD like the FISH MAYN. so good. BUT MY WALLET IS CRYING if youre on a budget dont come here hungry you wont get a fill me and a friend ordered three rolls and while our taste buds were excited and then satisfied our stomachs were not funny how we ended up going to ihop because we because MORE hungry OH and btw the comics/mango on the wall were awesome i love the decorations/atmosphere of the place however it is way way loud for my liking
(4)
Brian W.

Busy busy busy, but don't let this give up. Friendly owner and helpful staff. It's tight inside but everything just tastes so good. Rolls are done right, rice is perfect. Grilled meats are tasty and don't disappoint. Byob and will open your bottle and keep it on ice too. Give them your name and number and you'll be updated when your table is ready. Menu isn't large which is nice. Try everything its all good. Owner takes pride in succeeding and it shows. Keep it up! I'll keep coming back!
(5)
Vincent Y.

Ordered the bento lunch combos! Surprisingly cheap (for a very yuppie-looking place) and more than decent. Robata apparently refers to an old grill-style and specifically the skewers that this place specializes. And for 7-8 dollars you get rice, salad, miso, and four skewers which is a pretty fantastic lunch. The meat was cooked wonderfully and although the chicken was (a bit) tough, it's hard to complain for 7-8 dollars. The manga in the back walls is a nice touch as well.
(4)
M D.

Consistently delicious sushi. Reasonably priced. I do not get the robata much but when I do it is usually also delicious. Get carry our here usually once every two months.
(5)
Frank D.

Yes, its really that good. I think you can't go wrong, everything I've had here has been spectacular. Definitely try the pork shoulder robata. Lunch special cannot be beat. $10 for two rolls, soup, salad, and gyoza? Yes please. I think I will go so far as to declare this best sushi in the city.
(5)
Ed J.

My go-to for sushi. I had a get together with my friends here, and everything from decor, service, food, you name it-was a delight! oh! and BYOB! Perfect...they have these anime designed walls, awesome 90s music, cozy lighting and tables, delicious sushi, fresh sashimis, unique presentation, great attentive service all at a very reasonable price. Love it!
(5)
Lauren G.

It's rare that we don't finish sushi...we barely touched this restaurant's sushi. After rave reviews from friends about how great this place is, I decided to give it a try via delivery. Everything just tasted old and rotten. Such a disappointment. Everyone in my group who ate the sushi last night felt ill after a few pieces. I'll give them credit that their delivery was very timely, and they do have nice coupons for free additional dishes if you order enough - but that doesn't really change the fact that their fish tastes old. After throwing out all of the rotten fish, I decided to see if yelp reviews seconded this experience, or if it was just an off night, which I could understand. I was appalled by the responses this restaurant gives to reviews. There is no need to attack people for simply sharing their experiences with others. That's what this site is for. I would have given this restaurant another try, but after reading how mean they have been to people with less than stellar reviews, I'll take my business elsewhere.
(2)
Lauren P.

I think Yuzu is my new favorite japanese spot! I was sold when i tasted the Tuna Poke and the Tuna Miso Robata skewer. I honestly love everything about this restaurant -- minus getting lost. (they should get a brighter and bigger sign) They should also expand too! Anyways, their food is phenomenal! There wasn't anything we didn't love. We ordered the following: (Appetizers) Cucumber Salad Curry Puff Avocado Mango Salad Tuna Poke * Seaweed Salad (Robata grill) Pork Shoulder Beef Short Rib Tuna Miso * (Sushi) Black Sea My Favorite Midwest Roll * Pot River South Beach Monster Spider Spicy Scallop I starred my personal favorites - but seriously everything is just so good! There are just not enough words to explain how awesome this place is. Just go now and try it!
(5)
Amanda B.

My bosses took me here for a anniversary type dinner. They ordered so much food!! and I must say everything was delicious. Very very good! The place is really tiny so I would recommend making a reservation. They run the place very well for it being so small, I was impressed. I will definitely be coming back here:)
(5)
Patrick S.

Before you write a review about this overhyped sushi dive...ask yourself when is the last time you actually had a proper sushi experience? I don't think you'd rate Yuzu anything above two stars at best. And if you do...I'd hold off on bringing both beer and saki next time. Save your money kids, this place is riddled with disgruntled staff, too close of quarters and second rate fish. Pass!!!
(1)
Nicole S.

One of my favorite sushi places in Chicago. Thou the restaurant is very hard to find, it will never disappoint you any time you go there.
(5)
Margie D.

BEST sushi in our area. Consistently delicious and high quality. Their presentations are gorgeous. The price is so reasonable. Both the Robata and the Sushi are wonderful. My Husband is not a huge sushi fan and he always ends up sneaking in a few bites of my sushi. He orders the Robata, and I always sneak in a few bites as well, which I normally don't do. Even their gyoza is better than standard. The food is fresh, not greasy, and always a hit. I've yet to find a "fishy" piece. I even order the rolls, which I normally steer clear from but they such a fantastic job that I can't resist. I love this place. Can't say enough good things about them. Even the rice isn't too sweet.
(5)
Dennis T.

This place only gets better every time despite getting more busy. Is that possible with any restaurant? My favorites are the robata: shishito peppers, beef short ribs, and pork shoulder. If you are still hungry, you can go for any of their visually and palate appealing rolls. They are extremely generous with their fish (sushi and sashimi). The service remains top notch,extremely attentive despite large a busy atmosphere. And... It's byob!
(5)
Bernice D.

Service was excellent. We had to wait a long time because we had a large group so they gave us edamame. Everything we delicious and reasonably priced. Staff was attentive and friendly even though they were packed and busy. Only complaint was that the food came out at awkward intervals. Definitely will be back!
(5)
Zoe Z.

Loved this restaurant. It is the best sushi I have ever had in Chicago. And it is not expensive. We had a party of 6, and all of us spoke highly of the food.
(5)
Mary Ann C.

I came in on a Monday for carry out and was thrilled with my great lunch. Ordering over the phone was easy. The space was super tiny with very loud music playing...pretty awesome. I enjoyed two rolls: Black Sea and Whats My Name. A great combination for lunch. I will be back!!!!
(4)
Priscilla C.

I did my research prior to coming here so to avoid the crowd we went for a very late dinner (9ish) on a Thursday night and were seated promptly. We ordered The Sin Nombre roll which I nicknamed "mouthgasm," and The Breaking Bad roll, which was spicy hot in the best way! These are not your typical spicy mayo-doused sushi. They were flavorful and original. I am a fan of their minimalist style-fewer ingredients but perfectly blended and enhanced by their unique sauces. Unlike most generic sushi places, their rolls are served in perfect bite-sized pieces-I hate when sushi becomes a choking hazard. Ambiance was great and the servers were very attentive. Overall, I don't have a single complaint about this place and it definitely deserves a 5-star rating and a spot in my top 3
(5)
Sandra L.

Made a reservation on a Monday for that Sunday. When I arrived they lost it and blamed me for not making a proper reservation. I was treated rudely. I won't be visiting this place when there is a better Sushi restaurant 3 blocks away. GO TO BUTTERFLY INSTEAD !!! Bigger restaurant and better food. Great customer service.
(1)
Benjamin D.

So I decided to go again tonight because I was craving their udon and the meal ended up bumping up my impression of the place all around. Similar to what I said before though, I really enjoyed all the non-sushi items! My order was as follows: Seaweed Salad (great portion) Gyoza's (tasty) Baked Shitake Mushrooms (AMAZING - TRY TRY TRY) Tuna Poke (tons of tuna, tons of avocado, awesome!) Udon Soup with Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura (What brought me back) Salmon Nigiri (nice pieces of fish) Spicy Tako Roll (off the menu but never as good as Arami's) Yuzu, you get bumped up!
(4)
Double L.

I've been back a few more times and ordered take out and think this place is great. The Guru roll is probably one of the tastiest rolls I've had in Chicago. Not a huge roll person typically but I like the unique offerings here, if you can get past a lot of the flashier standards they have. The Curry Puff is something I could eat every day for the rest of my life. Wish they had more curry options on the menu. As I mentioned previously, this place and your experience is all about what you order. Tasty, quick, friendly and affordable. BYOB doesn't hurt.
(4)
Jaime L.

My favorite Sushi restaurant hands down. Where else can you listen to 2 chains and other hip hop music while enjoying great service and even better sushi and Robata in fact the bacon wrapped scallops starts my dinner every time I enjoy this place but surprisingly there take out is just as good. This place is a must so don't waste time !
(5)
Sheila S.

The food is awesome! There really isn't much more to say. The only thing that would make it better is the restaurant was a little bigger. It's a great place to go for dinner and drive right down the street and take a walk downtown.
(4)
Nikki G.

I've eaten here several times and the food is pretty solid indeed.
(4)
Laura M.

I have dined in and carried out. The food is good but when you order online to carry out they take longer then they say. This last time I ordered I ordered early and called to confirm they got my order and about how long it would take. I was told 15 min so my husband went to pick up our order and they took over 30 min to get our order ready. I have no problems with 30 min if they would just tell me it would take that long to I'm not just waiting there.
(3)
Roger L.

My favorite sushi place in Chicago. Atmosphere is great, music is dope, food is delicious and affordable. Plus who doesn't love a sushi place with Naruto manga on the walls?
(5)
Pete V.

Hmmm. I'm not quite sure what to make of Yuzu. I like the decor...which is sort of Anime meets unfinished painter's loft. The perfect first date venue for the classic comic nerd. The Robata grill is a cool and unique concept. Two thumbs up for me...meats (chicken, beef, veges, seafood, cooked on a open grill) like they do in Japan as I've learned by watching No Reservations. Of course, they also tout respectable sushi menu and I would be remiss not to mention they are BYOB. For the price, Yuzu is a good, if not great value. In fact considering that it's BYOB, I must bump up my rating and consider it a great value. The sushi was merely average, but for the price I can't complain. We ordered a few items off the robata menu and they were good, the short ribs being our favorite, although we did enjoy the chicken as well (just thought it was too dry). Leaving with a $30 check after ordering a bunch of sushi, robata and an appetizer or two...you can't beat that price in Chicago. It's nice to see Yuzu is doing something new and I hope they expand the Robata concept as I'd love to explore their grilled menu a little more next time.
(3)
Melanie S.

Pleasantly surprised. A friend and I went here for dinner last night and we both really enjoyed it, even after finding out the hard way that it was byob and we came woefully unprepared. We like our cocktails with dinner! Anyway, we started with an order of tuna poke and sweet potato tempura for appetizers. The tempura was lightly battered with panko, and served with a spicy mayo dipping sauce. They're sweet potatoes, and they're fried, so not much to dislike about that. The tuna poke was fresh, and had a slightly spicy sauce and was served with fanned slices of creamy avocado. Highly enjoyable. After our starters, we focused mainly on items from the robata grill portion of the menu. There is plenty to choose from and we pretty much ordered at least one of everything. They have chicken, beef, pork, seafood, and vegetables, and everything is grilled with lovely things like ponzu, soy butter, or miso. Items from the robata grill are appetizer size, but by no means were these teeny tiny portions. Each skewer was plenty enough for both of us to have a couple bites apiece. We also thought it was funny how they announced what each item was when brought to our table. I'm pretty sure we can tell the difference between cauliflower and asparagus, but thanks. We tried the chicken satay, pork shoulder, short rib, shiitake mushroom, cauliflower, asparagus, and bacon scallop. Everything was delicious, cooked perfectly, and each came with its own distinct sauce. Our favorites were the shiitake mushroom and the scallop, but really there wasn't one thing we didn't devour or wouldn't order again. Best of all, we left content and pleasantly stuffed. Our wallets didn't suffer though - all of this food was just over $30. My only complaint is that I thought the chairs were terribly uncomfortable. I kept shifting my weight around hoping to settle in, but I guess I have a bony butt because it was nearly numb by the time I went home. Maybe next time I come here I'll just bring a pillow to sit on. ;-p
(4)
Logan S.

It's just okay. Pros : Price and Presentation. Service is good. Cons : It is small, dark, and loud.
(3)
Cynthia A.

First off, let me say - this place is TINY and packed as hell. As we rolled down the street looking for the place, there was one storefront with two tables outside and an overflow of people outside... bingo, there it is! Plenty of metered street parking on a Friday night. Unless you're coming here on off hours, I highly suggest you GET A RESERVATION. We came 15 minutes early with a reservation for our anniversary on a Friday night, and were seated soon after our actual reservation, yay! Since we were waiting, we perused the menu throughly. There is a "Robata Grill" section along with a couple other entrees, pieces, signature rolls, etc. The kitchen and the sushi bar are in plain view when standing (even though I'm 5'1, lol), so we could see the portion size of the grill pieces. $2 for marinated chicken? I usually eat lots of meat, but I know you can buy a whole frigging chicken instead... pass up the meat and invest in some seafood, here! Anyway, time well spent waiting while looking at the menu (except that our BYOB wine was warm, but they supplied a bucket of ice as soon as we were seated) because we selected some rolls with generous portions of fish inside (Black Sea, Pot River). Look at the pictures on Yelp! They helped immensely and even encouraged us to get the tuna poke. Jumbo rolls were numbered at 8-9 pieces. Basic Food Highlights: Tuna Poke - Refreshing, huge portion I thought! Not spicy despite listing of Japanese chili pepper. Served with a whole avocado, literally. Pot River (9 pieces) - Tuna, super white tuna, salmon. Tempura crumb (I love tempura crumb textured rolls) and probably the jalapeÃ±o made it spicier than the sauces on the side. This is LOADED with cilantro, the damn roll probably tastes like too much cilantro that it mutes everything else, but! I also love cilantro. Black Sea (8 pieces) - tuna, super white tuna, salmon, hamachi. That's four fish in one roll! Lots of seeds, enjoyable if only for the amount inside. Salmon x2 (6 pieces) - Not a bad portion per piece. Not loaded with rice either. My Favorite Midwest (??? I forgot, last roll) - I think this was the only deep fried roll on the menu (I could be wrong). Cream cheese mutes the spiciness, I don't think I'd go for this next time. PS - I checked in on Yelp! on 7/19/13 and the check in special was $10 off $50, but 20% gratuity was automatically added to the bill. OK fine, I had no qualms with that because even though the house was packed, the staff was awesome! Water is served in a mason jar w/ a slice of lemon and cucumber, very refreshing... and refilled like clockwork. Food came out in a timely manner, very pleased with the overall experience.
(5)
Paulina S.

I love this place. Yes it is tiny and yes it is crowded, but if you make a reservation this shouldn't be a problem. The food is great. Personally I love this Robata Grill. The Pork Shoulder and the scallops wrapped in bacon are my favorite The sushi is very good. Probably my favorite sushi place in the area. The staff is really nice too. We had reservations but had to wait measly 6 minutes because it was full and the waitress gave us free appetizer!! It is BYOB with no corking fee, and they will provide a cooler outside if waiting in the hot weather. I will definitely return to this place!
(5)
Laila C.

Amazing. Definitely one of my favorite new restaurants. super delicious food, very good service, quick and extremely affordable AND BYOB!!! We came on Saturday night at 8pm, on a gorgeous night, and was able to sit outside! Could not have been more perfect! BF and I were so excited to be here we ordered far too much food. It's hard to find good non-sushi in Chicago so I was so excited for all the robato grill items. We started with the tuna poke and the grilled whole squid. The tuna poke was delicious and savory, the soy sauce/sesame oil combo was amazing. AND IT CAME WITH A WHOLE AVOCADO!!!! The whole squid was chewy and delicious, I couldn't get enough of the tentacles. We also ordered the Robata set 1 and 2 and the shishito peppers. Favorites were: -shishito: the ponzu teriyaki sauce is fabulous, dipped lots of other stuff in it and it was fabulous. -short rib, pork shoulder and softs shell shrimp (loved the yuzu sauce on top) The chickens all seemed a bit too overcooked and relied too much on the sauces for flavor, probably wouldn't order any of those again. We also got the monster spider and salmon avocado rolls. Definitely too much food but such a good value. Yup....soooo glad I came. Can't wait to go back again very, very soon. It's got the good atmosphere for both romantic dates and fun girls nights. I will be bringing LOTS of people here.
(5)
Brett F.

Another Saturday night, a whole new experience. Kudos to Yuzu (and its amazing manager, Bua!) for the amazing step up and its turnaround to best in show. It has to be said, I'm Yuzu converted and honestly think that not only are they an impeccably run operation but actually set the bar in service. It's true. I'm cuckoo for Yuzu! Not one to be deterred by a few lackluster reviews, Bua set out to change the minds of our doubting group and change them - well, at least mine - she did! From the timely, honored reservation (that, in being totally honest, was set super last minute and still accommodated) to the attentive service, to the thoughtful little touches like constantly refilled ice buckets for the BYO drinks and sending us home with adorable, tasty desserts... it was like being in a completely different restaurant! No more chaos, no more clutter, no more disarray. Nothing but a well-oiled sushi and robata machine. True to form, their food was still very tasty! I embraced my traditionally non-enthused maki side and made a beeline for the rolls I'd heard so much about. Appearing at our table like genuine artwork and tasting like heaven, the Black Sea Roll and Chicago Spring Roll were better than any maki I'd ever had - and probably just as sinful to boot! Looking for something a bit lighter? Stick to the robata. It's still the shining star of Yuzu, in my opinion. The grilled items are TO DIE FOR. Marinated to perfection, you can easily make a meal out of charred scallop, short rib and asparagus beauties, trust me. FIVE glorious stars to Yuzu! Being proven wrong never tasted so good.
(5)
Ashley R.

Anime on the walls, super friendly staff, great music, and delicious food, both raw and cooked. What's not to love? We arrived for my husband's birthday, though somehow there was a mixup with the reservation. I'm not sure who made the mistake, so I'll chalk it up to my own silliness. Regardless, the hostess was very helpful and gave us a seat anyway. We got hot and cold items. The sushi and the sauce was beautiful, delicious, and fresh. The owner was there and made sure to check in and see how we were doing. The staff seemed like a well oiled machine. Overall a very pleasant experience.
(4)
Dusty K.

Update your website, Brah!!! If you say you're open Monday for lunch, be open Monday for lunch. I felt like I was living in an episode of Seinfeld. A wasted trip due to lies! Deceit! Anguish! My life is ruined! "Ruuuuuuned I says". Okay so it's not that big of a deal but why the hell aren't any restaurants open on Monday in Chicago?
(1)
Shawn B.

Great sushi and fair prices. The nigiri was excellent. The Yellowfin was some of the best I've ever had. The only problem is Yelp's map. Don't trust it. If you do, you'll end up walking about a mile. The location they give is no where near where Yuzu Sushi actually is.
(5)
Nancy H.

Fun place for a small group dinner. Love that they play hip-hop all night long! A little bit of Jay-Z + BYOB never hurt nobody! Their service is pretty great too - the waitresses are so nice, keep a watchful eye on your drink refills, and one of the chefs came by one time to offer us more skewers on the house! So I highly recommend the tuna poke, especially if you love avocado and sesame oil. You can also get it with salmon instead. I also recommend the chicken & onion skewer, bacon wrapped scallops, pork belly, and the veggie ones are good too (eggplant, cauliflower, shishito sweet peppers, mushrooms)... uh, basically everything. As for the maki rolls, they're all pretty fantastic. I think I prefer the simpler ones, though. If there's a Yelp check-in coupon for $10 off, our bill will usually come out to around $20/pp after tax & tip! Love that! But if the Yelp check-in coupon isn't available, then a meal here usually costs me $25-30. Beware that it can get a little hot in here (the kitchen is right in the middle of the restaurant), so your clothes might attract some of the food odors too. Or cold... if it's winter, and you're sitting by the door. If I were to subtract a star, it would be for the small size of this bumpin' restaurant! However, street parking is pretty easy, as Yuzu is located on a pretty dead block.
(5)
Lauren M.

My new favorite sushi place! Seriously, this place is awesome! I made a reservation, as this place is so popular (love that they take reservations) and went on a Monday night at 6 pm - when we left around 7 pm, many tables were filled. The decor is super cute, although the one restroom is in need of a makeover. We ordered the Sin Nombre and Over the Rainbow rolls. The rolls were huge, incredibly fresh, beautifully presented and so delicious! I'm so happy that this place is a 5 min walk from my new place!
(5)
Val J.

Love! Love! Love! Came here for lunch on a Thursday just as it opened. The lunch specials were reasonably priced. However, my sister and I opted to try three rolls and a bunch of robata selections. For sushi rolls- had the A Hundred Years of Solitude (had more heat than I expected), Sorry I am Drunk (yummy) and Pier 69 roll (DEE-LICIOUS!!!). Fish was fresh and the rolls were made with just enough rice so you wouldn't get full to fast. As for the grilled items - I highly recommend the pork shoulder, ribeye, and the korean style kalbi. Lots of flavor and very inexpensive. We also tried the soft shelled shrimp and tofu which were very good. Thanks to fellow reviewers I used the Yelp check-in coupon to get $10 off. Will definitely be back here!
(5)
Eric B.

This is one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. This was probably the best thing about Chicago for me. If my crazy relative gets married in Chi-town, I will mainly be motivated to come back and eat here again. Outstanding food all around. Try the short ribs. The service was good, maybe because we were right in front of the cooks and the management. They played classic 90s R&B, rap, and hip hop hits. I felt like I was a kid again. Surprisingly, there was only one very attractive waitress, but I'm not complaining. And apparently the majority of the staff aren't Japanese.
(5)
May Y.

A good yakitori option in Chicago! Sauce plays an important role in yakitori. Without doubt, the ponzu, miso and peanut sauces were just right. Although peanut sauce is not traditionally used in Japanese food, the peanut sauce of Yuzu went well with the tofu grill. My favorite grills were nasu (eggplant), shishitto (green pepper) and tofu. I would love to try out asparagus and mushroom grills next time. I also had the sweet potato tempura, which was slightly disappointing. The breading is not only American-style rather than Japanese style, but also is way too thick. However, as always, the spicy sauce was great. 1 star was off because the waitress gave me the wrong bill and she took more than twenty minutes to fix it. Although I do not live in the neighborhood of Yuzu, I would consider coming back. The next dinner would determine whether I should put Yuzu or Kikuya on my list of the top 5 Japanese restaurants in Chicago. P.S. My throat still hurt after an hour I ate the tempura. Do not order Yuzu's tempura, unless you really crave for it. Food: 4 (1 star off for the tempura) Service: 3 Decor: 3
(3)
Niti B.

Reuniting with old friends couldn't have been more delicious! We started with the Tuna Poke- flavorful fish, simple yet complex flavors at the same time. Next we ordered from the robata grill menu. I had the shishito japanese sweet peppers and they were amazing! Sweet and smokey flavor from the grill and juicy with every bite I took. The chef was nice enough to bring our table an extra two orders which was greatly appreciated! We also ordered from the sushi menu. The Boston Crunchy roll, Very spicy tuna roll and Cantaloupe Island roll. Each with a burst of flavor and punch were not a disappointment at all! The added bonus was it was byob and no corkage fee...plus a check in on yelp gave us an extra $10 off! the place started of quiet but was bumping by the time we left with no explination needed...the food spoke for the place! Will be back soon!
(5)
Marcy l.

I've eaten there and I think the food is okay, but don't call to try to make a reservation. I was on hold twice for over 6 minutes. I had to hang up, the first time and call again. The hostess had forgotten I was on hold, did not apologize and put me on hold again. And again she forgot about me and I hung up. I called at 5:10 pm, I'm sure they weren't packed. I hate places that don't treat potential customers well.
(2)
Haruka Y.

They have wonderful meals!!!!!! Grilled vegetable, grilled chicken and pork. Also awesome rolls and sushi. The service is great as well. BYOB. Love the place!!!!!!
(5)
Erika K.

Do you see any Japanese people reviewing this restaurant? Nope, because it's not real Japanese food! First of all, real sushi restaurants are very clean. Actually they need to be obsessively clean everywhere such as the counter top, the floor, and especially the bathrooms. Why? Because you are handling raw fish and if I see anything less than obsessively clean surfaces, I don't feel confident eating the food. I ordered sashimi and it had some spicy pepper sauce and lemon on my fish! No, no no no! Like I said, raw fish needs to be fresh and if I see lemon and some weird sauce on it, I'm thinking that it's old and fishy and they have to mask it by putting some weird sauce on it. I want to taste the fish, not the spicy crazy sauce. How would you feel if they put A1 steak sauce with ketchup on your Chicago-Style hot dog? That is how I feel about most Japanese restaurants in the Chicago area and it's very disappointing.
(1)
Courtney W.

Since moving from San Diego I haven't been able to find sushi that is anywhere as good as back home until tonight. We were looking for a sushi place by a friends house and found this place on yelp and thought why not. We walked in about 9:45pm and the place was packed with a group of 4 standing outside waiting for a table.. However we were sat right away. Ordered our food, which came very fast for as packed as it was and ate and was out of there by 10:15! By far this is the best sushi place I've eaten at since moving to Chicago and we will totally come back to this place in the future.
(5)
Erica L.

So I was really hesitant to return to the Chicago sushi scene after our amazing trip to Tokyo and Taiwan last month. However, it's hard to go without sushi for so long. Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill did not disappoint. Hubby and I shared a mix of grilled items that reminded us of the yakitori we had in Tokyo and the sashimi platter. I really wanted to try the curry puff as an appetizer, but they had run out for the night, so we ordered the whole grilled squid, which turned out good. We ordered the Robata Set 1 which had two of the following, listed in the order of deliciousness: beef short rib, pork shoulder, and chicken satay. The beef and pork were so tender and juicy! The chicken was flavored well. Then we split the Sashimi Gold platter. The pieces were fresh, but cut rather thick, so I wasn't used to how big the pieces were sliced. The sliced avocado was a nice touch. The prices are reasonable, and pretty good for the sashimi. We also split a shrimp tempura roll, which was also delicious, but I only ate one piece because I was stuffed at that point. Hubby cleaned up the rest. The place itself is tiny and cozy. We didn't have reservations, but were able to be seated immediately since it was relatively early. However, it got pretty crowded while we were eating and there was a steady traffic of reservations, walk-ins, and carry-out pick-ups. Our table was the closest to the door, so sometimes it was a little crowded as well as cold with the door constantly opening and closing. Would recommend reservations and bringing good wine. We didn't know it was BYOB, but luckily there's a liquor store a few blocks east across the street for convenience. The staff were able warm and friendly. We didn't have a dedicated server, but it seems that everyone just worked together and the coordination was seamless. This is a nice sushi place to return home to, reminding me we don't have it too bad here in Chicago.
(4)
K J.

Absolutely delicious and the staff was extremely friendly!! Will definitely go back again! Fyi, it's BYOB!
(5)
Macy H.

This place is amazing! The neighborhood it is in is a little rough. Make a reservation before you come because the place is packed and is on the small side. I love that it is BYOB, that always makes things fun. Bring liquor before you come because the liquor places around it are SKETCH. Their rolls and their prices can't be beat in Chicago. I also loved their lemon cucumber water, very refreshing. This is hands down the best sushi in the city. They are very creative with their rolls, making them absolutely delicious.
(5)
Trisha K.

The best sushi i have ever had!!! At first I was shocked by how small the place was. But the food was so good and the staff so inviting and sweet. We went on a Wednesday night and it was so busy. the wait was only 30 min which was good cuz we didn't know that it was byob. (we are from out of town) so we walked down to a liquor store and grabbed some wine. When we got back our table was almost ready. the sweet potato tempura is amazing. And we also ordered the tuna poke OMG it was so good we ordered a second one. we were sitting outside and it started to rain and we all ran in and the staff was so accommodating by hustling and getting us places to sit. they kept apologizing for the rain, lol i told them not to worry they cant control the weather. so we finished up with some more rolls and then some complimentary lil ice cream balls idk what they were called but they were delicious. As for Allisons review you seem like an impossible person to please. and to Yuzu keep doing what your doing and dont take any crap from anyone. we will definitely be returning to your establishment. i can hardly wait.
(5)
Ashley B.

There's so many good places for sushi! This place does give larger portions but it lacks in so many areas. For one they cut each maki roll a different size, stuff falls out because it's sloppily rolled, and they didn't bother to give soy, or chop sticks in my pick up order! Too much rice also, not a good ratio! For good sushi go to coast, or my favorite kohan by uic!
(2)
Melody Z.

Very good sushi at lower than average price. Very friendly staff and homy atmosphere in this tiny spot. Bring your own drink.
(5)
Gloriann G.

Suzu is an excellent sushi experience. Their appetizers were very good, unique in taste and flavors. They have a wide variety of sushi and they are big portions, very artistically placed. The huge thing that I have to commend is their service! They were very observant of our meals. The head chef was so nice and very respectful to us during our dinner. I would highly recommend this place to anyone who enjoys excellent food with really good service.
(5)
Hac T.

This review is long overdue. Went here back in October for my birthday after watching the segment on Check Please! Looked amazing so I had to try it out. Made reservations for 4 at 8PM on a Friday night. I got there a little earlier, and it was extremely packed. You definitely have to make reservations for this spot. There's outdoor seating (in the summer/Fall), and the inside, though a little small is comfortable and intimate. The lighting is dim, which really creates a welcoming ambiance. Though aesthetics aren't what I judge a restaurant on, it's nice to be eating and drinking (BYOB) in a dope ass environment. The food was amazing. From the sushi to the robata grilled skewers, I don't think there was one dish that did not succumb my palate to umami flavors. Not only is the food to die for, the ambiance and aesthetics top notch, the staff are the friendliest of friendly. Very attentive and great service. Definitely one of my top spots to bring folk on a Friday/Saturday night.
(5)
Vishal S.

This is a small Japanese restaurant and gets packed tight on weekends and Fridays. I recommend making a reservation or waiting for 45 minutes if it is walk in. The service is very brisk and for appetizers we had the Tempura, Chicken Satay (Not Japanese) and Miso soup. Everything tasted good and as expected but did not awe me either. For the Maki, we had the Spicy Shrimp and an Ahi Tuna, both of which I felt I have tasted better at Wasabi and Sushi X. I am not saying that the maki was bad. It is definitely good but just my personal taste. This restaurant is definitely worth a visit but I am not sure if I can get myself to go again.
(3)
Arthur M.

I spent the whole day in the apartment- the next afternoon I got out and had lunch at Yuzu, the neighborhood's best little sushi and robata place. Grey clouds covered the sky and it was snowing outside. What happened to meteorological spring? The best part was the warming miso soup, and the price. Ten dollars for soup and a bento box with two types of sushi and a salad.
(5)
Puja S.

I really enjoyed my meal! As a vegetarian sushi lover I don't have many choice that are good. But they will be seeing a lot of me and my veggie friends. The only advise is to stick to the roll over the salad. While the salad is pretty good, it's nothing special and the roll is something you don't want to miss. I like!!
(4)
S H.

best sushi in town! My husband and I are very picky about sushi and we both love Yuzu. Their fish is fresh and flavorful, the place is small and always busy. Make sure to bring your own sake, red burgundy or prosecco and you'll have a fantastic time. Items to try: -tuna poke (always have to have it) -pier 69 -sin nombre (my favorite roll) -sashimi gold plater or you can never go wrong with some hamachi, super white tuna or unagi a la carte
(5)
BR S.

This place is so awesome. Everything is so good. Byob which is cool. Great value for the food. Eat everything you can. Both the robata and sushi are excellent. 5-star all around.
(5)
Kelsey H.

Great atmosphere, great food. The only thing I wish was that I had room for my elbows at the table! It's definitely part of the vibe to have the small tables in a condensed space, but I still wish it was a bit roomier. Some of the highlights in terms of food were: -The monster roll (sushi with SOFT SHELL CRAB!! so yum) -The ribeye (pieces or ribeye "yakitori" style with a delicious dipping sauce) -The soft shell shrimp (I didn't even know these existed!!) -The whole grilled squid (came with a spicy mayo dipping sauce) Everything else I ate here was also yummy (I didn't taste a bad dish) and coming from someone who lived in Japan for 13 YEARS, I would definitely recommend this place to anyone in Chi-town searching for a Japanese food fix! Also, BYOB. I'd recommend the food with white wine (chardonnay or a pinot grigio) because it is on the lighter side.
(4)
Jason A.

I'm really particular about my sushi and this and Juno are the only spots in Chicago that I will regularly eat at. The sweet potato and gyoza are fun starters that are consistent. The robata grill is a nice add on because you can make them starters, an add on, or have something to order for non sushi overs. My favorite is the pork. The sashimi tuna with truffle is a must try. The rolls are on the American side with lots of fruit and additives but they are great. The salmon fire is good. I've never had a bad roll or experience, this is must try for sushi lovers.
(4)
Theresa K.

Why pay the obscene prices for a great sushi dinner? Personally, I enjoy cozy atmosphere, good service, reasonable prices and oh yeah, delicious sushi! I was devastated to learn that Sushi Wabi closed. Luckily, I stumbled upon Yuzu and realized afterward that one of the chefs from Sushi Wabi runs the place! This place is cute, cozy, casual and delicious. Yuzu is also BYOB making your dinner even more affordable. I recommend their Very Spicy Tuna and Fire roll. I love the creative design of the Fire roll. Beautiful. Every friend I've taken here has taken a picture of it. Their spicy rolls are extremely spicy - which I appreciate dearly. Only downfall is the music. Last time I came here Enimen was blasting on the speakers. We would have valued a little variety. Affordable good sushi without the fuss and expensive price tag.
(5)
David H.

I wish I could have had a better experience. And I do realize it was Valentines Day yesterday, however it still shouldn't have taken over two hours to get the food. Grub hub said it would arrive between 830-840, we'll over an hour from the time we ordered. We got the food at about 930 and everything was cold. The sushi was good but I couldn't even touch the entrees that were supposed to be hot. I see I'm not the only ones who had problems yesterday!!
(1)
Charles Z.

Hands down my favorite Sushi spot in Chicago. If I think Sushi, I think 'YUZU'! I heard of this place on check please and went that same weekend to check it out. The sushi was delicious and it was relatively inexpensive; considering that you are paying for GOOD sushi. I have tried about 80% of their menu and have yet to be disappointed. It is small so reservations are recommended. I went once without making reservation and had to wait about an hour for a party of two. Other than that, I love this place.
(4)
Mary M.

I am really annoyed of the restaurant's rebuttal to my review. They did NOT make us aware that there was a 90 minute time frame nor that there was a reservation for a party after us. I do not appreciate the lie. If you do eat here, just beware that you can only be there for 90 minutes if it is busy, even if you have a reservation and order plenty of good. I do stand by my review that only 1 maki roll was really good. Needless to say, I will not be returning. There are much better Chicago options. --------------------------------------------------Â------------------- 2nd response to the owner's response: I did do research. There were 4 of us in the party and we all discussed it as soon as it happened. I am positive that no one was aware of the time limit. Second, we were not a walk-in. We had a reservation. But thanks for the professional response.... --------------------------------------------------Â-------------------- 3rd response to the owner's response: On the phone, you were given the name that the reservation was under; it was not under Mary M. I give up.
(1)
Tim J.

I've only been here once, but I think this is the best sushi I've had. And I've had quite a bit sushi in my day. I'm a huge fan of the Philly roll, and the Philly roll here is bomb. I loved the pork robata as well. Miso soup was great. If I were to go again, I would get several Philly rolls and skip specialty rolls.
(5)
Maggie M.

Yuzu is an all around solid sushi spot. BYOB- Check. Delicious Robata- Check, don't skip the beef short rib! Fresh Fish- Check. Gorgeous presentation- Check. Friendly/Fast Takeout- Check. Mochi Ice Cream- Check. Great spot for a date night, although it can get pretty packed in here. More often than not we opt for the takeout because it's never fun to wait in a small sushi place. Plus the Animae won me points with the BF. All is good. Yuzu love- no complaints.
(4)
Margot Wanders K.

I have such a hard time finding Good Japanese food around here but I think yuzu is one of the few places that's closer to the authentic flavor in Chicago. It's become one of my go-to places for when I'm homesick and hungry for raw goodness! 1 star off for not enough seatings but I could live with that, how reminiscent of Shinjuku.. haha
(4)
Ellie H.

We ordered the grilled set 1, udon noodle soup, south beach rolls and they were all so delicious!
(5)
JNadene A.

These sushi chefs are artists! The presentation and flavors of the sushies was soo good! The ice cream was yummy and the design on the plate of it was SOOO PRETTY!!!! I'm definitely coming back here next time I'm in Chicago. Only downer, the bathroom didn't have any toilet seat covers. I'm sitting here wondering why? Aren't restaurants suppose to be sanitary for the customers too? Anyways, good food, good times!
(5)
cookie m.

Super great staff, who faired well with my super demanding family. Food was super fresh and delicious and reasonably priced. Definitely going to head back. Had some really interesting and original maki. Sashimi and sushi were also well prepared.
(5)
Jerianne G.

Whats my name roll has melt in your mouth white tune. I tried half of the robatas and they were all delicious and cooked to perfection. Highly recommend this place. Good music playing all night and its BYOB!
(5)
Erin H.

This is my favorite Sushi restaurant in Chicago. Always fresh fish and it has changed my opinion of good sushi. Here are some of my top menu picks: My Favorite Midwest Roll - WOW. Just the right amount of flavors going on. It's tuna based with a little heat from jalapeno. No rice - wasn't sure I was going to like that but it's been my favorite item so far. It's lightly battered and served warm. YUM YUM Sweet Potato Tempura Roll - I don't think this was on the menu but was great. A little crunch, a little sweet. Grilled Asparagus wrapped bacon - I'm not a big meat eater but I gave this a try and am glad I did. Atmosphere - Dimly lit with low volume hip hop. Perfect for conversation. I've had a great time on a date and with my friends. Service - Couldn't be friendlier. I never feel rushed but they are quick to serve. Also, the presentation for their food is beautiful.
(5)
Joel P.

We went to Yuzu tonight to try still another great Chicago sushi restaurant. The food was great especially the Pot River roll. The Robata short rib was excellent also. Overall, great sushi for a really reasonable price. ( just at $50 for three large rolls, and two appetizers). The place is small with no frills, but well worth it. We will be back!
(5)
Kathy K.

I checked out this restaurant after a friend's recommendation. I've been looking for a go - to, "always delivers quality sushi" place in the Chi after living in the city for 5 yrs. This is definitely a place that delivers pretty sushi platters that also are tasty. For starters, my friend and I had the fresh baked Shitake mushrooms. These were good (baked in butter so how could you go wrong) but nothing special. We also ordered 2 rolls including the South Beach and the Motown Effect. Btw I am a fan of sushi places that have fun, creative names for their rolls instead of the run of the mill "Dragon Roll". I feel like it adds to the experience and helps make it one of kind which is something I always look for when visiting a restaurant for the first time. Both of these rolls had great presentation and we're delicious. The Motown roll was fried so always a crowd pleaser. In addition to the rolls, we also shared the sushi gold platter. Now my friend had been raving about the sashimi for weeks and the pieces were so fresh it tasted like butter. I was a little skeptical since I'm a bit harsher in my opinions compared to her. However I have to say, the sashimi was just as tender, fresh and buttery as she promised. So I ate my words...literally. Overall the experience was positive. The food tasted good, reasonably priced, descent portions and great presentation to go along. The menu had enough variety to keep the locals coming back for more and yet still had enough traditional items on the menu for the sushi purists. Parking is on the street but definitely has enough spots available( these are the cheap meters, at least by city standards). It was a refreshing change of pace from the typical Loop or River North trendy sushi spots. It's definitely worth a little drive out of the way.
(4)
Raytus C.

We dined here after a glowing review in Metromix. The first thing I noticed was huge piles of pre-cut sushi. Sorry Metromix, no sushi place that pre-cuts deserves even an honorable mention on any sushi list. Pre-cutting sushi is the quickest way to kill the taste of the fish as it oxidizes,loses flavor and starts tasting like the fridge. Anyone who knows anything about sushi knows this. We went at lunch, and the fish was already suffering, and there was easily enough to push through dinner. It was being used for rolls, sashimi and nigiri alike. We ordered one slice of sake, hamachi and whote tuna nigiri (cooked?) and stopped there - and we are big eaters. We also had the robata which was amazingly good, and worth going for Yuzu just to sample these grilled wonders. We had a bunch of the different offerings - all were amazingly well grilled. It should be noted my girlfirend got an MSG headache after dining here, and we suspect some of the sauces served with the robata, FYI. We got two rolls - tempura sweet potato which was wonderful, and the black sea roll which had enough spicey sauce to disguise the fish inside. Yuzu has so much potential - the presentation of the rolls was really top shelf. The guys are slaving on this stuff. But we counted at least ten guys working in Yuzu during lunch, you would think one of them could cut fresh fish and honor the elaborate presentations and excellent grilled fare with fresh fish. Yuzu would be 5 stars if it abandoned the inexcusable practice of pre-cutting.
(2)
Ryan P.

I was actually a serious hater of Chicago sushi before here, either its insanely expensive, garbage quality, or a combination of both. I have had too many of each experience and was going to put sushi in Chicago behind me. Fiance saw this place on check please and basically dragged me in here. We started with a few skewered meats, I call em street meat. They were as good as any I've had in the streets of China. Packed with flavor, fantastic. On to the real winner. The nigiri here was my favorite I've had in the city, melt in your mouth good. Get the chef selection, you won't be disappointed, comes with 9 pieces of fish and chefs choice of roll. More than enough for the largest appetites. Not into the specialty rolls thing much, but my date had a few and they were also fantastic... Service was good, sat us immediately for our reservation as well. Reasonably priced and BYOB. LOVE. TL;DR: BYOB with my new fav sushi in the city. Win.
(4)
Coby S.

This place has slow service. I understand that it is not fast food but we waited 30 minutes for our rolls. The waitress was not friendly, and when we asked her which roll was which she gave the answers with attitude. I feel like most of the rolls had a weird taste especially the Monster Spider and My Favorite Midwest Roll. I was really excited about this place after seeing it on Chicago's Best but I definitely will not return.
(1)
Stephanie L.

Give a girl a half!!!!! 4.5 LOVE THIS PLACE!!! Space...great, clean, dark, nice, there are comics on the walls in the main area. The seating is so-so. The chairs are a little awkward but other than that...its a pretty standard sushi restaurant Service...our server was on top of us...but not in a bad way. She came over several times to ask about food, fill waters, take orders, clear plates, etc. Food...BYOB!!!!!!! Also, the Robata grill is FANTASTIC and CHEAP!!!!! Pork shoulder had AMAZING flavor. OMG, great. There was two skewers to each. Also, we had the bacon wrapped scallops. Also really flavorful. The sushi was fantastic. The spicy rolls are spicy...which I enjoy. I like really spicy. Also, the unagi was great. It didnt have any of that chewy gross skin like stuff in it that I have gotten at some cheaper sushi restaurants. Only complaint would be that they only have green tea flavored mochi...not really all that bad but more flavors would be nice :) Price...did I mention BYOB....??? Did I mention that if you check in on Yelp you get $10 off a $40 purchase??? Did I mention that all of the prices are so reasonable, ie CHEAP AS HELL. Parking...easy as pie street parking...like you could have parked a stretch hummer limo right in front on Chicago.... LOVE! I will be back
(4)
Maggie Z.

Fresh and well decorated rolls in big portions. It is a great place to hangout for young people but not very suitable for families as it was a little bit loud.
(4)
Erica J.

Yuzu is an unassuming little place off of Chicago avenue. It was pretty busy, and definitely blasting the "top 40" as another reviewer put it, but I didn't mind, especially when the menu boasted a roll named the "Andre 3500." The food here was very very good. The tofu robata grill (grilled individually portioned skewers) was really good; the peanut sauce wasn't too thick and it was nicely crispy on the outside. The Green Harbor roll was very good with an inventive combination of fresh crispy tempura broccoli, sweet potato tempura, grilled asparagus, sunflower seeds, avocado cucumber and sweet soy sauce (I ordered it minus the mayo). I also tried another roll that was a soy paper wrap with oshinko, mango, cucumber, avocado and jalepeno topped with crunchy rice puffs. The chefs sent over free edamame when they saw that we were waiting a little while for our meal, and also sent over complimentary Inari wrapped rice purse with crunchy fried scallops. Overall, I was very impressed with the kind staff, good service, and quality and presentation of the food. I would definitely go back.
(5)
Allan C.

The kitchen works fast. They were able to keep the food flowing for an absurdly large party of 20 and staggered the food so that just about everyone was eating something as they were going. The grilled stuff there was actually my favorite. In particular the grilled squid where they tossed it in some yummy light vinegar sauce. The sushi was very good, but not likely to the point where you'd drive past a a boat of other places in town for. Overall the most impressive thing that they accomplished was handling our large party in such a small space.
(3)
Emilija P.

Amazing sushi place! Their rolls are delicious, affordable, and you get a lot of food. It's small on the inside but that makes it so much more cozy. Staff is very friendly and super quick. We accidentally ordered way too much food but that just meant we got to enjoy it the next day as leftovers. I'll definitely be back. Five stars for sure!
(5)
Monte H.

2.5 stars Guided by Yelp and Check Please! to this place. Dined here for a birthday (not mine!). The space is a hole-in-wall and was cramped on a Sat night. Waits are to be expected. Feels like NYC, no Brooklyn, and the sushi, maki & robata were superb...the first time. With that in mind, ordered takeout (they will not deliver to Logan Square!) a few times, and had a different and decidedly worse experience each time. The robata (the grilled stuff) has been great each time. Usually opt for the Tuna with miso paste, always great. The sushi and maki on the other hand get worse every time I place an order. With my last order, the Unagi was chewy, coarse and borderline inedible. Wow, with a restaurant of this caliper, I didn't expect this. What a disappointment! Plus, some of the maki rolls have been off too. Also, I can't get over the fact that they don't serve real crab (they only have the fake stuff) when sushi joints such as Green Tea Sushi serve the real thing for the same price. And to add further insult, they shorted me a piece of sushi! Unacceptable! If I order from them again, it'll be for the robata and not the sushi/maki.
(2)
candace l.

This place is creative, consistent and super yummy! Plus they deliver when I'm not feeling like waiting for a table in their small space (which I do too, often enough, and have been satisfied with service). I've dreamt of their robata grilled veggies. Yum! They are byob which seals the deal.
(5)
Char Y.

we came for lunch and ordered the lunch special B & D beef skewer - really tender pork skewer - flavorful chicken skewer - dry tune poke - really good but need more! will come back for the beef and pork skewers!!
(4)
Edward S.

The joint looks a little out of place in Ukrainian Village, but the food was decent (presentation is pretty awesome for a $20 place). I had: Tuna Poke - I'd skip this, wasn't anything spectacular. Sesame seed oil kind of took the dominant taste here. Salmon and Hamachi nigiri - Legit nigiri if you want to spend some cash to fill up. South Beach Roll - This roll was good, liked the sweet mango and spice from the pepper, little different from the normal specialty rolls. Motown Roll - Wouldn't order again. The mix just didn't work out for me and nothing stood out.
(3)
Hope H.

I love love this restaurant! I have been to this restaurant many times and the restaurant has never let me down. Once, the rice they used for Maki rolls was a little overcooked, but other than that, the ingredients are consistently fresh and the presentation of each dish is very nice. It's a BYOB place so they don't always forget to bring a ice bucket to our table when we bring our champagne, beer, or white wine. My favorite sushi is Hamachi on the belly side (you have to make a special request for that) and my favorite robata grill dishes are short ribs and egg plants. I can't wait to go back there again!
(5)
Elaine L.

awesome, great, and fun! these are the best words to describe Yuzu. It was a crowed night and we did not have not have a reservation but they found us a little table with out a problem. I really think their small plates and entrees are fantastic. There are so many great things so order a variety of their skewers. The shrimp was my favorite. It is BYOB and I THINK there is no corkage fee. Go and enjoy this gem.
(5)
Amy G.

I wish all restaurant staff were as polite, relaxed, and accommodating as the fine folks at Yuzu. Chicago has a lot of sushi restaurants, but not too many that are fresh, super delicious, reasonably-priced, BYOB, and appealing to non-sushi/fish eaters. So I understand the demand and don't mind a wait. This place was pretty packed on a Friday night, and I was quite pleased when I was told 20 minutes for a party of two. My friend was still on her way, but I was able to put our name in and wait outside for her. By the time she arrived we were seated in five minutes as seats at the bar had opened. This was apparently offensive to the table-Nazi lady who felt the need to educate the hostess on other restaurants' seating policies. ("At other restaurants, your whole party must be present to put in your name.") Expendable-income-maker problems. Nonetheless, I really appreciated the calmness the Yuzu staff expressed in the presence of so many ravenous Mid-westerners. If you want immediate service, go to Long John Silvers. Most importantly the sushi was fantastic. (We abstained from the Robata Grill, but it looked/smelled awesome, as did the sweet potato tempura.) We tried a variety of rolls and loved the extra spicy tuna and one with unagi. They put our cheap white wine over ice and refilled water glasses consistently, all while catering to the starving, vulnerable, sushi-deprived masses. With four rolls and edamame the bill was under $50 total.
(4)
Christopher G.

This is a great place with amazing rolls. They have fun names and are some of the best in Chicago. Even the basic Cali is great quality. The seats aren't as comfy as they should be, but the service is great and the sushi is awesome!
(4)
Hauwei L.

Super fresh fish, reasonable prices, BYOB, friendly staff. The small space is often crowded and can be hard to get a table, but the food is worth it. The grill and raw parts of the menu are equally good. Tried over 10 different skewers and almost all were winners including the pork shoulder, ribeye, chicken & green onion, eggplant, etc. Sashimi pieces are huge and melt in your mouth. Tuna poke appetizer is delicious. Many different rolls, 1 I remember was the pot river which is packed with different sorts of tasty fish.
(5)
Arjun M.

What I'm basing this review on: Miso Soup Robata set 1 Fire roll Mango Mochi Miso Soup: Pretty average, which is to say, good. Miso soup is pretty consistent from place to place and this dish met my expectations. Robata set 1: Yum! Loved this. The chicken satay was well grilled with a delicious peanut sauce drizzled on top. The winner in the set was the pork shoulder. Will double down on this next time I go. Fire roll: Very beautiful presentation and extremely tasty with all the sauces. Mango Mochi: Expectedly delicious. Overall I highly recommend this place. Great experience!
(4)
Lauren S.

LOVE this place!!! All the rolls were amazing!!! The have beautiful presentation, can't wait to venture back!! Make a resos, it isn't big and it gets very busy!!
(5)
Allyce B.

I LOVED Yuzu. My friends and I dropped in one day with a sushi craving. We were shocked at how reasonable the prices were when we opened the menus. Frankly I just started ordering things for the hell of it just because the prices allowed. Good Choice. Their small bites = delicious!! But not as good as the sushi itself. Honestly I don't remember what my friends and I ordered that day, but I remember I was shocked by the flavor and effort put into the decorative presentation. I knew before I was even finished eating that I needed to come back. We finished the meal with mochi ice cream. Again, shockingly good flavors and presentation. The syrup they put on the side really makes the dessert. I would recommend this place to anyone.
(5)
Keith A.

My sushi kick hasn't ended yet. And with that, it brought me to yuzu on the first snow storm of the winter. I mean, what else is there to do when it's snowing a bunch but to eat sushi. I only ordered for pickup, but I got there a bit early. I was impressed by them on first bite. They don't mess around on the portion size, you get some nice sized pieces of fish from them. I ordered some hamachi and salmon nigiri and I couldn't believe the size of the pieces. It was no joke, and made me very happy. Never mind the fact that the fish was excellent as well. The raw side of things didn't end there as I got some spider maki and spicy tuna maki. The spice on the tuna wasn't holding back, it's nice to see them not dumbing it down for people. The spider maki was huge. It was hard for me to do it in one bite. All sorts of delicious crab was in this and the pieces were perfectly put together. Now, yuzu isn't just a sushi bar. Nope, they also have some cooked meats as well. I had to do some skewers and I wasn't disappointed. I got two pieces of chicken+green onions. These were done great and the perfect size as well. The salmon skewer was also excellent with there being a nice hunk of salmon on it. I have to mention how great the staff was. To say that they were extremely nice would be an understatement. It's just that little bit of extra that makes one want to go back, and I plan on it
(4)
Na S.

Best lunch special!!!
(5)
Eleni G.

We are enamored with this place. The restaurant is BYOB, they have no corkage fees, and the staff is attentive without being pushy and in your face all throughout the meal. They offer to chill/warm any alcohol that you choose to bring and are very acoomodating. Some highlights of the menu include the Tuna Poke - delicious tuna and avocado drizzled with soy sauce and seasme oil. The avocado mango salad, where the dressing is a fresh but spicy match to the avocado and mango. The pork shoulder or asaparagus wrapped in bacon robata are excellent. The mushroom robata is delicious too for anyone who's not a fan of meats. For the sushi part of the menu, we love the black sea roll, the pot river roll, over the rainbow roll, green harbor roll... pretty much every roill we've had off of the menu. It's a great way to eat as a group as well, since the rolls are big enough to share and the robata is affordable enough that you can order a few different selections and share those as well. We love coming here with friends from out of town as well as ones who just haven't been. It's worth the trip, and you'll definitely want to go back.
(5)
Mark J.

Came here on a Thursday night with a few of my friends. Place was pretty packed, but we had a reservation and were seating right away. It's a very small place so i t can crammed at times. To start, we had miso soup, sweet potato tempura, and some grilled squid. The squid was the best out of these, but the other two were still pretty good. ' As far as sushi goes, it definitely is better than most places in the area. You can tell the fish is fresh. Our favorite rolls were the Breaking bad, Fire and Monster Spider. Very fast service. Highly recommended!
(4)
Amer A.

I don't usually give 5 stars. This place is the casual, yummy, non-pretentious sushi joint I have spent the last year looking for. The sushi menu ranges from the traditional to the American hyper-roles. In addition to the good quality sushi, Yuzu serves up tasty grills. The kalbi beef and eggplant skewers were delicious. Lunch specials are generous and cheap. Entrees are well priced. Finally, the service. The wait staff is friendly, eager to serve and efficient.
(5)
John S.

This place is amazing and now my new favorite sushi spot. Everything is delicious and the presentation is beautiful. The staff is nice and the though the space is small, it makes for a great atmosphere. The rolls are extremely creative and fun. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Christine D.

This is now my favorite spot for sushi in Chi-Town!! The robata grill comes with 6 skewers of beef, chicken and tasty pork thats just incredible!! I love their handmade sushi flavors and designs...not only creative but very delicious with good texture of rice and ingredients. Overall, I give it 7 stars! Its BYOB too so come prepared!!
(5)
Elina K.

This place is tiny. So if you are clausterphobic or eating in a box amongst robata smoke bothers you you might not want to come here. Otherwise, the food was fantastic. I started with the avocado mango salad which was refreshing and came with a delicious sauce. Then I tried a pork shoulder skewer from the robata grill. YUM. Finished with a couple maki rolls. One was the Pot River and I can't remember the other one. One was delicious and the other one was pretty good but it was fried and warm. I didn't realize this when I ordered and wasn't too happy about that. But overall, excellent sushi spot. And it's BYO, no corkage fee.
(4)
Seth F.

A crazy good place to order delivery from. The quality was really good and it came fast and hot (that sounded a lot grosser than I meant it to, I'm sorry if you wouldn't have even considered that w/o this aside). And on top of all that, Yuzu offers a menu that's large and contains a large number of items that are difficult to find anywhere else. Mainly everything from the Robata Grill Section. To be fair, the portions are bit small for the price, but I have little qualms with attributing that higher price to the variety they offer. Outside of that, the only reason I don't order more often is that choosing one meal of food out of all the options is a daunting task. The sushi was of acceptable quality as well, and since I have the same issues ordering sushi I felt that shouldn't really be a knock against it.
(5)
Jeff S.

I've been to Yuzu twice now, and both times I've left incredibly satisfied, full, and happy. Let's start off with the reservations - easy. Easy to get into, and there's nothing like scheduling dinner day of and still being able to get your restaurant of choice. Don't get me wrong, Yuzu was still fully packed when I ate, but it wasn't a giant mess to try to get a table. Let's talk about the food. First of all, the grilled skewers are amazing. Amazing price, and they definitely know how to grill. I don't think I've been disappointed by any of the grilled items, but the standouts have been the bacon wrapped scallops, the pork shoulder, and the beef. I enjoyed the sauces that came on the latter half, although I feel like they're a bit too generous with them; I've never been much of a sauce guy, the key is always in moderation. Ok, they also have bento boxes. Oh man, I love bento boxes! They're basically the perfect food for me...rice, meat, salad, all presented in a convenient compartmented box. And the price! They start at $10 and go up to $14, and you're seriously getting A LOT of food. Of course, this never stops me from getting a couple of skewers on top of it all, but hey, I like my food. I've also tried a few of the maki rolls, and the fish seems to be pretty fresh and tasty. But the real stars of the show here are the skewers and bento boxes...and those are worth the trip back multiple times. Quick word about service - excellent. Nary a problem. Always a pleasure to go here. And street parking is ridiculously easy. To sum up, Yuzu is easy - easy to get to, easy to park, easy to get a table, easy to order, and easy to leave full and happy.
(5)
Jeanne L.

Cute restaurant (I love all the manga on the walls), pretty good sushi. I was in a superwhite tuna mood, so I got the "what's my name" roll and 3 superwhite tuna sushi's, and then the Alaska roll. The superwhite was great, and the rolls were creative and pretty tasty. My friends and sister seemed to enjoy the robata skewers they got too. It was refreshing to see young sushi chefs, and their young creativity really shines through in the rolls and the plating (such pretty designs made with sauce!). Green tea was also an order once and continuous refill for 1 pot that 4 of us shared, which I really appreciate, as I hate being charged per cup of such a cheap drink at many other sushi restaurants.
(4)
Evan A.

This is everything you want from a mid priced sushi joint. Simple, fresh decor. Good enough service, good prices, great food, and BYOB. Rolls range in price from $6-$15. For 2 people, I had an appetizer, a couple robata skewers, and 2 rolls and with tax and tip spent $50. Not the cheapest place, but the correct price for the quality of food. Everything we had was very good. My date lived in Hawaii for a while and said that the Tuna Poke was the best tasting, most authentic she has had since she left. The ribeye and bacon scallop robata were very flavorful. We had the boston crunchy roll which was the low point but that's relative because it was still very good. We also had a roll that was shrimp tempura topped with tuna and unagi that was amazing. All fish was super fresh. It is a hike for me from Lakeview, but I'll go back.
(5)
Rebekah L.

Never have I ever... Had sushi this good. I love my wasabi and soy like no other and it wasn't needed. The need to spice up my rolls never came. We got the south beach and motown rolls ORDER THEM you wont regret it! It's also a BYOB joint which is awesome. I wish Yuzu was in Cali for me.
(5)
Erika M.

I have been to this place 2 times in the past three weeks! So happy to have found this little sushi spot thanks to Yelp! It has now become tied with my other favorite sushi spot in Chicago, but I'm almost leaning towards calling it my favorite. Here's why: 1) Robata Grill - This really makes this sushi spot stand out! Ordering from the Robata Grill before ordering your sushi is a must. The beef short rib was amazing! I ordered 2 servings of this due to how delicious the flavor was. The prices on the robata grill are great and make it easy for groups to order a bunch of things and try a variety of meats/vegetables. I also tried the shrimp, bacon wrapped scallop, chicken satay, pork shoulder, and asparagus. The pork shoulder was another standout. 2) BYOB - No corkage fees! Once our waitress saw that we had a bottle of wine, she immediately came over with a bucket of ice and opened our wine. Excellent service! 3) Takes Reservations - This place can get pretty packed, so it is nice that you can make reservations ahead of time. Both times my group was seated immediately, while others who did not have reservations were waiting for tables. The other sushi spot I also like a lot does not take reservations, so this is a huge plus for me. Most importantly, the sushi here is top notch. There is a huge variety and literally everything we ordered was amazing. I would definitely recommend the Chicago Spring Roll and the Sorry I'm Drunk Roll. I can't wait to go back again!
(5)
Abby K.

Wow. This place is fabulous. Super tiny space with eight guys moving non stop preparing food in their open kitchen. We were happy with everything! Appetizers were tuna with loads of sesame oil and avocados (tuna poke) and avocado mango salad with an amazing dressing. Perfect. We shared a bunch of rolls and Steve got a sashimi plate. Wonderful. They were all yummy. One star off for being so freaking tiny that tables for 5 or 6 disrupt everything. This place is awesome but do make a reservation.
(5)
Brie Y.

Love Yuzu, the best it gets in Chicago! Amazing Poke just like in Maui. Great rolls and robata grill items, loved the skirt steak.
(5)
Dax R.

This is our favorite Sushi place. You can't go wrong with anything on their menu. I am happy that they now deliver to Old Town!
(5)
Shannon C.

Fast, friendly, and good food. The service was good and quick. The ambience is awesome and scored some major points with my boyfriend on the Art Deco. Love the grilled food. I got the satay and asparagus, super flavorful and quality peanut sauce. We also got shrimp tempura roll and a California roll. The shrimp tempura roll was amazing and just the right size. The price was reasonable too. I would recommend this place and go again!
(4)
Coleman, C.

Love this place.. The vibe, the food...
(5)
Jami S.

All I really have to say is GO! Amazing sushi! Some of the best ever if not the best. The sushi chefs are seriously artists. They create art on each sushi plate with all the sauces. Very tasty! I will DEF be back. If you love sushi this is a MUST TRY.
(5)
Caroline A.

Don't go on a weekend night or else you'll be waiting 45-minutes for a table WITH a reservation. I definitely preferred their grilled items over their sushi/sashimi. The bacon wrapped scallops and asparagus were delicious. However, their beef was way too fatty. It was inedible. Their selection of fresh fish for nigiri is very limited, and most of their rolls seem to be covered in sweet unagi sauce/sweet soy/panko/cream sheez. Cute art work on the walls. And the people who work here are very nice. However, drinking wine out of a mason jar just seems wrong.
(3)
Jessica K.

I typically don't order sushi for delivery for obvious reasons, but it's finals week and that means I'm basically not allowed to even think about leaving my desk/computer for like four days. Going out wasn't an option and I was having a mad craving for some maki. I gave in, pulled up grubhub, and picked the most legit looking place I could find. And I am so glad I did. 1- Fresh 2- Fast. Like, the fastest I have ever received any grubhub order. 3- Fucking delicious The delivery guy was super nice, too. All around win. I will definitely be stopping here next time I want sushi.
(5)
SJ I.

Went here last night with my family. Was told "about an hour wait" (which is 9.9/10 padded) but ending up waiting more than 90 min. Food was good (Tuna Poke and Robata grill platter were excellent) but my family was not super impressed with the service and food when compared to the wait. On top all this, they added in a mandatory service charge for our group (5 people), which by most restaurant standards would not be considered large (6 or more). Didn't argue about it, as I usually tip this much, but with all things considered, it just added to my dissatisfaction. Would I try it again, yes, but not for awhile. Plenty of other Japanese/sushi options in the Ukie/Wicker/Bucktown area. Tips: 1) Get a reservation (though I was told via phone for small groups, they no longer take reservations) 2) Try the Tuna Poke, Bento boxes and Robata Grill platters 3) From what I've read after the fact, after doing direct searches within Yelp, they charge service charges it seems for any sized party. While I guess this is their prerogative, I felt that the food/service didn't warrant it (this isn't Charlie Trotter's or the French Laundry). Ymmv.
(2)
Phil T.

Sushi gold is 4.5 stars (only the cooked fish sushi not good enough BUT THE SALMON SUSHI IS 6 STARS OUT OF 5. IF YOU LIKE SALMON SUSHI, GO AHEAD AND YOU WILL BE SUPER SATISFIED. Tuna poke is creative as 5 stars, a good try. Udon is too salty, 3 stars. Service is 5 stars. Seat is not comfortable but that's not counted into my review.
(5)
Daniel G.

Wish I took pictures of the food, it was sushi art. The sushi was amazing, and. Love the byob aspect. They need to expand cause this place is rightfully popular. Make a reservation.
(5)
Anna C.

Delicious food, fast service, great value. The sushi presentation is beautiful and artistic. I have been there 3 times now and each has been a great experience.
(5)
Csc C.

Tonight was date night with my sweetie and we chose Yuzu. We had a great meal & friendly service. Thanks
(5)
Andrea J.

I was at Yuzu this past Sunday (party of 2). We did not have a reservation so we were told that we'd have to wait 30 minutes for a seat. Yuzu is very small so a 30 minute wait time is actually good considering there capacity can't be more than 50. While we waited were were offered cold water and edamame. We were also offered to sit at the bar (we refused) and our table was actually ready in less than 30 minutes. The Sweet Potato Tempura is AMAZING and the Pot River roll was outstanding. We were also offered complimentary green tea cheesecake at the end of our meal. I highly recommend this place for outstanding service and incredible food! Kudos to Yuzu!
(5)
Brian F.

Very small and oddly shaped sushi restaurant with friendly service and very good food. I tried a couple of their Robata skewers and really enjoyed them. The sushi, though, was sensational! I will definitely be back to try more of their treats.
(4)
Lee V.

After cross checking all sources of information ( as I obsessively usually do ) I realized that a former head chef of one of my old go-to sushi spots, Sushi Wabi, had opened this little treat in my neighborhood and it's byob too- yes please!! If you're looking for a quiet, spacious place.. this is not it. Surprisingly tiny, couldn't have had more than 25 tables, one unisex bathroom that needs a little tlc..and the Robabta grill seems to take up entirely too much space, but the skewers are worth the waste! Started with Tuna Poke, super fresh, bright pink color, crisp flavors, beautiful spray of avocado ( how the heck to they do that? ) and just the right amount of bite. Gyoza was nothing to write home about, but nothing to complain about either. For skewers we fired in pork shoulder, great flavor, tender; the short rib, melt in your mouth and somewhat fatty but delicious; Ribeye, had the most amazing sauce with it, like a thai marinade I've found in Food & Wine foodandwine.com/recipes/â€¦ Scallop and Bacon.. how could anything with Bacon be bad, only 2 in order so not as easy to share! For rolls we went with the Motown Effect, I only tried 1 of these ( not a big fan of eel -a reminds me of the evil ones on Little Mermaid and b- they are longer and creepier than anchovies) but it was still tasty, and the batter was truly light unlike some other places where you might as well have had a donut. On the lighter side, we did the South Beach, the whitest super white tuna I've seen, nice balance between mango, jap pepper and lime, last but not least the Pot River, finally a jumbo roll that you can actually fit in your mouth (don't attempt the Po Boy roll at Coast, I don't know who could take that thing down)..also delicious and a crowd pleaser. All sauces, ie. wasabi mayo, sweet soy, eel sauce are displayed next to the roll, its freaky the patterns that they produce.. literally an art form and nice because you can have as much or as little as you want. We had more wine to drink so we ordered mochi ice cream in every flavor, each was great and sweet and chewy on the outside, great way to end the evening. Definitely going back, and will be ordering take out too. Waiting to see this place outgrow itself, how hasn't it by now?
(4)
g t.

Eh.
(3)
Rita P.

I LOVE YUZU'S SUSHI AND THEIR ROBATA GRILLI! Everyone there is extremely friendly and the owner is one of the nicest guys around making sure to always say "HI"! I've lost count of how many times I've gone, but it's been consistently great every time. Things I (usually) order and love: Avocado Mango Salad- the dressing is the best part. Shishito Peppers Skewer- A bit of pepper spice and tasty teriyaki-ish sauce Tuna Miso- has that great "grilled" flavor Black Sea Roll- six different fish and two tobikos! What's My Name- fattiness of white tuna is always delicious. There is casual feel of the restaurant with repurposed wooden bar and wall, art school chairs, anime painted wall and not so loud hip hop playing on the speakers. Yuzu is definitely one of my top sushi spots! Go! You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Sarah E.

Wall decor: love. Wish I could read Japanese. Tuna poke: love. Thank you for the abundance of avocado. Pork belly & Korean BBQ robata: great. Tender, juicy, right amount of sauce. Asparagus bacon & Bacon scallop: not so much. Soggy, bacon overpowers both asparagus and scallop. Green tea cheesecake: eh. It really does taste like green tea and cheesecake...but I"m not sure I like that combination. Here's my complaint: the Black Sea maki sounds AWESOME...but it's not. The description makes it seem like the whole sea's gonna be in there but it's actually mostly kanikama (imitation crab) drenched in spicy mayo and tiny bits and pieces of what I can spot to be tuna and a speck of super white tuna (the first four ingredients stated tuna, salmon, white tuna, and hamachi). This was very, very, very disappointing. I really wanted to like this place but this was a deal breaker for me :(
(3)
Kamil K.

Amazing sushi, very flavorful, colorful and nicely made. It looks like an art piece on your plate. Best sushi I ever ate. It's made by Japanese guys. Not like some other restaurants using south of the border folks, witch is still good but not authentic "Japanese" cousin. Be careful, this restaurant is packed most of the time, because it is a very tiny and very popular place... That's the only bad thing about it.
(5)
Abby Z.

By far our favorite sushi place we've been to in Chicago! The fact that you can make reservations is great. We usually haven't had the foresight to reserve in advance but have been able to get in with a little wait. The sushi here is so fresh and delicious. We have tried all the large rolls that come with the crazy sauce art on the plate and even though the look of it is impressive (as are the rolls by themselves), the last time we went we decided to try the simpler rolls. By far, the simple rolls (such as Spicy Scallop and Alaska) were our preference. Sushi rice is seasoned perfectly and the rolls were amazing. Like I said, even though the sauce is pretty, their sushi doesn't need it and is perfect on its own with a dab of wasabi.
(4)
Jeff R.

I can't believe it's been a month since we went to Yuzu but time flies when you're having fun (or working everyday). Yuzu fits the bill of a small BYO neighborhood sushi spot serving solid food for great value. Small is a key word because there are not a lot of tables so plan ahead and they enforce a two hour limit to make sure they turn tables. Another fun aspect of the authenticity is that communicating with the staff sometimes involves non verbal techniques. All for good fresh fish of course. I did none of the ordering, which was a nice change of pace. We started with a cool and large green salad with mango and avocado. Delicious and refreshing. The only robata grill item we had was the beef short rib, but we ordered a lot because the sweet miso sauce was fantastic. (An aside: I really like the sushi + robata trend in chicago right now, but few have done it well. Yuzu is what I expect, a nice and small grill menu with simple yet tasty items without complication). We had a veggie tempura as another side (one of my favorite Japanese starters - always a nice change of texture, flavor before sushi), followed by some of the best salmon sashimi I've had in a while. It was a really nice balance of flavor and freshness that gave it a great all around bite. I couldn't tell you which maki rolls we ordered, except one of them came out with crazy looking sauce on the plate (and was very good). I think my favorite roll was a shrimp tempura, with spicy mayo and sweet soy. Really good. I wish I still lived in the neighborhood to eat at Yuzu more often. Plain and simple - it fits the bill as an affordable, fun, cozy, BYO sushi (& robata) spot.
(4)
Theresa W.

Very fishy. Small, uncomfortable seating. Highly recommended- highly disappointed. Very pretty, awful tasting. We ordered 4 different rolls and left to travel to WOOW a few bites into the sushi.
(1)
Eric M.

Great sushi, BYOB is a plus as well.
(5)
Pete B.

love. love. love. a great concept. grilled japanese goodness with sushi AND BYOB. The ambience was cozier than I thought. price was affordable too. $10 off for an order over $50 (with a yelp checkin) with a mandatory 20% tip which I didn't mind because service was great.
(4)
Mike D.

I've never had a more cost effective lunch at a sushi place.... EVER. top notch food, quality service, and a redicuously low price point. nuff said. I can't wait to try them for dinner
(5)
Raquel D.

Move over Arami, there's a new kid on the block - and he's way cooooler!!! From the moment you walk in, you catch the sexy cool vibe this place has to offer. Hip hop music and the animation on the wall is so head bopping and eye-catching that you almost forget your purpose for the evening: SUSHI! I was already drooling from reading the menu. ALOT of super white tuna here and I LOVE IT! The cantelope roll is AH-MAZING - they add these cute, teeny, crunchy balls on top that really gives it that extra zing - definitely original and unforgettable. The catepiller is very good as well as the oh so generous sashimi pieces! I also tried the pot river and crunchy roll, I believe. All so good and HUGE - I was super surprised that the rolls were that big AND had more than 6 pieces. Absolutely unheard of - especially for the price AND BYOB. But wait, that's not all, folks. They also have a robata grill, which offers a nice escape from the sushi. I like to think of it as Japanese tapas even though I'm sure that's totally wrong. But, basically, they have a menu of grilled items that come in 2 - 4 pieces or so for all under $5 each. We tried the bacon wrapped asparagus (GET IT!) and the short rib (yum!) as well as pork belly (delish!). Yuzu already had me at this point - but what really made me a fan was that the owner/head chef? dude came around each table thanking his patrons. He also was giving out samples of super white tuna (gasp!)with "flavors/recipes" he was working with. Uhm, what? Yes, please. I actually gave my honest feedback on one I wasn't too fond of and he asked what I thought would make it better then he made it that way and asked if it was better. Whoa - now that's going the extra mile. If he does this every night, I may get stalkerish... So all in all, excellent food for excellent value - def bang for your buck in a hip environment. Oh! And awesome "chef" hats! Love the hipster/trendy vibe!
(5)
Natalia M.

Delicious, great variety & fair prices. The fire & south beach rolls are awesome as well as pork shoulder (small skewer $3) !! Small place so expect a long wait . BYOB
(5)
Amanda Z.

Oh, yes please. On the hunt for a relatively affordable evening out, yet something that would make our taste buds have all sorts of smiles, my husband and I ended up here. Reservation was made, wine was chilled, mascara applied...we were ready. While it appeared that a reservation might not have been necessary, I tend to make them if allowed, mainly to ensure I can eat when I am actually hungry. Here is my ordering advice to you: Start with the tuna poke (which is a huge portion of beautiful tuna and an artfully knifed perfectly ripe avocado), try as many robata items as you can (short ribs, pork shoulder, bacon-wrapped scallops, shishito peppers) and order maki if you're really feeling hungry. (We found we didn't even need them.) The robata items were our favorite, along with the tuna appetizer. The maki wasn't particularly memorable, to be honest. Most of the rolls seemed very heavy which just wasn't appealing to me...the two we ordered were good, but not remarkable. Go with the tuna poke if you're craving raw...and then go crazy with the robata items. We left completely full, food still on the plate, for $35 TOTAL (pre-tip). Amazing. Service was lovely. We were seated right away, our waters were kept full (and I loved the touch of cucumber and lemon!) and our wine was put on ice right when we sat down. Very nice.
(4)
Ashley S.

Yuzu = Yu(zu)mmy! The sushi was fresh, fairly priced and pretty. (I'm the kind of girl who likes to take photos of her food, so I consider pretty eats a plus.) The rolls ran between $6 and $13. We also ordered an appetizer, the Tuna Poke, which was tuna sashimi and thinly sliced green onion over avocado slices. Can you spell D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S? Our waitress was extremely nice and attentive (not overly attentive, however). She was cheerful, recommended various things off the menu and came by frequently to fill us up on water. (The water, by the way, was served in fun mason jars with paper-thin lemon and cucumber slices. Two thumbs up.) The atmosphere was relaxed and quiet--it was only our table and one or two others, though we went for lunch. I've walked by a few times at night and it looks pretty hoppin'. It's a fairly small, intimate space and decorated with large Japanese comic prints (I think they're called Manga??) on the walls. It struck me as a place that would be nice for a date or dinner with a friend. All in all, we had a really nice experience. I will definitely be back and highly recommend it!
(4)
Allison S.

This is one of those moments where you wish ZERO was an option for number of stars given. The woman managing the restaurant and reservations should be fired. She lost our group reservation for a special occasion. Fine, OK, mistakes can happen. So, we wait an hour (despite being told it would take a half hour). Then, without so much as even an apology, she very rudely blamed the fact that we still hadn't been seated on trying to add more people to the reservation earlier that day...which was never confirmed, so we showed up with the number originally guaranteed. It made no sense for her to have such a bad attitude to us about it when we did nothing wrong and were patient about waiting outside. Food was decent, waiter was fine. When we hand our credit cards over to pay the bill, the same terrible-attitude woman comes over to tell us that she can only split the bill 5 ways. 1. Everyone knows that's a made-up rule for lazy staff. We've worked in the industry before. We get it. 2. Nowhere does it say that there policy is to split no more than 5 ways. She then calls the police to tell them that we refused to pay. Lady, you are a psycho. Probably the most nightmarish dining experience I have ever had. There went 12 people who will never come back and who will make sure to tell their friends. Hope the owner sees how bad you are for business.
(1)
Dan L.

went here last week and was very very impressed. very small place and gets crowded but for good reason. Fish was very fresh, scallops wrapped in bacon were amazing and the rolls were very cool & well made. would go back here again time and time again. Plus you can never go wrong with BYOB
(5)
Susan C.

This place is fantastic. I love the fresh fish and the small, cozy atmosphere. There can be a long wait but it is worth it. Sushi is delicious as well as their small plates.
(5)
Leslie M.

Great place! Very small expect to wait long if you have no reservations. I wasn't impressed with all the great reviews but it's good. Sushi was good and affordable prices and the screwers and mushrooms were delicious. Great place to try. BYOB
(4)
Julia D.

Mmm, Yuzu. I've dined here several times, and always leave satisfied. Wish I could rate a 4.5 (Yelp, you must add a half-star option!), for I am in lust/love with several Yuzu specialty items. A few of my personal favorites: 1. Black Sea Roll: Tuna, super white tuna (one can never have too much tuna), salmon, hamachi, kani kama, sunflower seeds, masago, spicy mayo, sesame oil, black tobiko, scallion. A deliciously loaded specialty roll for only eight dollar bills, y'all. 2. Tuna Poke: Hawaiian tuna salad, avocado, green and white onion, Japanese chili pepper, soy sauce, sesame oil. Served in a beautiful display, and quite delectable. Bravo, Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill; y'all serve an exceptional poke. (Side note: Tuna poke may be one of the best dishes to exist.) 3. Pot River: A jumbo roll (and let me tell you, it is JUMBO) of tuna, super white tuna, salmon, avocado, cucumber, cilantro, jalapeÃ±o, scallion, tempura crumbs, green tobiko, chili sauce, wasabi mayo, sweet soy sauce. A zesty roll--with just the right amount of kick. 4. South Beach: Super white tuna, spicy tuna, mango, Japanese pepper, sesame oil, masago, spicy mayo, lime, red and black tobiko. The combo tobiko adds a nice finishing touch to this light, unique Yuzu specialty roll. Also good options: Over the Rainbow, What's My Name and Very Spicy Tuna. As for restaurant atmosphere, Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill is a great BYO spot for a group dinner or for a date. It is on the smaller side, so be sure to call in prior to ensure there is an open table. Service team is friendly and attentive. Wall decor is artsy. Old-school hip hop beats play in the background. Basically, if you'll enjoy jamming to Boyz II Men and Notorious B.I.G. while dining on delicious cuisine, iRecommend you check out Yuzu Sushi today.
(4)
Stephanie H.

So I previously made a very honest review about a horrible experience I had with this restraunt and I was very surprised to see that the restraunt commented on my review in a very childish unproffetional manor. Which I guess shouldn't really shock me too much because that is exactly how they treated my first unfortunat encounter with them. I am quite embarrassed for their actions and am thoughly happy for standing up for myself and letting everyone else know how they treat their costumers. They clearly have never heard they saying "the costumer is always right" it's pretty funny because as they are trying to tell me off they just proved my point on how they fail at costumer service.
(1)
Jackie F.

Definitely one of my favorite sushi spots in the city. Everything is very good, its BYOB, and cheap. My favorite roll is the Chicago roll. Pot River was also very good but ONLY get if you like cilantro. Midwest roll was good but doesn't top the Chicago Roll. As for the Robata grill - I like the bacon wrapped scallops but didn't like the Chicken Satay as much. Seaweed salad was good and so were Gyoza for apps. The staff is friendly and if you check in on the yelp app you can save 10% on your bill!
(5)
Jason W.

Wow! I didn't eat much sushi, but the couple rolls that I tried were gorgeous and tasted as good as they look. I came here for the cooked meats. They have a multitude of satays, and I heard they were delish. I head right! They were around $2 a piece and some of the best beef and pork that have ever tried on a stick. BYOB which is always wonderful and overall a hip little place!
(5)
Myles G.

I loved the vibe of this place upon walking in. It was what a sushi place should be. Very tight quarters, people looking happy, and a sea of chefs behind the sushi bar. I only had to wait about 5 minutes before being escorted to a dark corner of the room to be seated. I didnt feel bad for bringing two bottles of wine as I observed a couple nearby with four. My friend and I were both also very impressed by the constant stream of vintage hip-hop coming through the speakers. We jumped right into ordering. Two items I will not be ordering again: soft-shell shrimp and gyoza. Both were quite bland, dry, and tasteless. We decided to try some more robata items before rolls and finally got some winners. The short rib, bacon-scallop, pork shoulder, and ribeye robotas were all very tender and flavorful. The most creative roll I have seen recently is Yuzu's "Pot River". It is a very unique mix of seafood and surprisingly cilantro among other things. The"sorry im drunk" roll and the "black sea" were also quite impressive. The most tragic part of this experience was the service. The server appeared to have never performed this task before. She was very pushy yet highly unknowledgeable about the menu. In the first five minutes, she requested that we order 5 times while we continued to inform her that we would be ordering in several shifts. She appeared highly uninterested in general and when we asked for recommendations on two occasions. she stated"I dont really like or eat sushi, so you are kind of on your own" or "I guess I have had someone order that one before" Really?! I am sure that I saw other servers who were better in the place, but that was mine. Yet and still, check it out.
(3)
Denise G.

Got delivery and came early! Fresh, tasty, and inventive.
(5)
Di M.

Sushi was ok. Place is small. It's was my date's first experience with Sushi. We were requested to leave immediately after we paid and had 1/2 a glass of wine to finish. Furthermore, we there less than an hour. I was embarrassed I won't be returning
(3)
Stefanie P.

This sushi restaurant is different because it has a grill too. Thats probably why its in the name! We had scallops and bacon on a stick, and pork shoulder. To be honest, I wanted to cancel the sushi order and eat more of that stuff. All of the items off the grill are great! We got the Black Sea roll Rubata Roll. The presentation is amazing, and the flavor and the freshness of the fish is just as wonderful. My friend ordered the japanse icecream (not sure of the name) I got the green tea and it was sweet but also refreshing. I say try it! The waitstaff is always smiling like they just hugged a teddy bear and have animated cartoon hearts flying around their body. That makes the meal so much more enjoyable The walls are covered with Japanese black and white anime but the furniture is modern rustic (thats a fancy design phrase iI made up) This place is fantastic.
(5)
Olivia M.

Popped my sushi cherry here and was not disappointed, but I am slightly humiliated that people had to witness me using chopsticks. It was bad. However, the food was tasty. I tried sashimi and a variety of other things my boyfriend force fed me but I really enjoyed the experience. We sat right in front of the kitchen which was fun too, and our waiter was nice and attentive.
(4)
Nicholas W.

Friendly and prompt service, but honestly, the food was very inferior to other sushi places around the area. The bacon scallop had a sharp taste with no subtlety - I thought the two ingredients would play each other off in texture, but it was a hot scalding mess. The beef short rib had an interesting sauce but was overdone and boring. The serving size of black sea roll was tiny and it tasted bland, and could have had more character. For the copious description of this dish, it was severely underwhelming. I also ordered some sashimi which taste would be passable only if I bought it at some supermarket. Gawd, even the supermarket sashimi tastes better. Extremely disappointing experience. I was ready to sample some good dishes, given the rave reviews on yelp, but I quickly paid and left, and went to Dominicks to buy my dinner.
(1)
andy s.

really good food, and prices are definitely reasonable. BYOB is a plus. make a reservation because seating is limited. there isn't a ton of seating, and there isn't a ton of space either. but you go here for the food, not for a nice quiet date.
(5)
Zak O.

Went here last night for the first time after receiving several recommendations. We left saying (1) why didn't we go here sooner and (2) we can't wait to come back and try even more stuff on the menu. We loved the robata grilled peppers and beef short ribs. The sushi rolls and pieces were also fantastic! The yellow tail and super white tuna just melted in our mouths. We sat at the bar and watched one beautiful platter after another head to tables. These guys are artists. Add to that a cool vibe, music, B.Y.O. and the reasonable prices and you have a place that is well worth the trip.
(5)
Lily D.

Really enjoyed the rolls, nice atmosphere
(5)
Jon O.

This is one of my favorite places to eat in Ukrainian Village. I've been here a couple times with different groups of friends, and every time everybody leaves full and satisfied. The specialty here is robata, which you can consider a sort of Japanese barbecue. Robata are a la carte skewers with a variety of meats and veggies available. The bacon wrapped scallops and the white miso tuna are definitely my faves. The sushi is nothing to scoff at, either. There's a lot of great sushi in the vicinity, but the offerings here are nothing to sneeze at. I've had at least half of these before, and I've enjoyed every one I've tried. I'm a big unagi fan in particular, so I really enjoyed the dragon roll. You can treat this restaurant as you would a tapas place - feel free to order one or two more robata if you feel like you're not quite full. The place is pretty cozy but service is friendly. It's BYOB if you're so inclined, and I don't remember ever paying a corkage fee. Most of the food is made to share - make sure to get the cucumber salad. Finally, if you order over $50 (no small task), you can save $10 by checking in on Yelp. If you like sushi or Korean BBQ at all, you should absolutely check this place out.
(5)
Traci T.

I first learned about Yuzu on TastingTable, an online magazine that I completely trust. Eating at Yuzu has been on my to-do list for a while. It's also in my 'hood and have passed it a few times. Completely kicking myself for not eating there sooner. My friend and I decided to try it out on a late Sat afternoon. So the restaurant was basically empty. I think we were the only party being served. What came to mind immediately was how fresh everything was. The food at Yuzu really stands out in a great way. The chef came over and offered us complimentary white tuna drizzled with an amazing citrus sauce. It was unbelievably good. I'm hooked. Give Yuzu a try and you'll be too!
(5)
Temi C.

Great value for your money! If you're a fan of Lawrence Fish Market, you'll love Yuzu. The prices are only slightly higher for a clean, byob dining experience. Big fat sashimi pieces range from $2-3 and basic rolls are $4. Although it falls short of Toro standards, it's a quick sushi fix. They have some interesting skewers like miso tuna and pork shoulder ( tastes like beef teriyaki). They're only $1.50-2.50 and very generous in size. They have 50% off some rolls until the end of June if you dine in.
(3)
Elizabeth W.

I LOVE YU! (ZU!) Came in on a night when I was grumpy, didn't want to cook and didn't particularly care what I ate, so my soft shell crab-lovin' man ordered a little something from each part of the menu. I prefer raw sushi, but the cooked rolls and deep-fried appetizers here completely floored me. By the end of the meal my frown was completely gone. Life's too short to be grumpy when you're seat-dancing to "Regulator" and stuffing your face with tempura.
(5)
Madalyn T.

By far my favorite sushi place in Chicago! Always super fresh- even when we order for delivery. The robatta grill is so good and the presentation of the food is always something to look forward too. Great atmosphere!
(5)
Ariel L.

Came here on Friday night t 7pm. I had made a reservation, but when i arrived there were plenty of open tables. By the time we left however, the small restaurant was full. The place is BYOB so we brought our own wine and beer and there was no corkage fee. I really liked the interior, but after having sat on their chairs for about an hour, my as started to really hurt. Bring a pillow. These are not comfortable chairs. More importantly, the food was quite good. I sampled most of the grilled skewers and was pretty happy with them. The poke was salty and greasy, but still tasty. My wife ordered several sushi rolls and was very pleased. We sweet potato tempura was good as an appetizer and the Edamama was fine (although small). We did not order dessert. The staff was very friendly and a bit unorganized and as the place filled up, they paid us less attention. But that's too be expected when a restaurant first opens. We actually ended up getting several skewers free because they brought us one of our orders twice. The bill for 4 people was $88.00, and we ordered way more then we all needed. I will definitely be back for round two....
(3)
Cindy R.

This was delicious. Had tuna poke, a few robata items: scallops and eggplant (also asparagus but it was boring). Also some rolls: black sea, dragon, very spicy tuna & california. Will definitely be back to try more things. They had a good variety of apps & grill items, plus I loved their sushi.
(5)
Zara H.

Wow. This place really needs to get it together. We went in at 8 on a Friday night, put our names down and were told that we'd have to wait around 45 minutes. We left our number for a text and walked a block away for a drink. After about an hour and fifteen minutes we decided to call in and ask about our table since we hadn't heard. The guy who answered was pretty rude and said he couldn't provide any info, we'd have to be transferred to the host for that. He transferred, I waited on hold for literally seven minutes and nothing. I called back again and explained - still no help. At around 10 (2 hours after we put our names down) we decided to give up and go to Butterfly, which is nearby and has MUCH better service. Skip this place unless you want your entire night ruined. I've never had such a bad experience anywhere here before. All around completely unacceptable. I've been before and while I thought the food was good, the service during my first visit was awful as well - this experience just took the cake though.
(1)
Stephanie B.

This is by far one of my favorite sushi places in Chicago. Blob, great service, delicious sushi. Definitely recommend to make a reservation since it's always packed. Try anything on the menu and your mouth will water!
(5)
Bob M.

Feeling deprived because I haven't been in NYC for four weeks I decided to take a client to lunch at this small urinviting looking store front. Don't let the exterior fool you. Great service and even better food. Artfully presented and the taste will keep me coming back for more! The Pot River is gorgeous and taste even better. The neighborhood is fine and street parking a breeze. Try it you'll like it!
(5)
Eileen K.

I went to yuzu for lunch on a Saturday with my boyfriend. I got to admit the food was great. I got the pork shoulder n scallop wrapped bacon robata. We also got 3 different rolls (black sea, pot river, and motown). Therefore, we used the $10 off coupon if we checked in on yelp. However, they charged us a 26percent service charge after tax for just the two of us during lunch hour. For me thats just ridiculous! If it was for an outstanding service, i dont really mind. But here, they need to be called upon for ordering, refilling the water.. And there were only two other guests at that time.
(2)
Shane E.

"I am all-knowing, all-seeing genie and I grant you THREE wishes... Yuzu want a sushi? POOF. Do Yuzu want attentive service? BOOM. Yuzu say yuzu want cool interior? IT IS DONE." On the real though, all the ingredients were fresh, not funny smelling and little details, like the plating of sauces were all there. Memorable rolls: MONSTER spider!, Black Sea, sweet potato and the Mo Town. Everything was solid, though. I don't think you could go wrong.
(4)
Jared D.

Came here last night after making a reservation on opentable. It opened up a little over a year ago, but seems to be quickly gaining popularity in the area. Everything we had was excellent. The robata grill dishes we had (short rib, chicken, asparagus, zucchini) were all awesome. For sushi, we got the Pier 99, Boston crunchy, and 100 Years of Solitude rolls. My favorite was Pier 99. A lot of different flavors going on, but it worked. 100 years was spicier than I anticipated, but tasted good. Also, it's BYO w/ no corkage fee and there's a $10 off coupon if you check in on yelp. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Travis R.

DELICIOUS. That's really all you need to know, but keep reading if you're one of those who require testimony. This little spot has all of the best elements that make for a great dining experience: great food, friendly service, attractive decor, and it's BYOB! The menu is more diverse than one would usually expect from a typical sushi restaurant, partly because of the "Robata" selections, but also because of the original maki roll combinations. All appetizers are delicious - I've sampled the sweet potato tempura, curry puffs, and tuna poke. Each of these were fresh and tasty. The Robata skewers are a great choice for those who'd like to sample and share a diverse range of items. These also serve as fine alternatives for those members of a group who may not be fond of the traditional raw fish sushi and/or maki rolls. I found the shishito (mini Japanese sweet peppers) wonderful, and my dining companions couldn't eat enough of the bacon-wrapped scallops and asparagus. Yuzu's specialty rolls are a MUST. The My Favorite Midwest roll is sure to please, with just the right amount of flavors, textures and spice! The Pier 99 is another deliciously original selection - its toasted coconut coating offers a totally unique flavor and texture. The fantastic food aside, Yuzu is always a pleasurable experience thanks to the waitstaff. The servers are superbly attentive (you'll never be short of water), but they never seem to interrupt the conversation and/or feasting at their tables. NOW VISIT YUZU!
(5)
Alex G.

Five stars all the way. I love love love this place and am definitely going back asap. Went for an early dinner with four other people. We were parked by the window. Music is great, staff is great and the food is just absolutely delicious. Mango avocado salad, tuna poke appetizer, seaweed salad and several items off the robata grill:Short ribs, mushrooms and bacon wrapped scallions. All of it was really fantastic. This coupled with our couple bottles (BYOB!), it was a fantastic experience all around. Going back for sushi in 5...4...3....2...see ya there.
(5)
Nikki L.

YUUUUUUUMY! What a little hidden gem. Located on the west side of Chicago ave. this tiny sushi and robata grill is definitely producing some quality eats! I want to say we pretty much ordered one of everything and were tempted to order seconds and thirds! For those of you who like BYOB's this is a great place to grab a casual dinner any day of the week. If you are looking for recommendations, I would say it's ALL good...literally, you won't be disappointed! The space is a bit small, but it didn't stop me from ordering a boat load of food.
(5)
Sarah C.

I went here a few days ago for a special occasion and I cannot understand how this place got such good reviews. First, its not much to look at. Its in an area where all the stores have bars in the windows and the place itself is small, dark, and cramped. Not exactly some place I would recommend taking a date you're trying to impress. But I'd never judge a restaurant by its cover so we ordered and stayed optimistic even after being seated at a small table in the back that was clearly in the way of the servers entering and leaving the kitchen. But on to the food: Soft shell crab starter: disgusting. Seriously. A slightly burnt deep fried mess that looked like half of a small crab had just been thrown into the deep frier. My boyfriend and I pulled it apart and found the smallest bit of crab meat and the rest went into the trash. Completely inedible and it cost $7. Midwest roll: the only thing I got that was actually decent and why this place didnt get 1 star Boston crunchy: basically a spicy tuna roll with avocado. Hardly a chef special Pier 69: pretty sauce artwork but another completely inedible food. It tasted like whatever part of the roll was deep fried got burnt and I had to pick it apart to eat even a little bit of it. Yuck Overall, bill came to be a bit over $50 and I left the place hungry. I absolutely love sushi but this place just isnt good. Save yourself the trouble and choose a place in the loop or on the north side.
(2)
Bethami M.

Dined here last night with a few friends after watching Check Please, along with hearing amazing reviews. Got in without a reservation. Let me preface this by saying as pretty as the sushi is here, I'm not sure what makes it so much more amazing than all the sushi places in town, so I couldn't give it 5 stars. BYOB, a plus, although we couldn't partake. We ordered edamame, tofu from the Robata Grill, the Dragon, the Pot Roll, the My Favorite Midwest Roll, and the Shrimp Tempura roll. Every piece of sushi was eaten, and the sauce served on the cutting boards were really pretty and really enhanced the flavors. However, I thought what made the restaurant most unique and stand out, was the Robata Grill. The tofu was pretty fabulous, and it was one large piece. We wished we could cut it, but we only had chopsticks. Another reason I can't give this place 5 stars is a service issue. We had a party of three, and our third was stuck in traffic. Our server came by three times before our friend arrived, asking if we wanted appetizers. Each time we had the same answer, "we're going to wait for our third." I am all about attentive service (in fact I'm a stickler about absent service) but asking us MULTIPLE times about appetizers and later desserts seems like you're trying to rush us out. We were maybe there for a total of an hour. I'd say if you're in the area, stop in, and I wouldn't mind going back. But it's not in my top 3 in Chicago, and there's probably a few other options closer to home.
(4)
Alisa d.

Love this place! I'm always excited to find a good, moderately priced sushi place in Chicago, and this place fits the bill. Everything I've had has been delicious, and they've even made me a believer in vegetarian rolls (for shame!). The sushi chefs all wear cute black hats, and the music is good. A great tasting, fresh seaweed salad as well. Also, you can't beat BYOB. Two thumbs up!
(5)
Sally M.

Pros: Great food! The lunch special was very reasonably priced, especially for how much food we received. I would definitely go back. Cons: The place was kind of dirty, and so was my water glass and a few of the dishes. Nobody else seemed to notice this, so maybe its because I'm not from the city? Also small chairs.
(4)
Lady L.

I was pissed at the fiancee for suggesting this place as I parked on Chicago Ave. It looks like a creepy dump from the outside. But wow, was I wrong. The sushi is outstanding. I have been there 5 times in the last month. It's affordable, it's inventive, it's great. You must try. I have never had issues with ressies as others have mentioned. Also, they chill your BYOB wine in old paint cans (totally stealing that idea). stuff to try: -My fave midwest role -robata (it's all really good) -very spicy tuna roll Everything else was solidly good. Go and enjoy.
(4)
Chelsea B.

My husband and I found this little gem on Yelp and will now become regulars. We started with a few items from the Robata grill and every one was better than the last. The sushi is so fresh and they really create some unique rolls. Trendy spot with a great atmosphere. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Megan G.

Lunch specials here are pretty excellent- you get 2 rolls, salad, and soup for a steal! I'll normally add on an additional roll just so I can get two separate meals out of it. I've only ever had the california, spicy tuna, and shrimp tempura rolls- the spicy tuna I felt was pretty plain, but the shrimp tempura was huge and tasty! I've only ever done takeout here (it's on Grubhub), but want to go back at some point to dine in.
(5)
A R.

So word is that Yuzu is the place to go now for sushi. Reasonable prices, and super fresh fish. It was very unsuspecting as I drove by. I actually missed it because it's so dimly lit. But when I walked in--on a Wednesday--it was packed. And rightfully so. My friend had quite the appetite so we ordered 5 rolls and a sashimi plate. Everything was delicious and fresh but the highlights for me were the Black Sea and the Motown Effect. The Black Sea, especially. The Sweet Potato Tempura was surprisingly good too. This will now be my go-to sushi place. So delicious!
(4)
Kevin T.

Decent sushi. They didn't really show me anything special. It was packed on a Sunday. Much of the sushi/rolls in Chicago is similar. I have difficulty differentiating them. Sashimi was ok, some parts of the fish were still frozen. The selection on the Robata Grill is somewhat small. Would like to see some more obscure cuts of meat. i.e. tongue, heart, etc.
(3)
Laura L.

I wasn't blow away. But it was really good. Great place to go for inexpensive fare for sure! And BYOB...who isn't a fan of that. I walked in with a reservation and we did wait a bit longer for out table. I am pretty sure they had our table all ready to go until a larger group walked in just before our reservation time. But it was a great place to chill with my freans and drink cheap wine!
(3)
Joey H.

Yuzu is incredibly tasty! My friends and I eat here at least once a week! Initially I checked it out because my go to sushi favorite isn't open for lunch, needless to say I fell in love! Favorites: Tuna Poke, all sashimi (it's all fresh daily), pork shoulder & short rib robata, honestly, pork shoulder is SO awesome! Pot River Roll, Black Sea YUM! Honestly, I've never had anything I didn't like here. The only reason I am giving Yuzu 4 out 5 is because the chairs are awful. I'm not sure if they are trying to have table turn quick or what but they are bad. My parents were in town and we had to call and specify we wanted the one table with normal chairs because my dad has a bad back and we knew he couldn't take the woodshop class chairs. I am thinking I may BYOB and BYOC! In conclusion, great food, bad chairs and fantastic service! Typically we request Grace! Grace is very accommodating and knowledgeable! It's great to come to our favorite spot and see the same great server, being in the service industry it is something I greatly appreciate! Thanks Grace:-) Check out Yuzu... You're buns will be the only thing that will be disappointed. My boyfriend doesn't even eat sushi but the robata has him heading back for more!
(4)
Peter B.

Unquestionably some of the best sushi in town. Add on the grilled goodies, and this place becomes my new go-to Japanese spot. Went there tonight and had a little bit of everything. Starters: the sweet potato tempura was remarkable, with a nice touch of spicy heat. Grilled squid was perfect, seasoned just right. Even my daughter's miso soup was better than any I've ever tasted, fresh and flavorful. The sushi: we shared four rolls, loved the Very Spicy Tuna and the Sin Nombre (albacore, avocado, cucumber, and more, topped with a tasty slab of salmon). The Black Sea and Pot River (a jumbo roll) were great too. And the grilled goodies - WAY better than I expected. We did Robata Set 2, with soft shell shrimp, asparagus wrapped in bacon, and chicken two ways. Each uniquely flavored and soooo good. Try this as an appetizer. Or order your own selection, each is just $2 or 3 bucks. Yep, prices here are very reasonable. It's BYOB, and they go out of their way to make that easy (decent glasses, ice buckets ready to go). Yeah, the room is small, and the chairs kinda suck, but you're here to eat and you're not going to be sitting around that long anyway. Or get it to go, they do a brisk business. So eat your fill of yumminess, and tell your friends. I'll be back...
(5)
Christopher D.

Wow, my girlfriend and I went to this place last night. I had one roll that I thought was okay, but I kind of figured that I might not like it personally. I was right about that but the "what's my name" roll with some wasabi.. HOLY F BOMB. Perfect in every way sushi could be. The fact that you can bring your own alcohol is amazing. It was definitely crowded, which I am not a big fan of, but soley based on the food... Bacon wrapped asparagus, sweet chili pork shoulder and that roll. No doubt this gets 5 stars.. The food is perfect and cheap. What more can you ask for? More room maybe?
(5)
Moe f.

Solid sushi. Host forgot about us and we got a free app. Nigiri was fresh. Rolls were unique and dug the skewers. It's super small. Would definitely go back.
(3)
Nikki K.

Fresh sushi and amazing pork shoulder robata - that's all you need! This place delivers on portions and most of all, flavor. The slices of sushi are very thick but they still maintain a tender bite. I've been here now 5 times and have only walked away super full and never disappointed. Great service and it's BYOB.
(4)
Adrienne A.

Their food is just amazing. BYOB, make the reservation to avoid standing around. Since we had to wait so long for a table for 3 the manager brought out three chairs and we were able to sit outside, sipping cold drinks while we waited. Yummy sweet potato tempura rolls. I highly recommend it.
(5)
S S.

I don't know the first thing about sushi and hardly ever have it because I can't use chop sticks so I'm overwhelmed and intimidated but my friend is a sushi expert so I agreed to try this place. It's very small but were able to get a table right away without reservations on Monday at 8pm. The service is great but the seats are really quite uncomfortable. Well, every roll I tried was better than the last. We had the dragon, the 100 years of solitued, motown effect, and I believe the black sea. Delicious. Amazing. I am now a Sushi lover and can't wait to go here with my friends. Thank you for such awesome service.
(5)
Dan S.

I have been here twice,the robata grill is very good as is the sushi. The service is good too and it's reasonably priced.
(4)
Galina M.

Just leaving this place now...it was good. The mango salad is a must and shishito peppers are amazing!!! Basically the robata grill stuff is mich better than the sushi. The special rolls r slightly too much ingredients...like u almost cant taste the fish. The service is outstanding and very fast! Also - its BYOB which is awesome! The place is small and dimly lit. Great for dates ;) ohhhh and they play sweet hip hop like Common style! Totally awesome! They gave us free mochi after dinner - super sweet. So its a solid 3 star and yes i would recommend it to others but order from the robata grill more than sushi. Cheers
(3)
Toula M.

This place is amazing. I've tried quite a few different rolls and they've all been great. They're gyoza is so good, I actually crave it sometimes :/ What I love most about this place is the robata grill. I've tried almost all of the skewers and my favorite is the bacon wrapped scallop! There are so many sushi places in this city, the grill sets yuzu apart from the others. Good stuff.
(5)
Alexy K.

Favorite sushi spot in the city. Love the hip hop beats playing every time I dine here. Fish is always fresh and they can accommodate special requests which is cool. Owner usually has a new recipe for regulars to try and give feedback on which makes you feel part of the action. I asked them to put jalapeÃ±o pepper in the miso soup to warm up on a cold day and they always hook it up and it tastes great and hot going down.
(5)
Kyle H.

I love this place. So far, I've eaten in once and gotten delivery twice. I have had no negative experiences so far. Both deliveries came quickly and were hot with nothing missing. They also offer coupons for delivery via Grub Hub. When we ate in, we had a great time. Some folks might not like the music, but I was really into the fact that they were playing loud rap music from the late 1990s and early 2000s. It was loud, but not so loud that we couldn't talk to each other, and I heard a lot of songs I haven't heard in awhile, which was fun. My mother cracked up when I informed her that ladies is pimps too, and brushed her shoulders off. The food was delicious. Benjamin K.R. ordered one of everything from the robata grill for all of us to share, which seems like a lot of food, but only cost a little over $20 and was enough for all of us to have one or two bites of everything. It was awesome to be able to try everything without having to worry about spending a ton of money or having a ton of leftovers. We also got a few maki rolls, which were all delicious, and the drunken noodle, which was also delicious. The service was very friendly and attentive without being overbearing. I also quite like the cute Japanese comic panels that are painted onto the walls. We didn't even spend very much money, even after getting so much food - and they had a discount coupon for checking in on Yelp. All in all, an excellent experience and we will be back soon.
(5)
Tori C.

We come here every Thursday and can't stop. The service is great - they are so nice. Once we went in 5-10 minutes before they were closing, so we said we would just order carry out, but they insisted we sit down and stay to eat. When we did have to wait for a table, we were given free edamame (I'm probably spelling that wrong) and the server offered to open up our BYOB bottle for us while we waited. We order the South Beach roll every time we come - some of the best sushi I've had. Oh yea, and great music, if you like hip hop. Cannot stay away from Yuzu :)
(5)
Jeff W.

The hype for Yuzu is blowing up, so I had to hop over to the Village of Ukranians to check out why. I'm often let down when I build a place up, but not this time. I'm not gonna lie, I came to Yuzu 3 times in 1 week. I was a little embarrassed when the waitresses were asking me 'back again?' Doesn't matter if you come here with a group or on a date, the experience & food is great. Make sure you call ahead for a reservation. All 3 times I called pretty last minute and was able to get tables for prime dinner times on Weds & Thurs nights. On Friday, our group of 4 got a table for 9pm. The workers are incredibly nice. They're like little Asian elves that just want to make sure you are enjoying yourselves. No, but for real. My first visit, my group had to wait for a 4 top to finish. They took their sweet time and chatted and finished their wine, which is pretty expected and not a huge deal. The hostess kept apologizing and pouring our wine for us. She brought us complimentary edamame to eat while we waited. I'm not sure who was more uncomfortable with the wait, us or the hostess. After 30 minutes, she informed the table that we were waiting for their table. I imagine this annoyed them because this is typically really rude, but in such a small restaurant with limited seating I can kind of understand. They were pretty cool about it, too. At the end of our meal, the hostess apologized again for the wait and gave us a $5 gift certificate for our next visit. My 2nd and 3rd times visiting that week were just as great. The food was sushi at it's best. Tasty and fresh, and not covered with sauces that muddle every roll to be indistinguishable... aka 'white people sushi' For the sake of length, here are a few reccos for any future visitors: Starters Avocado Mango Salad - A light way to start your meal. Dressing is a little spicy but offset with avocados and mango slices. All3 times this was great and I could eat this every day. Tuna Poke - Artfully presented and equally delicious. Not fishy at all and really good. Also good for avocado lovers. Robata Grill - Must try Pork Shoulder - Unreal. The glaze on this is like crack. Beef Short Rib - One of my favorites, but consensus is it was too fatty. I love fatties... er I mean meats, of course, so I loved this. If you're not into fatty meats, go with the pork shoulder. Probably unnecessary to get both cuz they're very similar. Bacon Scallop - Can't go wrong with Bacon Tuna Miso - My least favorite thing I've gotten here. Thought the fish was kinda dry and chewy. It was thick cut and glazed. Maki My Favorite Midwest Roll - $8.50 Riceless roll? Weird so I had to try. I ordered it all 3 times. I am not a fan of cream cheese in my maki rolls, but this is really creative and well done. Lightly battered and not too heavy. Try this. Black Sea Roll - $8.50 Really simple but really good. Sunflower seeds are a nice touch. Pier 69 - $14.50 Everyone raves about this roll. It's good but all I could taste was the fried soft shell crab. It's beautifully presented though. Didn't really taste the coconut. Fire Roll - $15.00 For the jumbo rolls, this one was my favorite. And I don't even like spicy food! Took a chance and the spice is really subtle. Minimal sweat, thank god. Highly recommend this roll over their other jumbo rolls! Pot River - $15.00 Another good one. Fresh but the cilantro turned me off. Sorry I am Drunk Roll - $11.00 So good for unagi lovers. Small and simple roll but really tasty. It's like a better version of a unagi roll that I would get at other sushi restaurants. Damnit, I did it again. I have had comments that my reviews are too long but I wanted to do this place justice. Also worth noting... they play rap and the sushi chefs look young and trendy. I can appreciate a sushi chef wearing a fedora and jamming to Kanye while he's crafting my maki. Also, they gave us free dessert that was bomb. Just go and enjoy!
(5)
Frank P.

Rolls are great. Robatas are awesome. BYOB is fantastic.
(5)
Kim B.

We go here once a week....it's top notch. Check in on Yelp for a $10 discount!
(5)
Stephanie M.

Finally made it here - have to stay that I was disappointed - not as good as everyone raves about....and definitely not worth a special trip in from the 'burbs.
(3)
Samantha E.

Food was delicious. Highly recommend the pork shoulder skewer. We stayed for a while after we paid the bill and they brought us a complimentary dessert.
(4)
Anabella J.

Let me just start by saying this place has the best customer service.everyone is super extra nice.we came in party of 4 and had to wait longer for table because place is smaller which was fine.they apologized over and over again and even gave us free edamame for free while waiting.talk about nice. It was near close and we only had one hour to order and eat and had already waited over 45 min they even gave us a discount off our bill.i even told them they dont have to do that because we would wait anyway because for good quality food i would wait all night long.and it was worth it.so far the best maki rolls in the city.specific taste that just melts in your mouth.everything is very fresh and the atmosphere of the place is very relaxing.our friend has shrimp allergy and they were very careful explaining which maki rolls has shrimp so he can avoid those.Chicago roll is amazing by the way.oh i forgot about the art that comes with sushi.a real masterpiece.if i could give them more than 5 stars i would.trust me and visit this place if you are in the neighborhood.
(5)
A A.

We've been here 4 times total (once to pick up). We've never had a reso and always end up getting seating pretty quickly (once even in a Saturday night). The place is usually very busy, but not annoyingly packed. The sushi is very good, we've probably tried everything and the best rolls are "Sorry I am Drunk" and another called (I think) "What's my Name". There is a dipping sauce that goes with one of those that looks like soy but is actually really bad. The rolls are far better without it. It's BYOB and a little tight, but overall it's a great spot to try.
(4)
Ivette S.

Great little place for sushi. The sushi is delicious, there's a lot of variety. We had the pot river jumbo roll which is about 10 pieces. The presentation is beautiful and we were lucky enough to sit in front of the bar, which is where they're putting your sushi together. It was really cool to see how the magic happens. The roll was great, the sauce they put on the side was a little spicy but good nonetheless. We also had the pork shoulder which is marinated and so tender. We had the tuna poke, my only complaint was that there was too much avocado and not enough tuna. They give u cucumber water with a slice of lemon which is really nice. Overall great experience, but they really need to expand. Everyone is sitting elbow to elbow, so it feels like a fire hazard. Good thing there's not much happening on the grill. Be prepared to wait for over an hour. They do take reservations so call ahead!
(4)
Nakia B.

This place is literally down the block from me and its the best thing ever. I love the beef short rib. Its like a meat lollipop for meat eaters. I also tend to order their spicy rolls which are really fresh and delicious. I've been to alot of sushi places around Chicago and this place is in my top 3 for sure.
(5)
Bryan H.

Atmosphere: Nice laid back atmosphere with great music and cool Anime on the wall. Great vibe. Server was great. Made some good recommendations. Food: Started with Robata and Sweet Potato Tempura 1.) Short Rib Robata- This was delicious. Sweet, salty, tender fatty pieces of meat. I could seriously just have eaten about 10 of these and be a happy glutton. So good we ordered another one. 2.) Shishito Peppers: Server recommended these. Basically grilled Japanese sweet peppers. I had one that was really hot so be careful. I just looked these peppers up on Wiki and they said for some reason 1 in 10 peppers are spicy. Makes it kind of fun. These were delicious. Can take a bite of this with meat for a little spice but better straight up. Sweet, soft and a great mushy consistency. 3.) Shrimp: Comes with Shell and Head which doesn't bother me but some people may not like. Had a kind of bitter lemon rhiny taste to it that wasn't very complimentary. Not a huge fan and wouldn't order again. Girl friend agreed. 4.) Sweet Potato Tempura: These were so good. Sweet potatoes are cut really thin and the tempura was unlike the traditional tempura I have had in other restaurants. Super crispy and golden brown. Light for what it is almost like a chip. Great when you dip it into the spicy mayo. Definitely order these again. 5.) "Sorry I am Drunk Roll": This role is fantastic. Probably my new favorite roll. So much flavor, again a little sweet, a little salty and very savory. What I loved the most was the texture. You get the crunchy pop from the tobiko (flying fish roe) and the chewiness of the nori. I just kept chewing and it just kept popping. Sounds crazy but so good. You will understand what I mean when you try it. 6.) Sin Nombre: Sounded really good on paper but the flavor didn't explode like the other food we had here. Had more of a nice fresh flavor. On the top there was a small dollop of something that tasted a little like capers. This was OK but I wouldn't order again with all of the other delicious food on the menu. All in all the food was delicious and our server was good. It is great that it is BYOB. They do not sell beer or liquor at all so be sure to bring your beverages. I will be back I just hope the owner finds a better way to turn over clients than giving them a time limit.
(4)
Jonathan L.

Awesome. Best robata in the city. Better value than sumi. And way better more friendly service. Better atmosphere! Awesome food.
(5)
Ivanka B.

I've only had delivery from this place and not only are the quick but tasty too! I highly recommend the short rib, asparagus and mushroom skewers. Though being short rib, watch out for the gristle and the mushroom was kinda bland one time. The sushi is fresh and while I didn't sample any of their signature rolls the regular stuff was great - good rice and nice fish cuts.
(4)
Amber S.

Love the 'I m drunk' roll'!!!!!!!!!! Yum yum!!!!
(5)
Avneet M.

Went with the family and it was great sushi. Not only the sushi that came out was a work of art it tasted great. If you have not been here it is a must visit.
(5)
G. T.

Took my family (which includes a 13 and 15 yr old) for a birthday celebration. To my surprise, the young'uns thoroughly enjoyed their food. The ordered items were tempura, Ebi cooked shrimp, Robata Grill #1 (chicken, pork and short rib), Udon noodle soup, super white tuna and soft shell shrimp. Even with ordering a second round of food, the tab came up to less than $50 and it is a BYOB establishment The food was delicious! The soup was flavorful, the pork shoulder and beef were really good, and my husband enjoyed the tuna while my daughter ended up ordering three soft shell shrimp. I was going to order some pop but the cucumber water served in a canning jar was quirky and delicious. Only drawback was the seating: metal chairs with small seats were not kind to my bottom. The seating area is very small but we were immediately seated. I guess it helped that we arrived on a Sunday evening so there were seats available around the restaurant. Staff is courteous and refreshed our glasses at every turn. Food was good especially for the non-sushi crowd. If requested, I will return with my family to enjoy the food again.
(4)
Selin A.

As my mom came to visit me in Chicago, I picked this place just for a quick dinner, bc it was very close to my place. I was really suprised how delicious the food was. And now, it is one of my favorite places... At the first time, we just walked in, but make sure that you have a reservation, if you dont want to wait a long time...
(5)
Tim R.

Very nice neighborhood sushi place. First, they brought us cucumber water with slices of lemon, which was much appreciated and very tasty. We ordered our meal along with iced green tea. The teas were refreshing, subtly sweet, and slightly citrusy: exactly what I expect and everything I wanted. We then enjoyed bowls of miso soup - once again, great flavor, crunchy scallions, little pieces of tofu. The sushi was great. We chose several vegetarian-friendly rolls, including avocado, sweet potato tempura, tamako (egg nagiri), and shitake mushroom. Each were presented on small sushi boards and arranged neatly. The flavor was spot-on for each roll, and the prices were very agreeable. The priciest roll of the lot was $5 a roll, but you can find some very decent 1 ingredient rolls for $3. The final total came to be around $30. All in all when weighed against the price, this sushi does not disappoint. The interior is decorated with Japanese manga, which is fun. Our only grievance was the seating, as the metal chairs were the uncomfortable kind you'd sit on in school a cafeteria. Other than that, however, this restaurant is a breath of fresh air compared with nearby Manee Thai and Butterfly Sushi, and we'll be coming back here again for sure.
(4)
Steve H.

Yum! Freshest raw fish, artistic rolls and plates, do recommend reservations though rather austere setting.
(5)
H A.

Very good grilled items and roll that came with was very fresh. I prefer sushi to rolls though... will be back for grilled items including the beef and chicken. Also, wished I ordered the Poke as the reviews below made my mouth water :) Soft shell crab and robata miso tuna a miss - soft shell crab over cooked/deep fried very brown and the tuna over cooked (for me) as well. But plenty of other delicious items to chose. Worth a trip.
(4)
Rachel R.

First time trying out Yuzu after moving back to Chicago from Southern California, and I have to say it was a wonderful experience! Ordered: Miso Soup - delivered hot and yummy! Scallop roll - scallop was fresh and overall a great roll. Chicken, Beef and Pork robatas - love this concept. all of the meat was very fresh and served with delicious sauces. Will definitely order from Yuzu again. Overall a wonderful sushi experience! PS - Free gyozas with order of $20 or more!
(4)
Ryan P.

They are super nice, the service is good and the food is very good. It is not a huge place, but a decent amount of seating. I highly recommend this place.
(4)
Paul F.

From the exterior, I was not looking forward to this place and expecting it to be another sushi place that comes and goes. I finally went there for lunch and was blown away by the robata grill options and the sushi is top notch as well. Those koren bbq rib and tuna skewers are to die for. Seriously, just go to try the skewers. Seating is a little cramped but it would be fun if the place was full to the brim with people. If Arami down the street is too expensive or too foo foo, this place is a great alternative!
(5)
Kiki A.

Amazing sushi! Can't wait to go back! the Robata grill meats are delish! And all the rolls are not only delicious but very artistic and uniquely designed! Yummy!
(5)
Peter C.

great sushi place. byob, as so many chicago sushi places are, which saves a bunch of money. (hint: there's a nearby liquor store. a bit gnarly, but they've got the goods!) there are japanese comics on the wall, including my favorite, naruto! the place itself is super small, so expect to be bumped into a bit. we went at a pretty prime time, so were happy to get a table so quickly. (note: we called to make reservations, then they said they don't take reservations, then when we arrived they asked if we'd made a reservation.) be sure to get lots of robata (grilled stuff on skewers)!
(4)
Cindy K.

Reasonable prices and pretty decent portions. Tasted good, so I would return. The grilled food were pretty tasty. And as always, I'm a fan of BYOB. It gets very busy, even on weekdays, so make a reservation.
(4)
Stacey K.

My new favorite place to get Sushi. I have both dined-in and carried-out and both have been great experiences. The My Favorite Midwest Roll was amazing, no rice and packed with flavor. They also have great lunch box deals. I have gotten the Bento Maki box and the Robata Bento D box which BOTH come with a delicious salad, the best miso soup I've had in a long while and enough sushi or robata to fill you up and still have some to enjoy later.
(5)
Jiratt P.

Real bargain, best comfort food, friendly services. What Else Do I Need?
(5)
Carl H.

Seated immediately ahead of those without reservations. Great meal and place.
(5)
Chelsea F.

I'm excited about Yuzu and while it's a bit out of the way for me, I can see myself becoming a regular. I love that they don't charge a corking fee and I love that my boyfriend and I have finally found a place we both love - he eats the stuff off the grill and I eat the sushi - they are honestly both fantastic. We started with a few of the skewers and I'd have to say my favorites were the short ribs and the pork shoulder. For rolls, I had the Chicago roll which was fantastic and the spicy scallop which was equally yummy. I have found that a lot of sushi places don't use raw scallop in their scallop rolls but Yuzu does. Everything is reasonably priced but that's not the reason I love it - I love it because it's so darn good! Also - good service! The only downside is that they close at 10 but hopefully they decide to close later once the place really starts to pick up.
(5)
Tiffany K.

This place definitely lives up to its hype! I came here with my bf on a Friday night, an hour before they closed. (I don't like going to restaurants when they are about to close because I hate when they rush your meal.) Yuzu was awesome and did not rush us at all and the sushi chef even came out to see if we liked our food. :) I was so sad that they ran out of super white tuna and curry puff. But we were extremely satisfied with everything else we ordered! Miso soup- It was good. i don't see how you can go wrong with miso soup anywhere. Pot River Roll- i expected this roll to be super huge but it wasn't. it was the perfect size to stuff in your mouth. ha! i love how yuzu adds the sauce on the side and not all over the roll. the roll didn't come apart and wasn't drenched with sauce. this roll wasn't too spicy either. spicy tuna- again, the tuna was fresh. perfect blend of spicy tuna! sushi gold- came with a spicy something roll. i forgot what kind of fish i was. woops! 9 nigiri (4 tuna, 2 sake, 1 eel, 1 mackerel, and i believe the last one was yellow tail) Tuna Poke- MMM! i liked this the best. fresh tuna and perfect blend of sauce for the perfect taste. i love how they added avocado in thin slices and huge chunks. super nice touch to the taste. Chicken satay skewers- interesting concoction of curry that tasted very good with the juicy chicken beef short rib- again, very good. full of flavor and tender. this restaurant has a casual atmosphere, dim and small. but don't let the restaurants decor fool you... the quality of food is just as fresh as a Michelin star restaurant!
(4)
Jeff K.

Great food, BYOB, great service even great water. It's a semi small restaurant with about 10 tables in a changing neighborhood but it's completely safe. To start we sat down and they had cucumber, lemon tap water ready for us, very good. Then were ordered a few things from the grill. I thought the mushroom was just okay but everyone else really like it and they got the bacon wrapped something and they like that too. For dinner we did sushi and all the rolls were awesome. They had sauce served next to them so you really didn't need soy sauce. I also liked that they served them one roll at time so you knew what you were eating. Also the sushi was taking a long time (not really) so they gave us complimentary edamame, :)! We ordered pier 99, cantaloupe, south beach, and black sea, all very good! For dessert we had the moche ice cream, tried each flavor and it was delicious! I like this place a lot, very friendly, great sushi at a great price. And a good location, can't wait to go back!
(5)
Lauren K.

This spot was delicious and the service so wonderful! We'd never tried Japanese BBQ but they are great at it! Make sure to get the short ribs. The Black Sea roll was also fantastic! BYOB a big plus. Bringing our family and friends here next time!
(5)
Kristina D.

Tasty but the items add up quickly. Nice to have small bites and chill but probably not a whole dinner.
(3)
Carlo D.

Went here with a friend a few months back. The service was excellent! Very friendly and polite. The sushi here was very fresh and prob top 3 best tasting in Chicago. The art on the wall was amazing and love the fedoras on all the chefs. I could tell a true creative artist was behind the decor. Overall experience was excellent and can't wait to come back again!
(5)
Bob D.

The $10 off offer is kind of funny, you have to say "yummy" before you order, well good thing because that wasn't coming off my tongue after eating. Once again I have fallen victim to Yelp Hypesteria! Sure the anime walls are fun, the weathered boards ripped from some dilapidated Wisconsin barn give it some aged charm and I found my server pleasant. Unfortunately the food was one miss after another. There is a thing called curry puff? or something, it is reminiscent of a dense monosyllabic curried potato ball wrapped in puff pastry. It is dense and heavy, a terrible appetizer for someone about to eat Sushi. The flavor isn't bad but it would be more appropriate stuffed in your pocket for a trek across the Himalaya's. Tuna Poke, bland, warm, mushy tuna perched atop a ridiculously large serving of avocado that is unseasoned. I love avocado, but squirt some lime and sprinkle some sea salt. Wheres the love? Pork shoulder skewer, over marinated, had a grainy texture. Short rib skewer, better, but a bit sweet. Chicken thigh skewer, OK congrats you can grill a chicken thigh! Salmon skewer, good, but ho hum. Mango and avocado salad, the best item besides the cucumber water. Lightly dressed with very fresh greens. Rainbow roll, Yawn! over cooked rice, rubbery seaweed, and more warm mushy fish. Black Sea roll, same rice and same fish. They are trying really hard to be cool, chefs are wearing fedoras, anime, pop tunes on satellite radio. If you have to try this hard to be cool then guess what? Please bring back the rising sun bandanna, good sushi rice and some market fresh fish instead of the ubiquitous salmontunawhitetuna!
(2)
Elena E.

I never write reviews, but the experience, service and food were all exceptional! After watching the restaurant on Check Please!, I wanted to go there for my birthday dinner. The grilled items were so good especially the beef. The sushi is not only delicious but the most beautiful sushi I have ever seen. The prices are shockingly low and the fact that they're BYOB is a huge plus. At the end of our amazing dinner, my boyfriend got on one knee and asked me to marry him :) The restaurant was the perfect setting for this special moment. A bottle of champagne came out and they comped our entire dinner!!! How nice is that?!? This is my new favorite restaurant in Chicago. I can't wait to go back!!
(5)
Cyril P.

Great rolls and sushi. It was about a 45min wait without a reservation on a Friday night, but once we got in, it was nice. Cramped, but nice. Good service, surprisingly reasonable prices for EXCELLENT sushi-quality fish brilliantly prepared and good service.
(5)
Jon M.

Bento boxes are the best value for lunch and their contemporary sushi is a welcomed visual change.
(5)
Tim R.

Best sushi and robata grill this side of Humboldt Park (well, that is if there is even a sushi place in Humboldt Park or a survivor left to tell)! Yes, what I am trying to say is not to waste your time or money at Arami (next door), or any other sushi place for that matter. This place is cozy and always full so be sure to make reservations in advance. You MUST order from the Robata Grill..the skewers are all so good so you can't go wrong with any, but I definitely recommend the Tuna Miso, Chicken Satay, Pork Shoulder, Shishito, and Crying Tiger! As for all of their rolls not only being fresh and delicious, Yuzu has the best presentation and plating of sushi I have seen in the City! And can I tell you how much I love the Servers...I swear they never have a day off so you will always see a familiar face! This place is also BYOB so there really isn't anything you can complain about! What did Roll A say to Roll B? Wazzup B? [Wassabi]
(5)
chris c.

I have really fallen out of love with sushi in the city. Most places that get raves, Coast and butterfly come to mind, are just barely average at best. Too many places serving average at best food. Well Yuzu is different. Their product is really fresh and it is a tremendous value (of course BYOB helps) For four people to do apps, robata and two platters of sashimi and 2 rolls for 100 bucks is ridiculous. This place will def be put in reg rotation.
(4)
Michelle L.

We had a great experience at Yuzu... The sushi was super fresh and inventive, the Pot River roll was amazing and all of the rolls were presented beautifully and artistically. They also have a great selection of rolls for those that don't want raw fish, and one vegetarian roll that is absolutely amazing (for my vegetarian friend is was a great, unexpected surprise). But don't even think about going to Yuzu and not getting something from the grill, the beef shortrib had a wonderful marinade and was grilled beautifully, with the perfect amount of chewiness and fattiness. Grilled asparagus wrapped in bacon was awesome, and the app of the curry puff was a completely different and unexpected flavor - more Indian to me, but it was a nice burst of unique yumminess. Love the byob aspect with no corkage fee! Plus, prices in general are very reasonable. Atmosphere was small and minimalistic trendy - fun paintings on the wall and a good vibe, especially with the great music they were playing. Service was very friendly. Yuzu is our new sushi go-to place, can't wait to go back and try some more!
(5)
Nancy Z.

I'm happy to put myself out there as one of the dense ingrates who do not usually feel good about paying two dollars for one bite of raw fish. I prefer to live in a world of quantity, and am a fan of endless anythings on Monday nights. Yuzu, however, makes it hard to not cough up the money for what they give. While it doesn't quite hit the mark of a favorite izakaya in Tokyo, Yuzu has certainly shown that it's possible for Chicago to give a good faith effort. FOOD: Sashimi are served as generous, generous cuts of some of the higher quality fish as of late, and the salmon and super white will stick with you (in a good way). Pork and chicken grill sticks were tasty, but somewhat forgettable. If you're not a follower of honey-based sauces, opt for sauce on the side. Reviews for this place are probably going to be splattered all across the board. I personally believe that the ones who love this place, aside from those who think everything tastes better off a stick, love this place because of some sort of nostalgia. It's true, stuff on a stick, stuck on a grill, turned once, and flopped on a platter doesn't quite give the gastrophysics of the new age food culture a run for its money in terms of being the hottest kid in school, but the Japanese version of a grill and pub just makes it a better kid to hang around when you are set for the long run. SERVICE: All food tastes better when it's not slammed on your table, and new places can seem like familiar haunts the very first time when the sushi chef takes down sake with you at the end of their last shift, and hands you complementary hand rolls made with what they've noticed to be our table's favorite fishes. I received encouraging and somehow even fond looks from the main waitress who saw me engaged in a pathetically losing battle of liar's dice as I lost wagers of dignity and self-esteem while the minutes ticked by. OVERALL: I stayed for 3 hours, left over a pile of polished skewers, and split a shy 1.5L of sake with the boyfriend. Go there. Bring lots to drink, a game, and your game face.
(5)
Kristin K.

Oh Yuzu...how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. 1. Completely comfortable and welcoming environment, with lovely employees. 2. BYOB- need I say more? 3. Reasonably priced! 4. A menu that can accommodate almost any palate, making this a great place for a fantastic dinner or just a light snack. My meal this evening: Started off with a few skewers: salmon, tuna, mushroom- grilled to perfection; simple and delicious. Then moved onto the Sashimi Gold plate. Great selection of fresh melt in your mouth fish (though I didn't care for the octopus, but my date ate it). We kept it really simple and light tonight, but I can also tell you that the salon teriyaki is also excellent. My boyfriend and I are huge supporters of this place, and almost anytime we go somewhere else, ultimately our conclusion is "I'd rather be at Yuzu."
(5)
Bryan H.

This is one of my favorite sushi spots. So many great choices with the grill and great maki rolls. I go for lunch often because you get soup salad and either sushi or robata grill for $8-$10.
(5)
Lei D.

I have to say first and foremost - they are the sweetest, least pretentious, but dare I say hip sushi place in the city. The food is yummy and its a BYOB!!! Avocado Mango Salad, Pork shoulder skewer, some sashimi and the chicago spring maki is the way to go. Its a bargain too!
(5)
Katrina A.

I heart Yuzu! *Accessible - easy parking **Great decor ***Wonderful servers AND service ****Amazing menu selection, food quality AND price! I love their curry puffs, pork shoulder skewers, and all of their rolls are worth trying once...depending on your taste - each are superb with reasonable prices. I would go here weekly if I didn't live in the burbs!
(5)
R F.

I'll give you an actual review once you don't botch the reservation we made the week prior and have a chance to sit down and eat. You also handled the situation horribly once we arrived (3 couples who each hired babysitters to eat at our RESERVED table at your establishment). Finally, when you do clearly botch a reservation...don't blame the patron. Maybe the worst restaurant reservation experience I've ever had...but I live close and want to support local places that have good food. I'll try again and hope you keep my reservation this time.
(1)
Rick C.

I really enjoyed Yuzu. It really touched home on a lot of what I was looking for that night. We met some friends out for dinner here and had a great time. Right from the start, I was hoping for a good experience. It's a cozy neighborhood place with a nice sense of style. Some great hip hop playing when we walked in, cool manga on the walls, welcoming chefs and servers. My kind of place. After checking the menu, the first thing I noticed was that the prices were very reasonable. It's BYO, so all things considered you get a great bang for your buck here. We started with some of the pork shoulder and short rib skewers. Nice marinade on both. I definitely will come back and try some of the others. We also tried a ton of the sushi rolls. If you're hungry, go with the jumbo rolls. They're huge. I think we tried half of the menu, but the one that stood out to me was the Black Sea. It had tuna, super white tuna, albacore tuna, salmon, hamachi, marinated crab meat, sunflower seeds, masago, and spicy mayo. I found the sunflower seeds really different and added nice texture. The most expensive roll was like 12 bucks and the portions and quality were damn good. We'll be back. It was a great setting for a nice dinner with friends.
(5)
Magoons B.

4 times have I eaten at this yummo spot-all super fantastic, delicious and right around the corner- convenience & divine Japanese intervention!! Inexpensive and explosive in flavor!!! GO! Go! GO!
(5)
Linda L.

I went to Yuzu on Saturday night and fell in love. For starters, it's an adorable restaurant with comics painted onto the walls. You can eat and absorb your thoughts in the wonderful world of anime. Very creative! Their sashimi pieces are generous in size, innovative and fresh! Absolutely loved the canteloupe roll. It had little crunchy balls that topped the roll. I love when you order super white tuna, and it melts in your mouth in a buttery kind of way. You know what I'm talking about. We've all sunk in our chairs with delight from that perfect piece of sashimi. Let's see...I also tried.... * robata grill beef skewers- amazing and very flavorful * Asparagus wrapped in bacon- C'mon. bacon wrapped anything is deee-lish! They just opened about a week ago, and I can't wait to go back. BYOB and friendly service? Yes. More Please. Thank you.
(5)
Michelle H.

Yuzu. A fun little place offering a cozy atmosphere, BYOB and an exciting mix of foods. Enjoyed sashimi (amazing super white tuna), Robata grill skewers (tuna, chicken,mushrooms) , noodle dishes - all of it delighted. Service is pretty loose - be prepared to exert and question where your orders might be - but I'm sure it'll tighten up over time. Welcome to the 'hood Yuzu!
(4)
Jeff S.

So glad this place is right down the road! Fantastic sushi and service.
(5)
Grennan K.

Right by my office. cozy place. Love running in here for a quick lunch. They're super nice & the owner rocks.
(4)
Julie A.

I'm thrilled to finally have a sushi place within walking distance from my house. I thought it was really good. My dining partner is gluten free, so no soy sauce can be anywhere and they did a wonderful job taking care of her. We had the pork shoulder and the tuna robata, and then some pieces and the Asparagus roll and Rainbow roll. We did have to choose wisely because it seemed like there was a lot of tempura involved in everything. Regardless, it was delicious and for 6 pieces, 3 rolls and two robata it was $40 which was totally reasonable!
(4)
Eazmg C.

I think this may be one of Chicago's best BYOB sushi joints. We were fortunate enough to have a reservation here for a party of 8 last Saturday evening. Great food, good service, and fairly reasonable on the wallet too. Some things I can recall eating that I'd recommend are the sweet potato tempura, robata grill skewers (pork shoulder, asparagus bacon, bacon scallop), and the 'my favorite Midwest roll'.
(5)
Glen W.

Fun atmosphere, diverse dishes, competes for best Chicago sushi (though not quite Kai Zan).
(4)
alex b.

As soon as that 96' hip-hop turned on, I knew I would enjoy this restaurant. We ordered two tapas-like dishes. The scallops wrapped in bacon were okay, nothing out of the ordinary. The pork was delicious though. Probably could have ate three or four more of those. Thoroughly enjoyed the sushi rolls and definitely looking forward to coming back.
(4)
Bobby D.

Another good find, From what was a fast food place (but unfortunately closed due to some ruffian clientele from some nearby school, by some rumors), A Spanish record store before that, But originally a camera shop. From below an old EL stop, Which existed a long, long time ago. And YES, i DO remember the "L" pastry shop,But NOT the EL that once existed there. But I do remember the wonderful aromas that came from there, The bakery that is.. Which was next door, But now a unisex salon. Now it's a great Japanese sushi-grill place. The Udon noodle soup with tempura is great. Yet my one qualm is the cucumber & lemon water that's given out. I don't mind the lemon, But cucumber????. In a glass of water????. I actually believe it should be given on the side. The sauce for dipping the tempura was creamy and slightly spicy hot. But nevertheless, A treat. Next time I'll try one of their sushi dishes.
(4)
Kimberly L.

What a lovely experience! Yuzu is a BYOB so we grabbed some bubbles from Noble Grape, which is just a few blocks away. We had tried to come here once before and found to our dismay that it was closed. But not this evening, though it may look that way from the street. If you drive, parking here is a snap. The interior is simple and charming. Reclaimed wood surfaces, cartoon-like artist renderings on the walls, dim lights, and quaint touches like Ball jars for water glasses and a paint can for an ice bucket. Everything is clean and streamlined. There's lively music that complements the atmosphere without overtaking it. Nice. Now on to the food, the real star of the show. To begin, we ordered gyoza, which was crispy and delicious and tuna poke, which was slightly spicy and completely addictive. We then ordered some maki: the What's My Name and the Boston Crunchy both of which were really tasty. We also had a pot of hot tea. Overall a very satisfying meal. Great service, friendly and fun atmosphere, and under $40 with tip. I will be back soon!
(4)
Cynthia A.

Took some out-of-town girlfriends for a Saturday night dinner. All agreed that it was some of the best sushi they've ever had (one friend even said better than her experience in Japan--you can't beat that). The service is top notch and the food comes out quickly so, be ready when you order. The presentation of each dish shows the care the chefs take in making these mouth-watering rolls. Also, love the grilled items with delicious sauces. They will see me once at week as this is worth the drive through rush hour traffic.
(5)
Arun L.

Super fresh fish with amazing presentation. We were almost afraid to destroy the culinary artwork by eating it. Fun ambiance but it is a small space - we squeezed a group of 7 in, but it's better for smaller groups. We ate well for $26/pp including tax and tip. There's also a great Yelp check-in offer. Oh yeah - BYOB.
(4)
Donna D.

Wonderful!
(5)
John M.

I dined at Yuzu on Saturday night and the service was horrible. My wife and I waited for a waitress for 15 minutes before even ordering drinks. I was constantly told "someone will be right with you." The food was excellent, but the service and attention we received was sub par at best. I would not recommend this place due to the lack of service and attention the waitress paid to our table.
(1)
Michelle S.

Very solid sushi place with great service and a lovely atmosphere. They got a bucket for my wine the moment they saw me bring it in, very attentive and polite the whole time, and answered all of our questions. Thanks to all on the tips about the tuna poke - soooo yummy! Solid and interesting rolls (South Beach was my fave - nice heat!). The sauces are definitely their specialty. One in particular was a citrusy and spicy soy based sauce with the What's My Name? roll. Tried several mochi for dessert, and they threw in a red bean for us to try, which was really good. And again, the sauces! They swirl a lovely lime with another vanilla sauce into a pretty design, which paired really well with the mango and strawberry mochi.
(4)
Italo C.

There's a balance between being over-served and being welcomed/ comfortable in a restaurant. Yuzu is inviting, hip, and truly welcoming. The decor seems thoughtful on a budget, and is comfortable despite its small size. The presentation (99% of the law of sushi) was delicate and aesthetically enjoyable (Check the photos!), and for the price, you CANNOT go wrong. This place is a semi-hidden gem on a mostly run-down block that has a lot of future ahead of it. There are a lot of sushi places. I suggest Yuzu for an anywhere between t-shirt and jeans (or sneakers and leggings) to button down and whatever you do to your hair (or casual heels and something semi-formal) event or date. Its BYOB, and great for last minute "crap, the place has a 2 hour wait" alternative, or a nice date on the cheap before hitting a bar or club.
(5)
Leang E.

I saw the online deal and the fact that it was close to my place, I couldn't resist trying it out. I got 10% off ordering online, and this deal goes on until March. In addition to this there was a special offer of a california maki, gyoza or edamame if you order $20 worth! It was easy to order, but I feel like they missed the special instructions where I asked for no cream cheese on one of my rolls. Luckily it wasn't very heavy. I ordered the Unagi, A Hundred Years of Solitude, and My Favorite Midwest Roll, and then I took the free California Roll. They were all very good, and I will probably order from here again. The place inside is pretty cool as well and it's also BYOB. I want to try the yuzu next time!
(4)
Jennifer N.

Beautiful knife work on the tuna poke and wonderful staff - also the food came out super quickly. My grips are the lack of certain items on the menu like beef tongue, hamachi kama (grilled hamachi collarbone), also found some of the grilled meats to be slightly over cooked. Solid dinner place for BYOB.
(4)
Andrew H.

Where to start. I ordered delivery from them on 6/4/2011. Well, they obviously don't check the quantities on the orders. Two items I ordered in multiple quantities arrived with just one of each. Then the rolls: when there is a roll on the menu (other than California) that says "crab", it should have real crab in it. I was disappointed to find imitation crab in a rather expensive roll. Finally, the drunken noodles had no spice at all. I was extremely disappointed after reading positive reviews. I would not order from here again.
(1)
Stacey H.

I've only ordered take out from here. Seems like a claustrophobic nightmare to eat in the restaurant. It would be like eating in a sardine can while screaming across the table from your dinning companions, due to the extremely loud noise. Also, if you are seated by the door, you will get to enjoy eating with people waiting for tables (up to an hour and 1/2) standing over you and staring at your food. Their sushi is good, but I only get it really because it's close to my house. I don't see what the hype is all about.
(2)
kevin C.

one of my favorites in the city. the rolls are delicious. hiphop music playing and its BYOB... no brainer
(4)
Robert P.

I live super close so its our go to spot. Solid rolls and robata. BYOBers in particular will enjoy.
(4)
Michelle M.

The Goods : Fairly priced food, BYOB, and urban decor. The Bads: Is it really necessary to drown sushi in salty sauces? WHY?!! (Sad face.) Save your tummies and head to Arami down the street. Just do it.
(2)
Penny L.

Glad we made reservations. We paced our orders. Fried or grilled, the food arrived hot and well seasoned. You hear that Slurping Turtle! Yuzu was awesome! Definitely will come back.
(4)
Lauren E.

Awesome BYOB sushi spot! Food is great, carry-out or dine-in...almost as good as their jamz! Who doesn't love Notorious BIG while eating sushi??? Make reservations!
(5)
Richard S.

Great grilled steak, pork and asparagus! The best. Sushi is ok. Come here for the grilled food! BYO too.
(4)
Austin A.

Best sushi, great atmosphere right around the corner from my place
(5)
Borbine K.

Robata grill items were good, especially the beef, pork, and chicken, in that order. Tried the tuna, wasn't very good-had texture like chicken breast. Sushi rolls were mediocre, nothing to write home about, other than they come with a lot of sauce so you can't really taste what you're eating.
(3)
Jen J.

I was lucky enough to walk in with my friends and be seated without a reservation. (We went on a Wednesday at 6pm) The chicken satay and bacon rolled scallops were delicious and cooked well. You have to get the pricier rolls to get more for your money, I recommend the Breaking Bad. Fair warning:It is pretty spicy. Overall, the food was good but the portions were really small, this is a place where quality beats quantity.
(4)
Petar T.

The tuna tartar is to die for! Small, chic/urban feel, cozy and fun(where else can you rock out to Jay z's black album while scarfing down some fantastic sushi) Plus it's BYOB!!!! Need we say more
(5)
Mark M.

Amazing. The sushi is good but I looove the grill. Now everyone stop going please. Just too damn busy some days.
(5)
Mike W.

great sushi and it traveled well for our take-out order
(4)
Lois A.

I really like this place and I love that it is BYOB. The prices are great and the staff is very friendly and helpful. The water servered in mason jars with cucumber and lemon is very refreshing. The curry puffs are awesome! The caramelized onions in them give them this great sweet taste that is great to have a little bite of after having some of the items with more heat, like the scallop rolls, which were good and very spicy. The skewers really are the stars here and I didn't have a bad one. The short ribs with sweet miso were fantastic - exactly what I was craving and hoping they would taste like. The chicken wing, chicken with green onions, chicken satay, and pork shoulder skewers are all awesome too. And don't forget the shitake mushrooms! This may not be a typical 4 star place but it's perfect for a really great, quick lunch that doesn't leave you feeling like you ate the world, just the perfect amount.
(4)
Jacob K.

My favorite new sushi place. Robata is a great appetizer, shiitakes and pork shoulder excellent. Black Sea roll and monster spider, very yummy. Unagi sashimi is the pork belly of fish!
(5)
Daniela B.

This place is great! The tuna poke is a must! The pork belly on the robata grill is very good. I highly recommend the south beach roll and the sin nombre. I've really liked most things on their menu, so it's hard to go wrong. Don't forget to BYOB!
(4)
Rachel A.

I'm reluctant to write this review...because I don't want everyone else to know how GOOD this place is! I'd been looking for a good, authentic sushi go-to place since I'd moved back to Chicago and am so happy I've found it. I went on a Sunday evening so I didn't have the wait issues that other commenters mentioned. My friend and I ordered from the Robata grill and also ordered sushi. The Robata options were delicious - we sampled the tuna, chicken, and eggplant, peppers. The sushi was also excellent - we ordered the black sea and the rainbow and another roll I can't remember. It also is presented artfully with pretty sauce designs. This is such good value for the quality of sushi and makes it very difficult for me to ever go to another "chi-chi" sushi place when I can just come here and get the best. We were even presented with a free mochi desert. Also, the service was so friendly and helpful - just the perfect amount of attention. I can't wait to come back and feed my sushi craving again soon! Warning - the place is small (I don't think there's more than 10 tables!) so if you come with a group, come on an off time - I imagine it is swamped on Fri/Sat nights.
(5)
Andrea K.

Went to this place late Thursday night and the place was lively! We were seated immediately and a friend told us we couldn't go wrong with anything on the menu. We put that to the test: For starters we had: Miso soup, Tempura and Miso Salad. Then we moved onto the Pork Shoulder, Short Rib, Nasu and Cauliflower. As far as rolls go, we tried several and they were ALL very tasty. Delicious food at a great price. Will definitely be back! (I hear they have great lunch specials as well.)
(4)
Jayde L.

4.5 Stars really. I'm planning to go to the infamous Roka Akore soon so I may just upgrade or downgrade the rating soon afterwards. Nevertheless, even for restaurants that I thoroughly enjoy, for the most part, since there's so many options in Chicago, in most cases, I won't go there again. However, I know I'm going to come back to Yuzu again because I didn't felt like I ordered enough from the menu to fully appreciate them. However, from what I had, definitely a fan. My favorite appetizer from what I ordered was definitely the pork shoulder-- fans of The Purple Pig would love this. As for the rolls, they were fresh. One of the rolls we had ordered was recommended by the waitress - Hundreds Year of Solitude, and I would def recommend this to those who enjoys a kick to their fish. It's not overwhelming spicy and what I mean by that is you can still appreciate the flavor and it's not one note - hot. Also, overall, the prices were really low and it's BYOB so you can definitely save by going here. Thumbs up for sure!
(4)
Sean M.

Love having this place in the neighborhood. We've been a few times, had a variety of dishes and the food never lets us down. They have developed a great environment with rap playing in the background, byob, an extremely reasonably priced menu, and you aren't rushed in/out of the restaurant.
(5)
Terry H.

Actually giving the place a 4.5 star. what a great little hidden gem. The place is small but with very cool and relaxing vibe. I order the Tuna Poke and the presentation is absolutely amazing. I also order Sushi gold which comes with 9 pieces of nigiri and 1 roll. The nigiri pieces are so fresh and cut in thick slices. This place use the freshest fish, probably the freshest in town. The service is very attentive and the order arrives fast. Definately will return soon.
(4)
Maureen C.

Good selection of sushi and the robots grill was really good. Would love to go back and try some more!
(4)
Alan W.

Best prices and freshest sushi in town! Robata is pretty good as well.
(5)
L R.

The place is somewhat small but I love the fact that its BYOB and good food. The sashimi was really fresh, especially hamachi, yum!! I thought the skewers was good (had pork shoulder) but their rolls, OMG, yummy! We ordered three rolls and my favorite was the rainbow. The service was excellent! We brought some beers with us and I love the fact that they brought you the beer cooler with ice/water combo which really chilled our beer (it was lukewarm when we brought it in). Also love the fact they have $10 off couponhen you use Yelp Check in! I would definitely recommend highly.
(4)
Lotta Y.

I've been coming here since they have opened and eat in/carry out a few times a month. Still can say it's my favorite place for sushi. Food is excellent, service is awesome. Keep it up :)
(5)
Julie Y.

ive eaten a lot of sushi in my life and this place has to be one of the best!! and its byob... cant go wrong with that!.. the midwest, spider and the chicken satay was amazing!!!
(5)
Kristin M.

Overall very disappointing experience after reading such great reviews. While the fish did taste fresh (not the best I've had but certainly not fishy) the rest fell flat. We ordered pork shoulder and beef short rib skewers and they both were really fatty to the point it was hard to chew (my fiancee had to spit it out- gross!) The miso soup was bland. I even tried to add soy sauce to it but it didn't help. The salmon and unagi sushi were good but nothing special. We ordered the Boston Crunchy roll which was pretty flavorless and the crunches made the rice taste stale. The highlight was My Favorite Midwestern Roll and was the only thing I would order again. Athough anything deep fried with cream cheese is delicious, it is not the reason why I go out for sushi so I will not return. Oh and the chairs were really that bad. BYO was nice but not unique to other Asian restaurants in the city.
(2)
anna v.

Absolutely loved Yuzu! Great atmosphere and the skewers are amazing. Will be going back soon.
(5)
M. Ryan M.

Lovely food, great soundtrack, tasty options for a smaller place and BYOB. These are all plusses! BUT...our server misplaced our order, forgot some items entirely and it took about an hour from order to all of our food. Meanwhile the other servers were asking us if we would like anything else (as if we were almost ready for the bill), and asked us if we wanted to order (as in place our food order) while others around us were sat, served and given their bill. They kindly tried to make up for it with free mochi and 10% off. This, combined with the deliciousness of the food, is why we'll go back and would love to give our neighborhood sushi place another chance.
(2)
Jen P.

Went here last night and can't wait to come back. Awesome sushi with the byob bonus.
(5)
Nhu N.

Diamond in the rough. Just the food that is. All the rolls were delicious. I especially enjoyed the sweet potatoe roll. The robata Skewers were very tasty as well. The service definitely needed help. We didn't have any problems with our reservations and being seated in a timely matter. Although, after we seated it took a while for a server to arrive. It was quite busy for a Friday night and not sure if they have enough staffing to accommodate a busy hungry crowd. I had to ask multiple times for water, condiments, cups and an ice bucket for my wine. The tables were also very sticky. The staff just looked completely overwhelmed. I would probably visit again because of the amazing food but with high hopes of management properly training their staff.
(3)
Julisa V.

I AM A FAN! Not only is the sushi absolutely asthentically stunning but it tastes fresh! You can't go wrong with YUZU. Its byob and make sure to make a reservation if you're planning to go on the weekend!
(5)
Ceal P.

i was highly disappointed in Yuzu.. not necessarily because it was that bad. i think the 4.5 average star rating to this restaurant is HIGHLY over-rated and i'm not sure how it got it. Space: Tight, a bit warm because of the robata grill in the middle. Industrial loft style, very casual BYOB is a positive. $10 off $50 when you check in on yelp. Food: This the big downer. - The robata grill is cheap but a bust. King mushroom tasted a bit sour; cauliflower is an after thought because there was absolutely no grill flavor (should be taken off menu), salmon/tuna had no robata flavor at all - Sushi rolls were passable. 100 years of solitude was really not flavorful, just a bit of spice. i was so uninspired. - Chicken teriyaki bento box: So the idea of a bento box is that you fill the box up. There's a small square in the center that should have either a small potato salad or some sauce or something, but nothing! there was a ball of rice, a lot of dry--ish chicken, a bowl of teriyaki sauce which should already be on the chicken and a salad. disappointing! Not sure how to explain the 4.5 star, +100 reviewer rating. Perhaps because its cheap. The last kicker is the addition of 3-4 thai food items on the menu. I should have known. *sigh.
(2)
Ali C.

I can't believe it has taken me this long to write a review. This is my favorite spot in the neighborhood for a few reasons. #1-they are so nice there, every time, without fail. #2-the food is fresh, flavorful and unique. #3-the play great hip-hop. #4-the decor is simple and has a kind of organic industrial vibe with a nice manga mural on the wall. #5-it's BYOB. Their miso-glazed tuna on the robata grill is amazing. Also, I love the mango-avocado salad, they make a great dressing for this one that is the perfect mix of spicy, citrus and smoky (from the sesame oil). Great for carry-out or dining in and VERY affordable.
(5)
Minoli P.

Beautiful sushi. yummy too. This was my first time there and I am definitely a fan. The place is small, and a bit loud, but delish. BYO makes it even better. The Pot River was my fav. - very fresh tasting.
(4)
Meera R.

I'm so pleased with Yuzu!! I see I'm late to the join the party, but I'm grateful to have Yuzu joing the growing list of options in the area besides mediocre Thai and admittedly good Mexican food. I even found some viable vegetarian options among the lunch specials, which offer a large amount of fresh, first-rate food food for the price. The asparagus and shitake rolls are delicious. Even the plain salad was something special because of the dressing. Will be back to try the vegetables robata.
(5)
Nell R.

Fantastic sushi!
(5)
Matthis H.

So good... That will be all.
(4)
Monica B.

I think some of the best sushi in Chicago! Love the super white tuna, the south beach roll and almost all of the robata items. Service is great and the ambience is very cool and artistic.
(5)
Kathrina O.

so delicious the robota grill set b!!! great choice for dinner! u have say the rolls were also huge!!!
(5)
Bradley R.

So when I see a restaurant reviewed on Check Please on Chicago's Best I channel my inner Ronald Regan......trust but verify. The way that I verify is by reading the reviews on Yelp. I was stunned because I could not find a review that was under four stars. I made the long trek from the south burbs around 4 on a Sunday evening. There wasn't much traffic and we were at the restaurant by 5 with a stop for beer. There were about three tables seated and we were greeted and asked if we would like to sit at the bar. Since I was with my son we did that but if it had been a date I think I would rather have a table. I had trouble deciding with the long list and everything looked very good. One of the things that stood out to me from the other reviews was the sweet potato tempura roll. I am allergic to shellfish so there is only so much that I can eat. It was the best sushi I have ever had hands down. I also had the mixed robata grill with two skewers of pork, chicken and steak. All were delicious. My son had his normal shrimp tempura and a monster spider roll which he sucked up in mere seconds. Service was attentive and I could not have asked for a better dinning experience on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
(5)
Erin A.

I've been here twice and both times had a great experience. Yes they're busy and it's a small place but they take reservations on weekends for parties of 4 or more. When I was there they were really sweet to a couple that was waiting. They opened their bottle of wine, put it on ice, and grabbed them chairs so they could sit and drink while they waited. The sushi is great. The grilled appetizers are super yummy. And for all those parents wishing they could go out for sushi --- they have high chairs!
(5)
Grant N.

FABULOUS - try the house salad w/ Artichoke and spicy dressing, UNREAL, Sushi is great too, very fresh.
(5)
Adam R.

What a great little gem. The restaurant is not that big, but space is well utilized. My dinner date and I tried a variety of rolls. Each one was prepared with care with flavors that worked well together. Presentation was also quite impressive.
(5)
Puttamon T.

Yuzu rolls were great. Staff were nice and friendly. Its worth to come here. I would definitely come back again. Try south beach!
(5)
Abbey J.

Way overpriced and they got my order wrong.
(1)
Mike Y.

It is not always easy to eat alittle crow. I was hard in my original review because the service was not up to my expectations. Management contacted me to apologize and do better next time, and there will be a next time. I want for better and so do they. The Robata I am a fan of. You can't go wrong with any, but as I stated before, the scallops with bacon, the pork and the peppers were excellent. I enjoyed the mango avocado salad very much and finished it all. That and the softshell crab app were outstanding. Stick with the more conventional sushi and you will enjoy the food very much. Reservations are a must.
(4)
Kris R.

came here again and ordered the spider roll again. this time we ordered skewers! the pork shoulder was my favorite, but they are all pretty delicious. i forgot to mention last time how much i really liked the selection of music - hip/hop/top 40. not for everyone, but definitely for me.
(4)
Megan R.

Soo good! Our new go to, plus they deliver! Went on a Monday early since we were bringing our baby (yes I know), but they were super accommodating and nice. We literally ate everything! The mango salad had a great dressing and big enough for 4, we got both robata samplers, the Midwest roll and the gold sashimi platter. My husband and I took it all down no problem. Byob is a major plus. Don't skip this place!!
(5)
Mark P.

Yuzu is great - the sushi is wonderful, the staff is nice/respectful and the atmosphere is pleasant. I'd recommend the spicy tuna roll and if you've got the $$$, the gold sashimi plate. And here's the thing - go here now before Yuzu gains a following. Remember a few years ago, when Coast was relatively undiscovered? OK, if you do, cool - go there, bring some booze and enjoy yourself like you used to be able to do at a place like that. I've got a feeling that this place will blow up soon.
(5)
Bryan W.

This place is fantastic!! My new go to for Sushi BYOB. The food was delicious and the staff was very friendly. The place has a good vibe and I loved the music. My only gripe would be the metal high school shop chairs are a tad unforgiving. I guess this helps prevent people from setting up shop for the evening ;-) All in all a great experience; it's going to be my go to for reasonably priced Sushi close to home.
(5)
Amy J.

Not horrible, not great. We got hamachi, white tuna, maguro and super white nigiri and it was decent but not nearly as good as our usual spots (Mirai, Hachi's Kitchen). We also got two rolls and again just okay. Miso soup was super salty (more than normal) and the robata grill was bleh. We got the pork shoulder, beef short rib and tofu. The meat was tough and chewy. The decor was cute, but we sat at the sushi bar and it was slanted (towards us- weird). Probably won't ever go back, but it wasn't the horrible by any means. Just not nearly as good as what I am used to.
(3)
Dan G.

This is my new favorite sushi place. It can be busy and reservations are a must but it is well worth it. Must tries here are: Sweet Potato Tempura. I have dreams about this appetizer. Thick slices of sweet potato dipped in tempura batter, and fried to perfection. The fried crust that they get on those things is amazing. The texture of the crunchy salty crust with the sweet soft inside is a thing of beauty a real yin-yang. Robata Grill: Skewers of meat or veggies grill quickly, Some of my favorites are the pork shoulder, beef short rib, and miso rubbed tuna. These skewers are packed with tons of flavor and are great for sharing with a group. Of course the star of the show is the sushi. Some of the freshest tasting in the city and some of the most beautiful plating I have ever seen for sushi. Some of my favorite rolls here are: Chicago Spring (shrimp tempura, cream cheese, chili sauce), Black Sea (tuna, salmon, sunflower seeds), and South Beach (tuna, mango, pepper). All the rolls are unique and one of a kind stuff. The service is very fast and helpful. A must go for sushi lovers in Chicago.
(5)
Rick C.

Wow. One of those restaurants that you wake up the next morning thinking about. Everything was great from the grilled skewers to sushi and especially the artistic way they prepared and served their food. This place is a steal for what you get, the variety you will try, and it's byob. Place is tiny so call for a reservation. For four of us the bill was 87 bucks and I left full, happy, and beautifully buzzed. Do yourself a favor and go here now!
(5)
Will J.

My life has never been the same after finding this gem!!! Well worth it. Especially LOVED the roll with soft shell crab.
(5)
Robin D.

This is my new go to sushi place if I want good fish for sushi and sashimi. I used to really like oysy but I dont think its good value anymore. Our server Kong was really good and helpful. The place is not upscale or she she, its kind of loud and tight but they serve some good food. The vegetarian sushi with shitake mushroom that my bf ordered was to die for, I thought it was going to be bland and boring but I liked it better than my spider roll I had. The sweet shrimp was also yummy. I would definitely be back at this place and would recommend it.
(4)
Jess H.

I was very pleased we tried this new sushi place. I got the Boston Crunchy and the Alaska roll. Both delicious, fish was fresh and the spicy filling in the alaska was delish. I did pick up. Both waitresses were very friendly. One suggested something I try next time. (Probably because they are new and seeking repeat business but I appreciated the effort and what they suggested seemed pretty interesting.) The only thing weird was the miso soup was terrible. Kind of a strange thing to be bad since the rolls were so good. I'm just counting it as a bad batch of soup.
(5)
Wayne B.

2nd time around better than the first! Seriously, if you like hip tunes in a cool space, then this might be your place...but if you also love quality sushi and hate paying $$$ for it, then this IS your place!
(5)
Katherine L.

I was almost tempted to avoid doing this, b/c I selfishly didn't want this fabulous neighborhood secret getting out. But hell. This place is great. After snobby Ruxbin shut down my attempt to bring 7 of us over there, I had to find an alternative nearby. My friends and I walked over a bit late, at least 20 min. past the reservation--but no worries, the table was waiting for us, and our server (and hostess) could not have been more attentive or kind. We ordered a TON of food, all of it really delicious, and the sum total, including 20% tip, was $25 a person!!! (Of course, this place is BYOB, so we had forgotten to purchase the sake beforehand.) Still: everyone was amazed, and loved this place. They have some delicious sauces (Midwest roll, fabulous; sweet potato tempura, love; basically everything they recommended was excellent). And they create fun artworks out of the sauce mixtures. Fabulous presentation, fun and tres hip music; not too loud, great for our group, who could all keep up conversation and hear one another throughout our fantastic dinner. Thank you, Yuzu!!!
(5)
Amy T.

Very well priced small sushi restaurant. The service was very good, but we went on a Monday and it was not busy at all. For $130, we bought a ton of food, and took home plenty. The presentations were beautiful, and the sushi rolls were huge!! All the food was delicious. My husband was disappointed they didn't have alcoholic beverages, but this place is a BYOB establishment. He didn't like the chairs (small and uncomfortable), but I didn't mind. I rather have good food for excellent prices than a fancy atmosphere with subpar food and high prices. The monster spider roll is a huge recommendation from me. The sauces were also very good, and I enjoyed the artistry of sauces that accompany some of the maki rolls. My son ordered udon and it came with a side of chicken breast enough to feed two people, and grilled to perfection. This wasn't your typical slimy gross chicken meat you get at most Japanese restaurants. I would definitely go back. I just wish they were closer to my home as most Japanese restaurants I live near are horrible. I've been a sushi eater for over 20 years, and this was a really nice experience.
(4)
Neil A.

My fiancee and I went to Yuzu for the first time the other day. The staff was amazing, the sushi was tasty and artful, and the prices were not bad at all. They even gave us a free dessert. We felt great about the whole experience. We're going back, for sure! Our favorite was the "favorite Midwest roll."
(5)
Katie C.

Love this place...great energy. A perfect low-key go to dinner spot. It helps that it's in my neighborhood, but I'd still travel for it. Delicious robata (asparagus, chicken, pork belly, tuna - all of it tasty!), yummy sushi, and spicy drunken noodles too... Plus nice lighting, chill atmosphere and the handful of times I've been there I've loved the music. It's BYOB. Weeknights are perfect, weekends get busy but never unbearable. Keep it up and we'll keep eating, Yuzu. Thanks!
(5)
shivi d.

Even the takeout sushi is perfect. This place makes me want to eat sushi three times/week.
(5)
Michael S.

Great place to get some grilled Japanese food and sushi. It always gets full and the owner is always behind the counter cooking too so he makes sure everything is great. They make some great designs with sauces too!
(5)
Jessica L.

My husband and I went to Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill a few weeks ago, shortly after we moved to Chicago. The food was delicious! We ordered the seaweed salad and I had one of the specialist sushi's...I forget which one, but it was so good. It had plenty of sauce with a beautiful design. It was almost too pretty to eat! My husband doesn't love sushi as much as I do, but is a big fan of meat. He loved the grilled meat and the riceless sushi he got. I don't enjoy meat as much as he does, but I must say it was amazing! Two small downsides to this restaurant. The customer service was not great, but I've had worse. I'd also recommend driving if you have access to a car. I'm not sure how close it is to the brown or blue lines, but the only line that is close to where we live that goes somewhat close to the restaurant is green and it was kind of a far walk - not that big of a deal, but it was a little bit on the shady side.
(4)
Yellow F.

I like this place, the staff is friendly the food is good BUT I was hoping for a more ADVENTUROUS selection in the Robata grill part of the menu. Sushi is sushi in this area but when you're the only Robata grill in the west side of Chicago then you should have a waaaaaaaaay bigger Robata selection.
(3)
Tony A.

The place is small, but has excellent food at a decent price. The rolls are great and the cooked entrees are equally as good. Definitely recommend a reservation.
(5)
Dave F.

Spectacular !! Best sushi restaurant service we have had in over 20 of Chicago's "top sushi places". Food was amazing, the Midwest roll is worth all the hype. The owner let us try a new steak skewer which is amazing! Great great place !
(5)
Jen C.

Love this place. Incredibly accommodating and friendly staff and owners. Cute decor on the walls. Particularly love their lunch specials set - a lot of food for a great deal. I'm privy to Set B; husband likes set A. Pad See Ewe is humongo. Chicken teriyaki is great - love the sauce. Robata grilled options are fabulous! Definitely worth a try and to try again and again. :)
(5)
Rits T.

I like the decor of this tiny restaurant. I took my mom to try out this cool place. Everything were awesome except grill squid was over cooked. Def go back to try other thing.
(3)
Meredith D.

We went to Yuzu after reading a few Yelp reviews on a Sunday night. Walking by, it looked pretty dead and my friend was a bit nervous, but I dragged him in despite the lack of clientele, and we weren't disappointed! The edamame were perfectly salty, the sweet potato tempura crunchy and tasty, and my sushi rolls were great! While we may be in a land locked state, if you aren't a super fussy sushi person, you will appreciate the ambiance and great price. BYOB so plan ahead... Enjoy!
(4)
Jennifer B.

This place was insanely good. The food and service was a knockout. It's BYOB with no corkage fee!!!! My boyfriend and I ate like it was our last meal. We started off with the Tuna Poke and tempura sweet potatoes. The tuna poke was fresh and seasoned perfectly. The sweet potatoes were nicely cooked and served with a spicy mayo. For round two we ordered from the Robata grill portion of the menu. The server let me know that each item was about three small bites and served on skewers. We ordered ten items( two of each item) including: honey glazed pork shoulder, kalbi marinated beef short ribs, ponzu glazed shitake mushrooms, bacon wrapped scallops, and the shishito peppers. EVERY single bit was just as good as the last. You would think after all that food we would be stuffed but we wanted more. Round three was maki from the sushi portion of the menu. We ordered the Black Sea, the Pot River, the spicy scallop, and the dragon. They were all fresh and amazing. the presentation was very nice also. Our rolls were a nice balance between sweet and spicy and cool and refreshing. We were absolutely blown away by the food. The service was top notch to boot. If you go here just keep in mind that it is a small joint that looks very deceiving from the outside. We actually walked by it on accident. I live in Nashville but my boyfriend lives here. I hope we visit this place on every visit I make back to Chicago.
(5)
Elizabeth S.

I just had dinner at Yuzu, and had to write a review! My boyfriend and I passed their unassuming storefront on the way back from the grocery store, and knowing nothing about the place decided to give it a try. We were the only customers (they've only been open a week), so we told them to surprise us. We started with skewers of grilled pork shoulder, beef short rib, and asparagus wrapped in bacon. While the bacon and asparagus was good, the pork shoulder was amazing. It was spicy and just a little bit sweet, and very well priced for a skewer. Next the chef made us a sushi roll covered in super white tuna and filled with a delicious mix of fish and spicy wasabi mayo. I'm not usually a mayo fan when it comes to sushi, but it brought a lot of flavor and a good amount of heat, without tasting like mayo. Yum. At this point we were starting to get full, but the chef made us each a spicy tuna hand roll, and we finished with a nigiri "dessert" of unagi (eel) that was warm and delicious. All in all we spent under $40. I almost didn't want to write this review because I think Yuzu is a hidden gem, but if you don't give it a try you're definitely missing out. At dinner we easily counted a dozen other sushi restaurants within a few miles, but this is my new favorite.
(5)
John P.

This is the best Japanese restaurant I know in Chicago. Check it for yourself, you wont be disappointed. You cannot find better value for your money. I feel like I am stilling the food.
(5)
Danielle C.

The food was different than other sushi restaurants and delicious! The have skewers called robatas which are $1.50 - $3 which includes seared ahi! Super cheap compared to other sushi restaurants and worth the trip. I have had the Pad Thai twice there and think it's one of the best I've had before. The owner is nice and comes to the table to make sure everything is ok and the servers are very cute and attentive. I would definitely recommend it!
(5)
VT C.

Arrived here around 8pm on a Saturday night but called ahead to make sure the wait wasn't outrageous. On arrival we were given a 30-45 minute wait time and decided to stick it out since we wanted use the yelp discount and already had a bottle of wine in hand for BYOB. They were kind enough to give all waiting guests free, warm, edamame for sticking around. The wait was actually much shorter (20 minutes) than their estimate which was a pleasant surprise. We were seated at a table along the wall with a view of the sushi chefs. Our server was excellent, very attentive, helpful, and patient. He opened our bottle of wine immediately after greeting us. The sushi was pretty good and the small plates were also good. I'd recommend their pork shoulder and bacon asparagus from the grill and the shrimp tempura or "What's My Name" rolls. The "Very Spicy Tuna" was just that and probably a little too spicy for most as it was spicy for me and I tend to enjoy very spicy foods. The atmosphere was casual, not necessarily romantic but nice enough for a casual date.
(4)
V B.

LOVE!!! LOVE! LOVE! we love yuzu so much that we wanted to give it 5 star reviews as soon as we finished our dinner! the food is EXCELLENT. the service is GREAT! we enjoyed the food and time there! 8 thumbs up from our whole family!! thank you yuzu! P.S. EASY PARKING TOO!!!
(5)
Pat N.

Did not disappoint - flavorful, generous portions, and BYOB makes it a keeper.
(4)
Luciana B.

Awesome sushi (lots of great combinations and lots of spicy rolls which I love). The presentation was great - very beautiful, the sushi plates looked like art! And the restaurant, though small, was really cute, great chill atmosphere, friendly and fast wait staff. And the cucumber/lemon water was amazing - a very nice touch. Also not crazy expensive. I highly recommend it!
(5)
Liz O.

This is the best hidden gem I've found in a while in Chicago. Since I first went 2 months ago I've been back about 4 times so that says a lot! Every single thing I've tried from the robata grill to the sushi has been delicious which is very rare in restaurants these days. I recommend the tuna poke, pork shoulder, shishito peppers, bacon scallops, and the My Favorite Midwest sushi roll. The sauces on everything are not only pretty to look at but tasty! prices are so reasonable...you can try so many things for an affordable cost compared to other places in the city. It is a very small place though so make reservations.
(5)
Saren F.

We went here the other night and had a wonderful experience! The decor and music were fun, the staff extremely attentive and courteous and the food was great, well priced and with lovely presentation. We tried the Robata (pork shoulder and chicken) and both had great flavor. The rolls were creative, fresh and delicious, and I would recommend the cantaloupe and pot river. We will be sure to go back here again, hopefully before everyone else finds out about it.
(5)
Eric D.

This place took me by complete surprise, and probably one of the most underrated sushi joints I've ventured out to try. I knew Chicago had a lot of good American Continental types of food, but I had to try out their sushi fare to see how it stacked up against NYC. This place is definitely not in the middle of the urban area of the city (Magnificent Mile), and you're sojourning to another side of town to check it out, but it is certainly worth it! The place is small, and there is not a lot of space. If you are going here, ABSOLUTELY make a reservation! I arrived at 6PM, and within 15 minutes of arriving, their wasn't an empty seat left in the place. Soon after, a line started forming, and people had to start being turned away. I could tell this place had some promise when it picked up that fast, and when all the people showing up looked like they were locals. The servers were very nice, and they could totally tell I was from out of town (I was way too over-dressed, and definitely felt out of place, next time I'm going in shorts and a T-Shirt). They could also tell I was new to the place, and even went as far as to tell me NOT to order more food, because the rolls I already ordered were going to be big and I wouldn't be able to finish them. They tried to help me along, and even cautioned me against the Very Spicy Tuna roll, but I said "Bring It!" and they brought their A-game. The rolls themselves have some funny names, like "Sorry I'm Drunk" roll, which is worth noting. They even gave me an extra specialty piece of sushi, just because it was my first time there, and they wanted me to come back. While I appreciated the gesture, they certainly didn't need to do it, because the sushi was terrific and I was completely sold on the place on what I ordered. Overall, a hidden gem in a far-flung corner of Chi-town, and it was nice to get away from the ritzy side of the city for a change. The staff look like a group of young hipsters making it in a new business venture, and if so, then I wish them the best. This was my first foray into the city's sushi, but I'd be hard pressed to find something better in the area. PS: Their avocado mango salad is a must! It is terrific, and comes in a huge bowl!
(5)
richard a.

i had lunch at yuzu's today! i have to admit i am not a big fan of sushi i ordered the cucumber salad on a hot summer day and it was cool and very tasty! next up i ordered the shrimp tempura rolls wow not only was my plate presentation good ....the tempura was excellent to finish off my lunch i ordered the mango ice cream what a way to finish off my lunch! now i ask myself will i go back???????? Yes in a new york minute!y yuzu you got another new and happy customer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(4)
David C.

So I received a message from the owner of Yuzu, who claimed that the four fake reviews were written by an overzealous person on their wait staff. Having friends in the service industry, I am not sure why a waiter would take the effort to write four fake reviews for his employer (but my friends are all pretty surly). However, I will take Yuzu's word for it. Adding a star for correcting the problem and having the fake reviews taken down. Still kinda suspect.
(2)
Katherine O.

loved the lunch specials!!! The spicy tuna roll was so good! =). Good prices too.
(4)
Grace F.

Ughhh!!! Love this place to pieces!!! Okay, so, I know the head chef that works here and I'm not writing all the good things as a favor for him. Nope!!! I'm doing this because this place deserves to be known. The service was extremely attentive, friendly and efficient. Our water were always full. We had the Pier 99, South Beach, some regular makis, like sweet potatos, dragon and our most favorite was the My Favorite Midwest Roll. It's super good!!! We ordered it twice, that's how good it was. The robata were really yummy too, I highly recommend the Pork Shoulder. The atmosphere is nice, very spacious for a tiny restaurant and I love the japanese comic wall art. I'm happy with my experience and definitely will be back.
(5)
David P.

At first i was unsure of trying out another japanese yakitori place. I thought it would just be another craptastic cloned restaurant featuring such wonderful creations as tasteless grilled 0.2oz chicken breast on a stick and 1 fried shrimp wrapped in seaweed along with spicy mayo, fried crumbs, cream cheese, rice, call it a (cityname) roll and charge $$ per roll. Insert Ikea furniture, decor from Chinatown gift shops, non-Japanese speaking staff/owners, yuppy neighborhood and voilÃ , another small business loan waiting to default in less than three years. Well...I guess this place isn't 100% different than other non-Japanese owned Japanese restaurants but here's the good part: The skewers here are for people with taste buds and appetites bigger than a 2 yr old. And at $1.5 - $2.5 a skewer, you can actually get full without spending $$$. You should probably get in before they figure out that they can get away with charging you $2 for 0.2oz of chicken with no seasoning. They try to innovate with other Asian inspired dishes like the curry puff...which is a Samosa but sweet. Not sure if I like it but at least they didn't photocopy their menu like every other Japanese restaurant. I think the decent portions of their tasty skewers, plus BYOB and the convenient parking is a winning combo in itself. Although they still offer the (city name) $$ rolls, but I guess without it the majority of the populace won't understand what sort of Asian food it is they are ingesting. The service was mixed, said they weren't expecting so many ppl on a monday night. Long wait times and they forgot the skewers I ordered. But they gave me a discount and they at least tried. I'm sure with more experience in entering orders and kitchen setup they'd get it right.
(4)
Rebecca W.

I love this place! It has really great food that is surprisingly inexpensive. The service is great-and you don't feel rushed like at a lot of byobs. I'd definitely recommend a reservation for dinner because it's understandably busy.
(5)
Diana D.

We had the Robata Sets 1 and 2 and I had some sushi too. Good music playing in the restaurant as well. Service was pretty good, the place is small, so you may wait, but really great food. Many hipsters in attendance,
(4)
Stephanie G.

I have had 2 great experiences at Yuzu. Great rolls and appetizers. Over the top friendly staff. Cucumber water (simple, but somehow very special) I recommend grabbing a bottle of wine and trying it out.
(4)
Ross K.

Went here the other night with a few friends for dinner. We had a selection of Sushi Rolls and some things from the frill. All were excellent. Quality of the ingredients, presentation were both top notch, and the kicker? It was very reasonably priced. I also really like the space, its small but cool, as opposed to the impersonal, gymnasium sized places opening up in this neighborhood. I'll be back soon!
(5)
Julia S.

Great BYOB sushi place. NO CORKAGE FEE!!! It's a great place for groups to gather and try new food. It's noisy inside, so not the best place for a one-on-one date. The sushi is fairly priced (between $8-$17) and the options on the Robata menu are good (lots of veggies!). Make a reservation because it gets crowded- they also do take out.
(4)
Andrea D.

Yuzu is great - you cannot beat the quality at this price point, especially if you use the yelp coupon when you check in! The service is always good and the wait staff is super nice. My favorite roll is hundred years of solitude, with cantaloupe island coming in at a close second!
(5)
Katherine M.

excellent grill--and I love the fact you can get many small grilled dishes at a decent price. best Japanese to eat since sushi wabi bit the dust. The people handling lines/crowds not very informative and several times I felt like I had to be a little more forward to get a table or seat at the bench. My son has always been accommodated but not so great a place for toddlers/young kids due to the crush unless you come when not very busy. Great food but space-challenged at times.
(5)
Liza O.

This is some of the best sushi I've had in a long time. Really fresh. And ripe avocado and mango which just put the rolls over the top. Had a couple of skewers too, which were also delicious. We went shortly after work on a weeknight, so it wasn't crowded. Bonus: BYOB with no corkage fee!
(5)
Sarah M.

Literally the best sushi I've ever had! Only downside is the place is about as cramped as a sardine can. But it is well worth it to eat their delicious food! I will be coming here again for certain!!!!!
(5)
Karen B.

as being new to sushi and rolls, this place is amazing!!! the tempura sweet potatoes are yummy, and the bacon wrapped asperagus was yummy. we ate till we burst, and it was cheap!!! i highly recommend the philly rolls, and the chicago rolls are good too.
(5)
Kat T.

Love this place! I've been here twice and I was satisfied both times. The staff is friendly and attentive and the food is super delicious. Yuzu has an awesome vibe during the day and an even better vibe in the evening. I'm sure this place is going to be around for a while. =)
(4)
A. F.

Let me just say, this was possibly the best sushi I've had in Chicago. Hands down. There are only two negative things that I can say about this place and the first is that it's tiny...seriously tiny. The second thing was our waiter rushing us out before we could finish our food, wine, and order dessert. I was a little understanding of this because the place is so small and there was a line forming outside, but at the same time at least ask if we'd like to order dessert before you bring us our bill (while we're still eating). BUT the food saves any negative things about this place. For our appetizer we ordered the gyoza and the tempura (we attempted to order the curry puff, but apparently they sold out for the day...smh). Both items were DELICIOUS...especially the gyoza. The rolls we ordered were the Fire, Chicago Spring, Pier 69, and Motown Effect. These were all excellent and the presentation was beautiful. We found the Chicago Spring to be the most delightful and refreshingly fresh. Bottom line is if you're looking for great sushi (regardless of price or atmosphere) then this is the place for you. I will be back. And there's a $10 off when you spend $50 Check-in Offer!
(5)
J J.

I came here for the first time with a group of ladies and we all loved it. The food is affordable, delicious, and the staff are friendly. I came here a second time and they gave us a complimentary roll, which was absolutely amazing. It is also byob, which is a huge bonus. I will continue to come back again and again.
(5)
Casey K.

amazing! quality rolls and grilled foods. we ordered some robata items (aparagus wrapped in bacon, tofu, shishito) and some rolls (asparagus, shrimp tempura, black sea, shitake). oh and some miso soup. everything was uber tasty; service was top notch. more of a small group place than a date place. would have been nice if they switched up the hip hop with some LCD soundsystem. just sayin'.
(5)
Dina I.

Visited right when they opened so obviously they were still working out the kinks...that being said, the food was solid, the service was a-ok. Timing of food could have been done a bit better as we had no food for awhile then all the sushi and grilled proteins came out all at once.
(3)
Jeff R.

Small, unassuming place, but the food is great! We had the drunken noodles, beef short ribs, and asparagus bacon skewers. Everything was very tasty! Watching the chefs make the sushi was very entertaining! Service was good too! They kept my cucumber water glass full the whole meal! Love the background music!
(5)
Bill S.

The pork shoulder and beef short rib robata are amazing!! Sushi is okay for the price. And a couple of friends had the mango-avocado salad and it was delicious too and a lot for six bux. Two thumbs up!! Coming back many times in the future.
(4)
Ece A.

Delicious sushi and if you have people that doesn't like Sushi in your party, Robata grill is a great alternative. It's a small place and you may be likely to smell food a bit due to the robata grilling, but it's worth it! BYOB and super reasonably priced food. Blacksea and southbeach rolls are fantastic!
(5)
X X.

the food was nice, especially considering the price point... service was fine... the food came out a little too quickly... I fully understand the concept of "banquet", but our table was so full that there was nearly not a spot to move... my main purpose for this review is the windows... I understand that there is a fair amount of disrespectful traffic on this strip of Chicago Ave., but the windows were so filthy that it completely distracted from the experience... it was my first impression of your restaurant... I hope this is taken as a helpful note... otherwise, a pleasant experience...
(3)
Gino B.

I chose Yuzu to celebrate a special occasion, and I chose well. Yuzu came through with a great atmosphere, flawless service, and a selection of artfully prepared, fresh, tasty, and interesting sushi selections. We dined on a 90+ degree day, so we didn't try anything grilled. But given what we experienced, I imagine their robata offerings would be equally outstanding. All in all, highly recommended.
(5)
kelly h.

All in all not bad. Very friendly staff, even if you can't understand what they're saying! The cataloupe roll was delish. As far as the robata grill went, pork shoulder was by far the best. The chicken wings sounded better than they tasted, way too big. Mango salad would've been great if they knew how to cut it, but the dressing was tasty. Not sure dine there again but I would consider carryout.
(3)
Mahra C.

robata grill at its best , with byob!! nothing beats this place:
(5)
Bethany J.

I never would have noticed this place if I hadn't been looking for it. From the looks of the exterior I was a little nervous at first, but the staff was incredibly friendly from the moment we entered. We were quickly greeted with jars of water laced with lemon and cucumber-- refilled enough to make me use their bathroom before the meal had ended (the bathroom passed the clean test by the way). We started with tuna and shitake mushrooms from the robata grill: both were good, but the mushrooms were the gustatory winner. We ordered several rolls: spicy tuna, my favorite midwest roll (no rice), dragon, south beach and Pier 99. All were good enough to merit a second visit, but the dragon and Pier 99 were my two favorites. Next time I plan to sample a few sashimi pieces so I can experience the true quality of the fish, but based on tonight's experience alone Yuzu has earned itself a reservation in my future of sushi consumption. If you live in the area, it's definitely worthy of a visit.
(4)
Shalene M.

great atmosphere and food. good stuff!
(4)
Jay E.

i went there for their robata grill and it was fantastic. the pork shoulder and beef short ribs stole the show. i ordered 3, maybe 4 of each, it's hard to remember with the byob; i just kept ordering. i left full with a smile on my face and my date was happy too since sushi was her reason for being there (which she thought was quite delicious).
(5)
Monica A.

I had high hopes for Yuzu but sadly our visit was dissappointing. While the service is great the food needs work. Our Miso was cold, bad start. The appetizers, short ribs, tuna and pork were also cold and over cooked. The sushi was good, not the best but not the worse. It was certainly the highlight of the meal. I would recommend for a casual weekday sushi dinner...skip the starters.
(2)
K P.

nigiri is pretty good, especially considering the price (much better than most in chicago, but not the best either). The rice was not perfect. The robata items had good taste, however they were not served as prepared. Rather they were served all together. As a result the temperature was off. Served right off the grill, i'm sure it would've been better. We had the Katsu special too, it was pretty bad. The oily taste was wayyy too prevalent. It was the end of the night, so maybe the oil needed to be changed. Nice atmosphere, friendly owner and the staff was mostly nice (some extremely polite, others not so much).
(3)
simon y.

ordered sashimi gold - 15 pieces of sashimi. unfortunately 3/15 were unagi (cooked, saucy eel). i really don't call that sashimi. the pieces were relatively small. this alone would have pushed me to give 1 or 2 stars, but the second order i placed of 2 different roe and more hamachi was half decent.
(3)
brian d.

ok, the food rocks, the art on the walls is really cool but most of all the thai sweetness of the owners comes thru in every aspect of how they treat everyone. this place is a treat for the belly, the soul and the spirit!
(5)
emma r.

Guess I'd better try it again. Went in at 6pm for take out, and the "soundtrack" was x-rated gangsta. Loud. And the lights were on dim. Couldn't see the menu. The music was so offensive that I ordered quickly to get out. Fish was fresh enough. Salad of sashimi and avocado was good. Certainly not a relaxing time. I agree about the decor, but at least it's not boring. But lose the mother******* music.
(3)
Jessica M.

I LOVE THIS PLACE! Everything I have tried here is amazing and everyone I have brought with me loves it as well. I have never walked out disappointed and have been here countless times. Plus, it's BYO, they play the best music and everyone is very friendly.
(5)
Jason W.

This place is great! The sushi is really good. The robata grill items are good too. I love the scallops (both kinds). I've actually eaten here a few times, and don't remember all that I have had, but everything has been great. It's got a cool theme, and is lively. Love the BYOB too!
(5)
MeandMr D.

Visited Yuzu on a Friday night with a large group. The food was good and the staff was friendly. We were able to get parking right out front which was good. For the price, Yuzu is great value.
(3)
Erin D.

My boyfriend brought me to Yuzu on Friday night. He had already read a few great reviews and wanted to try the skewers. We loved it. We went on the early side (6:30ish) and got a seat right away. We orded the gyoza and the mango salad to start. The gyoza was fantastic. The salad looked great, but was difficult to pull the mango pieces off the skin with chopsticks. Next we ordered 3 skewers, beef short ribs (of which we ordered two more at the end of our meal), pork shoulder, and chicken and onion. Short ribs were the best of all three. We also ordered three sushi rolls...the midwest, boston crunchy, and hamachi jalapeno simple roll. All were excellent, not the best sushi I had had, but great for the price. As we ate there were a lot of people coming in, by the time we left people were waiting for tables. Servicers were friendly albeit a bit hard to understand. The dishes either all came out at once, or we had to wait. The food was so good we didn't really care. We will definitely go back. One of Chicago's hidden gems.
(4)

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Address : 1751 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL, 60622
Phone (312) 666-4100
Website https://www.yuzuchicago.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:30 am - 3:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill

1751 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL, 60622

Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill Menu

Starter

Bowls

Robata Grill

Sushi A La Carte

Special Rolls

Box

Healthy Meal suggestions for Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill

Starter

Bowls

Robata Grill

Sushi A La Carte

Special Rolls

Box

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