Sakana Japanese Fusion
111B W 2nd St, Elmhurst, IL, 60126
Sakana Japanese Fusion Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Elmhurst for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
111B W 2nd St
Elmhurst, IL, 60126 - Phone (630) 833-4030
- Website https://www.sakanajapanesefusion.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Patrick O.
Solid 4 star sushi spot based mostly on excellent cuts of fish. Can't go wrong with sushi/sashimi dinner, sashimi appetizer, dragon rolls; They use a shake of white and black sesame seeds on their sushi pieces which works well. Only downside is its a tiny restaurant, if you're dining in..
(4)Judy L.
Fresh sushi and friendly service! Definitely worth a 2nd chance. I really just wanted a plain sweet potato tempura maki roll without all the fancy stuff and they were happy to accommodate the special order. 4 hungry customers had Sapporo, wine, an avocado maki roll, a sakana roll, fire dragon roll and a few others and left as 4 happy customers. Everything was delicious and fresh!
(5)Douglas E.
Best Sushi in Elmhurst! Great fusion menu with a large selection of rolls, sashimi, appetizers, and teriyaki. I had a fire dragon rolls (which was outstanding), yellow tail and scallop sashimi. The place is small but the food is big and brings high quality sushi to Elmhurst.
(4)Jennifer B.
The best sushi I have ever had.
(5)Tom M.
Went for a weekday lunch, and enjoyed the wonderful attentive service and clean, nicely decorated interior. We had the Sakana salad (mixed greens,cream based dressing with wasabi peas) which was fresh. We also had a special maki roll that was called "Rock n' Roll" and the dragon roll. Both were delicious, and 8 pieces, so more than enough to share between the 2 of us. Miso soup was also great! My wife and I were impressed and happy to have this restaurant in town! Also glad they now serve beer and wine, coming back for dinner, definitely!
(5)Vlad G.
We just moved to Elmhurst from the city and we were very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the sushi rolls. Try the Tropical Maki. And they deliver!
(4)Sarah B.
So this now my go to date night place with the BF. Well, new BF, or at least newish. If you've read my previous review, Sakana plays a small part in my, well, typical 20 something love life. Anywho, this is our spot. We try and go once a month and get new rolls every time. My new fav is the Jade Dragon roll, which is wonderful. I would lick the sauce off the plate if I could. The Futo Maki is also fantastic, big chunks of egg, crab, spinach, gourd and cucumber. The BF likes anything with Unagi, so basically everything. We recently tried the Sakana maki, which is delicious. We also try and get all our friends to come with us. So far I've brought a few college friends, two high school friends, and my cousin. We also discovered that sake & beer & sushi go fantastically well together. The first sake listed is wonderful, I've forgotten the name though. Sakana is awesome. If you haven't been here in a while, go back, and if you've never been here, you need to try it asap.
(5)Amanda W.
Very "hidden" away in downtown Elmhurst but very worth it! We had the Beef and Chicken Teriyaki. One of the best I have ever tasted! The beef as tender and very delicious. The chicken was juicy and flavorful. The only downside to this restaurant was the space, it is very tiny.
(4)Hana Y.
I happened in upon this place while in Naperville for a meeting. Since then, I honestly crave it on a weekly basis and have been known to travel over an hour to regularly visit. The simple spicy tuna maki is the best roll I have ever eaten. They put a little tempura crust in them to make them slightly crunchy. Oh my goodness, I could eat at Sakana every single day!
(5)Curt L.
New restaurants are always a good thing for downtown Elmhurst. If the cuisine is unique then all the better. Sakana calls itself Japanese Fusion. I call it a sushi bar with appetizers. Sakana has potential...but it has a ways to go if it is to really stand out. First off the place is extremely small. 18 seats and an additional 4 at the sushi bar. Call it cozy or call it cramped.....size is an issue here. Secondly...Sakana is a Japanese term for food served with alcohol. THEY HAVE NO LIQUOR LICENSE HERE (yet?) it would be nice to enjoy a Kirin or Sapporo or a sake. Food wise.....Wifey and I tried a couple apps. "Dao" our waitress recommended the Kung Jung....a deep fried roll (think egg roll wrapper) with Salmon, asparagus, cream cheese & avocado topped with tobiko (flying fish eggs) and spicy sauce. Wifey had the Miso soup. The soup was pedestrian. The Kung Jung was pretty good...not your standard app. We had a spider roll. I have had better..but not bad. I also ordered some sushi. It comes one piece per order. Maguro (tuna) & Hamachi (yellowtail) and Sake (fresh salmon). The sushi was better than most....with the hamachi being very good. The owners are Thai and are extremely nice people. They have another restaurant in Chicago. I wish them well as we can always use unique food in Elmhurst. To be positive let's call this a "cozy" sushi bar awaiting a liquor license. Time will tell
(3)Jessica C.
This place was great!
(4)Valerie D.
the best Sushi restaurant in Elmhurst. We go here as often as we can and have never been disappointed.
(5)Michael Z.
So I brought my 9 year old daughter for a daddy/daughter date night for my second visit. Wow, the service was excellent. Not only did my server remember my first visit three weeks ago but remembered what I ordered too! Onto the food, my daughter enjoyed our servers recommendation, a shrimp tempura roll less the spicy mayoI had a 911 roll and another spicy roll with jalapeños. Both were excellent. I think my daughter really enjoyed the fiery presentation of the 911 roll. Small seating. Excellent overall.
(5)Michelle L.
Great sushi. Service is perfect - not hovering but there when you need it and with a smile. The rolls were great. Sashimi was okay. Small dining room. Will definitely be back.
(4)Jim S.
Limited experience here. Had the vegetable tempura - batter was heavy and some of the veggies were undercooked. Volcano roll was decent enough. Smallish space with a "fusion" vibe playing techno music. I'll try it again at some point - hoping it will wow next time given the prior reviews.
(3)Jason E.
Uh...Japanese fusion??? More like boring, plain, mediocre sushi and standard American Japanese restaurant dishes. I ordered chirashi which was boring in presentation, lacked any creativity, fish was just okay, no nice little treats packed in the bowl - very minimal and expensive for what it was. Oh, wait, there was one extra treat in the chirashi - a nice hair. I also ordered futomaki and the server looked at me like I was crazy - then it clicked in her head and she jotted it down. However, what I received was a pathetic attempt at futomaki filled mostly with imitation crab - yuck. My wife and kids all ordered teriyaki tofu. It looked okay and came with asparagus. However, the tofu was so mushy and soggy that it was hard to eat. I dropped $110 at this joint and I absolutely feel ripped off and won't be back - not worth it. The place was empty at 4:30PM on a Saturday afternoon - that should have been a big fat clue to us.
(2)Tom B.
Very fresh fish with some really creative rolls. The hamachi was extremely clean and sweet, no soy sauce/wasabi required. Service was very fast and friendly. My daughters had miso soup which was very well seasoned, not just salt water. 2 notes. 1) this place is tiny! 2) bring lots of money- 2 beers, 2 soft drinks and sushi for 4 ran $150 including tip.
(4)Lady J.
Went here last night for a friend's birthday celebration. There were 8 of us and we all agreed it was delish! LOVED the Tropical roll, the Fire Dragon and some type of berry roll..it was the special and each bite had a slice of strawberry to go with it....sooooo good! Service was great. The food came out perfectly. As soon as we were finished with one or two rolls we were working on, the next one or two would come out! They were super friendly and even sent out an appetizer for all of us to try on them...it was the octopus balls. Loved those too!!! Overall a great place and a must try sushi place for sure!!!
(5)katie s.
Went to Sakana for the first time. LOVED it!! Service great and the spicy tuna fantastic. I think I was told the chef is a master sushi chef. Japanese beers $4. Fun evening.
(5)Bill C.
We have been going here since they opened. I have always been looking for a sushi place in the suburbs that could match the great sushi places in Chicago - this is it. They have an extensive menu of fabulous maki rolls - each one better than the last - with new specials they introduce frequently. My friends have had the Bento boxes which they tell me are also quite good. Contrary to some of the other reviews, they do have a liquor license and have enough of the good saki, wine, and beer to keep me happy. The place is small and spare, but never feels crowded. The service is great and the owner is very knowledgeable and friendly. Best maki rolls in the burbs!
(5)Jennifer H.
Fantastic sushi spot! Fresh ingredients, interesting and very tasty maki, several of their special rolls feature combos i've never seen before. We especially enjoyed the spicy tako and dynamite rolls but everything we ordered was excellent. Price (for great sushi) was very reasonable. Service and atmosphere were great as well, we'll definitely be back very soon.
(5)turn p.
One of the unique sushi experience I ever had. Great selection, reasonable price. The fire dragon roll is my favorite! I love their appetizers as well. I would definitely go to this restaurant again.
(5)Paul P.
This is my favorite sushi place by far. This is definitely a hidden gem withing Elmhurst. I have been to Sakana numerous times and have always left feeling completely satisfied. The service has always been excellent and the sushi Chef occasionally makes me rolls before I even order. Even though I enjoy majority of the rolls...my favorite roll is the Summer version of the Mango Tango. Along with the Shrimp, they added salmon which gives the roll a very refreshing taste. I highly recommend this place. The only downside is that when dining in there are limited places to sit, it would be rather difficult to bring a large group of people. If you go here and do not like it let me know what places you think are better because I would love to try them out.
(5)Jeff C.
If you're budget conscious you might want to try Sushi Time. However, if you want to impress, go to Sakana. Is the restaurant fancy? By no means, but the sushi crosses the line between food and art. Take a look at the beautiful presentation of the dragon roll (picture uploaded). It's beautiful and delicious. We also ordered the tropical roll, which was good, but the dragon was better. As of this writing there are ninety-six restaurants in Elmhurst. I plan on eating at, and reviewing, every one. Follow me on Yelp!
(4)Danielle A.
Came here randomly with a friend for some last minute sushi. I'm a very picky sushi eater and can say that this is one of the better sushi places I've visited. It's small, really small, so we felt a little cramped. Though we enjoyed our food none-the-less. Get the lichi martini. Just get it, don't think twice, and you will be SO HAPPY that you did! Probably one of the best martinis I've ever had in my entire life. And I've had a lot of martinis! My friend got the 911, which came to us lit on fire. I got the tropical roll. If you like spicy then I'd suggest either of those rolls. Our waitress was pleasant and made sure that we enjoyed all of our food. If you live in Elmhurst and are looking for a good sushi place, check out Sakana. Also, if you check in on Facebook, they give you a free order of edamame!
(4)Kat S.
Sushi in the burbs doesn't get better. You will not leave here unsatisfied. Their staff are all so sweet and attentive and you feel comfortable in the atmosphere. And the sushi is so fresh and they don't skimp on the fish. There's not "extra rice" to fill the sushi, and thru don't drown it in sauce. It's so well balanced and such a hidden gem off Main Street. I bring anyone who even mentions sushi here and everyone falls in love.
(5)Grant P.
If there's such a thing as a hidden gem in Elmhurst, Sakana is it. When I suggested it to my two dining companions, neither one of them knew what it was. In fact, one of them thought it was located where Sushi Nest is. It's a great corner restaurant with maybe 10 or so tables, a great selection of affordable lunch options and the friendliest service you'll find in Elmhurst. When you walk inside you're overwhelmed by the smell of...nothing. Which is awesome, because it means the fish is fresh. I sat directly next to the sushi prep area and smelled nothing. Perfect. I had one of their lunch Bento boxes, which is way tastier than the ones I ate while visiting Japan that you find in every supermarket there. Had Sakana been in Japan, I'd have eaten there everyday. And now that I've found it so close to my office, I may do that now.
(5)Kate G.
Excellent food! One of the best sushi place I have been to. Very friendly and attentive service.
(5)Gina V.
I love their soups. The food is fresh and the service too. The prices are not expensive
(4)John C.
It's surprising to see people actually go here. The place looks run down and ghetto. I'm not sure who would trust sushi from a place like this. I will never go again, go to Sushi Nest it's a no brainer if you're in Elmhurst.
(1)Susie C.
My husband and I came here for an early Valentine's Day dinner to avoid the crazy mounts of people on the actual V-day. We came on Wednesday night and it was pretty dead. There was only one other table of customers and us. I would give this place a 3.5 star but since Yelp doesn't do half stars I'll give this as a 3..since my husband rated this as a 3 too. He said this sushi restaurant is average, in the middle of the road kind of thing. We ordered a lot of food. Before coming here I read from previous Yelp reviews that it was pricey...no that's wrong. This place is pretty cheap! It is not pricey as how everyone else says it. $6 for a spicy salmon and basic rolls.. $5.50 for even more basic rolls, and the signature rolls were like $12-15..average sushi restaurant costs. We ordered a spicy scallop roll (which was pretty good!), salmon sake (always good anywhere..if a sushi restaurant makes a bad salmon sake..that is not a good restaurant), Snow White (pretty decent), Double Salmon (my favorite!), and the spicy salmon which to me was poor. The spicy sauce was so overwhelming and spicy. I did not enjoy it. We also ordered few sashimi pieces.. 4 pieces of salmon, 4 pieces of yellowtail. The salmon were delicious! Yellowtail is average, other sushi restaurants have served it better. We then ended the night with their udon. Nothing spectacular about it. It came with tempura.. it's your typical udon you order anywhere. Overall it's a decent restaurant. It is small, too..so it's cozy in there. Something casual to just chill with your friend/bf/husband etc.
(3)Teanna T.
Really enjoy this small Elmhurst gem. There's 2 other sushi places in town but this is the best. Sashimi is good and cold. The Snow White roll is really good. Never had to wait for a table. Seems to be more of a take out sushi bar
(5)Jackie T.
My cousin and I stopped in unexpectedly and were truly amazed. The sushi was real fresh and their presentation was amazing. I really enjoyed the '911'. Not only was it on fire (which was very entertaining ), it also tasted great.
(5)Jack S.
Great quality and great flavors! Very cool spot in downtown Elmhurst. Their sashimi is very fresh and the rolls are very creative.
(5)Steve H.
Best in town, friendly employees. We have never eaten in, however have ordered carry-out many times. This isn't like the city, but its close.
(3)Akta D.
Went here with my cousin. Their sweet potato maki was great. We also ordered thte Tropical maki without the fish. At first the waitress was confused, but it turned out great. I"ll definitely be back!
(5)Misty S.
Delicious! Hotasake Appetizer $9 - Grilled giant scallops, smoked salmon topped with house special sauce and scallions. MAN, did this dish make my taste buds sing! I wanted to lick the plate clean, not kidding. I may have licked the corner when nobody was watching. Salmon Oshi Sushi $13 (Chef Special) - Japanese rice, seaweed, masago, tempura crunch, spicy mayo topped with salmon, jalapeno, ikura, special sauce in a boxy shape. This one was kinda hard to pick up and eat with chopsticks since it is so boxy. There were 5 pieces, and although good, I don't think I would order it again because it didn't pack that much flavor. I didn't really notice the tempura crunch or the jalapeno. Ultimate Ocean Maki $12 - Tempura soft shell crab, scallop, shrimp, whitefish, avocado, spicy mayo. This roll was pretty tasty and crunchy. The side of shredded beet was not only pretty, but went well with the roll. Overall, it is pricey, but the quality and style are there. The food presentation is excellent. They have a lot of inventive maki rolls on the menu and I only wish I could afford to try them all. The decor is fabulous. It's such a cute little restaurant in downtown Elmhurst. It may be hard to see since it's right next to the salon in the corner.
(4)Vishnu R.
This was the most DISGUSTING eating experience I have ever had. I live close to this place so I usually call-in to make an order before picking up. The waitress on the other end is usually very curt and unfriendly. That aside, there was this one time I picked up sushi and as I was consuming it back at home I was able to fish out multiple STRANDS OF HAIR from it. It was totally gross. I overlooked that and ordered again a couple weeks later. This time, to my HORROR I found A BEETLE in the food. I don't know if it was a beetle or a roach but it was dead. At this point, I lost my appetite completely and went back to demand a refund for my money but they refused to give it to me!! They kept insisting that they adhere to the strictest of hygiene standards. At one point, they turned the tables on me by insinuating that I might have put the beetle in. I just lost it at that point, chucked the food on the table and left. THIS PLACE HAS ZERO BUSINESS/CUSTOMER SERVICE ETIQUETTE AND HYGIENE. It is no wonder the place is usually dead with no one frequenting it. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE. Shudder to think what they put into their food.
(1)Toni S.
Did not enjoy the ambience, the piped-in music played too loudly; as other dining patrons had to shout through their conversations...very annoying! The salty Udon Tempura soup was disgusting as well as to the slimy Sashimi. Yuck!!! Totally unimpressed...a waste of time and money. :-(
(1)Steve S.
I dig their stuff! It's small but packs a punch. Let me tell you, the shrimp appetizer is outstanding and everything on the menu is worth a try. This place is a well kept secret in Elmhurst!
(4)David L.
Sakana is located within walking distance from the house and is convenient for pickup. The orders are always done within the promised times and quality of food and taste have never been an issue. What I have issue with is consistency. I have ordered the chirashi twice from Sakana for pickup and the second order was very different from the first. The most obvious difference was the shrimp, the second order was missing shrimp. I would have understood if someone had mentioned shrimp was not available or sold out and had to be substituted. The other obvious difference was the thickness and size of the sashimi. On the second pickup, the thickness and size was slightly larger than half of what I had received the first time. I'm not sure what I received the first time was an anomaly or perhaps the second time, but I will order one more time to determine.
(3)Yvonne O.
Back again this past weekend and we are still very shocked that the place isn't packed all the time. This time we were there closer to 7:00 and there were three other tables full. I ordered the shu mai to start and two maki rolls as my entrée. Husband got a sweet potato tempura roll to start and the chicken teriyaki. I am normally not one to suggest that entrée as at many places it is either really dry or drowned in the wrong sauce. Here, it was shockingly perfect. Nicely portioned pieces and TONS of them. Seriously, it was like half a chicken's worth. The chicken was expertly marinated and cooked as well. We always leave stuffed and the bill is totally reasonable. Plus, parking in this area of downtown Elmhurst is really easy as well compared to further south.
(4)Kirsten F.
After moving out of the city and searching all over the suburbs for a new favorite sushi spot, we found Sakana. Their sushi is fresh and extremely flavorable. The staff is very friendly and attentive. We've been here many times and plan on coming back many more!
(5)Aimee M.
There's something fun and charming about these small, nay, tiny sushi houses. Since this is Elmhurst, I expected something more like Sushi Nest further south on York Rd. I was pleasantly surprised with Sakana. A little Zen, a little cozy, a nice spot for the most recent stop on my ongoing sushi crawl with Renita M. We started with Edamame, had the California Roll, the Mexican Roll, the Happy Tuna Roll and 2 pieces of Super White Tuna nigiri. The fish and the flavors were really fresh, had great flavor and a nice presentation. The rice was well-made and the rolls didn't seem skimpy either. If you like Jalapeno, the Mexican Roll if for you. It was tasty, but the Happy Tuna and the SWT nigiri were my faves. I love spicy tuna rolls and the Happy Tuna just adds some avocado and tempura crunch and makes it tastier. The SWT was fresh and definitely melted in your mouth. Service was sweet and the price for our dinner was reasonable. They were busy with take-out orders, but it didn't hinder our dinner service at all. Wonderful spot, I'll go back for sure. PS One thing I wished I tried, it was the 911 roll, I don't know what was in it, but they lit it on fire! I watched in envy of the table behind us. Dinner and a show indeed.
(4)Always on the look-out R.
Yummy! Nice atmosphere. Good for small or a bit bigger group. Nice staff. Fair prices. Good sushi. Enjoy!
(4)Cher M.
Delicious! It's not really "fusion," but I am OK with that. I'm not a huge fan of the other sushi place(s?) in Elmhurst, but this place is worth coming back to because: 1.It's fantastically fast when I'm getting take-out for lunch (and I can order on Grubhub!) 2. good ratio of rice-to-filling for sushi, and the ingredients were fresh (tuna) and ripe (avacado). I hate when the avacado isn't ripe. 3. Easy-peasy 10-minute parking out front to run in and grab my lunch. 4. Priced pretty good (like the 3-maki set at Lunch for $10) It's not the greatest sushi place I've ever been to (That's reserved for a place in Washington, DC) but it's pretty darn good.
(4)Janet N.
They has fresh sea urchin on special the day we were there. Chef wqs very excited about it and we enjoyed it!
(4)Renita M.
This was our latest stop in Aimee + Renita's suburban Sushi Adventures. We'd previously hit up Sushi Nest down the street, but now Elmhurst has a second Japanese restaurant, and we could not let it go un-tried. Despite the "fusion" label it seemed like a fairly standard -- and small -- sushi place. Clean, bright, modern decor. I was seated immediately and awaited Ms Aimee while perusing the menu. We ended up with edamame, super white tuna nigiri, a California roll, a Mexican roll and Happy Tuna roll. (One small note, nigiri is usually two pieces to an order, but here it's just one -- for only a little less.) Everything was really delicious. The super white tuna melted in my mouth and all of the rolls had good flavor and excellent rice. The Mexican and Happy Tuna both have a bit of a kick, and I got a little chunk of jalapeno in my last bite of Mexican roll, so watch out if you're spice-averse. Service was good, though I did have a little trouble understanding the waitress occasionally. It's hard not to compare it with Sushi Nest, and I think Sushi Nest has a bit more plush, quiet atmosphere and offers a few bonuses (free edamame, fancy cucumber water) but also costs a bit more. Overall, I don't think you can go wrong with either.
(4)Abby P.
Looking for our go-to low key sushi place in our new neighborhood...I think we've found it! Food was great - not over the top trendy (which equates to overpriced) but not grocery store sushi....standard nigiri and rolls and some special fancy ones too, all at the right price. Staff was very pleasant and attentive. Interior seating is nice but small. A few people stopped in to get carry-out, which I think we'll be doing the next time we want sushi and Netflix!
(4)Karen R.
Charming little place that has some of the best sushi in the area. I don't usually go for the loaded specialty rolls, but I could not pass up the intriguing Tempura Sweet Potato Roll. Amazing. I also had my Spicy Tuna as a control group dish and it was excellent. The house salad was unusual with wasabi peas and they ditched the usual ginger dressing for a cream-based one. Miso soup was fresh and hot. I am not a local but would make the trek back to Elmhurst for this place!
(5)Matthew H.
Great little sushi bar in Elmhurst. I stopped in for a quick lunch because I had a sushi craving that just wouldn't go away. My experience with sushi places is really hit or miss and this place was a definite HIT. They're restaurant was clean and the staff was helpful in suggesting a few of their best rolls which were great. Their rolls were generous and very tasty with a few new spins on sushi you won't find elsewhere. If your in Elmhurst and you are looking for good sushi, give this place a try, I gurantee you won't be dissapointed.
(4)Boris K.
This is no Sushi Wabi but a Great little gem As a back ground.. We have eaten here dozens of times. Coming from the city we can safely call ourselves sushi junkies. The space is small but that make it very cozy- rarely do we have to wait for a table. Atmosphere is bright, up beat and with electronic music in the background(can see how some people might not be cool with that, but i love it). The sushi is fresh and creative... not sure the name but my favorite roll has fresh strawberry slices on top(might be the strawberry roll...duh) Prices are average for the area
(5)Ryan P.
What's left to be said? This place is awesome. The atmosphere they've created is unbeatable. The sushi is fresh, as well as delicious. The owner is an awesome guy stand up guy. He was nice enough to come greet me and converse for a couple minutes. Check this place out!! Awesome!!
(5)Tony K.
The sushi is good here! Not great, but good. The pieces are smaller than most other sushi places and the prices are about 20% higher than average. Its a trendy atmosphere where the "in crowd" would enjoy going. Sakana tends to put more decoration onto what they serve to provide a nicer presentation. I had a few maki rolls and miso soup. The soup was loaded with tofu and seaweed more so than many other places BUT.... it was very salty. Probably prepackaged stuff. I would go again but I wouldnt go out of my way to get here.
(3)Nichole C.
Aw, man...I had high hopes for Sakana based on other reviews, but it just didn't live up to the hype (or my sushi snob standards). Ambiance: The place is nice looking...TINY, but nice. You literally walk right into the dining area where there are two half booth/half tables and about 5 2-tops. There is also a tiny "bar" facing the street. If this place ever gets busy, it will be a looooooooooooooooong wait. The other thing that hit us right when we walked in was an awful smell. I'm not sure if it's the fish, the "fusion", the newness, or what, but it stank. We sat down anyway (what's a little food poisoning in the grand scheme of things, really?) and got used to it, but every now and then the smell would waft back in front of us. Gross. Sushi: Decent. We tried the spicy tuna, spicy salmon, spicy scallop, and philadelphia roll and all of them were good. Not awesome, but good. The spicy sauce on the salmon and scallop rolls was delicious (although without the sauce the fish might be kind of bland), and the spicy rolls were actually spicyish (if you really like spice though you're going to have to add some wasabi...cue the heartburn!!). The tuna was pretty good, but I could have gone without the breadcrumbs and with the spicy sauce on top. Service: SLOOOOOOOOOOOW. We were only one of two tables and it took awhile to get our order. Food took a long time too, considering that the place was pretty empty. Also, the waitress took her time clearing our plates and getting our check too and at that point, we just wanted OUT.
(3)Suzy M.
This is hands down the best sushi I've ever had. And that's saying a lot, because I have sushi on average about once a week, and have tried practically every single sushi place within 15 miles of my house (give or take). I am what you would call a *sushi addict*. What makes great sushi, you ask? Freshness of fish, generous portions of premium ingredients, flavor, texture, nigiri must be melt in your mouth with an ample meat-to-rice ration, and creativity of rolls. Sakana relies on the flavor and quality of ingredients, rather than covering everything in sauces and mayos and crunch to disguise an inferior product. I have searched high and low for the ultimate sushi.. Sakana is it. I drive an hour round trip to get it. Any sushi lover will LOVE this place. My personal recommendations are the Dragon Maki, Double Salmon Maki, salmon nigiri, and super white tuna nigiri
(5)Melissa T.
Great prices, fantastic sushi. A very small palce, buit very quaint at the same time. The alcohol is very moderately priced as well. The food presentation is incredible and everything tasted amazing. Service was great as well. I did not see much of the 'fusion' being offered in the menu, except for maybe the appetizers. All in all, I would defiantely go here again and would reccomend to anyone!
(5)Sandra D.
I absolutely LOVE this place!! Staff is soo friendly!!!
(5)Mayank P.
I had their Dragon Maki, and it was delicious. Pricey, when compared to buffet sushi place, but you get what you pay for. Too bad it's all the way out in Elmhurst. Otherwise would return for more.
(4)Marek C.
All I have to say , this place is amazing !!! Very good food ! You should try their salads !!! Super delicious ! They can make you spice salmon salad ! And they are always very friendly ! Love it !
(5)Desirée H.
My 8 year-old, the sushi aficionado, will be typing this review, based on our joint findings on our date tonight: "This sushi place is tasty (there is a better place in Oak Park called Sen). There spicy tuna is really spicy (and tasty)! There salmon is chewy (which makes it hard to eat) and it is OK. The dragon roll is awesome. It tastes great and it looked cool because there is a blue light in the middle, they used sauces that looks like dragon wings, and it has strips of beet on it. The restaurant is tiny and nice-looking." --Jackson I concur--Desirée
(4)Tobin h.
Fabulous little place in Downtown Elmhurst that deserves a shot at your dining dollar. Not that the competition bar is high for Sushi in Elmhurst, but this place is definitely the head of the Elmhurstian Sushi class. Ebi Bomb ap was outstanding as was the rock-n-roll maki, Spicy tuna Maki, and the tempura. Service did its job and stayed out of the way considering how small it is but I would recommend it to sushi snobs as well as the novice chop stick handler.
(4)Giuseppe D.
Another nice little spot in the Elmhurst area. Everyone always hypes up Sushi Nest as Elmhurst's signature sushi spot but I'd argue that Sakana is slightly better. It's a really small spot, it MIGHT seat 15 people, which I like. It's nice to have a place where you can sit down for a meal and actually have a conversation without having to SPEAK SO LOUDLY! There service was good. There was only one server the day I was in which was plenty for the 3 or 4 tables that were occupied. She was quiet but suggestive when asked to be. No complaints at all. All of the sushi was good but the highlight was the "911" (I think?)... it was a signature Sakana maki roll that came out *drum roll*.... ON FIRE! No, literally, the roll came out on a bed of flames! Okay maybe I'm more of a child than I thought but that had me pretty excited; it was both visually and appetizingly (?) pleasing. The prices weren't unreasonable at all. A couple rolls, glasses of wine and a few beers for two and it was relatively cheap.
(4)Michael B.
Becoming one of my favorite local places! I've been here 5 times now and will continue to go back. It's amazing how fresh the food is, especially since I've never seen more than 4 customers in there at once. The service is great as well.
(4)George J.
Surprising at the quality. After moving from the city, my wife and I are tired of all the Italian restaurants out here, so we took a chance on a Sakana and we were pleasantly surprised. We loved Blue Ocean (Andersonville) and the selections here remind me of that place. Pieces weren't the largest, but the rice stickiness and freshness were on par with most city places. Prices were decent, not the cheapest, but then again, not über expensive. Will come back
(5)Amanda R.
A weekend adventure in Elmhurt led my husband and I to this little gem for lunch (much thanks to YELP). We love to go to sushi restaurants, but oddly enough, I hate fish. I have to give this restaurant props for its variety of vegetable maki rolls. The Garden Maki and Shiitake Maki were outstanding! My husband got two of the chef's signature rolls and stated the fish was very fresh! The only item that was not superb was the Miso soup. A little tofu goes a long way and this was overloaded to say the least. Overall, Sakana was a great stop in downtown Elmhurt and we will definitely be back!
(4)Mark S.
Cool out of the way place. Only wish I lived closer. Had some really stellar rolls here. Price is great and the place is comfortable. The manager guy has some crazy huge hair and likes to make a few jokes. He's got a great memory as it seems he remembers me each time.
(5)Aud T.
This place continues to be consistently great. Not only have Ive eaten here countless times, but have opted for delivery on occasion. No matter what mode, the food & service is fantastic!
(5)Tom B.
Very fresh fish with some really creative rolls. The hamachi was extremely clean and sweet, no soy sauce/wasabi required. Service was very fast and friendly. My daughters had miso soup which was very well seasoned, not just salt water. 2 notes. 1) this place is tiny! 2) bring lots of money- 2 beers, 2 soft drinks and sushi for 4 ran $150 including tip.
(4)Lady J.
Went here last night for a friend's birthday celebration. There were 8 of us and we all agreed it was delish! LOVED the Tropical roll, the Fire Dragon and some type of berry roll..it was the special and each bite had a slice of strawberry to go with it....sooooo good! Service was great. The food came out perfectly. As soon as we were finished with one or two rolls we were working on, the next one or two would come out! They were super friendly and even sent out an appetizer for all of us to try on them...it was the octopus balls. Loved those too!!! Overall a great place and a must try sushi place for sure!!!
(5)katie s.
Went to Sakana for the first time. LOVED it!! Service great and the spicy tuna fantastic. I think I was told the chef is a master sushi chef. Japanese beers $4. Fun evening.
(5)Bill C.
We have been going here since they opened. I have always been looking for a sushi place in the suburbs that could match the great sushi places in Chicago - this is it. They have an extensive menu of fabulous maki rolls - each one better than the last - with new specials they introduce frequently. My friends have had the Bento boxes which they tell me are also quite good. Contrary to some of the other reviews, they do have a liquor license and have enough of the good saki, wine, and beer to keep me happy. The place is small and spare, but never feels crowded. The service is great and the owner is very knowledgeable and friendly. Best maki rolls in the burbs!
(5)Jennifer H.
Fantastic sushi spot! Fresh ingredients, interesting and very tasty maki, several of their special rolls feature combos i've never seen before. We especially enjoyed the spicy tako and dynamite rolls but everything we ordered was excellent. Price (for great sushi) was very reasonable. Service and atmosphere were great as well, we'll definitely be back very soon.
(5)turn p.
One of the unique sushi experience I ever had. Great selection, reasonable price. The fire dragon roll is my favorite! I love their appetizers as well. I would definitely go to this restaurant again.
(5)Boris K.
This is no Sushi Wabi but a Great little gem As a back ground.. We have eaten here dozens of times. Coming from the city we can safely call ourselves sushi junkies. The space is small but that make it very cozy- rarely do we have to wait for a table. Atmosphere is bright, up beat and with electronic music in the background(can see how some people might not be cool with that, but i love it). The sushi is fresh and creative... not sure the name but my favorite roll has fresh strawberry slices on top(might be the strawberry roll...duh) Prices are average for the area
(5)Ryan P.
What's left to be said? This place is awesome. The atmosphere they've created is unbeatable. The sushi is fresh, as well as delicious. The owner is an awesome guy stand up guy. He was nice enough to come greet me and converse for a couple minutes. Check this place out!! Awesome!!
(5)Always on the look-out R.
Yummy! Nice atmosphere. Good for small or a bit bigger group. Nice staff. Fair prices. Good sushi. Enjoy!
(4)Nichole C.
Aw, man...I had high hopes for Sakana based on other reviews, but it just didn't live up to the hype (or my sushi snob standards). Ambiance: The place is nice looking...TINY, but nice. You literally walk right into the dining area where there are two half booth/half tables and about 5 2-tops. There is also a tiny "bar" facing the street. If this place ever gets busy, it will be a looooooooooooooooong wait. The other thing that hit us right when we walked in was an awful smell. I'm not sure if it's the fish, the "fusion", the newness, or what, but it stank. We sat down anyway (what's a little food poisoning in the grand scheme of things, really?) and got used to it, but every now and then the smell would waft back in front of us. Gross. Sushi: Decent. We tried the spicy tuna, spicy salmon, spicy scallop, and philadelphia roll and all of them were good. Not awesome, but good. The spicy sauce on the salmon and scallop rolls was delicious (although without the sauce the fish might be kind of bland), and the spicy rolls were actually spicyish (if you really like spice though you're going to have to add some wasabi...cue the heartburn!!). The tuna was pretty good, but I could have gone without the breadcrumbs and with the spicy sauce on top. Service: SLOOOOOOOOOOOW. We were only one of two tables and it took awhile to get our order. Food took a long time too, considering that the place was pretty empty. Also, the waitress took her time clearing our plates and getting our check too and at that point, we just wanted OUT.
(3)Suzy M.
This is hands down the best sushi I've ever had. And that's saying a lot, because I have sushi on average about once a week, and have tried practically every single sushi place within 15 miles of my house (give or take). I am what you would call a *sushi addict*. What makes great sushi, you ask? Freshness of fish, generous portions of premium ingredients, flavor, texture, nigiri must be melt in your mouth with an ample meat-to-rice ration, and creativity of rolls. Sakana relies on the flavor and quality of ingredients, rather than covering everything in sauces and mayos and crunch to disguise an inferior product. I have searched high and low for the ultimate sushi.. Sakana is it. I drive an hour round trip to get it. Any sushi lover will LOVE this place. My personal recommendations are the Dragon Maki, Double Salmon Maki, salmon nigiri, and super white tuna nigiri
(5)David L.
Sakana is located within walking distance from the house and is convenient for pickup. The orders are always done within the promised times and quality of food and taste have never been an issue. What I have issue with is consistency. I have ordered the chirashi twice from Sakana for pickup and the second order was very different from the first. The most obvious difference was the shrimp, the second order was missing shrimp. I would have understood if someone had mentioned shrimp was not available or sold out and had to be substituted. The other obvious difference was the thickness and size of the sashimi. On the second pickup, the thickness and size was slightly larger than half of what I had received the first time. I'm not sure what I received the first time was an anomaly or perhaps the second time, but I will order one more time to determine.
(3)Desirée H.
My 8 year-old, the sushi aficionado, will be typing this review, based on our joint findings on our date tonight: "This sushi place is tasty (there is a better place in Oak Park called Sen). There spicy tuna is really spicy (and tasty)! There salmon is chewy (which makes it hard to eat) and it is OK. The dragon roll is awesome. It tastes great and it looked cool because there is a blue light in the middle, they used sauces that looks like dragon wings, and it has strips of beet on it. The restaurant is tiny and nice-looking." --Jackson I concur--Desirée
(4)Mark S.
Cool out of the way place. Only wish I lived closer. Had some really stellar rolls here. Price is great and the place is comfortable. The manager guy has some crazy huge hair and likes to make a few jokes. He's got a great memory as it seems he remembers me each time.
(5)Aud T.
This place continues to be consistently great. Not only have Ive eaten here countless times, but have opted for delivery on occasion. No matter what mode, the food & service is fantastic!
(5)Douglas E.
Best Sushi in Elmhurst! Great fusion menu with a large selection of rolls, sashimi, appetizers, and teriyaki. I had a fire dragon rolls (which was outstanding), yellow tail and scallop sashimi. The place is small but the food is big and brings high quality sushi to Elmhurst.
(4)Jennifer B.
The best sushi I have ever had.
(5)Tom M.
Went for a weekday lunch, and enjoyed the wonderful attentive service and clean, nicely decorated interior. We had the Sakana salad (mixed greens,cream based dressing with wasabi peas) which was fresh. We also had a special maki roll that was called "Rock n' Roll" and the dragon roll. Both were delicious, and 8 pieces, so more than enough to share between the 2 of us. Miso soup was also great! My wife and I were impressed and happy to have this restaurant in town! Also glad they now serve beer and wine, coming back for dinner, definitely!
(5)Vlad G.
We just moved to Elmhurst from the city and we were very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the sushi rolls. Try the Tropical Maki. And they deliver!
(4)Michael Z.
So I brought my 9 year old daughter for a daddy/daughter date night for my second visit. Wow, the service was excellent. Not only did my server remember my first visit three weeks ago but remembered what I ordered too! Onto the food, my daughter enjoyed our servers recommendation, a shrimp tempura roll less the spicy mayoI had a 911 roll and another spicy roll with jalapeños. Both were excellent. I think my daughter really enjoyed the fiery presentation of the 911 roll. Small seating. Excellent overall.
(5)Michelle L.
Great sushi. Service is perfect - not hovering but there when you need it and with a smile. The rolls were great. Sashimi was okay. Small dining room. Will definitely be back.
(4)Jim S.
Limited experience here. Had the vegetable tempura - batter was heavy and some of the veggies were undercooked. Volcano roll was decent enough. Smallish space with a "fusion" vibe playing techno music. I'll try it again at some point - hoping it will wow next time given the prior reviews.
(3)Jason E.
Uh...Japanese fusion??? More like boring, plain, mediocre sushi and standard American Japanese restaurant dishes. I ordered chirashi which was boring in presentation, lacked any creativity, fish was just okay, no nice little treats packed in the bowl - very minimal and expensive for what it was. Oh, wait, there was one extra treat in the chirashi - a nice hair. I also ordered futomaki and the server looked at me like I was crazy - then it clicked in her head and she jotted it down. However, what I received was a pathetic attempt at futomaki filled mostly with imitation crab - yuck. My wife and kids all ordered teriyaki tofu. It looked okay and came with asparagus. However, the tofu was so mushy and soggy that it was hard to eat. I dropped $110 at this joint and I absolutely feel ripped off and won't be back - not worth it. The place was empty at 4:30PM on a Saturday afternoon - that should have been a big fat clue to us.
(2)Sarah B.
So this now my go to date night place with the BF. Well, new BF, or at least newish. If you've read my previous review, Sakana plays a small part in my, well, typical 20 something love life. Anywho, this is our spot. We try and go once a month and get new rolls every time. My new fav is the Jade Dragon roll, which is wonderful. I would lick the sauce off the plate if I could. The Futo Maki is also fantastic, big chunks of egg, crab, spinach, gourd and cucumber. The BF likes anything with Unagi, so basically everything. We recently tried the Sakana maki, which is delicious. We also try and get all our friends to come with us. So far I've brought a few college friends, two high school friends, and my cousin. We also discovered that sake & beer & sushi go fantastically well together. The first sake listed is wonderful, I've forgotten the name though. Sakana is awesome. If you haven't been here in a while, go back, and if you've never been here, you need to try it asap.
(5)Amanda W.
Very "hidden" away in downtown Elmhurst but very worth it! We had the Beef and Chicken Teriyaki. One of the best I have ever tasted! The beef as tender and very delicious. The chicken was juicy and flavorful. The only downside to this restaurant was the space, it is very tiny.
(4)Hana Y.
I happened in upon this place while in Naperville for a meeting. Since then, I honestly crave it on a weekly basis and have been known to travel over an hour to regularly visit. The simple spicy tuna maki is the best roll I have ever eaten. They put a little tempura crust in them to make them slightly crunchy. Oh my goodness, I could eat at Sakana every single day!
(5)Curt L.
New restaurants are always a good thing for downtown Elmhurst. If the cuisine is unique then all the better. Sakana calls itself Japanese Fusion. I call it a sushi bar with appetizers. Sakana has potential...but it has a ways to go if it is to really stand out. First off the place is extremely small. 18 seats and an additional 4 at the sushi bar. Call it cozy or call it cramped.....size is an issue here. Secondly...Sakana is a Japanese term for food served with alcohol. THEY HAVE NO LIQUOR LICENSE HERE (yet?) it would be nice to enjoy a Kirin or Sapporo or a sake. Food wise.....Wifey and I tried a couple apps. "Dao" our waitress recommended the Kung Jung....a deep fried roll (think egg roll wrapper) with Salmon, asparagus, cream cheese & avocado topped with tobiko (flying fish eggs) and spicy sauce. Wifey had the Miso soup. The soup was pedestrian. The Kung Jung was pretty good...not your standard app. We had a spider roll. I have had better..but not bad. I also ordered some sushi. It comes one piece per order. Maguro (tuna) & Hamachi (yellowtail) and Sake (fresh salmon). The sushi was better than most....with the hamachi being very good. The owners are Thai and are extremely nice people. They have another restaurant in Chicago. I wish them well as we can always use unique food in Elmhurst. To be positive let's call this a "cozy" sushi bar awaiting a liquor license. Time will tell
(3)Jessica C.
This place was great!
(4)Valerie D.
the best Sushi restaurant in Elmhurst. We go here as often as we can and have never been disappointed.
(5)Marek C.
All I have to say , this place is amazing !!! Very good food ! You should try their salads !!! Super delicious ! They can make you spice salmon salad ! And they are always very friendly ! Love it !
(5)Karen R.
Charming little place that has some of the best sushi in the area. I don't usually go for the loaded specialty rolls, but I could not pass up the intriguing Tempura Sweet Potato Roll. Amazing. I also had my Spicy Tuna as a control group dish and it was excellent. The house salad was unusual with wasabi peas and they ditched the usual ginger dressing for a cream-based one. Miso soup was fresh and hot. I am not a local but would make the trek back to Elmhurst for this place!
(5)Matthew H.
Great little sushi bar in Elmhurst. I stopped in for a quick lunch because I had a sushi craving that just wouldn't go away. My experience with sushi places is really hit or miss and this place was a definite HIT. They're restaurant was clean and the staff was helpful in suggesting a few of their best rolls which were great. Their rolls were generous and very tasty with a few new spins on sushi you won't find elsewhere. If your in Elmhurst and you are looking for good sushi, give this place a try, I gurantee you won't be dissapointed.
(4)Sandra D.
I absolutely LOVE this place!! Staff is soo friendly!!!
(5)Mayank P.
I had their Dragon Maki, and it was delicious. Pricey, when compared to buffet sushi place, but you get what you pay for. Too bad it's all the way out in Elmhurst. Otherwise would return for more.
(4)Paul P.
This is my favorite sushi place by far. This is definitely a hidden gem withing Elmhurst. I have been to Sakana numerous times and have always left feeling completely satisfied. The service has always been excellent and the sushi Chef occasionally makes me rolls before I even order. Even though I enjoy majority of the rolls...my favorite roll is the Summer version of the Mango Tango. Along with the Shrimp, they added salmon which gives the roll a very refreshing taste. I highly recommend this place. The only downside is that when dining in there are limited places to sit, it would be rather difficult to bring a large group of people. If you go here and do not like it let me know what places you think are better because I would love to try them out.
(5)Jeff C.
If you're budget conscious you might want to try Sushi Time. However, if you want to impress, go to Sakana. Is the restaurant fancy? By no means, but the sushi crosses the line between food and art. Take a look at the beautiful presentation of the dragon roll (picture uploaded). It's beautiful and delicious. We also ordered the tropical roll, which was good, but the dragon was better. As of this writing there are ninety-six restaurants in Elmhurst. I plan on eating at, and reviewing, every one. Follow me on Yelp!
(4)Danielle A.
Came here randomly with a friend for some last minute sushi. I'm a very picky sushi eater and can say that this is one of the better sushi places I've visited. It's small, really small, so we felt a little cramped. Though we enjoyed our food none-the-less. Get the lichi martini. Just get it, don't think twice, and you will be SO HAPPY that you did! Probably one of the best martinis I've ever had in my entire life. And I've had a lot of martinis! My friend got the 911, which came to us lit on fire. I got the tropical roll. If you like spicy then I'd suggest either of those rolls. Our waitress was pleasant and made sure that we enjoyed all of our food. If you live in Elmhurst and are looking for a good sushi place, check out Sakana. Also, if you check in on Facebook, they give you a free order of edamame!
(4)Kat S.
Sushi in the burbs doesn't get better. You will not leave here unsatisfied. Their staff are all so sweet and attentive and you feel comfortable in the atmosphere. And the sushi is so fresh and they don't skimp on the fish. There's not "extra rice" to fill the sushi, and thru don't drown it in sauce. It's so well balanced and such a hidden gem off Main Street. I bring anyone who even mentions sushi here and everyone falls in love.
(5)Grant P.
If there's such a thing as a hidden gem in Elmhurst, Sakana is it. When I suggested it to my two dining companions, neither one of them knew what it was. In fact, one of them thought it was located where Sushi Nest is. It's a great corner restaurant with maybe 10 or so tables, a great selection of affordable lunch options and the friendliest service you'll find in Elmhurst. When you walk inside you're overwhelmed by the smell of...nothing. Which is awesome, because it means the fish is fresh. I sat directly next to the sushi prep area and smelled nothing. Perfect. I had one of their lunch Bento boxes, which is way tastier than the ones I ate while visiting Japan that you find in every supermarket there. Had Sakana been in Japan, I'd have eaten there everyday. And now that I've found it so close to my office, I may do that now.
(5)Kate G.
Excellent food! One of the best sushi place I have been to. Very friendly and attentive service.
(5)Gina V.
I love their soups. The food is fresh and the service too. The prices are not expensive
(4)Susie C.
My husband and I came here for an early Valentine's Day dinner to avoid the crazy mounts of people on the actual V-day. We came on Wednesday night and it was pretty dead. There was only one other table of customers and us. I would give this place a 3.5 star but since Yelp doesn't do half stars I'll give this as a 3..since my husband rated this as a 3 too. He said this sushi restaurant is average, in the middle of the road kind of thing. We ordered a lot of food. Before coming here I read from previous Yelp reviews that it was pricey...no that's wrong. This place is pretty cheap! It is not pricey as how everyone else says it. $6 for a spicy salmon and basic rolls.. $5.50 for even more basic rolls, and the signature rolls were like $12-15..average sushi restaurant costs. We ordered a spicy scallop roll (which was pretty good!), salmon sake (always good anywhere..if a sushi restaurant makes a bad salmon sake..that is not a good restaurant), Snow White (pretty decent), Double Salmon (my favorite!), and the spicy salmon which to me was poor. The spicy sauce was so overwhelming and spicy. I did not enjoy it. We also ordered few sashimi pieces.. 4 pieces of salmon, 4 pieces of yellowtail. The salmon were delicious! Yellowtail is average, other sushi restaurants have served it better. We then ended the night with their udon. Nothing spectacular about it. It came with tempura.. it's your typical udon you order anywhere. Overall it's a decent restaurant. It is small, too..so it's cozy in there. Something casual to just chill with your friend/bf/husband etc.
(3)Teanna T.
Really enjoy this small Elmhurst gem. There's 2 other sushi places in town but this is the best. Sashimi is good and cold. The Snow White roll is really good. Never had to wait for a table. Seems to be more of a take out sushi bar
(5)Jackie T.
My cousin and I stopped in unexpectedly and were truly amazed. The sushi was real fresh and their presentation was amazing. I really enjoyed the '911'. Not only was it on fire (which was very entertaining ), it also tasted great.
(5)Jack S.
Great quality and great flavors! Very cool spot in downtown Elmhurst. Their sashimi is very fresh and the rolls are very creative.
(5)Steve H.
Best in town, friendly employees. We have never eaten in, however have ordered carry-out many times. This isn't like the city, but its close.
(3)Patrick O.
Solid 4 star sushi spot based mostly on excellent cuts of fish. Can't go wrong with sushi/sashimi dinner, sashimi appetizer, dragon rolls; They use a shake of white and black sesame seeds on their sushi pieces which works well. Only downside is its a tiny restaurant, if you're dining in..
(4)Akta D.
Went here with my cousin. Their sweet potato maki was great. We also ordered thte Tropical maki without the fish. At first the waitress was confused, but it turned out great. I"ll definitely be back!
(5)Misty S.
Delicious! Hotasake Appetizer $9 - Grilled giant scallops, smoked salmon topped with house special sauce and scallions. MAN, did this dish make my taste buds sing! I wanted to lick the plate clean, not kidding. I may have licked the corner when nobody was watching. Salmon Oshi Sushi $13 (Chef Special) - Japanese rice, seaweed, masago, tempura crunch, spicy mayo topped with salmon, jalapeno, ikura, special sauce in a boxy shape. This one was kinda hard to pick up and eat with chopsticks since it is so boxy. There were 5 pieces, and although good, I don't think I would order it again because it didn't pack that much flavor. I didn't really notice the tempura crunch or the jalapeno. Ultimate Ocean Maki $12 - Tempura soft shell crab, scallop, shrimp, whitefish, avocado, spicy mayo. This roll was pretty tasty and crunchy. The side of shredded beet was not only pretty, but went well with the roll. Overall, it is pricey, but the quality and style are there. The food presentation is excellent. They have a lot of inventive maki rolls on the menu and I only wish I could afford to try them all. The decor is fabulous. It's such a cute little restaurant in downtown Elmhurst. It may be hard to see since it's right next to the salon in the corner.
(4)Vishnu R.
This was the most DISGUSTING eating experience I have ever had. I live close to this place so I usually call-in to make an order before picking up. The waitress on the other end is usually very curt and unfriendly. That aside, there was this one time I picked up sushi and as I was consuming it back at home I was able to fish out multiple STRANDS OF HAIR from it. It was totally gross. I overlooked that and ordered again a couple weeks later. This time, to my HORROR I found A BEETLE in the food. I don't know if it was a beetle or a roach but it was dead. At this point, I lost my appetite completely and went back to demand a refund for my money but they refused to give it to me!! They kept insisting that they adhere to the strictest of hygiene standards. At one point, they turned the tables on me by insinuating that I might have put the beetle in. I just lost it at that point, chucked the food on the table and left. THIS PLACE HAS ZERO BUSINESS/CUSTOMER SERVICE ETIQUETTE AND HYGIENE. It is no wonder the place is usually dead with no one frequenting it. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE. Shudder to think what they put into their food.
(1)Toni S.
Did not enjoy the ambience, the piped-in music played too loudly; as other dining patrons had to shout through their conversations...very annoying! The salty Udon Tempura soup was disgusting as well as to the slimy Sashimi. Yuck!!! Totally unimpressed...a waste of time and money. :-(
(1)Steve S.
I dig their stuff! It's small but packs a punch. Let me tell you, the shrimp appetizer is outstanding and everything on the menu is worth a try. This place is a well kept secret in Elmhurst!
(4)Judy L.
Fresh sushi and friendly service! Definitely worth a 2nd chance. I really just wanted a plain sweet potato tempura maki roll without all the fancy stuff and they were happy to accommodate the special order. 4 hungry customers had Sapporo, wine, an avocado maki roll, a sakana roll, fire dragon roll and a few others and left as 4 happy customers. Everything was delicious and fresh!
(5)John C.
It's surprising to see people actually go here. The place looks run down and ghetto. I'm not sure who would trust sushi from a place like this. I will never go again, go to Sushi Nest it's a no brainer if you're in Elmhurst.
(1)Abby P.
Looking for our go-to low key sushi place in our new neighborhood...I think we've found it! Food was great - not over the top trendy (which equates to overpriced) but not grocery store sushi....standard nigiri and rolls and some special fancy ones too, all at the right price. Staff was very pleasant and attentive. Interior seating is nice but small. A few people stopped in to get carry-out, which I think we'll be doing the next time we want sushi and Netflix!
(4)Giuseppe D.
Another nice little spot in the Elmhurst area. Everyone always hypes up Sushi Nest as Elmhurst's signature sushi spot but I'd argue that Sakana is slightly better. It's a really small spot, it MIGHT seat 15 people, which I like. It's nice to have a place where you can sit down for a meal and actually have a conversation without having to SPEAK SO LOUDLY! There service was good. There was only one server the day I was in which was plenty for the 3 or 4 tables that were occupied. She was quiet but suggestive when asked to be. No complaints at all. All of the sushi was good but the highlight was the "911" (I think?)... it was a signature Sakana maki roll that came out *drum roll*.... ON FIRE! No, literally, the roll came out on a bed of flames! Okay maybe I'm more of a child than I thought but that had me pretty excited; it was both visually and appetizingly (?) pleasing. The prices weren't unreasonable at all. A couple rolls, glasses of wine and a few beers for two and it was relatively cheap.
(4)Janet N.
They has fresh sea urchin on special the day we were there. Chef wqs very excited about it and we enjoyed it!
(4)Tony K.
The sushi is good here! Not great, but good. The pieces are smaller than most other sushi places and the prices are about 20% higher than average. Its a trendy atmosphere where the "in crowd" would enjoy going. Sakana tends to put more decoration onto what they serve to provide a nicer presentation. I had a few maki rolls and miso soup. The soup was loaded with tofu and seaweed more so than many other places BUT.... it was very salty. Probably prepackaged stuff. I would go again but I wouldnt go out of my way to get here.
(3)Michael B.
Becoming one of my favorite local places! I've been here 5 times now and will continue to go back. It's amazing how fresh the food is, especially since I've never seen more than 4 customers in there at once. The service is great as well.
(4)George J.
Surprising at the quality. After moving from the city, my wife and I are tired of all the Italian restaurants out here, so we took a chance on a Sakana and we were pleasantly surprised. We loved Blue Ocean (Andersonville) and the selections here remind me of that place. Pieces weren't the largest, but the rice stickiness and freshness were on par with most city places. Prices were decent, not the cheapest, but then again, not über expensive. Will come back
(5)Amanda R.
A weekend adventure in Elmhurt led my husband and I to this little gem for lunch (much thanks to YELP). We love to go to sushi restaurants, but oddly enough, I hate fish. I have to give this restaurant props for its variety of vegetable maki rolls. The Garden Maki and Shiitake Maki were outstanding! My husband got two of the chef's signature rolls and stated the fish was very fresh! The only item that was not superb was the Miso soup. A little tofu goes a long way and this was overloaded to say the least. Overall, Sakana was a great stop in downtown Elmhurt and we will definitely be back!
(4)Yvonne O.
Back again this past weekend and we are still very shocked that the place isn't packed all the time. This time we were there closer to 7:00 and there were three other tables full. I ordered the shu mai to start and two maki rolls as my entrée. Husband got a sweet potato tempura roll to start and the chicken teriyaki. I am normally not one to suggest that entrée as at many places it is either really dry or drowned in the wrong sauce. Here, it was shockingly perfect. Nicely portioned pieces and TONS of them. Seriously, it was like half a chicken's worth. The chicken was expertly marinated and cooked as well. We always leave stuffed and the bill is totally reasonable. Plus, parking in this area of downtown Elmhurst is really easy as well compared to further south.
(4)Kirsten F.
After moving out of the city and searching all over the suburbs for a new favorite sushi spot, we found Sakana. Their sushi is fresh and extremely flavorable. The staff is very friendly and attentive. We've been here many times and plan on coming back many more!
(5)Aimee M.
There's something fun and charming about these small, nay, tiny sushi houses. Since this is Elmhurst, I expected something more like Sushi Nest further south on York Rd. I was pleasantly surprised with Sakana. A little Zen, a little cozy, a nice spot for the most recent stop on my ongoing sushi crawl with Renita M. We started with Edamame, had the California Roll, the Mexican Roll, the Happy Tuna Roll and 2 pieces of Super White Tuna nigiri. The fish and the flavors were really fresh, had great flavor and a nice presentation. The rice was well-made and the rolls didn't seem skimpy either. If you like Jalapeno, the Mexican Roll if for you. It was tasty, but the Happy Tuna and the SWT nigiri were my faves. I love spicy tuna rolls and the Happy Tuna just adds some avocado and tempura crunch and makes it tastier. The SWT was fresh and definitely melted in your mouth. Service was sweet and the price for our dinner was reasonable. They were busy with take-out orders, but it didn't hinder our dinner service at all. Wonderful spot, I'll go back for sure. PS One thing I wished I tried, it was the 911 roll, I don't know what was in it, but they lit it on fire! I watched in envy of the table behind us. Dinner and a show indeed.
(4)Cher M.
Delicious! It's not really "fusion," but I am OK with that. I'm not a huge fan of the other sushi place(s?) in Elmhurst, but this place is worth coming back to because: 1.It's fantastically fast when I'm getting take-out for lunch (and I can order on Grubhub!) 2. good ratio of rice-to-filling for sushi, and the ingredients were fresh (tuna) and ripe (avacado). I hate when the avacado isn't ripe. 3. Easy-peasy 10-minute parking out front to run in and grab my lunch. 4. Priced pretty good (like the 3-maki set at Lunch for $10) It's not the greatest sushi place I've ever been to (That's reserved for a place in Washington, DC) but it's pretty darn good.
(4)Renita M.
This was our latest stop in Aimee + Renita's suburban Sushi Adventures. We'd previously hit up Sushi Nest down the street, but now Elmhurst has a second Japanese restaurant, and we could not let it go un-tried. Despite the "fusion" label it seemed like a fairly standard -- and small -- sushi place. Clean, bright, modern decor. I was seated immediately and awaited Ms Aimee while perusing the menu. We ended up with edamame, super white tuna nigiri, a California roll, a Mexican roll and Happy Tuna roll. (One small note, nigiri is usually two pieces to an order, but here it's just one -- for only a little less.) Everything was really delicious. The super white tuna melted in my mouth and all of the rolls had good flavor and excellent rice. The Mexican and Happy Tuna both have a bit of a kick, and I got a little chunk of jalapeno in my last bite of Mexican roll, so watch out if you're spice-averse. Service was good, though I did have a little trouble understanding the waitress occasionally. It's hard not to compare it with Sushi Nest, and I think Sushi Nest has a bit more plush, quiet atmosphere and offers a few bonuses (free edamame, fancy cucumber water) but also costs a bit more. Overall, I don't think you can go wrong with either.
(4)Melissa T.
Great prices, fantastic sushi. A very small palce, buit very quaint at the same time. The alcohol is very moderately priced as well. The food presentation is incredible and everything tasted amazing. Service was great as well. I did not see much of the 'fusion' being offered in the menu, except for maybe the appetizers. All in all, I would defiantely go here again and would reccomend to anyone!
(5)Tobin h.
Fabulous little place in Downtown Elmhurst that deserves a shot at your dining dollar. Not that the competition bar is high for Sushi in Elmhurst, but this place is definitely the head of the Elmhurstian Sushi class. Ebi Bomb ap was outstanding as was the rock-n-roll maki, Spicy tuna Maki, and the tempura. Service did its job and stayed out of the way considering how small it is but I would recommend it to sushi snobs as well as the novice chop stick handler.
(4)Paul P.
This is my favorite sushi place by far. This is definitely a hidden gem withing Elmhurst. I have been to Sakana numerous times and have always left feeling completely satisfied. The service has always been excellent and the sushi Chef occasionally makes me rolls before I even order. Even though I enjoy majority of the rolls...my favorite roll is the Summer version of the Mango Tango. Along with the Shrimp, they added salmon which gives the roll a very refreshing taste. I highly recommend this place. The only downside is that when dining in there are limited places to sit, it would be rather difficult to bring a large group of people. If you go here and do not like it let me know what places you think are better because I would love to try them out.
(5)Jeff C.
If you're budget conscious you might want to try Sushi Time. However, if you want to impress, go to Sakana. Is the restaurant fancy? By no means, but the sushi crosses the line between food and art. Take a look at the beautiful presentation of the dragon roll (picture uploaded). It's beautiful and delicious. We also ordered the tropical roll, which was good, but the dragon was better. As of this writing there are ninety-six restaurants in Elmhurst. I plan on eating at, and reviewing, every one. Follow me on Yelp!
(4)Danielle A.
Came here randomly with a friend for some last minute sushi. I'm a very picky sushi eater and can say that this is one of the better sushi places I've visited. It's small, really small, so we felt a little cramped. Though we enjoyed our food none-the-less. Get the lichi martini. Just get it, don't think twice, and you will be SO HAPPY that you did! Probably one of the best martinis I've ever had in my entire life. And I've had a lot of martinis! My friend got the 911, which came to us lit on fire. I got the tropical roll. If you like spicy then I'd suggest either of those rolls. Our waitress was pleasant and made sure that we enjoyed all of our food. If you live in Elmhurst and are looking for a good sushi place, check out Sakana. Also, if you check in on Facebook, they give you a free order of edamame!
(4)Kat S.
Sushi in the burbs doesn't get better. You will not leave here unsatisfied. Their staff are all so sweet and attentive and you feel comfortable in the atmosphere. And the sushi is so fresh and they don't skimp on the fish. There's not "extra rice" to fill the sushi, and thru don't drown it in sauce. It's so well balanced and such a hidden gem off Main Street. I bring anyone who even mentions sushi here and everyone falls in love.
(5)Grant P.
If there's such a thing as a hidden gem in Elmhurst, Sakana is it. When I suggested it to my two dining companions, neither one of them knew what it was. In fact, one of them thought it was located where Sushi Nest is. It's a great corner restaurant with maybe 10 or so tables, a great selection of affordable lunch options and the friendliest service you'll find in Elmhurst. When you walk inside you're overwhelmed by the smell of...nothing. Which is awesome, because it means the fish is fresh. I sat directly next to the sushi prep area and smelled nothing. Perfect. I had one of their lunch Bento boxes, which is way tastier than the ones I ate while visiting Japan that you find in every supermarket there. Had Sakana been in Japan, I'd have eaten there everyday. And now that I've found it so close to my office, I may do that now.
(5)Kate G.
Excellent food! One of the best sushi place I have been to. Very friendly and attentive service.
(5)Gina V.
I love their soups. The food is fresh and the service too. The prices are not expensive
(4)Susie C.
My husband and I came here for an early Valentine's Day dinner to avoid the crazy mounts of people on the actual V-day. We came on Wednesday night and it was pretty dead. There was only one other table of customers and us. I would give this place a 3.5 star but since Yelp doesn't do half stars I'll give this as a 3..since my husband rated this as a 3 too. He said this sushi restaurant is average, in the middle of the road kind of thing. We ordered a lot of food. Before coming here I read from previous Yelp reviews that it was pricey...no that's wrong. This place is pretty cheap! It is not pricey as how everyone else says it. $6 for a spicy salmon and basic rolls.. $5.50 for even more basic rolls, and the signature rolls were like $12-15..average sushi restaurant costs. We ordered a spicy scallop roll (which was pretty good!), salmon sake (always good anywhere..if a sushi restaurant makes a bad salmon sake..that is not a good restaurant), Snow White (pretty decent), Double Salmon (my favorite!), and the spicy salmon which to me was poor. The spicy sauce was so overwhelming and spicy. I did not enjoy it. We also ordered few sashimi pieces.. 4 pieces of salmon, 4 pieces of yellowtail. The salmon were delicious! Yellowtail is average, other sushi restaurants have served it better. We then ended the night with their udon. Nothing spectacular about it. It came with tempura.. it's your typical udon you order anywhere. Overall it's a decent restaurant. It is small, too..so it's cozy in there. Something casual to just chill with your friend/bf/husband etc.
(3)Teanna T.
Really enjoy this small Elmhurst gem. There's 2 other sushi places in town but this is the best. Sashimi is good and cold. The Snow White roll is really good. Never had to wait for a table. Seems to be more of a take out sushi bar
(5)Jackie T.
My cousin and I stopped in unexpectedly and were truly amazed. The sushi was real fresh and their presentation was amazing. I really enjoyed the '911'. Not only was it on fire (which was very entertaining ), it also tasted great.
(5)Jack S.
Great quality and great flavors! Very cool spot in downtown Elmhurst. Their sashimi is very fresh and the rolls are very creative.
(5)Steve H.
Best in town, friendly employees. We have never eaten in, however have ordered carry-out many times. This isn't like the city, but its close.
(3)Patrick O.
Solid 4 star sushi spot based mostly on excellent cuts of fish. Can't go wrong with sushi/sashimi dinner, sashimi appetizer, dragon rolls; They use a shake of white and black sesame seeds on their sushi pieces which works well. Only downside is its a tiny restaurant, if you're dining in..
(4)Akta D.
Went here with my cousin. Their sweet potato maki was great. We also ordered thte Tropical maki without the fish. At first the waitress was confused, but it turned out great. I"ll definitely be back!
(5)Misty S.
Delicious! Hotasake Appetizer $9 - Grilled giant scallops, smoked salmon topped with house special sauce and scallions. MAN, did this dish make my taste buds sing! I wanted to lick the plate clean, not kidding. I may have licked the corner when nobody was watching. Salmon Oshi Sushi $13 (Chef Special) - Japanese rice, seaweed, masago, tempura crunch, spicy mayo topped with salmon, jalapeno, ikura, special sauce in a boxy shape. This one was kinda hard to pick up and eat with chopsticks since it is so boxy. There were 5 pieces, and although good, I don't think I would order it again because it didn't pack that much flavor. I didn't really notice the tempura crunch or the jalapeno. Ultimate Ocean Maki $12 - Tempura soft shell crab, scallop, shrimp, whitefish, avocado, spicy mayo. This roll was pretty tasty and crunchy. The side of shredded beet was not only pretty, but went well with the roll. Overall, it is pricey, but the quality and style are there. The food presentation is excellent. They have a lot of inventive maki rolls on the menu and I only wish I could afford to try them all. The decor is fabulous. It's such a cute little restaurant in downtown Elmhurst. It may be hard to see since it's right next to the salon in the corner.
(4)Vishnu R.
This was the most DISGUSTING eating experience I have ever had. I live close to this place so I usually call-in to make an order before picking up. The waitress on the other end is usually very curt and unfriendly. That aside, there was this one time I picked up sushi and as I was consuming it back at home I was able to fish out multiple STRANDS OF HAIR from it. It was totally gross. I overlooked that and ordered again a couple weeks later. This time, to my HORROR I found A BEETLE in the food. I don't know if it was a beetle or a roach but it was dead. At this point, I lost my appetite completely and went back to demand a refund for my money but they refused to give it to me!! They kept insisting that they adhere to the strictest of hygiene standards. At one point, they turned the tables on me by insinuating that I might have put the beetle in. I just lost it at that point, chucked the food on the table and left. THIS PLACE HAS ZERO BUSINESS/CUSTOMER SERVICE ETIQUETTE AND HYGIENE. It is no wonder the place is usually dead with no one frequenting it. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE. Shudder to think what they put into their food.
(1)Toni S.
Did not enjoy the ambience, the piped-in music played too loudly; as other dining patrons had to shout through their conversations...very annoying! The salty Udon Tempura soup was disgusting as well as to the slimy Sashimi. Yuck!!! Totally unimpressed...a waste of time and money. :-(
(1)Steve S.
I dig their stuff! It's small but packs a punch. Let me tell you, the shrimp appetizer is outstanding and everything on the menu is worth a try. This place is a well kept secret in Elmhurst!
(4)Judy L.
Fresh sushi and friendly service! Definitely worth a 2nd chance. I really just wanted a plain sweet potato tempura maki roll without all the fancy stuff and they were happy to accommodate the special order. 4 hungry customers had Sapporo, wine, an avocado maki roll, a sakana roll, fire dragon roll and a few others and left as 4 happy customers. Everything was delicious and fresh!
(5)John C.
It's surprising to see people actually go here. The place looks run down and ghetto. I'm not sure who would trust sushi from a place like this. I will never go again, go to Sushi Nest it's a no brainer if you're in Elmhurst.
(1)Yvonne O.
Back again this past weekend and we are still very shocked that the place isn't packed all the time. This time we were there closer to 7:00 and there were three other tables full. I ordered the shu mai to start and two maki rolls as my entrée. Husband got a sweet potato tempura roll to start and the chicken teriyaki. I am normally not one to suggest that entrée as at many places it is either really dry or drowned in the wrong sauce. Here, it was shockingly perfect. Nicely portioned pieces and TONS of them. Seriously, it was like half a chicken's worth. The chicken was expertly marinated and cooked as well. We always leave stuffed and the bill is totally reasonable. Plus, parking in this area of downtown Elmhurst is really easy as well compared to further south.
(4)Kirsten F.
After moving out of the city and searching all over the suburbs for a new favorite sushi spot, we found Sakana. Their sushi is fresh and extremely flavorable. The staff is very friendly and attentive. We've been here many times and plan on coming back many more!
(5)Abby P.
Looking for our go-to low key sushi place in our new neighborhood...I think we've found it! Food was great - not over the top trendy (which equates to overpriced) but not grocery store sushi....standard nigiri and rolls and some special fancy ones too, all at the right price. Staff was very pleasant and attentive. Interior seating is nice but small. A few people stopped in to get carry-out, which I think we'll be doing the next time we want sushi and Netflix!
(4)Aimee M.
There's something fun and charming about these small, nay, tiny sushi houses. Since this is Elmhurst, I expected something more like Sushi Nest further south on York Rd. I was pleasantly surprised with Sakana. A little Zen, a little cozy, a nice spot for the most recent stop on my ongoing sushi crawl with Renita M. We started with Edamame, had the California Roll, the Mexican Roll, the Happy Tuna Roll and 2 pieces of Super White Tuna nigiri. The fish and the flavors were really fresh, had great flavor and a nice presentation. The rice was well-made and the rolls didn't seem skimpy either. If you like Jalapeno, the Mexican Roll if for you. It was tasty, but the Happy Tuna and the SWT nigiri were my faves. I love spicy tuna rolls and the Happy Tuna just adds some avocado and tempura crunch and makes it tastier. The SWT was fresh and definitely melted in your mouth. Service was sweet and the price for our dinner was reasonable. They were busy with take-out orders, but it didn't hinder our dinner service at all. Wonderful spot, I'll go back for sure. PS One thing I wished I tried, it was the 911 roll, I don't know what was in it, but they lit it on fire! I watched in envy of the table behind us. Dinner and a show indeed.
(4)Cher M.
Delicious! It's not really "fusion," but I am OK with that. I'm not a huge fan of the other sushi place(s?) in Elmhurst, but this place is worth coming back to because: 1.It's fantastically fast when I'm getting take-out for lunch (and I can order on Grubhub!) 2. good ratio of rice-to-filling for sushi, and the ingredients were fresh (tuna) and ripe (avacado). I hate when the avacado isn't ripe. 3. Easy-peasy 10-minute parking out front to run in and grab my lunch. 4. Priced pretty good (like the 3-maki set at Lunch for $10) It's not the greatest sushi place I've ever been to (That's reserved for a place in Washington, DC) but it's pretty darn good.
(4)Renita M.
This was our latest stop in Aimee + Renita's suburban Sushi Adventures. We'd previously hit up Sushi Nest down the street, but now Elmhurst has a second Japanese restaurant, and we could not let it go un-tried. Despite the "fusion" label it seemed like a fairly standard -- and small -- sushi place. Clean, bright, modern decor. I was seated immediately and awaited Ms Aimee while perusing the menu. We ended up with edamame, super white tuna nigiri, a California roll, a Mexican roll and Happy Tuna roll. (One small note, nigiri is usually two pieces to an order, but here it's just one -- for only a little less.) Everything was really delicious. The super white tuna melted in my mouth and all of the rolls had good flavor and excellent rice. The Mexican and Happy Tuna both have a bit of a kick, and I got a little chunk of jalapeno in my last bite of Mexican roll, so watch out if you're spice-averse. Service was good, though I did have a little trouble understanding the waitress occasionally. It's hard not to compare it with Sushi Nest, and I think Sushi Nest has a bit more plush, quiet atmosphere and offers a few bonuses (free edamame, fancy cucumber water) but also costs a bit more. Overall, I don't think you can go wrong with either.
(4)Boris K.
This is no Sushi Wabi but a Great little gem As a back ground.. We have eaten here dozens of times. Coming from the city we can safely call ourselves sushi junkies. The space is small but that make it very cozy- rarely do we have to wait for a table. Atmosphere is bright, up beat and with electronic music in the background(can see how some people might not be cool with that, but i love it). The sushi is fresh and creative... not sure the name but my favorite roll has fresh strawberry slices on top(might be the strawberry roll...duh) Prices are average for the area
(5)Ryan P.
What's left to be said? This place is awesome. The atmosphere they've created is unbeatable. The sushi is fresh, as well as delicious. The owner is an awesome guy stand up guy. He was nice enough to come greet me and converse for a couple minutes. Check this place out!! Awesome!!
(5)Always on the look-out R.
Yummy! Nice atmosphere. Good for small or a bit bigger group. Nice staff. Fair prices. Good sushi. Enjoy!
(4)Nichole C.
Aw, man...I had high hopes for Sakana based on other reviews, but it just didn't live up to the hype (or my sushi snob standards). Ambiance: The place is nice looking...TINY, but nice. You literally walk right into the dining area where there are two half booth/half tables and about 5 2-tops. There is also a tiny "bar" facing the street. If this place ever gets busy, it will be a looooooooooooooooong wait. The other thing that hit us right when we walked in was an awful smell. I'm not sure if it's the fish, the "fusion", the newness, or what, but it stank. We sat down anyway (what's a little food poisoning in the grand scheme of things, really?) and got used to it, but every now and then the smell would waft back in front of us. Gross. Sushi: Decent. We tried the spicy tuna, spicy salmon, spicy scallop, and philadelphia roll and all of them were good. Not awesome, but good. The spicy sauce on the salmon and scallop rolls was delicious (although without the sauce the fish might be kind of bland), and the spicy rolls were actually spicyish (if you really like spice though you're going to have to add some wasabi...cue the heartburn!!). The tuna was pretty good, but I could have gone without the breadcrumbs and with the spicy sauce on top. Service: SLOOOOOOOOOOOW. We were only one of two tables and it took awhile to get our order. Food took a long time too, considering that the place was pretty empty. Also, the waitress took her time clearing our plates and getting our check too and at that point, we just wanted OUT.
(3)Suzy M.
This is hands down the best sushi I've ever had. And that's saying a lot, because I have sushi on average about once a week, and have tried practically every single sushi place within 15 miles of my house (give or take). I am what you would call a *sushi addict*. What makes great sushi, you ask? Freshness of fish, generous portions of premium ingredients, flavor, texture, nigiri must be melt in your mouth with an ample meat-to-rice ration, and creativity of rolls. Sakana relies on the flavor and quality of ingredients, rather than covering everything in sauces and mayos and crunch to disguise an inferior product. I have searched high and low for the ultimate sushi.. Sakana is it. I drive an hour round trip to get it. Any sushi lover will LOVE this place. My personal recommendations are the Dragon Maki, Double Salmon Maki, salmon nigiri, and super white tuna nigiri
(5)Melissa T.
Great prices, fantastic sushi. A very small palce, buit very quaint at the same time. The alcohol is very moderately priced as well. The food presentation is incredible and everything tasted amazing. Service was great as well. I did not see much of the 'fusion' being offered in the menu, except for maybe the appetizers. All in all, I would defiantely go here again and would reccomend to anyone!
(5)Sandra D.
I absolutely LOVE this place!! Staff is soo friendly!!!
(5)Giuseppe D.
Another nice little spot in the Elmhurst area. Everyone always hypes up Sushi Nest as Elmhurst's signature sushi spot but I'd argue that Sakana is slightly better. It's a really small spot, it MIGHT seat 15 people, which I like. It's nice to have a place where you can sit down for a meal and actually have a conversation without having to SPEAK SO LOUDLY! There service was good. There was only one server the day I was in which was plenty for the 3 or 4 tables that were occupied. She was quiet but suggestive when asked to be. No complaints at all. All of the sushi was good but the highlight was the "911" (I think?)... it was a signature Sakana maki roll that came out *drum roll*.... ON FIRE! No, literally, the roll came out on a bed of flames! Okay maybe I'm more of a child than I thought but that had me pretty excited; it was both visually and appetizingly (?) pleasing. The prices weren't unreasonable at all. A couple rolls, glasses of wine and a few beers for two and it was relatively cheap.
(4)Janet N.
They has fresh sea urchin on special the day we were there. Chef wqs very excited about it and we enjoyed it!
(4)Tony K.
The sushi is good here! Not great, but good. The pieces are smaller than most other sushi places and the prices are about 20% higher than average. Its a trendy atmosphere where the "in crowd" would enjoy going. Sakana tends to put more decoration onto what they serve to provide a nicer presentation. I had a few maki rolls and miso soup. The soup was loaded with tofu and seaweed more so than many other places BUT.... it was very salty. Probably prepackaged stuff. I would go again but I wouldnt go out of my way to get here.
(3)Michael B.
Becoming one of my favorite local places! I've been here 5 times now and will continue to go back. It's amazing how fresh the food is, especially since I've never seen more than 4 customers in there at once. The service is great as well.
(4)George J.
Surprising at the quality. After moving from the city, my wife and I are tired of all the Italian restaurants out here, so we took a chance on a Sakana and we were pleasantly surprised. We loved Blue Ocean (Andersonville) and the selections here remind me of that place. Pieces weren't the largest, but the rice stickiness and freshness were on par with most city places. Prices were decent, not the cheapest, but then again, not über expensive. Will come back
(5)Amanda R.
A weekend adventure in Elmhurt led my husband and I to this little gem for lunch (much thanks to YELP). We love to go to sushi restaurants, but oddly enough, I hate fish. I have to give this restaurant props for its variety of vegetable maki rolls. The Garden Maki and Shiitake Maki were outstanding! My husband got two of the chef's signature rolls and stated the fish was very fresh! The only item that was not superb was the Miso soup. A little tofu goes a long way and this was overloaded to say the least. Overall, Sakana was a great stop in downtown Elmhurt and we will definitely be back!
(4)Mayank P.
I had their Dragon Maki, and it was delicious. Pricey, when compared to buffet sushi place, but you get what you pay for. Too bad it's all the way out in Elmhurst. Otherwise would return for more.
(4)Marek C.
All I have to say , this place is amazing !!! Very good food ! You should try their salads !!! Super delicious ! They can make you spice salmon salad ! And they are always very friendly ! Love it !
(5)Karen R.
Charming little place that has some of the best sushi in the area. I don't usually go for the loaded specialty rolls, but I could not pass up the intriguing Tempura Sweet Potato Roll. Amazing. I also had my Spicy Tuna as a control group dish and it was excellent. The house salad was unusual with wasabi peas and they ditched the usual ginger dressing for a cream-based one. Miso soup was fresh and hot. I am not a local but would make the trek back to Elmhurst for this place!
(5)Matthew H.
Great little sushi bar in Elmhurst. I stopped in for a quick lunch because I had a sushi craving that just wouldn't go away. My experience with sushi places is really hit or miss and this place was a definite HIT. They're restaurant was clean and the staff was helpful in suggesting a few of their best rolls which were great. Their rolls were generous and very tasty with a few new spins on sushi you won't find elsewhere. If your in Elmhurst and you are looking for good sushi, give this place a try, I gurantee you won't be dissapointed.
(4)David L.
Sakana is located within walking distance from the house and is convenient for pickup. The orders are always done within the promised times and quality of food and taste have never been an issue. What I have issue with is consistency. I have ordered the chirashi twice from Sakana for pickup and the second order was very different from the first. The most obvious difference was the shrimp, the second order was missing shrimp. I would have understood if someone had mentioned shrimp was not available or sold out and had to be substituted. The other obvious difference was the thickness and size of the sashimi. On the second pickup, the thickness and size was slightly larger than half of what I had received the first time. I'm not sure what I received the first time was an anomaly or perhaps the second time, but I will order one more time to determine.
(3)Desirée H.
My 8 year-old, the sushi aficionado, will be typing this review, based on our joint findings on our date tonight: "This sushi place is tasty (there is a better place in Oak Park called Sen). There spicy tuna is really spicy (and tasty)! There salmon is chewy (which makes it hard to eat) and it is OK. The dragon roll is awesome. It tastes great and it looked cool because there is a blue light in the middle, they used sauces that looks like dragon wings, and it has strips of beet on it. The restaurant is tiny and nice-looking." --Jackson I concur--Desirée
(4)Tobin h.
Fabulous little place in Downtown Elmhurst that deserves a shot at your dining dollar. Not that the competition bar is high for Sushi in Elmhurst, but this place is definitely the head of the Elmhurstian Sushi class. Ebi Bomb ap was outstanding as was the rock-n-roll maki, Spicy tuna Maki, and the tempura. Service did its job and stayed out of the way considering how small it is but I would recommend it to sushi snobs as well as the novice chop stick handler.
(4)Sarah B.
So this now my go to date night place with the BF. Well, new BF, or at least newish. If you've read my previous review, Sakana plays a small part in my, well, typical 20 something love life. Anywho, this is our spot. We try and go once a month and get new rolls every time. My new fav is the Jade Dragon roll, which is wonderful. I would lick the sauce off the plate if I could. The Futo Maki is also fantastic, big chunks of egg, crab, spinach, gourd and cucumber. The BF likes anything with Unagi, so basically everything. We recently tried the Sakana maki, which is delicious. We also try and get all our friends to come with us. So far I've brought a few college friends, two high school friends, and my cousin. We also discovered that sake & beer & sushi go fantastically well together. The first sake listed is wonderful, I've forgotten the name though. Sakana is awesome. If you haven't been here in a while, go back, and if you've never been here, you need to try it asap.
(5)Amanda W.
Very "hidden" away in downtown Elmhurst but very worth it! We had the Beef and Chicken Teriyaki. One of the best I have ever tasted! The beef as tender and very delicious. The chicken was juicy and flavorful. The only downside to this restaurant was the space, it is very tiny.
(4)Hana Y.
I happened in upon this place while in Naperville for a meeting. Since then, I honestly crave it on a weekly basis and have been known to travel over an hour to regularly visit. The simple spicy tuna maki is the best roll I have ever eaten. They put a little tempura crust in them to make them slightly crunchy. Oh my goodness, I could eat at Sakana every single day!
(5)Vlad G.
We just moved to Elmhurst from the city and we were very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the sushi rolls. Try the Tropical Maki. And they deliver!
(4)Michael Z.
So I brought my 9 year old daughter for a daddy/daughter date night for my second visit. Wow, the service was excellent. Not only did my server remember my first visit three weeks ago but remembered what I ordered too! Onto the food, my daughter enjoyed our servers recommendation, a shrimp tempura roll less the spicy mayoI had a 911 roll and another spicy roll with jalapeños. Both were excellent. I think my daughter really enjoyed the fiery presentation of the 911 roll. Small seating. Excellent overall.
(5)Michelle L.
Great sushi. Service is perfect - not hovering but there when you need it and with a smile. The rolls were great. Sashimi was okay. Small dining room. Will definitely be back.
(4)Curt L.
New restaurants are always a good thing for downtown Elmhurst. If the cuisine is unique then all the better. Sakana calls itself Japanese Fusion. I call it a sushi bar with appetizers. Sakana has potential...but it has a ways to go if it is to really stand out. First off the place is extremely small. 18 seats and an additional 4 at the sushi bar. Call it cozy or call it cramped.....size is an issue here. Secondly...Sakana is a Japanese term for food served with alcohol. THEY HAVE NO LIQUOR LICENSE HERE (yet?) it would be nice to enjoy a Kirin or Sapporo or a sake. Food wise.....Wifey and I tried a couple apps. "Dao" our waitress recommended the Kung Jung....a deep fried roll (think egg roll wrapper) with Salmon, asparagus, cream cheese & avocado topped with tobiko (flying fish eggs) and spicy sauce. Wifey had the Miso soup. The soup was pedestrian. The Kung Jung was pretty good...not your standard app. We had a spider roll. I have had better..but not bad. I also ordered some sushi. It comes one piece per order. Maguro (tuna) & Hamachi (yellowtail) and Sake (fresh salmon). The sushi was better than most....with the hamachi being very good. The owners are Thai and are extremely nice people. They have another restaurant in Chicago. I wish them well as we can always use unique food in Elmhurst. To be positive let's call this a "cozy" sushi bar awaiting a liquor license. Time will tell
(3)Jessica C.
This place was great!
(4)Valerie D.
the best Sushi restaurant in Elmhurst. We go here as often as we can and have never been disappointed.
(5)Mark S.
Cool out of the way place. Only wish I lived closer. Had some really stellar rolls here. Price is great and the place is comfortable. The manager guy has some crazy huge hair and likes to make a few jokes. He's got a great memory as it seems he remembers me each time.
(5)Aud T.
This place continues to be consistently great. Not only have Ive eaten here countless times, but have opted for delivery on occasion. No matter what mode, the food & service is fantastic!
(5)Douglas E.
Best Sushi in Elmhurst! Great fusion menu with a large selection of rolls, sashimi, appetizers, and teriyaki. I had a fire dragon rolls (which was outstanding), yellow tail and scallop sashimi. The place is small but the food is big and brings high quality sushi to Elmhurst.
(4)Jennifer B.
The best sushi I have ever had.
(5)Tom M.
Went for a weekday lunch, and enjoyed the wonderful attentive service and clean, nicely decorated interior. We had the Sakana salad (mixed greens,cream based dressing with wasabi peas) which was fresh. We also had a special maki roll that was called "Rock n' Roll" and the dragon roll. Both were delicious, and 8 pieces, so more than enough to share between the 2 of us. Miso soup was also great! My wife and I were impressed and happy to have this restaurant in town! Also glad they now serve beer and wine, coming back for dinner, definitely!
(5)Jim S.
Limited experience here. Had the vegetable tempura - batter was heavy and some of the veggies were undercooked. Volcano roll was decent enough. Smallish space with a "fusion" vibe playing techno music. I'll try it again at some point - hoping it will wow next time given the prior reviews.
(3)Jason E.
Uh...Japanese fusion??? More like boring, plain, mediocre sushi and standard American Japanese restaurant dishes. I ordered chirashi which was boring in presentation, lacked any creativity, fish was just okay, no nice little treats packed in the bowl - very minimal and expensive for what it was. Oh, wait, there was one extra treat in the chirashi - a nice hair. I also ordered futomaki and the server looked at me like I was crazy - then it clicked in her head and she jotted it down. However, what I received was a pathetic attempt at futomaki filled mostly with imitation crab - yuck. My wife and kids all ordered teriyaki tofu. It looked okay and came with asparagus. However, the tofu was so mushy and soggy that it was hard to eat. I dropped $110 at this joint and I absolutely feel ripped off and won't be back - not worth it. The place was empty at 4:30PM on a Saturday afternoon - that should have been a big fat clue to us.
(2)Tom B.
Very fresh fish with some really creative rolls. The hamachi was extremely clean and sweet, no soy sauce/wasabi required. Service was very fast and friendly. My daughters had miso soup which was very well seasoned, not just salt water. 2 notes. 1) this place is tiny! 2) bring lots of money- 2 beers, 2 soft drinks and sushi for 4 ran $150 including tip.
(4)Lady J.
Went here last night for a friend's birthday celebration. There were 8 of us and we all agreed it was delish! LOVED the Tropical roll, the Fire Dragon and some type of berry roll..it was the special and each bite had a slice of strawberry to go with it....sooooo good! Service was great. The food came out perfectly. As soon as we were finished with one or two rolls we were working on, the next one or two would come out! They were super friendly and even sent out an appetizer for all of us to try on them...it was the octopus balls. Loved those too!!! Overall a great place and a must try sushi place for sure!!!
(5)katie s.
Went to Sakana for the first time. LOVED it!! Service great and the spicy tuna fantastic. I think I was told the chef is a master sushi chef. Japanese beers $4. Fun evening.
(5)Bill C.
We have been going here since they opened. I have always been looking for a sushi place in the suburbs that could match the great sushi places in Chicago - this is it. They have an extensive menu of fabulous maki rolls - each one better than the last - with new specials they introduce frequently. My friends have had the Bento boxes which they tell me are also quite good. Contrary to some of the other reviews, they do have a liquor license and have enough of the good saki, wine, and beer to keep me happy. The place is small and spare, but never feels crowded. The service is great and the owner is very knowledgeable and friendly. Best maki rolls in the burbs!
(5)Jennifer H.
Fantastic sushi spot! Fresh ingredients, interesting and very tasty maki, several of their special rolls feature combos i've never seen before. We especially enjoyed the spicy tako and dynamite rolls but everything we ordered was excellent. Price (for great sushi) was very reasonable. Service and atmosphere were great as well, we'll definitely be back very soon.
(5)turn p.
One of the unique sushi experience I ever had. Great selection, reasonable price. The fire dragon roll is my favorite! I love their appetizers as well. I would definitely go to this restaurant again.
(5)