Koya
508 E Old Elm Rd, Highland Park, IL, 60035
Koya Menu
-
Hot Appetizers
-
Soup & Salads
-
Sushi A La Carte
-
Dinner Entrees- Noodles
-
Maki Roll - Seaweed Rolls (maki-mono)
Healthy Meal suggestions for Koya
-
Hot Appetizers
-
Soup & Salads
-
Sushi A La Carte
-
Dinner Entrees- Noodles
-
Maki Roll - Seaweed Rolls (maki-mono)
Visit below restaurant in Highland Park for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Highland Park for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
508 E Old Elm Rd
Highland Park, IL, 60035 - Phone (847) 266-0891
- Website https://www.koya-sushi.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Liz M.
Love, love the sushi here but it's very disappointing when you call to place an order and they tell you they are so busy that they can't take orders at that time. Good for them, bad for customers who are craving their amazing sushi. Maybe they can get more help to deal with the rush? This happens many times, often many nights in a row and I end up going somewhere else.
(4)Andy F.
Nice little restaurant in an ugly location. I almost turned around in the parking lot. Glad I didn't. Nice interior. Quite authentic. Good sushi and nice service.
(4)Ashley V.
This is my family's go-to sushi place. Other restaurants may have decent sushi, but not all have awesome non-sushi entrees for the pickier eaters. They've recently doubled in size, and the wait times have gotten a little longer. But with free miso and free dessert, who can complain? My family of 4 eats here for under $40 on a regular basis.
(5)E-Motion C.
I've been to every sushi spot in Chicago. This one tops it. The attention to service is completely over the top. Definitely recommend this place, worth every penny, every bite.
(5)Teresa M.
From the outside, I was weary! But, as soon as my family and I walked in, the ambience was nice and made up for the outside appearance. Ordered the beef bento and to my surprise, the serving size was more than I expected. We also ordered spicy tempura & loved it. Miso soup was delicious. Great service, reasonable prices, delicious food.
(5)Alexandru S.
My fav. restaurant ever. Been going here since college. Amazing food, fresh sushi, very friendly staff. The part of this place is that I can bring people that don't like sushi and they still love it because their udon soups and teriyaki entrees are just as good. You will only dislike it if you are a snob. Don't expect a luxury over-priced sushi experience. Expect good food and to be treated nice, in a 'cozy' atmosphere with average pricing (for the North Shore). PS: expect some nice freebies for dinner - miso soup (very good), seaweed salad, and mochi after dinner.
(5)Evy T.
I was craving Japanese food during a trip to the suburbs of Chicago, and Yelp helped me find this gem. Our foursome included the hubby and the in-laws. Pulling in to the strip mall this restaurant is located in, I wasn't very impressed as everything else was closed and this was a tiny place at the end of the structure. But as we entered and were greeted by the numerous smiling faces, we knew we were off to a good start. I ordered the Bento Box A- Tempura, CA rolls, sushi (which I subbed more CA rolls since I can't eat any raw fish), salmon teriyaki and chicken teriyaki. Oh, and it came with soup, salad, rice, and half an orange. I also got 2 pieces of tamago sushi to kick start my palate. Did i mention I was starving? Hubby ordered beef teriyaki, and in-laws ordered Tempura and Fried Rice. First off, I was so impressed that the tempura batter was actually good. They didn't try to fool anyone by using the doughy, flat, flour batter. I would've been even more impressed if they had the ground up daikon to put into the tempura dip, but thats just asking too much. Secondly, I was impressed that the sushi rice to filling ratio on the CA rolls was good too, as they rolled a chunky crab/avo/cucumber center with a thin layer of rice. The third thing that impressed me in my plate was the salmon teriyaki. Not a hint of fishiness, and so tender and forkable. I was blown away by the quality and authenticity of the food in a primarily Caucasian area! Everyone else also said that they really enjoyed their food, and I took their word for it. Besides the good food, their service is definitely worth mentioning. The staff seemed like one big happy family. They actually might be, I'm guessing. When we were getting up to leave, my 84 yr old father in-law was trying to put on his jacket and one of the ladies, without hesitation, came to help him put it on. I thought that was very sweet of her. I think she might be the manager or owner. Anyway, since we were visiting from out of state I don't think we'll be back for awhile. But I definitely recommend this little hidden gem. You won't regret it!
(5)Patrick M.
They have recently expanded, creating a much bigger seating area. Somewhat of a hidden gem, my family comes here for all of our birthdays and other special events. Very good sushi, soups, rice and noodle dishes. My son loves the teriyaki beef while my girls stick with the rock and roll.
(5)Elina K.
Did take out from here. Fast, friendly service, very pleasant. Great sushi. Godzilla roll was a huge hit. I had the sashimi - generous cuts, super fresh. YUM. Knocking off one star for forgetting the extra wasabi I requested...but it's ok. I will be back!
(4)Rita S.
Very good sushi!! Barely ever a line and good quality fish !! Would definitely recommend
(5)Karen M.
Ordered 3 rolls and did not get enough wasabi or ginger to use with one. Unfortunately I won't eat without and sushi is worthless.... Expensive dinner to not be eaten. Unfortunately it was carry out and I do not want to go back.
(2)Robert J.
We love coming here it's triply a hidden Jem, all though there are many local sushi places, this one is quant, and holds tradition. It is custom too be greeted when you walk into a restaurant in japan, they continue this here. From the service, to the sushi to the desert. We often return here as regulators. As they say in japan, Mata o ai
(5)Elina S.
So I love trying new sushi places out especially ones that aren't that far from my house so I'm not sure if Koya is really new or just new to me but I was definitely excited to eat here. Coming in on a Saturday night the place was definitely larger than I thought it would be considering its on a strip mall. It is nicer on the inside than it looks on the outside. Plus it has like two rooms divided by a wall so definitely sufficient seating. However I still made reservations for a party of four for a Saturday night and I recommend that you do the same, Upon sitting down, we got our table very quickly so yay for that. Our server was very pleasant and took our order very quickly. They give you this complimentary seaweed stuff that didn't look too appetizing to me so I didn't try it. We ordered a bunch of rolls and they were standard prices for regular rolls from $6-$8 and the fancy rolls were from $12-$18 pending on which one you got. We ordered our usual few spicy salmons and they were delicious but not too large in size but made just the way I like them. We also ordered a black dragon and a red dragon roll to try out some of their more unique rolls and I definitely preferred the black dragon but my only complaint is that for a $13 roll it wasn't that big in size. Smaller but definitely tasty. Overall, the service was very good and I think the owner even came up after we were done asking us how everything was. The rolls were super yummy and brought out in a timely manner despite the fact that it was busy inside on a Saturday night. The prices were decent but I wish the rolls were a little larger to go along with them. I will definitely be back when I'm in the area. It's def in my top 5 suburban sushi places.
(4)Dr. H.
I loved the food and the menu. It had everything is want in a Japanese restaurant. I would have given it five stars but the service was so bad that I had to take a star away. First of all, it was supposed to be two courses, but they brought out my friend's salad before everything. I ate it because I thought it was my salad that they had gotten wrong, then they brought out my sushi and my friend's dinner. Then they brought out my other friend's dinner, my other sushi and my friend's salad. My friend's dinner was supposed to be vegetable udon and it had a little shredded cabbage, a few shredded carrot pieces, and two pepper slices. Even though half of my review was negative, I liked the free miso and the free mochi and I would come back here again.
(4)Mike M.
Just a great neighborhood Sushi restaurant in the North Shore. The space is not fancy, and neither is the menu. The fish is fresh and they treat you like family. It is one of the few Japanese run sushi places you will walk into anymore. The prices are reasonable, and miso soup is included. The other Japanese fair is very good too. We had soft shell crab and it was excellent. I would say though, that the reasonable pricing might come at the expense of fish content in the sushi, which would be my only criticism. But that seems to be a common occurrence in most places. Sushi does not equal rice.
(4)Giahuy D.
Update: Had to update this place and give it the last star. The service is amazing and my only gripe could only be they are not my next door neighbors. I highly recommend this place. Coming off 2 years in Japan some may feel like I am hypercritical of sushi joints in the U.S. The fact that I am writing a review and giving it 4 stars should tell you what a little gem this is. Superb service from the greeting you get when you first walk in. Free Miso Soup and seaweed appetizer and Mochi ice cream desert? Yes please! I had sashimi/nigiri sushi platter, which is what really won me over. Really good buttery smooth salmon and the color/texture of the tuna tells you it's going to be a hit. Wife had avocado torch, fire dragon, and tataki crunch roll. All very very good. The seating may be awkward cause you may be very close to other patrons. On the other hand it's a relax environment so be friendly!
(5)Connor B.
Koya did not disappoint! I went to Koya with my family after seeing so many positive reviews on Yelp, and I definitely agree with the other reviews posted. Location and Ambiance: From the outside its nothing special, but inside its definitely home to a great ambiance. Food: We ordered a few different rolls, and everything we tried was great! They have a very extensive sushi menu everything is separated out nicely for what ever kind of sushi eater you are. Highly recommended trying some of their unique rolls! Staff: The staff was nice, and always kept my hot tea cup full which is always a deal breaker! Overall, if you haven't been yet I highly recommend grabbing some rolls from Koya. Thanks, Connor Brady
(5)Katherine S.
Located just off Old Elm by the railroad tracks, Koya is one of the only sushi restaurant I frequent on the North Shore. Not only has it expanded to double its original size and been repainted in a lovely shade of purple, but the variety of high-quality foods is hard to beat. Upon entering I'm always pleasantly greeted and immediately seated. I really appreciate that a small bowl of miso soup is served as part of your order. While there aren't many vegetarian/vegan sushi roll choices, there are quite a few appetizers that work, like classic edamame or agedashi tofu; my non-vegetarian friends have nothing but praise for the sushi here. Overall, totally worth taking the extra bit of time to find the storefront on the side of the strip.
(5)Christina L.
I loved this place! Don't be fooled from the looks of this place on the outside. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted with friendly smiles and seated fast. The complementary soup is delicious and the sushi tastes fresh and flavorful and the prices are perfect! I'm used to paying double for my sushi at Wildfish. I am so thrilled I found my new favorite sushi place! Five stars for Koya!
(5)Trinity N.
Always a pleasure eating here. I love getting the summer roll, and sashimi because the fish is always fresh. They also give free miso soup & mochi ice cream at the end of the meal. The staff is also very friendly! I love this little restaurant !
(5)Jessica N.
This place was amazing. Service was excellent even though it was close to closing time. Maki were fresh and delicious, chicken teriyaki was fantastic. Only complaint if I had to have one was that the calamari tempura was a hair overlooked. Such a great experience, we'll definitely be back!!
(5)Stephen M.
Koya means secret restaurant in Japanese (not!). But one has to look for this restaurant to go there. From the street in a seemingly 50's store strip (in Lake Forest!) by the train tracks, it doesn't suggest pizzaz. Walking in, there is jazz music playing and one is struck by the rich tones of the restaurant. While our visit was our first, it seemed that the restaurant had expanded recently (a good sign). Quiet good style for the décor and the food. Sushi spots have generally the same rolls and offerings. The test is freshness and the eating experience. Very fresh it seemed for us on a midday Sunday visit. The staff was attentive. By the time we were leaving, things were gearing into happy energy. A wish for a good day to us was made as we left. This restaurant was a good start. p.s. In west Lake Forest, our go-to Sushi place is Sushi Kushi Toyo. Another great sushi place. Their décor is newly refurbished and expanded. Light colors with bamboo--more modern. The cooks and servers are smiling, welcoming throughout. Is Lake Forest becoming sushi mecca?
(5)Blythe B.
This little place is so cute (but I hear it has doubled in size). My friend who is a neighbor to this place has been going for maybe at least 5 years. And with good reason. He is a picky eater and is obviously a fan of this place. We started off with Spinach Salad and also Seaweed Salad. Winners there. Nothing spectacularly different - jsut good. He got the American mean (salmon, tuna and Californai Roll). I got the Chirashi and he was jealous because it was really pretty. :) We will be back! :)
(5)Joanna T.
Yelp did us a solid with Koya - we were in the area & saw good reviews so decided to stop. As others have noted, Koya doesn't look like much from the outside and is easy to miss. Once inside, however, it's a small, cute place filled with friendly employees. Because we visited at lunch, we took advantage of some of their specials. The Mister had the Koya combo which netted him 4 pieces of sushi, a spicy tuna roll, miso soup and some tempura for $13. The fish was fresh and he said it was among the best sushi he's ever had. I had a Tataki roll which is shrimp, tuna and some other stuff - very fresh and delicious. Their spicy crab roll was actually spicy too. I like that the menu isn't overwhelming - the rolls are organized by cooked/raw/no rice/vegetarian, etc and are more "traditional". You're not going to find jalapeños or rolls set on fire with 151 here. If you're not a raw fish eater, their tempura is absolutely delightful - the batter is light & crispy. And their seaweed salad is tasty too. Service was fast & friendly and they give you a cookie at the end of your meal. (Yay!) I thought the prices were quite reasonable especially considering the high quality of the items we had.
(5)Brian D.
Service was great and timely. We told the server it was our first time there which may have helped. Food: we were surprised by the free miso soup. The California crazy roll was amazingly good! We also had the volcano, smoked salmon which were delicious. The server once again surprised us with a free Japanese soda for my girlfriend and I. After another roll - he brought out two servings of Japanese ice cream. Also free! My girlfriend, who has been to quite a few sushi bars, said this was her favorite and had the best rolls! Will definitely be back
(5)Brian M.
Love at first bite! I've had enough mediocre sushi to distinguish the good from the bad and the ugly. Koya is definitely not just good, but it's pretty great. I wish I spent more time in this area (quite frankly, I wish I grew up in a John Hughes movie). Upon entering, we were greeted with a hearty and welcoming "Hello!" from the entire staff. Instantly a smile came to my face and the tone was set. I ordered the Koya lunch special #3 (sushi sampler). My only regret was that I didn't order two if them. It was so good, so fresh, and so beautiful. I only paused long enough to snap a picture before I tore into it. I like that the sushi Sensi wiped the back of the fish with just enough wasabi to make you senses stand up and take notice. That's not something I was expecting, but it was greatly appreciated. Also included was a simple spicy tuna roll. It was indeed that: simple, spicy, delicious. My wife had a few rolls that I assume we're also great. She enjoyed them way too much to let me try them. Dammit, I guess I'll just need to come back soon. Nothing is more satisfying then discovering a new hole in the wall sushi restaurant and find fit to be great. It makes me feel like Tony and Carmela Soprano in the final season when they discover their new fav. People of Highland Park, enjoy!!
(5)Scott M.
Went on a Friday night with my wife. Food is really decent and prices are good. Problems: the waiter and the delay of the orders due to extreme busyness. We waited 20 minutes for the miso soup (lukewarm - the waiter's fault for letting it wait after bowl was filled) and the salad (premade...the waiter's fault for not getting it to table). Then after another 40 minutes (sushi chef's fault), we got the entrees, which had been waiting up on the sushi bar shelf for 10 minutes (we saw it there). Someone other than the waiter brought it to table after my wife told them it was our order. Do not go there on a weekend night!!
(3)Dave P.
Best sushi in Highland Park, Highwood, Deerfield area, hands down. The fish is always fresh with the salmon, octopus, and tuna being especially good. Subsequently any of the sashimi dishes are worthwhile. Agedashi tofu is likely the best appetizer (excluding the sashimi appetizer). Rainbow, Philadelphia, and Tuna avocado rolls are all great as well. The restaurant is family owned and everyone who works there is extremely friendly. If ordering take out be prepared for a long wait as this place is busy every night of the week.
(5)Candace M.
Some of the best sushi I have had. The location and outside appearance was very off putting to me. Inside wasn't much either. Staff was beyond friendly. My husband and I ordered about 5 different rolls. We had the waitress recommend a few. Everything was delicious. The ice cream at the end was a great treat. We Brought our infant son and they we're accommodating to him. The brought out a sippy cup for him. Played and talked with him. We will definitely be coming back. This will be our new sushi date spot.
(4)Jay Q.
While presentation of the dishes is somewhat nice and the complimentary miso soup and mochi ice cream a nice touch, some pieces of the fish weren't that fresh, and the sushi rice could barely count as sushi rice. Mediocre at best...
(3)Hassan K.
First time eating sushi at Koya and I LOVED IT. Upon entry, you're immediately greeted by all the staff. After which you are promptly seated and served in a way that truly represents Japan's meticulous and passionate culture. The food was delicious. Ordered the Fire Avocado Ball as my appetizer. The dish arrived soon after I finished my complimentary miso soup, right on time. The dish itself was set ablaze by my server, as the flammable liquid slowly cooked my appetizer to perfection. The sushi was delicious and enjoyable, ordered 3 different kinds. Topped off my meal with a ramune japanese soda that my server joyfully helped me pop open, and was served free ice cream and a cookie bar at the end of my meal. The atmosphere was pleasant and the decoration made my eyes happy! Will go again.
(5)Margaret Z.
I am reviewing the Koya in Wilmette, not Highland Park (I was told the owners are the same, and since there isn't a separate entry for the Wilmette location, I am posting here). My husband and I were extremely impressed by the service at Koya. The staff was knowledgable and so friendly. In addition to the food we ordered, we also received an egg roll appetizer, miso soup, and mochi ice cream dessert on the house, as well as a delicious, buttery flat cookie that was from Korea. The seaweed salad was good, as were the three rolls we ordered. I am not giving it five stars because nothing wowed me to that level. Also, I felt the sushi menu was a little tempura and mayo-heavy, which detracts from the flavors of the fish in my opinion. That said, the quality of the fish was good, as was the balance of flavors between fish, rice, and seaweed. We will definitely come back next time we are looking for some delicious sushi.
(4)Dan S.
We love Koya. It started as a very small restaurant with about enough seating for 20 people. It's since been discovered and they've expanded in to the adjacent staff but it is still an intimate restaurant. The sushi selections are fantastic - we love the Hawaiian, Philadelphia and spicy rolls but there are a lot of creative ones from which to choose. There are also options for non-sushi items such as teriyaki, sukiyaki, bento box and the like. Prices are higher than when it was new but the quality is really top rate.
(5)Jeanne-Marie D.
Some the best tasting sushi I've ever had! I think I get something different every time I go there! It's worth making a stop there!
(4)Tiffany H.
My husband took me here for my birthday and we indulged in 5 different rolls. The service was good, the sushi was delicious and we had a wonderful evening. I'd definitely like to come back.
(4)Kat M.
Koya is fantastic! By far the best atmosphere for a sushi place around here; very cozy. The sushi was fresh and delicious. The age-dashi tofu was excellent and the portion was huge. We loved the vegetarian spring roll as a starter as well. We had some great extra dry hot sake. The service was great, too. We will definitely be back and so happy we went there.
(5)Angela S.
A hidden gem for Sushi lovers! This place is so cute, everyone's so nice, and you'll eat everything on your plate :) I go here every time I visit friends and family. Def try the Volcano roll! mhmmm
(5)Marina K.
Can't go wrong with this place. Everything I tried here was delicious! I recommend the mango unagi salad. And the wait staff is very nice as well.
(5)Kelly P.
We are on a sushi crave again after shopping. It's in a small dinky strip mall in a suburban neighbor. When we walked inside it was tiny little place. Kind of cute. Our waiter was nice and kind. We got 4 sushi rolls. It was okay, i graded it a C+. I felt like the sushi wasn't rally fresh but it did look pretty when our sushi came out. The avocados in one our rolls was all brownish looking didn't like that. Vishal liked the spicy salmon and the miso soup. I thought the soup was okay. Portion size with the sushi was pretty good. Just didn't seem that all fresh like fish was old. Would I could here again probably not. At least towards the end we got ice cream. It was mochi ice cream. You can pick the flavors that they offered. They had vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. We both picked the strawberry, it wasn't bad I had better but then you can't really complain of having free dessert at the end right? I'm not a big fan of mochi it looks good and pretty but I'm not into flour Stuff like that. Well vishal likes it. Also they have is mini Japanese cookies they was yummy. Hawaiian roll Spicy salon roll house special Tuna roll
(2)Jerry J.
Koya used to be our go-to sushi place until recently. While we are thrilled that Koya has recently expanded and grown their menu, unfortunately, the core components of what made Koya great have been lost in the expansion. Koya used to be the quaint and cute local sushi place with well-priced, good quality sushi. However, since the expansion, the wait time is long, the service is slow, and we have noticed a decrease in the quality of the sushi. In addition, rolls that were once $4-5 are now $7. We have tried a number of their appetizers, and the portion sizes are too small for the price with which they ask (do not get the fried calamari). My wife and i used to get away with spending $30 for our meal, but now we pay a minimum of $40+. Tonight, we ate there, and we noticed that the sushi was a little warm, and I felt a little queasy after the meal. While Koya does a lot of things well, and there are many things we appreciate about it, it is no longer our go-to sushi place. We do intend on coming back to Koya and hope to see improvements in service and prices.
(3)Katie R.
Knowing I was going to live in the suburbs for a few months and not have instant access to all my city sushi favorites made me a very nervous girl. Well, let me tell you, Koya has become my new favorite. There are so many special little things that make this place so wonderful. The fish is FRESH. We overheard the waiter telling the table next to us that the majority of their fish had come in that same day and the other fish the day before. The rolls, the sushi, vegetarian spring rolls, & miso soup with a little side of seaweed - everything is just so yummy. Combine that with a 4$ glass (or two) of plum wine & a cozy interior, and you've got a great date spot. The service is wonderful, and it's charming how ALL of the waitstaff greets you then says thank you when you leave. Also - free miso soup to start with and a mochi ice cream & cookie to end the meal? Can't get better than that.
(5)Shawn D.
Updated to note that the restaurant is now double the size that it was when I wrote the first review.
(4)Jennifer H.
We originally discovered Koya as a take-out place for sushi. It's located in this small older-looking strip mall. We thought -- who on earth would want to buy sushi from this place? But don't let yourself be fooled like we did. The outside view kept us from going there for a while. When we finally went there for take-out, we walked into a delightful little place. Clean decorations that are just enough. You can clearly watch the chefs, who greet you with a smile. The joint often has families for the earlier eating hours and offers an intimate bar where you can sit. Also, Koya has the friendliest and joyful waiter. He's there all the time! I haven't really tried the Japanese entrees -- although from what I've seen they look good. But Mama's gotta have her sushi. I'm personably not into all of the crazy overstuffed rolls (and they do offer them). I prefer clean honest sushi and I can get it here. My favorite roll is the Koya roll. Don't even want to share that one with the hubby. Miso soup and edamame and I'm one happy girl. Oh. And be sure to order extra edamame to munch on with the kids the next day. It makes the entire family happy.
(4)Deena R.
My husband and I have tried most sushi places in Lake County. This is our favorite small business sushi. Part of the appeal is the atmosphere. From the outside it looks off-putting, though they are currently renovating and expanding, so maybe that will change. But once inside you'll see it's a warm family business. Say hi to the fish and then prepare for delicious food. Our favorites include: - Summer Roll - Volcano Roll - Spicy Tuna Deluxe Roll - Kani-Su app, - Flaming Avocado Ball app - Hawaiian Roll - Snake Eyes Roll - Unagi and Tamago Nigiri, - Super White Tuna Sashimi Don't come when you're in a rush. I'm not saying they're slow. I just mean that if you want fresh sushi, you have to allow time for the prep. But you'll not really notice since you have soup or an appetizer to space things out. I've become a regular and the family greets us and even gives us a gift at the holidays. I resisted yelping this one because I don't want it to get too popular for me to get a table. But I wish them luck as restaurants are so difficult to keep afloat.
(5)Pavel Z.
Great sushi! Good prices. Try tempura and you will love it. Sushi rolls are Yummy and everything is perfect. Recommended from sushi lover!
(5)Sheryl F.
Me and my family love sushi and are always eager to try new restaurants. So finally we tried koya. The price point is not bad for sushi, but I must say the dishes were nothing special. Other than that everything else was pretty good.
(4)Jaclyn G.
Koya is THE BEST! I have been dining at Koya, as well as getting take out, for many years. The sushi is great quality, the food is all around delicious, and the service is warm and friendly. I highly recommend the Hawaiian roll - it is by far the best sushi roll in the area. Enjoy!
(5)Keith H.
This is by far the best sushi restaurant in town there is no need to look any where else . The staff is soooo friendly and are always willing to make you feel right at home. My favorite sushi rolls Hawaiian roll Avocado torch roll California deluxe roll Tempura Torch roll I love this place you will too!
(5)Live N.
Sushi 101 with friends, seasoned sushi lovers please ease your sushi virgins into new experiences. I will share my experience, a group of good friends enjoying a beautiful summer night out on the town, decide let's have sushi. They order a variety of options and the presentation is artistically beautiful. I was encourage to try Unagi (freshwater eel) with the theory you should try everything at least once before you say you don't like it. I will just say slimy and squishy in your mouth, is not appetizing. It was funny, I managed to get it down. I am glad, I had the experience, and moved on to items that were pleasing to my palate. Great selection, great service, great memory
(4)Kyra M.
Every time our family has gone here, we have had such a great time. There is something about the cozy atmosphere, the friendly staff and host, and the warm tingle of wasabi in your nose! I have been to Koya with a small group and also for larger groups, as well as a birthday party. The sushi is delicious! And the bento box A is always a winner for a healthier appetite. I recommend the tataki roll! Yum!!!
(5)Mrs. K.
One of my best friends and my boyfriend decided to meet in Highland Park for dinner yesterday night. Thanks to Yelp, I stumbled on this sushi place and decided to try it out, since it had such a great rating! The place is small but charming. There were a few turtles in a fish tank and the typical sushi place decor. Some people even had to wait for a table. If someone's waiting for a table on a Tuesday night, that's a pretty good sign for the restaurant. The customer service was great and they seemed genuinely glad to have us. My only complaint was that there were so many kids in the restaurant that it was distracting. (Obviously not Koya's fault.) However, I find it admirable that their children's menu only offers Japanese dishes. It gives children the opportunity to try new things! We ordered edamame, Sapporo beer, a Sunset roll, a House Special roll and a Philadelphia roll. It was extrememly delicious and satisfying. As an added bonus, we also received soup before the meal and ice cream bites which were delicious. We also grabbed some suckers on the way out, although I think those are meant for children. But who can resist Dum Dums? I'm hoping we'll be back!
(4)Bella S.
A bit pricey, but good food and good people. Very family oriented. Be advised the place is a bit small so it can get crowded pretty quickly. However, I will be back on payday. :)
(4)Mary B.
Good food! Love love the miso soup (i ask for extra tofu in it). My brother loves their sushi rolls - green turtle and dynamite.
(5)Jim P.
The service is outstanding and my kids LOVE the restaurant. My 9 year old son said, "Dad, I like this place a lot...it's really homey and they take good care of us kids." That's a big compliment from him. From the adult side, the sushi is good. It's not outstanding but the price is right. All meals seem to come with miso soup, black seaweed and mochi ball mini-dessert. The food is good and the value is outstanding. If you're a "sushi snob" looking for exceptionally expensive interior (a la some of Chicago's finest sushi joints) and incredibly expensive fish, you're not in the right place. This is a neighborhood joint - and it stays busy enough to keep the fish fresh. Thankfully, it's my neighborhood too.
(4)Karen K.
Very unexpected place! Small family owned. Very friendly staff and very accommodating to special orders. Excellent sushi. Free miso soup/Michigan ice cream desert. Amazing wasabi mayo sauce.
(5)Kathleen F.
Love love LOVE this place. The service is WONDERFUL-- each time I dine here I am greeted by quite possibly the friendliest woman in the world. At dinner time, your meal comes with miso soup (and those soft little black things that look like bugs but are actually quite tasty), mochi ice cream, and a cookie. There was a week during which I ate at Koya more than once and my friend and I received complimentary miso and mochi with our lunch the second time I came in (normally these do not come with lunch). It probably helped that she had eaten there about 4 times that week too. Their lunch specials are a great value. The crab ball appetizers are mouthwatering. From the outside it's a hole-in-the-wall. Inside, the atmosphere is warm and inviting. I have also ordered carryout for work (25+ people), sushi, teriyaki chicken, soup-- they do a great job of assembling customized sushi platters and they include an individual portion of miso soup for each person. One time we needed sushi for 12 FAST and they were ready in 15 minutes. This place is a hidden gem. If you have the chance, experience the magic and wonder that is Koya. And especially during Christmastime when the restaurant is decorated like a winter wonderland.
(5)Michael C.
Thank goodness for yelp. Our usual sushi place was closed on a Monday and the high ratings pointed me to Koya. I don't go much north of downtown Highland Park and had no idea this place existed. Really good, inventive sushi. Great presentation. Someone in that kitchen really knows what they're doing. Service was helpful and pointed us to the best rolls. We got what they told us to. The pieces tasted very fresh. Great value considering how good it is. It will be a regular place from now on. Don't be fooled by the modest strip mall exterior. This is really good stuff.
(5)A O.
It is a good restaurant and serves good food. We tried to to make a reservation for 5 people and told them that one of our companion is handicapped and is on a wheelchair. They told me on thephone that the wheelchair won't fit in there restaurant, so what i did is i drove to there restaurant and check the place out. A wheelchair or powerchair would definitely fit in there. Butthey insisted that there bathroom is small. I told them that our companion doesn't need to use the bathroom because she is on urinary catheter. They are just so unaccommodating on Handicapped people.. Is just so sad when restaurants treat handicapped people unfairly and discriminate them!..
(1)Danny C.
Awesome all around--great food, service, and atmosphere. The staff is very friendly and the food is amazing, whether you're looking for sushi, noodles, or bacon wrapped asparagus.
(5)Jessica C.
Very much enjoyed this Japanese cuisine dining experience. The restaurant itself is tight seating, but that makes it cozy. Koya Sushi was able to seat a party of 8 at 6 pm within 20 minutes. The menu is worth the expense. The drinks are worthy of a first time try. I would definitely dine again at Koya Sushi, not just for the Gozilla Roll!
(5)CJ V.
Very friendly and enthusiastic staff. The complimentary miso was decent, and came seaweed. Very delicious. The sushi was fresh and well-crafted. Nice and simple. Must try the Mochi (rice cake) for desert. The service was quick. Don't be put off by Koya's dumpy strip-mall location. Great experience from entrance to exit.
(4)Darvin N.
this place is clean, quiet, and has excelent food. A+. staff are very friendly.
(5)Clarence B.
I have now been here twice. The shushi is fantastic, and without the downtown prices. The service was very attentive the first time I ate here, and not as attentive the second, but it was a whole different staff the second visit, so they may not have been as seasoned a waitress. I am looking forward to my next visit here.
(4)Ann G.
Great sushi-great service!!!
(5)Margie B.
I went to this place on a Friday after work. I had been there once when it first opened years ago. I drive past it everyday so I decided to go because I had a craving for sushi. The place is tiny and the staff is so nice and very attentive. The dinner was great !! I had an appetizer of Golden Shrimp on a bed of shredded cabbage, it looked as if they had piped on the golden sauce and put it under the broiler. So good. The mi so soup was good too. I then had a spicy scallop salad. It was a bed of lettuce with some cold noodles on top of that and then the scallop salad on top of that. yes, it was spicy and I enjoyed every bite. After that I had a shrimp tempura roll which I equally enjoyed. For a dessert (that comes with dinner) they served a tiny helping of vanilla ice cream with some kind of "fondant" type covering. Two bites and it was gone... but hit the spot. Tomorrow is Friday again and it was a rough week so I will go back and maybe bring some of my friends from work. It is reasonably priced and everyone should give it a try and I bet it will be one of your "go to places" often.
(4)