The sushi is great, the service is great, and it's not expensive at all. Definitely worth trying. I highly recommend the crunch Samson and the volcano (cooked salmon version). So amazing!
(5)
Sarah S.
I've been here a few times but went this week for this first time in a few years. Most creepy dining experience ever. When my friends and I arrived, the parking lot was deserted and I commented that that can't be a good sign. Before we got out of our car, we saw the staff all silently standing in the back staring out as us into our car. A fourth friend met us a bit later and he said he had the same experience. When we walked in, the already had 3 menus ready for us and showed us to our table. We were all super creeped out by this dining experience because the place was desolate and the staff just stood there silently watching as we ate. Super awkward. They have a huge maki menu with tons and tons of choices but I didn't find any of the combinations to be particularly unique or inventive. I tried a Shitake Roll $6, Sweet Potato Roll $6 and a Philly Roll $6. Each roll was 6 pieces and a small 6 pieces. The fish in the philly roll was excellent and I found the rolls to be well made. However, they were just so small and especially for the price of them. I've had much better shitake and sweet potato rolls. I wasn't impressed with any of the food I tried. Food is meh, dining situation is odd (I must say our waitress wasn't what I would c all friendly but she was perfectly pleasant), and overpriced. Sadly I won't be back to Sushi Kaya.
(2)
Neema P.
This place is actually really good for the area, but man is it expensive. For vegetarian sushi rolls its about 5-6.50 a roll which I think is quite pricey. Vegetables are fresh, I would probably keep ordering from here. The service is really nice as well.
(4)
Cris G.
Not coming back ever !! Chicken teriyaki is like eating a rubber here ... I wouldn't recommend this to anyone ...
(1)
Min C.
I go here frequently because my parents are regulars. The food varies from mediocre to good. The sushi quality varies too. In all honesty the food is probably 3 stars. So why 4? Service is always excellent (consider I'm with my parents, this sounds biased, but this basis is off of catching the waitress take good care of other patrons from the corner of my eye). As a Korean who's been to multiple to Korean/Korean-owned restaurants, having excellent service is unheard of & (sadly) is deserving of an extra star.
(4)
Julie N.
Still loving Sushi Kaya. The food is always fresh and delicious and the owners are very nice. Reasonable prices too. This is still our "go-to" sushi carry out place in Morton Grove.
(5)
joy r.
Due to it being a late work night, train delay, and hungry children, we ended up ignoring the typical signs a restaurant has that should have meant: 'do not patronize'. Those are: deserted parking lot, empty restaurant at 7 pm on a Friday night, an empty SUSHI restaurant... Then the omen continues: the young waitress looks blankly at me as I mouthed off a long order (bad decision to order so much food, but as I said, we were hungry) And then she came back and asked me to repeat. Why didn't you just write it down?! Our order of Sapporo was served with a weird plate of cold tempura beans drizzled with their thick sweet sticky teriyaki sauce. (Uh oh, I have a feeling we're gonna see this sauce again). The stuff was super odd but at least my starving toddler wolfed it down. The meat of the chicken yakitori was dry, and (voila!) served with that awful teriyaki sauce. The 'agedashi tofu' were small nuggets of heavily breaded deep fried tofu with some a tasteless dipping sauce on the side. My husband's unagi don was a safe order (what can I say, he's a smart man) and served with, bingo!, sticky teriyaki sauce again. However his plate of unagi don was still intruded by a mess of frozen vegetables. (So sad.) My chirashi was overpriced and, well, let's just say I hope I survive it. Finally , my kids' nabeyaki udon had a tasteless broth. Two of the waitresses stood there the whole time and stared at us silently. At least the sushi chef had the self respect to go back in there and return to whatever he was doing after he fixed our food. The bill: $99 before tip. (:_;) The BEST thing that happened was that our tired 20 month old screamed and cried during most of our meal and no customers were there, so we just let him do his thing!
(1)
M T.
This is my first yelp review, the worst sushi I ever had!, This is my second time to visit this place, I do not recommend it at ALL! Dempster Fish Market down the street we like,, it's always fresh and very affordable!!
(1)
Stephen R.
Morton Grove's Best Restaurant! Fresh sushi and a calming atmosphere. All sushi is delicious, especially the sushi bouquets! Great service but on the expensive side for lunch.
(5)
Karen C.
Real good Japanese comfort foods! I've eaten a good sample of their sushi on the Love Boat A with some friends and it is pretty fresh and delicious! Today I got the Bento Box C with Salmon Teriyaki - pretty good! The salmon was a bit overcooked to my liking, but it was still good. The bento box came with a iceberg lettuce salad with some ginger dressing (not too impressed) and a cup of miso soup which was legit. I also got the cucumber roll with unagi in it and it was very good, but different because of the cucumber casing instead of the nori or rice! They were very accommodating to my table of five and yet it wasn't too loud in the restaurant. It was a nice meal and it was relaxing. We'll be back!! Tip: There is parking to the right of the plaza where this restaurant is at too... (besides right in front of the place).
(4)
Malen S.
Sushi is fresh and very authentic.. Staff is very friendly. Sushi combo and lunch specials are very affordable. The place is clean and serene.
(4)
Penny L.
I have no detailed rating system. Service, plating and atmosphere is wonderful. Plenty of parking. Drinks are very reasonable. Miller Light. Ozeki Dry. Green tea not bitter. Food is good but doesn't match the price point compared to other Japanese restaurants which I'd prefer dining. This place was chosen for dining based on availability but mostly location. Still the best in town. Would love to see more specials. Best presentation for the night, age dashi tofu. Udon broth is light and clean, would recommend. Rolls with fried components are good. Food is not coursed. Came out when ready. Order as you go, patron must control the pace. For the locals.
(4)
Timmy L.
The place is almost deserted. Knowing the cold weather would always bring up ramen lovers, but this place is ignored. I know why. Ramen is an instant noodle from a pack with just added frozen meats. Not good. Although my dragon roll S is good, but not competitive.
(3)
Alethea B.
Was seriously craving some good sushi and this place hit the spot! Will definitely be going back for the caterpillar and volcano rolls. It was a nice quiet and friendly atmosphere. Yum yum yum
(5)
nati b.
My old time favorite. Super quiet, intimate and cozy place. The food is delicious and worth every penny. I should add it's BYOB. Sushi lovers paradise.
(5)
Lynn P.
I've eaten a lot of sushi before and I really enjoyed the sushi here, one of the best I've had. The service was great also.
(5)
Emily P.
Located to one of the worst Korean restaurants I've ever been too (Willow Tree House), this small little gem is a great place to go to for a quiet sushi and/or bento box meal. I've never had to wait for a table and the noise level is minimum even with the television. Great attentive service and usually a nice free appetizer or other treat accompanies our dinner. I usually get the Bento A (salmon or donkatsu) - fabulous every time. A great place to bring a date, friends, or a small family.
(4)
Ganaa T.
I like this restaurant so much. I go there all the time. Their sushi is so delicious. The best sushi place. Everyone should go there.
(5)
Mick S.
This place is a solid lunch / take out place. Food is pretty good, standard japanese food. Love the noodles, rolls, sashimi, etc. There are definitely better places in Chicagoland, but this one is close to my house and the staff is extremely friendly. If you're looking for a solid japanese meal, this again is solid. Not extraordinary, not bad... solid middle of the road. I wouldn't go out of your way to go here, but if you're in the area and it's convenient, check this place out.
(3)
Chris W.
I swear to you it breaks my heart when I pass by Sushi Kaya and that parking lot is EMPTY ALL. THE. TIME. My boyfriend and I went through a huge sushi phase and the place we found we kept going back to was Sushi Kaya. In fact at a certain point in time we were regulars and they'd bring us our hot green tea as we sat down. I did enjoy that the place was empty most of the time because it made it feel more cozy and we ended up talking quietly and giggling. It almost felt rude to speak at a normal volume! There was soft music and when you are seated you get a strip of paper menu that allows you to put checks of how many of what sushi or maki roll(s) you want to order, how much they are, and then your server takes it to the back and the chef prepares your food. I had a Japanese pop there once and my boyfriend and I were both trying to figure out how the hell to open it feeling like idiots when one of the girls there opened it for me. Even so! I highly suggest you get your butts over there and give these sweet people your money! They have meals and noodles and other things besides Sushi for those of you who aren't fish fans, but if you want a little adventure without recognizing a scallop pops in your mouth like an eyeball...check out the really fun maki rolls!
(5)
Ay C.
I stopped in on a 5 degree day for lunch with the mindset of having a piping hot bowl of udong for lunch. I asked the waitress/owner if they served udong, and she pointed to the udong section on their menu and stated that most people order their "shrimp tempura and chicken" udong. I took her recommendation... Upon having the bowl of udong placed on my table, I noticed that the udong was eerily similar to the kind I've made at home in the past using the 3-pack that you can purchase at a korean market for $4.99. Sure enough - they boiled a pack of instant udong and added slices of carrots, mushrooms and eggs. The shrimp tempura was served separately. With tax and tip, I paid $13 for a bowl of instant udong with one piece of shrimp tempura and sliced veggies. For $13, I could have purchased TWO 3-packs of instant udong.... Moral of the story: go to a Japanese restaurant for Japanese food.
(1)
Evelina L.
The place intrigued me enough with their Hoe Dup Bap dish to come back and try more Japanese dishes vs. Korean. Although I am a little turned off by a Japanese restaurant having this Korean staple, the Hoe Dup Bap was pretty good. Its like Tekka-don but with A LOT of lettuce and less fish. Can't be that bad, since I polished it off :) Will need to come back and try the sushi. My friend ordered some spicy tuna and it comes pretty minced, so try to get it with spicy mayo on the side. Perhaps look for a review update shortly...
(3)
Jen Z.
What a find! I was thrilled to stumble upon this place one lunchtime when the restaurant I'd been heading to across the street was closed. I had a delicious, fresh sashimi appetizer that was very satisfying. The fish was very fresh, but not as flavorful as the BEST sashimi I've ever had, which is why I'm giving 4 stars. But the roll I had -- the Kimono Roll -- was absolutely amazing! Such an interesting, unique melange of flavors... Great service, too. Loved this, and I'll be back!
(4)
Scott B.
Never a bad meal, bad service, or a mediocre piece of sushi Sushi Kaya. This little place situated in a strip mall just west of the Edens is easy to miss if you don't go looking for it. But once you find it, you'll have a gem in your hand basket of sushi restaurants. I've been going here for over a decade and ordering only sushi, so this review is only for their sushi, not anything else on the menu. It' simple: if you want very fresh, very well prepared classic sushi (not the new fusion stuff) in a classicly decorated Japanese setting, go to Sushi Kaya. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Katy W.
Tried this place for the first time tonight, and was really pleasantly surprised! It's located in a tiny strip mall and doesn't look like much, but the service was excellent, and the sushi was really very good! They have a huge selection of maki, and everything we tried was delicious! The only "complaint" I could possibly have is that the rolls weren't quite as tightly rolled as I'm used to, but considering how delicious the flavors were, and how fresh the fish is, I don't consider that a very important point. The price is about average for sushi, and not as pricey as some of the chain sushi joints I've been to. I would recommend this to anyone in the area, and am so excited to find that there's such an amazing sushi bar so close to home!
(5)
Marianna N.
I really enjoy this place. We have recently moved to Morton Grove and we're pretty much regulars there now. Great sushi. Reasonable prices. The staff is always very nice. Pretty quiet place - I've never seen it too crowded and never felt rushed. I would definitely recommend this.
(5)
Claudia S.
My visit to this restaurant was one of the worst one of it all. First of all, the waitress was rude, not to mention her English was so bad with an accent that I had hard time understanding her,even to order my food. And, the fish looked like tt was sitting in the fridge for couple days beyond due date that it looked discolored and smelled pretty bad. So, I ended up not eating my main course, fearing that I'll get sick from eating it afterwards. Yikes!! What a waste of my hard fought money....
(1)
Rohan D.
I'm surprised at the varying reviews of the place, I wonder if the quality of food varies, or if the reviewers have some differing ideas on what sushi should be like. My mother was Japanese, so I like Japanese food, Japanese style. I was only here once, a couple of days ago, but I will be back, my experience was excellent. I hadn't been in this part of Morton Grove in years, and was pleasantly surprised to see all the Korean businesses on Dempster, the world's longest ugly strip mall avenue. We went into this empty restaurant on a whim, after an office visit. The decor is pleasant and peaceful, lots of Japanese decorations, though obviously not actually decorated by a Japanese person (too cluttered, the Japanese sense of decor is more, sparse, sparing, it's hard to exactly describe, but those of you who know Japan, you probably get it), and the hospitality wasn't real Japanese (no irasshaimase). This would have really pissed off my mother, I was only mildly disappointed. They did non-Japanese things, like serve soup with Chinese spoons, and they didn't do the oshibori (hot towel) before you eat. However, the Korean couple who run the place were very pleasant, inviting, and American-style polite. While we were there, their kid came in and did some homework, after an after-school snack, in the back, which we thought was cute. We ordered both entrees and sushi, being too hungry, and were not disappointed. Both the udon and the katsu were quite good (it's odd how so many of the best Japanese restaurants are Korean run, but it does seem to be their favorite ethnic food). They have more sushi variety than the usual small Japanese restaurant, for example I appreciated the kazanoku, masago with quail egg, and szuki, which you don't always see on other sushi restaurant menus. The sushi was excellent, well worth the price. The prices are high, but not unreasonable for good sushi, I've paid more for much lower quality. Two entrees, a la carte sushi, sake, that's more food than most people eat, set us back a little over $60. That's a tad cheaper than Matsuya or Kabuki, and the sushi here is comparable in quality. Because this place is just minutes west of the Edens, with easy strip mall parking out in front, I don't just recommend this place for Japanese food lovers in the nearby Northwest 'burbs, but also for actual Chicagoans (as opposed to wannabee suburban posers who claim to be "from Chicago" but who can't even parallel park), as some of the best sushi restaurants in the city are on Clark Street where legal parking is about as common as Whooping Cranes. I also recommend this restaurant if you are driving through the Chicago area, and want to break up the drive with a pleasant sit-down Japanese lunch or dinner, it's less than 5 minutes from I-94 (take Dempster Westbound, and make sure you slow down for that tightly spiraled off ramp). Of course the location is quite accessible to people living in Skokie, Evanston, Morton Grove, or the other nearby 'burbs. I don't recommend this place for people with seafood allergies.
(4)
Sasha B.
I've been going here for 10 years. I love this place! Service is fast and sushi is fresh. Try their Negi Maki appetizer. A great place to stop in when youre in a hurry. Its never really busy.
(4)
Rena P.
eh. too expensive for mediocre food. Sorry. The interior is relatively cozy, but the price shadows that very quickly.
(2)
Mathew K.
As an amateur foodie, this place is amazing for sushi lovers. The Spicy Tuna in particular is worth a try, I can guarantee for those of you with a more sensitive palate the taste and spice found here is unlike any Spicy Tuna you've had before! They rice is the perfect consistency, not too much of anything perfect amount of vinegar and they are not skimpy on the meat. The Husband and Wife pair that own and operate this restaurant with a few others that filter in and out, remember you, remember what you like and always thank you for coming. It's definitely a great sushi find not one of the cheapest sushi places around but definitely worth it!
(5)
Brian L.
Just moved to Morton Grove so we wanted to try this place out. It was close to closing time, but they were still extremely cordial and didn't rush us. The Sushi is made fresh and was fantastic. The tempura platter was also a perfect combination of tastes. I was told they have a lunch special that was similar to their dinner menu, but less expensive. The prices are fair. I've seen higher prices, I've seen lower. Keep in mind this is a "mom/pop" business, so their expenses are going to be higher than a big chain or mega-restaurant, so their prices have to reflect that. We'll be back. Support your local non-chain restaurants!
Sushi Kaya is one of the best Sushi places around. I have been eating sushi for over 15 years across the country and at this little restaurant for about 7 years now and love it every time. I have known the owners for quite some time now, and every time I go in, I am always welcomed with quick service; and they don't mind, even if you are done eating if you stay awhile and chat with your friends, etc. Very friendly service and respectful. The price of course has gone up a bit due to the economy, but that is the same for every where....you get what you pay for. If people complain about the price of sushi, they shouldn't be eating it at a restaurant then....but rather from a grocery store. Sushi is a luxury item...poor people or those complaining and penny pinching...not for you. Anyone that says this place is bad is a retard in all aspects. Their spicy tuna maki is unmatched in any category and have never tasted any better in my life. Make sure you tell the chef to make it the old way or "chopped"...you won't be disappointed, as their spicy tuna is not that usual cheap orange-colored spicy mayonnaise that all cheap/crappy restaurants put on. The rice and sushi rice are A+ grade. It is not drowning with rice vinegar or all sticky and greasy like 99% of other places out there, which ruin the taste of the sushi. There hand rolls are delicious too, as well as their bento boxes. I have read some post on here about people complaining about the teriyaki sauce....which I think is ridiculous. The sauce they use here is high grade...and those who complain are probably not use to high-grade "real good" teriyaki dauce, but only accustomed to some generic cheap low class sauce you find at the grocery store...everything is home-made here. I was worried this place would close down during the economy, but it stood the test of time and I am grateful. Will be going this Saturday for another tasty meal at the BEST Sushi place on Earth! It's a Ma and Pa type place, and the owners work very hard everyday and work 7 days a week. Keep up the great work!
(5)
Litha R.
Not the best sushi I've had and my digestive tract agrees. I would go back, but only if I couldn't find anything else.
(2)
Theresa K.
I love this place! Some of the best sushi in the Chicagoland area - so fresh! The decor is cozy, clean, and cute. It's not a hip place, they are an authentic Japanese restaurant. The owner, who is also the chef, always remembers us and is very nice, so are all the servers. Must try the Spicy White Tuna!
(5)
Victoria h.
My friend and I tried to find a sushi restaurant that's open on Sunday afternoon, by chance we found Sushi Kaya. The service is fast. The sushi is fresh. The salmon (in Salmon Roll) falls apart in your mouth. I recommend their shrimp tempura and spicy salmon. They also have regular dinner options, which are around $13/$14. Sushi is about $6/roll (=6-8 pieces). California Roll is $5.95, Sushi Tempura was $7.95, Kappa (cucumber) was $4.95. ***UPDATE*** Went back yesterday (9/28). The sushi was pretty tasteless and the rice was chewy. I lowered my rating to 3 stars (down from 4).
(3)
Gers A.
It gets four stars if you order anything else but the sushi. Tonkatsu nice and krispy, wonderful array of appetizers, with meats (chicken, fish, beef and pork) cooked well.
(4)
Anne Marie J.
Why is everything drowning in teriyaki sauce? I'm not talking about an order of teriyaki chicken; I'm upset that the MAKI (all of the maki) was heavily drizzled with this sauce. It didn't say it was going to be like that on the menu!!! All I could taste was the rice and teriyaki sauce - GROSS
(1)
David F.
I am completely in love with Sushi Kaya. The Sushi Chef is a master! My kids enjoyed the Miso Soup, Rice and California Rolls. I had the Sashimi Dinner B. The fish was fresh, flavorful, and it was presented like it was art. I also ordered Octopus, Eel spider roll and a few misc pieces of Sushi I thought the kids would enjoy. Everything was OUTSTANDING. Even the service was good. The waitress spoke perfect English. There was never any confusion of what we ordered and what we received. A+ We will be back next week!
(5)
Abby A.
This is my favorite sushi restaurant. It's run by a lovely couple and the atmosphere is wonderful. It never gets too crowded (although I'm concerned that too many good reviews could change that!) and the food is consistently good. I especially like the spicy tuna maki (ask the chef to make it "the old way"). I haven't tasted its equal. The tempura-fried green bean appetizer is like the Japanese version of french fries. I also find it to be "kid-friendly". My young child asks to go there and loves to watch the chef prepare sushi. Check out this hidden gem.
(5)
Matt H.
I am assuming we had a bad experience but this was easily the poorest quality sushi i have ever had. It was pretty disappointing. A group of us went for lunch during work and no one came out liking it.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Gina T.
The sushi is great, the service is great, and it's not expensive at all. Definitely worth trying. I highly recommend the crunch Samson and the volcano (cooked salmon version). So amazing!
(5)Sarah S.
I've been here a few times but went this week for this first time in a few years. Most creepy dining experience ever. When my friends and I arrived, the parking lot was deserted and I commented that that can't be a good sign. Before we got out of our car, we saw the staff all silently standing in the back staring out as us into our car. A fourth friend met us a bit later and he said he had the same experience. When we walked in, the already had 3 menus ready for us and showed us to our table. We were all super creeped out by this dining experience because the place was desolate and the staff just stood there silently watching as we ate. Super awkward. They have a huge maki menu with tons and tons of choices but I didn't find any of the combinations to be particularly unique or inventive. I tried a Shitake Roll $6, Sweet Potato Roll $6 and a Philly Roll $6. Each roll was 6 pieces and a small 6 pieces. The fish in the philly roll was excellent and I found the rolls to be well made. However, they were just so small and especially for the price of them. I've had much better shitake and sweet potato rolls. I wasn't impressed with any of the food I tried. Food is meh, dining situation is odd (I must say our waitress wasn't what I would c all friendly but she was perfectly pleasant), and overpriced. Sadly I won't be back to Sushi Kaya.
(2)Neema P.
This place is actually really good for the area, but man is it expensive. For vegetarian sushi rolls its about 5-6.50 a roll which I think is quite pricey. Vegetables are fresh, I would probably keep ordering from here. The service is really nice as well.
(4)Cris G.
Not coming back ever !! Chicken teriyaki is like eating a rubber here ... I wouldn't recommend this to anyone ...
(1)Min C.
I go here frequently because my parents are regulars. The food varies from mediocre to good. The sushi quality varies too. In all honesty the food is probably 3 stars. So why 4? Service is always excellent (consider I'm with my parents, this sounds biased, but this basis is off of catching the waitress take good care of other patrons from the corner of my eye). As a Korean who's been to multiple to Korean/Korean-owned restaurants, having excellent service is unheard of & (sadly) is deserving of an extra star.
(4)Julie N.
Still loving Sushi Kaya. The food is always fresh and delicious and the owners are very nice. Reasonable prices too. This is still our "go-to" sushi carry out place in Morton Grove.
(5)joy r.
Due to it being a late work night, train delay, and hungry children, we ended up ignoring the typical signs a restaurant has that should have meant: 'do not patronize'. Those are: deserted parking lot, empty restaurant at 7 pm on a Friday night, an empty SUSHI restaurant... Then the omen continues: the young waitress looks blankly at me as I mouthed off a long order (bad decision to order so much food, but as I said, we were hungry) And then she came back and asked me to repeat. Why didn't you just write it down?! Our order of Sapporo was served with a weird plate of cold tempura beans drizzled with their thick sweet sticky teriyaki sauce. (Uh oh, I have a feeling we're gonna see this sauce again). The stuff was super odd but at least my starving toddler wolfed it down. The meat of the chicken yakitori was dry, and (voila!) served with that awful teriyaki sauce. The 'agedashi tofu' were small nuggets of heavily breaded deep fried tofu with some a tasteless dipping sauce on the side. My husband's unagi don was a safe order (what can I say, he's a smart man) and served with, bingo!, sticky teriyaki sauce again. However his plate of unagi don was still intruded by a mess of frozen vegetables. (So sad.) My chirashi was overpriced and, well, let's just say I hope I survive it. Finally , my kids' nabeyaki udon had a tasteless broth. Two of the waitresses stood there the whole time and stared at us silently. At least the sushi chef had the self respect to go back in there and return to whatever he was doing after he fixed our food. The bill: $99 before tip. (:_;) The BEST thing that happened was that our tired 20 month old screamed and cried during most of our meal and no customers were there, so we just let him do his thing!
(1)M T.
This is my first yelp review, the worst sushi I ever had!, This is my second time to visit this place, I do not recommend it at ALL! Dempster Fish Market down the street we like,, it's always fresh and very affordable!!
(1)Stephen R.
Morton Grove's Best Restaurant! Fresh sushi and a calming atmosphere. All sushi is delicious, especially the sushi bouquets! Great service but on the expensive side for lunch.
(5)Karen C.
Real good Japanese comfort foods! I've eaten a good sample of their sushi on the Love Boat A with some friends and it is pretty fresh and delicious! Today I got the Bento Box C with Salmon Teriyaki - pretty good! The salmon was a bit overcooked to my liking, but it was still good. The bento box came with a iceberg lettuce salad with some ginger dressing (not too impressed) and a cup of miso soup which was legit. I also got the cucumber roll with unagi in it and it was very good, but different because of the cucumber casing instead of the nori or rice! They were very accommodating to my table of five and yet it wasn't too loud in the restaurant. It was a nice meal and it was relaxing. We'll be back!! Tip: There is parking to the right of the plaza where this restaurant is at too... (besides right in front of the place).
(4)Malen S.
Sushi is fresh and very authentic.. Staff is very friendly. Sushi combo and lunch specials are very affordable. The place is clean and serene.
(4)Penny L.
I have no detailed rating system. Service, plating and atmosphere is wonderful. Plenty of parking. Drinks are very reasonable. Miller Light. Ozeki Dry. Green tea not bitter. Food is good but doesn't match the price point compared to other Japanese restaurants which I'd prefer dining. This place was chosen for dining based on availability but mostly location. Still the best in town. Would love to see more specials. Best presentation for the night, age dashi tofu. Udon broth is light and clean, would recommend. Rolls with fried components are good. Food is not coursed. Came out when ready. Order as you go, patron must control the pace. For the locals.
(4)Timmy L.
The place is almost deserted. Knowing the cold weather would always bring up ramen lovers, but this place is ignored. I know why. Ramen is an instant noodle from a pack with just added frozen meats. Not good. Although my dragon roll S is good, but not competitive.
(3)Alethea B.
Was seriously craving some good sushi and this place hit the spot! Will definitely be going back for the caterpillar and volcano rolls. It was a nice quiet and friendly atmosphere. Yum yum yum
(5)nati b.
My old time favorite. Super quiet, intimate and cozy place. The food is delicious and worth every penny. I should add it's BYOB. Sushi lovers paradise.
(5)Lynn P.
I've eaten a lot of sushi before and I really enjoyed the sushi here, one of the best I've had. The service was great also.
(5)Emily P.
Located to one of the worst Korean restaurants I've ever been too (Willow Tree House), this small little gem is a great place to go to for a quiet sushi and/or bento box meal. I've never had to wait for a table and the noise level is minimum even with the television. Great attentive service and usually a nice free appetizer or other treat accompanies our dinner. I usually get the Bento A (salmon or donkatsu) - fabulous every time. A great place to bring a date, friends, or a small family.
(4)Ganaa T.
I like this restaurant so much. I go there all the time. Their sushi is so delicious. The best sushi place. Everyone should go there.
(5)Mick S.
This place is a solid lunch / take out place. Food is pretty good, standard japanese food. Love the noodles, rolls, sashimi, etc. There are definitely better places in Chicagoland, but this one is close to my house and the staff is extremely friendly. If you're looking for a solid japanese meal, this again is solid. Not extraordinary, not bad... solid middle of the road. I wouldn't go out of your way to go here, but if you're in the area and it's convenient, check this place out.
(3)Chris W.
I swear to you it breaks my heart when I pass by Sushi Kaya and that parking lot is EMPTY ALL. THE. TIME. My boyfriend and I went through a huge sushi phase and the place we found we kept going back to was Sushi Kaya. In fact at a certain point in time we were regulars and they'd bring us our hot green tea as we sat down. I did enjoy that the place was empty most of the time because it made it feel more cozy and we ended up talking quietly and giggling. It almost felt rude to speak at a normal volume! There was soft music and when you are seated you get a strip of paper menu that allows you to put checks of how many of what sushi or maki roll(s) you want to order, how much they are, and then your server takes it to the back and the chef prepares your food. I had a Japanese pop there once and my boyfriend and I were both trying to figure out how the hell to open it feeling like idiots when one of the girls there opened it for me. Even so! I highly suggest you get your butts over there and give these sweet people your money! They have meals and noodles and other things besides Sushi for those of you who aren't fish fans, but if you want a little adventure without recognizing a scallop pops in your mouth like an eyeball...check out the really fun maki rolls!
(5)Ay C.
I stopped in on a 5 degree day for lunch with the mindset of having a piping hot bowl of udong for lunch. I asked the waitress/owner if they served udong, and she pointed to the udong section on their menu and stated that most people order their "shrimp tempura and chicken" udong. I took her recommendation... Upon having the bowl of udong placed on my table, I noticed that the udong was eerily similar to the kind I've made at home in the past using the 3-pack that you can purchase at a korean market for $4.99. Sure enough - they boiled a pack of instant udong and added slices of carrots, mushrooms and eggs. The shrimp tempura was served separately. With tax and tip, I paid $13 for a bowl of instant udong with one piece of shrimp tempura and sliced veggies. For $13, I could have purchased TWO 3-packs of instant udong.... Moral of the story: go to a Japanese restaurant for Japanese food.
(1)Evelina L.
The place intrigued me enough with their Hoe Dup Bap dish to come back and try more Japanese dishes vs. Korean. Although I am a little turned off by a Japanese restaurant having this Korean staple, the Hoe Dup Bap was pretty good. Its like Tekka-don but with A LOT of lettuce and less fish. Can't be that bad, since I polished it off :) Will need to come back and try the sushi. My friend ordered some spicy tuna and it comes pretty minced, so try to get it with spicy mayo on the side. Perhaps look for a review update shortly...
(3)Jen Z.
What a find! I was thrilled to stumble upon this place one lunchtime when the restaurant I'd been heading to across the street was closed. I had a delicious, fresh sashimi appetizer that was very satisfying. The fish was very fresh, but not as flavorful as the BEST sashimi I've ever had, which is why I'm giving 4 stars. But the roll I had -- the Kimono Roll -- was absolutely amazing! Such an interesting, unique melange of flavors... Great service, too. Loved this, and I'll be back!
(4)Scott B.
Never a bad meal, bad service, or a mediocre piece of sushi Sushi Kaya. This little place situated in a strip mall just west of the Edens is easy to miss if you don't go looking for it. But once you find it, you'll have a gem in your hand basket of sushi restaurants. I've been going here for over a decade and ordering only sushi, so this review is only for their sushi, not anything else on the menu. It' simple: if you want very fresh, very well prepared classic sushi (not the new fusion stuff) in a classicly decorated Japanese setting, go to Sushi Kaya. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Katy W.
Tried this place for the first time tonight, and was really pleasantly surprised! It's located in a tiny strip mall and doesn't look like much, but the service was excellent, and the sushi was really very good! They have a huge selection of maki, and everything we tried was delicious! The only "complaint" I could possibly have is that the rolls weren't quite as tightly rolled as I'm used to, but considering how delicious the flavors were, and how fresh the fish is, I don't consider that a very important point. The price is about average for sushi, and not as pricey as some of the chain sushi joints I've been to. I would recommend this to anyone in the area, and am so excited to find that there's such an amazing sushi bar so close to home!
(5)Marianna N.
I really enjoy this place. We have recently moved to Morton Grove and we're pretty much regulars there now. Great sushi. Reasonable prices. The staff is always very nice. Pretty quiet place - I've never seen it too crowded and never felt rushed. I would definitely recommend this.
(5)Claudia S.
My visit to this restaurant was one of the worst one of it all. First of all, the waitress was rude, not to mention her English was so bad with an accent that I had hard time understanding her,even to order my food. And, the fish looked like tt was sitting in the fridge for couple days beyond due date that it looked discolored and smelled pretty bad. So, I ended up not eating my main course, fearing that I'll get sick from eating it afterwards. Yikes!! What a waste of my hard fought money....
(1)Rohan D.
I'm surprised at the varying reviews of the place, I wonder if the quality of food varies, or if the reviewers have some differing ideas on what sushi should be like. My mother was Japanese, so I like Japanese food, Japanese style. I was only here once, a couple of days ago, but I will be back, my experience was excellent. I hadn't been in this part of Morton Grove in years, and was pleasantly surprised to see all the Korean businesses on Dempster, the world's longest ugly strip mall avenue. We went into this empty restaurant on a whim, after an office visit. The decor is pleasant and peaceful, lots of Japanese decorations, though obviously not actually decorated by a Japanese person (too cluttered, the Japanese sense of decor is more, sparse, sparing, it's hard to exactly describe, but those of you who know Japan, you probably get it), and the hospitality wasn't real Japanese (no irasshaimase). This would have really pissed off my mother, I was only mildly disappointed. They did non-Japanese things, like serve soup with Chinese spoons, and they didn't do the oshibori (hot towel) before you eat. However, the Korean couple who run the place were very pleasant, inviting, and American-style polite. While we were there, their kid came in and did some homework, after an after-school snack, in the back, which we thought was cute. We ordered both entrees and sushi, being too hungry, and were not disappointed. Both the udon and the katsu were quite good (it's odd how so many of the best Japanese restaurants are Korean run, but it does seem to be their favorite ethnic food). They have more sushi variety than the usual small Japanese restaurant, for example I appreciated the kazanoku, masago with quail egg, and szuki, which you don't always see on other sushi restaurant menus. The sushi was excellent, well worth the price. The prices are high, but not unreasonable for good sushi, I've paid more for much lower quality. Two entrees, a la carte sushi, sake, that's more food than most people eat, set us back a little over $60. That's a tad cheaper than Matsuya or Kabuki, and the sushi here is comparable in quality. Because this place is just minutes west of the Edens, with easy strip mall parking out in front, I don't just recommend this place for Japanese food lovers in the nearby Northwest 'burbs, but also for actual Chicagoans (as opposed to wannabee suburban posers who claim to be "from Chicago" but who can't even parallel park), as some of the best sushi restaurants in the city are on Clark Street where legal parking is about as common as Whooping Cranes. I also recommend this restaurant if you are driving through the Chicago area, and want to break up the drive with a pleasant sit-down Japanese lunch or dinner, it's less than 5 minutes from I-94 (take Dempster Westbound, and make sure you slow down for that tightly spiraled off ramp). Of course the location is quite accessible to people living in Skokie, Evanston, Morton Grove, or the other nearby 'burbs. I don't recommend this place for people with seafood allergies.
(4)Sasha B.
I've been going here for 10 years. I love this place! Service is fast and sushi is fresh. Try their Negi Maki appetizer. A great place to stop in when youre in a hurry. Its never really busy.
(4)Rena P.
eh. too expensive for mediocre food. Sorry. The interior is relatively cozy, but the price shadows that very quickly.
(2)Mathew K.
As an amateur foodie, this place is amazing for sushi lovers. The Spicy Tuna in particular is worth a try, I can guarantee for those of you with a more sensitive palate the taste and spice found here is unlike any Spicy Tuna you've had before! They rice is the perfect consistency, not too much of anything perfect amount of vinegar and they are not skimpy on the meat. The Husband and Wife pair that own and operate this restaurant with a few others that filter in and out, remember you, remember what you like and always thank you for coming. It's definitely a great sushi find not one of the cheapest sushi places around but definitely worth it!
(5)Brian L.
Just moved to Morton Grove so we wanted to try this place out. It was close to closing time, but they were still extremely cordial and didn't rush us. The Sushi is made fresh and was fantastic. The tempura platter was also a perfect combination of tastes. I was told they have a lunch special that was similar to their dinner menu, but less expensive. The prices are fair. I've seen higher prices, I've seen lower. Keep in mind this is a "mom/pop" business, so their expenses are going to be higher than a big chain or mega-restaurant, so their prices have to reflect that. We'll be back. Support your local non-chain restaurants!
(4)Feisty E.
Awful. Honest. We had a takeout on Friday night, order of Cali rolls and Beef Bento Box (entrée + more rolls). One, the packaging. Seriously; who puts a single sushi roll into a 6" by 6" giant foam box (the kind that would house a 1/2 burger + fries elsewhere). Needless to say, the rolls were all over the place, arrived disheveled a bit after only 5 minute drive. We thought that they forgot wasabi (the small glob of it was just dropped into the said foam box, without container, so it was covered by one of the rolls entirely). The rolls tasted fine/average. Vey pricey however; about 15-20% more for the same at Dozika, or two other sushi places in Morton Grove. The tempura that came with bento was fine, small assortment of veggie type. Gyoza was nice and crispy, no complaint there. My main gripe is the beef... Truly, of the worst quality imaginable. Tough as a shoe leather, salty and overcooked, dry and repulsive. Not only it was awful (has to be the very worst of cuts.... Chuck perhaps?), there was a dismal amount of it as well. When I say dismal, I mean it - perhaps 2.5 once? It was a piece cut into strips (6), size of a 5 yo's palm and thickness of about 2 mm. The bento box, complete with a handful of plain rice and a sliced cucumber, was $15.99. Does it sound like a good deal to you?? *crickets* So; value - one, price one, service - who cares really, since the food is so mediocre and overpriced. I picked inside when grabbing the menue, dimly lit plain place which was empty (on Friday night... will I ever learn). One family was there, with a bunch of small kids. Avoid at all costs - you are warned, bad even for a suburban strip mall joint.
(1)Will C.
Sushi Kaya is one of the best Sushi places around. I have been eating sushi for over 15 years across the country and at this little restaurant for about 7 years now and love it every time. I have known the owners for quite some time now, and every time I go in, I am always welcomed with quick service; and they don't mind, even if you are done eating if you stay awhile and chat with your friends, etc. Very friendly service and respectful. The price of course has gone up a bit due to the economy, but that is the same for every where....you get what you pay for. If people complain about the price of sushi, they shouldn't be eating it at a restaurant then....but rather from a grocery store. Sushi is a luxury item...poor people or those complaining and penny pinching...not for you. Anyone that says this place is bad is a retard in all aspects. Their spicy tuna maki is unmatched in any category and have never tasted any better in my life. Make sure you tell the chef to make it the old way or "chopped"...you won't be disappointed, as their spicy tuna is not that usual cheap orange-colored spicy mayonnaise that all cheap/crappy restaurants put on. The rice and sushi rice are A+ grade. It is not drowning with rice vinegar or all sticky and greasy like 99% of other places out there, which ruin the taste of the sushi. There hand rolls are delicious too, as well as their bento boxes. I have read some post on here about people complaining about the teriyaki sauce....which I think is ridiculous. The sauce they use here is high grade...and those who complain are probably not use to high-grade "real good" teriyaki dauce, but only accustomed to some generic cheap low class sauce you find at the grocery store...everything is home-made here. I was worried this place would close down during the economy, but it stood the test of time and I am grateful. Will be going this Saturday for another tasty meal at the BEST Sushi place on Earth! It's a Ma and Pa type place, and the owners work very hard everyday and work 7 days a week. Keep up the great work!
(5)Litha R.
Not the best sushi I've had and my digestive tract agrees. I would go back, but only if I couldn't find anything else.
(2)Theresa K.
I love this place! Some of the best sushi in the Chicagoland area - so fresh! The decor is cozy, clean, and cute. It's not a hip place, they are an authentic Japanese restaurant. The owner, who is also the chef, always remembers us and is very nice, so are all the servers. Must try the Spicy White Tuna!
(5)Victoria h.
My friend and I tried to find a sushi restaurant that's open on Sunday afternoon, by chance we found Sushi Kaya. The service is fast. The sushi is fresh. The salmon (in Salmon Roll) falls apart in your mouth. I recommend their shrimp tempura and spicy salmon. They also have regular dinner options, which are around $13/$14. Sushi is about $6/roll (=6-8 pieces). California Roll is $5.95, Sushi Tempura was $7.95, Kappa (cucumber) was $4.95. ***UPDATE*** Went back yesterday (9/28). The sushi was pretty tasteless and the rice was chewy. I lowered my rating to 3 stars (down from 4).
(3)Gers A.
It gets four stars if you order anything else but the sushi. Tonkatsu nice and krispy, wonderful array of appetizers, with meats (chicken, fish, beef and pork) cooked well.
(4)Anne Marie J.
Why is everything drowning in teriyaki sauce? I'm not talking about an order of teriyaki chicken; I'm upset that the MAKI (all of the maki) was heavily drizzled with this sauce. It didn't say it was going to be like that on the menu!!! All I could taste was the rice and teriyaki sauce - GROSS
(1)David F.
I am completely in love with Sushi Kaya. The Sushi Chef is a master! My kids enjoyed the Miso Soup, Rice and California Rolls. I had the Sashimi Dinner B. The fish was fresh, flavorful, and it was presented like it was art. I also ordered Octopus, Eel spider roll and a few misc pieces of Sushi I thought the kids would enjoy. Everything was OUTSTANDING. Even the service was good. The waitress spoke perfect English. There was never any confusion of what we ordered and what we received. A+ We will be back next week!
(5)Abby A.
This is my favorite sushi restaurant. It's run by a lovely couple and the atmosphere is wonderful. It never gets too crowded (although I'm concerned that too many good reviews could change that!) and the food is consistently good. I especially like the spicy tuna maki (ask the chef to make it "the old way"). I haven't tasted its equal. The tempura-fried green bean appetizer is like the Japanese version of french fries. I also find it to be "kid-friendly". My young child asks to go there and loves to watch the chef prepare sushi. Check out this hidden gem.
(5)Matt H.
I am assuming we had a bad experience but this was easily the poorest quality sushi i have ever had. It was pretty disappointing. A group of us went for lunch during work and no one came out liking it.
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