Bluefin

1952 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 773-394-7373

Description: BUCKTOWN. It's all about sushi at Bluefin, and loyal patrons can't seem to get enough of the fresh seafood served. Perhaps it's tataki tuna (seared Big Eye tuna over spicy tuna) ­ or maybe it's nigiri or sashimi ­ that's got folks so in love with the place. It could also be entrees like grilled scallops, teryiyaki Scottish salmon, or grilled vegetables with soba noodles. Candlelight and drum and bass music set the tone.
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Bob San

1805-07 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622 773-235-8888

Description: WICKER PARK. What more can you ask for than an outstanding wine list and excellent sushi? Bob San prides itself on its ability to offer both. The menu features a variety of options: the Sashimi Chef's Specials, which includes seared tuna, Ika Masago AE (squid mixed with smelt egg and cucumber), and Ika Uni AE (squid with sea urchin and cucumber). For those not in the mood for sushi or sashimi, the menu also includes a well-rounded list of tempura, teriyaki, vegetable, and beef dishes. Don your trendiest duds, as it's a see-and-be-part-of-the-scene crowd that mingles here.
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Coast Sushi Bar

2045 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 773-235-5775

Description: BUCKTOWN. Though Coast can get a bit noisy on the weekends, regulars love the BYOB policy, fresh and inventive sushi, and dim, romantic lighting.
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Cocoro

668 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654 312-943-2220

Description: RIVER NORTH. The name of this Japanese restaurant means "heart," and the heart of the kitchen can definitely be felt in the tasty dishes that come from it. The menu features shabu fondue ­ beef and vegetables thinly sliced and cooked in a fondue sauce but in a healthier way than traditional fondue. Sushi and "kushi" (sushi on skewers) are also delicious and fresh. A sushi bar that seats seven resides near the back of the dining room. The bar serves excellent sake, Sapporo, Asaki, wine, and domestic beers.
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Dee's Mandarin

1114 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 773-477-1500

Description: LINCOLN PARK. This restaurant offers the best of both worlds ­ Chinese cuisine and a great sushi bar. Mandarin and Szechuan entrees include both mild and spicy dishes. Try the kung pao chicken, the crab rangoon, or the mooshu pork. The authentic sushi bar offers only the freshest fish. The interior of Dee's is very pleasant with comfortable booths, skylights, a fireplace, and a lovely outdoor garden dining area perfect for warm evenings.
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Itto Sushi

2616 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614 773-871-1800

Description: WRIGLEYVILLE. Fresh sushi is the name of the game at this Lincoln Park Japanese favorite. You can choose a seat at the counter near the front of the restaurant or a table near the back where it's a bit quieter. The tuna rolls or the chef's specialty rolls are sure to satisfy your raw fish craving.
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Japonais

600 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60610 312-822-9600

Description: A sensuous atmosphere and an appealing waterfront lounge provide a gorgeous setting in which to devour Japonais's carefully crafted sushi and Japanese entrees.
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Jia's

2545 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60611 773-477-6256

Description: LINCOLN PARK. With a tasty mix of Asian favorites and terrific sushi, this contemporary restaurant is a favorite with local professionals, who appreciate the upscale setting, efficient waitstaff, and superb cuisine. Start with something small, like gyoza (pan-seared potstickers), Thai rolls (brown tofu, cucumber), or Ika Shoga Yaki (hand-scored squid steaks). Afterwards, Kung Pao chicken or shrimp, orange chicken, and vegetable Mu Shu wraps make excellent entrees.
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Kamehachi

1400 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610 312-664-3663

Description: OLD TOWN. This popular Japanese restaurant and sushi bar has both a ground-floor dining area and an upstairs café and breezy garden patio, where society types come to see and be seen. The café has a bold red decor with kimonos gracing the walls, and it serves saké martinis along with a few cooked Japanese dishes. Throughout the day, sushi is a mainstay, but noodle dishes, hot entrees, and a selection of elegant specials also prove satisfying.
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Kyoto

2534 N Lincoln Ave, at Fullerton Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614-2375 773-477-2788

Description: This is the top place for inexpensive but superb sushi. The staff is friendly and helpful, and the chef often comes out of the kitchen to tell people anything they want to know about the revered rolls. The house specialties bring sushi lovers from all over who love unique items like the Dynamite roll with salmon and scallops or the Olympus roll with tempura shrimp and other Greek ingredients. The tempura is light and tasty too, as is the green tea ice cream. A favorite for connoisseurs. Reservations recommended for weekend nights. EL: Red and Brown Lines to Fullerton
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Meiji

623 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60661 312-887-9999

Description: WEST LOOP. Extremely fresh fish, spicy rolls, and an attractive, sleek decor make Meiji a popular prospect for lunch or dinner.
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Mirai Sushi

2020 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622 773-862-8500

Description: WICKER PARK. This stylish restaurant/lounge offers a trendy spot for the jetset to cool their heels with drinks and rolls in hand. Sushi options abound, from eel and roe to tuna, octopus, squid, and clam. Other dishes take care of folks not in the mood for sushi, including miso soup, soy-marinated cod, and teriyaki-glazed beef and asparagus. The room is dominated by a large saltwater tank that's home to many fresh fish, all ready to be selected and served. Plus, a hip upstairs lounge features a DJ and a trendy vibe.
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Mizu Yakitori

315 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 312-951-8880

Description: RIVER NORTH. Owner Annie Zheng presides over a simple black-and-white dining room where the traditional and the offbeat meet on the menu. Delicate cuts of meat, poultry, seafood, and vegetables are cooked to order over sizzling binchotan charcoals in a glass-encased kitchen. Adventurous diners can try traditional Japanese chicken skins and beef livers or nibble on nagiri, sashimi, and other sushi rolls at the granite-topped bar. A private tearoom is also available.
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RA Sushi

1139 N State St, Chicago, IL 60610 312-274-0011

Description: GOLD COAST. As soon as you walk through the red-trimmed revolving doors of RA Sushi, you know you've come to a real sushi house. Within minutes of arrival, new acquaintances will likely include the chipper hostess, the speedy bartender, the sushi artists, and a fabulous waitress capable of chatting about sushi etiquette and the art of creating the perfect sashimi. Try some of her favorite rolls to add to the pleasure of the total experience. A late-night menu is offered until 1am.
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Ringo

2507-09 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 773-248-5788

Description: LINCOLN PARK. It's rolls, rolls, and more rolls at this neighborhood Japanese eatery. The sushi is fresh and well-prepared. Try the Firecracker Roll, the Dragon Roll, or the obligatory California Roll. Not in the mood for a roll? Other options include scallops, calamari fritters, and octopus-stuffed pancake balls. No alcohol available; here it's bring your own. Japanese rock music plays in the background, and colorful kites fly overhead. Casual dress.
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Ron of Japan

230 E Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60611 312-644-6500

Description: RIVER NORTH. This Streeterville Japanese restaurant offers tableside cooking by master chefs experienced in the fine art of knife tossing and salt-and-pepper shaker twirling. The food is delicious and made to order and includes the likes of prime rib (served atop a Samurai sword), Shogun dinner, and filet mignon. Chicken and fish dishes are also available.
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Sai Café

2010 N Sheffield Ave, at Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 773-472-8080

Description: LINCOLN PARK. Considered some of the best Japanese cuisine in town, Sai Café does all the traditional dishes and does them well. Try one of 30 varieties of sushi, or choose from meats, fish, and vegetables that can be prepared teriyaki, sashimi, or tempura style. Large bowls of savory noodle dishes are available as well. It's all served up with style in the small, modest room that's so popular it often has six sushi chefs at work simultaneously. EL: Brown line to Armitage
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Shine

756 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 773-296-0101

Description: LINCOLN PARK. Chinese? Japanese? Which one to have...don't worry about making the decision. Simply head to this establishment that serves both Japanese and Chinese cuisine. Choose from Hunan, Mandarin and Szechuan dishes or sushi and other authentic Japanese dishes. Goodies from the kitchen include five spice duck and fried garlic prawns; don't miss the delectable scallop and shrimp tempura from the sushi bar.
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Sushi Naniwa

607 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610 312-255-8555

Description: RIVER NORTH. One of the neighborhood's trendier sushi joints, Naniwa is a favorite with everybody from hip young business types to savvy tourists. Set in a storefront eatery, the restaurant is disinctively contemporary in design. Its highlight is an attractive sushi bar where fresh seafood is rolled right before your eyes. EL: Brown Line to Merchandise Mart.
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Sushi Wabi

842 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607-2309 312-563-1224

Description: GREEKTOWN. In authentically minimal Japanese style (wabi means "elegant simplicity"), this restaurant offers plenty of sushi options as well as cooked dishes like seared salmon salad and pork dumplings. The hip crowd that flocks here seems to stick to maki rolls, including the spider roll with crab and the spicy tuna roll with flying fish roe. If you're really feeling brave, sample fried fish heads.
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