This place is SO affordable! They only do take out and no dine in allowed, but truly I don't think you'll find cheaper sushi and Japanese food. I got the unagi Don, which came with a generous amount of rice and unagi. Wasn't the biggest fan of the pickles, but this was such a good price! Also LOVED the vegetable korroke, which reminds me of the Japanese street food croquettes. These are essentially fried pieces of mashed potato's stuffed with peas, corn, and onion. Trust me, they're so underrated! These spicy scallop maki had a lovely fish to rice ratio, and the seaweed salad was a nice saltier addition to the meal. The food was ready within 10 minutes of ordering, so service is speedy here! You pay at the very front of the restaurant, as the rest is blocked off. read more

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Thee food is very good and the presentation of the making rolls is well done. The tempura is outstanding. The take out order was ready in 25 minutes. The service is friendly. I recommend it. read more

I felt terrible because I called 15 minutes before closing and I wound up finding my new favorite restaurant! I am currently shoveling the best chicken teriyaki and miso soup ive had in years into my mouth. 14/10. I will be back tomorrow read more

I guess ever since Covid they decided to keep it carry out Only, which is fine with me because then we don't have to dine in and tip the waiter or waitress and you get the food that you want and eat it at home. They have a lot of great deals and especially for lunch specials. Please see the menu as you can get a nice lunch meal for $10 which is perfect for students and non-students as well. I always find Asian food to be facing me healthy options if you want to be good to your diet habits. There is no parking lot but it's on the street and you have to pay the Park Chicago app or on the little kiosk with your credit card. The only gripe I have is that I hate it when they not the bag so tight it takes me 15 minutes to open it, and it hurts my fingers and then sometimes if I have to cut it with a scissor, I have to waste the plastic bag which I would rather use at least a few times or for garbage because I don't like plastic bags to be wasted because it's bad for the environment. Please do the knot where You can undo it with just one bow pulled. Thank you. Food was hot and good. read more

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I ordered Kikuya off Uber Eats tonight, including edamame, takoyaki, and a dragon roll. The edamame was still super warm and yummy when it arrived. I expected the takoyaki to be crispier, but it was softer and doughier than expected. The dragon roll was super yummy. The roll featuring shrimp tempura and topped with eel, avocado, and unagi sauce, came with 8 pieces. This was definitely one of the better restaurants I've tried in Hyde Park! read more

Kikuya Japanese Restaurant - a variety of food items - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It's cheap for what it is. Passable food. Had the shrimp tempura and like another reviewer said, it was super greasy. Tasted alright but nothing spectacular. The miso soup had a nice flavor (coming from someone who generally dislikes miso soup). read more

I do really enjoy coming here. The restaurant is still implementing health and safety measures (pick-up only). But the food is dependably good. I mostly order the ramen soups and appetizers. The food is well prepared, easy to put together when you get home, and leaves you satisfied. The only tip I'd give you is if you're really hungry, make sure you order enough. Since the food has a home-cooked effect, you shouldn't have any problems getting full. read more

Actually everything was great with our Ubereats delivery, the food, the presentation, and the neat packaging; it just may be that they need to a little more seasoning to all of the food....I would highly suggest this. I don't like to add a lot of salt to my food either way; so me saying that says a lot. I have to say I love the fact the miso and salad is included w the entree with most places I order from this is extra cost. Other than that after adding my own seasoning everything was delicious! Will def order again either way! read more

Kikuya Japanese Restaurant - Ebi Ten Don, Ton Katsu, Beef Teriyaki, Gyoza - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I don't often eat sushi in Hyde Park but when I'm really craving fish and going downtown is not an option, I almost always resort to Kikuya. I believe the quality of their fish is better than at any other Hyde Park sushi restaurant. They have decently-priced lunch specials, so I picked up the Lunch Special #2, which came with a tuna roll, salmon nigiri, tuna nigiri, ebi (shrimp) nigiri, and tamago (egg/omelette) nigiri plus a side salad and miso soup. All of this for only $9.50, so it's a very good value. My only criticism is that the rice could be seasoned more. I found myself dousing soy sauce and wasabi all over my nigiri to compensate for the lack of rice vinegar in the rice. But the amount of rice and actual build of the rice were on point. Kikuya will continue to serve as my go-to Hyde Park sushi place. read more

Kikuya Japanese Restaurant - Lunch Special #2 ($9.50) for Take-out - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

what would hyde park be without kikuya? i don't want to know. their crunchy roll has become a staple of our household. the perfect place to pick up some sushi on your way to picnic at the point. def the best sushi option in the neighborhood. don't sleep on their donburi either, the oyakudon isn't bad either! read more

Went to Kikuya for my second time in 18 years recently. I moved away from Chicago 18 years ago. I used to patronize this place enough. My wife's nephew and I stopped here for lunch after the Museum of Science and Industry. He ordered the following: Combination 5c: Tempura, California Roll, Miso, and Rice I ordered Combination 5b: Salmon Teriyaki, California Role, Miso, and Rice The food was very good. Good quality. If I am back in this neighborhood again, I will definitely come back, if they are still open. Very good quality food and service. read more

Best sushi place in Hyde Park! This was the first restaurant I've visited in Hyde Park and I wasn't disappointed. Staff is friendly, kitchen is fast, quality is very decent and menu is varied enough. I have become a regular at this place that offers good sushi at a moderate price. My advice: non-fried Crazy Tuna Maki!!! read more

Kikuya Japanese Restaurant - Salmon nigiri - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Kikuya is a homely, family-run Japanese restaurant in Hyde Park. To be honest, especially as a vegetarian, most of the dishes are if anything, average. Their agedashi tofu is really just not authentic (barely using silken tofu), their sushi uses poor quality rice, and their tempura is overly-fried. But their udon is possibly one of the best I've had. Its soy broth is so soothing and tasty, without it being spicy. Its perfect for a cold day and when you're sick. This is one of the best vegetarian soup noodles you will get in Hyde Park and is the only reason I keep frequenting Kikuya. read more

My girls and I came here for one of our friends birthday. Is a really cute place and very small. We all ordered sushi and it was pretty. Not the best sushi I ever had, but still good. The pot stickers are a must try. It is also BYOB which is a plus. And the prices are very reasonable. I plan to go back again and next time try a noodle dish. read more

Kikuya Japanese Restaurant - Sushi! - Japanese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Spare yourself the aggro, or if you want to experience it vicariously, re-read the Mad Hatter's tea party description in Alice in Wonderland. The pleasant and helpful young man server told me to sit wherever I wanted (I was alone and doing some work). I picked a cozy corner in front and then regretted it because it became frigid whenever the door opened, but hey, it's February in Chicago. The pleasant and helpful young woman server told me that the kitchen was closing at 9, but when I asked if they were closing and I should leave, said no, you're fine, and refilled my teacup (and I think she didn't charge for the tea). Around 9:30 I was waiting for someone to bring me a takeaway container for my conspicuously half-eaten soup. They dimmed the lights. An older man sweeping the floor said they were closed. I said yeah, I know, could you please bring me something to carry this stuff in? He did, and told me that I was taking up space for six people and that there had BEEN six people earlier who could have used that space. The place had not been crowded, and I hadn't noticed; I told him I had been encouraged to sit in this spot. I am never going back here. I only feel good that I overtipped, because until the Ancient Mariner showed up and started giving me grief it was a pleasant and productive evening. The food was OK, but if you want decent communication and better Japanese food, I recommend Cocoro in River North, unless you happen to be stuck in Hyde Park, a condition so wearing that people have written novels about it. read more

This is such a cute little restaurant with a really healthy menu. It's a great place for Japanese food in Hyde Park. The miso soup and salmon teriyaki are my favorites. The sushi and sashimi are decent (though I must acknowledge the Sit Down on 53rd is better). I must echo the excessive rice comment, in that the amount with sushi has increased and is too much rice, lowering their otherwise higher quality menu standard. read more

Very fresh sushi and service was great considering it was a Friday night. Would love to try more of their special rolls. Will be back again! read more

I got delivery from Uber eats and was not impressed. The chicken teriyaki had too much pepper on it and the sauce had no flavor. The shrimp tempura was really super greasy. The udon was OK. read more

So, I am a sushi rookie. We ordered the gyoza, tempura, sashimi, the dragon maki and the salmon maki...finished with green tea ice cream. I loved it all. I was sad when I saw things coming to an end. The staff was great, but the older gentleman walked from table to table and greeted everyone, but us. We we're the first and only people in the restaurant. Folks came after we were already eating appetizers. Anyway, I felt excluded. I do not want to make assumptions, but a bad taste was left in my mouth. I will come back for the food, to support this neighborhood place, and maybe his heart will change. read more

Not really feeling this place. The lunch special reminded me of scrappy school lunch. They could have put more effort into the teriyaki chicken. Instead of just squirting the sauce on cooked chicken. The sushi was tasteless. It was altogether an empty meal I could have gone without. Save your time and moola! Better options down the street on 53rd read more

As a disclaimer, I lived in Japan for several years so I come in with pretty high expectations. I've tried different things here, and I've never liked anything. Its a bland imitation of the dishes. Would only recommend if you have a real hankering for a Japanese dish and don't feel like trekking downtown for the real thing. read more

I love Kikuya! I used to eat here regularly before the pandemic, and the service was always attentive and very accommodating. I love the dragon roll and the gyoza in particular, but all of the food is good. read more

I was intrigued when I found a sushi restaurant in the neighborhood and was definitely tickled by the very 80's decor on the inside. It's a tiny little place that manages to accommodate very well. Since I'm big on atmosphere, being the interior design student that I am, The food had some making up to do for the lack of ambiance. Well...it did just that. I've read a number of reviews and Im wondering if I'm crazy because my boyfriend and I almost died over the sushi. I recently reviewed Tamarind in the south loop which is pretty good, Kikuya has blown em out of the competition! I odered the unagi rolls and spider rolls and they came out on the plate a little warm which doesn't happen too often at other places, I don't know about others' preferences, but we love it like that. The spider roll was perfect and the unagi roll melted in my mouth! Lol. (I think I even compared it to our experience with Sushi at Japonais) So either we are insane, we got them on a good night, or all you haters are just plain wrong. :) Loved it! read more

I love the combos, teriyaki chicken and tempura with sushi and miso soup! The last time I was there I felt like I was going to have to be rolled out the door it was so much food. I see some reviews have mentioned that the tempura was greasy. It's fried, it's always going to be somewhat greasy. I didn't think mine was any greasier than any I've had at much pricier restuarants on the north side. And I really appreciate a place where you can get a good look at the kitchen. Theirs is pretty clean considering it's about the same size as the kitchen in my apartment and there is a lot of activity going on in there. I only have one compliant, it's small and BYOB which can be a recipe for disaster. The last time I was there we were seated next to an older gentleman who had just polished off his own six pack and spent the entire meal jumping into our conversation and rambling. read more

Big sushi fanatic here, so I'm in Kikuya at least 3-4 times a month! Typically order the Spider Maki, but I never hesitate to order something new or different every time I come. Always finish your meal with Mochi - it's the perfect dessert! The atmosphere is nice and quiet, and really has an authentic Japanese feel to it - I love it! Thanks Kikuya for providing me with the Sushi I need in my life :D read more

I've eaten at Kikuya at least 15, maybe even 20, times. I love it. Service is awesome! The food is great and cheap, especially if you avoid the sushi and eat meals like tonkatsu, usaki don, katsu don, salmon butteryaki or udon. Problem is a lot of folks see Japanese and think sushi, but try the other stuff. For $9 you can get a salad, a miso soup, one of those hearty cooked meals, and unlimited hot tea. A bargain. I love the decor, it's very peaceful and the restaurant is quiet, as it should be. Open until 9.30pm. read more

Popped in with a friend at about 7pm on a Thursday night. There were only about 4 tables filled, and it was pretty quiet and empty. This would be a GREAT place to get studying done!!!... if I had anything I had to study! We both ordered the tonkatsu. (Panko breaded pork cutlets.) Now, I make this dish myself- and so I know all that goes in to making this. Kikuya does this dish extremely well, and it looks like it is supposed to look, and is served with fresh Japanese sticky rice. Best of all, each dinner comes with a great bowl of miso soup and a side salad. I ordered a DietCoke- and was surprised when they brought a can and a cup of ice. We had gyoza for an appetizer- so-so. Our waitress was very attentive and sweet, and popped by to clear plates quickly. However she did somewhat disappear once we were waiting for our check. And like others have said- the decor is very "YIKES" 80s, but it's clean, it's a calm place, and I'll go back specifically for the tonkatsu!! Appetizer, drink, salad, miso soup, huge entree- about $15. Awesome! read more

Although there seem to be mixed reviews here, this place is great FOR DELIVERY OR TAKEOUT. I wouldn't reccomend eating in the 80s BYOB haven with bad service. The food here is amazing if you love sushi rolls. Try the Firecracker and Futo rolls - you will be hooked. My fiance and I lived a few blocks away and made this part of a weekly Office watching ritual. Mmmm, Firecracker roll. read more

To be fair- I have only given this place one try, but it wasn't very good and I can remember quite clearly three main things: 1) The interior is laughably very '80's- and not in a trendy or good way. 2) The California roll (a staple with American sushi places, and therefore something that I use as a litmus test, maki roll-style) was not very good- in fact, it was warm........ I think it might have been served on a hot plate, but still, not appetizing at all. 3) The service was not good, absent and short. It could have been a cultural thing, but in my opinion, being the only ones in the place at the time (lunchtime), we probably should have seen our server more often. I think I am better served at Sit Down Cafe, and their California roll is much better anyway (quite good actually). read more

I actually really do like this place. I only eat the vegetarian maki rolls, and they were really tasty. The avocado and cucumber were fresh, and they have some really fun and surprising options on their vegetarian list- including a maki roll with tempura crunchies inside and spicy mayonnaise. They have a lot of traditional Japanese dishes, including a list of different kinds of udon. We really enjoyed their tempura vegetables and found the tempura to be just right. The miso soup is pretty standard, and the side salads are nothing to write about. My SO ordered a Sushi dinner the first time we went and he enjoyed the fish. He actually thought it was quite fresh and tasty. Judging from the reviews here, maybe the quality is inconsistent, but we've only had good experience so far. Bonuses include bottomless tea refills and decor that looks like a 1980s hair salon. read more

Unfortunately, the update Kikuya recently underwent affected only the physical space (and may not strike everyone as an improvement). Last night had dinner for the first time since reopening. The sushi was, frankly, terrible: clearly frozen and then thawed, it was dry, tasteless and unpleasantly mushy yet also tough and chewy. The miso soup was similarly bland and flavorless. When asked for spicy mustard for the tonkatsu, they responded that all they had was spicy mayonnaise. Sadly, we will not return unless and until the kitchen experiences an overhaul as well. read more

Kikuya is my home away from my home. Kikuya's owner is the friendliest owner I have ever met in my life. He has the sweetest smile ever, and reminds me of my grandfather who recently passed away. He remembers most frequent customers' names and their needs, which always makes me coming back again and again. Although Kikuya's food is not the best, its service is top-notch, and is as good as, if not better than services in Michelin stars restaurants. Kikuya, you are the best! Food: 3 Decor: 2 Service: 5 read more

I am a fan of this place for LUNCH. This is a LUNCH review. Honestly for dinner this place is too expensive for what it is. It's not a good dinner spot. Factoring in dinner, we're talking two or three stars at most. But if you ever eat out or grab takeout in the neighborhood for lunch, Kikuya's a nice place to try because their lunch special is a really great deal -- rice, soup, and food! They do a good job on the sushi and with the tempura, and have nice sauces. If you eat in, it's BYOB, which is always a plus, I love that this is such an institution in Chicago. I've never eat in though. Just takeout, just lunch specials. I have vague memories of their seaweed salad also being pretty delicious. What you should expect: good-standard American-Japanese fare, boxed and ready in a takeout form for a good price (for lunch). read more

I see no reason for me to come back. Other commented on the great service...my experience was not. First, food: -sushi was sup-par. Just didn't seem fresh. -Edemame was overcooked so the soybeans didn't "pop" out of the shell but rather the shell fell apart in your mouth as you tried to get the soybean out. - Even my lemon for my water looked suspicious... Service- Our server was decent, though definitely seemed a bit uncomfortable in his role. We did wait for nearly 20 minutes after we finished eating for our check. Granted, I was just talking with my dining partner, but not once was the check brought out until I specifically asked for it. Price- Decently priced, but, again, the food is sub-par. No need for me to come back to this place. read more

I've been there three times whenever I was desperate some good noodles or something. I do like their udon, albiet a little bit on the saltier side of things. And their tempuras are pretty crisp, but very frickin' oily. But I don't think I can muster up the courage to try their sushi...that's just too scary to contemplate. It's just that the place seems to be on the pricier side of things, and I wonder why. It is a Hyde Park restaurant, right? So why am I coughing up $15-20 a meal for food that isn't up to par? read more

Kikuya used to be the only game in town for sushi in Hyde Park. Now, they have two competitors in close proximity - can they compete? Prices are slightly above average compared to other "budget" sushi restaurants, but they are not bank-breaking. The BYOB policy helps this considerably. Expect to pay between $4 and $5 for a fish maki roll. The service is friendly and generally attentive. The decor is dated, as others have mentioned, and the relatively bright lighting allows the customer to see that things like carpets, tables and chairs have not been replaced in a long time. However, if you imagine you are on the set of Star Trek: The Next Generation, this is actually a plus. The fish has seen a steady decline in quality over the past year or so. Where before, I would get a hamachi (yellowtail) nigiri piece, I eventually migrated to hamachi-scallion maki, because the large pieces were unappetizing. Now, I'm thinking of swearing off the maki, as well. It seems as though they have started purchasing less than choice cuts from the local purveyor, as they tend to be stringy and chewy, with the tell-tale "end of the cut" red patch on the end. I assume this general decline in quality owes itself to tough economic times. But frankly, I'd rather pay 50 cents more for a good cut of fish. Vegetarian options are relatively copious. In sum, Kikuya is an average sushi restaurant which is slowly becoming below average. Hopefully, they can find a fiscal solution before a decline in quality simply keeps customers away. It would really stink if Hyde Park lost what was for so long its only Japanese option. read more

I'm pretty 'meh' about this place. The Sushi was edible, but not the best. Especially now that there are other sushi places in HP, I will probably not come back here again. Shinju on 53rd is better. All I really need to do now is try the Sit Down Cafe also on 53rd, and I will have completed the Hyde Park sushi trifecta. Sushi power activate!! The one thing that really turned me off at Kikuya was the decor. It is atrocious. I half expected the cast from Saved by the Bell to show up. In which case, I would have given it at least 4 stars. read more

I really liked their sushi!!! They are just awesome!!!And the ice cream desert is among the best I had in Chicago. But what I love the most about this restaurant is the beautiful music they play. I enjoyed the whole meal thanks to the great background music. I searched the songs on Spotify when I heard them and I am still playing them repeatedly now!「I went in July」 read more

AUTHENTIC AND UNIQUE. Great flavors all around. The fish was fresh and so worth it for the price. Great atmosphere and will come back again. Pork ponzu was amazing!!! read more

I live next to Kikuya and go there wayyyyyyy too often. I always get salmon maki with cucumber and salmon skin maki, sometimes I get the unagi maki as well. The prices are great and they have never messed up my order and I go at least once a week. The salmon quality is good enough for my roommate who is very particular about her fish so that's saying something. Pickup at the door is quick and easy. read more