Chicago's original hipster sushi spot, this industrial Randolph Street fave serves up a mean plate of maki.
Gourmet sushi
Catering
Take-out and delivery
You will feel the Wabi aesthetic in everything when visiting Sushi Wabi. It's in the music, the room design, the lighting, the service and in the artfully prepared sushi. Sushi Wabi is proud of its non-materialistic and simple approach to the dining experience. Also Sushi Wabi is an excellent choice for sushi at your event. They have catering for all sorts of events, as small as a house party of 10 to as large as a 1000 person event. They will cater any kind or size of event such as, weddings, rehearsal dinners, grand opening parties, graduations, birthday parties and anniversaries, or just a get together of good friends and family. Also it was Voted "Best Sushi in Chicago" by Chicago Tribune readers.
The Scene You won't get a Zen Japanese experience here: Wabi is hip, industrial and loud, filled with stylish, black-clad people who dig the clubby vibe and low-backed stools. Thumping DJ-spun music bounces off the hard surfaces of the minimalist room.
The Food The focus here is on 25 elaborate maki creations and colorful combination rolls, like the familiar dragon and spider, plus behemoths like the Tarantula (soft-shell crab, fresh crab, avocado, cucumber and more). Edamame are steamy hot and perfectly salted, and gyu-negima (thin-sliced marinated beef wrapped around scallions) is succulent in sweet garlic-soy sauce. Nicely seared sea scallops are paired with tart apple-plum puree; tempura udon boasts wonderfully plump, squishy noodles that are a delight to bite, the tempura wisely served separately to prevent sogginess.
terrible service. the waitress who acted like she owned the place was so nasty. food was decent but expensive. not a lot of room here. the bathroom is nice.
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One of the best places i've ever been for sushi! Really cute atmosphere. Fresh food. Fast service! Large portions. A little pricey, but definitely worth it! If you love sushi you definitely need to go here!
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Sushi wabi is hands down one of the best sushi bars i've ever been to in a long time! They get the fish fresh from out east and you can even go in the kitchen and watch them cook if you want! All in all, GREAT!
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One of my co-workers took me to this sushi bar a couple of weeks ago. It was awesome! It's very "chic" and "hip" though so be expecting to see lots of yuppies. It's expensive (for the type of money I'm barely making) but it was the best sushi ever. They have great service as well, and visually the place is just amazing!
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If someone comes to Chicago and says "I want some sushi". You begin to scan through the millions of places where sushi is served. What it comes down to is atmosphere, service, and quality. Sushi Wabi is a place where zen atmosphere equals a zen feeling. The sushi is perfectly prepared. The service offers plenty to be happy about. Also, this little get away resturant on Randolph shows there are great places to dine all over this city. Enjoy the mulitude of sushi dishes, classic bar in the corner of the resturant, mood lighting, jazz fushion music playing overhead and modern colors correlating with the dishes. The food is costly, but most don't want to mess with the quality of sushi.
PROS: Atmosphere, design, staff, food,
CONS: Small dining area, costly
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This place has a artsy vibe. The walls are brick and the floor is dark wood. The lights are dim and on some nights they have a live DJ spinning some tunes. Prices are bit on the high end and it gets busy on weekend nights so do make reservations. The sushi is moderate but the presentation is beautiful. It's definitely a fun place to check out with some freinds. The desserts are excellent. Try the deep fried green tea ice cream or the plum flavored ice cream!
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Latest reviews by Citysearch:
(read all 49 reviews
on Citysearch)
not acceptable
By sushitaster
I went for sushi. I am not usually very picky about things but I had a waitress (nicole) who's not so pleasant non- smile, half angered look was most unpleasant. She was not nice to us.
Beyond that, the food is ok. It's presentation is nice. I think the salmon was not so fresh.
The atmosphere is cramped. You are literally sitting next to people almost shoulder to shoulder and there is hardly any room to get out if you are against the wall. I used to go here all the time but after the rude waitress I will opt not to. There are plenty of better sushi bars around town. I don't even ever write critiques but this experience was SO unpleasant that I felt compelled to write this.
Pros: valet parking Cons: cramped, rude service
Posted 11/10/08
average at best
By mrslau
the sushi was not very delicious and for its price it was unsatisfactory. we got the dragon roll, rainbow roll, alaska roll, and sweet shrimp, all of which were subpar. the salmon was light pink not the regular beautiful orange color. the fish itself was not tender or savory, it was dry and unflavorful.
Posted 06/27/08
Best Sushi Place Ever
By jdeater
This place is the best sushi I ever tasted the service is great and fast, the sushi is prepared quickly than any other sushi place where it takes 20min for one order. The place is amazing although the space is limited the ambience is relaxing and casual. The sushi the "godzilla" is my alltime favorite.
Pros: The sushi Cons: Reservations during dinner time is a must
Posted 05/28/08
Mediocre at best
By 084430
Having travelled the globe in search of the finest sushi, was hoping for the best when arriving at the famed "best suchi in chicago" ...Sushi Wabi. Had no problem with rude hostess (as some other reviewers had experienced), but was so dark inside we couldn't see each other, never mind the menus. Staff were reasonably attentive, but the sushi was average at best. The fish was somewhat less fresh than at a recent Lubbbock, Texas sushi restaurant. That should make you worry. The place is absolutely spartan... no art, no pictures, no flowers... nothing. They could move out and close down the whole business in 15 minutes with no trace. In a word the atmosphere is... absolutely lacking. Sorry folks, but average at the very best (and that may be a little too generous).
Pros: Average sushi, nothing really bad Cons: Atmosphere lacking in a serious way
Posted 04/29/08
Plenty of Rude here
By jolene283
I actually really love the food at Sushi Wabi, but I refuse to go back because the hostess has been so rude to me so many times. I guess since they are busting at the seams with patrons, she feels like she can treat people any way she wants to. I think this hostess is the owner of this place as well, but not sure. I will never go back. She is borderline hostile and doesn't deserve my money.
Pros: Sushi is good Cons: Unnecessary rudeness. Don't bother.
