At Allied Plumbing & Heating Supply, we can help you set up your kitchen as a cook’s paradise with beautiful and functional fixtures. But for nights when you don’t feel like cooking, we can also recommend some great spots for dining out. In the mood for sushi? Here are five of Chicago’s best sushi restaurants to try.

Sushi-San

chicago sushi
Image via Flickr under CC BY 2.0 by Signe Karin

At Sushi-San, the environment is old-school hip hop music and exciting sushi options. Appetizer specialties include a nori taco shell with spicy octopus and crushed avocado, miso soup, tempura Japanese eggplant, roasted edamame, and spicy black tiger shrimp with gochujang and wasabi aioli. A bright salad with ginger-carrot dressing or broccolini with roasted sesame dressing gets your taste buds going for the myriad sushi options.

In partnership with a local fish market, Sushi-San acquires the freshest fish for nigiri, sashimi, maki, and rolls in a huge variety of preparations and combinations to share with friends. Try the D-Luxe Nigiri with uni, bluefin, toyosu or maki with salmon, sweet onion, avocado, or lobster with herbed mayo. Specialty rolls come in 5 or 10 pieces, and options include a vegetarian choice with crunchy avocado and yuzu mayo, tempura shrimp with spicy Korean mayo, salmon and avocado with asparagus and lemon, or spicy scallop with avocado and jalapeno.

Try some Vietnamese pork with chili and cilantro, the BBQ Beef Lettuce Wraps, charred cauliflower, or XO Green Beans for some extra charred flavor. Reservations are available for a 14-course tableside omakase experience every Friday and Saturday, with the freshest ingredients and chef-inspired pairings.

Sushi-San is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from noon to 11 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m.

Omakase Yume

Michelin-starred chef Sang Tae creates a 16-course sushi dining experience based on traditional philosophy and techniques with flavors inspired by his Korean heritage and experience. The menu at Omakase Yume starts with appetizers, followed by main course sushi, and finishes with dessert. Each diner’s menu is customized to your tastes, emphasizing the highest quality products and hospitality. The menu is price fixed at $150 per diner, and here are some examples of some of the sushi courses offered: Hirame, Akami, Chutoro, Otoro, King Salmon, Uni, and Ika.

Reservations are required to dine at Omakase Yume. It’s closed Sunday and Monday, and dinner seatings are at 5 p.m., 7 p.m., and 9 p.m.

Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill

Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill in West Town, Chicago, respects Japanese tradition but adds playful creativity to its dishes. The appetizer menu includes traditional favorites like original or spicy edamame, chicken gyoza dumplings, miso soup, and seaweed salad, along with exciting options like fried hamachi collar, baked shiitake mushrooms, or tater tots with togarashi, parmesan, cilantro, and yuzu sauce. Robata refers to Japanese grilled skewers, including marinated Korean short ribs, bacon-wrapped scallops with ponzu, whole calamari, pork shoulder, and tofu.

Platters of sushi rolls are painted with a stunning display of artistic sauces. Whimsical names like “Born to chill” and “Boy meets world” hint at interesting flavor combinations of tuna, jalapeno mayo, avocado, and cucumber topped with salmon, microgreens, and black pepper sauce. There’s a vegetarian roll called “Green Harbor” with tempura broccoli and sweet potatoes, grilled asparagus, and cucumber topped with avocado, spicy mayo, wasabi mayo, and sweet soy sauce.

Sashimi platters and a la carte nigiri and sashimi with the freshest hamachi, scallop, salmon, and much more round out the menu. Save room for matcha and fruit desserts like creme brulee, crepe cake, or cheesecake.

Yuzi Sushi is open for lunch Monday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Dinner starts at 5 p.m. every day and closes at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Sushi + Rotary Sushi Bar

A unique and fun dining experience awaits you in Chinatown’s Sushi + Rotary Sushi Bar. A rotating belt has plates of sushi to tempt you as it rolls by. Grab what looks good from the extensive menu, featuring options like uni, hamachi, shrimp, or tempura whitefish nigiri, rolls towering with fish, avocado, and tempura toppings, or simple and light roll with Mexican flavors or vegetarian fillings.

Even the non-sushi eaters in your party can enjoy various options, like poke bowls in spicy tuna, salmon, grilled teriyaki shrimp or a bento box with things like tempura shrimp grilled teriyaki chicken, or beef skewers accompanied by rice, an egg roll, and gyozo. Hearty soup choices include udon noodles with tempura shrimp and vegetables and traditional tonkotsu, seafood, or tempura ramen.

Belly up to the conveyor belt Sunday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. They do not accept reservations.

Toro Sushi

Toro Sushi in Lincoln Park is beloved by neighborhood locals for its depth of flavor and quality ingredients. Appetizers include fried tofu with bonito flakes, scallions, tempura sauce, green mussels served with spicy mayo, deep-fried soft-shell crabs, or vegetable gyoza. Traditional favorite rolls are made with spicy tuna, salmon and avocado, salmon and cream cheese, or salmon with mango, avocado, and tempura crunch.

You’ll be amused and delighted by the rolls with unique names like the “Rock ‘n Roll” unagi roll, “Yum Yum Yummy” tempura shrimp and kani salad roll, and “9-1-1” with spicy tempura shrimp and spicy mayo.

Nigiri and sashimi feature the freshest scallop, tuna, mackerel, or octopus. Non-fish eaters will appreciate the beef or chicken teriyaki or shrimp or vegetable tempura meals served with rice.

Toro Sushi is closed on Monday and open for lunch on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner hours start at 5 p.m each day and close at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday, 10 p.m on Friday and Saturday, and 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Is your mouth watering yet? We’d love to hear from you if you’ve eaten at any of these local spots. Did we miss any? Let us know!