Asahi Japanese Restaurant

I was thinking about how I was craving Asahi and realized I never have given them a review!!! Literally love this place so much. Been going here since like 2016 and I crave the Lava roll every week. Highly recommend this place!!

Average run of the mill sushi spot. Food is decent and reasonably priced. Took off a star because of the horrible children's Christmas music they had playing,and simply because there is nothing remarkable about it.

100% legit. We stopped late on a weeknight. Tempura was perfect. Sushi was amazing. Tonkotsu was sublime. Will be back.

Definitely give this place a try! I love it! Tonight was our first dinner there and we will definitely be back for more! It feels so casual, warm and welcoming inside, every staff member is super polite. I regret that I haven't taken any pictures of our rolls and nigiri, but seriously just get in here ant try it. I love little family joints like this one and happy to support small business especially when it's well deserved. P.S. Sushi was so good I can't even stop telling my husband how much I liked it;)

ra Shai Ma-Sei! Asahi is a great Japanese restaurant located in the Palatine area. We ordered: Chicken katsu -- Breaded chicken breast, deep fried and served with tonkatsu sauce. Really good portions Rainbow roll -- California, 5 pieces of fresh fish, which looked to be salmon, tuna, white tuna, shrimp, and yellow tail Spider roll -- Whole soft shell crab, cucumber, avocado, sweet sauce. These always come out thicker, and it was delicious! They also have bento boxes to check out, which was a hard choice to not get. Service was great! Dining area is somewhat tiny... a few booths, a couple of tables, and few seats at the sushi bar, by the chefs. Overall, great food and experience!

Great little spot! Sashimi slices are nice and big. Reminded me of Tokyo! Will definitely be back!

Food quality is good but service isn’t good I.e I asked for extra soy souce packet for the pick up order and I got a response that “we generally give one soy sauce packet per roll” I mean c’mmon - I am paying you almost $10 per each roll and don’t expect such response for an extra soy sauce packet!!!!!

Excellent food as always ! We love coming back, always feel welcome by everyone there.

Asahi is a pretty solid spot, was always my go to local sushi. However, as of late I feel as if they are slipping a little. I think their nigiri is always pretty darn good. Recommend the Blue fin nigiri, hamachi nigiri, and ocean drive roll

Quiet and good. Don't expect frills but you'll be satisfied. Parking is great. Service decent.

It's a great deal! We had sushi combos and it was fresh and delicious! Will go back! We did take out. The restaurant has a few tables for dine in and seats at the bar. It is very clean and a great ambiance for date night

As an unplanned stop for sushi, this place was great! The service was quick, the staff accommodating and the Courtney roll was delicious. We had veggie tempura and edamame as apps before sushi and everything came out quickly and fresh. Service was spot on! Truly a hidden gem!

Ira Shai Ma-Sei! Asahi is a great Japanese restaurant located in the Palatine area. We ordered: Chicken katsu -- Breaded chicken breast, deep fried and served with tonkatsu sauce. Really good portions Rainbow roll -- California, 5 pieces of fresh fish, which looked to be salmon, tuna, white tuna, shrimp, and yellow tail Spider roll -- Whole soft shell crab, cucumber, avocado, sweet sauce. These always come out thicker, and it was delicious! They also have bento boxes to check out, which was a hard choice to not get. Service was great! Dining area is somewhat tiny... a few booths, a couple of tables, and few seats at the sushi bar, by the chefs. Overall, great food and experience!

What an amazing date night spot! Though a little deceiving at first, this hole in the wall will surprise you with its amazing food and inviting ambiance. The chef took our orders, answered our questions, and the food was great. Definitely recommend for a fun or quick sushi date.

A wonderful place for generous portions of fresh, delicious sushi, sashimi and creative rolls (we thought tempura shrimp and soft shell crabs were standouts). We went with regulars, so they ordered. The service was outstanding and the owners were Warm and gracious. Ending the meal with a tempura ice cream treat with chocolate sauce was the ribbon on the gift.

Great local spot where the chef and his wife are there making sure you have a nice experience. The menu is comprehensive with lots of fresh sushi. It's clean and open.

The sushi was incredibly fresh and bursting with flavor. Every bite felt like a delightful journey for my taste buds. The ambiance was inviting, and the staff were attentive. Highly recommended for sushi enthusiasts!

Takeout sushi was fresh, quick, and service was well prepared and accommodating. This is a hidden gem!

Amazing food. This restaurant has the HIGHEST quality salmon (sake) in the Chicagoland area. The portions are generous, and the freshness is unmatched. Service is quick! Ambiance is what you'd expect for a small sushi restaurant. 11/10, I'd highly recommend the Sake Don!

Fantastic sushi ... best in the area!!! Rolls have amazing flavor and each is unique in design and flavor. I never add soy sauce since each roll is tasty in natural flavor

This is most definitely the greatest sushi in the area. The salads are amazing, the rules are fantastic, the appetizers are beyond delicious! They are a little understaffed so be patient as a service is slow but it's worth the wait.

The best sushi place we have ever been to. We have been to a lot of sushi places. The fish is always fresh. The rolls are incredibly innovative and unique. We are only sorry we didn't find this place sooner! I saw a few reviews on here complaining about closing times. This isn't a corporate place, it's a small business. These people have families to go home to, they have lives. If they want to close early once and awhile, they shouldn't be condemned for it. They have outstanding food and service. I don't mind calling every once and awhile to make sure they are open.

Great freshly made sushi! Great service and good ambience for a quick weeknight meal. They will cater to any allergies and restrictions (esp for pregnant women) anytime!

Plenty of Japanese food to pick from from this quaint place. I was drawn to this place because of the sushi and had me some. It was really good! There are so many sushi options, I will definitely coming back again.

Decent sushi with some really uniques varieties of sushi .. a little too small and crowded .. service is friendly and seems to be a family run business

The sushi and sashimi here are phenomenal! The fishes are fresh, the cut is large and the marbling is beautiful. Compared to the other restaurants I've been to, they have the best raw fish by far. My favorites are the salmon and yellow tail. The pricing is also competitive, especially for the quality of fish you are getting. The sushi rolls are pretty good, too. Some of my favorites include: -Mongolian roll -Red dragon roll -C.S.T.-Spicy tuna roll, topped with tempura crumbs and spicy mayo. -Spider Roll-Soft shell crab As for the appetizer, the Golden Shrimp is rich and creamy. The service is great! The wait staff is very attentive and the sushi chef is friendly. ....| \ _ , , , - - , , _ , .../ , ` . - ' ` ' . _ \ - ; ; ; , _ ..| , a - ) ) _ . ; . ( ` - ` - ' - ' ' - - - ' ' ( _ / . _ ) - ' ( _ \ _ ) 2019

Great, unexpected Japanese find! The Sashimi was fresh and bulky! The rolls we tried: Sato Roll, Volcano Roll, and Fire Crunch roll were out of this world - completely new flavors that we haven't had at other places! And to top it off with a HUGE tempura ice cream?! SO FULL!!!! :)

The setting is small, but what Asahi delivers is gigantic. A true gem of a restaurant. The service is great and the chefs are amazing. Chef Sato is phenomenal. Buy them a beer. Kampai

Wonderful find. It's the first place we go to when we get back to town and the last place we go before we leave. Chef Sato and the entire family/staff are remarkably kind and focused on providing great service while the sushi chefs are knocking it out of the park. Generous portions, great flavors and fresh ingredients are all combined in stunning fashion. We are never disappointed at Asahi! It's understated to be sure but they continually amaze.

Sushi is always good here! The ambiance, not so much, so we get takeout. But the to-go food is always as good and fresh as if we would have eaten it there. The sushi is way better and more reasonably priced than some of the fancier places around (looking at you Shakou Barrington: that place is awful).

This place has great sushi and food! I tried many different items on the menu and special menu and every plate was delicious. They serve a complimentary crab salad while you wait for your order. Everyone working at the restaurant is very friendly and welcoming and the service is incredible. My go-to for dinner after work whether I dine in or carry out. 10/10 recommend!!

This is our favorite sushi place in this area. CST, Fire Bird and Avocado Torch are our favorites!

Surprisingly good sushi for the location. They definitely focus more on rolls, so just see what looks good to you We tried a few rolls and nigiri. They even had chu-toro that we enjoyed.

Still happening....tried to call in a Togo order last Thursday evening @ 7:50. No answer. So drove by & lights were out & door locked (@ 8pm). Website & door both advertise they are open until 9:30. Seriously WTF? Went to Tsukasa of Tokyo instead......5 stars for them!

Food is really good, feels very authentic and the place is nice too. It can get crowded during the weekends but usually they serve fast. Definitely recommend.

This is our go-to for sushi. The food is very good, and the staff is friendly and helpful. It is reasonably priced. It usually isn't too busy but it is relatively small and you may need reservations on the weekends. We also get food to go sometimes.

Asahi is certainly not a bad Sushi restaurant, far from it. But, I didn't really see anything spectacular that made it extraordinary. The service at Sushi places tends to be good, as this was. There were four of us - two ordered entrees from the menu, another had a Sushi Special, and I had spider rolls and spicy tuna rolls. We also had Gyoza and Cucumber Maki rolls for appetizers. I ordered a salad. The salad dressing had way too much mayonnaise. It is their twist on the standard ginger dressing you get at Japanese restaurants but they add a lot of mayo. It overpowered the ginger taste. The spider roll was okay - the crab was a little overcooked. The spicy tuna was quite good. Lastly, their green tea was typical for Sushi Restaurants - very good. And, they brought us a complimentary desert - a fried dough with a chocolate sauce. This is not something I eat, but my companions all said it was very good.

Amazing food every time. The fish is always fresh. The service is great as well very friendly. Small cozy place

We ordered take out and everything was so delicious! I especially love the crazy roll!

Our first visit & will not be our last! The service was great & the food was FANTASTIC ... the sushi was absolutely perfect, fresh & the chef's choice was wonderful! The bento box was hot, fresh & really tasty! Perfectly chilled glass with my beer ... wonderful! We loved this neighborhood spot & plan to visit often!

What makes Asahi different from other sushi places, is that its not a factory that makes bazillion of rolls for mass production, instead their chef Sato creates a delicious masterpiece for every customer. I mean it. Since this place is pretty close to my house, I use to visit it quite often, both weekends and weekdays. There was not a single time I saw anyone inside without a smile on their faces. Staff is very friendly, interior is quite authentic (as far as I remember, they've renovated the place like a year ago) and rolls are delicious - that's everything you should know about it. If you'll pick a seat at the bar (where you can observe the entire process of your dinner creation), pay attention to how the fish and produce are stored. These people definitely care about ingredients they use. Moreover, Sato (the owner) offers small complimentary appetizers, which is a nice little touch while you wait. One more little thing, I really like chilled beer glasses... its a nice small idea, that delivers better experience from casual beer. I definitely recommend to try Sexy Roll, which is my favorite, Sweet Potato Roll and Vegetable Tempura in here.

We Love Sushi, fine freak kill sushi to all you can eat (off this menu) sushi for $19.95 and everything in between. We decided to try Asahi since the reviews were pretty good and the menu is huge. And after a long day, just wasn't feeling like getting all dressed up and wanted to simply wear our fat pants and comfy shirts and go H.A.M. On some sushi. This is the spot. Although located in a small strip mall in Palatine, this place is a hidden gem. Small maybe 10 table tops, quaint lil restaurant, clean establishment. The service is Incredible, better than your heart of the city with fresh fish right out of the water sushi joints. Attentive, quick, and ahead of you meaning you don't have to ask because they already asked you. The sushi, not the best I've had, but I could put it up there as definitely would come back for again. Large enough menu to want to try something new and get some of your favorites since the pricing is affordable. My recommendation, this is a low budget, no need to dress uncomfortable in that suit that looks great but is 2 sizes to small, go to establishment, that you can become a regular and I will most likely be. Try it for the options, come back for the service, and don't forget to wear your fat pants, get yourself that extra roll... see you there.

My husband and I LOVE this place! They have delicious and fresh sushi, yet their prices are very reasonable. The service is excellent. They are quick, efficient, and most of all, very friendly. They even have free bottomless hot green tea for you. They also have wine options if you are up for it. We usually come here during the week, so if we ever get wine, it's just for a glass. The place is small, but cozy. It's great for a quick dinner when we don't want to cook during the week. I highly recommend this place.

Worth the price. I love sushi - our go to has always been elsewhere in palatine - UNTIL WE DISCOVERED ASAHI. No turning back now. I keep telling friends and family to try it sometime. Quick for pick up and table service, fresh tasty ingredients and lovely arrangement of choices.

Cool little place in a strip mall that makes you forget you're in a strip mall. Food and service are both top notch. I just have to figure out the tipping etiquette. Server? Chef? Both? How much?

This is our go to sushi restaurant in Palatine, it's small and not fancy, but it's always clean; the owners are super friendly and nice. This is a great neighborhood sushi place that we've been going to for years. My favorite is their Mongolian roll and my kids always get their fried shrimp and tempura rolls. We always love the teriyaki dinners that include the tempura, salad and miso soup. Always so much food! Also, the udon noodle soup is another favorite. I love the complimentary cucumber, crab appetizer and fried banana dessert yummy!!

Good sushi, although some of the rolls are not well executed, such as the New Asahi Maki, which is a fried roll that has spicy tuna inside. The problem is they cook it too long, and the tuna inside is not just cooked, but overcooked! Gross. They also have small portions for the price. If you do go here, go to their website. They have a 10% off for carryout and 15% off for dine in. The younger sushi chef there is a nice guy. The woman on the phone is not very nice. I had forgotten to print out my coupon and she wasn't willing to give me 10% off, even though I clearly knew about the coupon prior to ordering, but had forgotten it. I told her to keep the food, and forget it. Then she decided she could suddenly give me 10% off. The situation just rubbed me the wrong way.

Excellent sushi in the suburbs! A small place but worth the stop. Service is quick and fish is fresh. I got a sushi combo, which was perfectly filling and tasty. Their spicy tuna roll is good, and their fish cuts are generous.

Absolutely fantastic experience! Dinner date went very well for two people that love sushi, and not afraid of spending money to get it. Cucumber salad and gyoza for appetizer, with the cucumber salad winning on taste. Doesn't come spicy, so specify if you want it. Rainbow and Godzilla rolls are excellent, and on par with restaurants twice as expensive. Had some chilled sake with the experience, and the patient staff allowed us to sit and chat while we finished our drinks, never once leaving us feeling pressured to leave. Will absolutely be back again.

2nd time here. As good as the first time. Friendly service. Delicious food. Tempura, steak teriyaki, chicken katsu were all fantastic

I discovered this little gem of a Japanese restaurant about 12 years ago when I used to work in that area of Palatine. My coworkers and I were craving sushi one day, found Asahi, decided to place a to go order. And it was love at first bite! The sushi melts in your mouth!!! Their miso soup is traditional and perfect for days when I'm battling a cold. Now that I've moved literally down the street from Asahi, I do a lot of take out from them. It's so easy to pick up the phone, and place a quick order by calling ahead. I cannot wait until the next time I get to go to Asahi!

This is my favorite sushi place including all the high end ones in Chicago! Ambiance is awesome, cozy but clean. Both the fish and grilled items are done to perfection. Favorite roll is either CST or Sexy Roll if you like tuna! Highly recommend.

Always such a great experience and amazing staff! The godzilla role is my favorite. They really take care of you and make the experience worth while. I crave it every week!

Is not Japanese restaurant. For example, Tempura.... the onion is like a stone. Sushi.... rice is not fresh and also hard. Miso soup... is chemical Miso... tofu in the soup is artificial. If you wants enjoy Japanese food, this is not the correct place. You can enjoy in Daruma, shankyou, kurumaya.... Price is too expensive, toooooo much and quality is tooooooo

Great local place - super high quality sushi - owner makes a point of saying hello to every guest

Lovely place. It's a bit small, and hidden in this shopping strip. The people working there give it the charm. The lady who was our server was very sweet and nice. She was always smiling and checking on us. When we left everyone behind the counter preparing sushi and food said goodbye. The sushi was good, and they have a pretty large menu of specialty rolls. All were pretty good. If you're in this area, definitely worth checking out.

"Cheese Maki: Fried shrimp with cucumber and cream cheese, topped with melted mozzarella and sweet sauce." After reading the description, I had to try it! Now, I can say that this roll is all about contrasts! The creamy silky cheese with the crunchy cucumber and fried shrimp; the sweet salty sauce, the umami of the shrimp, and the rich tanginess of the cheese! So unique and so delicious! I'm so glad I tried it!