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  • 0

    Love the laid back atmosphere and not at all pretentious.  Owners are very nice and friendly.  Kid friendly, without being a circus. I have been bringing my son there since he was 5 days old and he loves it 7 years later.  What I like best are the pictures of patrons that adorn the walls.  Feels like family.

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  • 0

    I came to this restaurant as a prelude to R.Kelly's Trapped in the Closet Singalong happening at the Music Box Theater *ask me offline for details on that fiasco, LOL*.

    We chose this place based on the reviews, food selection, and location with BYOB being a bonus! When we arrived we were sat at a table adjacent to the door. What we did not know at the time was that people would continue to come in and out, BUT always leave the door open, so we continued to catch these icy breezes. We asked could we moved and as we were about to, someone told us we couldn't because it was reserved although there was no sign and they did not come for at least 45 minutes into our meal.

    Now once we got over that (and the cork fee PER bottle, which has been discussed numerous times), we could get down to the business of eating. The food was really good with service being just okay.

    I had the Flamin Fin Roll (Spicy tuna, shrimp, jalapeno, tempura crunch, cucumber, wasabi tabico, hot sauce ) and the bento box with salmon. Let's say I was full as all get out and super satisfied.

    I'd give this place another go around on Mondays (no-corkage fee) and opt for a seat away from the door. The experience is technically a 3.5, but the food was good and I hope this was a one-off, so I opted to round up. Hopefully it will be a 5-star experience the next time.

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  • 0

    I'm really surprised by the positive reviews for this place. Southport is sadly lacking in good sushi...we love living here except we love sushi and there's no where within walking distance that is decent. My husband and I have been here twice. The first time it was just ok but decided there's MUCH better sushi elsewear. Well, the other night I had a sushi craving and instead of taking the train somewhere we'd just go down the street and give it another chance. The sushi there is so tasteless! I got a spicy tuna roll that had no spice and was just so bland. My  husband had the philly roll which was also just meh. We each had ordered a few pices of sashimi, which were just ok too...not super fresh, the yellowtail was REALLY fishy tasting. It should be buttery and flavorful, not just taste like a piece of fish out of the freezer. We walked out dissapointed, and out $75 (yes, $75 on a Sunday night for a few pieces of not fresh sushi) and decided we are not going to be back.

    Bottom line...Go elsewhere. Rise down the street is better but even pricier, and still not as good as so many better places in this city! The two stars were for the service, the server was super nice and chefs were very friendly.

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  • 0

    We have been meaning to go here for a long time as its about a 1/2 a block from my house and we walk by all the time.  I have to say I enjoyed my first experience and we will be going back again. We didn't have a reservation but we were seated right away when we arrived.  By the time we were finished eating the restaurant was completely full. Service was great, our waitress was always around when we needed her and food arrived on time and as we ordered.  The white tuna nigiri was the best I've ever had. Cheerio.

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  • 0

    Dropped in after a Bears game, great service adorable decor, and outstanding Sushi, the Super White Tuna melts in your mouth!

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  • 0

    Came here tonight for dinner, the place was pretty packed when my friend and I walked in, the servers seemed kinda frazzled and overwhelmed :( We waited a good 15 min before someone even came and gave us water lol!!

    The restaurant itself is really cozy and cute, it would be a cute place to go for a casual date :)

    For dinner we ordered:

    Danny's super awesome roll (yes it's literally called that lol!) as our appetizer, which has Cucumber, shrimp, and crab meat wrapped with rice paper

    Double Decker Spicy Tekka Maki, which has Spicy Tuna, Avocado, Cucumber
    and Masago Wrapped with Fresh Tuna

    and the Flamin Fin Roll which has spicy tuna, shrimp, jalapeno, tempura crunch, cucumber, wasabi tabico, hot sauce

    Everything was really delicious. The only downside was that the service was a bit slow, but that's totally understandable because I know how hectic it can be when dinner rush hits, maybe they can hire a couple more servers?

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  • 0

    This place is walking distance from my home, and it's kept me coming back with some regularity.

    Great food, gorgeous presentation, agreeable prices, relaxed ambiance, thoughtful decor, and awesome staff.  The chef treats you as if he's known you all his life, which can potentially make a great first impression on a date (depending on what, exactly he says)!

    I can't think of a single reason not to give this place 5 stars.

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  • 0

    One of the better sushi restaurants in the area.  What's not to love about this place especially when you have local sports stars sitting next to you.  

    Sushi chef Hur is great.  Very welcoming and will drink with you.  KAMPAI to that!

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  • 0

    Being from the San Francisco area where there are plenty of Japanese places to choose from, sushi mura exceeded my standard and expectation.

    Everything we tried was delicious.  Recommend to do family style and share sushi rolls.   Fresh sushi, good portion, very tasty.

    Favorites: the spicy bomb roll with jalapeno, spicy and good!    Sweet Jalapeno.  Fried Softshell Crab.

    Many types of japanese beer.  regular customers have their own saki cup/crate and it's displayed on the wall, very interesting, never seen it before.

    Location - there are shops around to walk around.

    Friendly and professional staff.   Felt very welcome and will go back again!

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  • 0

    Still my favorite.  For a cheap date with my husband, a rowdy sake-bombing dinner with friends, or for takeout.

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  • 0

    One of my favorite Sushi places to go to. The staff is so awesome and friendly and the atmosphere is comfortable and relaxing. Always greeted warmly and with a smile making me feel welcome and at home.

    - Double Decker Tuna Maki
    - Rainbow Roll
    - Crunchy Spicy Tuna

    My girlfriend always gets:
    - Spicy Tuna
    - Mame Nori Maki

    We have never been disappointed with a meal.

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  • 0

    Best sushi, so far.  B.Y.O.B. and great date place

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  • 0

    I came here late on a Friday night with my b/f, probably around 10:30 but their website said they were open until 11:30 so we figured we'd have plenty of time before they closed.

    We were the only people in the restaurant but they told us their kitchen closed at 11:30.  At first everything was fine but after we ordered, we just constantly felt rushed.  We still had food left on our appetizer plate and they came over a couple times to ask if we were done.  When our rolls came, they came out on a few different plates and at one point the server actually came over and used a pair of her own chopsticks and consolidated the sushi all onto one plate!  Then the two servers who were left stood about 10 feet away from us and just stared at us while we ate.  It was just very rude!  It's to be noted that I have previously worked at a restaurant so I understand how annoying it is when people come in late, but I would never ever be rude to a customer or make them feel rushed to leave!  And we had come in an hour before their posted close time!

    As far as the actual sushi, the fish was fresh but the rice tasted a little old and crispy.  If it was not for the rude staff, I'd probably give this place 3 stars overall.  I think there are better sushi places in the city however, and definitely will not be going back here.

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  • 0

    Overall, not that impressed tonight.  I have been craving sushi lately, and decided to order pick-up from here tonight.  I ordered on Grubhub and took a nice long walk over.  First impression when I got home - nice spread and decent size rolls.  However, the Nigiri had pieces of lemon tucked between each one, which just makes the salmon taste like citrus and takes away the flavor.  But it didn't end up mattering, since I couldn't chew the salmon anyway.  I completely wasted it - so chewy it grossed me out and I threw it away.  Two of the rolls I got had salmon as well, which were also chewy, but somehow just edible.  The seaweed salad and Flamin Fin Roll were the best tasting and luckily saved the meal from disaster.   But seeing that over half my fish was chewy or I didn't eat it, I would call this dinner a bust.  My husband and I were very disappointed.  Yup, not going back again. :(

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  • 0

    This is my go-to place. I love it here. And the customers come back time after time. I have probably come here at least once a week for the past 4 years since I live in the area. The staff is friendly. The owners are great and very personable. The food is delicious! I recommend any of the maki or the nigiri or the bento boxes. You can feel free to bring your kids earlier in the day/ evening. Can't write enough good things about this place. I heart you, Sushi Mura!

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  • 0

    What a great place.  The food was excellent, ambiance is fresh and clean, service was outstanding.  Corkage fee is $7.  I'll be back!

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  • 0

    We went here Friday night - and first of all, and I have to start off by just by telling you how gratious the staff was. We had reservations for 9 people at 8:30, and unfortunately my friends were running behind. Only three of us had made it by 8:45. While we waited for the others to arrive, our server brought us out edamame and salad - we didn't even ask for it! Where other restaurants insist you wait until everybody in your party has arrived, we truly felt like our presence was appreciated.  

    Finally the rest of our party arrived and we had a wonderful meal. The service was great and the food was incredible. I had the #5 special (the Bear Roll, I think?) Either way - for somebody who is really picky about sushi - this place is great.

    I have to clarify something from an earlier review - this place is NOT BYOB. They have a decent selection of wine and beer. You can bring bottles in for a minimal $7 corkage fee, and I think there's a special going right now where there isn't corkage charged Sun-Wed nights.

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  • 0

    I checked out Sushi Mura because of it's reviews. Overall I was impressed. They had like three pages of specialty rolls, and very unique ones at that. Their pricing on all the normal maki rolls was comparable to any other place in the area. We ended up ordering the chicken fried gyoza, and the Miami, Bulls, and Temptation Rolls. The gyoza was awesome, and we love love loved the temptation roll. Whatever sauce you get with it really makes it perfect. I liked the Miami Roll, although I'm not sure it's something I would order every time I went. The Bulls Roll was really good, but although it was 10 pieces, I'm not sure that $18 was a fair price. Like I said, I enjoyed the meal, and for the variety and service you get, I'll definitely be back again.

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  • 0

    Sushi Mura is my go-to sushi place since I live in the area. I've been dining here for years and the service and food is always great. They have creative rolls with cute names. I've tried most of the maki rolls but my favorites are:

    -Bear's Roll:  Fried white tuna, cucumber, crabmeat, spicy mayo, wrapped with salmon and white tuna  

    -White Dragon: I don't remember exactly what is in this roll, and it's not on the site. It has white tuna on top though. yum!

    I looove the little salad they give you, too. I think it has ginger dressing but it's so so good. I like how they give you a tangerine after the meal as well.

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  • 0

    Went on a Monday night, was somewhat empty, and took advantage of the no-corkage BYOB.  Service was super attentive and the sushi was pretty standard.  Our fave was definitely the Cubs roll, which was avocado, cucumber, shrimp tempura, and spicy mayo wrapped with salmon on the outside.  Crunchy on the inside, cool on the outside, with a hint of spice, it was amazing.

    Overall, your typical BYOB sushi joint.

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  • 0

    Finally was able to give this place a chance this weekend. It is BYOB which is nice, a $7 corking fee though...but either way the setup and menu is pretty good.

    The sushi, however did not seem as well done as some others in the area. It wasn't bad, but wasn't anything amazing. It may have been our selection of rolls, but we found just too much rice, and the rolls themselves were not rolled as tight. I tasted more rice than other ingredients.

    I may give this place another shot, but with some other options so close, I might have to take a pass.

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  • 0

    Great little spot for some sushi with your girlfriend or your guy. We like to go on Mondays to Wednesdays because on those days you can BYOB with no corkage or have one of theirs for 1/2 off.

    That said, the rolls themselves are nothing spectacular, but they are fresh. We have eaten here on many, many occasions, since this is the neighborhood place, and have never had bad fish.

    The teriyaki steak tends to be a little tough so do not order it cooked beyond medium or your teeth are going to get a real workout!

    There is ample comfortable seating inside or at the sushi bar, and their is a fantastic little patio for summer sitting.

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  • 0

    I may be giving Sushi Mura an extra star for the company more so than anything else. The service was pleasant, if spotty (but they did appear rather busy for a Tuesday night which may account for said spottiness). The sushi was well made and tasty; it wasn't anything special or out of this world, but it was a few steps up from average.

    Although I never got the extra wasabi I asked for, the actual food items all arrived promptly which is always a bonus when you feel as if maybe your waitress is a little over-seated.

    I had the California and Alaskan Salmon (surprisingly salty but in a good way). Can't remember what my date had but he approved and to be honest there were more important things to focus on.

    Pricing was appropriate for this level of sushi restaurant and I would quite definitely return if in the area and craving a roll.

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  • 0

    I often pass this place and do not think twice about going in. Being that I am huge fan of Rise Sushi right down the street (South) on Southport, I did not have the urge to try anything else. I am glad that I did.

    Saturday nights have a good crowd, every table was occupied and numerous groups were waiting. I enjoyed the scenery from the sushi bar. Various large groups were in attendance, and most of them were doing consecutive saki bombs. It was a fun atmosphere. Played a lot of music. Waitresses/Sushi chefs were all very outgoing and nice (opposite of Rise).

    The menu is very large, and what I enjoyed about their menu was they had a picture of all their special rolls. I ordered two of them, and could not finish them. The sushi was fresh and very tasty. I like spice and thought the "Hot and Bothered Roll" would be spicy but it was not, little dissapointed. The fire roll was one of the best I have had and definitely recommend it. The price was relatively high, but I thought they were worth it.

    BYOB helps a lot, and will definitely be back.

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  • 0

    I am a fan of Sushi Mura. I went here on Monday on a date. I've got my favorite sushi spots but this was one of his and I know why. It's cute and quiet and even though it was a weekday I didn't feel like people were sitting on top of me listening to our conversation (which I feel is often a problem at sushi restaurants because they want to pack many people into a small space).

    Our waitress was kind of pestering us but she was on top of her business. The sushi was really fresh and yummy. My favorite roll was the Temptation. Some of their rolls have cute and clever names which was different. I guess I missed out on this "sake bomb" revolution they have going on here. I need to come back and create my own box. I guess this is quite the neighborhood spot and I would like to check it out during warmer months because their patio looks like a nice spot to chill and get your grub on.

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  • 0

    We came for a late lunch and we were the only people in the restaurant. That was nice, so we definitely got attentive service when we needed it, but I thought it was a little strange that our food wasn't all brought out at the same time (we're talking about a minimum 5 minute difference). We each ordered one roll so I thought it would have been nice to have them at the same time.

    I liked my roll, the Hot n' Bothered, my friend liked her Temptation roll, but no one was a fan of the White Dragon roll (and that's not just because it was my friend's first time eating sushi). I tried it and the flavor was lacking, and couldn't be remedied by soy sauce and/or wasabi.

    I'd like to see more lunch specials, because I thought that it was a bit on the pricey side. I'll probably try it once more and see how the traditional rolls are.

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  • 0

    Enjoyed another excellent dinner here last night nestled up to the sushi bar.  The chef's are great to sit near as they will engage you in conversation but also know when to let you enjoy your meal.

    I had steamed chicken gyoza along with the Mura special (spicy tuna roll with 8 pieces of nigiri) that came with a ginger salad.  The sushi, as always, was well prepared in terms of taste and portion size.  The rice was also a good portion - not too much so it does not overpower the flavor of the fish or fill you up too quickly.

    I enjoyed a Sapporo with my dinner - beer and sushi were just made for each other!

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  • 0

    I've been going to Sushi Mura for a few years now and I love it...great sushi and pricing is reasonable. I also love the BYO option (especially now that they are doing no corkage fee Sun-Wed).  The owner and staff are very friendly and accomodating.  

    My favorite rolls are the temptation, caterpillar, and the double decker spicy tekka...

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  • 0

    I went here Friday night when I was in Chicago visiting a friend. It was nice to be able to walk there and hit a couple boutiques in the area on the way.

    We loved that it's BYO wine. Not only does it save money, but we can bring whatever wine we want. A stop at Binnies earlier that day allowed us to enjoy a delicious bottle of Loring Pinot with our sushi.

    We ordered a larger maki roll that was boring, but that was our poor choice of items. We also had a salmon roll that was excellent, and sake, maguro and hamachi sushi which were tasty.

    The service is great if you're a regular (which we aren't), but just ok if you're not. We could easily see the better service the regulars were getting.

    All in all, it's a good neighborhood sushi place with BYOW. I'm sure my friend who lives in town will be back as I would be if I lived there.

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  • 0

    If you're looking for a casual place for Sushi, this place is a good choice. They have a good balance of traditional rolls/maki, as well as some specialty makis that are actually pretty good. The fish is fresh, service is friendly and they don't use too much rice!

    I did try a deep fried jalapeno thingamabobber that was actually really good. It was like a Japanese jalapeno popper.

    Prices are reasonable.

    I'd be a regular here if I lived in the area.

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  • 0

    I think this is a great date place.  It's always dimly lit and its an intimate space.  

    I have been here twice now, and the service was exceptional both times.  This is not my favorite sushi place in Chicago, but it is up there.  The food is solid and they have a few out of the ordinary rolls that are fun to experiment with.  Overall, I think they are kinda pricey, but I'd definitely go back.

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  • 0

    I visited Sushi Mura with my vegetarian friend today because we were both in the mood for some sushi.

    I had researched this place before hand, and today the hype from previous reviews didn't carry over.

    Because it was hard to find a restaurant that offered a good variety of vegetarian options, I thought this place had a good amount for the sushi restaurant, so I'd give them that. My friend had ordered one roll, but asked for cream cheese with it as well.

    Of course they graciously accommodated for her request but when we got the bill, they had secretly charged her more for her request. I understand why they would, but it was never mentioned to us that it would cost 2 dollars more for cream cheese. Like really now? Are you actually going to charge me 2 dollars for some cream cheese?

    The rolls i ordered, (Golden Pearl and Philadelphia) were mediocre at best. They were poorly made. I picked up one of them and the avocado and scallop just fell out, not because I don't know how to use chopsticks (I'm Chinese actually), but because it was so loosely rolled. The rice wasn't even sushi rice. I wasn't fully impressed, but the fact that they offered my friend and I green tea and house salad on the house eased that up.

    Service was pretty disastrous. We had a snotty waitress who found it a chore to refill our water once. When I asked for extra wasabi, she gave me a look as if I asked what her weight was. I wasn't that thrilled with the service.

    The ambiance of the place was nice though. I wasn't looking for ambiance, I was in the mood for quality food and great service. I didn't find that tonight.

    I would say this place is nice if you want cheap sushi, but not if you're in the mood for something authentic.

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  • 0

    I went here with 2 friends after we got off work, just because it was nearby.  I ordered a Japanese beer, which was quite good, and we ordered the edamame to start off with.  We ordered 4 rolls for the 3 of us to share (Miami roll, White Dragon roll, Bong roll, and Temptation roll) and they were all AMAZING! I had never had a deep fried roll, but the Bong roll was really delicious, totally different than any other sushi I'd had before.  After we ate everything, we couldn't stop talking about how delicious everything was!! This was only like 2 weeks ago, and I'm already planning to take someone there tomorrow night, and I can't wait!

    Totally loved this place!!!

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  • 0

    Cute little sushi restaurant on Southport. Perfect for a table of two. I met a friend here for dinner last week and it was set up very nicely for Valentine's Day! The restaurant is kind of small and the tables are very close together. I loved the exposed brick along the wall and each table had a nice candle for an intimate setting.

    Sushi Mura has basic rolls and specialty rolls like other sushi restaurants. My friend and I shared 4 rolls and we were full and happy when we left. My favorite roll was the "fat and sassy" roll. It was full of avocado and tuna, my favorite!

    We made a reservation but the place was about half full. Sushi Mura is BOYB and the staff are very friendly and attentive. Cute little restaurant and not too far from the brown line!

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  • 0

    My wife, son, and I have been coming here for several years now and absolutely LOVE this place. We've been to all of the city's top-tier sushi joints and keep coming back here because it is consistently one of the best experiences.

    The proprietors take their time to greet the guests, getting to know the regulars, and making first-timers feel like home in their very warm and cozy environment.

    Service staff have always gone out of their way to ensure an exceptional dining experience, even when the place is packed (and it's not very large, so it does get packed).

    There is a large selection of specialty rolls, and a couple we actually dream about at night: Don't Tell Mama & the Flaming Fin. It's not budget sushi, so if you're looking for a deal on specialty maki, this is not the place to go. But the portions are generous and there are plenty of little touches that make it well worth a few extra bucks, from complimentary cucumber salads before the meal to fresh orange slices after.

    Our son always orders the spicy udon soup, which is outstanding, while my wife and I typically split an assortment of appetizers and specialty maki.

    Overall, you can count on a reliably fantastic meal every time. We certainly recommend it, and hope your experience there is as satisfying as our many trips have been.

    Oh yeah - we sometimes order delivery on slow weeknights when the weather is bad, and our meal has been delivered by the owners themselves. Now THAT'S service. These guys go out of their way to make sure everything is great. More restaurant owners should be this customer-centric in their service philosophy.

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  • 0

    I'm quite sure I have found my new favorite place to get sushi in the city! Not only does Sushi Mura have great tasting sushi and a wide selection, but the staff and owner go out of their way to make sure you are well taken care of.

    On my first visit- I was initiated into the strange world of "Sake bombs" (kind of like a kick back to college but fun at any age) The hot sake combined with the cold beer certainly delivers a punch in a fun and playful way.

    Sit at one of the booths by the windows or at the sushi bar. Each is a different experience for only at the sushi bar can you share shots of sake with the staff and cajole for your own sake box.

    Wait. You don't know what a sake box is? Well neither did I before coming here. A sake box is a gift that the owner gives you that you decorate for yourself and drink sake out of. There is also a shelf in the restaurant where they store your sake box for your next visit (kind of like the old coffee cup clubs). Now how cool is that?

    Their specialty rolls are second to none. My favorites include the Dynamite roll, the Flamin Fin roll (with jalapenos), and the Tuna Dragon roll, but I've never had anything here that wasn't great. I like that you get the small salad up front with the ginger dressing and while I can't eat it- the sliced orange at the end of the meal is a perfect palate cleanser (or so my dining companion tells me!)

    Service is friendly and efficient and you can usually catch the owner behind the bar serving up the food. I like that they go out of their way to make sure that you are satisfied. We even got a free calendar the last time we were here. Parking on this stretch of Southport is never a problem and the prices are reasonable for the quality and quantity of food that you get.

    I don't know what it is about Sushi Mura, but no matter what mood I walk into the place with- I leave with a smile on my face and a very happy tummy. Must be that perfect combination of sake and sushi that does it!

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  • 0

    Let me start off by saying this is not a bad place. The service is great, the sushi chefs are friendly and the space is casual.

    The food just did not impress me. A group of 6, we ordered the Sweet Jalapeño appetizer, Veggie Tempura appetizer, Edamame, Vegetable Gyoza, Danny's Super Awesome Roll, Bong's Roll, Rock and Roll Maki and Yaki Soba with Tofu (among other things). The quality was fine; the flavors were just bland. I think the best thing I sampled was the Yaki Soba with Tofu. The noodles were very flavorful. The veggies seemed over cooked but it did not ruin the dish.

    The Super Awesome Roll was meh. Vegetable Gyoza was flavorless. Didn't taste like anything. Bong's Roll was probably the best roll flavor-wise but I have definitely had better. Frying everything should not have to make your food flavorful! I don't recommend the Rock and Roll at all - boring.

    Price wise, there are other sushi joints where parking isn't terribly hard to find and you'll get a lot more menu options. The options are fair, the price is competitive but the flavor and quality just doesn't stack up to other Chicago sushi restaurants.

    I know that other people will find this place a treat. I witnessed the Sushi chefs do a Sake bomb with patrons. That was definitely a cool moment, although you are in Wrigleyville so watching former frat boys in business suits try to take down drinks is a dime a dozen.

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  • 0

    My second visit here & it's still a great place!  

    The staff here is extremely nice.  

    If you're going to a Cubs game & are craving sushi, this would be a good spot to stop at since it's fairly close to Wrigley.

    Fresh fish, friendly staff, decent prices.  I'm a fan!

    *Note:  you may want to pass on the seaweed salad:  it's a TINY portion for $5....Tank's seaweed salad is still my favorite.

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  • 0

    Southport is a town to itself.  It's bustling at times (weekend nights, mostly), with a pleasant din filling the streets.  Not so much the roar of Belmont, or the cacophony of North Shore...but a din.  Theaters, restaurants, shops closing round 6pm and giving way to the people, the people of the night who were there during the day but the NIGHT...the night turns people into themselves.  The day asks questions, it demands attention but the night lasts forever when it has to and so it is at this time I descend upon 4000ish N. Southport.

    As you approach Addison, there's a large tree on the east side of the road obscuring a dark awning.  Upon scrutiny, the awning reads "Sushi Mura."  I was intrigued, the first time I saw it.  I was looking for a regular sushi place at the time.  A place I could walk in and say "Ooooi!  Oji-san!  Toro o arimasu ka?" and he would say "Aaaa, Irashai Masaki-san!  Hai, Toro arimasuyo!" and I would say "Honto? Genki desu yo!  Onegai shimasu!" and I would enjoy it.

    Sushi Mura isn't that big.  It looks like at full capacity it could seat about 50 people.  A big number, but not too big.  One major complaint I have about sushi joints in the city is they can be MASSIVE.  A massive restaurant puts pressure on the chefs, and doesn't feel intimate.  A good sushi experience is always intimate.  I love Sushi Mura's wooden decor, friendly presentation and layout.  Sushi chefs to the right, tables outside and in.  It's quite nice, really.  I don't yet feel transported to the hills of the Kanto plain...but that's coming up.

    I sit and the waitress is the cute Romanian who works shifts at Hey Sushi on Clark. I know because as my friend points out:  Last YEAR when we were at Hey Sushi, we flirted with her.  She's a peach.  I order my usual:  Toro if they have it, Super White Tuna when they don't, and the tuna dragon roll.  All the rolls and sushi is moderately priced, and I don't feel like I'm breaking the bank.  I fed 3 people there on 35 bucks, and that was great.

    Yep, that was awesome.

    Before the meal comes you are treated to a house salad with ginger dressing.  Commonly found in Teppan-yaki restaurants (Benihaha in the city is one, review coming up), the salad is small and delicious, the full, watery flavor of the lettuce mixing well with the tangy ginger dressing.  Then the meal hits.

    The sushi is prepared elegantly, no matter the amount ordered.  The tuna dragon snakes it's serpentine way around the south end of the plate, complete with it's trail of spicy mayo.  The super white is nearby, keeping the ginger and wasabi company.  I take my chopsticks and to the sushi bar I offer an "Ittadakimasu!" before taking the Kikkoman and upending a small amount into my dish.  First, the super white.  I bite into it and...

    The sakura blossoms playfully batter my face.  It's late spring now, and the warm summer winds are pulling the new blossoms from the tress.  I look out across the water near my home and drink my tea, smiling to myself.  The sound of the bamboo creaking puts me at ease.  My wife, my beautiful wife walks out from the home, and kneels with me.  We share a kiss and she proffers a plate of sushi.  I smile as she delicately offers a bite of white tuna to my lips.  I bite into it and...

    I'm back.  I smile.

    Sushi Mura is, of all the places I've eaten sushi in the city, the most deserving of the flavor it presents.  It's delicate, smooth.  The care in every roll is evident.  And not just the sushi.  The way the tempura melts in your mouth, filling your taste buds with the flavor of the batter and the vegetables or shrimp, marvelous.  I smile over at the sushi chef and bow a little, raising my chopsticks, already laden with the next bite.

    After the meal the check is offered with a small piece of fruit cut and skewered with a toothpick, as an aperitif for the guests.  I relish the flavor of the orange.  I tip well.

    ...you would to. I'm serious, she's a real peach.

    Perfect for a date, perfect for a friend, perfect alone.  Take a walk over to Sushi Mura (Just north of Addison on Southport) and enjoy.  After wards there's bars all up the hell on Southport, and Cold Stone Creamery, which is just about the best fucking ice cream on Buddha's green earth.

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  • 0

    Don't let the one-star reviews fool you.  This place is one of the best kept secrets in Chicago.  If "Cheers" did sushi, it would be Sushi Mura.

    One look at the pictures posted by the sushi bar and you'll know that Sushi Mura is a special place.  The proprieter even has special wooden sake cups made for his regulars.  Go there once and you'll realize why there's so many boxes on the shelves.  People love coming back.

    How's the sushi?  Fantastic.  Most of the places I've tried in town care more about making their sushi match their fabulously overpriced martinis.  At Sushi Mura its all about taste, and I garauntee you'll never find a better Spicy Tuna Dragon Roll on this side of the Ocean.  The menu is vast too... there's really something for everyone.

    This place is perfect for a date, a pre-show for a night out on Southport, or just a chill spot for you and your friends.

    Ask about the Sake Bomb. ;)

    EDIT:  Months after this review, the owner asked a friend and I to do his website.  Just want to disclose that I've done business witth this place.

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