When I walked into Sushi-San in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, the first thing I noticed was the atmosphere. This sushi spot wasn’t like most I’ve been to before: old-school hip-hop played through the speakers as the dim lighting created an intimate, moody environment that left me excited for more. The young crowd and energetic vibe set the tone for an unconventional sushi experience.
The top thing on my “must try” list was the Crispy Rice. We got the Spicy Tuna — which, despite its name, wasn’t that spicy. The warmth and crispiness of the rice against the cool texture of fresh fish left me reaching for more. I couldn’t keep my chopsticks away — in fact, I even made my family order a second round of these. If you only get one thing from the restaurant, it has to be the Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice.
The Spicy Scallop roll was another big winner. The restaurant contracts with a small farm in France for their Marseille butter, so the buttery richness of the scallops pairs beautifully with a kick of heat at the end of the bite, creating a melt-in-your-mouth family favorite.
As an avid salmon lover, no sushi outing is complete without some kind of salmon roll. At Sushi-San, I chose the Salmon & Avocado roll — complete with an unexpected but refreshing taste of asparagus, topped with a ponzu sauce that tied everything together. We also tried the Lobster California roll, which didn’t disappoint.
After stuffing myself full of miso soup, crispy rice, sushi rolls, octopus tacos and more, our final dish arrived at the table: Peking Duck Sizzling Rice. Served in a stone bowl over rice, bok choy and pickled red onion, its smell enticed me. I wasn’t sure how much more I could eat, but I knew I couldn’t leave without trying it. The duck is presented in a way that almost resembles pulled pork, doused in what my dad identified as plum sauce with hints of Chinese five spice, according to my mom. The sweet-and-sour profile was addictive, and the cast-iron skillet gave the rice at the bottom a satisfying crunch.
We ended with mochi for dessert. It was okay, though not quite up to par with everything else we’d tried.
From start to finish, Sushi-San delivers a memorable experience that goes beyond traditional sushi. The unconventional atmosphere, quality ingredients and bold flavors make it a River North standout.